Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: The Outsider Drawing Attention from the Delinquents
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ While chatting with Yoo So-mi, who had come to our class, about our bet on test scores, something suddenly occurred to me.
"By the way, don't you need to study for exams? They're coming up soon. Shouldn't you take a break from the sandwich shop job and focus?"
Even just looking at the mood in our class, there's a heavy gloom hanging over everyone because of the approaching tests.
Not only that, but Han Si-a, the top student who's always aimed for first place in the school, and even me—who never planned on studying seriously—are now genuinely cramming.
Exam prep is something any normal high schooler should do, of course.
I got worried that my one and only friend, Yoo So-mi, might have already given up on studying and was heading down a dead-end path, so I asked her.
In response, Yoo So-mi said,
"I study on the regular! But my parents said there's no need to obsess over test scores... so I'm just doing enough not to get in trouble? Like paying attention to homework and performance assessments."
Yeah. Her parents sound great.
It might sound a bit harsh, but given Yoo So-mi's usual outfit and dyed hair that give off a bit of a delinquent vibe, I honestly thought she wasn't studying at all.
Of course, skipping dedicated exam prep during test season would tank your midterms or finals.
But that stuff's useless except for college admissions anyway. Actually, college itself is pretty pointless.
It's better than doing nothing—prepping for college, getting in, and at least grabbing a diploma—but...
Whether it's sports, music, art, construction work, or driving trucks, doing anything beats studying when it comes to ceilings in Korea's future.
Even if you graduate college, get English certs, and build up credentials, good jobs are nowhere to be found?? You'd be better off learning a trade like wallpaper hanging, welding, or heavy equipment operation starting in high school—you'd already own a house in the countryside by now.
Plus, if you don't have the family backing to support you through years of studying, the ceiling for other paths is higher.
Look at Han Si-a. How's a kid from an average family supposed to compete? Even I would've given up betting against her ages ago if I weren't a regressor.
As I sank into these pessimistic thoughts, Yoo So-mi suddenly clapped her hands like something had just hit her.
"Still, instead of exam prep, I'm working on something else... but it's kinda awkward talking about it here, so wanna step out for a sec?"
Hm... prepping for an art contest or something?
She's from an arts middle school, so if she's preparing for something instead of tests, that's the first thing that comes to mind.
I realized that even though we work part-time at the same place almost every day, I barely know anything about her beyond her anime tastes.
'She's my first friend since regressing... I should learn more about her.'
The moment I stepped out of the class, I felt like the murmuring from my classmates got louder, but I ignored it.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ *** Baekseung High School 1st Year Class 2 Self-Proclaimed Boss, Kim Seung-woo POV.
Something about Jeong Yi-an today is seriously pissing me off.
Honestly, I don't even know what "pissing me off" really means. I just say it for any asshole I don't like.
The reason Jeong Yi-an's pissing me off isn't anything special. He's got no friends, acts like a total loser, so he should've been my Bread Shuttle (Errand Runner) ages ago—but for some reason, it just hasn't happened.
We're almost two months into high school now, and delinquents from other classes are bragging about how they've already got their class shuttles set up and are messing with them.
It's not like I'm jealous of having a shuttle. Honestly, dragging around some loser is just a hassle.
But since I'm the only one without one, it feels like the delinquent crew treats me like a side dish.
No, it's not just a feeling. Listen to them talk, and their tone subtly grates on you.
Back in the day, I'd have beaten him dog-style until he kept his eyes down, but now in high school, there are these big meatheads around, which makes me a bit uneasy.
Of course, fights aren't about size—they're about skill. A real fighter like me, who studies fight videos for hours a day, could drop those fat pigs with one punch.
But unlike those kids just play-acting gangsters, I value brotherhood and loyalty as a true insider fighter... so I don't resort to violence over a little attitude.
So what's got me anxious? I'm scared I'll misjudge my strength, kill some punk from the next class, and end up in jail.
Whatever. I need a shuttle, but lately, the girls in class keep ticking me off, so I'm fighting every damn day.
Then the teachers—do they have shit for eyes?—always drag me in for lectures, make me clean the school, write reflections, call my parents.
By the time that's done, I'm wiped, and I never get a chance to work over Jeong Yi-an.
Today during break, I hung with the delinquent crew, subtly got side-dished again, and came back fuming inside, leg bouncing.
Then—this is wild—Yoo So-mi shows up in our class!
I've only bumped into her in the halls a few times, no real connection, but even from the corner of my eye, she's a stunner.
To delinquents, Yoo So-mi's always topping the ideal girl polls.
Goodie-two-shoes in uniform look like kids to us.
You smoke a cig, they bitch about the smell and dump you. You slack on studies, they subtly look down on you and dump you.
Delinquents smoke and skip the brainwashing because growing up too fast makes kid stuff like studying feel lame.
Good girls are too childish for us.
So we prefer girls on our level—delinquent chicks.
No grief over grades, smoke together, fewer fights.
Sometimes their thick skulls cool things off, but real men overlook that.
And among those delinquent girls, Class 5's Yoo So-mi has the best style.
Dyed hair screams mature and hot, big tits, big ass.
Cool and grown-up Yoo So-mi glares at random students for no reason, and just that made the other Class 5 delinquent girls her minions!
