Ice Princess (4)
Just as I was about to search for the nickname on the gym gallery site, my phone started vibrating.
"Huh?"
The screen showed a message from the group chat with Yesul and Yunsu.
Have these two been possessed or something? They check in every single mealtime.
I wasn't particularly hungry anyway, but more than that, I wanted to find a quiet spot to check the gallery.
Bzzzzt.
Right then, my phone vibrated again.
Jesus, this couple has no chill. Why don't they just enjoy their cozy little meal together?
'Huh? Yumi sunbae?'
I'd thought it was Yesul or Yunsu, but it was actually a message from Yumi sunbae. And the second I checked it, my phone rang.
"Yeah, sunbae."
Classes over? Not eating lunch?
"I just got out. Actually, some friends just messaged me about grabbing lunch, so I was replying."
Huh? You had plans?
"Nah, not really. You remember my friends from this morning? Yesul and her boyfriend. They suggested eating together, but I was just turning them down."
For real? Then eat with me. I'm craving something hearty after last night, but the cafeteria only has ramen for that. Let's go out and get some haejangguk.
"Uh... what about Mincheol sunbae? Don't you usually eat together?"
Yeah... we decided to eat separately this morning.
'Cold war? Was it because of me this morning?'
"Cool, where should I meet you? I'll come to you."
You know that gamjatang place on the way to the bus stop we always hit after club drinks? Let's go there.
It seemed safe enough for me. The flavor wasn't top-tier, but the spicy bone haejangguk with fermented greens was a go-to for students after drinking.
Plus, no chance of running into Mincheol sunbae.
The gamjatang spot was a five-minute walk from the main gate. Not worth a special trip, but convenient.
"Got it. Heading there now. My afternoon class isn't till 2:30 anyway, so perfect timing."
Cool, see you soon.
Bzzzzt.
The second I wrapped up with Yumi and hung up, the group chat exploded.
These idiots are right there at the restaurant together—why are they chatting up a storm in the group?
Even if Yumi sunbae was the one who'd built the Great Wall overnight, comparing her to Yesul—someone I'd known forever—was a stretch. But I used Yesul as an excuse to convince Yunsu anyway. No way was I spilling details about Yumi in the group chat; better to brush it off vaguely.
Later, I'll explain step by step how I scaled that wall. Heh. You'll never dream of the feats I pulled off last night.
Then another notification pinged.
'What? Yumi sunbae with these two?'
Stunned by Yesul's out-of-left-field reply, I quickly DMed Yunsu separately.
I left the rest to Yunsu, ignored the group, and headed for the haejangguk place.
Bzzzzt.
'Ugh... what a pain.'
Vibrations pouring in—I couldn't ignore it anymore and checked my phone.
'Huh?'
'What the fuck?'
There'd been a freshman group last year too, but since majors weren't set, seniors stayed out. It had this fresh, awkward vibe—no one leading, just info sharing. I'd gotten useful tips from it. Over time, subgroups formed for hangouts, and the main chat fizzled.
But this? The full Admin Dept group across all years. Greetings to seniors, announcements—participation basically mandatory.
'Aargh! Totally forgot about the dept group.'
Trembling, I fumbled a quick intro.
"Phew... Keep it short. Polite replies. That's it."
Bzzzzt.
'Huh? Why's she in the sub-major dept group? Is that right?'
Right after my intro, Yu-ri chimed in. As I wondered about her invite, another group alert hit.
'Sigh...'
I'd half-expected it. From the first day of classes, really. Wasn't super into dept life, but now with the group invite, ignoring it wasn't an option.
Day before White Day—lots of girls there, huh. Haha...
After the announcement, pointless chit-chat filled the group. I pocketed my phone and headed to meet Yumi.
****
"See? Good call on the hangover cure."
"Whoa, yeah. Never got why people bothered before, but even drinking less than usual, this spicy rice soup fills you up and clears the head."
By the time I arrived, Yumi had snagged a table and ordered bone haejangguk for two. I scarfed it down; she watched fondly and even added an extra bowl of rice.
