Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: The Repeater Classmate, Choi Ye-won
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Choi Ye-won, graduate of Yeonsung University's Korean Literature Department.
But before she was a graduate, she was a grad student.
A grad student learning under Professor Choi Ik-hyeon.
Someone once said it, didn't they?
Grad students aren't human.
They're just legal slaves providing labor to their professors.
"Feels about right."
After finishing her research in the lab and sending the professor the essential materials, she let out a deep sigh.
"A slave. A total slave."
TA for the department and grad student to boot.
The job of researching materials for Professor Choi Ik-hyeon's papers while simultaneously writing her own master's thesis.
At least Professor Choi didn't make her handle his personal errands on top of class-related work, or she'd be slaving away all day without proper days off by now.
There were professors who even made their TAs set up the lecture halls for their classes, after all.
Like rushing to the classroom first thing in the morning to handle everything from the computer to the beam projector and microphone setup.
And that's why she'd run into Kim Jinwoo that morning.
When she was basically bare-faced.
She'd stayed up late the night before digging through research materials and crashed late, too lazy to do her makeup—that was the problem.
"Ugh, of all times, running into him without any makeup."
At least she'd done her basic stuff, so maybe that was a blessing.
It wasn't like she'd shown him her completely raw face.
"I knew Jinwoo was back from leave, but still..."
She'd let her guard down.
Never thought she'd actually bump into him.
I mean, he majored in literature, so she figured he wouldn't be into linguistics.
Never imagined he'd fail to register and end up in that class.
"I want to die."
Originally, she wanted to meet him on their scheduled Friday, all dolled up and fabulous.
It had been ages since they'd seen each other properly.
He'd gone on leave after discharge, so they hadn't even caught up face-to-face, and she didn't want to reunite looking like a mess.
That's why she'd picked Friday lunch, when she had time to spare.
Not like this, leaving a sloppy first impression after so long.
Still...
'He's the only classmate still at school.'
And they'd known each other even before Yeonsung, back in cram school.
Repeater buddies.
A long history.
She'd liked his guts—aiming for Yeonsung with a 7th-grade mock score—and they'd stuck together.
The only repeater classmate who'd joined her gym sessions without skipping workouts.
That's why he stuck in her mind more than others.
Lots of guy classmates went to the army, but Jinwoo was the only one she'd visited.
Quarterly, even.
Deep bond.
She saw herself as close to Kim Jinwoo.
But even so, she didn't want to show him her sloppy side.
No matter how close friends are, there's a line.
She didn't care how others saw her.
They weren't tight enough for her to fuss over her outfit around them.
But with close ones, it was different.
Someone you might run into anytime, anywhere—you want to show them your best.
That's what friends are, right? Only the good sides.
And she'd gone and shown Jinwoo her lab tracksuit and hair messily swept back.
"Arghhh!!!"
Just thinking about it was mortifying.
If she'd had a blanket, she might've kicked it off.
"Choi Ye-won, you're insane! What were you thinking?!"
Arghhh!
Insane. Totally insane!
How am I supposed to face him today!
They'd agreed to grab lunch Friday.
And that was today.
She snapped out of it to realize the day had arrived.
Jinwoo wouldn't tease her about that bare face from last time, would he?
If he did, she might just die of embarrassment.
-What do you want for lunch?
A text from Kim Jinwoo.
Asking what they'd have for lunch later.
She couldn't reply right away.
She'd already planned what and where, but couldn't hit send easily.
Answering too quick would scream she'd been waiting.
"Ye-won-ah, what's up today? I heard you screaming all the way from outside the door. Something not working?"
The lab door opened, and Professor Choi Ik-hyeon walked in.
The professor, who always came in early as usual, trudged to his desk.
His eyes flicked to Choi Ye-won on the way.
"Looking all prettied up today, so it's not thesis trouble. Meeting Jinwoo?"
"H-How'd you know?"
"The girl who drags in every day looking like a tomboy suddenly shows up dolled up. What else but meeting a guy?"
"I-It's not about a guy! And I don't look like a tomboy. Those clothes are just comfy for workouts..."
The professor snorted at her startled protest.
"So Jinwoo's a girl now? Anyone can see he's a real man's man. Nah, not even—a bandit. Who'd peg him for a lit major? Looks straight-up like a wrestling jock from phys ed."
"Wrestling? Jinwoo's not that big."
"Hear you badmouthing your boyfriend."
"He's not my boyfriend!"
"Tch, yelling at your professor over a little tease. Kids these days have no manners. You and Jinwoo both. When your prof speaks, you say 'yes sir'."
The professor clicked his tongue and sat down.
All talk—he was less authoritative than anyone.
"Anyway, if you're off to meet Jinwoo, do me a favor."
"A favor?"
"Yeah. I mentioned it last time, but it went in one ear and out the other."
"What favor?"
"You know Han Chae-ah?"
"The class of '23 Han Chae-ah?"
No one didn't know her.
Every Yeonsung student knew her name and face.
She was that famous.
Noted for her beauty.
Did some modeling, rumor had it.
Honestly, a face that should've gone actress.
