Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: I'm the Only Human at Beastkin University, and They're Obsessed with Me
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On the way back to the dorm, I rode in Senior Baek Sang-a's car.
During the ride, Senior Baek Sang-a expressed her gratitude.
"You worked hard today, Ji-hyeok."
"Aw, come on. What hardship did I even go through?"
"What are you talking about? You had it the worst. Out of all those humans, you stood up for us beastkin. So of course your efforts were the biggest. Thank you."
Just doing the obvious thing, and she thanks me for it... it's kinda embarrassing. Heh heh!
That said, her words—"standing up for beastkin amid all those humans"—made me want to tell her that to me, she and the other beastkin were just people like anyone else, so there was no need to draw such lines between us. But I held back.
I'm not a furry-mixed beastkin. And Mo Myo-mi and the seniors are beastkin with furry blood. They're victims of this era's racial discrimination.
What meaning would there be in a third party like me preaching equal rights to the people actually affected? If I didn't get cursed out with "What do you know?" it'd be a miracle.
As I thought that, the rear window rolled down, and Seniors Yang Hwa-bin and Hati-ho gave awkward smiles.
"S-Sorry I couldn't step up earlier, human."
"Thaaanks for having our backs."
"No problem at all! When sunbaenim show up, it's the juniors' job to handle the annoying stuff! Yes, sir!"
I replied, but my eyes drifted inside the car.
Mo Myo-mi, whose mental state must've taken the biggest hit.
Mo Myo-mi wouldn't even look at me. She just leaned her head against the window. Yeah. That's probably best for you right now.
Senior Baek Sang-a got back in the car.
"Get home safe, Ji-hyeok."
"Yes, ma'am! Drive safe!!"
I bowed a crisp ninety degrees to see them off.
Staying put until their car vanished from sight was basic etiquette! Only then did I head into the dorm.
"Huh? It's awfully quiet today?"
Normally, Eum-a would've noticed me coming back and dashed in from the balcony by now. Why's she being so meek today?
"No way... Is she jerking off thinking about me right now?!?!"
Why the hell would she hide that from me?!
Fuming, I burst onto the balcony. Wondering just how furiously she might be going at it... but nope. She was just sleeping?
Eum-a was sprawled out on the bed, sleeping normally. Every breath made her little rabbit tail poke out through the hole in her hot pants, trembling softly. Cute as hell.
"What were you doing all day to crash this late? ...Huh?"
That's when I noticed a text from Eum-a. It was from this morning, when I'd gone to the wholesale market.
[Choi Eum-a: Ji-hyeok ㅠㅠ I actually did a night shift last night... ㅠㅠ Gotta sleep around when you get back ㅜㅅㅜ Wake me if you need me!]
"Night shift? Last night? Damn, this girl's stamina is no joke."
Last night after our hot session. And she went to work after that?
'Good thing I split early from drinks with Na Min-seo.'
Not the scene I wanted to see, but glad Eum-a's doing okay! Nothing else to do now—time to knock out this assignment!
The moment I opened my textbook and grabbed a pen!
Ding!
"Who the hell texts at peak focus hours—Forbes' number one best time to concentrate?!"
Who is it?!
"Oh. It's Mo Myo-mi?"
[Mo Myo-mi: Hey]
"What's she texting me for?"
Curious what she wanted, I waited for the follow-up.
One minute passed...
Another minute...
Yet another minute...
"What the fuck, you call me and then ghost?!"
No new texts after that initial [Hey].
Did she bail 'cause I didn't reply?!
[Me: What]
The second I sent it, the '1' next to the bubble vanished. I'd left KakaoTalk open, so why didn't she say anything? And why no reply now? Now I'm pissed.
[Me: What]
[Me: What]
[Me: What]
[Me: What]
[Me: What]
Spamming [What] got me nothing.
Was it really just a random ping? Nah, not her style... Oh! Got it! She's thanking me for earlier!
'Nice!'
Even a haughty cat beastkin would show gratitude after help, right?
Stray cats bring mice or birds to their saviors—maybe Mo Myo-mi just wants to say thanks at minimum? But then she remembers all the shit-talking and chokes!
"Kinda makes her thorny personality endearing now. Heh heh heh."
Ding!
[Mo Myo-mi: Churu]
"What the—?!"
I pictured a grateful stray cat, and I'm the idiot! Should've expected nothing!
"Never trusting a cat beastkin again... Huh?"
[Mo Myo-mi: (Sent a gift.)]
Out of nowhere, Mo Myo-mi sent a gift. Checking it out—a box of Churu.
No way... Is this her thanks? The Churu?
"Mo Myo-mi, you little porcupine..."
I figured a curt [thx] at best, but she sends Churu. Can't eat it myself, but it's the thought that counts, right?
Lemme check the price.
"7,000 won! She begged me for 100,000-won Churu!"
