Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Praising Titles
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"Ye-won sunbae, hello."
Han Chae-ah and her friends greeted Choi Ye-won with utmost politeness as she stood beside me.
Unlike me, the quiet type in the department, Choi Ye-won was even a TA, making her a celebrity known to everyone.
While Choi Ye-won exchanged greetings with the underclassmen, Han Chae-ah's gaze turned to me.
Her eyes held a hint of wariness as she looked at me.
A look like she'd seen something she shouldn't have.
Her face was even a little flushed.
It had to be because of the panties I'd given her.
Open panties that left the important parts exposed.
Sorry about that, but it wasn't intentional on my part.
It was just how things played out with that chain of events.
I didn't want to do it either?
But if I don't complete the quest, I die. What choice did I have?
Today's quest was far more blatant.
What the hell even was "Praising Titles"?
Han Chae-ah had shown up right on cue, but this wasn't the moment to tackle the quest.
Pulling it off here could mean social suicide, so I had to hold back.
"Why are you here, sunbae?"
"What, am I not allowed to come to a place like this?"
"Of course not. You're just... like a beast or something."
I could practically see the word "pervert" die on her lips.
"Honestly, sunbae, you look like the type who'd eat raw meat."
"That's a low blow on my looks."
Was I imagining the hostility in her tone?
This was the kind of thing sweet Han Chae-ah would never say.
Her friends' expressions shifted at the sight.
What was it...?
Like they were wary of a predator.
"This place must be a real hot spot. Look at all these people."
We'd rushed over as fast as we could, but there was already a line.
A restaurant near campus with a waitlist?
How good could it possibly be?
"It was even on TV a while back," Han Chae-ah replied to me.
"Some famous chef just opened it, and the internet went nuts."
"Oh yeah?"
"Didn't you see it blowing up on Stargram?"
I couldn't exactly answer that.
The Stargram I saw was half girls shaking their asses and half shaking their tits—I couldn't say that out loud.
"I don't do Stargram."
It was a lame excuse, but it was out.
Not anymore, anyway.
Not since Sexgram.
"I'm here on a friend's recommendation today."
"That friend wouldn't be Ye-won sunbae, would it?"
"What, I can't have friends?"
"N-no, it's not that... It's just hard to picture you two being close..."
That was when it happened.
Ye-won scooted right up next to me and smiled.
"Jinwoo and I are repeater classmates. We've been tight since before enrollment."
Her shoulder brushed my arm.
Bare skin against my arm, and I could feel her warmth.
"Hey, why are you sticking so close...?"
"So, when did you girls get here?"
"We just arrived too. Our number's 14, and there are three groups ahead."
"Not bad. Shorter wait than I thought."
I shot Choi Ye-won a look as she ignored me and changed the subject.
"What's with you?"
"What?"
"I don't know. You're just... different from usual."
"Different how? I'm the same as always."
Dressed up more than usual today.
Suddenly craving pasta she never ate before.
Always steering the conversation.
Tsk.
This was that, wasn't it?
"Putting on a good sunbae act in front of the underclassmen?"
"Wh-what?"
"Sorry. Useless classmate here. Must be annoying having me around."
"What are you talking about? I was just excited for lunch today."
"Excited for lunch?"
Why?
I didn't think she was into this stuff.
I remembered her wrinkling her nose at Western food before.
Staring at her, she flinched in surprise.
"I-I just wanted to try this place once? Kinda awkward going alone. And it's not exactly somewhere I'd go with Professor."
"You still eat with him all the time?"
"It's killing me. He only hunts down stuff like braised cod or mushroom hotpot—'good for your health' and all that."
She let out a heavy sigh.
Brow furrowed like she was utterly fed up.
"But I'm not into chicken breast and high-protein crap either."
"You don't eat like that anymore?"
Choi Ye-won bristled at my words and snapped.
"Anyway, don't mind us. Eat whatever."
With that, Choi Ye-won sent the underclassmen off.
Han Chae-ah looked like she had more to say, but her friends urged her inside.
Choi Ye-won watched their retreating backs for a moment before speaking.
"You two seem close."
"Who?"
"Han Chae-ah and you."
Close?
She'd been glaring at me like she wanted to kill me just now.
Even straight-up insulted my looks.
We weren't close at all, honestly.
From the first meeting: sexual harassment and stealing her panties? No way we were close.
She probably wanted me dead.
'Han Chae-ah's just not outing me as a perv out of embarrassment.'
Had to be humiliating.
And her panties were still at my place.
"Your definition of 'close' is off."
"I've seen her since last year, and she's never acted like that. Always smiling at everyone—sales smile, I know it."
"..."
"Never seen her turn down a request either."
Choi Ye-won's eye for detail had always been scary sharp.
Back in our second year, there was this underclassman two-timing in the department.
Dating a classmate, a senior, and a girl from the English Lit department—three at once.
Months before it blew up, Choi Ye-won had said:
-That guy's cheating.
-How can you tell?
-You can just see it. At least three girls. I've got good eyes.
And sure enough, months later, the biggest scandal in Korean Lit history.
The guy dating three girls.
He dropped out, I think.
I almost offered her a finder's fee that day.
"But not with you. Means she's comfy around you."
Honestly, no clue.
