I Have No Interest in Real Women (2)
The MT incident spread through the Publishing Content Department like wildfire. Even those who hadn't attended knew all about it. Naturally, public opinion on Baek Jeong-gi hit rock bottom. When he finally showed up at school, he could barely lift his head under the stares. Unable to take it anymore, he approached Jeong Ha-yeon to apologize, but she cut him off coldly.
"I have nothing to say to you. Get lost."
Baek Jeong-gi's face flushed red, as if he wanted to protest, but seeing Seo Joo-hwan beside her made him give up. Sure, he'd acted without thinking when drunk, but now sober, the memory of getting beaten without putting up a fight was crystal clear. He slunk away without even meeting Seo Joo-hwan's eyes.
With Baek Jeong-gi's disappearance, the vacant 2nd-year class rep position went to Min Hye-young, who had been the vice rep. Meanwhile, her old spot as vice rep went to Jo Kyung-jun, thanks to overwhelming recommendations from his performance at the MT talent show.
The new vice rep secretly resented Seo Joo-hwan for it.
Soon after, another rumor circulated.
"I heard Baek Jeong-gi took a leave of absence."
"Nah, it's a dropout."
No one knew the truth, but most leaned toward dropout. Makes sense—Baek Jeong-gi was a 2nd-year, and the rumors originated from the 1st-years. Even if he enlisted and came back, these 1st-years would still be around, so he'd have to wait at least four years for the gossip to die down. Might as well transfer sooner. And so, the rumor solidified as a dropout.
Those gossiping about Baek Jeong-gi soon changed the subject.
"Not our problem anyway."
"Yeah. Hope we never see that old-school jerk's face again."
"It's not just him being a boomer. He's a sexual harasser."
"Ugh, I hate him. Even if he was drunk, what was he thinking doing that in front of everyone?"
"Who knows what a criminal thinks? He's just bad luck. Let's drop it."
"True. Everyone knows already. It's even on Eck. What a disgrace to the department."
"Enough chit-chat, let's study. It's exam season, you idiot."
"Ugh, classes just started—what exam season? You hag. Trying to snag another scholarship? Hye-young's taking first anyway."
"Get over here!"
The rumors spread even wider than expected, thanks to a summary post on Everyweek, the app college students loved.
"Ha-yeon, worked out great, right?"
Seo Joo-hwan grinned at her rare, beaming smile. "Yeah, really."
He smiled back. "Your smile is seriously pretty."
"...Ugh, cut it out."
"Why?"
"Don't say stuff like that at school..."
She didn't hate it. Jeong Ha-yeon knew she was pretty, but hearing it from her favorite person anytime, anywhere was embarrassing. It hit different when it came from someone she loved.
Meanwhile, Yoo Ji-kyeong scowled at the lovey-dovey scene. She'd been the one to post the incident on Everyweek—to ensure Baek Jeong-gi couldn't scheme against Seo Joo-hwan.
"Ugh, gross. Shouldn't have helped."
Seeing him all smitten made her regret it a bit.
'Tch. Said he'd miss me.'
He'd clearly forgotten, and it just pissed her off.
*
Thanks to the MT, Seo Joo-hwan unwittingly became a Publishing Content Department celebrity. As a 13th-semester 1st-year returnee, plus the cross-dressing contest, talent show, and fight with Baek Jeong-gi, everyone knew him in no time.
The sudden attention was burdensome, but what could he do? It wasn't too inconvenient, and it'd fade eventually, so he just rode it out.
Upside: He got friendly with 2nd- and 3rd-years too. 'Gotta ask for study guides later.'
'Does our department even need them?'
In his past life, he'd gone solo, so he wasn't even sure if they existed...
As self-pity hit, a warm-faced guy approached. "Joo-hwan, been a while?"
"Yeah, we don't cross paths much. Heard you got vice rep?"
"Your fault..."
"Heh. You earned it—why blame me?"
Chatting with Jo Kyung-jun, he spotted a familiar face waving.
"Do-yi, you joined student council?"
"Ugh, did 1st-year only and quit, but they were a mess, so back in. Thinking of running for president next year."
"Masochist. At least it'll look good on your resume."
"Still deciding. Got other dreams. If not, I'll get Kyung-jun oppa to recommend me."
Jo Kyung-jun freaked. "Why me?!"
"Ehehe, kidding."
"Please, just kidding..."
He looked horrified, but Seo Joo-hwan doubted it'd end there.
Do Yu-i grinned slyly at him. "Oppa, dating Ha-yeon unnie?"
"Uh, what?"
"Whoa, you are."
"How'd you know...?"
He scratched his eye awkwardly. He hadn't hidden it, but hadn't broadcasted either.
Do Yu-i chuckled. "You two are obvious. Mostly you."
