Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Territory Marking
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The rumor that the Mad Dog of the Korean Literature Department was Jung Soyul's cousin spread like wildfire through Yeonsung University.
Well, more precisely, it only blazed through the Korean Literature Department.
The Mad Dog of Korean Lit.
In the Yeonsung University Korean Literature Department, the Mad Dog was a household name.
So it was only natural that Choi Ye-won heard the rumor the very next day.
"No way that senior is Jung Soyul's cousin?"
"They don't look anything alike. Total shocker."
"That's why he pulled that stunt."
"But why hide it all this time?"
"He doesn't care about department stuff, doesn't join any activities. No one paid him any mind."
Choi Ye-won stared at her juniors in surprise as Kim Jinwoo's name cropped up in their chatter.
She'd wondered why talk of Kim Jinwoo—who she'd never cared about before—was suddenly everywhere.
'Jinwoo is Jung Soyul's cousin?'
Ridiculous.
They'd spent years together, and she'd never once heard of her.
If he really had a cousin like that, it would've slipped out at some point.
He was the type to be surprisingly careless about stuff like that.
No doubt about it.
'No way they're cousins.'
She knew the truth.
Kim Jinwoo didn't have a cousin that gorgeous.
They knew each other's family inside out.
She'd even visited him during his military service. How could she not know?
Pulling a cousin out of thin air now?
Whatever the reason, it meant he needed to hide their connection with that lie—from her, too.
What reason does someone have to fool another with a fake relationship?
It has to be something that absolutely can't be exposed.
For a celebrity, there's only one relationship that fits the bill.
Lovers. Or something like it.
No way.
'Impossible. That Kim Jinwoo? The big, muscle-bound meathead with the brain of a gorilla, messing around with Jung Soyul?'
No chance.
His psycho personality was tough enough for long-time friends like her to handle.
A picky top star like Jung Soyul putting up with that?
Never gonna happen.
She'd have bolted ages ago.
But still...
'If not that, then why?'
She couldn't figure it out.
Probably just a coincidence.
Maybe he helped her out when he bumped into her.
Jinwoo might be a musclehead, reckless pervert, but he wasn't the type to ignore someone in trouble.
There must've been a trigger.
Like those guys harassing her.
Or overzealous stalking.
'Yeah, something like that.'
Don't overthink it.
She tried to let it go.
The professor had piled on work, and she had her own research materials to hunt down for her thesis.
She was swamped.
So she tried not to dwell.
But then...
"So why pretend to be cousins?"
Of all excuses?
Scandal concerns or not, he could've just said he was a random passerby.
"Did Jung Soyul bewitch him or something?"
The girl was stunning, no denying it.
When she'd heard she was a fellow student, it hadn't fazed her.
But she'd caught a glimpse of her in person once by chance.
And damn, she was gorgeous.
Even another woman could see it.
What was it?
She was on another level entirely, looks-wise.
Back then, she'd brushed it off since they'd never cross paths.
But now that Jinwoo was involved, it left a bitter taste.
"Why'd you have to go help Jung Soyul all of a sudden?"
It kept nagging at her.
She couldn't focus on her materials.
The professor's tasks slipped through her fingers.
Images of Jung Soyul and Jinwoo together kept flashing in her mind.
Her heart raced harder each time.
If they were nothing to each other, fine.
But he was her friend.
Not that "just friends" covered it entirely.
They'd shared those secret games at the board game cafe.
The forbidden caresses in the gym and staff lounge.
Filthy, perverted fun no normal friends would dare.
'We're definitely not ordinary friends.'
A bit closer than that.
So wasn't it okay to care this much?
They'd touched each other in those places.
Wasn't it fine to get pissed about this?
She shot up from her seat.
Couldn't stop thinking about Jinwoo.
The professor's assignments weren't getting done.
She couldn't finish properly like this.
"Ugh, seriously..."
Why'd Jinwoo get tangled up with Jung Soyul?
Why make her worry like this?
"Gotta ask him."
Straight from the horse's mouth.
She headed to the lecture hall where he had class.
There he was, class over, heading home.
No Jung Soyul beside him.
No Han Chae-ah either.
Perfect chance.
Time to hear the full story from Jinwoo.
She marched right up, bold as brass.
Gonna grill him.
What's his deal with Jung Soyul?
Why the rumor?
