Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: The Drinking Party Erupts
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Even after that, the pufferfish's poison-spraying skill kept going off nonstop.
Maybe because Seo-ah had recharged my energy, or maybe because she'd given me permission not to hold back if I couldn't take it anymore.
Either way, it didn't piss me off as much as before.
I just ignored it with a mental bark if you want to bark, and before I knew it, the short-but-long day of OT activities listed on the schedule had come to an end.
Were they all so tense because it was their first taste of college life?
Amid the exhausted freshmen despite the not-so-packed schedule, the department senior with the blonde hair flicked his locks and clapped his hands together at his mouth, shouting loudly.
"Everyone, you all did great~! I tried to make it not too tough, but you all look wiped out…!"
His voice still full of energy made me think that senior must have insane stamina, but then he continued as if he had more to say.
"The official schedule for today is over!"
...Official?
"We're planning a light drinking session afterward, but it's not mandatory, so only those who want to join should come! No penalties or anything if you skip, so don't worry!"
"I was gonna reserve a bar, but then it'd just be groups at tables not mingling, so to get to know everyone, we'll drink here!"
...Looks like we're stuck in the auditorium all day.
Just like a company manager saying you don't have to come to the afterwork drinks.
Ah, you don't have to come! But if you don't, everyone else might get close without you? Not my fault if department life gets tough?
His words naturally brought that thought to mind, and I let out a deep sigh.
Well, I figured there'd be drinks anyway.
As the kids murmured about whether to join or not, I spotted seniors hauling in cases of booze.
...That's a lot. Can we even drink all that?
I scanned around for something Seo-ah might like, but unfortunately, only soju and beer were in sight.
No drinks Seo-ah likes... maybe just head home? As I seriously considered it, my phone buzzed.
-Junwoo's♡: Junu, wanna go?
-Seo-ah's♡: Only soju and beer... you okay with that?
-Junwoo's♡: Ueng... I'll avoid it as much as possible... (sad bunny emoticon)
-Seo-ah's♡: If it seems tough, wanna just skip and go home?
-Junwoo's♡: Nu-uh, no... But if I can't handle it or it gets bad, can I say so then?
-Seo-ah's♡: Tell me for sure, don't hold back.
-Junwoo's♡: Hehe, okay! Love you, Junu. (heart-flying bunny emoticon)
I was still worried if she'd really be okay, but since it seemed like she wanted to join, I decided to go for it first and pocketed my phone.
Then, Si-woo's voice came from beside me.
"Hey, Lee Jun-woo. You joining?"
"Me and Seo-ah probably will."
"...Hate to say it like this."
"Then don't?"
"Other girls are joining too?"
I pretended not to hear the then don't part, and his awkward throat-clearing question made me laugh in disbelief.
"Dude, are me and Seo-ah the girl-news hotline?"
"Hey, I hate asking this too. But... I'm desperate, bro. Help a guy out."
I was about to snap back, but seeing him bow his head with an aniki!, spilling it honestly, I let it slide.
"Dunno. Didn't ask."
"Fuck, shouldn't have bowed."
"You maniac."
We chuckled, and since it was the first day anyway, we agreed to just close our eyes and join. He nodded like that made sense.
"What about Jun-hyeok?"
"Looks like he's over there asking the girls."
"That guy's something else."
"...You say that 'cause you don't get this desperation. You with a pretty girlfriend like Han Seo-ah wouldn't understand."
"So what's this desperation?"
"We worked hard to get to college, and I wanna date! Don't you know you get a pretty girlfriend in college? Cuddling on campus, eating together, dating, doing it!"
"Why do that last one on campus, you psycho."
"...It's the dream."
Seeing Ha Si-woo explain so passionately, snorting like a bull, reminded me of my high school friends.
No, but why do these guys always talk like I'm swimming in luck?
It took me 13 years to date Seo-ah, you know.
I felt wronged inside, but saying it would just get a so who's your girlfriend now? comeback, so I shut up.
As we chatted, the drinking setup finished, and the department senior clapped to get attention.
"Okay, everyone, we'll start with intros split by gender, then mix it up later, so those joining, grab seats~"
I sat down and glanced around—predictably, though not mandatory, everyone ended up joining without a single dropout.
Yeah, thought so. Who'd go home?
After settling and taking turns saying "I'm [name] from the class of '25!", the real drinking began.
I'd looked up drinking games with Seo-ah before OT, but...
This was like a pro-level Hell Edition!
With seniors in the mix, the games had bizarre rules tacked on, leaving us freshmen no choice but to drink whatever came.
"Kuh…."
I'd already downed five shots of soju in a row.
Damn pufferfish kid knew his old-timer status or something.
He targeted me relentlessly, like anyone could tell, so I kept getting hit in every game.
If I explained the rules:
"Learn-while-drinking~ Random~ Game!!!"
"Lee Jun-woo's favorite random~ game!!!"
Try to eat snacks:
"No time for snacks~!!!"
"How long you gonna make me dance on shoulders!!!???"
Comedy from afar, tragedy up close, right?
These crazy people.
The seniors mixed among freshmen were quiet at first, but as booze flowed, they amped it up with screams to liven things.
The pufferfish grinding on me pissed me off, but the manic laughs, yelling only "YES" and spinning arms—it was surprisingly fun, so I went along without resisting.
Luckily, I'm pretty booze-tolerant—five shots and no heavy buzz yet. Seo-ah hadn't gotten hit since her intro shot, so she'd barely drunk.
As games went on, the penalty finally wheeled around to Seo-ah.
Across from me, she downed the soju shot with a determined face, then stuck out her tongue with a bleh, flailing her hands like it tasted bad. I laughed but worried too.
"What, making a fuss over one shot~ Right, guys?"
Even then, the pufferfish taunted loudly, and anger surged.
Fuck, some people can't handle it. You brainless?
"…Seo-ah can't handle soju well. Pour easy, yeah?"
"Ooh, if her boyfriend says so~ Guess we have to~"
I couldn't take it anymore and started standing—then locked eyes with Seo-ah.
She shook her head like she was fine.
What.
What's fine? I wanted to ask.
But I clenched my teeth.
Grit, hold it, sit back down.
Games restarted.
Next penalty... Seo-ah again.
Maybe switched targets since I seemed fine no matter how much I drank.
Piece of shit, I muttered inwardly and spoke up.
"I'll be her knight. Give it to me. Pour as much as you want."
Oohs and aahs from the crowd, and I approached apologetic-looking Seo-ah to snatch the paper cup—then cackling taunts from behind again.
"Lucky with a boyfriend dodging penalties. Singles suffer, huh guys?"
—I hurled the full cup at the pufferfish with all my might.
"Kyaa!"
"Whoa, shit!"
It smacked his face and spilled soju everywhere.
"Hey, Choi Young-chul, you fucking bastard."
"...You lost it, you fuck?"
"You could've just messed with me. Who said touch Seo-ah, you tiny-dicked prick. Wanna die for real?"
Head burning with rage, I clenched my fists and advanced on Choi Young-chul.
"I've been holding back all night. Mess with me then, why her? Why? 'Cause I held back, I looked funny? Say it, fucker."
Why can't you stay in your lane?
Why's Seo-ah gotta look sorry and watch my mood 'cause of trash like you?
I could take him messing with me forever.
But the moment I grabbed her glass, she clutched my shirt hem and whispered just for me,
"Sorry 'cause of me, Junu…"
voice cracking—and I snapped.
What do you mean 'cause of you'? You were just excited for today, giving it your all.
What, freshman with three years left?
Fuck that.
If Seo-ah can't enjoy it, nothing else matters.