"I asked her to consider grad school since she seems a bit chummy with Jinwoo, but she shot it down flat. Figured she might listen if you asked."
Wait a sec.
"Who's chummy with who?"
"Jinwoo and Chae-ah—they seem kinda friendly? Saw them chatting in my class."
Most mismatched pair ever.
Not that she'd say it as his classmate and friend, but Kim Jinwoo was the department outsider, the classic loner.
Han Chae-ah was the super social butterfly—not just in Korean Lit, but all of Yeonsung. The type who naturally drew crowds.
Oil and water, those two.
And they were friendly?
No—Jinwoo friendly with another girl?
Never happened before...
"Jealous?"
"W-What're you talking about?"
"Your face screams jealous girlfriend, so I asked."
"D-Don't be ridiculous, Professor!"
"Hey now? Forgot I'm your prof?"
"No? But still, no!"
The professor shut his mouth at that.
"Ahem, sorry. Anyway, they seem acquainted, so better than me asking. Give it a shot."
"...No."
She shook her head firmly.
"Why not?"
"Don't wanna push this brutal path on a junior."
"No prof treats you better than me."
She sighed.
Professor Choi's words weren't registering anymore.
'Friendly with Han Chae-ah?'
Why?
How?
Doesn't visit the classmate lab, but gets cozy with a junior?
Too much.
I even visited him in the army.
Crack!
"Ah..."
She realized she'd snapped the pencil in her hand without thinking.
-What do you want for lunch?
"No reply yet."
The text he'd sent at the start of class still had no answer.
Weird.
Usually, she'd reply right away.
Today she was late.
Busy?
If it was Professor Choi, yeah, possible.
Not unusual for sudden presentation schedules with someone that prominent.
Prep would keep her swamped.
"Still nothing by end of class."
Getting canceled?
Gut punch.
He'd been looking forward to not eating alone, figured Ye-won wouldn't flake.
"Not like her."
Worried something happened for real.
"Gonna stare a hole through your phone."
A familiar voice—he looked up to see Choi Ye-won standing there.
A beige off-shoulder knit blouse exposing her shoulders hugged her figure.
Tight jeans clung to her curves.
Her toned, lifted butt from workouts especially caught the eye.
The sloppy look from days ago was ancient history—she'd gone all out.
Reminded him of her army visit vibe.
Caught off guard by the transformation, he stared blankly.
"When'd you get here?"
"Just now. Timed it for end of class."
"No word, thought our lunch was off..."
"Professor had me on something, distracted me from replying. Plus, surprise element. Shocked?"
Shocked, yeah.
By her outfit.
And the cancellation anxiety.
"Thought my heart would stop."
Worry gone, he grinned.
"Let's eat. Found a spot."
"What're we having?"
"Craving pasta."
"Pasta?"
"Yeah."
Unexpected.
He'd assumed their usual soup joint.
Her fave.
-Nothing beats post-class beef soup!
-Ahh, nutrients recharged...
-Ddaengchil, full?
She'd dragged him there daily.
Figured same today.
But nope, curveball menu.
"Not the usual spot?"
"...Not today."
Fair enough.
Not the vibe for this outfit.
"C'mon. Place is popular—might have to line up for lunch."
"That big?"
"Heard it's famous."
Such a place near school?
He never followed girls' food spots.
Way different vibe from quick-soup turnaround.
He walked with Choi Ye-won out the back gate.
Gazes locked on them.
Precisely, on her, not him.
She didn't doll up usually, so it didn't show, but Choi Ye-won had looks that turned heads.
Beauty different from Chae-ah's.
Healthy glow.
Boundless energy vibe.
From gym time, her workout-honed body was near-perfect, zero flab.
"Feels like I'm the protagonist."
No response from Choi Ye-won.
Deep in thought.
"Hey, Ye-won."
"Uh, yeah?"
"What's eating you? Prof give tough homework?"
"Nah, not that..."
She stalled, took a deep breath.
"Jinwoo."
"Yeah?"
"What's your deal with Han Chae-ah?"
Eh?
"Why bring her up?"
"Prof asked. If you could help recruit her for grad school."
That prof again.
He'd refused already.
Now via Ye-won.
"Not that close."
Just sharing dirty secrets?
Hard to explain.
Better keep it zipped.
"We just know faces from same class by chance. Unlike other seniors, I don't bug her, so she finds me comfy."
"Oh, that it?"
"Obviously. If close, we'd grab a meal. We don't. So friendly? Nah."
Choi Ye-won's face relaxed.
Bugged her 'cause of prof's request.
Grad life's hell.
"Tell prof that too. Not close enough."
"Ahem, got it. Good."
Way relieved.
Saying "good" at "not close."
'Gotta hit Daily Quest—probably need her.'
Lunchtime neared, no quest yet.
Blessing—full focus on friend time.
Then.
Praise the Honorific 0/1
Eh?
Praise the honorific?
What even.
Easier than panty quest, at least.
Lucky?
But Han Chae-ah wasn't around.
'Quest not urgent.'
Doable by end of day.
No need to dwell now.
Eating with friend—rude to think others.
So they hit the famous pasta spot.
And there...
"Huh? Sunbae?"
Was Han Chae-ah.