Looks Like the Protagonist Really Is a Dickhead After All
"You're still coming to school, huh? Planning to bark pathetically at Yujin-nim despite being a loser?"
Younghee curled her lips into a smirk. Cheolsu, watching her, wore an indescribable expression.
Ignoring him completely, Younghee pulled Yujin even closer into an embrace. It was like she was showing off her prize.
"Ah, if it's okay... from now on, even if we run into each other at school, could you not talk to me? I've decided to become Yujin-nim's woman."
It was a smile the real Younghee could never have imagined. A gaze that teased her target, inflicted pain, and looked down on him like he was a bug. It felt subtly seductive, but it was blatantly looking down on Cheolsu.
Why's Younghee acting like this all of a sudden?
Yujin tilted his head, puzzled. The Younghee he knew was absolutely not this kind of girl. She always struck him as incredibly kind and innocent. The other students saw her the same way.
Basically, Younghee never approached others first. But once a conversation started, she was always gentle and sweet. She was the epitome of a social butterfly.
She was cold only to Cheolsu.
Didn't Younghee like Cheolsu?
Of course, it was just his guess. But it wasn't baseless. When Cheolsu was dragged to the police station, wasn't it Younghee who begged in earnest to save him? She'd even gotten on her knees, which was a bit shocking.
Whether it was romantic or not, it was clear Cheolsu was precious to her.
So why the sudden attitude change?
What shift in her feelings could cause this? And right next to him, no less.
As Yujin pondered, one possibility flashed through his mind.
No way... is this... push-pull?
He'd seen it on the internet before. Popular social types played this thing called a "some"—a pre-dating flirtation. During the some phase, they pushed and pulled each other, savoring that bittersweet youth.
Hmm, come to think of it, I heard they pretend to be disinterested on purpose to make the other person beg.
In other words, Younghee was doing push-pull with Cheolsu right now. Acting aloof to make him confess first.
Ha! It all fits perfectly when you think about it!
As far as he knew, Cheolsu liked Younghee. She knew it to some extent, and she had feelings for him too. This was the midway point where one confession would turn the some into dating! The moment one mustered courage, youth would bloom one step forward.
But Cheolsu showed no sign of confessing—in fact, he'd even skipped school. How frustrating must that be for Younghee?
So she'd devised a plan. Pretend to like some other guy who's just a friend to stoke Cheolsu's jealousy! Push him into confessing.
Kuh! Younghee's more of a schemer than she lets on.
Yujin admired his own Sherlock-level deduction skills. If anyone else were here, they'd smack the back of his head yelling, "You idiot!" But unfortunately, no one could read his inner thoughts.
And then, the worst judgment: I can't just sit back and watch!
Yujin decided to help Younghee. It was his friend's love life, after all. He had to cheer her on.
"Younghee's pretty, right?"
Of course, help from a total loser amounted to much. His abysmal verbal skills and social game only let him awkwardly pat her shoulder.
But in this situation, it had a devastating effect.
"......Kim Yujin."
"Oh my, could you not call Yujin-nim by name so casually, you loser?"
Younghee responded in kind, clinging to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and nestled into his broad chest.
"Haa, I still get chills thinking about how I ever fell for a pathetic guy like you."
She lifted just the corners of her mouth in a wicked smile, like a villainess.
"I must've been such an idiot. What advantages do you even have? No money, no powerful backing. And you're not even strong. Compared to Yujin-nim, you're lacking in every way from one to ten."
Words the real her would never utter. But the current Younghee didn't care.
To hurt him more. To make him give up on a girl like her.
She deliberately picked words that would wound Cheolsu, sharpening them like knives before spitting them out.
"But it's a relief. Yujin-nim saved me. From a guy like you."
Then she went up on tiptoes. Something soft touched his cheek with a smack.
A satisfied smile and eyes that gazed at him like a lover. Her slightly flushed cheeks completed the picture of a girl in love.
"Yujin-nim is such an amazing man. Not just about money or family. His power and capacity are incomparable to trash like you."
But that gaze turned icy the moment it shifted to Cheolsu. Eyes looking at worthless filth.
Cheolsu accepted it silently, calmly.
"A dimwit like you probably hasn't realized it. But I've already figured it out. No matter what I do, I can't beat Yujin-nim."
He didn't argue. Didn't get angry. No signs of sadness or despair.
He just quietly took in the sight of her taunting him.
