Introverts Hate Talent Shows
"I hate talent shows as a loner." "When I do it, it's just hyping up the mood, but when you do it, it's straight-up flirting, you know?"
I can say with absolute certainty that I had zero intentions like that. If I were my old self, even if the thought crossed my mind, it never would've left my mouth. Guess I can't claim Astasia had no effect on me after all. It doesn't mess with daily life, but I have changed a bit.
Kim Junwoo was still staring at me like I was some weirdo, so I started clarifying.
"It wasn't flirting—it was just social skills. Even I think I went a bit overboard."
"You never even give empty compliments normally. You don't go out of your way to talk to people. But suddenly dropping lines like that on a stranger? What, some big personality shift?"
There had been a shift, sure. But how do I explain this one? Just say I'm hyped about starting college? Nah. Actually, no need.
"Truth is, you wouldn't get it, but I spent three years in another world, so my personality got a tweak. Give it a little time, and I'll probably snap back to normal."
As soon as I opened my mouth, Kim Junwoo's face twisted into this complicated mix—pity, disappointment, and a bunch of other stuff.
"...So, what, you joined a hero party and took down the demon king?"
"Damn, you actually know your stuff. Yeah, four of us including me."
He's not on my level, but the guy's got some subculture knowledge.
"What's the anime called?"
"Light novel original—kinda long. But it was fun?"
That should do it. He'll think, 'Dude finally lost it binge-watching anime...'
"This is so frustrating."
"What now."
"You're a total hardcore otaku loner who barely talks—looks aside—and yet you drop that cringey line on first meet, and girls' eyes turn to hearts. Total chaos."
"Even you thought it was cringey?"
"Hell yeah."
Hearing "cringey" from the great Kim Junwoo really drove home what I'd said. Fair enough—he didn't call her pretty on first sight either. Just said she looked better in person than photos.
"But hearts? Nah, she was just flustered and played along."
Sudden teeth-grinding noise.
"Think she'd react the same if I said it with my face?"
"Probably? You're not ugly—decently handsome, even."
I don't do empty flattery, as you heard. Objectively, Kim Junwoo's got good looks. More masculine than me. Over 180cm tall, solid build. We both went to all-boys schools, but in co-ed? He'd have had a girlfriend for sure. If not for his super casual vibe—hits on everyone.
Suddenly, he hugs himself with both arms. Big guy's doing that? Gross.
"Sorry. I get the crush, but I like girls."
"Me too. Jokes like that suck—cut it out."
Can't compliment this guy. Just sours the mood.
"Honestly, my face ain't bad. Super grateful to my parents for the genes. In Joseon era? I'd be the top pretty boy among the village kids."
"Then why."
"But you? Peak MZ-gen pretty boy vibe girls eat up. I get 'handsome' a ton too. From aunties."
"Talking like you're not MZ yourself. Fresh twenty."
Technically twenty-three. After all my grind, he looks baby-faced to me. Whatever—that MZ term still baffles after three years. Who coined it? Our age group mocked it at first, now we joke with it nonstop.
"So, fresh-faced college kid trying to step up his game, and who's blocking me."
"Yeah, my bad. Sorry."
Chatting nonsense like that, it hit 2 PM. A senior in nursing scrubs started herding us into the building. Room 401—we were near last.
Dark lecture hall, lights off, curtains drawn. Pitch black except the guiding senior. No way freshman welcome has just one senior, so newbies freaked, but vets were hiding—chairs at back, electronic desks, projector.
Surprise event, obviously.
...I wanna be surprised too, but detecting hidden lifeforms? Happens automatically. In Astasia, our party wasn't defense-focused. Endless ambushes en route to demon king. Can't help it.
Any second now...
BANG! Lights on, seniors yelling.
"Congratulations on joining Korea University's Nursing Department!"
High-pitched screams everywhere. Solid reaction—worth the prep. Party poppers too? Someone's serious about surprises.
"If anyone's too shocked, super sorry... It's our tradition. Next year, you 2023 freshmen do it! Grab any seat for now!"
The apparent MC senior grabbed the mic. Probably second-year, twenty-one, but sounded like a pro emcee—baby party level energy.
High school had one per class like that. Practice helps, but public speaking? Talent territory. I'm fine one-on-one, but envy their vibe.
All seated, she tapped the mic again.
"First, me. I'm Kim Yujeong, 2022 Nursing, in charge of cuteness. Applause!"
She cupped her cheeks cutely, natural as hell. The phone caller from before. Energetic voice drains you live.
Mic taps, crowd engagement, zero nerves? Leader material. Isekai vet? Nah, zero danger vibe—under 0.01%. Pre-return? Zero chance, period. But now? Tiny possibility.
Her quick intro loosened the tense newbies.
"Super quick class rundown. We're OFF class. Some wondered about 'classes' in uni?"
I had.
"We take ~60 freshmen, split into four: think high school classes, but looser. Easier to bond same-class though—so you lucked out with me!"
Wooo! Crowd cheers. Insane charisma.
"FYI: DAY, EVENING, NIGHT, OFF. We're most popular, NIGHT least. Why?"
Someone yells, "Seniors like you!" She laughs.
"Not wrong, but names. NIGHT screams night shifts, OFF feels like days off."
True—nurses rotate, night shifts suck. Sleepless nights? Brutal.
"First, 2022 OFF intros. Remember my name?"
"Kim Yujeong senior!" Everyone shouts.
"Thanks! Seniors, one by one—quick intros."
Seventeen total: four guys, thirteen girls. School's guy-heavy, but imbalance hits hard. Only four dudes.
"Now! 2023 freshmen—one by one. Quick intro plus talent show!"
Ah. Suddenly wanna go home.