A Favor (1)
'What the hell are they gonna give me to call me in like this personally?'
Do-gyeol stepped into the meeting room, dreaming sweet dreams. What greeted him there was cold, hard reality.
"Explain yourself."
Two test papers lay side by side on the desk. One was Seo Tae-yun's, the other Do-gyeol's.
"If they were all correct, I wouldn't say a word. But copying the wrong answers exactly the same? What the hell is this?"
Pi Yu-jun rolled the lollipop in his mouth and added, "At first glance, it might look like Seo Tae-yun copied yours."
Another test paper slid onto the desk—the one from the first period. The handwriting on one side was markedly different, while the other matched the first period's exactly.
Pi Yu-jun fixed Do-gyeol with sunken eyes.
Go on, make your excuses.
"Am I an idiot? Copying the handwriting exactly like that. Well, even without the handwriting, you'd have gotten caught on the wrong answers."
"......What?"
Pi Yu-jun's upper body nearly slumped forward.
"You're admitting it that shamelessly?"
"It's not like I can deny it anyway. At least I didn't get caught during the exam—I'll take that as a win."
Pi Yu-jun let out a scoff at Do-gyeol's shrug.
"You really are a crazy bastard."
But inwardly, he was impressed.
He must've read the movements.
It wasn't combat, just everyday motions, so reading them would've been a breeze. But perfectly mimicking those read movements? That was another story.
Do-gyeol, just how far does your potential go?
Still, as a teacher, this wasn't something to praise.
"So, you're gonna fix today's mistakes and cheat even more thoroughly next time?"
Pi Yu-jun's voice grew deadly serious. Do-gyeol's nonchalant expression hardened slightly.
"What you're thinking right now is just about committing a more perfect crime."
Pi Yu-jun jabbed at the test papers on the desk.
"Don't follow someone else's path like this. Just because a method won a battle for one person doesn't guarantee victory for anyone else."
"......"
"Seo Tae-yun's answers might be right, but for you, they could be disastrously wrong."
Pi Yu-jun's gaze bored straight into Do-gyeol.
"Even on a test where there's one clear right answer, blindly copying without understanding the principles will lead you even further astray."
He shifted the papers askew, mixing up the answer positions and questions.
"Even if the answers were shifted like this, you wouldn't have noticed. You'd charge off a cliff without even realizing you're messing up."
There was no usual mischief in Do-gyeol's eyes. Sensing that, Pi Yu-jun didn't mince words.
"You're not the type to trail after someone else's ass from the start, right? Don't blindly walk paths others paved. Find your own by crashing and breaking. That's what'll become your real strength."
Do-gyeol nodded quietly.
"Got it."
"Good. I trust you've understood. Meeting's over. Get out."
As Do-gyeol rose to leave, he paused.
"By the way, teacher. That sorcerer we fought at the company building last time—what happened to him? Who the hell is he?"
The lollipop in Pi Yu-jun's mouth stopped rolling.
"......All I know is he showed up expecting to get taken down."
He waved Do-gyeol off dismissively.
"Just focus on class. Go."
Back in the classroom, Do-gyeol tilted his head.
He came expecting to get caught?
Then, noisy chatter erupted from the back.
"Aigoo, Min-je! I feel exactly the same!"
Lee Seok-gyu patted Jo Min-je's shoulder, ranting away.
"Us ugly ducklings from each team—no, us neighborhood punching bags—let's have a heart-to-heart!"
Lee Seok-gyu dramatically wiped fake tears.
"Our team leader beats us like dogs, and yours just glares! Let's vent openly between us! Huh? I'll buy snacks from the canteen today!"
Kang Hak's head whipped around.
"What the fuck, you punk?"
"Run, run!"
Jo Min-je, dragged off by Lee Seok-gyu, shot a glance straight at Do-gyeol for some reason.
......What the hell?
Do-gyeol shrugged it off indifferently and sat down—just as.
"The macarons I gave you last time—were they tasty?"
Baek Seo-rin appeared at his desk, flashing a sly smile.
"If they were, can I ask one favor? Go shopping with me after school."
A blatant date invite. The surrounding guys' eyes bulged.
"What's with Baek Seo-rin lately?"
"Does she like Do-gyeol?"
"Idiot, she's lining up."
The murmurs were clear, but Baek Seo-rin ignored them.
"You'll come, right?"
"Shopping out of nowhere? Why with me?"
At Do-gyeol's question, Baek Seo-rin casually perched on his desk.
"Wanna buy some clothes, need a guy's opinion."
She leaned in toward him a bit.
"I'll buy you something tasty in return."
"Something tasty? Sure!"
Instant acceptance without hesitation. Baek Seo-rin's lips curved in satisfaction.
After school, in the bustling shopping district's massive mall. Walking side by side with Do-gyeol, Baek Seo-rin tossed out a casual question.
"So, what kind of girls do you like?"
"Girl style? Hmm, never really thought deeply about it......"
Do-gyeol rolled his eyes.
"Guess mature older types?"
A faint smile bloomed on Baek Seo-rin's lips.
Mature, huh? Got it.
Moments later, the fitting room curtain parted, and Baek Seo-rin stepped out. Tight clothes that hugged every curve of her figure.
"How's this?"
She spun gracefully, striking a pose.
"Oh, pretty."
Do-gyeol nodded.
"But doesn't it stick too tight? Bet you can't eat comfortably in that."
