Baek Seol-ah (1)
It had already been a full year since I fell into this clichéd academy NTR world.
I think the first time I opened my eyes in this body was on the day of the first-year entrance ceremony, right?
With cheap-looking gold-dyed hair, tanned bronze skin, and a rough, delinquent vibe that screamed trouble at first glance—yet handsome enough to pull it off—this tall, muscular guy was me. In crude terms, I was the stereotypical Golden Boy from those NTR stories. My name was even Taeyang. Han Taeyang, to be precise—not quite Geum Taeyang, but close enough.
Anyway, I was the cookie-cutter villain in an NTR novel, the kind whose life goal was stealing every male character's lovers. But from my perspective, suddenly inhabiting this body, that lifestyle didn't seem all that healthy.
I never even tried grabbing the heroines' weaknesses or kidnapping them or anything like that. The proof? In the original story, I was supposed to spend my entire first year hounding the heroines, building up that persistent tension—but I'd spent the whole year behaving myself.
Even though I'd possessed the body of the Golden Boy, I had no intention of actively stealing other guys' girls.
'Why bother? There are plenty of fun ways to live without that crap.'
It wasn't because I was some paragon of morality or despised unethical acts. I just wasn't the type soaked in dopamine, reveling in sleazy bad-boy antics like the original owner of this body.
Anyway, the Golden Boy—no, Han Taeyang—was a guy who had it all without needing to go that far. On the outside, if he just cleaned up his act, he'd be the picture of a hot young stud. His talents were top-notch too; he'd gotten into Cheonun Academy, the elite school for the nation's best awakeners, right after turning adult.
This body was designed perfectly for scratching that itch—find a willing girl for a one-night fling whenever the urge hit. No need for pointless detours like snatching the main heroines.
...That was my thinking, anyway, and I'd actually kept things pretty tame this past year.
"I'm in my right mind. I know it sounds crazy, and that's why I came to you, Han Taeyang—the worst delinquent in this academy."
"......"
But Lee Hyun-seong, one of the original story's protagonists, clearly didn't see it that way.
To say it straight to my face like that...
I scratched my cheek awkwardly but didn't bother denying it. Given this body's past, I'd played the part just enough—acting like a low-level thug without going off the rails.
'In a place like Cheonun Academy, full of elites, yeah, I'd stand out.'
I hadn't bullied anyone or broken any laws. I'd just been a bit cheeky or rude to the heroines now and then, to avoid giving them the wrong idea. From Lee Hyun-seong's perspective, watching from the sidelines, it probably looked like typical delinquent behavior.
I'd even tanked my grades on purpose to keep up the Han Taeyang act.
Anyway.
"So... if I'm hearing this right, you're asking me to go roll in the sheets with your girlfriend?"
Lee Hyun-seong's expression was too dead serious to just brush it off as a joke. He really seemed to want me to sleep with his lover, Baek Seol-ah. It was so bizarre I half-wondered if he'd taken some drug, but I asked again to confirm, and he nodded.
"Exactly. I know it's hard to understand. But all you need is a yes or no. Not that tough, right?"
"Hmm......"
I half-listened while glancing at Baek Seol-ah standing beside him. Unlike her boyfriend, her face screamed humiliation.
I smirked and asked,
"Hey, Baek Seol-gi. You agreeing with your boyfriend here? Is this really just a yes-or-no from me?"
I slipped naturally into my usual role: the mischievous delinquent guy who teased the heroines of this world.
Baek Seol-ah—whom I'd just called Baek Seol-gi—glared at me with fire in her eyes.
"I told you not to call me that, Han Taeyang. How many times do I have to say it?"
"Just answer. Yes or no?"
"......"
Anyone else might've flinched at her sharp glare and tone, but not me. I just leaned back casually.
Baek Seol-ah clamped her lips shut for a moment, her pale face flushing red. Her clenched fists trembled nonstop—she clearly hated this—but finally,
"......Fine. I agree too. Happy now?"
"Oh......"
She'd actually said yes, surpassing even my expectations. I widened my eyes in genuine surprise, and she huffed back at me.
"Well? Your turn. Hyun-seong asked you. You gonna do it or not?"
I let out a ridiculous chuckle laced with disbelief.
"So you're asking straight-up if I'm gonna fuck you or not?"
"Eek...! Sh-shut up! Don't say it like that."
"But it's true. Not wrong, is it......?"
I brushed off her furious outburst like always, pondering inwardly before turning back to Lee Hyun-seong. He was still waiting earnestly for my answer, looking almost comical.
A sneer tugged at my lips.
'I've gone out of my way this past year not to mess with a perfectly happy couple.'
Suppressing the intermittent urges from this body—the stereotypical Golden Boy commands to fulfill my role—had been no joke, even for a mere possessor like me. Instincts were a bitch to fight.
Yet here he was, trying to shatter a year of my restraint with this idiotic NTR—no, Netorase (NTS)—proposal.
Lee Hyun-seong had no idea how absurd and flabbergasted I felt right now.
I crossed my arms arrogantly, staring him down until he flinched at our height difference and started to grimace. Then I casually shifted my gaze sideways.
"......Wh-what."
"Hmmm......"
Baek Seol-ah flinched too, her eyes flashing with disgust at my appraising stare as I took in her full body.
Snow-white hair like fresh powder, golden eyes gleaming like embedded jewels. Taller than most girls her age, with killer legs that turned heads. No excess fat, but sensual curves that strained against her academy uniform, impossible to ignore.
Top-tier looks and figure all around—a pure, innocent beauty any guy would envy her boyfriend for.
Did she catch the intent in my gaze? Her face darkened, and she muttered with real contempt,
"......Pervert. Always have been. You're the absolute worst."
"......"
Save that kind of talk for the freak trying to hand his girlfriend over. But her blunt insult actually helped me decide.
I curled my lips subtly. As her shoulders twitched again,
I flashed Lee Hyun-seong a grin and gave my final answer.
"Well then, I guess I can take her now? Your girlfriend."
"......!"
Lee Hyun-seong's eyes bulged; Baek Seol-ah recoiled in horror, hugging her arms.
I stepped forward with a sleazy smile she'd hate, draped an arm around her shoulders, and looked back at him.
"Stealing other guys' girls isn't really my thing."
"......Taeyang, you."
"But if you're begging that hard, maybe I'll indulge once."
Baek Seol-ah, who usually recoiled from even a brush of my hand, went rigid. But Lee Hyun-seong—the one who'd handed her over—beamed with a complicated mix of emotions.
"Th-thanks. For accepting my weird request out of the blue."
"No problem. I'm the one who's grateful. For the opportunity."
Baek Seol-ah, suddenly in my arms, bit her lip silently and gripped my wrist hard.
I shot her a meaningful glance, then whispered right in her ear, loud enough for him to hear.
"Shall we go? Find a room."
"......"
She glared murderously.
...I couldn't help wondering if that expression would hold up in bed.
Guess there was a reason this body drew me in, instincts or not.