Chapter 23

<Episode 24> Looks like the protagonist really is a bastard after all…

“You’re still coming to school? You disgrace, thinking of barking at Master Yu-jin so shamefully?”

Young-hee smirked, lifting the corners of her mouth.

Seeing this, Chul-soo’s face twisted into an indescribable expression.

Unperturbed, Young-hee clung even closer to Yu-jin.

It was as if she were proudly showing off her trophy.

“Ah, if you don’t mind, please stop talking to me at school. You see, I’ve decided to become Lady Yu-jin.”

It was a smile unimaginable from the original Young-hee.

Mocking her opponent, inflicting pain, and looking down on them like bugs.

Strangely seductive, yet clearly looking down on Chul-soo.

‘Huh? Why is Young-hee acting like this all of a sudden?’

Yu-jin tilted his head in confusion.

The Young-hee he knew would never act like this.

Rather, she left an impression of being extremely kind and innocent.

That was true for the other students as well.

Generally, Young-hee never initiated conversations with others.

But once engaged in conversation, she treated people kindly.

She was the epitome of a socialite.

She only treated Chul-soo coldly.

‘Wasn’t Young-hee supposed to like Chul-soo?’

Of course, it was purely speculation on my part.

But it wasn’t entirely baseless.

When Chul-soo was dragged to the police station,

Wasn’t it Young-hee who sincerely begged for his release?

Kneeling down while pleading was quite surprising.

Whether that was romantic feelings or not, it was clear that Chul-soo was important to Young-hee.

‘So why this sudden change in attitude?’

What kind of mental shift caused this?

Especially right next to me?

A possibility struck Yu-jin’s mind after some thought.

‘Could this be… push-pull tactics…?’

He had seen something similar online before.

Popular socialites ride the “chemistry” wave.

During this “chemistry” phase, they play push-pull games, enjoying their sweet youthful romance.

‘Now that I think about it, I remember hearing that during chemistry, they pretend to be uninterested while making the other person beg.’

In other words, Young-hee was currently playing push-pull tactics with Chul-soo.

Pretending to be uninterested to make Chul-soo confess first.

‘Hot damn! Everything makes sense now!’

As far as Yu-jin knew, Chul-soo liked Young-hee.

Young-hee was somewhat aware of it,

And Young-hee also had feelings for Chul-soo.

This situation was the intermediate stage where whoever confesses first turns the “chemistry” into love!

Once someone gathers the courage, it’s the moment when youth begins!

But Chul-soo showed no signs of confessing, and even started skipping school.

How frustrating must it be from Young-hee’s perspective?

So Young-hee devised a strategy.

Pretending to like someone else while acting like just friends to provoke Chul-soo’s jealousy!

Leading him straight to confession.

‘Ugh! Young-hee is smarter than she looks.’

Yu-jin marveled at his own Holmes-like deduction skills.

If anyone else saw this, they’d probably smack him upside the head saying “Do you really think so, dumbass?”

Unfortunately, there was no one here to read Yu-jin’s inner thoughts.

And the worst judgment of all,

‘I can’t just sit by and watch this!’

Yu-jin decided to help Young-hee.

After all, it’s a friend’s romantic affairs.

It’s only right to support her.

“Isn’t Young-hee pretty?”

Of course, what could an awkward loner do to help?

Showing off his pathetic word skills and communication abilities by placing a hand on her shoulder was all he managed.

But this action had a fatal effect in the current situation.

“……Kim Yu-jin.”

“Oh my, how dare you, a loser, speak Master Yu-jin’s name so casually?”

Young-hee clung to Yu-jin in response.

Wrapping her arms around his waist, she nestled comfortably into his large embrace.

“Hmph, thinking back now gives me goosebumps on how I ever fell for such a pitiful man like you.”

Then she smiled wickedly, raising only the corners of her mouth.

“I must have been so stupid. What advantages did you even have? No money, no powerful connections, certainly not strong. Compared to Master Yu-jin, you lack everything from one to ten.”

Words she would never have said originally.

But the current Young-hee didn’t care.

To hurt him more.

To make him give up on someone like her.

Deliberately choosing words that would wound Chul-soo, sharpening them before spitting them out.

“Still, it’s fortunate. I was saved by Master Yu-jin from someone like you.”

Then she raised her toes.

With a soft “chuck”, something gentle touched Yu-jin’s cheek.

A satisfied smile and eyes gazing at her beloved like a lovesick girl.

Her slightly flushed cheeks completed the image.

“Master Yu-jin is truly an amazing man. Not just about money or family background. His power and capacity are incomparable to someone like you.”

However, her gaze turned cold the moment it faced Chul-soo.

Looking at worthless trash.

Chul-soo silently accepted this without a word.

He didn’t argue.