A brutally practical critique, miles from romantic. But Baek Seo-rin didn't mind, twisting her body a bit more with a sly grin.
"Not into this style?"
"Oh......"
"What’s with that pervy reaction."
Baek Seo-rin shot him a sultry glance with a naughty laugh.
"Your eyes are getting naughty—better stop showing you."
She turned away, her voice dripping allure. The moment the curtain closed behind her.
"Haa......"
Baek Seo-rin clutched her chest and slumped down. Her heart pounded like mad.
And that wasn't all. Heat bloomed vividly in her ears—they were surely beet red.
That expression just now...... it definitely worked, right?
No, that wasn't the issue. Why was she shaking more after seducing him?
Calm down, calm.
She squeezed her eyes shut, took deep breaths, and regained her composure. Emerging with her sly face back on, she paid for the clothes and naturally led Do-gyeol along.
Next was a shoe store. She scanned the display, picked up tall black leather boots. A size that looked big for women's.
"Your feet are surprisingly big."
At Do-gyeol's words, Baek Seo-rin chuckled.
"Not for me."
She tossed the shoes into his arms.
"Looks like your size. Try 'em on."
Do-gyeol blinked in confusion but slipped them on. Perfect fit, comfy too.
"Feels good, but why make me try these?"
"That outfit you wore during the team match—it'd go great with these."
Baek Seo-rin smiled contentedly at his toes.
"You wouldn't wanna wear sneakers with it. Looked like you really liked that outfit, so might as well match the shoes."
She whipped out her card and paid. Do-gyeol's face lit up like the sun.
Shoes perfect for the Gonryongpo! She thought of details he never would?
"You little— you're actually a great person!"
Do-gyeol hugged the shoebox, beaming. Baek Seo-rin smiled back.
"Glad you like it—makes buying stuff for you fun."
"Why's this place so damn good? Your regular spot?"
Do-gyeol stuffed his mouth with sausage, letting out a happy squeal.
"Good thing it suits your taste."
Based on what Yun Ga-eun told her, she'd brought him to a German-style handmade sausage joint—great reaction. Watching him fondly, she suddenly asked.
"Nothing you're curious about me?"
Do-gyeol paused mid-chew, blinking at her.
A brief silence. In that moment's quiet, Baek Seo-rin felt herself tense up oddly.
Gonna say nothing, huh?
Then Do-gyeol swallowed and spoke.
"Why do you and Kang Hak fight all the time?"
"......That's what you were curious about?"
Baek Seo-rin deflated.
"Yeah. At first I thought he was just a prickly asshole picking fights everywhere, but seems like he only directs killing intent at you."
The playfulness vanished from Baek Seo-rin's face. She set down her fork, lost in thought.
The silence stretched longer than expected. Finally, heavy words slipped from her lips.
"My brother killed his brother."
"......Cough!"
Do-gyeol nearly spat out his water.
"It was an accident. My brother would never do it on purpose."
Baek Seo-rin's eyes cooled.
"We families thought it was settled, but maybe that was just on the surface...... Or maybe just Kang Hak's nursing a grudge alone. I don't really know."
She forced a wry smile.
"That answer your question? Got heavy all sudden—sugar crash. What dessert? My treat."
"You little— are you an angel?"
Do-gyeol's eyes sparkled. Hard to believe he'd just heard something serious.
"......"
Baek Seo-rin stared blankly at his ridiculous reaction, then burst out laughing.
"Pfft! You're too damn simple, seriously."
His clumsy response, just like always, oddly comforted her.
Back at school, Do-gyeol strolled the dorm hallway, rubbing his full belly leisurely—until his steps halted abruptly.
"What're you doing there? That's my room."
"D-Do-gyeol...... It's not......"
Jo Min-je, pacing in front of Do-gyeol's door, stammered in panic.
Moments later, inside Do-gyeol's room. Do-gyeol perched on the bed, staring down at Jo Min-je in bewilderment.
"What? You want me to tutor you?"
"Yeah. Please, Do-gyeol! I'll do whatever you say without complaint!"
Jo Min-je clasped his hands, begging desperately.
"No way, what makes you think I can teach anyone......"
"What're you talking about? You're officially Je-ryeong Class's top dog now!"
Jo Min-je spat as he countered.
"That was just one good practical midterm......"
"Doesn't matter! On this exam, you crushed Kang Hak and Baek Seo-rin—fact! Kang Hak was shedding bloody tears he was so pissed!"
Despite Jo Min-je's desperation, Do-gyeol scratched his head awkwardly.
"Beyond that, I've never taught anyone, so I dunno where to even start......"
"I'll follow somehow! You must have some training method. Teach me anything! Please, I beg you!"
Jo Min-je flattened himself on the floor, rubbing his hands pleadingly. At that pathetic sight, Do-gyeol sighed shortly.
Well, I know the pain of being dead last best.
Do-gyeol glanced around.
It's gotta be around here somewhere.
Ah, there it is.
Do-gyeol picked up the blue tape rolling on the floor and handed it to Jo Min-je.
"Lift your head. Take this."
Jo Min-je snapped his head up. Then froze mid-reach.
"......"
He looked up at Do-gyeol with a voice thick with tears.
"......You telling trash like me not to breathe and just go die outside?"
Tears welled in Jo Min-je's eyes.
"No, what the hell are you......"
Do-gyeol's eyes were stained with utter bewilderment.