Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: The Outsider Being Worked On
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ *** Han Si-a's Perspective ***
I always make a point of wearing baggy, inconspicuous clothes when I head to cram school.
I even tie up my long hair that reaches down to my waist so it doesn't draw attention.
Jeong Yi-an seems to think of it as me just "dressing comfortably," but that's far from the truth.
The loose top I wear to hide my figure actually gets in the way when I move around.
Women's clothing is designed to distribute weight across the curves of the shoulders, chest, waist, and hips. But when you wear something that ignores all those curves and just hangs off the shoulders, it's bound to be uncomfortable.
And tying up that waist-length hair every day? It's such a hassle.
Even so, the reason I stick to this baggy style at cram school is to control how much attention I draw from others.
Because I'm just a little too pretty.
...
Of course, having striking looks is an incredible blessing. I've never once wished I were ugly instead.
There are countless advantages to an appearance that wins people over easily, and I'm always grateful to my mom and dad for making me this way.
But beauty comes with clear downsides too.
The biggest one is that you can't choose who falls for you.
In my case, even without makeup, in drab baggy clothes, with my hair tied up out of sight, I still get confessed to at cram school almost once a week.
Most of those guys have never even spoken to me, so they're purely confessing based on my face alone.
That's only because I hide my hair and figure. If I actually dressed up properly for cram school, you can imagine what would happen—no need to test it.
Oh, and for the record, what I told Jeong Yi-an earlier today about "not having time so I wear baggy clothes"? Total lie.
We have a housekeeper at home, so changing or managing outfits is no burden at all.
I lied because I didn't want him thinking "tons of guys swarm around Han Si-a."
Of course, for most girls, being popular with the opposite sex isn't something to hide—it's a brag-worthy achievement.
The number of guys hitting on you is an easy, visible measure of your appeal.
And if there's a guy you like, it can make him jealous and push him to act.
But my situation is the complete opposite of "normal."
What if Jeong Yi-an got the idea that "guys are always buzzing around Han Si-a" and felt intimidated, keeping his distance?
What if he misunderstood me as some "easy girl"?
What if he took our class pests' talk to heart and thought, "I'm not on Han Si-a's level"?
...
Just thinking about it makes my heart ache.
That's why I had no choice but to lie to him.
Of course, sometimes I wonder if I'm overthinking it since we're not even dating.
He's a future business partner, not my boyfriend.
But it's a different story if he sees me as "taken" or "loose."
That just feels wrong on a gut level, before any logic kicks in. It gives me chills.
Maybe I should start keeping more distance from the boys at school and cram school too.
.
.
.
Since I went to meet Jeong Yi-an during the day, I showed up to cram school today in "decently dressed-up" clothes instead of my usual baggy outfit.
Back in middle school, I changed my style because my looks drew too much attention. Now in high school, it's bone-deep how much worse it's gotten.
Walking the hallways, random guys come up saying, "I had to say something before I regret letting you go—give me your number."
Guys from my classes confess again, even after I rejected them before.
And some assume on their own, "You dressed up cute for me today, right?" or "Quit playing hard to get."
...
Bonus: the girls at cram school treat me noticeably colder.
Still, no regrets—I got to show Jeong Yi-an a pretty outfit today.
Plus, wearing baggy stuff in front of him even during summer break feels off, so if I have plans to see him on cram school days, I'll dress up without hesitation.
Even if guys trail behind me on the way out, hoping to snag a number.
Even if I see them scatter regretfully in the rearview mirror after I hop into the car waiting out front.
I hope Jeong Yi-an realizes just how much effort it takes for me to dress pretty on cram school days to meet him.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ *** Han Si-a and Yoo So-mi's Call ***
After finishing her day and heading home, Han Si-a called Yoo So-mi.
To discuss their next moves based on what they'd decided at the café earlier.
-Riiing... Riiing...
-The person you are calling is unavailable. Please leave a message after the tone.
