Chapter 6
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Lunch Mate
The distance closed in an instant.
I quickly shoved my chair back, creating some space between us.
"Ah, why are you shoving your face in my..."
Cha Ji-hyuk's sudden move almost made me swear without thinking.
I barely held back the curse—it had to be because I desperately didn't want to get tangled up with him even the slightest bit.
But he, having no clue about my inner turmoil, just gazed at me with that bright, cheerful smile.
"Not hungry? Let's eat together."
"I'm not hungry, so go eat by yourself."
My sweet nap interrupted, I couldn't hide my irritation.
Why was he clinging like this when I kept pushing him away?
I just wished he'd lose interest in me quick and buzz off somewhere else.
But he was persistent.
"Just come eat?"
"...W-what's it to you?"
A little pissed now, his voice dropped lower and firmer than before. I flinched for a second but snapped back to my senses, retorting curtly.
"You skipped breakfast again, didn't you? That's why you're always so sleepy. Empty stomach. Sleeping slumped over your desk? Your back's gonna give out soon."
Ha!
His words snapped my patience. I'd been letting stuff slide to keep things quiet up till now, but it wasn't working, so screw it—I'd just do what felt right.
"Hey, Cha Ji-hyuk."
I looked straight into his eyes and said it.
"Who asked you to worry? Just leave me alone, please. I hate you. I don't want to get involved with you even this much. You're annoying the hell out of me—why do you keep messing with me?"
I said it straight and strong. I hate you.
I knew my behavior was weird and wrong.
From Cha Ji-hyuk's side, this whole situation had to look pretty absurd.
He'd just tossed some concern at the class outcast girl (probably with some ulterior motive), and she hits back with "I don't need your interest, get lost."
He had to think I was nuts.
But there was no other way anymore. For whatever reason, I'd gotten snared in his attention net, and trying to brush him off nicely only made him stick closer. So even if it came off over the top, I had to spell it out clear.
I finished talking and turned my head away. Seeing his expression sink a bit made something twist uncomfortably in my chest.
What would he say?
Get mad that I was flipping out like a psycho after his worry? Or laugh in disbelief at my delusions after his kindness?
Either way, I had nothing to say back. So I just hoped he'd spit some venom at me quick and wash his hands of me completely.
But the words from his mouth were way off from what I'd figured.
"Then if I stop bothering you, you'll go eat lunch?"
"...Huh?"
It was tough to process right away. When I dumbly echoed back, he looked at me and repeated it word for word.
"I'm asking if you'll eat properly when I'm not around."
"......"
"Answer."
The air turned heavy all of a sudden, choking me.
My eyes wavered without me realizing, and words leaked out.
"Uh, yeah..."
Hearing that, Cha Ji-hyuk got up and headed back to his seat.
"Then go eat quick. I'll be right here."
"...What?"
"What? You said you'd eat if I wasn't next to you? Or do you like having me around?"
"W-what the hell are you saying, you psycho...!!"
His ridiculous twist on my words had me bolting up from my seat and storming out of the classroom.
"Ah... why'd I run away..."
The door barely shut behind me before regret hit over what I'd done.
I could've just played it cool and ignored him, but nope—why bolt like I was the guilty one?
I thought about heading back in acting like nothing happened, but that'd look even weirder, so I dropped it.
-Grrrrr.
And right on cue, my stomach growled. I was hungry anyway.
Decision made, I started walking.
The restaurant in the building right in front of New Moon Academy.
This spot served buffet-style school lunches, students only, pay to play.
Never been before, so I had no idea, but damn—the food was pretty good.
Went down smooth.
Once my belly was decently full, my mind wandered back to that classroom mess with Cha Ji-hyuk.
How his vibe had overwhelmed me a bit, left me cowed.
And worst, how I'd ended up dancing to his tune.
That stuck in my craw.
Felt like my pride got scraped raw.
"It was 'cause I was hungry, yeah... and curious about the school grub too..."
Pinpointing why I'd acted so out of character, I replayed his words.
Figured he'd blow up or sneer. But nah—even after I hurled that insult, he still said to eat right if he backed off.
This was real worry...
"No way!"
I shook it off and stood. Bull—he was scheming, trying to wrap me around his finger.
