Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Awkward Smoke Break Chat
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Ah... I feel like I'm going to live.
Stepping outside for some fresh air makes the heat in my head subside a bit.
The lecture hall was already stuffy enough, feeling more like a cramped classroom than a spacious one.
"Hm..."
The breeze feels nice.
I sat down for a moment and sipped some bottled water when I spotted someone coming up from below.
Uh... why's she heading this way? Oh, the smoking area's right next to me.
Our eyes met, but I pretended not to notice and slyly looked away.
One hand held a coffee, the other a slim cigarette. IQOS or Lil', something like that.
Of all places, the chairs are right next to the smoking spot, so jumping up and leaving now would look awkward.
I stalled for a bit, pretending to gaze off into the distance.
'Suuup... whoosh.'
It was that girl from the physics class earlier.
I should get up and go.
"You don't smoke?"
What? There's no one else around.
"Me?"
"Yeah."
"Uh... no, I don't."
"Oh."
The girl narrowed her eyes and took a deep drag on her cigarette.
She exhaled with a whoosh, and the smoke drifted away.
She's... really skilled at it.
"Yi Jun-hyeong, right?"
"Y-yeah. Yi Jun-hyeong."
Why does this setup feel so familiar? It's like that scene from high school.
If I were smoking too, it'd feel balanced, but sitting here answering just makes me feel like a shuttle...
"Ssup, whoosh."
The conversation lulled for a moment.
Should... I ask her name or something?
Cold sweat starts pouring again. Save me, damn it.
"Want some?"
The girl offered her coffee while smoking.
The lid was already open, like she'd taken a sip.
"Uh... no thanks. I don't really drink coffee."
"Ah, okay."
...
This awkwardness is killing me.
Thinking about it, I haven't had a conversation like this with anyone since starting college.
High school was the same, actually. It's not because she's a girl.
It was the same with guys. I'd just stare ahead quietly... 'Hey, do you play games?'
That's the only thing I could think to ask. If our tastes matched, we'd chat about games and it flowed naturally... otherwise, the convo died and we'd stay awkward acquaintances.
Still, I should at least ask her name.
"Um... what's your name?"
"Me? Ju Ye-jin."
"Ju Ye-jin. Got it."
I see.
Ju Ye-jin, huh. Damn, what do I say next?
Uh... your name's pretty? My brain's freezing up.
Ssup, whoosh.
More cigarette smoke billowed up.
"Where'd you go to high school?"
"Me... Se-mun High."
"Ah- Se-mun High."
Somehow, we've moved on to high school talk.
"I went to Ye-hwi High."
Where was Ye-hwi High again?
I don't remember exactly, but I think it was a pretty well-known school.
I vaguely recall it had a rep for rough kids hanging out there. Or was it? My memory's fuzzy.
"I know someone from Se-mun High.
Uh... hmm. Know Bak Ji-ha?"
"Not... really."
"Hm-. What about Im Ye-ji?"
"I think... I've heard the name..."
Sweat beaded on my palms.
This feels like that freshman year high school test.
The loser detector question. "You don't know her? Lol... total loser."
Of course, it doesn't seem malicious, but it still makes me nervous.
"Maybe you don't know since they're girls? Ah-. How about Im Hyeon-su?"
...Im Hyeon-su.
I know Im Hyeon-su.
He's one of the top two male delinquents. The kind who enjoyed bullying kids.
Thankfully, not in my class, so I didn't cross paths much.
"I know of him..."
"Not close?"
"Y-yeah."
I brushed it off vaguely. Damn, hope she doesn't call him later.
'Hey, is this Yi Jun-hyeong from Se-mun High?'
'Huh? Yi Jun-hyeong? Don't know him. Probably a total shithead.'
'Oh yeah? Lol.'
'Why bring up trash.'
'He talked like he knew you lol.'
'That hardcore loser's a bread shuttle. Use him.'
'OK lol.'
Ugh, damn...
I'm already feeling guilty for no reason. But who knows if she's even close to Im Hyeon-su.
Maybe she just knows the name. Or hung out a few times...
"..."
"..."
Silence fell again.
I have no idea what to ask next.
A few questions pop into my head, but I know she'll just give short answers and kill it, so I can't bring myself to ask.
I'm bleeding tears inside. Someone save me!!!
"Did you do well in school back in high school?"
"Uh... no, not really."
As if I did.
If I had, I wouldn't be at this college to begin with.
Ju Ye-jin took a long drag and exhaled.
"You seemed like you did well."
"Just... got lucky with my condition today, I guess."
"Really?" Ju Ye-jin nodded.
"You from sciences?"
"Uh.. yeah."
"I was humanities."
Humanities, but in engineering?
Not that it makes a huge difference.
I was sciences too, but I barely know anything. Understanding it would actually help.
They said they'd merge humanities and sciences, but the school just split them anyway.
Lazy, and college apps still separate them anyway.
Ssup...
Should I offer to help if she doesn't get something?
I hesitated. But it's the only thing I can say.
"If you don't get something, ask me...
I don't know much either."
"Better than humanities."
Is it?
As I mumbled, Ju Ye-jin let out a small chuckle.
...She's pretty. Her smile's the total opposite of when she's smoking.
"You sure I can really ask?"
"Y-yeah. I just got it recently myself."
If I say I just crammed it today, I'd look like an idiot.
"I'm totally clueless, so it might frustrate you. Might even curse you out."
"Nah, no. I didn't get it at first either, so I understand."
"Really?"
Feels like the conversation's flowing a bit better than at first.
I'm a little less tense now.
