Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 051 Second Meeting
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The day of the second group assignment meeting.
Before leaving the room, I double-checked to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything.
Looking over my complex solution process, a sudden wave of unease hit me.
I was a little worried whether we'd be able to wrap up the meeting properly today.
I'm the group leader, and I'd prepared perfectly ahead of time to gear up for finals, but what about the other members?
Especially Jang Minhyuk and Seo Arin, whom Shin Ayoung hadn't exactly called reliable.
With even tougher material coming up, if they couldn't grasp today's stuff, it looked like they might just give up.
I shook off the negative thoughts and stepped out the door.
No use dwelling on it now—I had no choice but to trust them.
Out on the street, lush green trees and grass stretched everywhere.
Mid-May, and they seemed to grow greener by the day.
I headed to the cafe, sticking to the shade to avoid the sunlight as much as possible.
Ding-a-ling.
I opened the door and went in. Someone was already sitting at the same spot from last time.
I could only see their back, but the long black hair and those massive breasts jutting out to the side made it obvious—it was Shin Ayoung.
For a split second, I hesitated.
Should I sit next to Shin Ayoung, same as last time? Or take the seat right across from her?
With three out of four seats empty, plopping down right beside her might come off weird.
I approached the table, lost in thought.
She glanced sideways at the sound of my footsteps, and our eyes met.
"Hello. You got here early."
"Hello. Last time I was the last one to show, so I came early this time."
After the quick greeting, I took the seat diagonally across from Shin Ayoung.
Seeing her up close in person, any confidence I'd had about sitting directly in front of her had vanished long ago.
She'd already laid out all her study materials in front of her.
I pulled my books from my bag and casually asked,
"This material wasn't too tough? I wrestled with it for ages."
"I couldn't crack it at first either... but then a good idea hit me out of nowhere, and I barely managed."
"Glad you got it done at least."
Silence fell again.
I checked the time—about ten minutes until the meeting.
I gazed out the window, waiting for the rest of the group.
A moment later.
Off in the distance, I spotted a guy and a girl walking our way.
They drew closer, faces coming into view: Jang Minhyuk and Seo Arin.
The door soon chimed open, followed by a familiar voice.
"Hello! We're here!"
"Hey."
Jang Minhyuk sat next to me, Seo Arin next to Shin Ayoung.
With everyone assembled, I spoke up.
"Should we order drinks first and then get started?"
"Sure!"
"Sounds good."
"Yeah."
We called out our orders, and wordlessly, Jang Minhyuk and Shin Ayoung—the ones on the outer seats—headed off to place them.
I turned back to the window to zone out, but Seo Arin piped up with a question.
"Um, leader? Did you finish all the problems?"
"Huh? Yeah, I got 'em all. You didn't?"
"Yeah... I kept trying, but I hit a wall at one part."
"No worries. I'll walk you through it—just review it later."
"Oh, thank you!"
Her tense expression eased.
Honestly, it was a tough level to solve solo.
All I really wanted was for them to review diligently and keep pace through to the end, solved or not.
The coffee arrived soon after. I took a few sips and eyed the group.
Their looks said it all.
"Alright, let's kick things off. Pull out what you've prepped."
Rustling filled the air as notebooks and A4 sheets hit the table. Jang Minhyuk spoke up hesitantly.
"Sorry, but I got stuck midway and didn't finish."
"It's cool. Just go over what I show you—no pressure."
I started with Jang Minhyuk's notebook right beside me.
He'd clearly put in a lot of effort—symbols cluttered the page in a tangled mess.
I reviewed his work from the top.
Solid start, but the equations cut off partway.
It was that same spot where Shin Ayoung had clutched her head at the cafe a few days back.
He'd gotten snagged on the killer part too, no doubt.
"This section's a beast, huh? But you nailed everything up to it. Nice work."
His face, rigid like he was facing a teacher's inspection, finally softened.
I tossed him some light praise and turned forward.
Seo Arin's turn next.
Same story—she'd stalled at the exact same point.
Process before that was spot-on, though, so I gave her the same pep talk.
Finally, Shin Ayoung.
I already knew the score, but played dumb and flipped open her notebook.
Neatly scripted lines ran straight down the page.
It was so crisp, admiration hit me instantly.
To double-check she'd really grasped my guidance, I read it over carefully.
Unlike the other two, she'd powered through the tough bit to the answer—a flawless solve.
"Spot-on. You crushed it."
I shot up a thumbs-up and wiggled my wrist in approval.
She met my eyes for a second, then dropped her gaze, staring blankly at my hand.
Her look was like she was dredging up some memory.
"Hey?"
