Chapter 19
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: 7/23 (1)
Final exams had just wrapped up, and vacation arrived soon after.
Ji-hyuk sat in the appointed café, waiting for Seo-ah.
July 23rd, Monday—the first day of vacation.
At 1:30 p.m., thirty minutes early. Confirming the time, Ji-hyuk opened his stat window and dulled her senses.
A precaution, in case the sweltering heat made meeting him feel like a chore.
Closing the window, Ji-hyuk naturally recalled last week's events.
He'd casually mentioned the ramen shop and said he wouldn't go. Her eyes had sparkled brightly.
She was so obvious about it, yet she thought he wouldn't notice. That expression was just too adorable.
Everything else had been easy after that.
After school, he tailed her discreetly to the ramen shop. Once she'd finished eating and left, he pocketed her spoon.
With her bodily fluids in hand, Ji-hyuk opened the stat window and subtly heightened her sensitivity.
Just a tiny bit, so she wouldn't notice.
The plan was for her body to heat up every time they met, making her aware of it—and gradually mistake that awareness for budding feelings.
Once she realized it, the rest would be simple. Each meeting would reinforce her conviction that it was love.
Imagining that moment, Ji-hyuk let out a soft chuckle. Then he spotted Seo-ah approaching outside the window.
As always, thick-lensed glasses and an oversized hood that didn't fit her frame.
Of all things, that's her taste...
Whatever. Her style would gradually shift to his preferences anyway.
She entered, opening the door, and glanced around.
Ji-hyuk raised the window, slightly boosting her sensitivity again, then lifted his hand to call her.
"Kang Seo-ah, over here."
In a corner of the café, our meeting spot.
I spotted Cha Ji-hyuk waving me over and walked to his table.
This morning, it had felt too hot to go out—I hadn't wanted to.
But once I stepped outside, it wasn't that bad, so I arrived in a good mood.
"You're early."
"I just got here too."
Hearing that, I set my bag on the seat diagonally across from him.
"What do you want? I'll get it."
I'd come to learn from him and grab a drink in a tumbler, so I asked.
"I'll have... an iced Java Chip Frappuccino."
"Going for the expensive stuff, huh."
"Gotta milk it while I can."
Cha Ji-hyuk winked and grinned at my reply.
I scowled and headed to order.
I got two drinks—since we'd be here a while, I added a small cake too.
Back at the table with the vibrating pager.
Cha Ji-hyuk stared right at me.
"What're you looking at."
"No thoughts on switching those glasses for contacts?"
Out-of-nowhere question.
"Huh?"
"Everyone uses lenses these days. Glasses must be a hassle, right?"
"Nah, I like glasses. They're comfy."
Truth was, he had a point—glasses were inconvenient.
The thick lenses didn't match my prescription, so I'd push them down to see clearly.
But I couldn't ditch them.
Cha Ji-hyuk was keeping a safe distance right now. Without the glasses, he might get bold.
This distance felt just right.
"Okay then."
Thankfully, it seemed like an idle comment, not him onto something.
"Have a seat. I'll go over today's material."
As he continued, I started to sit opposite him.
"Come around to my side."
His follow-up stopped me in place.
"Why?"
"I told you last time—no pointless bickering. Just sit nicely."
"Tch."
I wanted to resist, but his firm tone made me move to the seat beside him.
A bit closer than in class...
"Hurry up."
"Fine, jeez!"
Why so pushy with the rushing.
I plopped down next to him irritably.
"We didn't cover the full first-semester curriculum last time, so we'll pick up from there..."
Today's lesson wasn't previewing second-semester stuff—it was finishing the leftover first-semester progress.
Opening the book, unfamiliar English terms and symbols greeted me. I wanted to slam it shut already.
How had I studied for two months before finals?
As he outlined the plan, the pager I'd brought buzzed.
"I'll grab it."
Cha Ji-hyuk snatched the pager and stood.
Soon after, he returned with a tray of two drinks and the cake.
We set it on the table and dove into studying.
Like before finals: I'd solve what I could on my own, then get his focused help on the tough ones.
