Chapter 6
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: The Extra's Change (6)
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I replied in a tone of utter disbelief.
"We even ate together, so of course I remember."
"Just Seol, then?"
...
Is she probing?
She asked so naturally that I almost didn't notice anything off.
"She doesn't count either way."
"Friends since you were kids?"
"Not friends... just same school."
"Aha."
A reflexive murmur from someone who already knew everything.
Then Woo Hana casually continued.
"But why'd you leave first last time? I went to see you, and you ditched me. Knew it was awkward."
"... ."
Let's think about this.
Is Woo Hana an airhead?
No.
If she were, something would've happened with Ji Hyunsu in the original story already.
...... She's just saying it.
I reached that conclusion quickly.
Words tossed out to make the listener feel good. Woo Hana was the type who said things like that effortlessly.
"You're so serious, I can't even joke."
As if reading my reaction, she shrugged first.
"But I already figured it out?"
"Figured what?"
Before I knew it, Woo Hana was keeping pace with my steps toward the concession stand.
Didn't she just come from there?
"You followed me even though it's a hassle, right?"
She said, tilting her head slightly.
Meaning she knew I'd been dragged there against my will because of Seo Jaehyun.
That Seo Jaehyun had fallen head over heels for Lee Seol and was clinging because of it.
Regardless of how sharp or slow she was, anyone could tell from Seo Jaehyun's stance.
"You said that knowing I wouldn't come out, didn't you?"
"Yeah, busted."
*
During exam period, everyone—even the model students betting their lives on grades, or the wallflowers— at least pretends to study.
I planned to get decent scores without overdoing it, but even Seo Jaehyun and Ji Hyunsu, who had zero connection to studying, ended up at desks.
Even Lee Seol and Woo Hana.
What I'm saying is, we were all at the library.
More precisely, I'd grabbed a spot first, then those four filed in one after another, spotted me, and like it was planned, took the seats around me.
"Not fashion studying, huh?"
Seo Jaehyun said as he dropped his bag in the seat next to mine.
Does he still think I'm image-managing?
If it were pretend studying, I would've been flipping through textbooks every break before now.
I've realized from doing it: I can pull off decent grades.
Third year might be different, but first-year stuff was still within my brain's grasp.
"Aren't you the one into fashion? Coming to the library and all."
My gaze flicked briefly to Lee Seol and Woo Hana, who'd taken seats behind us.
Meaning they're pretending to study because of those two.
Ji Hyunsu immediately pointed at me.
"Whoa, you nailed it."
"At least they're trying."
I replied indifferently to Seo Jaehyun's grumbling.
"Yeah. Study hard."
"Together."
"Studying isn't a group thing."
"True, but... babe, what's your MBTI?"
"Your babe's over there."
Ji Hyunsu forcibly turned Seo Jaehyun's shoulders.
"That way."
At the end of it: Lee Seol, already seated and looking our way.
"Eep."
But Seo Jaehyun, who tossed affection at guys so easily, shut his mouth the instant he saw her.
His neck to cheeks flushed red in a flash.
Fortunately, Lee Seol hadn't caught exactly what we were saying.
She twitched her eyebrows slightly at his sudden reaction, then pressed her index finger to her lips.
"Shh. Be quiet."
"...Yeah."
Anyway, we all ended up studying at the library together.
Seo Jaehyun seemed to be just waiting for a chance to slip out alone with Lee Seol, but aside from him, everyone was somewhat focused.
I decided to step out for a breather and clear my head.
Seo Jaehyun glanced up at the sound of me standing.
"Where to?"
"...Bathroom."
If I said walk, he'd follow for sure.
Bathroom killed his interest; he looked back down.
Phew...
I swallowed a sigh of relief and slipped out the library door quietly.
"Chilly."
It was full spring, but the air after sunset was still crisp.
As I rubbed my arms lightly, a voice came from behind.
"You get cold easily, huh."
I turned to see, unexpectedly, Lee Seol.
......But she looked more startled than me, despite starting the talk.
She flinched like she'd messed up, glancing sideways. Her scarlet bob swayed under the dim light, gleaming softly.
I'd never really talked properly with Lee Seol.
Even though we'd gone to the same schools since kindergarten.
The vague memory of exchanging a few words back then made it even more awkward.
......Yeah, ridiculously awkward.
This one-on-one situation was a first.
But showing I was flustered too would just make it worse, my gut said.
"Yeah... why'd you come out?"
Lee Seol's lips moved for a second before she answered.
"Hana was thirsty. Out for a walk too."
Her tone almost defensive, like so what?
Familiar tone. The one I used on Seo Jaehyun often.
Drawing a line, keeping one step back.
......So this is how it feels.
Seo Jaehyun took this vibe from me every time and still acted chummy without a care.