Don't fall for the mind games. He'd said he'd quit bugging me if I just ate lunch proper, so from here on, ignore him and coast quiet.
Thoughts sorted as I walked back to class, I pushed the door open and stepped in. Unlike earlier, a bunch of classmates were already at their desks.
Heading to my spot, I snuck a peek at Cha Ji-hyuk.
Bread bag and milk carton on his desk.
'......'
Sight of it soured my mood.
Two weeks went by since then.
Unlike before, I ate lunch every day now, and Cha Ji-hyuk... stuck to the classroom daily. Kept his word too—no approaching me.
Seemed he was subsisting on bread and milk for meals; every time I got back post-lunch, his desk sported those bags and cartons.
Bugged me. Day or two, fine—figured it'd pass. But two weeks straight? Needled at me.
Was he seriously planning to drag this out till graduation?
"Don't sweat it... this is good, right..."
Perched in a bathroom stall, I scrubbed my dry face. Whipping my stupidly softening resolve.
Don't forget what he is. Erotic novel protag. Toys with all the girls around him using his powers.
I chanted that mantra dozens of times leaving the john.
Hallway and classroom dead quiet—lunchtime, figured. Makes sense; I'd hit the bathroom right before fourth period wrapped.
Needed my wallet, so off to class. Bound to bump into Cha Ji-hyuk.
'Don't care... wasn't my order.'
Mind steeled, door open. Yup, silent room. And Cha Ji-hyuk...
Face-planted on his desk, out cold.
Not eating, slumped like that—pitiful sight. Did he feel this way seeing me?
Hated the guy, cursed him plenty, but this wasn't what I wanted. Just no entanglements.
But now he was suffering pointlessly 'cause of my push.
"Ha... fucking annoying."
Scratched my head in a huff and closed in.
"Hey, get up."
Kicked his desk leg calling out; he lifted his head, eyes half-slit. That pissed me off for no damn reason.
"Not eating and crashing like this ain't healthy—why're you doing it?"
Fired his own words back at him. But spotting me, he face-planted right back down.
"Doing exactly what you wanted—why pick a fight..."
Don't-ruin-my-nap vibe. Irritation boiled over; kicked the leg again.
"Hey! When'd I say skip meals and flop like this! Eat across the room or different time slot!"
My yell woke him full; he sat up straight. Expression? Kinda pleased—not what I expected.
"Why? Worried?"
That attitude? Gone. Sly grin as he asked. Flustered me for a beat with the nonsense.
"W-what? What're you on about!"
"Said you couldn't be bothered with trash like me? If not worry, what is?"
"'Cause you're such a dense idiot, moron. Ah, forget it! Suit yourself—sleep or starve."
Grabbed my wallet, stormed out. Heading to chow hall, footsteps pounded behind.
"Hey, Kang Seo-ah! Lunch buddies now?"
"Deaf? Apart or different time."
"Hate eating solo."
"You got tons of friends."
"All ghosted. Been solo in class lately."
"My fault?"
"Not zero impact. Anyway, together?"
"Beat it. No plans."
"You're lonely too."
"Love solo. Two steps back."
"All worried earlier, now distancing?"
"I...!!... Ugh, seriously."
Give an inch, he swarms like flies.
Deep regret churning, entered the cafeteria with Cha Ji-hyuk.
"You, that line."
Tray in hand, queued up, pointed him elsewhere.
Pitiful not eating? Sure. But glued together? Hell no.
Cha Ji-hyuk eyed the line, me, back and forth—then nodded meek.
"Got it."
Easy buy-in, surprisingly.
Makes sense—probably hates public optics of us pairing up.
Bumped my disguise rating up a notch, loaded tray with rice and sides.
Tray full, snagged a dim corner seat for chow.
But then.
-Screech.
Creak opposite; tray plops right across.
"...Hey."
"Yeah?"
"Why sit there."
Glowered at Cha Ji-hyuk settling casual across; he scooped spoon chill.
"Seat here's free."
"Agreed apart."
"Apart? This far."
Arms wide demoing our gap.
-Thwack!
"Gah!!"
Kicked his shin, thought flashing:
If time travel worked, I'd rewind to before yakking at him today.