Chapter 66
Chapter 66
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: crow
Chapter Title: What's the Ghost's Identity?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
With that peaceful day behind us, the next day arrived.
I arrived at the cafe ten minutes early, as always.
When I got to the table, surprisingly, all the group members were already there.
Seo Arin and Jang Minhyuk were in the back seats, while Shin Ayoung sat next to Seo Arin, each fiddling with their phones.
I approached and greeted them.
"Hey, everyone. Looks like I'm last this time."
"Come on in, oppa!"
"You're here, hyung."
"Hello."
It had been a month since we started working on the group assignment together, so we'd all gotten somewhat close and dropped the formal speech naturally.
I set my bag down in the remaining empty seat, then stretched my neck while glancing at each group member one by one.
Seo Arin and Jang Minhyuk had their usual bright expressions.
And then there was Shin Ayoung, radiating that untouchable aura.
I casually glanced at her chest before speaking to her.
"Should we grab some coffee first?"
"Yeah, let's go."
As Shin Ayoung and I stood up at the same time, orders came flying from the group.
"I'll have an iced Americano!"
"Latte for me, please."
Repeating the orders in my head, I headed to the counter when Shin Ayoung spoke up.
"Group leader, about that solution you sent yesterday... how did you solve it?"
"I just looked stuff up online, checked the answer key, and racked my brain until it clicked."
"Impressive. I always get stuck midway. I barely understood the one you sent yesterday."
"If you solved yesterday's problem, that's seriously good. It was the toughest one so far."
I feigned surprise, acting like it was news to me.
She looked at my face and smirked.
"Honestly, your handwriting is so unique, I almost didn't recognize it."
"What's wrong with my handwriting?"
"Hmm... how should I put it? It's quirky in spots, and it reminds me of someone I know."
"That person must have killer penmanship then."
"I don't think so."
Shin Ayoung shut it down firmly.
I swallowed the hurt and replied.
"...Sounds like you're saying I can't write."
"It's not that you can't write. You just make the symbols in such a fascinating way that they look like something else."
"In what way?"
"Like... twisting the top tail or whatever. Hard to describe."
"Cursive has that kind of flair. But professors can read it just fine, I'm sure."
"You think?"
Our chit-chat continued until the coffee orders were ready.
On the way back to the table, Shin Ayoung, curiosity unsatisfied, asked another question.
"So where'd you learn to write like that? On your own?"
"I just wanted to nail the symbols accurately, and it looks cool, so I practiced alone."
"To write like you do, you'd probably need at least three years in engineering, right?"
"Yeah, since the new symbols pop up in third year."
She pondered my words with a furrowed brow.
Then she muttered so softly only someone right next to her could hear.
"Engineering, third year or higher..."
A little later, we sipped our coffee as the meeting kicked off properly.
Everyone laid out what they'd studied on the table, and I went through them one by one.
Honestly, even blank pages wouldn't have mattered much, but I could see they'd all put in real effort.
Seo Arin and Jang Minhyuk had clearly studied together, getting stuck in the same spots.
"Did you two solve it as a pair by any chance?"
"Huh!? How'd you know? You're not a ghost or anything..."
"It's obvious. Same wrong equations in the same places."
They scratched their heads sheepishly at that.
"Not complaining or anything. It's great to see the effort."
After checking Shin Ayoung's work too, I placed my solution sheet in the center of the table.
The complex scribbles drew everyone's heads forward in admiration.
"Whoa... you solved all this?"
"Seriously impressive, hyung. Lucky we're in the same group."
Even Shin Ayoung, who'd seen a preview, seemed fascinated by the original.
I began explaining to my awed group mates.
It took quite a while, repeating sections multiple times before we wrapped up.
It was tough stuff—they all slumped back in their chairs with drained looks.
To motivate them, I added a word of encouragement.
"This was the hardest problem, so memorize the solution and you'll snag an A. Professors usually just tweak the numbers."
"Memorizing that seems impossible..."
"Maybe skip this one and memorize the rest?"
"Still looks hard..."
Their despair brought a slight smile to my face.
I clapped once to lighten the mood and continued.
