Chapter 21
Chapter 21
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: A Woman's Jealousy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"See you next time, Sarang."
Those were the last words Han Sea-ah left behind as she departed. At first, I thought it was just a casual farewell.
People often say "let's meet again" when parting, but they rarely follow through with any contact.
Besides, she was one of Korea's most popular celebrities. It seemed unlikely we'd cross paths again.
But Han Sea-ah wasn't the type to make empty promises.
That evening, after practice, as I was heading back, a large black van was waiting in front of the agency.
"Hey, Sarang."
The door opened, and Han Sea-ah appeared, her hands full of thick macarons—way too many for one person to eat.
"There was a huge line here. I waited thirty minutes just for these macarons."
"Th-thank you."
I sat in the seat next to her and took the macaron she offered.
My mouth was small, so I nibbled carefully. Even a tiny bite filled my tongue with smooth sweetness.
"Delicious, right?"
I nodded. It wasn't flattery—this was the best dessert I'd ever tasted.
"Hehe, glad I brought them then."
Han Sea-ah watched me chew with a faint smile.
"Um, why did you come looking for me?"
"To feed you macarons. I had a feeling you liked sweet things, Sarang."
I was flustered.
One of Korea's top celebrities showing up just to give me macarons? It felt unreal no matter how I looked at it.
"Consider it thanks for making me breakfast."
"That was really just... I only gathered the ingredients..."
I couldn't cook to begin with. I could barely boil ramen.
Back then, I'd just dumped whatever was in the fridge into a bowl. It was so sloppy it barely qualified as salad.
"Having someone make me a meal felt really nice."
But Han Sea-ah had been genuinely happy over that crude salad. Maybe she just liked home-cooked food?
"I should get going soon. I only stopped by to drop off the macarons. Let me take you home."
She must have carved out time from her busy schedule, so I couldn't impose any longer.
"I can go home on my own."
"Huh? No, it's fine. It's on my way anyway."
"Really, it's okay. I want to walk and digest these macarons."
I'd had no choice before, but I didn't want to bring her anywhere near my place if possible.
It just didn't suit her at all. And I really didn't want to run into my biological mother or Yu-na Aunt.
"Alright then. If you insist."
As I opened the car door to get out, she handed me the bag of macarons she was holding.
"Have some more when you get home."
I stared blankly at her for a moment, the way she smiled brightly without any reservations, even though we'd only met yesterday.
Was she just pure-hearted? Or did she have a bit of a pushover streak? I couldn't tell.
But did it matter?
What counted was that the great actress Han Sea-ah was showing interest in me.
I'm not pure at all.
And I'm not foolish enough to let an opportunity like this slip away.
I'd approached people with that bright smile not because I liked them, but because they might be useful later. That was it.
The same went for now.
A connection with Han Sea-ah. No one but a fool would let that pass by.
Last time, I was too flustered to do anything, but now I needed to grab hold of her.
That's just who I am.
So today, too, I plastered a smile on my face.
The one my biological mother had shaped my lips into—the smile everyone loved.
"Sea-ah unnie."
"Yeah?"
I gently took her hand. Our hands were similarly slender, but her fingers were much longer.
I lightly brushed the back of her hand with my fingertips, tickling it, then glanced up at her coyly.
"The macarons... they made me so happy. I really want to repay you next time."
Han Sea-ah's brown-tinged eyes widened.
Her eyes were so clear that even my reflection in them was vivid.
"It'd be great if we could... sleep together again sometime."
If I could keep a connection with just Han Sea-ah, the others didn't matter much.
There'd be no reason to put up with the hassle of approaching anyone else first like before.
Yeah. Han Sea-ah alone would be enough.
Thwack—
I was lost in my dark thoughts when her finger flicked my forehead—pretty hard, too.
"??"
My body tilted backward. I stepped back, staring at her in a daze.
She had a strange smile on her lips. Even her usually clear eyes were narrower than normal.
"How can you act so well at such a young age?"
"Huh? What do you..."
"Don't make that face—even if it's acting—in front of other people. Especially guys?"
Huh?
My mind went blank as I watched her say it so casually.
This was a first.