"Ugh... so full. But sunbae, your afternoon schedule okay? We got time?"
Cafeteria food's convenient time-wise, but eating out's a luxury for college kids—price aside, the round trip, ordering, waiting, eating eats an hour easy.
"Same as you—2:30 class. We can leave in an hour and still make it."
"Ah!"
She eyed me stroking my belly with a satisfied grin, her gaze turning sly.
"Legs all shaky this morning, but you seem fine now?"
"Pardon? Oh... I'm still young, y'know? A guy's gotta handle this much."
"This much, huh?"
"Huh? What're you—"
"How good was last night's sex, on a scale?"
"Cough!"
I'd been sipping water when her fastball hit; I choked hard. Glancing around to check stares, I whispered fiercely.
"You know this place is packed with our students, right? Someone might hear."
She leaned in too, voice low.
"I've been here longer than you. It's noisy as hell—who cares?"
Oh... this boldness. Love it.
I'd figured solo meals post-hookup would be awkward, but Yumi had been chatty and laughing from start to finish. It almost bummed me out—like she was brushing off last night as a mistake, back to normal. Her blunt callback thrilled me instead; I thumped my chest proudly.
"Last night? Piece of cake. Legs shook from lack of sleep, not stamina."
Male posturing. Instinctual pride, vanity—no weakness allowed.
She smirked and stood.
"Alright, let's head out. Lunch rush ending; back to school."
"Huh? No first afternoon class, you said?"
"I'm a senior now. Job hunting grind same as you?"
"Ah..."
Same age, easy to forget she was a year ahead. Guys' military gaps skew things.
I pulled out my wallet to pay.
"Nah, prepaid while waiting."
"Huh?"
She strolled out casually.
Girl buying lunch... so damn cool.
****
"So, you diving into dept life now?"
"Not like I'm jumping in headfirst... Freshman year, with my bro around, same college felt awkward to mingle. Majors split anyway, so no urge to avoid people."
"You're so dramatic. Love your bro or scared of him? Why dodge him like that—then live together?"
"......Just distant, y'know."
By the time we reached the gate, she'd heard about the opening ceremony from the group and my White Day plans with friends.
"Acting all aloof in public, but chasing couple trips for White Day?"
"......They just like dragging me along."
"You know what White Day is?"
"Duh. Guys give candy to girls."
"To any girl? Grab random chicks on the street?"
Gulp.
Dull as I am, I got her drift. I'm a guy, she's a girl. But not any girl. The one who'd claimed my V-card. Stunning, huge tits. And... has a boyfriend.
Fuck, with Yumi sunbae it's FWB and Yeon unnie stand-in... but do you give FWB candy?
She eyed my brooding pityingly, then hooked her arm in mine and tugged.
"Wh-whoa? Yumi sunbae? We're on campus...?"
"Huh? What's weird? Senior dragging junior to club room."
"Club room? Uh... suddenly?"
"Unless you're quitting cold turkey, plaster on a thick face and tough it out. Lounging there's pure bliss. Better than dept later."
"Ah...... True, but..."
Her arm-link cheered me up. Her massive chest brushing mine was tantalizing. But Mincheol sunbae loomed— he'd already eyed us once; club room clash would suck.
"What? Scared of Mincheol? He's got no free periods today. Third-year grind on major credits. Seniors knock 'em out before fourth year—he's busier than me."
Relief lightened my steps. Club room nostalgia hit sometimes; why not?
"Should be empty today. Official first meeting next Monday."
"Can't we still drop by?"
"Nah, probably not."
"Huh?"
"I announced it. Room was a trash heap over break. Told the group: Monday meeting, but clean if you visit early—or else."
"So no one's coming to clean?"
"If anyone's that diligent, I'll eat my hand. First meetings always start with deep clean. Every year."
"Whoa......?"
She said it like no big deal.
"So, club room now? Just you and me. No one's coming—don't stress."
"Gasp!!"
Casual for her, bombshell for me—like a gut punch to the heart.