"How about you give up too? There's no way a guy like you could match Yujin-nim, right?"
She hooked her arm through Yujin's and tilted her chin. A simple gesture, but it screamed, know your place.
Yet Cheolsu showed no reaction.
Bored now, Younghee whipped her head away.
"Let's go, Yujin-nim. A guy like that's not worth our time. How about a date like last time?"
As Younghee dragged Yujin past Cheolsu—
"Younghee, want me to tell you something?"
Cheolsu spoke lowly.
"Whenever you lie, you always twirl your hair with your fingers."
Younghee flinched in surprise and quickly dropped her hand. Visibly flustered, she glared at him venomously, but with a hint of sadness.
"......Idiot. As if I'd still have such an old habit."
She resumed walking. Yeah, this is good enough. Better this way than prolonged suffering. As long as she doesn't get involved with me, Cheolsu won't get hurt.
It had to be this way.
"Ah, Cheolsu, if you're okay with it, wanna spar with me?"
Walking away, Yujin suddenly asked casually, like suggesting they do homework together.
Of course, Cheolsu wouldn't let that slide. No, he couldn't ignore it. Running away here meant giving up on Younghee. Cheolsu knew that full well.
...Of course, Yujin had just tossed it out remembering Suhyun's words earlier: "I hope our protagonist Cheolsu gets stronger!"
No one else knew that.
"What brought this on all of a sudden?"
"No big meaning. I just think it'd be good if you got a bit stronger. If you're up for it, how about a light spar after school? Loser grants the winner one wish—sound good?"
Cheolsu closed his eyes briefly. Then nodded.
Surprised by the unexpected positive response, Yujin grinned widely.
"Fine, you're on. But it won't be like last time."
"Don't worry. It won't for me either."
Eh, no way he'll break my arm again~
He prided himself on learning from failures. A true loser didn't repeat mistakes.
"Alright then."
With that to Cheolsu, he turned and kept walking. A thought struck him, so he asked Younghee beside him.
"Ah, Younghee, wanna come watch? Should be pretty fun."
Taking care of a sweaty Cheolsu might boost her affection big time, right? I'll help your love life hard, hehe.
Grinning with that idiotic thought.
Younghee, who hadn't expected this—
"Yes! I'm looking forward to it!"
—could only smile brightly and reply.
...
Water runs from the faucet. Whoosh.
Younghee stares blankly at the pouring water. Lately, these moments lost in thought have increased.
She looks up—there's the mirror. The reflection is her, but not her.
Her once-proud long hair is cropped short, her skin dull and dry. Sleepless nights have left dark circles under her eyes. Makeup hides them, but it's reaching its limit.
She can't smile like before anymore. She's forgotten how to smile genuinely.
Even after all this, she still can't protect Cheolsu.
Why, why are you still doing this?
I don't know. I don't understand. Why are you doing this to me? I'm doing well, aren't I?
..........
.......
I'm screaming with my whole body that I'm your woman now. I've never done this for Cheolsu. I'm trying so desperately just to cater to you.
So why are you still trying to torment Cheolsu? Please stop now. Don't hurt that kid.
As a red glow spread around her eyes, the face of Cheolsu—who had silently listened to her words—flashed in her mind.
Urk! Nausea surged, and she rushed back to the toilet stall. She emptied everything inside.
But only stomach acid came up. She hadn't eaten properly lately. No appetite, and every time she tried, Cheolsu's face appeared.
After heaving for a while, tears finally burst from her eyes.
"Hic, sob..."
Cheolsu seemed fine at a glance. But she knew. How deeply hurt he was, how her words had stabbed his heart like terrifying weapons.
That's what she'd aimed for. Otherwise, Cheolsu would try to protect her. He'd keep fighting Yujin.
Please stop, Cheolsu. Don't stand up to Yujin because of me. I don't want to see you get hurt.
But Younghee didn't know. Hurting someone precious could be this agonizing. The guilt piercing her heart like a spear was unbearable for her gentle soul.
It hurts. It hurts so much. Knowing she had to endure this ongoing pain made her chest ache even more.
"Sob, I miss you. I miss you so much, Cheolsu..."
Calling the name she longed for so desperately, she shed tears. Once she left here, she'd have to don the mask again and act. Otherwise, she couldn't escape Yujin.
Feeling self-loathing, Younghee let out a silent scream no one would hear.