Dropout Application Snatched
Flower-thawing cold has passed, ushering in full-blown spring. My mood lifts as easily as the thinner layers of clothing. Scribble… scribble… But this is just a fleeting, volatile thrill.
No matter how killer the weather, a decision that's already set in stone won't change.
[2X697482_Park Jiyong_Web Content Department Web Novel Major]
Who knew I'd be parting ways with this slutty student ID so soon? How did you and I end up here? The words I scribble in the reason section speak for themselves.
[I believed web novels were my one true path, burning with passion through sleepless nights glued to my laptop at twenty. Now, a returning student after fulfilling my military duty, even this new semester—nearly a month in—feels pointless no matter how I think about it. I just can't write worth shit!!]
"Yeah, yeah, I can't fucking write for shit!! Aaaah… Did I just go full 'tetote'?"
"Calm down… Can't go scribbling curses on an official document…"
The pen nib scratches fiercely, emotions packed into every stroke. A tiny hole finally punctures the paper.
"Too deep…"
…Yeah. Deep. This wound runs too deep.
"Won't work, probably."
Last night, I finally let go of all those countless X's. Muddy memories soak my brain. My eyes, suddenly sentimental, grow hot.
. . .
Delete N files permanently?
Last night, when that dialog popped up in the recycle bin, I literally wailed like a gutted fish. Yeah, the classic routine. Limits of talent. Betrayal of effort. End of expectations. Every fuel that's driven me so far has run dry. Even the last bastion protecting a creator—impulse—is gone.
Too deep for a passing slump; no hope left.
"We're in endgame now."
Writing's no fun, character and plot analysis is pointless. Filling the extinguished spark with ashes means nothing. Final check: Is anyone telling me not to quit right now? Is someone holding a knife to my throat? No, nothing. Shit.
Then?
"Yaaawn~ Real sleepy~." (*I wanna quit)
Yeah, I can't be a tissue or a thug. Even looking back on the time I've run, nothing feels left behind—
"What the hell, Bat?? Why're you here?"
Fuck……. One did stick around.
"Can't you answer quick when your sky-high senior asks? Military vet or not?"
Kim Yejeong. Webtoon major, 4th year. Twenty-three, same age as me. Childhood desk mate from high school, ended up here together. Today, rocking an oversized crop top and black bucket hat. And maybe, the closest thing I've had to someone.
"Gonna die? Answer me."
Yeah, yeah, love that attitude. Don't get sulky. I've transferred schools enough as a kid to know—human connections are all just seasonal anyway. We had our fun teasing, right?
"When someone, talks, to you, answer, damn it."
Her slender fingers poke my arm. Poke poke.
"Answer—. There, happy? Now fuck off if you heard."
Squeeze. Poke poke. Poke. Poke poke.
"You've got no classes today, right? What's so great you drag yourself to campus? Oh wait, got it. You missed me—"
"Not that, here to drop out."
"Drop what?"
"Thanks for the help."
Perfect timing—our department's full-time prof's back is over there. Ah, master~ Your disciple brings the expulsion writ—
Whoosh.
Cold. Hands faster than eyes, huh? Somehow, this slick bitch has my card in her grip.
"…Hand it over nicely while I'm asking."
"Should've brought something this good to your sis first."
"Don't 'sis' me. Gimme, now."
Hey hey hey, prof's gonna leave. See, he's already walking away… Wait, where'd he go?
……What sorcery is that?
"Lemme see~ 'Web novels are my one true path…'"
The fuck?
"Don't read it, you hag."
"Ask nicely and maybe~"
"Just give it back, please."
"Half-naked."
No, why fold it into your pants pocket…? Shit, don't think about Kim Yejeong's smooth abs. 'Ah' no, keep it down there. Can't go full sekunagora. No bullshit incidents here. Cum down, big boy.
"Ehh~? Why're your ears suddenly red~?"
"…Not your business, just give it back, please."
"Take it~ I'm not doing shit right now?"