"What's Byulsta? Say it."
"...Byulsta?"
Cold sweat again.
I don't have that?
No Byulsta, no threads, nothing.
"I... don't have that."
"Oh."
I'm screwed.
Second-tier loser test... Lots of people don't do Byulsta, but not having it makes me look like a loser anyway.
"What's your number? Punch it in."
"Ah... sure."
Glad she didn't ask anything else.
I carefully took the phone Ju Ye-jin handed me.
It looked pretty clean, like it was new.
'010...'
I finished entering and handed it back; she checked and nodded.
"Here's mine."
...First number I've gotten since college.
I quickly memorized it and saved it in my phone.
Meanwhile, Ju Ye-jin finished her cigarette and stretched.
Her chest rose under the blouse. I averted my eyes.
"Ugh. Good thing. It was tough anyway; was thinking of dropping out."
"R-really?"
Yeah, if it's not for you, better quit early.
Felt like casual venting, though.
"You join any department clubs?"
"Ah... no."
"Why? Seniors seem fun."
"Just...?"
This girl's a cold sweat factory.
No prejudice? Anyone can see I'm a total loser, that's why I don't join...
"Central clubs?"
"Cen... tral clubs? Not really. Don't even know what's out there yet."
"Travel club doesn't look fun?"
"Yeah, it does... but I don't know much yet."
I see. Ju Ye-jin nodded.
She hasn't checked central clubs either.
Almost said, wanna go to the travel club together? But held back.
Barely resisted loser instincts...
"Alright... I'll ask if I don't get something."
"Yeah. Ask anytime."
"Cool lol."
Ju Ye-jin tossed her empty coffee and checked her phone.
Break time's almost up—ten minutes flew by. Felt like thirty.
"Head up?"
"Y-yeah."
Ju Ye-jin stretched again and walked off thud-thud.
I awkwardly matched her pace beside her.
...Now I notice a small piercing on her nose. When'd she get that? Gives off a strangely innocent-yet-not vibe.
'Slide.'
Ju Ye-jin opened the door first and sat; I followed to my back-row seat.
The moment I sat, I pulled at my face skin.
Damn... I looked like such a loser... muttering like an idiot..
Sighs exploded inside me.
Dunno what she thinks, but to me, I just seemed pathetic.
Hard enough dealing with people, but a girl? And she gives off delinquent vibes too.
'Ssup... come to think of it.'
Why do I keep running into delinquents here too...
Probably imagining it? If it's the same curse as before, I'm fucked.
I smacked my lips and stared at the lectern.
'Self-loathing hits...'
That floaty high from talking to my first college girl mixed with the cringe of just fumbling around. Present reality + self-loathing.
The weird feelings tangled me up.
What can I do... just hope it gets better with time.
"Class dismissed here."
"Thank you."
Students poured out as the professor left.
Right at 5. Yu In-ha probably done too? Should KakaoTalk her.
"Yi Jun-hyeong?"
"Huh?"
Packing to leave, Ju Ye-jin called me.
My eyes involuntarily went to the collarbone line on her white blouse.
"See ya later."
"Y-yeah."
I waved awkwardly.
Ju Ye-jin chuckled and left through the door.
...
Damn, mood lifted for no reason. Classic loser trait. One word from a girl and I'm done.
'Damn, can't help it.'
Male hormones are unstoppable. Just a smile and my heart races.
【Yu In-ha: Yo, done?】
【Yu In-ha: Yo, you done?】
No need to message; KakaoTalks already there.
Quick reply.
【Yeah, heading down from engineering building now】
【Yu In-ha: Wait at school gate】
She's coming down too.
I replied and strolled to the gate.
Ah... these past few days have been hectic. Way better than boring all day, though.
'Where's she coming from?'
Fidgeting while waiting for Yu In-ha,
A familiar face came down from above.
That 'Kim Myeong-jun' from soccer last time. The good-looking guy rumored in our department.
'Ssup... should I ask?'
Honestly, no one else to ask.
Dunno if he's into this... but if not now, no time later.
"?"
Eye contact with Kim Myeong-jun coming down.
I waved awkwardly first; he lightly raised his hand back.
"Um... class over?"
"Yeah. Why?"
We're the nod-and-part type,
But I spoke up, and he raised a brow like it was unexpected.
Nervous now, sigh.
"Nah, nothing big... a girl I know asked if you were up for a blind date...
You interested? Thinking 3-on-3..."
"Blind date?"
Kim Myeong-jun reacted like I'd said something unthinkable.
You setting up a blind date? You? That vibe.
"Which department?"
"Over in humanities. If not, no biggie."
"Nah, not that I can't."
Just caught off guard hearing it from me.
Kim Myeong-jun handed me his phone, still puzzled.
I took his number and saved it.
"When?"
"Text when set. Still need one more..."
"Want me to find someone?"
Good-lookers stick together... if he finds one, another handsome guy joins?
I nodded.
"Yeah, that'd be great. I'll look too."
"Mm, okay. Kakao later."
"Sure."
Kim Myeong-jun said take care and turned.
Looks even better from behind. Dresses well too.
Anyway, got one. Thought Yu In-ha'd kill me if not. Lucky.
If I brought uggos, double beatdown...
She'd be like did you find any? And I'd fumble. Glad.
Waiting a bit, a tall, slim girl came down from above.
Handbag over shoulder, arms crossed, thud-thud descending.
Stands out to anyone. Height, fashion, looks—all top-tier.
"Yo. Loser."
"..."
Calls me loser on sight.
Yu In-ha grinned and stopped.
"Let's go? Time to escape loser life."