Chapter 15
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Results (2)
"......"
Cha Ji-hyuk couldn't say a word for a long while after hearing me out.
At first, he furrowed his brow like he couldn't make sense of it. Then his lips twitched a few times, as if he wanted to say something but held back.
The awkward silence was too much to bear, and just as I was about to break it—
"Why?"
He finally spoke.
"Why go that far? Guessing right still counts as points. No one docks points for lucky guesses."
...He had a point.
I'd decided before the exam that scraping by with over 40 points any way I could would be good enough.
So why was I now insisting this wasn't fair and square?
Why was I denying the result I'd clawed my way to over the past two months of desperate effort?
...I had no idea.
I'd just let my emotions carry me away, and this was the mess it led to.
As I stood there speechless, Cha Ji-hyuk studied my face for a moment before continuing slowly.
"Is it because you don't want to be away from me—"
"It's not like that!!"
Before he could finish, I shouted reflexively.
It was so loud even I jumped.
"Ah, no, that's not—I wasn't trying to yell..."
Realizing my mistake, I stammered while gauging his reaction.
But Cha Ji-hyuk wasn't upset.
If anything, he smiled.
It was that familiar smirk I'd seen a million times.
"Oh? Then why admit defeat and dock your own score? You'll have to stare at this face you hate all summer break."
Good question. Why had I done that?
My top priority since possessing this body was to avoid getting tangled up with him.
As long as I didn't flunk again, I'd have the chance to cut ties for good......wait.
That was it.
"I-If we let this slide, I might flunk the midterm next semester too..."
The perfect excuse for my baffling behavior.
"This time was just... dumb luck..."
That was it.
With my reason locked in, I looked up at him defiantly.
"So don't get the wrong idea? Better to take the hit upfront—it's a call for next semester's midterm."
"Kh...!"
Cha Ji-hyuk covered his mouth, his shoulders shaking.
"Ah, heh...! Hoo... So if you score over 40 excluding guesses on the next midterm, I stay away after that?"
"Y-Yeah?"
"And if you don't?"
"Huh...?"
"You're proposing another bet, right? What happens if you bomb it again?"
His tone made it clear he didn't think he'd lose.
He'd basically handed me victory with my conscience confession, yet here he was, full of himself.
"That won't happen."
"Aah~ Sure? Shall we wager a wish then?"
"I'm gonna kill you, seriously..."
"You just said it won't happen? And you gotta stake something to really grind. Unless you actually like hanging with me—"
"Fine! Fine, just shut up with the nonsense."
I snapped back irritably, cutting him off.
A satisfied smile spread across Cha Ji-hyuk's face, like he'd gotten exactly what he wanted.
I hated that look... but whatever.
Next midterm, I'd crush it—way beyond passing.
Once I had the skills to study math solo without his help, I could tell him to get lost clean and simple.
As I sorted out my thoughts—
A shadow suddenly fell over me.
Cha Ji-hyuk had stepped even closer without me noticing.
"So I win this bet, right?"
His tone sought confirmation of his victory.
The excitement in it grated on me.
"Happy now?"
"Yeah. See you tomorrow then, disciple."
"Get lost already."
"Heh heh. Shouldn't you bid your master farewell properly...?"
"Hey!!"
Ha, what had I done?
I must be insane.
"Heh...! Ah, this is driving me crazy."
Ji-hyuk's studio apartment.
As he prepped for tomorrow's exam, he kept losing focus, lost in thought.
"Count it as my loss. My real score's 33."
"I-If we let this slide, I might flunk the midterm next semester too..."
"So don't get the wrong idea? Better to take the hit upfront—it's a call for next semester's midterm."
How does she come out with lines that hilarious?
What's even funnier? Kang Seo-ah genuinely believes them.
"No wonder I can't shake her off."
Ji-hyuk seriously wondered if she was the one pursuing him.
She'd put up walls when he showed interest, then barge in out of nowhere when he was worn down, etching herself into his mind.
This time was the same.
She seemed to open up a bit, then iced him out for two months, burning with resolve to cut ties.
So he'd tried to let go.
He'd lost the bet, and she really seemed to hate him.
It stung, but he'd given her a final goodbye.
Yet here she was, reeling him back in.
