Chapter 13
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Weekend (2)
It had been just over two months since I possessed this body.
And the mid-May weather was starting to get pretty hot.
Hot enough that it was a real struggle to keep wearing a coat just to hide the curves of this figure.
"Ha... This is exactly why I didn't want to come out..."
It was so hot that I felt like ditching the disguise altogether. Why did the sun have to blaze like this...
I wasn't doing this because I enjoyed dressing up like this.
I was enduring the discomfort solely to stay off Cha Ji-hyuk's radar.
At least the library he'd told me about wasn't too far from home, which was a small mercy.
Once inside, I followed his directions: up to the second floor, right turn, and a long walk down the hall.
At the end of the corridor was a glass door.
Opening it revealed a spacious desk with several wheeled chairs around it.
There weren't many people there, and Cha Ji-hyuk was sitting in the far corner, studying from a textbook.
Even seeing him right in front of my eyes like this... it still felt off.
The protagonist of an erotic novel diligently studying? Really?
Well, in the original story, he'd made Ryu Ah-young give him a blowjob while casually studying himself.
Just focus on the exam... As long as I don't fail, I'm out of here.
I steeled myself once more and walked over to where he was.
"You're here."
"Yeah."
A quiet exchange of greetings.
I sat in the chair next to him and opened my workbook.
And with that, we began studying.
We each worked on our own stuff, and whenever I got stuck, I'd call him over for an explanation.
Unlike texts, the instant feedback let me make progress without getting too lost.
Before long—not much time had passed—we reached the advanced problems that wrapped up the chapter.
I couldn't have imagined getting this far today when I woke up this morning, but as Cha Ji-hyuk had said, having him explain right beside me was incomparably efficient.
I really should have listened to him from the start instead of being so stubborn.
Shaking off the stray thoughts, I focused back on the workbook.
There were three advanced problems facing me.
They required not just this chapter's material but pulling in everything we'd covered before.
I recalled the formulas he'd taught me one by one, slowly building the equations. It took a bit, but I got the answers.
The other two were the same.
"Ugh..."
Like muscles loosening after an intense workout,
my brain felt all mushy, so I cradled my head for a moment.
"Good work."
His encouragement from beside me.
I'd thought he was studying, but he'd been watching me.
Before, I'd have picked a fight over nothing, but since he'd taken my words to heart from the other day without holding a grudge and helped me out, I returned the sentiment calmly.
"What do you mean my good work... You've had it rough."
Cha Ji-hyuk looked at me with surprised eyes for a second.
"You... you're really Kang Seo-ah? Why are you suddenly being so nice? It's creepy."
"Ha... Just get lost."
Even after I thanked him, he reacted like that, so no kind words came to mind.
Only then did Cha Ji-hyuk grin like he was pleased.
"Let's grade them and grab dinner."
I hesitated for a moment at his words but soon nodded.
No matter that it was part of our bet, after all this help, buying him dinner was the least I could do.
"Sure, my treat."
I muttered as I flipped to the answer key at the back of the workbook.
I'd filled them out pretty confidently, but now that it was time to check, my hands shook.
Finding the page with the answers, I started with problem one.
Multiple choice—I'd picked 4, and the answer key said...
4.
I circled it with my red pen, feeling a swell of pride.
Problem two, problem three.
All correct.
"I got them all right..."
I told him the results in a trembling voice, glancing over. He kept smiling even after hearing.
"Congrats, you nailed them all."
Then he put on a mock-serious face.
"You're progressing faster than I thought. At this rate, I might lose the bet."
His expression and tone both sounded worried about losing, but I could tell.
He was enjoying this situation just as much as I was.
Even with the bet on the line, he'd helped me grow, and he was genuinely happy about it like it was his own achievement.
Even if he'd volunteered as my mentor with ulterior motives, did that mean I shouldn't thank him?
"It's... it's because you taught me so well..."
So I said it.
Drawing on his words from yesterday.
Yeah, he was sly and infuriating, but his actions had helped me in the end.
Just saying what needed to be said.
No need to feel embarrassed or repulsed.
That had to be it... but...
"......"
"........."
This silence flowing between us right now was unbearably awkward.
I didn't know why, but looking at Cha Ji-hyuk's face felt overwhelming.
