Chapter 16
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Tail (1)
Cha Ji-hyuk led me to a ramen shop near the academy.
A Japanese-style interior, with a sign mixing katakana and hiragana.
"You begged me to buy you food, and it's a ramen place?"
"What's wrong with ramen?"
"No, I figured you'd take me somewhere pricier."
"Don't worry, I'll treat you often enough."
I ignored his nonsense and pushed open the door.
Stepping inside, dark wooden tones filled my view.
The thick broth scent unique to ramen shops assaulted my nose, and my stomach growled subtly.
We found a decent spot and sat down. Cha Ji-hyuk unfolded the menu and slid it my way.
"What'll you have?"
The booklet brimmed with options.
Lots of photos, but nothing jumped out at me.
"What are you getting?"
He seemed like a regular here, so he'd know the standout dish.
"Tonkotsu. Basic, but it's the best thing on the menu."
"Same for me, then."
Decision made, he placed the order right away.
And naturally, he set two cups side by side, poured water, and pushed one toward me.
"Thanks."
I gave my thanks but didn't touch the cup.
Over the past three months, he hadn't pulled any overt tricks to get my bodily fluids, but I had to be cautious about stuff like this.
What if he pretended to be crazy and snatched the cup I'd sipped from to check?
It wasn't like he'd forced me; on the surface, it'd look like an indirect kiss.
Hard to report to the police.
And the aftermath was obvious.
Cha Ji-hyuk would just go on with his life like nothing happened.
Tweaking my stats all the while.
'Ugh...'
The worst-case scenario flashed through my mind, sending chills down my spine.
Just eat the ramen and split.
Wipe down every utensil thoroughly with napkins.
"...Cold?"
Cha Ji-hyuk, who'd been staring at me, tilted his head.
"No."
"Then take off that jacket. I'm sweating just looking at you."
"Mind your own business?"
"How could I not? And I've been wondering—why do you always wear such oversized stuff?"
Because of you.
The words rose to my throat, but I swallowed them down.
"Just... my style. Butt out."
"You'll pass out from heatstroke fussing over fashion."
Already sweltering, and the guy causing it was mouthing off—my temper flared.
And during break, I'd have to meet up with Cha Ji-hyuk in this heat...
-Yawn...
Oblivious to my mood, he covered his mouth and yawned right in front of me.
"If you're that sleepy, head home already."
"Aw, hurt my feelings?"
"You psycho..."
The lunatic twisted my "get lost" into whatever he wanted and grinned.
"Couldn't sleep much last night."
His eyes looked genuinely darker than usual, probably from pulling an all-nighter for the final exam today.
"How'd it go?"
"Worse than midterms, I think. Maybe one or two more wrong."
"Heh..."
I couldn't help but chuckle.
Sure, he'd still outscore me by miles, but studying through the night only to drop? Served him right.
Perfect for a smug jerk like him.
"Wipe that smile off."
"When did I smile? Can't you see this sad face?"
I teased him as innocently as he always did to me.
I could almost understand why he kept poking at me.
"Oh~ Unless you're top of the school, I don't want your advice~"
"Screw off."
"If you pulled an all-nighter and still bombed, crank it up from now on. Cha Ji-hyuk."
Too fun watching him squirm over grades in front of me.
"Day and night, no holds barred, got it?"
My advice, after doubling my scores this time.
A masterstroke meant to crack his smug smile.
"Yeah?"
But he just grinned wider.
"Got it... Thanks for the tip."
He looked like he was seriously taking it to heart.
"Tch..."
His reaction killed my buzz.
Boring guy.
No pride?
Nothing likable about him anyway.
As I grumbled inwardly,
Steaming tonkotsu ramen arrived at the table.
The rich broth aroma hit hard.
"Whoa, insane."
I'd caught a whiff coming in, but this broth was no joke.
I barely resisted slurping straight from the bowl and grabbed my chopsticks.
Picked up noodles and meat, placed them on my spoon for a perfect bite.
Then into my mouth...
-Slurp.
The flavor hit my tongue, and my eyes widened.
Perfectly seasoned broth soaking into tender noodles and meat.
