Chapter 7
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Mentor-Mentee (1)
I had made a vow when I possessed this body. I would never, ever get involved with Cha Ji-hyuk, not even a little bit.
Of course, today I had broken that vow myself, but that didn't mean I wanted to get tangled up with him in any way.
All I had wanted was for him to eat lunch without worrying about me.
Without making me uncomfortable, treating each other like perfect strangers who didn't give a damn about one another.
That was all I wanted... but I realized I had been way too naive.
"Go sit somewhere else."
"I told you, I don't have any friends. And since you brought me here, you should at least eat with me."
"When did I bring you? You just followed me on your own."
"You were yelling at me with that look on your face like you were about to burst into tears if I didn't eat, how could I just stand there..."
"Hey...!!"
I bristled at his words for a moment, then took a deep breath to calm myself down.
What the hell was I doing, acting like a damn kid?
The more I talked to him, the more annoyed I got, so I ignored Cha Ji-hyuk and just focused on eating.
Today's menu was spicy pork stir-fry, my absolute favorite. It helped wash away the irritation he'd stirred up with every bite.
"You like spicy pork, huh? That's kinda surprising."
"What is?"
"Well, most girls hate it, don't they? Feels more like guy's soul food."
Of course, that's because I'm a guy inside. I swallowed those words and glanced at his plate.
Unlike my plate piled high with just meat, his had a neat mix of pork and veggies.
Seeing that, I felt a weird thrill and opened my mouth.
"That's not very manly."
My body might be a girl's now, but at least my mind felt way more masculine than his.
"Real men don't sweat that stuff."
Cha Ji-hyuk added lamely.
"Yeah, sure."
I shot back with a crooked smile.
This guy who couldn't charm a girl if his life depended on it sure talks a big game.
Cha Ji-hyuk's eyes widened for a second at my words, then he broke into a meaningful smile.
"See? It's better eating together."
"What?"
"I just... I've never seen you smile before."
The moment I heard that, I reflexively covered my face.
I always had to be careful around him, but I'd let my guard down without realizing it.
"W-When did I smile? I didn't do anything like that."
I quickly added before he could get the wrong idea.
"Don't misunderstand. Eating with you is just uncomfortable."
I gripped my chopsticks, still slick with my saliva, and reminded myself once more.
This guy's a pervert and a total piece of trash.
But he looked at my behavior like it was pathetic.
Cha Ji-hyuk rested his chin on his hand, smirking crookedly.
"Yeah, sure."
Ah.
There wasn't a single likable thing about this guy.
.
.
.
.
After that, Cha Ji-hyuk dogged my footsteps every lunch period without fail.
No matter how much I told him to leave me alone, it was useless.
He'd spout ridiculous excuses like he was lonely without friends, or that I must be lonely too even if I pretended not to be.
He just bulldozed ahead with whatever he wanted.
Eventually, when I tried skipping lunch again, he even threatened to starve himself too.
The guy really had no shame.
"Not eating lunch? I'm hungry."
Cha Ji-hyuk dragged a chair over to my desk and plopped down, shoving his face in mine.
I answered without looking at him.
"Go eat by yourself."
"Eating alone is lonely."
"Then starve to death for all I care."
"Can't you say it nicer?"
Lately, he'd been trying to correct my speech.
Every time I swore, he'd chime in with a "Tsk" or "Hey now," which was beyond ridiculous.
"No. Whenever I see you, nice words don't come out."
"So I'm special, huh?"
"......"
Is this what they mean by hearing only what you want to hear?
I pressed my throbbing temples and asked what I'd been wanting to.
"Hey, you really want to stick around even when I talk to you like this? You've got tons of girls who like you. Go hang with them."
Ever since my plan to live quietly without drama with him failed, I'd been dumping my raw feelings on him unfiltered.
Or more precisely, I was being extra harsh to push him away.
But this guy just grinned and clung to me no matter what I said.
Was he brainless, or did he get off on being insulted like some masochistic freak?
He didn't have that kink in the original story...
As I puzzled over the original plot, Cha Ji-hyuk spoke up.
"That's what makes it good."
"...What?"
"Your reactions are fun. Like a stray cat that's shy around strangers, and you're the first girl I've seen act like this."
"......"
Ah.
Was this that classic line, "You're the first one to treat me like this"?
Unbelievable that the ero-novel protagonist had such a cliché fetish.
And what's with the stray cat metaphor...
I shuddered at his words and finally realized my mistake.
