Ding-dong-daeng-dong—ding-dong-daeng-dong—the monotonous sound of the bell signaled the end of the CSAT. For the other test-takers, this must be the bell of liberation. Seeing everyone leaving the classroom as quickly as possible, it seemed right. They were probably going out to hang out with friends they liked. I considered calling Seung-woo or Seung-sik, but they were preparing for their senior year of high school, unlike me. Thinking it was too early to be hanging out, I quietly decided against it. They were my only friends, so I couldn't go out without calling them, but I didn't care at all. I had a family of thirteen.
“Did you say Yeoju?”
My admission ticket had "Ma-eum" written on it, not "Yeoju," and there was no name tag, so I had no way of knowing her name. Even if I'd heard it from Min-gyu, he'd started calling me "Ma-eum" after the bus incident.
“Who are you? Do you know their name?”
“It’s Yeo Woo-young.”
At that moment, memories of her came flooding back. She was the one who had given me such bad memories in middle school. She was the one who had maliciously spread rumors around school about my sexual assault. She was a year younger than me, and as her name suggested, she was a vixen. She would seduce other men's boyfriends. And when those boyfriends came to her, she would throw them away without mercy. Rumors about her were rampant. Seeing that she was here now, I assumed she had taken the GED exam, too.
“You meet everyone you’re meant to meet. It’s been a while, sis.
“I guess we’re really meant to be.”
“How can fate be so easy?
Same middle school, same college entrance exam. If these are the conditions for fate,
“At least a few dozen people here must have connections.”
“You know that’s not the only condition.”
The corners of her eyes rose sharply. But you see, that me, the one who used to be hurt by your actions and cry alone, completely disappeared a few months ago. How can people change so easily? People you wouldn't even think of are staying by my side.
“That’s just a petty thing you’ve forced yourself into.
Oh, and thank you for making that incident public.
Of course, that person was not punished.
“The article was a bit long.”
“Oh, sis. I was going to draw that on purpose.”
“It was malicious, everyone in that middle school
I know everything. And since when did you call me your older sister?
“Did you tell me to call?”
“Is it wrong to use the word ‘sister’?”
“Oh, you’re going to use informal language now? Be honest with me.
Did you see me with Min-gyu oppa?
"Yeah, I saw it. You know, too. That's my specialty."
“I hope you quickly give up that special talent.
I wonder what kind of person you will become as time goes by
“It’s clear even without looking.”
When did I become so eloquent? I already knew the answer. And anyone who knew me knew it, too.
“My lady.”
It's all thanks to those people. Of course, I only have one right now, but even just one person is enough to keep me on my side. But in the midst of all this, she calls me "Yeoju" again. I guess she realized I didn't want Yeo-young to know my name, "Ma-eum." The name "Ma-eum" was becoming more and more precious to me than the name "Yeoju."
“Hello, my name is Yeo Woo-young.
“My older sister Yeoju is my junior in middle school.”
I wondered how he would react to her words. He didn't need to notice that she was a fox. He could be a little swayed by her. That's just how she is. But I hoped he'd at least take my side, just as I'd take his.
“Hey, why are you talking to the fox?”
For a moment, I was startled by his words. Most men couldn't tell the difference between a fox and a fox. In some ways, that might seem obvious, but it didn't seem to be obvious to him.
“Huh? He spoke first…”
Then, I'll try acting a little too. In front of the master of acting, Yeo Woo-young.
“It’s okay to ignore it sometimes.”
By the way, was Min-gyu's tone always that firm? I think he's worried I'm hurt right now. I don't think it's just his imagination.
“I… I was just happy to meet you, Yeoju-unnie…”
“I can see why you’re so attached to the female lead.
There were a lot of people like this when I was in school.
“Because of that, I couldn’t make a single girlfriend.”
Ah, so that's why he knew how to tell the difference. Min-gyu oppa's looks, height, and even personality are the type that would be popular with women. Whether it's friends or lovers. He knows better than anyone that he has a romantic interest in having a female friend. That's why I know he feels regretful that he hasn't been able to make one because of the vixens.
"You misunderstood, Oppa. I wanted to keep in touch."
Yeo-young doesn't say a word. But Min-gyu smiles and says,
“Then… what if I’m dating him?
So are you going to openly seduce me now?”
He's clearly respectful, and his tone isn't so harsh that it might offend the other person. But for some reason, his words simultaneously contain both grit and murder. Yeo-young, sensing this underlying meaning, flinched for a moment.
"I think I can do it. I'm better than you, Yeoju."
I flinched for a moment, but she immediately continued. Min-gyu hid me behind him. It was probably a consideration, so I wouldn't be hurt by her face, even if I could hear her.
“That standard is different for everyone, Miss Wooyoung.”
A polite demeanor. He seems a little angry, but as a public figure, he holds it together well. He's admirable, Min-gyu oppa.
“And you were a little startled.
“Is that why you want to get back in touch with the heroine?”
She didn't answer. Perhaps it was because Min-gyu had hit the nail on the head.
“Can I go?”
When Yeo-young didn't respond or take any action, Min-gyu grabbed my hand. Perhaps he simply wanted to hold on, or perhaps he was trying to reinforce the lie that we were dating. Either way, he gently pulled me closer. For some reason, a ripple formed in his eyes.
This is the second time I've told her I'm dating her, but she doesn't seem to mind. We're standing in front of the door on the first floor of the school building, facing the main gate.
“I didn’t know you could tell the difference between foxes.”
“With a face like this, try living as a celebrity.
“I know how to tell the difference.”
I answer, but my mind is completely focused elsewhere. I barely conceal my regret as I ask her.
“Wouldn’t you mind if I told you I was dating you?”
