Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: The Outsider Receiving Attention in Class
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Late April. Midterms are just next week.
These days, anyone in class who's even thinking about studying is starting to look pale and jittery.
Even the kids who used to chatter and mess around nonstop during breaks have gone quiet now.
For high schoolers, exams are like some kind of debuff that hangs over the whole room just by existing.
If we're talking in game terms...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ You focused during class and absorbed the lesson. But you got tired faster than usual—same info gained. Suddenly, the doodles on your desk catch your eye. You were gonna reread that English passage, but erasing the doodles looks way more fun. Exhausted, you hit the hay. But anxiety about the looming exam keeps you tossing and turning—no real rest. Something like that.
And here you are, finally cracking open that math textbook. Just give up and focus on your elective subjects instead.
Ever since that spat with Han Si-a in the park, I've been grinding away at my midterm prep every single day.
I'm set to become a Bitcoin millionaire after graduation, so I don't need to obsess over school grades...
But the real reason I'm still at it? Purely to crush Han Si-a on the scores.
Sure, back then I snapped because this high school girl dissed me. But I'm over that now.
I'm a 35-year-old adult in here. She's just a lucky middle-schooler in high schooler skin.
A little argument like that? It's on me, the grown-up, to let it slide. That's the rule of society.
(Note: Pulling a "Turala" mid-argument is a blatant rules violation. So in that last spat, she forfeited due to breaking the rules—automatic win for me.)
Anyway, grudge aside, I refuse to lose to her. Anger and wounded pride are separate issues.
Plus, I don't want to spend another three years of high school just grinding books. No drawn-out war here.
So the plan: Dominate the rankings this midterm, then ghost her future challenges while dropping a casual "You're just not good enough."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ During break, I was still hunkered down studying for the exams.
Suddenly, the usual classroom buzz faded. Light footsteps approached my desk.
"Oh my~ Aren't you Jeong Yi-an, the one who bragged he could beat someone like me using just his toes? And here you are, grinding away during break. Giving it your all. Squeezing out every last drop. Seeing you desperately study like this makes me think... that big talk last time? Ahem. That nonsense? Ahem. That bullshit? Maybe there was some hot air in it? What do you think?"
It was Han Si-a.
Unlike her usual sales-pitch smile, she looked straight-up thrilled right now.
Does poking at me during break really make you this happy, you lucky middle-schooler brat?
Honestly, it probably does.
She's so giddy, the girl who usually keeps her words short is rambling like crazy.
Seeing that soured my mood hard. I gritted my teeth, flashed a matching smile, and fired back.
"Oh dear...! If it isn't Han Si-a! Just because I whipped up a notebook in 'two hours,' 'effortlessly,' 'lightheartedly,' and 'snap,' you went 'Wahhh, with this I'll never lose!!!' and threw a fit. Ahem. That adorable display was so. Damn. Cute. that I'm thinking of making you another one!"
Her smile vanished. Her lips trembled—she was grinding her teeth.
Forcing a grin, she hissed low.
"When did I ever say it like that...!"
"Heh... Want more? Or drop the polite crap and just say why you're here."
She glanced around, checking the stares, then turned back.
"How about a bet on midterm scores? Loser follows the winner's orders for a month."
"Oho... Depends on how harsh the penalties can get. Mind if I hear what you'd make me do first? Since you're setting them."
"Fine by me. I won't get too specific. If I win, you'll fetch bread from the canteen for me every day. And... handle a few simple requests?"
Those "simple requests" could technically be anything, but if she crosses a line, I just won't do it.
She knows that—hence "requests."
If I tried making her do something beyond Bread Shuttle duty, she'd bail too.
"Deal. If I win, you start dinner an hour late every night. No switching restaurants. Heh... No complaints?"
Her face crumpled for a split second.
Delaying dinner by an hour isn't brutal on its own. But for a solo diner like Han Si-a, it'd hit peak rush hour at the sandwich shop.
Meaning she'd be surrounded by crowds every night, enduring stares like "Why's that girl eating alone in the cafeteria?!" Every. Damn. Day.
Bonus: I'll rearrange tables—no two-seaters, all four-tops. She won't dare claim a full four-top alone, so picture her begging to borrow chairs and tables, munching her sandwich under judgmental eyes.
Just imagining it feels like downing a fizzy soda in one go—pure refreshment.
She pondered, then accepted.
While we hashed out the bet, the class had gone from hushed to buzzing.
Overheard snippets:
"Wait... Didn't Jeong Yi-an suck at studying? He's betting scores with Han Si-a?"
"Dunno, but damn, that hot girl from next class coming over to talk to him? Jealous. They friends?"
"Go ask her!"
Suddenly, a guy got shoved forward by the boys.
He eyed us awkwardly, then ventured:
"Uh... hi? Just curious—are you two close?"
"Nope."
"No."
"...Guys, they say they're not."
The poor dude slunk back.
The murmurs picked up.
"Not close? Then why talk so long?"
"Score bet, dummy. Didn't hear?"
"I wanna chat with a girl like that. Our class just fights between guys and girls—easier to befriend the other class cuties."
"Then bet scores with her too!"
"You go ask!"
"Why me again!!"
Democracy struck again—the newly elected rep approached, eyes hopeful. Han Si-a must be popular.
"Um... so... midterm score bet? Sounds fun—can we join?"
I ignored him. Obvious target: her, not me.
Han Si-a eyed the guy... less than thrilled.
"Uh... who are you? Why would I bet with you?"
.
.
.
He trudged back, dejected.
Poor kid. That's trauma fuel...
Back with the group, he grumbled:
"What? They are close..."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Next break, Yoo So-mi showed up, her uniform styled a bit delinquent-like.
Weather warming up—she'd ditched the knit vest somewhere, cardi tied around her waist.
Her... Western curves make that outfit tricky to ignore.
Her bright brown-dyed hair drew eyes too. Class stares converged again.
"Yi-an! Hi! Still studying hard during break?"
Beaming, she greeted me. I asked what brought her.
"Huh? Nothing much—we're friends, right? Just dropped by."
...
Urk... A radiant halo flared behind Yoo So-mi—nearly blinded me.
Honestly, too grateful. First time a "friend" from class approached me first...
Two whole months since enrollment!!!
"Thanks..."
"Huh?"
"Just... thanks."
"???"
We chatted idly for a bit.
New spicy rice cake spot nearby. Old stationery store shut down.
She was curious about my score bet with Han Si-a.
Hearing our penalties, she nodded, satisfied...
"Yeah. You actually listened to my suggestion."
"Wait—you had input on the penalties?"
"Yep. But... secret till exams end. Sorry!"
What? Did she greenlight me as Bread Shuttle? Nah...
Probably her hand in those "simple requests."
Curious about her "requests," but I didn't press.
Why bother?
I'll win anyway.