We bumped occasionally, startling me each time, but it didn't derail my focus much.
Finishing the advanced problems from today's unit, I felt my stiff body and stretched.
"Ughhh..."
Glancing at the clock: 3:30 p.m. An hour and a half already.
"You nailed it. Good job."
He'd been checking my work, set the textbook down, and pulled something from his pocket, placing it before me.
"What's this?"
"Lemon candy. Reward for doing well."
A yellow orb in plastic on his palm.
I couldn't help but snicker.
"What am I, a kid? Take it away."
Ridiculous.
Something even elementary kids wouldn't get.
"Try one. It's good."
But he was persistent.
Serious even against my sharp tone.
"No thanks. You eat it."
I furrowed my brow and refused firmly.
"Watch your tone."
"Screw that. Why should I?"
"Kang Seo-ah."
My name, enunciated clearly—my breath hitched without thinking.
"Eek..."
His grave, weighty demeanor.
Startled, my pride flared, and I yelled.
"Fine! I'll eat it!!"
I didn't want to sweet-talk him like he suggested, so I snatched the candy.
What's the big deal with this crap.
Tearing the wrapper irritably, I popped it in my mouth.
How good could it be...
"Mmm..."
Way better than expected.
The perfect blend of lemon's sweet and sour danced on my tongue.
Felt even more intense too?
"Tasty, right?"
Seeing my reaction, Cha Ji-hyuk flashed that smug smile I hated and asked.
"Eh, it's okay..."
I grumbled, reluctant to admit it.
"Do well next time, get another."
"Don't need it."
Treating me like a dog or something.
What a weird act.
I glared at him, rolling the candy with my tongue.
"Still thirty minutes left."
Just as I tried to relax—another interruption.
"That's enough for today. You said I did good."
"Wanna hang out with me for thirty minutes?"
More weirdness from him.
I straightened up and snapped back.
"You nuts? Cut the crap and beat it."
"Victim complex kicking in again."
"What? Victim...?? You started it!!"
"Asking if you wanna hang out is 'starting it'?"
"Totally is, you perv."
"Never done anything pervy."
True enough.
He'd never groped me outright.
But I knew his true colors.
"You're just a perv."
Sticking out my tongue briefly, I turned away, signaling no rebuttals.
I felt like I'd won, a laugh bubbling up—then.
"...!???"
Suddenly, my left hand was grabbed.
Turning, Cha Ji-hyuk gripped it, staring at me.
"Wh-what're you doing! Let go!!"
I yanked immediately, but his strong grip wouldn't budge.
"Why? I'm a perv, right? Gotta earn it."
Unlike me, he was calm, lightly scraping my palm with his thumbnail.
"Eeeeek...!!"
Tingles shot through me, goosebumps everywhere.
My whole body twisted; limbs curled instinctively.
"Still think I'm a perv?"
Grinning mischievously at my reaction, he slid his thumb up toward my wrist.
Warning he'd go further if I didn't speak.
"No...! No, so let go!!"
I answered quick to shake him off.
But he paused the thumb—didn't release.
"No what?"
Asking again, he circled my wrist with it.
"Ahng...! N-not a perv, so let go...!"
Finally satisfied, Cha Ji-hyuk released me.
I clutched the hand to my chest.
Rubbing the palm hard with my right—it still tingled.
And where he'd touched burned hot.
"Eung... you pe-per..."
I shoved my chair back, creating distance.
Barely biting back "perv bastard."
"What? Changed your mind—pervy now?"
"Hic!"
His stance screamed he'd grab again.
I bolted up, snatching my tumbler and bag, fleeing the café.
Didn't matter where—just away from him.
Why... why...!
Just a hand grab—why this feeling?
It was like...
"Wh-what nonsense..."
Slowing from a run to a walk, I shook my head vigorously.
Just startled by the sudden grab.
Shocked by the tickling, nothing more.
I looked down at my left hand.
The heat and tingles were gone.
"Yeah... just my imagination..."
With that, I hurried home.
Cursing Cha Ji-hyuk under my breath the whole way.