Maybe he's more impressive than I thought.
"...Got it. You go first."
"Huh...... Go first? Weren't you heading out too?"
Now that felt off to her?
......What attitude am I supposed to match?
"... ."
"... ."
I'd tried not to show panic, but no helping it.
She broke the awkward silence first.
"Uh, gotta get drinks. Where's the vending machine?"
"Inside, I think."
"Oh, then... you go first."
"Sure."
Lee Seol hurried back inside first.
Only then did I relax and take a step forward.
"Minwoo."
Another voice.
I turned: Woo Hana this time.
What is this, lineup?
"Seen Seol?"
"Yeah. Went inside for drinks."
"Cool. Where you off to?"
"Walk."
As I answered and started walking, footsteps joined beside me.
Of course, Woo Hana.
"Together."
"Not looking for Seol?"
"Nah, just airing out. You work fine."
She said it so casually, it felt casual.
But sending her friend for drinks while going on a walk...
......Not my business.
Lee Seol wasn't involved, so no real discomfort.
Woo Hana's black hair cascaded in waves down to her waist.
My take on that glossy hair: easier on the eyes.
Honestly, Lee Seol's scarlet hair still felt off from reality every time.
Not that it didn't suit her—too well, actually. That's the issue.
Woo Hana had no such disconnect.
Comfortable...
Even as someone from my past life, nothing weird beyond unreal beauty.
I regretted walking with Woo Hana almost immediately.
...Shouldn't have come out.
Not because of her, but it was colder than expected.
Woo Hana, who'd glanced at me, noticed.
"What? Cold?"
"A bit."
"Doesn't match your build."
Does cold relate to physique? I'd heard fat people handle heat better.
"I get cold easily."
"People super sensitive to temp have lower IQs."
"That so."
Wonder what my real IQ is.
Intelligence is vague anyway.
Mine got messier overlapping past life memories.
If no past life knowledge, what would it be?
Did original 'Lee Minwoo' study well? No such description, I think.
Maybe she was right—cold-sensitive means low IQ.
I mulled it semi-seriously, then concluded myself.
This means nothing.
"Whoa... you're no fun to tease."
"Don't tease then."
"No fun."
"... ."
"No fun no fun."
Chirping like a chick beside me, we looped the library.
Heading back in, we locked eyes with Lee Seol outside.
She was first caught in my gaze, but Seo Jaehyun and Ji Hyunsu were nearby too.
Lee Seol's eyes widened at us entering together, but Seo Jaehyun spoke first.
"Huh? Where'd you two go?"
"Walk?"
Woo Hana answered.
Lee Seol silently handed her a drink as she approached.
"Thanks. You guys doing out here?"
"Us? Just... break...... ."
Seo Jaehyun trailed off slowly, then narrowed his eyes.
"Not the point. What's with you two?"
"What?"
Woo Hana asked innocently, leaving him speechless for a sec.
Then his lip twitched into a meaningful smirk.
"Ahem, nothing. Good to get close."
Ah, wanna force that smirk down.
Then Lee Seol spoke.
"We're heading in."
"Oh? Yeah, sure."
Lee Seol and Woo Hana linked arms, sharing warmth, and went inside.
Seo Jaehyun's head whipped around. At me, naturally.
"I didn't do anything weird, right?"
"... ."
"Just thought it'd be nice to be friends purely. You look zero interested in dating anyway."
"Sure."
"Lukewarm reaction. No way you two actually like each other...... ."
Says no misunderstanding, then jumps to it.
How spineless can he be?
Next day. School.
Lee Seol hesitated a moment.
One question had circled her head since yesterday. Say it or not?
Might make things awkward.
But she finally dropped the name.
"Lee Minwoo."
"Yeah?"
Just the name out, then she scanned Woo Hana's face for reaction.
Way too sudden guy name.
But Woo Hana's brow just rose slightly—no real agitation.
Just a why bring him up? look.
"You two got something?"
"Ah~ Yesterday, right? Yeah?"
Woo Hana caught on quick, brow relaxing naturally.
Not faked.
Really nothing?
"Just checking. You said only he'd show last time. Thought maybe you like him."
Woo Hana shook her head.
"Not close yet. Just chatted a bit on that walk."
She pondered more, then added.
"And he's surprisingly blunt. You know I like gentle types."
"Yeah."
Lee Seol recalled her own image of Lee Minwoo.
"But he seems stable type. Like you said."
"Yeah, but unstable stable."
"What's that variant?"
"Dunno how to say exactly. Just vibes that way."
"... ."
There, Lee Seol caught something.
Started like no interest at all, but as Woo Hana kept talking, it shifted a bit.
The more she explained, the more it felt... off.
...Like finding reasons to dislike him.
Different from her casual "handsome is best" before.
If truly indifferent, why analyze so point by point?