Anyway, for whatever reason, she's here in our class herself.
I sit, pretend to stare at the blackboard, and get a full eyeful.
Watching her, my fantasies run wild.
Make the top delinquent beauty Yoo So-mi my girl, bring her to crew meets!
Arm-in-arm with So-mi, eyeing other class punks—they'll all envy me!
With crew respect, I unite Baekseung High, crush nearby schools, claim wider turf, become national boss.
Like in webtoons: lead high schoolers, smash local gangsters, kneel politicians, rule Korea's underworld from the shadows!
Why study? I'm the future underworld king—goodies will slave for me and So-mi.
But... a baffling scene forces its way in, pausing my happy dream.
So-mi's talking to Jeong Yi-an, my shuttle-in-waiting.
Grinning like she's having a blast.
What? First time I've seen her smile like that.
No other class delinquents have seen her laugh either?
Word is, even chatting with her delinquent girl crew, she glares at others the whole time.
Watching this... I'm getting antsy for no reason.
If I sit here, it'll feel like she's getting snatched by that shuttle punk.
And now—she's dragging Jeong Yi-an out of class.
One minute after they leave... two minutes...
The longer it drags, the worse and jitterier I feel.
Ah, genius idea.
Chase 'em now, beat Jeong Yi-an bloody in front of So-mi, make him my shuttle.
Plan back on track, no worry about losing her, show off my manly side to So-mi.
Honestly, Jeong Yi-an looks sturdy, might be risky solo—but nah.
Fights are skill, not size or muscle.
One Dempsey Roll from the manga, and he's done without landing a hit.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I moved with Yoo So-mi to the middle of the school stairs.
Break time wouldn't last long enough to reach the music room on another floor.
Still, the stairs were decent for keeping our talk private—no one overhearing.
Halls are noisy, so voices get lost.
Set apart from corridors, walls block sightlines, and stair users don't linger, so hard to eavesdrop.
A few guys followed us creepily, but Yoo So-mi glared... and they averted eyes and bailed.
Her slightly fierce face softened once we were alone, back to a smile.
"Truth is, I'm prepping to join Seoul Character World mid-May as a doujin artist. You ever been, Yi-an?"
Hm... she drags me out for secrecy, and it's otaku stuff after all.
I knew she drew well, but a brand-new high schooler hitting a big event like that? Surprising.
Seoul Character World runs four times a year in huge venues—doujin creators nationwide sell character fan merch.
But fan goods cost way more than regular stuff, so for students without cash, it's pie in the sky.
Pre-regression, I only went after starting work, and even then, spending shocked me.
Yet a high schooler running a booth...
Kinda worrying. Gotta probe more.
"Nah, never been myself. Interested though, so I know the gist. Who you going with? Heard solo's tough."
A little white lie to a friend stings the conscience, but not total lie. I never went at this age.
Yoo So-mi grinned.
"You, one older sis I know—total three of us?"
"Wait. I'm going too?"
"Yeah! She said bring a close school friend if you want! You're busy studying anyway, so no prep needed. Just help carry stuff on the day, hang with me at the booth—that's it. If we make bank, make her treat us!"
...What? I often feel this, but following Yoo So-mi's stories is tricky sometimes.
"Hold up. Give me a sec to process. Leaving me joining aside, can you tell me about this 'older sis'?"
Thinking rationally, her artist friend setup feels off.
1. Taking a fresh high school girl to a fan doujin event: not family, some outsider.
Why? If begged? Only makes sense if they've been super tight forever.
2. 'Older sis' says bring a friend.
Sounds like she calls the shots on booth crew. She'd need central role for that.
3. Earn big, make her buy food.
If not casual chatter, it's weird. Sounds like Yoo So-mi participates as artist, but profits go to 'sis'.
And not even feeding high school help? Questions her finances.
So I asked, pointing out the weirdness. Her answer:
"Oh, met this sis online a few months back. She praised my art, said I draw great. Lives nearby, met up two-ish times. Then she suggested trying Seoul Character World—said yes!"
Boom. Point 1 out.
I followed up.
"What’s this 'sis' doing at the event? She a doujin artist too?"
"Nah? She just helped with my signup. Said she can't stick at the booth—gonna scout other artists..."
...Point 2 out.
Now I started suspecting this 'sis' was a scammer.
"...How'd you prep merch to sell? And booth profits—sorted that?"
"Scraped from sandwich shop shifts! Profits... minors and taxes are tricky, so she's holding for now?"
Fuck... My first post-regression friend got hooked by some creep.
I grabbed Yoo So-mi's hands tight, stared into her eyes, enunciated clearly.
"So-mi. Listen up. Explain to your parents, but best not go. If you absolutely must, take me no matter what. Not just event day—anytime meeting her, drag me along. Got it? Promise."
She fidgeted, blushed, replied.
"Hehe... Yi-an's got more possessiveness than I thought... I like that... Yeah, I'll drag you no matter what."
Answer's a bit off. Did she get it? Guess I'll tail her on event day anyway.
But a guy's voice from downstairs cut us off.
"Hey!! Jeong Yi-an!! What the hell you doing? Let go of her hand!"
One of our class punks... name? Whatever. Looks pissed. What’s your deal?