Now he couldn't even study properly.
"...This won't do."
Ji-hyuk made up his mind.
He'd use his ability on her.
The one he'd started on Ryu Ah-young but paused. This would win her heart.
He'd never planned to use it on Kang Seo-ah.
She'd piqued his interest because she reminded him of that girl outside the convenience store.
Less rational attraction, more human curiosity?
But not anymore.
He wanted her now. Wanted to see all her facets.
Even her looks, which he'd disliked at first, were growing on him the more he saw her.
She just dressed weird—if she learned to style herself, she'd be pretty decent.
That girl...
"Ah..."
Ji-hyuk snapped out of his dark fantasies.
His pants felt tight below.
The bulge straining against his zipper.
"How do I get her..."
Soaked in excitement and anticipation, Ji-hyuk pondered.
His ability required the target's bodily fluids.
Saliva or vaginal secretions.
Asking outright would land him silver cuffs on his wrists.
He'd planned something like with Ryu Ah-young, but it might not work.
She was so guarded.
"Well, plenty of time."
But Ji-hyuk was confident.
He'd see her plenty from now on.
Sure, Kang Seo-ah had bet that if she aced the next midterm excluding guesses, he'd stay away.
And Ji-hyuk figured she'd sail past passing easily.
Math gets easier once the basics are down.
But he'd win the next bet too. Whether 70 or 100.
She'd claim defeat again.
That's why he'd pushed for the wish wager.
What excuses would she make then to admit loss?
When would she finally own up to her feelings?
Ji-hyuk calmed his arousal.
No need to rush.
Watching the process unfold was half the fun.
He'd teach her slowly, step by step.
It'd be rough on her, sure.
But she'd been the one grabbing the guy trying to leave.
He'd collect on this debt—with interest.
"Haa..."
His groin ached from the blood rush.
He tried shaking off the thoughts to study, but no dice.
"This exam's screwed."
A hint of resignation in his voice.
But the smile on his lips didn't fade.
"Ugh... It's finally over."
I stretched after turning in my OMR sheet.
The two-day finals grind was done.
"Ah-young, what'd you pick for 17?"
"Aaaah!! Why's 34 answer 5!!!"
"Put that test away right now."
"What're you up to after?"
The usual post-exam madness.
Different this time? Relief washed over everyone's faces.
With the suffocating tension gone, I felt lighter too.
Just fill attendance till break now. That's it.
Then two months rolling around my room freely.
Of course.
"Hey, Kang Seo-ah, what're you doing after?"
I still had to deal with this guy.
My head, buzzing with joy, crashed into disappointment. Why the hell did I pull that stunt yesterday...?
I could've just found a new mentor if I flunked midterm.
Part of me wanted to back out now, but I held back.
A guy flip-flopping was the lamest thing.
"Why do you ask?"
I countered with a question.
"Exams are over—time to play."
Cha Ji-hyuk slid into the seat ahead of me as he replied.
Acting like it was his spot now.
I turned from him to check my phone.
"Go play by yourself."
"Playing well is a skill too."
"I'll play great alone at home—no worries."
"Is that playing? Now I get why you suck at studying."
"Hey! Wanna die?"
I fumed at him dissing solo content.
What? This isn't playing? Everyone did this during COVID.
Sure, no COVID here, but I wouldn't forgive that.
Some guys are like that. Clueless types who think solo fun means no friends.
"Mind your own playstyle and buzz off? Seeing your face all break's bad enough."
"Oh? And you came running up like, 'My score's 33! I lost the bet!'?"
Cha Ji-hyuk exaggerated with a thin, mocking voice and gestures.
"W-When did I say it like that, you psycho?! And I told you—it's for next midterm, don't misunderstand."
"Got it, got it."
Calming my rage, he raised both hands beside his head in surrender and stepped back.
"But buy me a meal at least. I tutored you till exams, and you ghosted the one you promised last time."
Ah, persistent jerk.
It annoyed me, but hard to ignore.
He'd poured effort into teaching me; skipping payback sat wrong. Plus that skipped promise nagged.
"Ha..."
Fine. Better rip the band-aid off now than hear it every meetup.
I looked at him, resolved.
"What do you wanna eat?"