Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Declaration of War
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Even the eyes that once made Yerim feel isolated because they seemed 'different' and 'strange'.
Was it because she was starting to become more aware of the opposite sex now? Or was it the weight of the school uniform, despite only being a year apart?
Before long, Yerim's eyes had become an element that made her already striking appearance even more special.
And once her looks combined with the fact that she was Seo Jinhyuk's little sister came to light, the rumors spread throughout the entire school in an instant.
No need to mention the first-years she directly encountered.
Even among the second- and third-years, no one asked, 'Is she pretty?' Because she was that Seo Jinhyuk's sister.
And after meeting her in person, I realized the greatness of genetics.
Just like that, on her first day of school, Yerim became famous across the school.
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...Why are you coming out of there?
I could feel the classroom buzzing at Yerim's entrance.
So what if a kid from another class walked in? The classroom was usually buzzing with people coming and going, greeting with a casual "irasshaimase."
Even if a unfamiliar face entered, the stares would only linger for a moment before everyone went back to their business.
But right now, those gazes mixed with curiosity and admiration showed no sign of fading.
It was bewildering enough that a first-year had boldly entered a second-year classroom, but for it to be Yerim of all people.
Even more surprising was that Yerim, who usually shrank back a bit,
despite clearly knowing all those eyes were on us, acted like she couldn't care less about anyone else's stares.
Her pink eyes held only me.
"Weren't you supposed to hang out with Han Sea today...?"
Since it was her first day, I'd debated going to the PC bang with the guys, so I figured those two might do the same.
But instead of answering, Yerim pointed behind her.
"...Ah."
There was Seo Jinhyuk, already being dragged off by Han Sea.
Punk, you like it but you're playing hard to get.
If he really hated it, he wouldn't even let himself get dragged. As he looked at me pleading for help, I secretly flipped him off behind Yerim's back.
Han Sea was probably thinking something like, "Heh heh, your body's being honest," or whatever.
Anyway, with Yerim here, going to the PC bang was off the table.
Spending time with her beat hanging out with sweaty guys at the PC bang by hundreds—no, thousands of times. Mmm.
So as I turned to refuse Yoon Do-hyun, one of his PC bang buddies—a nameless guy—lit up and opened his mouth.
"Uh, we were just about to head to the PC bang together, wanna...!"
"No thanks. Oppa, you're going to the PC bang...?"
"Huh...?"
The nameless guy froze mid-sentence, his face saying, Did she just say no to me?
...Oof.
Was this the reason guys hated on her, like she'd mentioned before...?
Her tone was so cold, it was hard to believe it came from Yerim.
The temperature difference between that and her casual warmth toward me made me think there were two Yerims for a second.
...So this is how Yerim treats guys normally.
Guys who aren't me.
I felt bad for the still-bewildered nameless guy.
A little.
......Actually, a whole lot.
I felt great. Like shouting, This is the difference between you and me!
My lips kept curving up; I couldn't stop smiling.
"Nah, heading home."
"Weren't you gonna go to the PC bang with your friends...?"
"I thought you had plans with Han Sea."
If I'd known you weren't busy, I wouldn't have even considered it.
She wasn't the type to miss the implication in my words.
Yerim's eyes crinkled happily.
"Sorry about the PC bang. Next time. Got prior plans today."
"...Usually, we'd be the prior plans, no?"
"To me, this is the prior plan."
Yoon Do-hyun gave me an exasperated look.
What? Prioritizing what Yerim says is just 'common sense,' right?
I met his gaze confidently, and he snorted a laugh.
"You're a funny guy. Next time, you're coming with, got it?"
"Of course, no doubt about it."
"Man, first time meeting you today, but can I kill him? He's really getting on my nerves."
"Be a good boy and endure. Let's go, Yerim."
I turned toward Yerim, leaving Yoon Do-hyun behind with his urge to hurl insults.
"...Hm."
"...? Something up?"
Yerim quietly scanned the classroom with cold, sunken eyes.
Wondering what she was looking at, I followed her gaze. Girls who met her eyes awkwardly smiled and looked away.
Like they'd instinctively sensed danger...
"N-no, nothing. Let's go, Oppa... ."
"Yeah, sure."
I wondered what that was about, but she was back to her usual self, tugging at my uniform hem like hurry up, so I decided not to overthink it.
Probably nothing.
With that thought, I left the classroom with Yerim.