But Yoo So-mi's smartphone played the message that comes up when calls are declined.
"Hmm... We agreed to talk now. Is So-mi busy? She'll probably call back if I wait a bit."
Sometimes even promised calls get missed due to urgent matters.
Han Si-a decided to wait for Yoo So-mi.
...
Ten minutes passed like that.
"Why isn't she calling? I've waited ten minutes..."
Han Si-a, who'd been waiting, decided to call again.
-Riiing... Riiing...
-Hey, Si-a! What's up?
"Huh? We agreed to talk at this time."
-Ah...! It's this late already? Sorry, Si-a... I lost track of time working on something else...
"What were you doing that you lost track of time? And why'd you hang up when I called ten minutes ago?"
-Huh? Missed call? Ten minutes ago... Oh, probably accidentally hit decline while taking pictures.
"Pictures?"
-Yeah! Lately, Yi-an and I have been exchanging photos! I send him mine and beg for his, and about once a week, he sends some back!
...
Han Si-a started getting very curious about what photos Jeong Yi-an and Yoo So-mi were swapping.
But biting on that topic would derail the conversation from her original purpose.
She decided to suppress her curiosity for now.
"Ahem. Anyway, since our summer plans veered from the original goal, we need to discuss what to do next. That's why we scheduled this call. Remember?"
-Of course! Yi-an refused even after I begged to go to the beach—maybe he has bad memories there?
"Eh, probably just too far and a hassle, or hates sunburn. Something like that."
-I already bought a swimsuit... Feels bad pushing now that he's refusing so hard."
As Jeong Yi-an had noticed, they'd prepped in advance to get him to the beach together.
Good cop, bad cop.
Han Si-a would pressure him with entrance exam prep or outward activities—stuff a Bitcoin zealot like him would hate.
Yoo So-mi would suggest the beach trip, naturally steering his choice.
For the record, Han Si-a had anticipated success and already bought a new swimsuit.
"But that Seoul tourism contest... Honestly, it tempts me a bit."
-Right?! Feels so youthful. Running around Seoul streets filming UCC with friends—romantic, right?
"Yeah. Thinking back, I've always gone around Seoul by my parents' car. Never really hung out with friends."
-Aw... Still, the swimsuit's a waste... I was confident in my figure...
-Ah!! Si-a!! I just had a great idea!!!
Yoo So-mi went from lamenting to excitedly raising her voice.
Han Si-a jumped at the sudden volume but calmly listened.
-To prep for this contest, we'll tour spots and film videos or take photos, right?
"Yeah. It's a Seoul tourism UCC contest."
-So... Isn't the Han River outdoor pool basically a tourist spot too?
"...!?"
And so, Han Si-a and Yoo So-mi's next goal was set.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ *** Han Si-a's Perspective ***
The strategy session with Yoo So-mi ended smoothly.
Thanks to her great idea, the swimsuit I bought won't go to waste.
Jeong Yi-an seems reluctant about the beach for some reason, but now I can show him my swimsuit look.
I picked this one focusing purely on style, ignoring practicality—he's sure to like it.
...
Still, that bit from the call about "photos exchanged between Yoo So-mi and Jeong Yi-an" keeps nagging at me.
What kind of photos are they swapping?
For starters, Jeong Yi-an's the type with strong self-control toward women—he chased me out of the room at Daegwallyeong last time. No way they're trading naughty pics. I trust that.
...
Wait, but photos might let inhibitions down since it's not real-time.
Like how a prim cat climbs the stove first. Someone as monk-like as Jeong Yi-an might indulge desires more freely behind the scenes.
And So-mi might think, "Exchanging sexy pics isn't kissing or sex, so it's fine!" and go all in...
No no no. Logically, friends don't do sleazy stuff like that.
Hmm... But her "bestie" thing—doesn't that imply they could...?
No. They couldn't possibly.
Hmm... But their relationship...
.
.
.
Still, it bugs me too much to ignore. Maybe just sound her out a tiny bit?