Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Pufferfish Senior's Glare
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"Freshmen, here are some precautions to keep in mind after enrollment..."
"Things like occupying the main building or spray-painting graffiti on campus are absolutely forbidden..."
?
Occupying the main building or spray-painting? What the hell is that about?
Did someone stage a protest inside the university or something?
Even if there was a protest, it wouldn't turn violent.
That's just common sense, right?
We sat quietly listening to the freshman orientation guidelines from the guy up on stage who introduced himself as the department president. Something seemed off, but I figured there must be a reason for it and let it slide.
The speech dragged on from precautions to introductions of the school and department.
I was stifling a yawn when I felt a poke from the side. I turned to look and saw Ha Si-woo and Yang Jun-hyuk.
"Hey, Lee Jun-woo."
"Yeah?"
Ha Si-woo leaned in close, like he didn't want anyone else to hear.
"That senior up there... he's staring at you, right?"
"Who? You mean the pufferfish?"
"Pufferfish, pfft. Hey, he's still a senior, technically."
"I just said pufferfish. Never specified who."
"......"
Ha Si-woo looked flustered at my words. I grinned at him, and he let out a sigh.
"Fine, yeah. That pufferfish-looking bastard. He's been staring right at you the whole time."
"If he had laser vision, I'd already be Swiss cheese."
"You okay with that?"
"Why wouldn't I be? You're the one hanging with me—aren't you worried about that pufferfish glaring daggers?"
I could handle myself, and as long as I had Seo-ah, that was enough. But these guys might end up with their college lives messed up because of me.
I asked if they were really okay being seen with me.
"Honestly, it's a bit intimidating. I mean, come on—a 2021 freshman? That's fossil-level ancient."
"But me, us, worrying about crap like this? It hurts my pride. Why should we? What did we do wrong?"
We ignored Yang Jun-hyuk's quiet mutter of, Isn't badmouthing a senior wrong?
"I don't want to waste my first page of college life as some spineless wimp who can't even approach the people he wants to befriend because he's looking over his shoulder. I didn't grind through those books just to act like this."
His eyes sparkled as he clenched his fist.
With that serious expression, he laid his honest feelings bare to me.
—I like this guy.
It felt reassuring. Even if I ended up isolated in the department, this one would stick by my side.
And his words struck a chord in me.
Yeah. I wanted my first page of youth in my twenties to be about happy times with Seo-ah, not some nonsense involving a pufferfish.
"...And if I get tight with you, Han Seo-ah might introduce me to her friends later."
"You little—"
"They say pretty girls hang out with pretty girls."
This was sincere, damn it.
Half-joking, half-serious. No, probably 80% serious.
His absurd honesty made me burst out laughing, and Si-woo cracked up too.
"...I wasn't even gonna come, but that convinced me."
"So you guys are all just after my connections?"
"As a bonus, sure."
Yang Jun-hyuk joined in, and the three of us were cracking up when I felt eyes from the surrounding freshmen gathering on us.
"Hey, freshmen over there, could you quiet down for a sec~? Almost done!"
Even the department president, mid-speech, noticed our distraction. We finally stopped laughing after his comment.
I glanced back up at the pufferfish, who was still glaring at me with clear annoyance.
I waved cheerfully, and he flipped me off in response. What a warm-hearted senior.
"Damn, you've got a fan."
"You idiot, why'd you wave?"
"He was staring so hard, I just had to."
"You're insane..."
I chuckled and turned to cleanse my eyes with a look at Seo-ah. She shone brightest even among the girls from our department.
Chatting and laughing brightly. Somehow she knew I was looking—our eyes met, and she gave a small wave.
I drew a heart with my fingers using my left hand.
She clutched her chest like her heart skipped a beat, letting out a little ugh!
The girls around her looked my way, wondering what was up. I quickly turned around, pretending nothing happened.
Nothing different back there.
"...Can't you two do your lovey-dovey crap when you're alone?"
"Had to do it in front of us?"
"...Sorry."
Ha Si-woo and Yang Jun-hyuk stared at me like they were about to puke. No choice but to apologize.
Yeah, Seo-ah looked happy.
For these guys' sake too, I'd tough it out today. I resolved myself.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I'd resolved myself, but...