"First, copy the solution. Then we'll take a break. After that, questions."
They picked up their pens and started scribbling again at my words.
Meanwhile, I zoned out, scanning the cafe.
"Hey, oppa. Can I ask something? How do you write this?"
Not long after, Seo Arin had a question.
Turning, I saw her pointing at a symbol with her pen, curiosity in her eyes.
Noticing my gaze, she traced it in her notebook and spoke again.
"Is there a stroke order? Some parts are thick, others not—feels awkward."
"Like this. Start from the top down..."
I grabbed my pen to demonstrate, and everyone focused on my hand.
Shin Ayoung's stare was especially intense.
"Got it?"
"Looks like just quick strokes. Think I'll snap a pic with my phone. Better for printing later."
"Me too!"
Jang Minhyuk, who'd been diligently copying, heard her and pulled out his phone too.
After several clicks died down, I reached to take back my notebook.
"Hold on. Could you write it once more?"
Serious-faced Shin Ayoung.
She slid her notebook toward me.
No reason to refuse, so I drew it quickly.
"Again. Slowly."
She leaned in, eyes locked on my hand's every move.
I had to draw it three times before she let me go.
"Sorry. First time seeing cursive like that. It was intriguing."
Realizing she'd asked too much, she apologized right away.
I shook my head to say it was fine and announced the break.
"Everyone got the solution copied? Ten-minute break starting now."
They chatted and hit the bathroom, and ten minutes passed. I answered all their questions.
Once they seemed to get it, we wrapped up.
"Next week, each person explains one problem. I'll handle the toughest number four, of course. Everyone has to present, so pick your strongest one."
"I'll take number three."
Shin Ayoung raised her hand right as I finished.
I'd hoped she'd volunteer for three anyway—made things easier. Best for the smart ones to tackle the hard stuff.
"I'll do number two then."
"I'll take one!"
Jang Minhyuk and Seo Arin chimed in sequentially.
No hesitation, order set—I called it and dismissed us.
"That's it for today. Good work, everyone."
"Good work!"
All four of us left the cafe together today, then split off.
I headed straight home, killed time, and waited for nightfall.
When darkness fully settled, I went to Shin Ayoung.
She was already asleep in bed, looking exhausted.
I carefully sat in the desk chair without waking her, turning the mood light to its dimmest.
The now-lit desk was cluttered with textbooks, notebooks, and stationery.
She must've studied right up until bedtime.
To pass the time, I flipped open her notebook.
Leafing through pages of complex equations and doodles, I found a corner with a small memo.
It was all about guessing my identity.
Spot-on facts mixed with close guesses on height and weight.
Seeing it made my head spin.
I leaned back in the chair, lost in thought, when rustling came from behind.
"Mm... what time is it?"
Shin Ayoung's raspy voice groped for her phone.
I dragged the chair to the bedside.
The scraping noise made her whip around to check.
Seeing it was me, she relaxed and greeted weakly.
"Oh, you're here? Sorry for making you wait."
I stroked her head to signal it was okay.
She closed her eyes, smiling contentedly, savoring the touch.
Like petting a docile cat.
I brushed her sweat-dampened bangs upward.
Then Shin Ayoung grabbed my arm and tugged me toward the bed.
"Lie here next to me. I wanna hold you tight."
She scooted to the far side, maximizing space for me.
I rose from the chair and lay beside her slowly. Long, pale arms wrapped around me.
"Sniff sniff."
She buried her face in my neck, inhaling deeply.
Not like there was much scent beyond skin.
I reached out, pulling her slim waist closer.
She let out a pleased moan and started talking.
"Hng... Figured I'd sleep late again today, so I dozed off early. Wanna have long sex...♡"
She rubbed her thigh against my cock.
Her voice turned sticky, like sharing a secret.
"Remember that thing in my ass yesterday? Truth is... I've had it in all day today. Even during group work."
She guided my hand to her butt.
Between her cheeks, my fingers felt the same plastic as before.
I pressed and teased it, making her clench and press closer.
"And... to keep it clean, I've only had water since last night."
"Body all limp, hole nicely stretched... feels amazing...♡ Wanna slide in and check?"