Kim Sua's Request - 2
Skipping freshman orientation had its drawbacks.
Unlike everyone else who'd already introduced themselves and made friends, you were left to spend your time alone.
But that was both a downside and an upside.
Sol must be loving that no strangers are coming up to talk to her.
And I get to just focus on studying. Perfect.
Like Eunsol and Lee Naye, I was fine with it too.
No one bothering me, no pointless drinking parties to attend, plenty of time to stroll around campus at my leisure and actually pay attention in lectures.
A routine that might have looked lonely from the outside suited me just fine.
I'd keep going solo for a while longer.
"Um... excuse me..."
"Me?"
"Y-yeah..."
"What is it?"
"Well... about this team project... it looks like you don't have a partner either... want to do it with me...?"
"......"
Team project?
What the hell was he talking about?
"There was a group assignment?"
"You weren't listening in class...? The professor even mentioned it again right before we left..."
"Damn it...!"
I'd had my laptop open, checking stocks, zoning out, even watching a movie—so of course I'd completely missed the announcement about a group project.
This was bad.
No—wait. It wasn't bad at all.
A partner had come looking for me first.
"Thanks, buddy."
"Tch, buddy??"
"If it weren't for you, I'd have been stuck looking like an idiot doing the whole group project alone. Coffee's on me as thanks. Let's go."
"Huh?? O-oh... s-sure... buddy... buddy..."
Seemed like the kind of personality that wouldn't be welcome anywhere.
The classic loner type.
So what? I was a loner too. As long as everyone just did their own work, it was fine.
"Hold on a second."
"Us?"
"U-us...?"
The one who stopped us as we were leaving the lecture hall was a girl who was already pretty well-known among the business major freshmen.
What was her name again?
I had my arm around this guy's shoulders, but I still didn't even know his name.
I'd ask while buying the coffee.
Anyway, the girl who'd called us over had a decent face, and the two girls trailing after her were average enough that the three of them together drew plenty of attention.
"Are you two doing the group project by yourselves?"
"Is there a minimum number of people?"
"W-well, the professor didn't say anything about that..."
"Then we're good. We're doing it just the two of us. Why?"
"If it's okay, want to join us?"
"I-I'm fine with it!!"
"......"
I hadn't done the whole university life thing before, but I'd done more than enough socializing in the real world.
This reeked of freeloaders looking for a sucker to dump the entire project on—and this guy was just happy about it without a clue.
He was probably already picturing himself walking across campus hand-in-hand with her.
"My buddy here says he's fine. What about you?"
"Tch, buddy...!"
"Ah... well, whatever."
"Thanks!"
"Pfft! Why are you thanking me?"
"Th-that's... haha..."
She knew how to handle guys.
One smile and a light tap on the shoulder, and he melted completely.
"Th-then, Areum... when are you free...?"
"Free for what?"
"If we're doing a team project we need to divide roles... and decide on a topic..."
"Ah... you two said you were going for coffee, right? Then let's all go together. You're buying for us too, right?"
"I want an iced vanilla latte~~"
"Iced caramel macchiato for me~~"
I hadn't even said I was buying, yet the two friends who'd been watching from behind came running over shouting their orders.
"What about you?"
"I... e-espresso!"
"...You sure? It's bitter."
"Huh?? I-it's fine! I drink it all the time!"
His coffee taste was surprisingly solid.
I couldn't stand espresso myself—too bitter.
"One iced americano and one espresso, please."
"I'll have an iced vanilla latte~"
"One iced caramel macchiato as well."
"Um... I'll take a hot americano. Decaf."
"Got it. I'll help you with the payment."
The girls casually stepped back, and I handed over my card.
"Iced americano and espresso."
"Excuse me?? Ah... yes, I'll process the iced americano and espresso. As for the rest of the payment..."
"The people who ordered them would know, wouldn't they? Hey, how are you guys paying?"
"What...?"
"You said you were buying the coffee!"
"You said you were buying!"
"When did I?"
"Hey...! J-just put it on this!!"
I paid exactly as I'd said—only for my coffee and this guy's—and the rest went on his card.
The atmosphere around the table cooled off real fast after that.
"I didn't think you were this petty."
