Chapter 033: Suspicion

In the end, Choi Yiseo couldn't even eat properly with Kim Woojin and returned home.

Claiming she forgot about her dinner plans with Minji, Choi Yiseo's heart was full of confusion.

Why did Kim Woojin have a half-naked photo of Seo Yerin?

No matter how much she thought about it, Choi Yiseo couldn't find an answer and was left to her thoughts.

"Sigh…"

As she sighed and trudged inside, a spicy scent hit her nose.

It turned out that Minji was in the living room, eating the spicy rice cakes that she had ordered.

"Uh? Didn't you say you were going out for dinner after working out?"

It seemed like she had come back from the full-service hours which she had volunteered for the day and was now having this.

"Minji."

Having recently mended her ties with Minji, Choi Yiseo felt she might be able to share her worries.

And thus,

sitting across from each other, forgetting all about the exercise they had done today and eating the spicy rice cakes, Choi Yiseo shared her concerns.

It was a situation Choi Yiseo, with her own common sense, simply couldn't understand, so she felt she needed some help, even if it was the paw of a cat that she had to hold.

"What!?"

Naturally, Minji couldn't help but be shocked.

"N-no. You mean there was this half-naked photo of the goddess of your department on Kim Woojin's phone?!"

For a moment, she wondered if sharing this was a mistake because Minji had a history of spreading strange rumors about Kim Woojin.

But, Minji, who noticed her worry, quickly waved her hand.

"I'm not crazy! To begin with, it doesn't seem likely that Kim Woojin would do something that weird."

"That's what I'm saying."

Even she couldn't believe that Kim Woojin had those photos with some bad intentions.

"Let's think about it now. Is that really the photo of your department's goddess? It might not be."

"The moles, the body shape, and even the underwear were the same."

"Sigh."

If Choi Yiseo is this determined, then it must be correct. Minji scratched her head and popped a spicy rice cake into her mouth.

As she chewed on it, she pondered.

"Could it be that they're just dating? Perhaps it's a secret relationship, and that's why they're keeping it under wraps."

"Could it be?"

Choi Yiseo also found that to be the most plausible explanation, but for some reason, she hoped it wasn't true.

"If she's a goddess, she'd be popular among the boys, right?"

"Yes."

Seo Yerin's popularity extended beyond her department; it encompassed all departments at the university.

Rumors suggested that she had even received offers from major entertainment companies during high school, and even now, as she strolled around, she was handed business cards and men's phone numbers.

Given her popularity, it made sense that someone might want to continue dating her in secret.

'But why? '

This scenario didn't seem to fit.

After all, Kim Woojin spent much more time with her than with Seo Yerin.

'What kind of girlfriend would be okay with her boyfriend frequently hanging out with another girl?'

Especially considering they had even fallen asleep together in the sauna.

Furthermore.

'I-I'm pretty fine too.'

She knew it might be a stretch to think of herself that way, but she believed that she, too, could be counted among the beautiful women.

How could any woman overlook seeing such a woman constantly by her boyfriend's side?

"Haa, it doesn't seem like they're dating."

"Really?"

At Choi Yiseo's words, Minji began to consider a different angle. Given Kim Woojin's personality, the situation didn't seem dire.

The reason for possessing a half-naked photo of a beauty from the same department…

"Then, maybe, you know."

"Maybe?"

Minji hesitated momentarily, wondering if she was correct, and sneakily glanced at Choi Yiseo.

She had reached a conclusion but wasn't sure if it was appropriate to voice it.

"Why? What is it now?"

But with her friend's encouragement, Minji tightened her fist as if she had made a decision and inquired.

"Before that, I have one question, Yiseo."

"Uh?"

Minji's serious demeanor made Choi Yiseo slightly anxious, and she nodded slightly.

"Do you like Kim Woojin?"

When Minji asked bluntly, Choi Yiseo was taken aback and waved her hands.

"M-me? Like Woojin? Not at all!"

"Really?"

"Why are you suddenly asking that?"

"If it's not that, then there seems to be no need for you to worry about Kim Woojin having a half-naked photo of a goddess."

"..."

It wasn't an incorrect statement.

Instead, Choi Yiseo began to question why she had been worrying until now.

'R-right.'

Hanging out with Kim Woojin was enjoyable and comfortable, but if asked whether she felt any romance, the answer was no.

And yet…

Observing Choi Yiseo confronting her emotions directly and becoming confused, Minji stroked her chin.

Well, if she were to give the answer she was thinking of…

"In my opinion, the two of them are."

"…The two of them are?"

As Choi Yiseo gulped and focused on Minji, who confidently stated.

"Friends with benefits."

"Haa."

The arrival of autumn at Gahyeon University meant several things. It also meant that midterms were slowly approaching, so everyone was studying hard.

Naturally, the atmosphere carried on in the Bamboo Forest.

-Anonymous27: Is anyone taking Introduction to Economics with Professor Heo Minsu?

-Anonymous: I'm taking it, why?

-Anonymous27: I missed a couple of lectures, so I'm not sure about things like the scope of the exam.

-Anonymous186: How many did you miss?

-Anonymous27: 4, please.

-Anonymous186: Without 3, it's an F.