Han Chae-ah and I couldn't be close.
"Now I get why the professor asked."
No smile on Choi Ye-won's lips as she spoke.
Her vibe felt a bit menacing.
"This is fun."
Your eyes look scary.
Gonna get indigestion.
That aside, the pasta was delicious.
Choi Ye-won was in a bad mood.
She'd been certain today would be perfect.
A rare chance to eat with someone other than the professor.
Choi Ik-hyeon was a good prof, sure, but his menu picks were the absolute worst.
For her, who valued nutrition above all, it was torture.
They only ate together once or twice a week now, but solo meals weren't satisfying.
The day she set up lunch with Kim Jinwoo, she scoured the net for a famous pasta spot.
Normally, she loved simple stuff: pork soup rice, bibimbap, fried rice.
During strict body management phases, chicken breast and sweet potatoes only—but that wasn't enough to survive grad school grind, so she skipped it now.
Didn't want to fill a long-overdue meal with Jinwoo with that.
If they ate together often, maybe.
But three years since they last shared a campus meal.
She wanted it special.
For him, and for her.
She was buzzing with excitement all the way to the restaurant with Kim Jinwoo.
It had to be a good day.
The mood soured the instant she saw Han Chae-ah talking to him.
Couldn't say why.
-Jealous?
-Your face screams jealous girlfriend, so I asked.
The professor's fault.
He'd put that idea in her head.
If he hadn't said it, she wouldn't be overthinking.
-Jinwoo seems close to Han Chae-ah. Ask her for me.
Meeting me is less fun than hanging with underclassmen?
We've known each other for years, and you prioritize her?
Sure, same classes could spark friendships.
Grad students had different schedules, so rare encounters.
But still.
We came here to eat together, and you're focused on her instead?
That pissed her off.
Made her angry.
At Han Chae-ah for approaching her friend so casually.
At Kim Jinwoo for cozying up to the underclassman.
Of course, she knew better than anyone Jinwoo wouldn't hit on her first.
He'd never been rude to women since freshman welcome.
Her one reliable friend.
Even at the freshman mixer...
'Calm down.'
That aside, the pasta and steak were delicious.
Priced kindly for students' thin wallets.
Worth the trip.
"Delicious. Your taste never fails, Ye-won."
Maybe the full belly helped.
Seeing Kim Jinwoo's bright smile eased her mood a bit.
"Trust your noona. I'll take care of everything."
"Haha, always do."
Jinwoo chuckled.
She loved these moments chatting with him.
Loved spending time with her close friend.
Being with him lightened her heavy heart.
He was the only one who melted away her campus stress.
Had been that way forever.
Since repeater days.
Her workout and study partner through academic hell.
At first, a 7th-grade slob; now running stride-for-stride beside her. Surprising.
-If I can do it, you can.
-Let's do it together. Same department, we can lean on each other.
-Might not match your help, but I'll support you fully.
He'd given her a new goal after blowing mocks and wandering lost.
They'd entered Yeonsung together.
'If only these times lasted longer.'
Not in a romantic way.
Just nice with a dependable friend.
That was it.
That was why.
A new friend like Han Chae-ah would cut into this time.
A touch of possessiveness.
Her greed not to lose a friend.
"Jinwoo, got afternoon classes? If not, I found this cafe. Board games for two—perfect for us."
No reply.
What?
She turned to him.
His face had darkened.
Expression stiff.
Brow slightly furrowed.
Something wrong?
Hated the cafe idea?
"N-not into it? If the cafe's lame..."
"Hey, Choi Ye-won."
Deeper voice than usual.
A calm baritone she rarely heard—she flinched instinctively.
"Wh-what? Why lower your voice all sudden?"
"Would you forgive me no matter what I say right now?"
"Huh? What do you mean, forgive? What are you gonna do?"
"Tell me. Can you forgive me?"
Unusual tone.
Suddenly grave voice.
Eyes full of resolve.
Was this a confession?
I'm not ready.
We're not there yet...
Or are we?
Honestly, no idea.
What did she know? Never dated, never even a guy.
School, home, study, gym.
That loop. Romance was a luxury.
Jinwoo was comfy as a friend, sure.
But this pace...
Never saw it coming.
Gulp.
Tense, Choi Ye-won watched serious Kim Jinwoo with trembling eyes.
"Y-yeah. I'll forgive you. Whatever you say."
"Thanks."
Meeting his intense gaze, her face burned; she looked away and squeezed her eyes shut.
Don't know.
What now?
Heart pounding like mad.
What was he gonna say?
I like you?
Together forever?
Ugh, if he said that...
"Choi Ye-won."
"Y-yeah...?"
Electric silence.
She brimmed with anticipation for what followed.
"Filling your head with grad school knowledge, but all you've stuffed in that ass is sluttiness. From behind, you don't look like a student studying—you look like a bitch in heat begging to be fucked."
"Look at that fat ass. Perfect size for handles when pounding from behind. It'll clap and grip every thrust—pure bliss."
"Built that ass with workouts, but the only thing you sit it on is a chair? Waste. Better ride me and grind your hips. Might not let you off till I cum buckets."
Huh?
"Y-you, fucking psycho!"
Slap!
Her hand flew up the second he finished, striking his cheek.