Kim Yejeong spreads her arms triumphantly like she's daring a frisk, smirking. Alright, come on baby. So now slide your hand into those pants, go 'Oops, paper's slippery~' and wriggle those fingers, rub rub, fiddle fiddle—she'd go 'Ahit ehit uggit' or whatever, right?
「……Like hell.'
Reality ain't some smut story. Right?
"Take it, I said? Don't wanna drop out? Oh, you do~?"
"Enough, fuck…"
"Hey, wait! Where you going? Home?? Huh?"
She blocks my path, arms spread wide. Her upper body's… sexy volume asserts itself. Yeah. Look at her face. Pretty. Whew.
"…Print room. Happy now? Quit clinging."
"Cling cling. Whatcha printing?"
"…The dropout form file, duh. Why ask the obvious?"
"Whoa, look at Mr. Bossy~ Grown a lot, Park Jiyong?"
"Thanks for noticing. Move."
I just wanna finish this damn dropout op, head back to my place, and bask in creative demobilization. Prof's office won't sign off easy—probably eat two more hours. Ha… Nothing goes right even on the last day.
"Pfft—. Hey, Bat. Your face is total trash right now."
"Didn't ask. Last warning—"
"First, spill why you didn't tell me."
…Patience, patience.
"Yejeong. Move in three seconds or you're dead."
Am I in cursive mode?
"Mmm. Spill the honest tea in three seconds?"
"Bullshit. One."
"Nuh-uh. Two."
"Three."
"Die."
Thwack— Crazy… Didn't think she'd actually gut-punch. And it stings more than expected. Come to think, she started boxing—
"One-two, one-two. Don't want another? Spill quick."
"……."
"Gonna die for real? Wanna see an uppercut??"
"Acting all buddy-buddy, fuck…."
……Ah. Slipped a bit. Got a little pissy. Mood's fucked.
"I didn't mean it like that…"
"You punch with words. Fucking hurts, y'know?"
"…If I'd told you ahead, it might've hurt more."
"Doubt it. Total bullshit."
Can't argue when facts hit like that.
"Totally—bull—shit."
Aw, what now? Just wanted to ghost for a bit, why? People do that sometimes, right? Huh? No? Talking it out feels like begging to be held back.
"Guess sis needs to educate you."
"Sorry, quit the bullshit—"
"Woof woof woof!"
Human's lost it…
"Buy you food, so tuck tail and follow."
"Nah, just take the thought—"
"So fucking frustrating, ghost again and I'll drag you by the hand?"
"No, you've been forcing it since—"
"Grab you for real? Interlock fingers tight?"
Ugh…. Fine, going. Happy?
Sounds of delivery bikes zipping by. Chattering voices filling every corner of the street. Streetlights flickering on one by one in the dying red sunset.
"Enjoy~"
Me and her, seated by the chicken shop window.
"Thanks~"
Soy garlic tenderloin chicken, one whole; fry set, one; two big 500cc draft beers hit the table.
"What, raise your glass. Gotta wet the throat."
She knows I suck at booze but insists on beer over soda.
"Seriously, because of you, Kim Yejeong—"
"—free chicken, total win, right~? Bestie jackpot~? Admit it~?"
"Told you Dutch pay how many times."
"Shut up, annoying. Just drink."
Reluctantly lifting the heavy glass, she finally smirks satisfied and toasts.
Clink~
"To Park Jiyong sticking around~"
"…."
"…No echo?"
"Why would I."
"Wow, so cringey. Won't drink till you do? Gonna let foam get all lewd on my lips?"
"Crazy bitch, people can hear."
"…So?"
…Who you talking to? Looks like it matters.
"Gulp, spoke too loud—"
"To sticking around. Good?"
"Wh-what for. Even say it…"
"……."
"Agh, fine, fine. Won't. Happy?"
"Was dead serious about heading home just now."
"Bullshit. Drink and get wasted."
Gulp gulp. Time, gulp gulp, flows. Sip sip.
…?
Sip— sip— Hold up.
"Haa… Park… Jiyong… Hnggg…"
Where am I?
"Youu… Hnngt… Promise with this ♡"
What the f—