-Anonymous88: Here's a tip on scheduling exams. First….

-Anonymous275: Desperately need a cheat sheet for Counseling Psychology Statistics, considering up to 10.

-Anonymous97: Should I just join the military? Feels like I have ruined my life.

-Anonymous17: I want to ask my crush to study together, but how?

-Anonymous23: What subject?

-Anonymous314: I'm fine, so just go ahead and talk. You are surely invited.

-Anonymous69: I want to have sex so bad!

-Anonymous90: I want to as well! Feeling so horny today!

-Anonymous111: Everyone! Let's keep our spirits up today too! Midterms are coming! Popo is cheering for you!

-Anonymous300: Popo cheer up too!

-Anonymous301: If you need any lecture notes later, just let me know!

-Anonymous302: Cheer up, goddess of the construction department!

-Anonymous11: Seriously, stop stealing the Airpods now. I need them during exam times.

Conversations related to exams were naturally occurring, but it wasn't just about exams.

-Anonymous233: I wish the Gahyeon University Festival would come sooner. I am surviving exams just to see it.

The Gahyeon University Festival.

In other words, the college fest.

Although festivals are usually held in mid-May, Gahyeon University deliberately chooses this time for theirs.

I heard it's scheduled like this to avoid overlapping with nearby universities.

Anyway.

Since the midterms are done, the atmosphere on the board wasn't too hostile.

Well, if we're talking about hostility…

Choi Yiseo, who is glaring at me right now, is the most hostile.

"…Yiseo, what's wrong?"

It was lunchtime on Tuesday.

Choi Yiseo and I had overlapping lectures, so we went to eat pork bulgogi for the first time in a while.

Seo Yerin, who was sitting next to me, whispered and asked, but all I could do was naturally respond that I didn't know.

"I don't know, it's been like that since last Friday."

Ever since coming back from the gym last Friday, without even eating dinner and just leaving, it's been like this continuously.

Especially now, getting together with Seo Yerin, the glares were even sharper.

"Is it because of the spicy pork?"

"Sorry, but I won that rock-paper-scissors."

"Since you chose spicy pork, a little more consideration would have been nice."

"Are you suddenly not a fan of spicy pork?"

"..."

I stood my ground firmly, and Seo Yerin's reaction seemed incredulous, but given the events since Friday, spicy pork shouldn't be the main concern.

"Sigh, I'm not sure."

Anyway, trying to change the subject, I turned to Choi Yiseo.

"What's the plan for the festival? I heard each department is organizing something."

I heard that current students are almost obligated to participate. I thought Choi Yiseo, as the department representative, might have some insights.

"We haven't decided yet. Maybe something like a street pub?"

It's somewhat reassuring that she's responding diligently despite her grumbling.

"After all, everyone does something similar. It's not like we're in a Japanese anime."

In Japanese anime, they have maid cafés, but if that were to happen at a college festival, it would be outdated immediately, don't you think?

Seo Yerin flinched beside me.

Curious about her reaction, she awkwardly picked up some side dishes with her chopsticks and started eating.

"Woo-Woojin watches anime too?"

"Huh? Yes, I watch it often. It's entertaining."

Isn't there a certain charm in anime that can't be found in dramas or movies? Sometimes lines that would sound cheesy in real life can be touching in anime.

"…What are you staring at?"

Seo Yerin asked, leaning towards me. The moment I saw it, I grasped the situation instantly.

"Heh."

She's keeping her anime-watching habit a secret.

That's plausible, considering.

Reflecting on it, she's the type to conceal her gaming habits, so it's unlikely she'd openly admit to watching anime.

"Well, here and there. Lately, I've been watching shows like Demon Slayer."

"That's an interesting one… I enjoyed it too."

Choi Yiseo sighed, glancing at Seo Yerin who was muttering to herself.

"Phew, hey, come on now. Why are you so embarrassed?"

"Ah, no. It's not that I'm embarrassed…."

"Are you embarrassed to watch anime? Is watching anime a crime? Are you ashamed of being an otaku?"

"Woo-Woojin!"

The eyes of the students here to eat pork suddenly turned to us. Since there were just guys to begin with, they cast sneaky glances at our table, but now they were openly staring.

"I can't stand this. To not make you uncomfortable, I will write it in our department's group chat. Seo Yerin is an otaku…."

"Ahh!"

Seo Yerin quickly snatched my phone and put it on the other side. For a moment, remembering the time she almost caught me as the Admin of the Bamboo Forest.

With a sly grin, she gestured like it was nothing.

"Fine, fine. It was a joke."

"Haa, seriously."

"But honestly, it's not something to be flustered about. As long as it doesn't harm others. It's fine."

"…I don't watch anime."

What a load of crap.

After getting my phone back, the pork bulgogi was served just in time. I was about to eat it, but for some reason….

Choi Yiseo, who was glaring at me with a spork tightly gripped in her hand, had a gaze that was razor-sharp.

"Wait, what is it?"

I really didn't understand, so I asked. But Choi Yiseo just glanced briefly at Seo Yerin and then silently started eating her pork stir-fry.

*Thud*

"Ah!"

That was while she kicked me in the shin under the table.

*****

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