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"D-did that first-year just look at us, right...?"
"She was staring right at us till the end... ."
"Why do her eyes turn gray when she looks at us...?"
"S-scaryyy... ."
Much later, I found out.
That day, the girls in our class became unable to forget the name Han Woojin, and vowed never to get close to her.
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Whoa, I expected it, but yeah, it's just like that.
It was the same on the way to school, but the stares on the way home were even worse.
Every passing student seemed to be looking our way.
Some with admiration, some with envy, others with jealousy.
Gazes filled with all sorts of emotions poured toward me and Yerim.
But.
—Not my problem.
Yerim seemed unfazed, used to it.
And I had no intention of giving up this spot right beside her.
"Oppa, don't mind me—go to the PC bang with your friends if you want... ."
"Oh, really? Guess I will then."
"......"
"...Kidding. You said it first."
She'd teased me first, but now she was giving me that try me look, which felt a bit unfair.
"I just said it... ."
"Me too. Like I'd actually go."
"...Hmph."
Yerim turned away with a dissatisfied huff.
But now I knew.
She just needed a moment to cool off.
"I was actually debating the PC bang today 'cause I didn't think you'd come."
"But you had a reason to go today... ."
"Reason...? What?"
Wondering if something happened, I asked, and Yerim looked at me steadily.
"...Declaration of war? Territory marking?"
"...What're you talking about?"
"You don't need to know, Oppa... ."
What? Tell me.
She put her index finger to her lips like it was a secret, shushing me playfully. She looked so cute, I let it slide.
"...Why didn't you come even once today?"
"Huh? Where?"
"Our classroom... ."
"Wouldn't a second-year stand out too much in a first-year room?"
"I went... ."
...True.
But that was after classes ended, and excuses like a big guy like me scaring the kids popped up, but I kept them to myself.
That wasn't the answer she wanted right now.
"I'll swing by starting tomorrow. Y'know, to mark my territory or whatever."
"Promise...?"
"Duh, obviously. When have I ever lied?"
"......"
"...Why the hesitation?"
...She trusts me, right?
I tensed a bit as she closed her eyes with a thoughtful "hmm," but soon enough,
on the sunset-dyed street,
her beaming smile put me at ease, and I smiled back.
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"Piggy."
"... ."
"Oink oink."
"......"
"...Han Sea-nim."
"Why does my big bro always have to pick a fight like this~?"
Han Sea turned to me with a smug grin, like she'd seen it coming.
My fist trembled, but I was the one on thin ice right now, so I held back.
"...Did you have fun with Seo Jinhyuk today?"
"Jinhyuk oppa had academy today, so we didn't hang out."
"...? Then why'd you come to our classroom earlier? Don't you have friends?"
"...Can't talk to your little sis like that, big bro. It's not like that. There's stuff even you don't know about."
"Same crap as Yerim."
Worried for nothing. First days are always for hanging with friends.
Should've known better than to worry about my sister.
"Anyway. You call me out just to ask that?"
"As if. Sorry, but I have zero grams of interest in your love life."
I'd care more about Mom's underwear size.
"What's up with you today, big bro? So nosy~? What're you so curious about? ...No way?"
She hyped herself up, gasped dramatically, and stared at me. Ridiculous. What "no way"?
"...Whatever you're imagining, it's not that. You know Yerim's birthday is soon, right?"
"Pfft, duh~ Not just anyone—it's our Yerimmy's birthday, of course I know!"
Good, I started to speak, but she cut in with "But big bro."
"You're not gonna ask what to get her for her birthday or beg for recommendations or recon, right? If my big bro asks something that lame, I'd be so sad~?"
".............."
"Why so quiet~?"
"...Kinda?"
"Yup! Not kinda—really!"
Brat...
She beamed at my expression, thrilled for some reason, and "knee kick" flashed in my mind.
"Hey, if you're gonna curse me out, warn me first. Gimme a hint."
Busted anyway, so I went bold.
Who cares if I'm lame to Han Sea.
As long as I'm a real man to Yerim. Though that ship might've sailed.
"Oppa."
"What."
"......"
"......"
"...Why call me if you're not gonna talk?"
"I didn't call you~?"
As I started to call bullshit,
"You asked for a hint on a birthday present Yerim would like. I gave it to you~?"
...Fuck. Couldn't argue; it was technically right.
"Whoa, Oppa's face is red."
"...Shut up."