Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: The Yandere Fairy's Gaze is Strange
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- Haeseong, how have you been lately?
- I heard about your father. I should have gone back then... I'm really sorry.
- You still dress so sharply. You look just like you did in college.
- Where are you living now?
There's a saying that the top of the food chain is a "handsome man."
True to that, Han Haeseong's image as a gambler flipped in an instant.
- Why'd you show up so late today?
- Try this. They say it's the best drink in this bar.
- You're living alone at your family home these days? Bet you're not eating properly, huh?
- Must be nice breathing that fresh country air. Mind if I come visit sometime?
Even though he'd sat in the corner seat Jung Juwon had pointed out, it felt like the center of attention had shifted there, with every eye drawn to him.
Only after answering every question from his classmates did the atmosphere finally calm down a bit.
Seo Junseok, sitting beside him, glanced at Kang Jua's stiff expression and grinned.
"Feels like I just watched the ultimate payoff in a drama stuffed full of frustration."
At Seo Junseok's excitement, Han Haeseong leisurely took a sip of whiskey from his glass.
"That good, huh?"
"Take a look at Kang Jua's face right now. It's on a whole other level."
"Feels like you're enjoying this more than I am."
"Of course! I've hated this stuffy, unfair mess for so long!"
"I put some effort into my outfit today, and the reaction's hotter than I expected."
Seo Junseok's eyes went wide at Han Haeseong's smirk.
"What're you talking about? You think everyone's freaking out over the clothes you wore?"
"Then what?"
"You idiot! It's because you're ridiculously handsome right now."
Han Haeseong chuckled again at his friend's over-the-top reaction.
Truth be told, it wasn't common for guys to admit another guy was handsome.
Especially among close friends—it was even rarer.
"Junseok, you admitting it now?"
"Nah, I just didn't expect this kind of reaction. How come no one's even mentioning gambling?"
"Must be the clothes and watch."
Han Haeseong had no interest in flaunting.
He was the type who valued price over brand, no matter what he wore.
He prided himself on living frugally, but after the divorce, all he got was a mountain of debt.
It was enough to drive anyone mad.
What had all his hard work been for...?
Even if it was for his ex-wife, the emptiness hit just as hard.
That's why.
Even if it was just a few tens of millions in watch value—pocket change compared to his current wealth—he'd splurged without hesitation.
He saw meeting the fairy as a gift from the heavens.
But if he skimped on money like this and couldn't even get revenge, wouldn't that just be pathetic?
Seo Junseok glanced around, then raised his whiskey glass with a subtle nod.
"This is why they say you gotta make good money..."
"You're one to talk. You never cared about luxury brands before. I was shocked when I heard the price at the department store."
"H-Hey, man! Not wearing designer stuff doesn't mean I don't know brands or prices. That's just prejudice."
"Is it?"
That was their last chance to chat alone.
The women were already swarming back to their table, one or two at a time.
'What... what the hell is going on?'
Meanwhile, Kang Jua was utterly dumbfounded.
And understandably so—it had only been two weeks since she'd seen Han Haeseong at his family home.
Up until then, he'd been the man she knew, but now his looks had flipped like a pancake. Of course she'd be thrown off.
And on top of that.
Even if she generously chalked up his suddenly younger, handsomer college-kid vibe to whatever, how was she supposed to explain the multi-million-won outfit and the tens-of-millions watch?
'He still has loan debt left, doesn't he...?'
Kang Jua ground her teeth.
Maybe her late father-in-law had left behind some hidden fortune she didn't know about?
"Jua, you okay?"
At Jung Juwon's worried question, Kang Jua forced her frozen expression to soften.
"Ah... I think I've had too much to drink."
"Wanna step out?"
It was the opening she'd been waiting for.
But Kang Jua couldn't answer right away.
She knew exactly what would happen if she left this place.
She'd cemented his image as a gambler, but just his appearance had started flipping opinions.
- Didn't he lose everything gambling and bounce between construction sites? But he's living large.
- Manual labor? I heard he was doing Coupang gigs—must've been rumors.