"Ha-yeon's kinda obvious too."
"Yeah, she tries to hide it but fails hard."
Even Jo Kyung-jun knew? Seo Joo-hwan panicked. "Don't spread it, okay?"
"Mm, wasn't planning to, but people in the know will figure it out quick."
"2nd-years maybe not, but 1st-years will."
They nodded. Sure enough, most 1st-years had guessed he and Jeong Ha-yeon were together—except him.
'Guess we're more obvious than I thought.'
Couples show somehow. He hadn't hidden aggressively, so rumors were inevitable.
He felt embarrassed, but his lips curved up soon enough. Jeong Ha-yeon waved from across the hall.
'Can't help loving it.'
Post-regression, he'd had plenty of sex, but a girlfriend? First time. The ticklish thrill in his chest was new and exciting.
He hurried over. A tsk-tsk sounded behind, but whatever.
"Today's when they pick the new class rep, right?"
"Yeah. Don't pick me, okay? I hate it."
Her face screamed disgust. How had she endured four years pre-regression? He felt grateful anew.
Today was 1st-year class rep election day. After classes, they gathered in an empty lecture hall. The TA looked annoyed, scanning the room.
"Anyone wanna be class rep?"
"..."
No hands. No one volunteers for that hassle.
The TA nodded knowingly. "Anyone you wanna recommend?"
Normally, no takers—the interim rep stays. Jeong Ha-yeon's face grew urgent.
But unexpectedly, Yoo Ji-kyeong shot up her hand. "I recommend Joo-hwan oppa!"
All eyes turned to Seo Joo-hwan.
'What the hell, raccoon?!'
He freaked. She'd been icy lately, and now this betrayal? Sticking her tongue out mockingly.
Before he could shake his head—
"I think Joo-hwan oppa's great too!"
"He's a 13th-semester senior."
"Hwan unnie's the best."
The class backed her. He waved his hands frantically, but momentum shifted.
As he opened his mouth for a last stand—
"Puhaha, Joo-hwan, congrats—you're class rep now!"
"I think hyungnim's perfect for it too. Yeah, no one else."
Even Lee Seok-chan and Jang Deok-hoon betrayed him. Deok-hoon meant it, but Seok-chan cackled, teasing mercilessly. Jeong Ha-yeon slunk low, hiding.
'MT was a mistake.'
Refusing now wouldn't work. Fine—if he went down, someone came with!
"If Seok-chan's vice rep, I'll do class rep!"
Lee Seok-chan panicked mid-laugh. "What? Why me?!"
"Thought you'd escape?"
"There's Ha-yeon!"
"Tch, don't touch my Ha-yeon."
"...Psycho."
Lee Seok-chan gagged curses. Unanimous: Seo Joo-hwan class rep, Lee Seok-chan vice.
*
In a dim room littered with rolling bottles, Baek Jeong-gi stared blankly at the TV. Post-MT, he'd filed for leave and holed up. School was impossible—people whispered everywhere. And some who knew did sneer.
Suddenly, he hurled the remote in a fit.
Crack!
It shattered against the wall. No relief.
"Fucking bastards!"
What had he done so wrong? Sexual harassment? A drunk mistake. Not rape—just a hand on her thigh. And he'd been the one assaulted. The glass-cut from rolling on the floor still stung.
"That slut..."
His rage turned to Jeong Ha-yeon, not Seo Joo-hwan—instinctual fear of the latter. Hers? Blamed on booze. He believed it firmly.
"If that bitch hadn't overreacted... fuck."
She looked like she'd lost it in middle school—didn't expect thigh-groping hysterics. Used to coasting on his looks, it baffled him. She must've blown it up.
'Fucking cunt.'
He considered enlisting ASAP. But 1st-years would linger. With leaves, school was done. Leave now, but dropout inevitable. One girl ruined his life.
'I'll kill that bitch.'
Drunk Baek Jeong-gi's eyes bloodshot.
*
A man smoking in an alley gaped. "No way, is he really coming?"
He called. "Yes, young master, he's here. How'd you know?"
- Whoa, he actually came back?
"You said he would."
- Nah, that was just a hunch. You know I read people well. I've got good instincts afterall.
The man nodded reluctantly. His young master had uncanny people-sense—beyond normal inteligence, he also has pure instincts in many situations, and its scarily accurate.
'Its why the boss favors him.'
But he hated hassles. He dreamed of a YOLO life, always blowing away any remaining cash.
Is that his true feelings or perhaps it is his youngest-rebel spite phase of his life? Its unknown to me.
The man tsked, refocusing. This is not his business.
'Just have to do my job.'
If I overthink, I might mess up—lose this cushy gig. I might have returned to become a gym rat, called just for work—and get a perfect pay.