Ha ha ha!
You cheap prickly bitch!
Ha ha ha ha!
That afternoon.
Right after finishing my assignment.
Slide—
"Ughhh... Ji-hyuuuk... Goooood moooorniiiing."
"It's not good morning anymore—it's good afternoon, Eum-a."
"Ughhh..."
She'd just woken up and climbed in from the balcony into my room. Her entrance was so seamless now, I didn't even bother pointing it out.
That aside.
Freshly awake with messy hair, Eum-a looked adorable. Normally she'd shake her tail to tempt me, but right now? Like a baby rabbit post-nap—pure cuteness overload.
'Succubus Eum-a and baby rabbit Eum-a coexisting in one body...'
It's like a fried chicken half plain, half spicy set!
Lucky me!
I held out my assignment to baby rabbit Eum-a.
"Hey, hey. I finished my homework. Take it if you need—due tomorrow."
"Gasp! R-Right! Forgot 'cause I was wiped from work... Th-Thank you, Ji-hyeok!"
Getting so many thanks today. Feels pretty good!
"What're friends for?"
"Hee hee."
Po-ro-ron. Her little tail, poking from the hot pants hole, wiggled happily. Look at that thing with a mind of its own.
Too cute, baby rabbit Eum-a!
"Oh! I-I got something for you too..."
"Me?"
"Y-Yeah. W-Wait a sec."
Eum-a hopped out to the balcony and returned cradling a square box.
"What's that?"
"L-Lunchbox! Th-The boss said discarded ones are half price...! B-Bought it for you...!"
"Huh?"
Discarded lunchbox, half price?
Something's off...
"Half price for discards?"
"Y-Yeah...! S-Some are 7,000 won, but half off...! N-Nice guy, right?"
"Dunno about nice, but you should quit that place."
"Huh?"
"Don't forget to report 'em before you do."
"Hooeh...?"
Ears drooping, she looked scolded without knowing why.
Our Eum-a.
A bit dim, but sweet and pure.
That's enough.
"Still, thanks! I'll dig in!"
"Y-Yeah! E-Eat up! C-Can I... do my homework here while you eat?"
"Sure, sure. Do whatever, Eum-a."
She got scammed, but bought it thinking of me—least I can do.
"A-Anything...? Th-Then... naughty stuff too...?"
Don't twist my kindness like that!!
"Bad girl!!"
"H-Hooeh!"
"Just like succubus Eum-a! Always trying to suck a guy dry at the first opening?!"
"S-Succubus Eum-a?! N-Nooo!"
"No?! Then do your homework, classmate! I'll just chow down on this lunchbox from succubus classmate!"
"Y-Yesss...!"
Can't let my guard down around her!
I microwaved the lunchbox and sat next to busy Eum-a to eat. Baek's lunches never miss—solid flavor.
Munching brought back the afternoon events.
"Oh, right. Eum-a."
"Hm? Whaaat?"
She paused her work and looked up with big, innocent eyes.
From last night's fun? Or just woke up?
Today felt like good ol' studious Eum-a, not heat-mode. Perfect for a serious talk about earlier.
"So, thing is... when I went to the wholesale market..."
I told Eum-a about the day's events.
She's beastkin—an indirect victim—so I kept it light, no drama. Still, she grasped it quick, face darkening.
"Oh... S-Something like that happened to Myo-mi... Th-The seniors must be heartbroken..."
"Right?"
"Yeah. B-But Daram senior handled it well. Sang-a senior's cool too."
Eum-a forced a smile, cheeks puffing adorably. I pinched 'em without thinking.
"Eeng. O-Ow."
"But I'm not sure if I handled it right."
"Wh-What?"
"Was jumping in with my justice boner just making the other five uncomfortable? That's been bugging me."
Truth was, that's why I brought it up.
Ignoring those five might've been best—maybe I just stuck my nose in.
Eum-a blinked her red eyes, flashing bunny buckteeth in a grin.
"L-Listen, Ji-hyeok..."
"Yeah?"
"I thhink..."
"Yeah."
"The ssheniors and Myo-mi... all thanked you... that'sh what mattersh."
"You think?"
"Yesh. Ah, drool..."
I let go of her cheek.
Eum-a wiped her drool with tissue and continued.
"If they were uncomfortable... they wouldn't thank you... or gift Churu."
"..."
"And knowing you worry like this... they'd thank you more. Y-You're sweet, Ji-hyeok. That's what I think."
"..."
Is worrying like this a sweet trait? Isn't it obvious?
Thoughts swirled.
But no dilemma.
I had one thing to say.
"Must be tough being beastkin."
"Y-Yeah."
"You too."
"..."
"Must've been rough for you."
"..."
"Really rough."
"..."
Eum-a fell silent.
She gripped her pen wordlessly for a long time.
Then nodded slowly.
"...Yeah."