Didn’t get angry.

Showed no signs of sadness or despair.

He merely stared at her provocations quietly.

“You should give up already, right? Someone like you could never be worthy of Master Yu-jin.”

She adjusted her chin while linking arms with Yu-jin.

An extremely simple action but it felt like telling him to know his place.

Yet Chul-soo showed no reaction.

Losing interest, Young-hee sharply turned her head.

“Let’s go, Master Yu-jin. Someone like that guy isn’t even worth dealing with. How about we go on another date like last time?”

Just as Young-hee was leading Yu-jin past Chul-soo,

“Hey Young-hee, let me tell you something.”

Chul-soo spoke softly.

“When you lie, you always twist your hair with your fingers.”

Startled by these words, Young-hee quickly removed her hand.

Clearly flustered, she glared at Chul-soo with a slightly sorrowful look.

“……You’re so stupid. There’s no way such old habits would remain.”

Saying that, she moved her feet again.

Yeah, this is better.

Rather than continuing to suffer, this is preferable.

If I’m not involved, Chul-soo won’t get hurt.

Certainly, that’s what should be done.

“Hey Chul-soo, want to hang out with me sometime?”

Yu-jin suddenly asked while walking.

Casually, as if asking if they wanted to do homework together.

Of course, Chul-soo wasn’t someone who could ignore this.

No, there was no way he could overlook it.

Running away here would mean giving up on Young-hee.

Chul-soo couldn’t possibly not realize that.

…Though Yu-jin threw this out there remembering Soo-hyun’s earlier comment “I wish our main character Chul-soo would get stronger!”

There was no way anyone else would know that.

“Whatcha thinking all of a sudden?”

“There’s no big meaning. I just hope you’ll get stronger. If you’re okay with it, let’s have a friendly spar after school. The loser grants a wish, how’s that sound?”

Chul-soo closed his eyes for a moment.

Then nodded.

Surprisingly positive response made Yu-jin grin widely.

“Alright, I accept. But it’ll be different from last time.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure it is.”

Eh, even so, I won’t break your arm again~

He boasts as someone who learns from failure.

Won’t make the same mistake twice.

“Got it.”

Having said that to Chul-soo, Yu-jin turned and began moving his steps.

Thinking of something, Yu-jin asked Young-hee beside him.

“Hey Young-hee, wanna come watch?”

“Sweating Chul-soo will definitely raise your affection points, right?”

I’ll enthusiastically support your love life, hehe.

Thinking such ridiculous thoughts while smiling.

Not expecting this kind of outcome, Young-hee could only-

“Yes! I’m looking forward to it!”

Smile brightly and answer.

* * *

Water flows in the sink.

Young-hee blankly stares at the pouring water.

These days, the time spent lost in thought has increased.

Lifting her head, there’s a mirror.

The person in it is herself, but also not herself.

Her once proud long hair is now cut short, her skin dry.

Dark circles heavily shade under her eyes from lack of sleep.

Even though she tried to cover it with makeup, there’s a limit.

She can no longer smile genuinely.

Despite all this, she still hasn’t protected Chul-soo.

“Why, why are you still doing this?”

I don’t know. I don’t know.

Why am I doing this? I’m doing well, right?

…

I’m screaming with my whole body that I’ve become your woman.

I’ve never done this for Chul-soo.

I’m this desperate trying to cater to your every whim.

So why are you still hurting Chul-soo?

Please, stop already. Don’t hurt that child anymore.

When her eyes brimmed with redness, Chul-soo’s face listening silently to her words appeared.

Gulp!

Nausea rose, and she hurriedly went back to the toilet.

All that came out was stomach acid.

She hadn’t been eating properly recently.

Lost appetite, and Chul-soo’s face kept appearing whenever she ate.

After enduring for quite some time, tears finally burst from her eyes.

“Ugh, snif…sniff…”

Chul-soo looked fine at a glance.

But she knows.

How much damage that boy has suffered,

How her words have become terrifying weapons piercing his heart.

She didn’t say them hoping for this.

If she didn’t, Chul-soo would keep protecting her.

Would keep fighting Yu-jin.

“Please stop, Chul-soo. Don’t fight Yu-jin because of me. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

But Young-hee didn’t know.

How painful it was to hurt someone precious.

The feeling of guilt, like being stabbed in the heart with a sword,

Was something her kind-hearted nature couldn’t bear.

It hurts. It hurts too much.

Continuing to endure this pains her chest even more.

“Hic, I miss you. I miss you so much, Chul-soo…”

Calling out the name she misses so much, she lets the tears fall.

When she goes out from here, she’ll have to put on the mask and act.

If she doesn’t, she can’t escape from Yu-jin.

Feeling self-loathing,

Young-hee let out a silent scream that no one would hear.

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