Post-call, he approached the staggering man. "Hey, are you looking at me? Yeah, don't run. Come quietly—it'll be better for you."
*
Lee Seok-chan scratched his head, annoyed. Before him, Baek Jeong-gi curled up like a shrimp, clutching his gut.
He nudged him with his foot. "You're fucking insane? Coming at me with a knife?"
"S-sorry..."
Baek Jeong-gi whimpered, snot and tears soaking the floor.
Lee Seok-chan sneered. "Sorry?"
"Y-yes! Won't happen again! Please, spare me!"
Baek grabbed his leg. Lee Seok-chan shook it off, frowning. "Ew, gross. Quiet down. You think I'd kill you?"
"Th-thank you! Thank you!"
"But."
"Yes?!"
Lee Seok-chan's tone iced. "Why'd you try killing me?"
Baek denied frantically. "N-no! Just threaten..."
"Threaten—with a kitchen knife tucked away? Then what happens after that?"
"..."
"No answer? Hmph, don't bother. I already know."
His foot flew.
Thud!
"Guh!"
Baek groaned short, then vomited crawling.
"Urk!"
"Fuck, puking again. You're just a puke-boy."
Lee Seok-chan jumped back, grimacing at the memory.
Waiting for him to calm down, he called. No reply came out though—as if their throat clogged.
No pity towards him ofcourse. "Hey. Answer."
"Y-yes."
"Once is enough. I'm not brain-dead."
"Yes!"
Baek looked up terrified. The hulking man behind Lee Seok-chan loomed, but Lee was terrifying even more. His deadpan rundown echoed:
'Baek Jeong-gi, middle child, 23, flunked 2 years at Hwaseok High after doing some trouble. Parents work at Yunsung Electronics. Your brother is in law school, while your sister is at Korea University.'
'Good family—but why are you like this though? Should you disappear for filial piety? Like in the sea?'
'Chill its a joke. Laugh—or else it's real.'
'You've got some lucky parents.'
What 'lucky'? At least you're barely alive, you begged desperately.
*
"Soon, folks would call—listen and live right. Stay off my radar. Next time, there would be no mercy."
"Yes! Thank you! I'll be good!"
Exiting, Lee Seok-chan sighed amid the smoke. "Ugh, not my style."
Faking my menace, it was like acting in a life or death drama—it was exhausting.
The man chuckled. "Young master, should've left it to me. A tweak like that, would have no more funny ideas."
"It feels much better being hands-on. And drop the formalities, hyung. Be more casual."
He tsked amused. Casually: "Like your new friends?"
"Yeah. Better than some spoiled shits riding their own parents. Wait, me too?"
Lee Seok-chan laughed. Sobering, I gave an apologetic glance. "Kang-ho hyung, sorry. You've been demoted cuz of me."
Baek Kang-ho—dad's driver/bodyguard, is reassigned post-walkout. An overprotective dad's fallout.
Baek shrugged. "Its a vacation, not demotion. I'm just lounging, I still get my fat paycheck—isn't this bliss?"
"Glad you see it that way. Still I'm pretty sorry."
"Sorry? Raise my pay then."
"Can't—my allowance got cut. Ask dad instead?"
"Urk, don't give me jokes like that. I love this life, I'm not gonna lose it just because of that. But I'll keep being casual—no honorifics."
"Pffhehe."
Lee Seok-chan giggled. What a weird hyung. Yunsung heir gig is not tempting? This is genuinely hilarious.
Baek lit a smoke, smirking. "You've got good friends—that's a relief. That Joo-hwan kid solid?"
Seo Joo-hwan. He's a gym bro, Da-an Uni—same department? Shocker.
Lee Seok-chan chuckled, shaking thier head. "Solid, yeah. Got me in vice rep cuz of him. He show's some rich-kid power, it has been quite spicy?"
Punching the air playfully, he burst laughing. "Joo-hwan's like me. And you."
"Like? You mean like gym rats, pranksters?"
"Nah. More so perverted vibes?"
"Me perverted...?"
"Ain't you?"
"Ugh."
Baek puffed hard, speechless. Too much shared—wild youth tales.
Lee Seok-chan grinned, then frowned, glancing. Better to spill what I know.
"Kang-ho hyung, I've got a secret."
"What is it?"
"Joo-hwan's dating Ha-yeon."
"...The miss? Does the boss know?"
"Nope. Don't report it—I told ya first. Old man's call-fest incoming."
Lee tsked. Why regret it? Go all-in or not.
"Hm."
Baek scratched head troubled. Lee poked his ribs. "Hyung, bring souvenirs home. Or should I intro a Japanese fix—specialist."
"...What?"
"Still can't get it up at night right? It doesn't... rise."
"..."
Baek glared with a red-faced, his tiger eyes growling. "Deal."
34 years old, and he couldn't get it up for half his years.