- He's even handsomer than in college! Eek!
- I told you, you gotta hear both sides.
- No way she's pulling the victim card after those tears, right?
This was already the reaction—and if she left with Jung Juwon?
Just imagining it was nightmare fuel.
"Juwon, even if we leave together later, shouldn't we stick it out here for now?"
"Y-Yeah? So you are leaving with me, right?"
"Of course! You promised to hear me out all night."
Jung Juwon's expectations swelled.
The problem was, so did his urge to show off to her.
"Hey, Han Haeseong."
Before Kang Jua could stop him, Jung Juwon strode over to their table.
Every eye at the reunion locked onto them.
"Juwon, long time no see."
"You know I'm covering the tab here tonight, right?"
"Already heard from the others. Cheers."
"...Huh?"
"You're buying everyone drinks tonight—cheers."
Jung Juwon gaped in confusion.
Normally, shouldn't he be asking if he'd made it big or why he was footing the bill?
"L-Looks like you've been doing well?"
"Everyone knows about the divorce—don't tease."
"...No, I heard you were struggling lately, but you seem pretty relaxed."
"That's harsh. Do divorced guys have to mope at reunions too?"
"That's not what I—"
"Sorry. It's been ages since I saw everyone—I just wanted to catch up."
Jung Juwon was instantly speechless.
'Since when was this guy this smooth?'
He'd tried to show off and ended up humiliated without even breaking even.
He glanced back at Kang Jua.
She was avoiding his eyes, embarrassed.
The bold swordsman who'd drawn his blade slunk away without landing a single cut.
Seo Junseok, who'd watched silently, eyed Jung Juwon's retreating back and spoke up.
"Why'd that guy suddenly butt in with his nonsense?"
"Obviously, Kang Jua fed him some crap."
"About the gambling?"
"Looked like he was into her. Trying to impress her a bit."
"If so, he's toast. Kang Jua's picky."
"Nah, not a total loss. She's not picking guys by looks or personality anymore."
The pointed exchange brought peace back.
Han Haeseong looked around, trying to liven up the gloomy vibe.
"She didn't come, huh?"
"Who?"
"Seo Yerim. Didn't she say she was coming?"
"Ah... why're you looking for her?"
Han Haeseong tilted his head at Seo Junseok's indifference.
"She was pretty. Don't you think it's weird? You, who can't resist a girl, ignored her all through college."
"Th-That's just different tastes."
"Come on, the great Seo Junseok?"
"You bastard..."
Han Haeseong brushed off Seo Junseok's curse with a light laugh.
"Heh! Plus, her family's loaded, right? Something about Yeoksan Group heiress?"
"...Dunno. Not interested."
"Then grab anyone and chat. You're more desperate than me."
"Pass. I'm good—watching you shove it to Kang Jua tonight is enough."
Click-clack! Click-clack!
Then heels echoed again on the bar floor.
A woman's shoes this time.
Everyone, including Han Haeseong, whipped their heads around.
Click-clack! Click-clack!
A long-haired woman entered the bar with elegant strides.
Her signature haughty aura was plenty to capture stares.
Unlike the other alumni who'd entered with bright smiles, her face was icy cold, deathly still.
- Seo Yerim's coming too?
- How's she unchanged after all these years?
- She's gorgeous. Or even prettier now?
- What's Miss High-and-Mighty doing at a reunion?
- Yeoksan Group daughter slumming it with us plebs.
- Whoa, Kang Jua's here too—reunion of the twin peaks.
A mix of praise and snark rippled through the crowd.
The first to greet Seo Yerim was, predictably, Jung Juwon.
"Haha! Yerim, you got here quick. I'm Jung Juwon—remember m—"
Her head jerked sharply, like she was searching for someone.
Brushing off Jung Juwon, her gaze locked on one spot.
And.
Click-clack! Click-clack!
Her hurried steps halted, leaving the watching classmates' jaws on the floor.
Because her eyes were fixed on none other than Han Haeseong.
"......Mind if I sit here?"