012 – The Joy of Parties Isn’t Only for Extroverts #1
“Point! I’ve earned store points too!”
「400,000 P」
The number displayed on the smartwatch made Baek Yeo-ul feel extremely happy.
With these points, she could buy a nice lunch or fix her cracked smartphone screen. She might even be able to purchase the socks she’d been eyeing at the convenience store, and… and…
Heeheeheh…
Whistling a tune, she was walking home.
Plop.
“Kyaa!”
Something tripped her and Baek Yeo-ul ended up tumbling forward.
How unlucky to trip on a broken paving stone just like that.
“Ouch, my knee is scraped…”
Baek Yeo-ul often tripped or bumped into things and got injured.
It was undoubtedly due to her “Bad Luck” concept.
She disliked her ability as an Awakened One.
When she became an Awakened One, everyone celebrated her as someone special, but she thought it was worse to have this kind of uniqueness.
People around her kept encountering unfortunate events, and because of that, they kept drifting away from her.
She was sure to be humiliated again in the group assignment today as usual…
“400k!”
She took out a band-aid from her bag and stuck it on her knee while joyfully shouting. The sudden noise startled a bird flying overhead, which decided to poop on her shoulder, but she didn’t care.
“I’ve earned 400k in the store!”
400,000 points was the minimum amount needed to attend a special course.
The special course offered personalized curriculums to control and enhance one’s ability and awaken new powers.
For Baek Yeo-ul, struggling in various ways due to her inability to control the “Bad Luck” concept, this lecture was exactly what she needed. The only concern was…
“Seugal will definitely be there in the special class.”
Swish.
She reached into her bag and pulled out a photograph.
In it, a smiling Baek Yeo-ul and a female classmate were standing shoulder to shoulder.
The face of the girl was blacked out with something like a permanent marker, but Baek Yeo-ul could still vividly remember her appearance.
They had been in the same class from kindergarten through middle school.
“What does Hanamjin see in her? She’s nothing but pretty, rich, and smells good.”
She unfairly blamed the absent male student out of anger.
That male student who had hated each other since their first meeting liked Seugal very much.
“Foolish. It’ll all be in vain.”
The well-behaved, pretty, academically excellent, and highly praised Seugal.
Baek Yeo-ul knew Seugal’s true nature better than anyone else.
Baek Yeo-ul couldn’t forgive Seugal.
Even if she became endlessly unhappy as a result.
“Seugal is the worst person.”
…
…
…
# # #
While taking a bath, singing songs like “Butterfly” and “Yadoran, Birds’ Homeland,” I felt much better.
Didn’t I gain 400k points in the group assignment yesterday and become the center of attention for everyone? Even emotionless psychopaths would surely dance with joy at this.
“400k points!”
Through these 400k points, I will enroll in the “Special Course,” approach Seugal, and present her with this “meticulously washed and upgraded handkerchief”—
“You are mine from today onward! Understood?”
If I confess so passionately and with such vigor, how could Seugal not fall for me? I might even be too excited to stand.
“Isn’t that right, Yining?”
……
……
There was no reply.
My joyful home was silent and desolate.
“Even though I’m back home and incredibly happy, it’s surprisingly quiet, huh.”
Suddenly, I missed my friend Yining.
In the end, it’s unfortunate that I couldn’t taste what Yining was, despite saving it as emergency food.
It would have been great if Seugal had sent Yining to the past with me.
“Surely, we’ll meet again, right?”
Since the day Seugal found me, I’ve started to believe in destiny.
Believing without doubt that Seugal is my destiny and Yining is also part of my destiny.
“Surely, we will meet again.”
Anyway, the most important thing is Seugal.
“Who is this handsome man in the mirror? It’s me!”
Who could possibly not fall for my rice noodle-like white smile? However, Seugal’s taste in men might be eccentric.
She might prefer scavengers rolling in the garbage dumps over tidy and handsome men.
As a precaution, I’ve insured myself.
That is none other than Baek Yeo-ul.
I heard she was often in the same class as Seugal from kindergarten through middle school.