Everything, from A to Z.
Part of her hoped the rumor was true.
Cousins? Easy fix.
"Oh, she had a cousin I never mentioned." Done. Her ignorance explained.
But if not?
If he'd helped her for some other reason?
Like falling for Jung Soyul's charms.
She prayed her nightmare stayed fictional.
Reality like that? She'd lose it.
Standing before him, confidence wavered.
Words stuck in her throat.
Lips pursed, glaring, she bit her lip.
Don't wanna ask.
Don't wanna hear the truth from him.
But can't just swallow the rumor blind.
At least...
Wanna hear it from him.
"That rumor isn't true, right?"
It came out strained.
"What rumor?"
"The nonsense about you being Jung Soyul's cousin."
A beat of silence.
"I know you better than anyone. You don't have a cousin that pretty."
"..."
"What the hell happened with her?"
No answer.
He stared, lost in thought.
His hesitation fueled her imagination.
Ah.
Not cousins after all.
Which means...
Jinwoo likes Jung Soyul...
She clenched her fists.
Give up?
It's Jung Soyul.
Top actress.
Stunning by reputation.
Objectively? Yeah, she's a knockout.
If even she thought so, how must guy-Jinwoo feel?
She glanced at herself.
Fresh from the lab, no makeup, grad student mess.
Rushed here on rumor alone: big glasses, sloppy ponytail, frumpy clothes.
Even smelled like stale coffee, or so she imagined.
No actual odor.
Since his return, she'd been meticulous about grooming.
But the feeling...
She reeked.
No match in looks or status.
Just a grad student vs. A-list star.
But one thing she had.
Their bond.
Years of shared hardship since repeater days.
Objectively outclassed? Sure.
But she couldn't quit.
Yeah.
She had something to lean on.
Time together doesn't vanish easy.
"Don't say nothing happened. You're not the type."
"So what did?"
She demanded, pouty and petulant.
Embarrassing even as she said it.
Too obvious?
We're just friends.
No.
Not just friends.
Special friends.
Okay to ask this much?
We left marks on each other.
You...
Etched yours deep on my chest.
Made me come, even.
I got you going too.
That's us.
More tender than friends.
So.
Can I ask?
What are you two?
The lecture hall emptied out.
Just me and Choi Ye-won in the hollow space, atmosphere heavier than during class.
The emptiness?
Or her vibe, different from usual?
I buried my face in her instinctively, sniffing.
Worried Jung Soyul's scent lingered from yesterday.
No perfume trace.
Fresh encounter, woman's fragrance wouldn't last a day.
Still, felt compelled to check.
I looked at her.
Not her workout look.
Nor date-night polish.
Neatly managed sweats, hair tied back smooth.
Glasses perched proper, eyes tinged with fatigue.
Classic grad student Choi Ye-won.
Not a hint of sloppiness.
Quite the opposite—natural.
Her subtle disarray charmed me.
Like meeting the real her I knew.
A smile crept up unbidden.
She hadn't shown up like this lately.
Back in freshman or repeater days, yeah.
But second year on, post-military? Always primped for me.
Seeing her relaxed now? Refreshing.
Plus, she came like this just to grill me on Soyul. Heartwarming.
So damn cute.
You came all the way here for that? In this getup?
I pondered a moment.
The cousin excuse was to dodge scandals tanking her or her agency—thanks to me.
Strangers'd buy it, but Ye-won knew me forever.
Sharp as a tack; she'd see through the fib.
'She's getting the wrong idea.'
Thinking I'm hooking up with Soyul. Absurd.
Just a mutually beneficial deal.
I help with script practice; she shows faces no one else sees.
Straight contract, nothing more.
Tempted to tease her rotten.
That sulky glare? Adorbs. Begging to be messed with.
"What happened?"
"Yeah."
"Not cousins."
"Th-then?"
"Hmm... mutual interest, maybe?"
"Interest...?"
"Yep."
Interest? Sure.
Not the way she thinks.
"...R-really?"
"Who knows?"
"Y-you're lying. That's your lying face."
"Dunno~."
"Argh!"
She gnashed her teeth, glaring daggers.
"F-fine, two can play!"
"Whatcha gonna do?"
"G-go meet a hot cousin of my own!"
"You don't have one."
"Guess I just sprouted one like you!"
She yelled, cheeks puffed in fury.