Desperate to break the silence, I wracked my brain for anything to add, my mouth twitching.
"Hey."
Cha Ji-hyuk calling to snap the silence.
Forgetting the awkward vibe, I answered hastily.
"Yeah...? What?"
"Say it again. What'd you say?"
He didn't miss my reaction, smirking just a bit.
Ah, that face again. The one he made when he deliberately put me on the spot.
Times like this, I had to play it cool.
So he wouldn't get a kick out of my response.
I tried to repeat what I'd said earlier.
Just say what needs saying. No need to be embarrassed. I chanted it in my head.
But my rational side lost to my emotions.
"What?"
The word slipped out.
"What you just said."
"What'd I say?"
No choice now but to play dumb to the end.
Cha Ji-hyuk paused, looking at me, then said oh-so-casually,
"That you want to hang with me all vacation 'cause you're gonna lose the bet."
"Hey!!"
I yelled reflexively at his ridiculous twist, then belatedly remembered we were in a library.
Cold stares flying from all around.
I bowed my head frantically, apologizing nonstop, then glared at Cha Ji-hyuk the moment I looked up.
"Wanna die?"
"I was just reminding you since you forgot. Why bite the messenger?"
"I clearly remember not saying that."
"Your memory's selective. Just admit it straight up? Embarrassed?"
"No? Why would I be embarrassed?"
"'Cause you said it all shy-like, that it's thanks to me teaching you..."
"Ughhh..."
My dark history about to spill from his mouth.
I couldn't yell like before, so I desperately clapped both hands over his mouth.
"Mmph...!"
Only after did the realization hit.
I'd leaned in close, our upper bodies nearly touching.
Aware of it, I yanked my hands away and put distance between us.
But I'd already given him plenty of ammo.
"Whoa..."
Cha Ji-hyuk let out a meaningful breath.
"Always calling me a perv, a creep..."
He grinned ear to ear, face screaming he'd hit the jackpot, staring at me.
"Never imagined you'd be this forward."
"Sh-shut up... It's not like that..."
I felt my face burning as I gritted my teeth.
And then, one step.
Cha Ji-hyuk closed the gap without a care.
"What, why're you backing up? You were all over me a sec ago."
"I said no. And st-stay back...!"
I said it, but he showed no sign of stopping.
If anything, he leaned in just like I had.
This... was dangerous.
As he approached, I recalled the self-defense from the dojo.
The techniques I'd learned for a moment like this.
Twist the shoulders, lower the center of gravity—and my hand naturally grabbed his collar.
Right as I went to throw him over...
"Stop."
A cold voice echoed through the library.
"No affectionate displays here."
...Affectionate displays?
Time seemed to freeze.
I turned to see the librarian glaring at us over her glasses.
And at the end of that gaze:
My hand gripping Cha Ji-hyuk's collar tight.
Our bodies pressed close.
Distance that looked ready for a kiss.
The perfect setup for a misunderstanding.
"N-no, it's not like that—"
I blurted desperately, but the librarian cut me off.
"Please leave. You're disturbing other patrons."
"..."
Stares stabbing from every direction.
I bowed my head, speechless.
The moment I let go, my face burned so hot I couldn't bear it.
"...Sorry."
And with that—
I bolted from the library like a fugitive.
Running down the hall, laughter chased me from behind.
"Kang Seo-ah—!"
It was Cha Ji-hyuk.
"You said you'd buy dinner!"
I ignored him, squeezing my eyes shut as I fled.
That damn Cha Ji-hyuk!!!!
Even after that day,
I had no choice but to keep studying with Cha Ji-hyuk.
I didn't even want to see his face, but this idiot brain with zero talent for math was the problem.
Of course, nothing like that could happen again, so I blocked his approaches ruthlessly.
If he scooted his chair even a little closer, I'd skip a seat.
If he leaned over to peek, I'd block his view with my book.
If he grinned and tried chatting, I'd fire off only the necessary words and shut it down.
"I'm sorry, so stop pushing me away."
I even accepted his apology, but I didn't let my guard down.
Cha Ji-hyuk looked dissatisfied, but he still helped steadily with the studying.
Like that, we maintained a delicately balanced distance while we studied.
And before I knew it, the calendar had flipped.
As the rainy season began and humid air seeped into the classrooms.
July approached.
And with it,
final exams began.