A reaction like this.
"Sarang!"
The voice calling me snapped my eyes open.
The class president wiping the blackboard, girls chattering energetically, boys slamming coins onto books and slapping their palms down.
I hadn't even realized class was over. Guess I'd zoned out too much.
"I'm heading to the canteen... wanna come?"
I glanced at the girl who called me. What was her name again?
Lately, I'd been so busy with agency trainees that I couldn't remember my classmates' names clearly.
She was peeking at my reaction, so we weren't that close. I could brush her off easily.
"Sure, sounds good. Let's go to the canteen."
I naturally linked arms with her, pulling her in a bit deeper toward me.
"Uh, yeah. Let's go!"
She didn't seem to mind.
In fact, the corners of her mouth twitched upward slightly.
After a brief hesitation, I drooped my eyes and unlinked our arms.
"Oh, wait—I forgot my wallet. Sorry, I'll go alone."
I put on a deflated voice, and she grabbed my hand.
"Then I'll buy it."
"Huh? You don't have to..."
"No, no. It's not a big deal."
I paused, then linked arms with her again.
Reproducing the exact smile I'd shown Han Sea-ah yesterday, without a single deviation.
"Really? Then... can I owe you just this once?"
The girl's pupils shook.
And soon, she smiled brightly back at me.
"Of course! Let's hurry back before the bell."
"Okay."
Just the faint blush spreading across her face made it obvious she liked it.
"Wait, no—I have my wallet! You don't have to buy it."
"Oh, really?"
This time, disappointment was clear on her face.
Yeah. This was the normal reaction.
It was the same after school at the agency.
"Hyun-ah unnie."
"What?"
"Just... I'm so happy you're here with me."
Lee Hyun-ah's facial muscles twitched faintly. She looked at me for a moment, then burst out laughing and reached for me.
"Ugh, seriously. You're too cute, Sarang!"
Unable to hold back, she clung to me, tugging my cheeks and messing up my hair.
It was the reaction I'd expected.
As I endured her affections, my eyes suddenly met Lee Seo-yoon's.
I greeted her, but she quickly looked away. Her expression wasn't great.
Jealousy?
Probably.
One thing I'd learned since reincarnating as a girl:
Unlike guys, girls show jealousy even toward their same-sex friends.
That twinge of envy when the person you thought was your closest friend hangs out with others.
It was a childish emotion. Maybe because girls were more affectionate than boys.
Feeling jealous even of friends. What a tiring way to live.
But I was used to it.
And I knew how to soothe that kind of jealousy.
After finishing the rest of practice, evening rolled around.
As always, I headed to the agency cafeteria alone with Lee Seo-yoon.
"Seo-yoon unnie, is something bothering you?"
"Huh? Why?"
"Your face looks down today."
Lee Seo-yoon seemed flustered for a while before averting her gaze.
"No. It's just... my problem."
"What problem?"
"I'm just being stupid. You don't need to worry about it, Sarang."
Some girls would snap first, demanding why I was getting close to others. Unlike them, Lee Seo-yoon blamed herself.
She had such a kind heart.
If anyone from B-Class was debuting, it'd probably be her.
"Unnie, come to the bathroom with me."
"Huh?"
I took her hand and led her to the women's restroom at the agency.
"Gotta go?"
I shook my head. After confirming no one was around, I cupped my hand to her ear and whispered softly.
"You might hate it, but... this is the only way I know how to cheer you up."
"Uh, yeah?"
Because of our height difference, I had to stand on tiptoe.
Smack—
My lips briefly pressed against her cheek before pulling away. It was surprisingly moist, probably from sweat.
"Wha...?"
Lee Seo-yoon dazedly touched the spot I'd kissed.
"I thought this might give you a boost. You're a precious friend to me, Seo-yoon unnie... I don't want you feeling down."
"……"
"Sorry if you didn't like it. I'll be more careful next time."
Only then did it seem to sink in. Her face turned bright red as she grabbed my shoulders and shook me.
"S-Sarang! You can't do that! I-It... of course it didn't mean anything. But still...!"
Her voice scolded me, somehow.
But at least the jealousy in her eyes was gone.