9. Just You Wait
“Perfect! Looking good!”
I stood in front of the mirror, checking myself out from every angle.
“All set! Time for delinquent girl Han-gyul to hit the streets!”
I snatched my bag and flashed a grin at my reflection.
“Oh!”
As I stepped out, I ran into Jin-woo on his way to school.
But the second he saw me, his face twisted into a scowl.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“Doing what?”
I answered his question with total confidence.
He pointed at me like I was a freak show, clicking his tongue in disbelief.
“No, seriously... what the hell is with that getup?”
“What do you mean, rude? Don't you know delinquent style?”
I puffed out my chest and planted my hands on my hips proudly.
“...Aren't you the one who doesn't get it?”
At Jin-woo's jab, I gave myself another once-over.
What's the problem?
Hair roughly pinned up with a clip.
Chick band-aid slapped on my face.
And the slightly undone shirt button plus rolled sleeves for that extra flair.
“Wild, right?”
“There's way more than one or two things to roast here...”
Jin-woo scratched his head and sighed at my question.
I snorted with supreme confidence and went on the offensive.
“Ha! Go ahead, nitpick away! I'll shoot down every single one!”
“Sigh... fine, that hair for starters...”
He pointed at my head.
“What's wrong with the hair? That messy, sticking-out vibe? This is peak wildness!”
“It's just sloppy!”
“Sloppy? Do you know how long I battled the mirror to make it look effortlessly messy?!”
Jin-woo slapped his forehead and let out a deep groan.
“And what's with the band-aid on your face? Hurt yourself? Head looks pretty banged up from what I can tell...”
“Ha! You get it! It's that subtle 'did I get hurt?' band-aid for mysterious allure. Wild, huh?”
“Wild my ass! And why a chick of all things?”
I grinned and poked his side.
“That's the gap moe! Cute hidden in the tough!”
“What am I gonna do with you...”
“Hmph! Can't argue, huh? You're just itching to rag on me!”
Jin-woo grumbled for a bit before giving up and scanning my outfit.
“Fine, hair and band-aid pass. But aren't you gonna get nailed by the morals committee dressed like that?”
I brushed off my shirt collar smugly, like I'd planned for this.
“Pfft! Knew you'd say that, so I stopped just shy of rule-breaking!”
Before heading out, I'd calculated everything in the mirror.
One button undone for that edgy vibe,
sleeves rolled to the perfect spot for the 'it's hot' excuse.
Jin-woo stared down at me like I was hopeless.
“The second you start caring about that crap, you're no delinquent anymore.”
I wagged my finger sternly at his point.
“Hey now! Freedom within the lines! Don't you get it? Real delinquents game the rules smart.”
He just stared at me, dumbfounded.
“Besides... getting caught means game over anyway!”
My shoulders twitched involuntarily after saying it.
This was serious business.
Ji-yu sunbae, the morals chair, was already hunting for excuses to drag me in.
If she caught me slipping, who'd know what she'd do.
I turned back to Jin-woo with grim resolve.
“Rules are life-or-death! Got it? This is strategy!”
He swallowed a fake laugh and muttered half-assed.
“Yeah, yeah... impressive, strategist.”
We bickered all the way to school.
Gulp.
Staring at the gate, I swallowed hard.
First hurdle!
Passing the gate was basic commuting, but for me now? Survival.
Stay bold, Kang Han-gyul! Not a single rule broken!!
I straightened up and strode toward the classroom.
“!!”
But then my eyes locked with Ji-yu sunbae's—inspecting students.
Gah...!
My whole body froze solid.
I forced some tension into my limbs, hyping myself up.
N-no need to panic! I'm innocent!
Legs were jelly inside, but I fought to keep my face straight.
Flinch here, and I'm done.
Time to flip it—go aggressive first.
Overwhelm with presence, and even she'll back off.
With that fire, I decided on a hearty greeting.
“H-hi thereee...”
But my bold mental script came out as a pathetic squeak.
Damn it!! Why won't my body listen?!
Yesterday's trauma from the morals room lingered hard.
“You. Hold up.”
As I ducked my head to slip past, her sharp gaze pinned me.
“?!”
Cold sweat beaded down my spine.
No rule breaks—why?!
Trembling inside, I crept toward her cautiously.