I should've acted sweet and fawning like the other girls, but instead, I'd behaved like the rom-com heroine avoiding the chaebol heir because I didn't want to get involved.
Maybe I should change my attitude now, act like the others to kill his interest.
But would that even work... I'm a guy inside, no matter what the outside looks like...
The thought of smiling at him, agreeing with everything, trailing off coyly while acting cute made my stomach churn so bad I couldn't bear it.
"Get lost."
"Huh?"
"I said get lost, you creepy bastard!"
"Ow!!"
I kicked his shin as he leaned in, then stood up to leave the classroom.
"Hey, Kang Seo-ah. Where are you going?"
His voice came from behind as I grabbed the door handle.
I turned and glared at him.
"None of your business. Stop wandering around looking for me and go eat lunch."
I left those words behind and walked out.
I considered hiding in the bathroom in case he followed, but no, I wasn't the one in the wrong.
Wandering aimlessly, I ended up at a quiet corner of the sports field.
I sat on the stairs, and a warm sunbeam mixed with a cool breeze brushed over me.
Feeling the pleasant wind, I propped my chin on my hand and looked up at the sky.
Clouds drifted lazily by.
Where did it all go wrong...
As my mind settled, the thought came naturally. I recalled the first time Cha Ji-hyuk deviated from the original story.
He'd been hitting on Ryu Ah-young as per canon, but after running into my real self at the convenience store, he changed.
He pulled back all his interest from Ryu Ah-young.
It had to be because of me, no doubt.
As I'd predicted, he'd fallen hard for this body's looks.
I hadn't expected him to ditch his harem over it, though.
Anyway, if that was the case, his interest should be aimed at the Kang Seo-ah from the convenience store, not the one at school, right?
But no, he'd started paying attention to me since the group project.
He wasn't using his powers manipulatively, so it wasn't full-on lust, but attention was attention.
I'd monopolized all the focus meant for the original heroine.
If he figured out here that I was the convenience store girl...
"Eugh..."
Chills ran down my spine. My body shook involuntarily.
If Cha Ji-hyuk learned my secret, he'd do everything to get my fluids.
I had to stay here for another two years and seven months or so. Could I withstand his assaults that long?
"...No way."
I couldn't fight back with brute force.
If exposed, I'd be his plaything until graduation.
Realizing how reckless I'd been, it hit me.
All over one lousy lunch.
I'd let my soft heart create an opening for something so trivial.
"Hoo..."
I let out a long breath and covered my face with my palms.
The good weather had eased my mood, but now it soured again.
I pulled myself together and steeled my resolve.
There was only one choice left.
Draw the line again.
Of course, he'd act like it was nothing and come closer, but I had to ignore him completely, no wavering.
Keep giving him openings, and who knows what might happen.
"Alright."
With my decision made, I stood, dusted off my butt.
Lunch was almost over. Heading back to class, I vowed once more.
Never again.
Never give Cha Ji-hyuk another inch.
Ji-hyuk hadn't been in a good mood lately.
Kang Seo-ah, who had yelled at him not to skip lunch and seemed to open up a bit, was now blatantly avoiding him again.
She gave minimal responses to his words, and if he tried to follow, she'd bolt to the bathroom.
At first, he thought she was just in a bad mood, but after two weeks of this, Ji-hyuk had to admit she'd shut him out again.
He racked his brain for what he might've done wrong, but nothing came up.
Ah... this is frustrating.
The irritation and nagging thirst bubbled up again.
Even trying to talk, she'd avoid his eyes, leaving him no options.
Lately, he'd even considered seriously using his ability on her.
"Ji-hyuk."
A voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
He looked at who had called his name.
"Yes, Professor."
"Here's your report card."
The professor handed him a sheet of paper.
Ji-hyuk's grades, mostly ranked #1 in every subject.
Excellent scores. But he wasn't happy.
The frustration and thirst inside him hadn't eased at all.
"Got it. Thank you."
He finished the errand and turned to leave.
But then, a single sheet on the professor's desk caught his eye.
"Professor? What's this..."
"Oh, that? It's the mentor-mentee program. Top students tutor lower ones one-on-one. Mentors get volunteer hours, but it's optional."
At those words, midterms flashed in Ji-hyuk's mind—Kang Seo-ah diligently working on most subjects, then face-planting on the desk to sleep as soon as she got the math test.
Ji-hyuk's lips slowly curved up.
He snatched the paper without hesitation.
"I'll do it."
And added,
"But can I choose my mentee?"