"Ah... uh! Yeah! Sorry. It just overlapped with an old memory all of a sudden."
Strange words, paired with an apology.
I held her notebook and asked,
"Mind if I use this for the explanation? Your handwriting's so clean—way easier to follow than my scribbles."
"Sure, go for it. I'm good."
With the okay, I set it on the table for all to see and launched into the breakdown, focusing on Jang Minhyuk and Seo Arin.
"Looks like you hit a snag here, so first, check the circuit. This bit, and here..."
They both wore total bewilderment at first, but after a few run-throughs, it clicked.
"Whoa! So that's how it connects. How'd you even think of this? Genius?"
"Never crossed my mind. Who knew this formula went here."
Exclamations flew as they scrambled to copy it into their own notes.
I gave them a breather and glanced at Shin Ayoung.
She'd stayed quiet through my spiel, so I'd figured she knew it cold—but that puzzled look forced my hand.
"Anything unclear? Even if you solved it?"
"No, I get it all... but your solution's identical. The explanation too."
I flinched inwardly.
Obviously— I'd taught her myself.
In hindsight, I should've tweaked it a tad to dodge suspicion, but I'd gotten too wrapped up.
She'd never peg me as a ghost, but I'd probably sparked some doubts.
"Eh, it's just working off what we covered. Methods stay the same. You solved it exactly like me at first anyway."
"True... yeah."
"Straight from the book or online formulas. Weirder if some prof-level alternate popped up."
"...Fair point. It was just exactly like mine, so I asked."
Her tone lingered uneasy, but the suspicion seemed defused for now.
I turned away and sipped my coffee.
Getting tangled up more in the real world was ramping up my exposure risk.
Gotta watch the little habits and quirks from here on.
As I mulled what to mind, the scribbling halted.
The group stared at me, faces screaming "now what?"
"Give this a shot. Ping me if stuck. End of session, I'll flag the next study cutoff."
Shin Ayoung included, they all dove back in.
I leaned back and picked up my train of thought.
Don't cut this bud now, it'll snowball.
Avatar mode right here?
See my body and ghost side by side, and any doubts should evaporate.
Solid plan—I'd roll with it on the spot.
Arms crossed to hold posture, eyes shut.
My soul slid free, phasing close to Shin Ayoung in transparent mode first.
Time crunch, so quick-finisher hunt.
No shot at pants-off pounding here.
Blowjob? Mouth gape too obvious. Titjob? That snug short-sleeve'd jiggle wrong.
Brainstorming, Yoon Hye-yoon's zipper-only solo from last time flashed up.
I ducked under the table, wedging between Shin Ayoung's legs.
Semi-transparent mode on.
I materialized below; she jolted, eyes bulging round.
I waved once, unzipped her pants.
Skin-hugging black panties emerged—I pressed a finger to them.
She flashed X-signs with index fingers under the table, clamping her thighs.
Me smack in the middle? Pointless.
I shoved panties aside, trailed bare skin downward.
Fingertip met her round clit; I rubbed the hood fast.
Bearable buzz? She flicked glances at the group, then resumed her work.
Quick send-off goal—I cranked speed early.
Clit firmed up; her lower belly twitched.
No pause—soon, abs clenched tight, she shuddered through a light climax.
Hand out, avatar off.
Back in body, posture locked, stayed still.
"I'm done! Flows smooth now."
"Me too."
"All done here."
Shin Ayoung's voice, lightly flushed, signaled wrap-up. I uncrossed, eyes open.
Textbook splayed center-table, I recapped.
"Next up to here. Tough too—don't bail if unsolved. That's today."
"Good work!"
"You too."
"Thanks for the effort."
Progress done, packing commenced.
Table cleared; we lingered over coffee.
Awkward vibe—no one jumping to talk.
Chat or bounce with cup in hand? Seo Arin broke ice.
"Ah! Ayoung. Kinda personal, but mind if I ask something?"
"Huh? Yeah, shoot. What?"
"School rumors flying lately... You break up with your boyfriend?"
Bit nosy? But she took it calm.
No-big-deal tone followed.
"Yeah. Broke up. Just didn't click."
"Gotcha. Sorry."
"No sweat. Found something better anyway—over it now."
"Huh? New guy's in the picture? Or going solo?"
"That's... secret."
Faint smile, coffee in hand, she rose.
"Heading out first. Good work, all."
Eye contact greetings all around, then out the cafe.
Too awkward to stick; I wrapped too.
"Me too. Good work today."
"Leader, good work!"
"You too."
The pair looked set to linger, still seated.
I exited, straight home.
But weekend today... Stuck with Shin Ayoung again?