Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: 15. Please Teach Me
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- Since you've got 'that photo' of me, I'll help you out whether I like it or not.
- Honestly, it seems pretty tough...
- For starters, Su-ah loves comics. Especially romance ones.
- She hasn't had anyone she'd call a friend until now, so she got super happy just from a few sweet words.
- ...Ah. Looks like she doesn't really go for the naughty stuff.
- So if you come on too strong like you did with me, you'll get a slap across the face right away.
- I'll be taking Han Su-ah to Hongdae in a bit. There are two big bookstores over there.
- I'll text you once it's set.
- See ya later, trash.
She likes comics, huh.
That's news to me.
Well, guess it's one of the private details she's kept under wraps all this time.
Yojora mentioned before that the client was one of Han Su-ah's relatives.
Probably info from them.
So, what kind of approach should I use when we "bump into" her?
Acting like I love comics just like Han Su-ah won't work—my knowledge tops out at stuff I watched on TV as a kid.
Maybe play the newbie who's just getting into it recently. Not a bad angle.
Personally, it feels a bit recycled from the Lee Ji-yoon play, but hey, people cling to what worked once.
Anyway, concept aside, the real priority is leaving the best impression possible on Han Su-ah this time.
Kind.
Harmless.
More comfortable than other guys.
Something like that.
What do I need to pull that off?
As I pondered while getting ready to clock out, I slipped off my white coat and tapped my phone screen.
- After class ends, don't head straight back with Han Su-ah. Slip away casually, playing it by ear.
[Crazy bitch]
- ...Perverted bastard.
72
I fiddled with my non-prescription glasses for a moment.
Stepping into a massive building in Hongdae and heading up to the fifth floor, I was met with an unexpected sight and took a moment to scan the area.
I'd assumed anyone coming to a place like this had to be a guy, but there were way more women than I'd thought.
And not just any women—they were the type who clearly took care of themselves, dressed up with some effort.
Was I trapped in outdated stereotypes this whole time?
Is picturing a guy first when you hear "otaku" just another bias?
Shaking off the idle thoughts, I entered the store.
An unknown anime character sign stood at the entrance.
A girl with pink hair holding a guitar? Bass? Some instrument, anyway.
Next to her: blue hair, yellow hair, red hair.
Classic anime character color-coding.
Unfortunately, I had zero interest in them, so I breezed past toward the back.
Yojora had texted that the bookstore was further in.
First time here, so I got a little turned around, but the signs were well-placed, and I reached my destination quick enough.
At the edge of the bookstore.
Soon enough, two women walking side by side came into view.
One in a white long padding coat, her brown hair messily tied up like she couldn't care less about style.
The other in a hoodie zip-up, with long midnight-blue hair that was definitely a daily battle with the blow dryer.
The kind that'd blow up at some poor guy one day over it, for sure.
No one else nearby.
Precisely, no one within five meters.
Each clutching comics they liked, keeping their distance as they headed to the checkout.
Forcing my way into a setup like this would just raise red flags.
What I wanted was coincidence.
Best case: Han Su-ah notices me first.
Next best: Yojora spots me and drags her over.
If that's too much, then I'd have no choice but to approach Han Su-ah myself.
For now, best to loiter and browse comics casually.
Instead of acting like I recognized them, I stood in a spot and fiddled with some books.
They all had these ridiculously long titles. Was that the trend now?
Guessing the plot from the title alone before even opening it—good change or bad?
The random thought rolled right out of my head.
I'd just locked eyes with Yojora's red gaze as she glanced my way.
"......"
At first, she grinned like a puppy spotting its owner.
Then, like flipping a switch, her face went ice cold.
Well, she's putting in effort because she wants to get laid, right?
I swallowed all the snarky comments from our old buddy days.
Now I just had to wait—Yojora would guide Han Su-ah over on her own.
She had to work hard for that 'reward' later.
"......"
Her hair calmer than usual, tied back neatly.
The thick mouse-gray long coat I'd picked out on purpose.
The cheap glasses I'd just bought, material questionable at best.
Pretending to browse comics, I straightened my clothes and waited for them to approach.
Ten seconds later.
Click-clack, click-clack. Their footsteps approached.
"...Huh?"
Yojora broke the ice first.
Not her usual sultry, booze-soaked drawl that I'd heard a ton.
This was the cutesy, bright voice for Han Su-ah.
Honestly, it was a struggle not to crack up every time.
Wonder how she keeps a straight face.
"Excuse me."
"Yes?"
"Oh, Health Teacher! Right?"
A poke on the shoulder. I turned slightly to see Yojora beaming with feigned surprise, whispering brightly.
Up to here was scripted, so I shared a quick eye-greet with her before meeting eyes with Han Su-ah tilting her head beside her.
