Chapter 99: Familiar

Chapter 99: Familiar

“Wow, what’s this? It really feels like the end of the year festival.”

I couldn’t help but tilt my head at the awkwardness of the UI concert schedule set for the end of December.

“Why? What’s wrong?”

Choi Yiseo, who found it strange that I didn’t look too happy even after succeeding in getting tickets, asked while drinking her coffee.

“No, I’m not sure if I’ll have time to go to the concert.”

Because around this time, I was planning to go work at the Gold One Hotel in Gangwon-do.

When I talked to senior Ju-hee, she said there were plenty of spots and that they’d put anyone to work if they just showed up on time.

Since they provide lodging and meals, and it’s in the mountains where there’s hardly a need to spend money, I thought it might be quite an attractive place for a broke uni student like me.

Working in hotel management or culinary arts, initially for practice, but often ending up taking a part-time job there, suggested it’s quite a decent gig for many.

“You’re working part-time, huh.”

“Yeah, trying not to take money from home. So, I’m planning to move into the dorm from my sophomore year. They said working part-time during the vacation can also add bonus points during the interview for the dorms.”

It was a way to indirectly appeal about financial difficulties, wasn’t it?

In fact, the best method was to get good grades, as Anonymous90... that’s what the student from the Department of Physical Therapy, Lee Eun-woo, told me.

“Hmm.”

Choi Yiseo looked at me with a contemplative expression.

“Well, we can think about it when the time comes. If it doesn’t work out, I can give it to you, and you can go see it with someone else.”

“...It’s fine, you’ve succeeded. If it’s not with you, I don’t particularly want to go either.”

I was slightly moved by those words, but I forced myself to pretend otherwise and coughed, which made Choi Yiseo smile slightly.

“You’re pretending not to be moved when you are.”

How does she know me so well?

“Well, let’s think about the concert later. For now, we should focus on our assignment at hand? I’ll help, so let’s get it done quickly.”

Choi Yiseo quickly changed the subject. Indeed, finishing the assignment was the priority.

“Still, if you want to go later, tell me. I’ll give you a ticket if I can.”

Or maybe I could cancel and rebook right away?

I’m not sure if that’s possible though.

As I turned the editing program back on and said that, Choi Yiseo also gently smiled and agreed.

‘The atmosphere is somewhat...’

When Seo Yerin and Yu Arin are together, it feels like a chaotic fight would break out at any moment, but now it’s comfortable and my mind feels somewhat at ease.

“I told you it wasn’t me! That bastard made me do it!”

“Just because you’re told to do something, you just do it? Huh? Do you?”

“Ah! What am I supposed to do now! I promised my girlfriend I’d definitely succeed in ticketing!”

Although the bizarre screams of the fools could be heard from behind me, I pretended not to hear and moved on.

Ahn Hyeon-ho keeps trying to pin the blame on me, but the actual perpetrator is that guy, isn’t it?

But of course.

“Hey, Kim Woojin!”

“You trashy bastard!”

Having heard the whole story, Pyo Jinho and Kang Han-kang came striding over, looking as if they wanted to kill me.

“How could you do that! Huh? Are you even human? Are you?”

“Hey, Yiseo, hello? Sorry, but can I take him away for a moment?”

Pyo Jinho rudely pressed her with questions.

To capture the enemy leader, shoot the horse, was it? Kang Han-kang approached Choi Yiseo first.

Though the two pushed aggressively as if they were some kind of carrot and stick...

“I don’t want to.”

Choi Yiseo’s expression, which had been creating a fresh and soft atmosphere until just now, turned cold.

It felt similar to when I first saw her in class.

‘Come to think of it.’

Choi Yiseo had reminded me anew that she originally had this type of aura, which surprised me.

Choi Yiseo, with an expressionless face, glared at Kang Han-kang and Pyo Jinho and slowly crossed her legs while looking up at them.

“What’s going on?”

The two, overwhelmed by her chilly demeanor, especially Pyo Jinho, shrank back more because of his past experience of getting scolded by Yu Arin.

“Well, you see, Yiseo. The thing is...”

Han-kang, noticing the situation, quickly tried to explain their circumstances to her, so I immediately stood up between them.

“I did nothing wrong!”

No.

I know I did something wrong.

“Don’t talk nonsense!”

From afar, Ahn Hyeon-ho, who got battered, yelled in anger after receiving comfort from Chan-woo, but I decided to be even more shameless.

“Yiseo, don’t listen to them! Just trust me!”

“Is this the first or second time for you? Such things don’t matter, right?”

“Crazy girl.”

Super confident Choi Yiseo.

Instead, she tightened her grip around my neck, making it feel sore as if I was in a headlock.

Turning her body slightly to sit beside me, Choi Yiseo pressed on my cheek with her other hand and asked.

“Spit it out. Now.”

I’ve lost.

I couldn’t win against Choi Yiseo when she was being this forceful.

“That, that is...”

Like a husband reporting to his wife that he’d bought a PlayStation, I grumbled and confessed.

Crack!

Choi Yiseo’s fingers pressing against my cheek tightened. It’s not just any pressure; it felt like my teeth might fall out.

“I’m sorry.”

Without saying anything, just pressing down on my cheek, this somehow felt scarier than if she were outright yelling at me for what I did.

“I said I’m sorry.”

“......”

“I said I’m sorry! Say something! It’s scary!”

It feels like a hole might be drilled through my cheek.

Choi Yiseo slowly removes her hand.

But she still hasn’t let go of the arm around my neck, and her cold glare hasn’t lessened in intensity at all.

Eventually, sitting awkwardly on me, I sneak a glance at the menu that appeared on the screen and say,

“Choose whatever you want to eat. I’ll really buy you anything...”

I reach out, brushing against Choi Yiseo’s back to grab the mouse.

Though it ends up looking like I’m holding Choi Yiseo in my arms, it probably won’t appease her anger, whatever it is.

I stare sulkily at the screen.

Refreshing the page.

“...Hmm?”

Suddenly, a soft sensation on my cheek. As I quickly turned my head, there was Choi Yiseo, avoiding my gaze as if embarrassed.

“No, it’s just that, you looking sullen seemed a bit cute...”

“Isn’t this like bipolar disorder?”

Looking at her incredulously, she pressed her finger against my cheek again, and my head turned back towards the monitor.

Smooch.

And then, the same sensation was felt on my cheek. This time, she didn’t turn her head, but she looked embarrassed and slightly lowered it.

“Hey, what is it this time?”

“I was worried it might hurt from the pressing earlier.”

So, was that a kiss to make it better?

It seemed like the pain was fading away.

Kiss.

“Stop it, that’s enough. It’s hard for me.”

Kiss.

“What is it this time?”

The continuous kisses from her made it increasingly difficult to hold back.

My heart was racing as if it had caught a fever inside, and all my nerves seemed to be concentrated on my cheek, an illusion.

The first to react was, of course.

“This...”

My lower half.

Choi Yiseo cautiously moved her gaze back down.

Pretending not to notice, I forced myself to focus on the monitor, but the mouse pointer, having nowhere to go, just repeated meaningless movements here and there.

“I-I’m used to it! It’s not the first or second time you’ve done this!”

Despite feeling a touch on her thigh, unlike before, Choi Yiseo pretended to be unaffected with a flushed face.

“......”

“......”

“......”

“...Ah, ahem. Tha-that’s a bit too much.”

Because the lower half, which was increasingly exerting its force and revealing its true nature, was poking Choi Yiseo.

Choi Yiseo carefully got up off me and returned to the seat next to me that she was originally sitting on.

Overwhelmed by a wave of shame, I wanted to go home.