Cute as hell—even mad, couldn't fully snap, just grumbled.
Aw, man.
"If cousins, she'd look like you. No hot ones there."
"I-I'm pretty hot, okay? You wouldn't know, but guys confess to me here all the time!"
Desperate for reassurance.
That Soyul and I are zilch.
Yeah.
Time to come clean with Ye-won.
Where else you gonna find a saint like me?
Be grateful for a pal like me.
"Sigh, fine. Truth: nothing there. Random tangle, annoying hassle."
Straight answer.
"Knew it."
Ye-won finally smirked.
"Even so, you? Bandit-looking brute with Soyul? Please. Big lug, scary mug—no one'd touch you."
"Harsh much."
"You were harsh too. Saying my cousin wouldn't be hot!"
"Just talk."
"M-me too. Who thinks you're hot?"
"No one?"
Stepped closer.
"Uh, y-yeah?"
"You really don't think I'm hot?"
"O-of course."
She backed up a step.
"Huh? Soyul said different."
"Wh-what'd she say?"
"Secret."
"Hey! Kim Jinwoo!"
Pummeled my chest with tiny fists.
"Kidding. Same as you. Thought I was older, scary face."
"R-right? Makes sense."
She cleared her throat fake, stared hard.
"But IRL, what's she like? For real pretty? Killer body?"
"Pretty, yeah. She's an idol."
"Be real. See her, then me—what? Eyes bleed?"
"Random self-roast?"
"Comparing. She glows like on screen. Me? Dark circles to my chin."
Slumped, whining.
"I just reek of instant coffee, huh? Old-man vibes?"
Say "yeah" and face wrath.
Another step, close enough for her perfume.
"Nah. Smells toasty."
"Bull. Don't tease."
"For real. Hard-worker scent? Nice."
No.
Pure delight, actually.
Impeccable care: sweet shampoo mingling with perfume, tickling my nose.
But this line? She'd prefer it.
Over "fragrant."
Your scent's the best right now.
She side-eyed me, lips twitching up. Not mad.
"Tch... smooth talker."
Foot nudged my leg lightly.
"Hey, rub my shoulders. Mouse work turned 'em to rocks."
"Your masseuse now?"
"Shut up and do it. You got the grip."
Swiveled chair, back to me.
Hands on hoodie's shoulders, kneaded.
"Ooooh..."
Old-man groan.
"Ahh, bliss. Harder. Wingbone there."
"Bossy."
"Just do it. Tough day."
Head back, peering up.
Glasses indent on nose bridge—oddly cute.
"But hanging with her fun?"
"What."
"She's hot. Everyone stares. Ego boost?"
Grumble hid barbs.
"Annoying. Couldn't eat in peace."
"Hmph, star life. Not like with me."
Swatted my hands, faced me.
"Hey, Kim Jinwoo."
"Yeah."
"Don't get picky."
"..."
"She's arm candy. Only I ramen-slurp, swear, lounge in sweats with you."
Grabbed my collar sudden.
"So wipe off her scent."
"Scent?"
"Yeah, strong. Headache-inducing."
"..."
Yesterday's meetup lingering?
Ye-won yanked my waist, face to chest.
Hoodie rough, her warmth seeped in.
"Sniff sniff."
Nose wrinkled.
"Eww, potent. How much you two clung..."
Griped but clung.
Rubbed her face on me, marking territory.
"Get my coffee stink on ya. Hmph, hmph."
Childish head shakes—hilarious.
"Quit rubbing. Makeup everywhere."
"Barefaced today. Nothing to smear."
"Looks made-up."
"Thanks for the kindness~."
Head up, close stare.
Not flashy, but comfy face.
"Jinwoo."
"Yeah."
"She can't do this, right?"
"Do what."
"Show you her sloppy side. Whine to you."
"That's good?"
"Duh! Being comfy around someone? Gold. You relax with me too!"
"True that."
Nodded; she grinned.
"So no funny ideas. Treat me right. Thesis passes, I buy treats."
Hand pinched inner thigh sly.
"Deal. Buy good stuff."
Ruffled her hair laughing.
"Ack, hair! Gotta retie!"
Screeched but stayed put.
Burrowed deeper, mumbling.
"Seriously... reeks. Gotta cover it all with mine."
I saw it.
The vivid hashtags floating above her head.