Her wheat-colored hair framed topaz eyes that scanned me up and down.
Way different from my academy look, so she was cross-referencing with her mental image.
Truth be told, the only real change was the glasses perched on my nose...
Did it alter my vibe that much?
Right on cue, Han Su-ah hesitantly nodded and pointed it out.
"Glasses... you're wearing some...?"
"Ah, I wear them when reading books."
"Aha..."
"Look weird?"
"No! They suit you... really well..."
Whether sincere or polite, her face told the truth.
Pure politeness.
Didn't care if the glasses suited me—just mildly surprised to run into her teacher here.
That was written all over her.
I'd hoped for a calmer, comfier impression.
Wasted cash for nothing.
Hiding my disappointment with a smile, I kept chatting.
"What brings you two here... Wait, buying books, like me."
"Yep! You like comics too, Teacher?"
"Not love, more like... interested."
"Want me to recommend some? What do you like?"
"Hm... sports?"
"Ooh, soccer comics then? There's this recent one..."
Yojora jumped in with her small, noisy, contradictory chirp, carrying the convo.
Han Su-ah just stood by, gauging the vibe.
Gauging meant uncomfortable as hell.
...Yeah, I could see how it'd end.
"......"
Yojora said she'd faked liking comics and become friends in under ten minutes.
So my plan wasn't total failure.
The stark difference between her and me?
Gender.
She was a girl; I'm a guy.
In the end, it was just chit-chat with Yojora.
Han Su-ah didn't utter a word.
At best, a short reply when Yojora slyly added "Right?" to cue her.
Today's meetup wasn't pointless, but pushing further was futile.
Forcing talk with Han Su-ah here would backfire.
Regrettable, but best to stamp her memory and aim for next time.
Masking regret with a forced smile, I bought a couple comics I didn't care about, said bye, and split.
...Aaaah.
It was a chance to practice talking to a guy.
How could you just let it slip away... idiot.
Ah, Teacher likes comics too.
Should've thrown out something awkward like that. What the hell.
If I'd matched even half of Yojora's energy...
Was I still hung up on him touching me all over during morning treatment?
No, no way.
If that was it, my face would've flushed red the second I saw him.
It's fine.
Should've chimed in a bit when Yojora was recommending comics.
I suck at sports genres, but I know what's trending lately.
Haaa...
One day, I gotta make not just same-sex friends, but opposite-sex ones too.
Can't just wait for time to fix it—at this rate, it'll take another year at least.
Tough.
Promo model.
How do I chat casually with guys like Yojora?
Practice in the mirror?
Moping inwardly, I waited outside the store. Yojora emerged from inside, arms loaded with comics.
Seven? Eight books?
Heavy load, but she grinned like it was nothing.
Like something fun was up.
"Bought 'em allll~"
"Good work. Want me to carry some?"
"Nah, it's fine. Not heavy."
"Still..."
"I'm not heading home anyway. Got places to hit."
"Where?"
"Well..."
Yojora, who'd been chatting smoothly, suddenly hesitated, glancing at me awkwardly.
Her reaction screamed personal stuff.
Like not wanting anyone seeing her laze at home bingeing comics.
Everyone's got that.
Like a boyfrien...
"......"
...Master?
That guy from the texts earlier?
"Might as well wrap up everything I've been putting off while I'm here."
"......"
"So, probably back around 10 PM."
"......"
No specifics, just super shady words delivered crisp and clear.
Obviously, no intention of prying.
She's more promiscuous than she looks.
Figures from a Sexjin country.
Something like that, shrugged off with a chuckle.
Private life, after all.
I knew better than to probe.
Right then—bzzz, vibration.
She peeked at her phone, let out a sly heh heh heh, and spun on her heel.
"Gonna head out first then. See ya tomorrow."
"...Yeah. Tomorrow, Yojora."
We were leaving the same building—same path out.
By the time I shook off the nagging doubt, she was gone.
Like she had urgent plans.
Like her Master had summoned her.
Whoosh.
"......"
Her scent lingered faintly on the escalator.
Sniff. A light nose-clear, and her trail etched vividly in my mind, thanks to the lion's power unlocking "Tracking." (Name's my own.)
Fifth floor to second.
Second floor, left turn.
Then—scent cuts off.
Meetup in the building?
Makes sense. Pretty sure there's a cafe on two.
Scratching my neck, I hopped on the escalator.
Part of me wanted a peek at Yojora's "Master," but just mild curiosity.
If not, home for the comics I didn't finish yesterday.
Maybe squeeze in some Yojora recs if time.
That was the plan.
Until her scent trail ended not at the cafe, but in front of the second-floor men's restroom.
Just a tiny spark of curiosity then.