Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Overwhelming Campus Gazes
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"Hey, Lee Jun-woo."
"What."
"These stares... you feel them too, right?"
"..."
No way.
The weather was mild, as if announcing winter's end and spring's arrival, accompanied by the countless cherry blossoms blooming across campus and the ticklish floral scent in the air.
"Senior, treat us to lunch!"
"Which clubs are you guys joining?"
"This lecture prof is an F-bomber. Take something else."
"Anyone wanna check out the cafeteria food?"
"Homework on the first day? That's insane."
And amid the bustling atmosphere unique to the new semester—filled with excitement, anticipation, and a touch of familiarity—it wasn't hard to distinguish freshmen like us from the upperclassmen.
If they were dressed up flashy but somehow came off 2% short or immature, they were freshmen.
And if they exuded maturity or wore baggy hoodies reeking of stale old-man vibes, they were upperclassmen.
We clearly fell into the former category, no matter who looked.
It was fascinating. Back in elementary, middle, or high school, even a one-year gap felt huge. I'd thought adulthood would be different.
But here we were, adults now in university, where the age difference was just one or two years—three at most—and yet it was easy to spot the upperclassmen. They just seemed so "adult."
Were we still in the process of becoming adults?
Lost in such thoughts as we walked, I caught sight of Seo-ah and the others up ahead, squealing and debating lunch options.
They're having fun. Watching their bright energy with a fond smile, I started feeling the stares directed our way.
Some passersby glanced curiously, others stared openly with jealous eyes, and some looked with affectionate fondness, like we were cute. A rainbow of emotions poured toward us alongside the warm spring sunlight.
What, are we made of UV rays or something? Our faces are gonna burn holes, you guys.
Of course, none of this was unexpected.
Walking with Seo-ah made this a given.
Maybe she sensed my gaze while chatting with Seo Sae-rom up front.
Her long, silky black hair—like ebony threads pulled straight—swept behind her ear in a single strand. Backlit by the sun, she tilted her head questioningly and smiled at me. It was dazzling, literally blinding; I had to blink.
What a shame. With the others here right now, all I could think was how stunning she was.
If even I, who saw her every day, felt this way, what about others?
I didn't really want to know, but the stares told the story.
From kindergarten through high school, walking with Seo-ah had always drawn these looks.
Back then, we weren't dating, so I'd hidden my feelings for her, squirming inwardly with a rotting heart amid those gazes.
— Not anymore.
Now that we were together, it was laughable.
We could make it obvious—messenger profile pics, holding hands or linking arms on campus. Plenty of ways.
It might take time, but the attention would fade soon enough.
However, what threw me off was...
— ...way too many, aren't there?
School back then was a small society; rumors spread fast but died fast too.
Now, thanks to the EveryTown app or whatever, rumors flew, but the interest showed no signs of waning. If anything, it felt like it was growing. Not a delusion—really growing.
If it were just Seo-ah, my presence might've cooled things off quick.
But I hadn't anticipated Seo Sae-rom and Kim A-ri drawing so much heat.
To me, they were... well, that type? The kind where if they knew, they'd wanna kill me. But apparently, not to others.
And somehow, EveryTown had spread that those two were single. Huge impact.
Damn guys. Weren't they the top students in their classes?
Are intellect and reason separate?
Reading EveryTown posts—especially the hordes whining about wanting girlfriends—made me think, "This is... Yeongu University?"
For a second, Kim Seung-hyun and Ha Si-woo's words echoed: "You don't get it 'cause you have Seo-ah." But I brushed it off. Took me 14 years too, jerks.
Anyway, the stares weren't dying down; they were getting bolder. Soon, the others noticed too.
Pretending nonchalance, but conversations dwindled, movements stiff like a dying toy. Obvious.
When Yang Jun-hyuk finally asked if I felt the stares—bam, here it comes.
"...Gonna be like this for a while with this crew, huh?"
"For real...? But why do you look so chill?"
"Childhood friends with Seo-ah."
"Ah."
Did "childhood friends with Seo-ah" paint the whole picture of past ordeals?
Yang Jun-hyuk nodded like he'd figured it out, then patted my shoulder pityingly.
"Must've been tough for you."
"Tough? Now she's my girlfriend, not just childhood friend."
"True, screw that. Who's really suffering? Me, solo since birth?"
But in under three seconds, his gaze turned to one reserved for deceivers.
"Pfft. Solo till now ain't much. Shoot your shot with Kim A-ri. Si-woo's eyeing Seo Sae-rom hard."
"I'm not into CC..."
"'Not into CC' he says. Oops, saw your future: lonely solo grad."
"You're cursed, asshole?"
Laughing at his flushed face, I looked ahead—and there it was, exactly as described.
We'd left the lecture hall three girls front, three guys back—a clean 3-3 split. But at some point, Ha Si-woo ditched us for Seo Sae-rom's side, glued tight.
Ha Si-woo, you bastard—talking girlfriend at OT, and you meant it...!
Together yet ignoring us, eyes only for her.
And shielding her from stares, squirming protectively. Reminded me of my past self.
"...You're in for it."
"Who? Me? Or us?"
"Both. Whatever."
"But why you so calm?"
Me and Seo-ah won't waver.
Couldn't say that.
Just the stares showed Ha Si-woo's love life difficulty spiking.
And though he'd deny it, once Yang Jun-hyuk fell for Kim A-ri, same deal.
Unless ridiculously handsome, girls have it easier in love—no denying it.
Pretty ones? Blink, and bam—D-1 with hearts in her KakaoTalk, crying in bed.
Sae-rom and A-ri too. If they wanted love, our six-pack wouldn't last.
That's freshman year.
In our peak beauty, irreplaceable twenties' first page—we wanna share with someone special.
Affection blooming amid spring breeze and thrills.
Natural. Unstoppable.
Even if it works out, plenty of stumbles.
Dating's a start, not end.
No wonder shows like Golden Sun exist.
For Ha Si-woo and Yang Jun-hyuk—first uni friends—I hoped no drama.
Of course, me too.
"Jun-hyuk, sorry?"
"What outta nowhere... hey!"
Sorry for leaving him solo, but fleeting. I strode to catch up with Seo-ah.
"Seo-ah."
"Yeah? Jun-woo, you call me?"
She whipped around at my voice.
Her eyes brimmed with affection, warm smile tugging mine up too.
"Just."
"Huh?"
"Just called. Wanna walk together."
Tried casual with others around.
But sunlight hit my cheeks and ears—I couldn't hide the flush. Others gawked.
What? Why?
"Heh, Jun-woo."
Mentally shooing the others, a soft squeeze on my arm.
—Watermelon.
That now-familiar, impossibly plush feel.
"...What."
"Just."
"Just?"
"Called you just 'cause. Wanna walk like this."
Her brows curved like a crescent moon, beaming.
Pulling my arm deeper into her softness, scared I'd be stolen—irresistible.
"What's that."
Mwah.
Couldn't hold back; kissed her smooth forehead. Sudden silence.
Oh crap. Looked up—four pairs of icy stares.
"No, I mean..."
"Then go off alone, jerks..."
"Seo-ah, we'll head first..."
Finally promised PDA only when alone (probably broken), then we could proceed.
Of course, the soft arm pressure only intensified through lunch, never vanishing.