"Have you even seen me before? Sorry, first time meeting you, so I have no idea what kind of person you are."
"What...? Ha! You haven't seen me?? Do you know how many classes we have together?!"
"I just said it's the first time I've seen you."
"You little...!!"
Yeah. I had no idea what kind of people these girls were.
Maybe they really just wanted to work on the project together. Or maybe they were hunting for a sucker.
But my gut was telling me the latter.
They were here to snag one freeloader.
"Enough. What are you two even doing? So childish."
"But Areum...! Haa... fine, whatever. Let's just say what we need to say and split."
"Th-then what should we pick for the topic...?"
"Before that, introductions. We don't even know each other's names."
"I'm Park Seongmin! And this is Cha Sunwoo."
"Huh?? How do you know my name?"
"The professor takes attendance..."
"Ah..."
I only answered when my own name was called, so I didn't know a single other person's name.
Familiar names existed, sure, but I had no idea who they belonged to.
"So you're Park Seongmin... I've heard the name around."
"......"
"Nice to meet you. I'm Kim Areum."
"Jo Yeonjeong."
"Lee Chaeyeon."
The prettiest one was Kim Areum, the one sniping at me was Jo Yeonjeong, and the one just happy about free coffee was Lee Chaeyeon.
And the one leading this little gathering just because he was thrilled to be doing a project with girls was Park Seongmin.
"Alright, topic's wine... does anyone know how to make a PPT?"
"I can't."
"I don't know how either."
"Seongmin, can you?"
"I can manage..."
"Then Seongmin should handle the PPT."
"Huh?? O-oh... I'll make the PPT..."
With one word from Kim Areum, Park Seongmin got stuck with the most annoying job—making the presentation.
"Then research..."
"We'll handle that."
"We...? All three of you?"
"No, just me and Chaeyeon."
"I'll do the presentation."
Research went to Jo Yeonjeong and Lee Chaeyeon; presentation to Kim Areum.
I'd been planning to take the presentation myself since it seemed easiest.
So what was left for me?
"What do I do?"
"Sunwoo, you can compile and organize the materials Yeonjeong and Chaeyeon send over, then pass them to me. I'll turn that into the PPT."
Just hearing it sounded like a massive pain...
Well, even annoying work had to get done.
"By the way, Seongmin. What am I supposed to look at while presenting? Just the PPT you make?"
"That... I-I'll summarize the whole thing for you! You can present while looking at that."
"Okay."
"So we're done?"
"Huh?? W-wait! Let me make a group chat first! We all need to know the progress, and it's easier if everyone just uploads materials there..."
"Give me your phone. I'll type in my ID."
"Y-you can just give me your number..."
"I'll type the ID."
"Okay..."
Kim Areum and the other two only added each other by ID and left. The only person who gave Park Seongmin a phone number that day was me.
And the espresso he'd ordered sat untouched until we all left.
"Oppa, where are you?! Why aren't you here yet..!!"
"I'm almost there."
"You're coming looking cool, right??"
"I dressed up as much as I could. But what the hell is this about?"
"I'll tell you when you get here~ And hurry up, Op.pa!"
"......"
What the hell was she plotting?
I had a bad feeling about this.
I wanted to turn around and go home, but the agency Kim Sua trained at was right in front of me.
"O-Oppa~!!!!"
"Why are you running like that? You're making me more nervous..."
She'd been a little prickly and guarded at first, but today she was as wild as when she'd stolen my bike that morning.
I tried to brace myself and protect my body as best I could, but...
(Open your arms..!)
"......"
I could practically hear what those fish-mouthed lips were saying.
(Open them right now..!!)
"......"
I dropped the jab I'd been about to throw and opened my arms.
Kim Sua beamed even wider, yelled louder, and launched herself into my chest.
"Oppaaa~~~~"
"Guhk!!!"
Was this a takedown?
I managed not to fall, but what the hell—she was tiny, so why did she hit like a wild boar?!
(Hug me and pat my head already.)
(Why are you being so scary about this..?!)
(If you don't want me walking to school every morning, hurry up.)
(......)
I had no choice. I wrapped my awkwardly open arms around Kim Sua and patted her head like she demanded.
She immediately started wriggling and putting on every bit of aegyo she had.