Soft noodles contrasting the meat's firmer texture, their harmony divine.
"Good, right?"
"Yeah."
Way too good.
Glad I'd gotten Cha Ji-hyuk to treat me today.
I wolfed it down, resisting the urge to guzzle the broth straight.
Definitely coming back alone sometime.
Ji-hyuk eyed Seo-ah meaningfully as she finished her meal before him.
The ramen shop he'd brought her to for shady reasons.
He'd planned to swap cups, share broth, snag her utensils.
Pathetic methods even to him, but for her...
But Kang Seo-ah wasn't easy prey.
She hadn't touched the water he'd poured.
Ordered the same dish, killing any excuse to share.
Chopsticks used indirectly; she clutched the spoon she'd sipped from tightly.
From his view, it was like she read his mind—dodging every ploy.
He hadn't expected it to be this tough, even knowing her wariness.
Tsking inwardly, he pondered alternatives and finished his ramen.
Then.
He caught Seo-ah's odd move.
Glancing at him sidelong, she tore off a napkin, took it under the table with her used spoon.
Looking smug, like she'd pulled off the perfect crime.
Her shoulders twitched faintly as she fiddled below.
Pretending not to notice, he kept eating. Soon, her spoon reappeared on the table.
Dry plastic spoon, unlike before slick with broth.
'Hmm...'
Ji-hyuk pondered deeply.
Her avoiding every scheme suspiciously, now wiping his saliva-stained spoon?
Chopsticks untouched, and wiping while sneaking glances...
'Does she know?'
The suspicion arose naturally.
If true, it explained her past behaviors.
Overly guarded despite nothing happening, always calling him a pervert.
Hurtful back then without his current obsessions, but if she knew his ability...
It made sense.
'Still overkill, even accounting for that...'
But mere speculation for now.
He'd only gotten the power recently, barely used it—how could she know?
Right... that had to be it...
"Done? I'll pay."
She stood to ask as he finished.
That instant, Ji-hyuk grabbed a napkin from the table and handed it to her.
"Hey, wipe. Drool."
Pointing to his left mouth corner, he watched her reaction.
Hardly drool—just sweat from hot broth.
Normal folks would wipe casually, embarrassed but unfazed.
A girl before her crush might panic, wipe frantically, worry about looking gross, fidget inwardly.
And her reaction was...
"What? Where!?"
The latter.
Startled at his words, she snatched the napkin and scrubbed her mouth corner vigorously.
Knowing she held no feelings for him yet, Ji-hyuk's conviction grew.
Plus, she pocketed the used napkin instead of leaving it.
"Why pocket that? Owner'll clean up."
"N-No...? It's polite to take care of it..."
Spouting etiquette he'd never heard of, she headed to pay.
"Hmm..."
Confirming her reaction, Ji-hyuk mulled it over, then stood.
Tore another napkin, tossed it where she'd sat, and exited.
"There. You bought food, so bye now."
Seo-ah, payment done, urged him to leave.
"Thanks, hit the spot. I'm heading this way, then right. You?"
"Uh...? Oh... Left for me..."
"Perfect."
Saying so, Ji-hyuk started walking first.
She followed warily but not too distant.
Nearing the fork,
"Oh, by the way."
"..."
"Isn't it polite to pocket used napkins? So why drop one on the floor?"
A petty, nitpicky jab.
Could seem like picking a fight.
But she didn't take it that way.
Anxiety crushed any such thought.
"What...?"
"Saw it leaving the table. Napkin on your seat."
"And? So... what'd you do...?"
Her intense reaction.
Convinced, he swallowed a laugh.
"What to do? Left it. They clean up, right?"
"Ah...."
"Owner won't mind. Just teasing—you're taking it so serious."
Despite calling it a joke, her face stayed tense.
He quirked a smile to smooth it over, but that was it.
Lips twitching like she wanted to ask something, eyes darting.
They walked a bit more.
"Hey, forgot something... Going ahead."
She bolted back to the ramen shop.
Watching her back, conviction solidified in Ji-hyuk.
Yeah.
You know.