“W-what's the problem...?”
I mumbled nervously.
Ji-yu sunbae just stared into my face,
then zeroed in on the chick band-aid on my cheek.
“Hurt yourself?”
Her low voice carried weird pressure, even for a simple question.
“Uh, w-well...”
“Hm?”
She stepped closer, eyes locked on mine.
Explain the band-aid? Dodge? I wimped out.
“Y-yeah...”
Yeah, let's go with that! Play it off casual—she'll drop it! Delinquent style!
I nodded furiously, rationalizing hard.
Luckily, she just nodded vaguely and let it slide.
See? Strategy nailed it. 'Hurt' and she buys it!
Victory cheer in my head—
then her eyes swept my body again.
Lingering on my collar and elbows.
“But that button and those sleeves...”
“Uh, y-yeah...! I-it's hot out... not breaking rules, right...?”
Yesterday's flashbacks hit; I stammered helplessly.
Sweat trickled down my back.
“I know. Not quite rule-breaking.”
Relief washed over me as tension eased—
Whoosh—!
In a flash, her hand snagged the back of my neck.
“Eek!!”
Blindsided, I jolted rigid.
She leaned in, lips brushing my ear,
hot breath whispering low and sticky.
“But it's turning me on. You seducing me right now?”
Hiiieek!!!
Scream exploded in my skull.
“N-no... wasn't trying to...”
I babbled in a shaky squeak.
Sweat soaked my shirt, clinging cold.
“Oh? Then why that voice? Today's vibe is kinda wild, no?”
“?!”
She pulled back slightly, teasing like she knew everything.
“Th-that's...”
Terror choked me; tears welled in my eyes as I whimpered.
“Cute.”
She let out a short chuckle.
Then pinched my cheek, tilting my head up.
“Wonder why? Gap moe to lure me more?”
I shook my head desperately.
“N-no!”
She grinned like it was hilarious.
“Fine, too many people and too early. Go on in.”
“Uh...”
I stared blankly, chills running through me.
'Let you off'?
What if we weren't at the gate?
“What? Don't wanna go?”
She stepped closer playfully,
and I bolted for the classroom without looking back.
Damn it! Damn it!! What went wrong?!
I sprinted the hall, screaming internally.
Delinquent plan was flawless!
Did flinching kill it?
Heart pounding like mad, I dumped my bag in class.
What was the issue?
I slumped at my desk, racking my brain.
Presence problem?
But after yesterday, no way I could stay cool.
Scary is scary.
I scowled and ground my teeth.
“Huh?”
Then a voice called me.
“Han-gyul.”
I turned—Su-jin.
“Y-yeah? What?”
She approached, and I flinched on instinct.
No, don't wimp! Time to amp the vibe!
I squared my shoulders extra bold.
“That hair...”
She pointed at my messy locks.
I seized the chance, brazen as hell.
“Whaddya think?!”
She giggled and eyed me up.
“Overslept today?”
“Uh, huh?”
Her unexpected reply threw me; I stuttered.
Before I could retort, she whipped out a comb like a pro and closed in.
“C'mere. I'll fix it.”
“N-no...!”
Too late—she flicked off the clip with expert ease.
No! This took forever—how dare she not get it?!
I froze in shock.
She gently combed my tangles smooth,
eyes drifting to my chest and arms.
“Han-gyul, that button and sleeves...”
“Huh? What?”
Finally appreciating it? Eyes sparkled with hope.
Strategy working!
“Sexy.”
“...?!”
“Huge tits like yours? One button and it's steamy~”
“...?!?!”
Mouth gaped in outrage.
Not what I aimed for!!
Collar wasn't even that low.
Carefully modest cleavage—why?!
“Like you're tempting me to undo more~?”
Her tease made me slam the button shut.
“J-just hot out... better now...”
I glanced up meekly.
“?!”
Her face—pure disappointment.
“What? Delinquent phase over already?”
Jin-woo, back at his seat, snorted at my fixed-up look.
Hair neat and combed,
shirt buttoned tight.
“Shut up!!”
I yelled at his mockery.
“Looks don't matter! It's all about actions and presence!”
“Sure, sure, whatever~”
He brushed it off like I was pathetic.
Rage boiled inside as I gritted my teeth.
I'll show you. My moves and vibe are fire—watch!