"Aing~~ Sua's not a little kid anymore, you know~?"
"Does something hurt? Want to go to the hospital? Going to a psychiatrist isn't a big deal these days."
"You really want to say that to a middle schooler?"
"Then don't act so terrifying."
"Stop saying weird stuff and treat me a little more like a sweet boyfriend."
Boyfriend...?
I rested my chin on the top of Kim Sua's head and looked at the guy glaring daggers at us from over there.
Was this all because of that bastard?
"Is it because of him?"
"Yes... yesterday he tried to drag me off, you know?! I was so scared..."
"Tell the company. He looks like a trainee, doesn't he?"
"N-no way...! If I do that I'll get kicked out... And he's not a trainee..."
"Then what is he?"
"He's a director at our company..."
"That guy??"
"He just became a director a little while ago..."
A guy who looked barely in his early twenties was walking around with a director title?
This company was a mess too.
"Then why would you get kicked out? He's the one being a nuisance."
"Well... he's the CEO's son..."
"Ah..."
Now it made sense.
A parachute director who dropped in on daddy's connections.
Was that the end of the favor, then?
"Then let's go on a date now."
"A date...?"
"He doesn't believe me even when I say I have a boyfriend... please..."
I understood she was in a tough spot, but still—me going on a date with a middle schooler...
"Ahh~~"
"Ah..."
"Aigoo, eating so well~ Heheh"
I was doing it.
I was taking the chicken Kim Sua held out and eating it straight from her fingers.
A lovey-dovey date with a fifteen-year-old, complete with the whole couple act...
"......"
"Why are you just staring? You ate yours, so hurry up and pick one up and feed me. Or else I'm dragging you around all night, hehe~"
"O-open your mouth..."
"Ahh~~~~ Mm~ So good~~"
We were at a chicken place near the agency, feeding each other boneless pieces one by one.
From the other side came a shout full of pure rage.
"Beer and soju over here!!"
Hadn't we done enough by now?
And doing this so close to the company felt way too risky.
"What if someone from the company sees you? Wait—have they already? If you have a boyfriend, doesn't that mean you can't debut?"
"I don't know... but having that creepy guy keep following me around is way more disgusting..."
"How old is he anyway? How old does a guy have to be to chase after a little kid like you?"
"Same age as you, Oppa. And do you think pretty, cute girls like me grow on trees?"
"Don't they? We've got plenty at home."
"Th-that's only because our house is a special case! And why 'our house'? Mom and I are 'us,' and you're just the boarder!"
"Being picky already. I'm leaving."
"N-no! Just a few more pieces!"
I fed her more chicken, then moved to a nearby café and bought her dessert and fresh fruit juice before I was finally allowed to head home.
But the performance still wasn't over.
That stalker bastard had followed us onto the subway and was trailing us all the way to the house.
"Hold my hand."
"You really want to see me in handcuffs?"
"Holding a middle schooler's hand won't get you arrested. Or at least let me link arms~ This much doesn't seem like enough to shake him off."
"Haa... hold hands or link arms, do whatever you want."
"Hehe~"
Kim Sua wrapped both arms around mine, rested her head against me, and stuck to my side like glue.
"Hey, Oppa."
"What?"
"Want to be my real boyfriend? I'll treat you really well."
"You trying to die?"
"Tch...! I don't want to either, okay?! I was just saying it!"
"Good."
"Hmph... Oppa."
"What now?"
"Come a little closer for a second."
"We're already close enough."
"Put your ear closer~"
"Ugh, fine... what?"
"Thanks for today."
"Haa... you made me lean in just for that..."
Peck~
Something pressed against my cheek and pulled away.
Please tell me that wasn't her mouth.
I really did not want to end up wearing a silver bracelet!
"You just—"
"That's a present~ Thanks for helping me today, boyfriend."
"Aigoo, this little—!"
"Kyaa~!!"
"Sua...."
That voice... no way...?
"M-Mom..."
"Sua... Sunwoo..."
"A-Auntie... about just now, that was..."
"Sunwoo..."
"Cha Sunwoo, have you completely lost your mind?!!"
Why the hell were the rest of you here too!!
"It's not what it looks like! It's a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding!!!!!!"