Like the saying goes, a drizzle soaks your clothes before you know it.
After the department president's speech, the OT schedule continued with that same persistent drizzle of annoyances.
For instance, during group activities, he'd suddenly sidle up, throw an arm around my shoulder, and chat me up.
Or while outdoors, he'd saunter over smoking a cigarette and blow smoke right in my face.
During mini-games, he'd warn the kids around me—specifically naming me—to be careful.
Dogshit. No, utter bullshit.
He kept pulling these petty provocations that weren't quite enough to explode over.
And only when other seniors were around. Clearly not his first rodeo.
As it repeated, even the clueless freshmen caught on.
They weren't obvious about it, but I could feel them subtly avoiding me.
Ha.
True to form for a pufferfish, spreading his poison everywhere. I sighed.
Did the other seniors know what an asshole he was and just let it slide?
Were they turning a blind eye despite knowing?
If they didn't know, fine. But if they did and ignored it...
College life here didn't look promising.
During a break before the next event, I stepped out of the auditorium for some air and sat on the bench out front.
Soon, familiar footsteps—soft and crunching—approached from behind.
"Here?"
"How'd you know it was me?"
"Your footsteps are as pretty as my girlfriend."
"Ow, what kind of line is that..."
Half-serious, though.
She giggled shyly at my cheeky line and moved to sit beside me. Instead, I gently grabbed her waist and pulled her onto my lap.
"Jun-woo-ya, you holding up okay?"
"...Do I look that bad?"
"Yeah, 'cause you need me so much right now."
"I've always needed you."
"Hee, true... but..."
Seo-ah turned sideways in my lap.
The warmth of her hands on my cheeks, chilled from the cold weather.
"Jun-woo-ya."
"...Yeah?"
"If it's tough, you don't have to hold back."
She stroked my cheek softly, whispering that she really meant it.
The warmth from her hand, her voice and eyes full of worry for me.
It felt like it thawed the cold seeped into my heart from that relentless drizzle.
"As long as we're together, just us, that's enough. Right? Or... is that just me?"
"No way. With you, I don't need anyone else."
"Eung, me too. Jun-woo-ya."
So— she added.
"You don't have to hold back. Whatever you do, I'll follow your lead."
With those words, soft lips pressed against mine.
Lipstick would leave a mark right now—flashed through my mind, but I shoved it away.
Didn't care if someone saw.
The world faded until it felt like just us two. Quiet, but burning hot enough to forget the chill.
Our kiss lasted longer than usual. When we parted, a thread of saliva connected our lips. I licked it away.
"I'll tough it out a bit longer."
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
Because you just gave me the strength to endure.
I could hold out as long as needed.
We were still freshmen. At least three years ahead in this place.
I didn't want to do anything that might harm the Seo-ah nestled in my arms, even a little.
I wanted to protect that lovely smile she wore for me.
"How're the girls? They cool?"
"Yeah! They all seem nice. Sae-rom and A-ri get along great too..."
"Si-woo and Jun-hyuk were already begging me to set them up."
Ah, did I say Sae-rom and A-ri? A vague regret hit me, but words already spoken couldn't be unsaid.
They're the pretty ones, so it'll be fine...
Couldn't tell Seo-ah, but yeah—they were the prettiest in the department after her.
Seo-ah with those two? Basically the department's top beauties rolling together.
Probably childish nicknames like the Beauty Trio or something.
"...Already? Kim Seung-hyun and Park Jae-hwan too—why do they always come to me...?"
I explained to my pouting Seo-ah.
It made sense to me too.
"They say pretty girls attract pretty girls."
"..."
Hearing it from someone else made her blush shyly. Too cute not to tease.
"I thought, oh yeah, that's spot on, when I heard it. What's your take, Seo-ah-ssi?"
"...Jun-woo-ya, you think the girls around me are pretty?"
"......Huh?"
"Who'd you think was pretty? Tell me, Jun-woo-ya."
"Wait, no, that's not what I—"
"Who around me caught your eye as pretty? Sae-rom? A-ri? Hye-ji?"
"I'm sorry..."
Tried to tease, ended up losing ground.
Before her icy glare that could freeze my freshly warmed heart solid.
A apologetic kiss and a few pats on the butt later, her usual self returned, and we barely made it back into the auditorium.