I'm so fucking excited. I'm so happy and glad that it feels like reality. If only it could happen, I'd give up anything.
“This is already the second time you’ve asked this question.
My answer is still 'yes'.
“What kind of answer do you want to hear?”
She's quick-witted, but she's particularly slow to notice things like this. She's the only one who's having a crush, flirting, and all, but you, the person in question, don't seem to notice. Rain is falling steadily, and you reach out and touch the rain. In that moment, it dawns on you: I'm truly the only one who likes you. It's bitter, but not sad. Beside her, I reach out and touch the rain.
“Sometimes, things like this happened at the orphanage.
“It feels a bit healing.”
“Yeah, it feels clean.”
If I don't beg for you to like me, if I don't cling to you, isn't this feeling precious? Instead, I'll harbor a small desire. I hope you feel even a small thrill from what I do for you. That's all I want, my heart. As a man who loves you.
“But, no matter how I look at the skirt, it’s too short.”
She bursts out laughing at my words.
“I told you not to worry because he’s not my boyfriend.”
“I’m nervous…”
She nodded with a pretty smile. What did she mean? I was a little puzzled, but then I noticed that the skirt, which had apparently been shortened, had returned to its original length.
"what…"
"It was folded~ Oppa's reaction was funny. I was so excited."
Phew, he laughs and pats her head.
“Yeah, it looks much better.”
“School uniform skirts should be long.
Instead, I'll wear a different skirt and go around shorter!”
"I'll buy you a skirt. I'll buy you anything you want."
“Even without that, it’s on home shopping right now
“My brothers are spending their money diligently, so there’s no need to do that.”
“You’re doing well. But… do you like rain?”
I never really liked rainy days. When the wind blows and it rains, I end up completely soaked.
“Yeah, a lot. I liked it because there were fewer days with sunshine.
After all, less is more.”
Even her reason for liking rainy days is typical of her. "Little is precious," she says. While that's true, I wish Seventeen could treasure more, too.
“Humans are the exception.”
Sometimes I wonder if he can read my mind. How can he give me such perfect answers?
“Should I call Seungcheol hyung?
Let's see how long we can stay at the book cafe.”
“Okay, let’s do that.”
As soon as she answered, I took my phone out of my pocket and dialed speed dial 4. Oh, by the way, numbers 1 through 3 are, in that order, my father, mother, and Minseo.
“Hello. Are you done already?”
“Yeah, we’re done. The heroine is next door.”
When the presence of the female protagonist is revealed, Ma-eum-i gets excited and asks.
“Where are you guys?”
“Sorry… I finished my schedule, but there’s a ton of traffic?”
“It’ll probably be even harder because it’s the CSAT day. How long do you think it’ll take?”
“One…two hours?”
“I’m sorry, Yeoju…!”
I can hear Soonyoung hyung's voice over the radio. I guess he doesn't feel sorry for me. Oh, and judging by Soonyoung hyung's presence, it looks like Seungkwan and Soonyoung hyung are in the car. Well, the schedule location was really close to Seoul High School.
“Min-gyu, do you have your wallet?”
I laugh, a little dumbfounded by Myeongho's words. Of course. I expected the members to be late, so I tried to go inside somewhere.
“Even if it’s a cafe, go in.
It's cold because it's raining, so feed Yeoju something warm.
“I see it’s chronic rhinitis…”
“Oh my… Seokmin oppa, your observation skills are good, aren’t they?”
I didn't even know you had that. Even if your chronic rhinitis is worse in the morning, if I had just watched you a little longer, I would have easily figured it out. I'm sorry I'm still not good enough to be by your side.
"Don't worry, Yeoju. I'll take good care of you."
“It’s raining, so drive carefully!”
I don't know who's driving right now, but those are warm words, just like her.
“Look at that affectionate look. Okay, I’ll be careful.
“Yeoju, stay warm so you don’t catch a cold~”
It's Shua hyung. I think Jeonghan hyung and Shua hyung are the best rivals in this competition. Of course, as long as Ma-eum is interested in this competition.
“Okay~”
The call ended with a reply full of coquetry and nasal sounds.
“Are you okay with getting rained on?”
I ask Ma-eum. If she says she's not okay, I'll get wet and go buy an umbrella. She's kind, so she won't say outright that she's not okay, but if she looks even slightly uncomfortable, I'll go.
“I like getting rained on. But then the next day…”
The end of his sentence was slurred. Judging by the fact that he was pretending to cut his throat with his thumb, it must mean that he was in so much pain the next day that he could barely breathe.
“Then I guess I should go. See the convenience store over there?”
“I can see it… but you’re saying you have to run all the way there?”
Hmm... It was farther than I thought. It looked like about 15 meters.
“I’ve never run in the rain before…
I'll go and think about working out. I'll be waiting.
“If anything happens, scream or call me. Okay?”
I pour out my worries to her. She doesn't seem to mind these worries. In fact, she seems to enjoy them.
"Okay. When you get home from the rain, you have to wash first, oppa. Got it?"
You're also pouring out your worries on me. How wonderful it is when we share our worries with each other. It's proof that you're both precious to me, and I'm precious to you.
“Yeah, I will.”
I gave a short answer and pulled the hat out of my bag. Of course, since I wasn't on a schedule, I didn't need to look good, but it didn't feel right to have my head wet with rain. Ultimately, I wanted to always look good in front of her.
“What if people recognize you?”
“That won’t happen, girl.”
I chuckled and ran through the rain until I reached a convenience store with a glowing green neon sign.
***
[I have a lot to write about in this post, so I'm thinking of splitting it into two seasons and writing Season 2 as a visual fanfic. Is that okay?]
