The Encounter
“Hey, oppa! Can you spare a minute? Just one drink, come on!”
A woman with flashy bleached yellow hair and a precarious top that plunged deep into her cleavage blocked my path.
“Sorry, I'm really busy right now...!”
This was already the fifth time today.
On the short walk from my place, past the subway station, to the school gate, I had to fend off women asking for my number.
Something that would've only happened in my dreams back then had become my everyday reality now.
But the woman showed no signs of giving up.
She leaned in even closer to my face.
“Aw, don't be like that. How about just your number then? Unnie will treat you to something yummy, okay?”
“I'm really sorry! My friends are waiting!”
I practically begged as I shook off her hand.
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
This was driving me insane.
Everyone imagines living a life overflowing with popularity at least once.
But there's a limit.
Having women with predatory gazes swarm me every time I stepped outside, regardless of my wishes—it was closer to terror.
...Maybe I should just give her my number and be done with it.
A resigned sigh nearly escaped my lips.
Thud.
“Hajin!”
A clear, refreshing voice rang in my ear.
At the same time, someone gently grabbed my wrist and pulled me forward.
A clear, refreshing voice, but laced with urgency.
My classmate from the same department—a girl with a bob haircut and a white blouse.
Eunha clung tightly to my arm, glaring sharply at the woman.
“Class is about to start! Let's go!”
Eunha grabbed my hand and started running.
The woman's flustered voice faded behind us.
“H-Hey, wait! Who the hell are you?!”
In the receding view, the yellow-haired woman scowled and clicked her tongue.
Thanks to her, I finally escaped that suffocating siege.
“Haa, haa...”
We stopped only after reaching the shade of a massive zelkova tree on the University Campus.
I braced my knees, gasping for breath.
My heart pounded like it might burst.
Forcing myself to run like that had drained every ounce of energy from my body.
“Even so, running away like this is kinda...”
I glanced back and trailed off.
Even from the distant gate, it felt like eyes were still searching for me—chills ran down my spine.
Eunha adjusted her bag strap and turned to me.
Her big eyes brimmed with frustration.
“You're an idiot. Just ignore them! You're too nice for your own good.”
“Haha... Easier said than done.”
I laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of my head.
Eunha pouted, clearly displeased.
Her gaze lingered, scrutinizing every inch of my face.
Whenever our worried eyes met, I felt a strange disconnect.
In my old world, no grown man would get sympathy from a friend for being hit on in the street.
At best, it'd be a teasing “Lucky bastard.”
But this world was different.
Here, worrying over a guy in this situation was perfectly normal.
A month ago, when I first woke up, I thought it was just another ordinary day in my familiar studio apartment.
But flipping on the news and checking my smartphone flooded me with unease.
Talk shows raged daily about legalizing polygamy.
Young women protested at Gwanghwamun Square with banners demanding “Legalize Polygamy!!”
Once I fully grasped I'd been dropped alone into this upside-down world...
At first, I was honestly thrilled.
Was I finally in a dating sim scenario?
But that happy fantasy didn't last a day.
Dozens of women asking for my number on every walk, footsteps trailing me on lonely night streets—
My rosy dreams burned to ash in an instant.
Still.
Even so, I could adapt to this world for one reason.
Flutter.
A single sheet of paper rustled in my bag. [Guardian Designation Certificate].
Good people I'd met who found me—a guy with vague status—and became my guardians without asking for anything, helping me settle socially.
Now I had folks who could help anytime trouble arose.
This girl, who turned her front seat around to stare at me openly, was one of them.
“Hajin, you okay? You look pale.”
Eunha brushed her bob behind her ear, concern in her voice.
A girl who could've been an idol in my old world was looking only at me, full of worry.
“Nah, just thinking about earlier. Thanks, Eunha. You saved my life.”
I grinned.
Eunha's cheeks flushed bright red in an instant.
She averted her gaze, grumbling in a tsundere tone.
“W-What're you thanking me for all of a sudden...! Anyway...! Don't go out alone from now on.”
“Got it. I'll be careful.”
This positivity? All thanks to these kind helpers.
The world changed, but sincerity still connects.
I just had to adapt, live normally.
No greed, cherish those who care for me, guard our quiet daily life.
That was my new goal.
A week ago, morning was as hectic as usual.
“Yaaawn...”
I trudged along, yawning hugely against the crashing drowsiness.
Blame staying up till dawn grinding Orange Mushroom, that idle AFK game.
If only that queen bee player hadn't kept demanding “Gimme this, gimme that,” I wouldn't have run overtime...
The memory furrowed my brow.
Even in games, quit acting like queen bees. So annoying.
Guys getting VIP treatment just for being male—in real life or games—made my blood boil.
Recalling where the lecture hall was, I started up the main building stairs.
“Ooh, pretty cute.”
“Like an 85?”
The blatant appraisal voices whipped my head around.
Two male students at the cafeteria outdoor table sipped drinks, snickering as they eyed me.
Scanning from my face down my legs.
“Definitely dateable.”
“If she begs, maybe I'd—”
Hot fury surged from deep in my chest.
My fists clenched; my shoes thudded harshly on the stairs.
God, really...
Why were all guys such jerks?!
No effort needed, no standout looks or skills.
Just because they were male, they believed they deserved worship.
They'd always been like that.
Lording over women, whispering graces like they were gifts.
“Be grateful I'm even talking to you.”
Parroting that crap like parrots.
I couldn't comprehend it.
Yesterday in the hall, brushing shoulders with an oncoming guy—I startled, bowed, “Sorry!”
He patted my head like it was natural, smirking.
“No prob. Fell for me at first sight? I could make you girlfriend number three if you want.”
“...”
My face twitched in spasms.
Forced a smile, escaped—but inside, I seethed.
Guys were all the same—!!
I slammed onto my desk in the lecture hall, groaning long and loud.
Haa, can't breathe in this world.
Suah poked my shoulder from the next seat.
“What's up? You gonna survive the day like this?”
“No...”
I mumbled into my arms.
Suah balled her fists, eyes sparkling in disbelief.
“Keep moping and guys'll hate it! Gotta hunt some hot guys together~!”
“...”
I didn't get it, but my mindset must be offbeat.
Suah propped her chin, staring.
“Eunha, who's the cutest in the department? Minsu sunbae—he's pretty handsome!”
“Hmm... None yet.”
“For real? No one you're into?”
I was stumped.
I didn't hate the idea of dating guys.
If—just if—a sincere, kind guy like in comics existed.
Someone sweet without discrimination...
...No such thing.
Only in dreams.
“You're gorgeous but no ambition. Chase or stay single forever! Forever!”
“...Yeah.”
I smiled bitterly, fiddling with my hem.
Girls like me, not approaching first, waiting for choice—we'd clearly end up alone forever.
After class, parted from Suah, alone in the hall.
Checking my phone post-bathroom break, I froze.
“Gah...”
A groan escaped.
That's when.
“Screwed...”
On the hall bench, a guy with a laptop on his lap clawed his hair, groaning.
Neatly combed black hair.
Ignoring stares, he alternated moans between screen and textbook.
That guy...?
My feet instinctively headed his way.
He didn't notice me approaching, frantically typing with a pained face.
Somehow fresh, oddly stirring protectiveness.
“Um—”
My voice came out softer than intended.
“Are you doing course registration by any chance?”