YDCFGD 24

Chapter 24

Yeongpung High School’s convenience store was famous for its near-convenience-store quality. Unlike other school stores that colluded with the school to hike prices, this one even had good discounts.

It was already open for a few seniors who came early to study on their own. The air from the AC brushing against my skin was so cool!

I looked over the snacks on display, marveling.

“So this is all welfare paid for by the Seohae Foundation…”

I didn’t know about Ryoo Do-kyung, but Chairman Ryoo is the best!

Recalling Chairman Ryoo’s appearance from not long ago, I gave a thumbs-up in my mind.

“What should I buy?”

When I actually came to the store, there wasn’t much I wanted. Since I was filming, I was refraining from high-calorie foods, so my options were limited.

After thinking for a bit, I picked up a zero-calorie soda.

Mine… soda. I vaguely remembered hearing it was the school store’s signature drink…

I headed to the register but paused.

“What do boys like?”

Since I was already paired, I didn’t want to be at odds with Woon Seong-ha, but maybe giving a little gift would help.

Even if I lightly bought something, I didn’t know his taste.

“I only went to all-girls schools…”

I’d need someone around to know. If I had to pick, it would be Ryoo Do-kyung and Do Je-hyun. Byeon Seo-jun wasn’t a peer, so I skipped him.

I couldn’t ask Ryoo Do-kyung, and Do Je-hyun was probably filming by now.

“This should be fine…”

I grabbed a banana milk. Almost nobody dislikes it, so Woon Seong-ha probably wouldn’t either.

After paying, I happily headed back to the classroom.

“…Found you.”

Far ahead, Ryoo Do-kyung approached me, his eyes shining. Like a predator who spotted prey, his gaze was intense.

In the end, Ryoo Do-kyung caught me and gave me a lecture.

He said it was fine if I left him behind, but not to go out alone early in the morning. At least take a bodyguard with me.

He barely stopped me from contacting my grandfather, Chairman Joo, to ask him directly.

I thought it was finally settled, but the problem was…

“Why don’t you check your messages? Again.”
“I don’t look at my phone much.”
“You do when it’s something important.”
“Uhm… that’s work, though…”
“Ah, work.”

Ryoo Do-kyung scolding me about checking messages.

Moreover, he seemed irritated by my reply, repeating my words mockingly.

His face was already cold, and with that cold smile, it was like Siberia here.

“Managing you is work for me too.”
“….”
“You read your own stuff immediately because it’s important, but my messages don’t matter?”

I couldn’t argue with the logic of the Seohae Group heir. I really hadn’t been reading his messages.

But I wasn’t ready to treat my first love—who knew all my embarrassing past—casually. Even now, things were already awkward.

“Joo Sae-i, I get it—you don’t like me anymore.”
“…Um.”
“Just read my messages. I’m not expecting anything from you either.”

Suddenly bringing up the fact that he once liked me made me inch back.

Expecting nothing from me, huh.

I hadn’t confessed, but I guess this is what it feels like to be rejected.

Of course, I wasn’t expecting anything from him either. I wasn’t planning to follow Ryoo Do-kyung around or confess my feelings now.

In my past life, seeing him grow up as a noble knight made my heart flutter… but at least now wasn’t the time to like anyone.

My head turned sideways automatically. If I met his eyes now, he might see my true feelings.

Then I realized.

“…He’s been watching me from afar!”

The early-arriving students were sneaking glances at Ryoo Do-kyung and me as they passed.

Even if they didn’t come close to eavesdrop, everyone’s attention was on us.

“I think I get this look.”

The look of ‘Who is she to be with Ryoo Do-kyung?’

Everyone already knew Ryoo Do-kyung was the grandson and official heir of Seohae Group’s Chairman Ryoo from the news.

No one would spread a rumor about knowing a member of the business world!

Feeling the stares growing uncomfortable, I tried to dart away from Ryoo Do-kyung.

“Where are you going?”

Of course, his long legs blocked me.

“I don’t have a hobby of playing tag at school.”
“Me neither, but people are staring right now…”

I graduated from the elementary-school hobby of playing tag. What did he think I was doing?

Flustered, I snapped at him, and Ryoo Do-kyung laughed heartily. His smile lifted broadly.

When I glared, he poked my forehead with his index finger. He used to do this a lot when we were younger.

“You can glare like that too.”
“I’ve done it plenty before.”
“Oh, right. I forgot for a moment.”

Ryoo Do-kyung withdrew his hand. He fell silent, lost in thought, then slowly spoke.

“…Maybe I just remember your crying face more than anything.”

Huh? Why is he looking so tender…

I stepped back cautiously.

“Every time you cried, you wiped your tears and nose on my sleeve. I ended up throwing away a shirt.”
“….”
“Do you know how much that shirt cost?”

Why bring that up here now?

I wouldn’t listen. Not listening is enough.

As Ryoo Do-kyung unexpectedly dredged up my embarrassing past, I covered my ears with my palms in protest.

Perhaps expecting this reaction, Ryoo Do-kyung showed a satisfied smile. He then glanced at the banana milk in my hand.

“You like that?”
“Oh, that’s not mine.”
“Then whose?”
“Friend…?”

Can Woon Seong-ha really be called a friend?

Hesitating to answer, I was met with Ryoo Do-kyung’s sharp gaze. I shrank instinctively under his tiger-like eyes.

“Friend? Male? Name.”
“No, why would I…”
“I know you don’t have friends.”

Is he crazy? Did he get heatstroke? Why is he being so pushy?

I couldn’t keep up with his direct way of speaking.

“Uh… I do. I think his name is Kyung-seo…?”

I couldn’t bring myself to say Woon Seong-ha’s name. Ryoo Do-kyung might react badly.

I know he wouldn’t, but…

Since both of us had changed a lot, I needed to be careful for now.

After quickly inventing a friend’s name, I was able to get away from Ryoo Do-kyung. Maybe he let me go because there were so many onlookers.

I headed to the classroom, one hand holding banana milk and the other dripping soda from the heat.

By now, most students should have arrived.

Looking through the window, the classroom seemed fairly full.

Opening the classroom door again,

“What are you staring at, disgusting.”
“Why don’t you help your grandma instead?”

A group near my seat was shouting insults at someone. As I entered, the classroom’s atmosphere turned cold.

The coldness at my arrival was brief. Sharp words were again directed at someone. Too many people seemed involved to guess who was saying what.

Even as a transfer student unaware of the situation, I could tell it was bullying, yet no one tried to stop it.

I slowly approached my seat.

No matter how I look at it… that side is…

It should be Woon Seong-ha’s seat.

Just as I expected.

As I got closer, I saw a group surrounding Woon Seong-ha, poking his shoulders and hurling insults.

At the center of the group…

“Joo Su… Yeon?”

My enemy, my maternal uncle. His daughter, Joo Su-yeon.

With her arms crossed arrogantly, she watched the other students harass Woon Seong-ha, as if she were some tyrant queen.

Joo Su-yeon laughed, clearly enjoying seeing Woon Seong-ha bullied right in front of her.

Is she crazy…

Before I could tell her to stop, my body moved first. I set down the soda and pushed through the group, grabbing Joo Su-yeon’s wrist.

Startled, her crossed arms fell, and she looked at me in confusion. By the time her face filled my vision, it was already too late.