So, wouldn’t she know what kind of men Seugal likes and what boys she’s dated?
The thought of rushing to school to ask her everything about Seugal made my tailbone tingle.
“Then, I’m off to school.”
After saying my goodbyes to the silent house, I began my way to school.
The blowing wind was warm.
Indeed, it’s spring.
The spring of my life that has already passed but which I have never experienced.
…
…
…
After finishing the boring morning lessons and during the lunch break, we decided to use the second prize we earned from our previous group assignment.
It was precisely 5 “Noble Utilization Vouchers.”
The “Clean Plates Day” team decided to head to a high-end student cafeteria together to enjoy a delicious meal.
I was particularly excited because I had something special prepared for today.
It was the side dish container!
“Hey! Tae-sung! Watch for a moment!”
“Nam-jin, again?”
“Yeah!”
Prepared beforehand, I filled the side dish container with buffet food! And it will become tonight’s dinner and tomorrow’s breakfast!
Indeed, this is the epitome of a man with thorough preparation and strong survival skills!
Was it because my figure attracted her that Baek Yeo-ul, who had been hovering around me, blushed and made a small squeak.
“Hey! If you get caught while taking food, you’ll be banned from entering the Noble!”
“Are you stupid? We just have to not get caught.”
《Name: Baek Yeo-ul
State: 《Injustice》 – I want to refute your perfect logic, but there’s no proper rebuttal coming to mind, hence the injustice!》
Wadadadadat.
Four side dish containers filled to the brim with meat dishes.
One could say “a person who doesn’t eat rice but is full” to describe me now.
I was the absolute winner of life right now.
“That… friend…”
That’s when the candy maker Choi Chang-sik approached me to say something.
I wonder what he wanted to say?
“…Can I have one of those side dish containers?”
Would he just eat what I gathered by taking big risks? He might as well ask to eat me. This was a situation where I could shout “lion roar,” but I nodded readily.
“Alright. Take it. But you have to wash the container and return it later.”
Chang-sik can infinitely make candy, making him undoubtedly one of the most important people in the world that’s about to end. It’s crucial to secure points with him in advance.
“Thank… you…”
Chang-sik was truly delighted as he put the side dish container into his pocket.
Though I had many questions, everyone has their own circumstances, so I kept silent.
And thus, the meal began.
We discussed various topics like “should we start a group chat?” and “let’s study together,” when Baek Yeo-ul, who had been emotionally unstable all day, kept sighing noticeably.
“Why? Bangdaengi, do you need to pee?”
“No way!”
“Then what? You’ve been doing this.”
“Grgh…”
The chatter of the children gathered on Bangdaengi Baek Yeo-ul. Despite her flushed face, she finally mustered up the courage to share her story.
“My mom and dad wanted to invite you. It’s the first time earning so many points from group assignments…”
Indeed, it was like a shy and unpopular elementary school student inviting their friends to a birthday party. As everyone glanced at each other’s faces, Geum Tae-sung was the first to nod.
“I’ll go if it doesn’t overlap with my part-time job time.”
“I will too! Ms. Yeo-ul, isn’t this the main branch of Baek’s Food? We’re sure to enjoy some amazing desserts!”
“…”
Only Oh Deok-sun quietly hesitated to respond.
Tae-sung said to Deok-sun,
“Deok-hee, you should come too. Honestly, this time you and Nam-jin were the most active, weren’t you? It’ll be fun to play together.”
“Oh… um, then let’s go…”
Even the quiet and gentle Deok-sun can’t resist the charm of a handsome man, huh?
I well understand that sentiment.
Because if Seugal said to me, “My parents aren’t home tonight. Want to come over?” I would have nodded without even thinking.
So where is my beloved Seugal today?
“Th… then are you all coming to my house today? Hanamjin, what about you?”
Just as I was looking around while fiddling with the handkerchief I received from Seugal, I saw her sitting down with a tray as if destiny had led her there.
Among many children, she was spotlighted and shone brightly.
To me, as if only Seagal and I existed.
“Why?”
Seugal’s gentle but slightly teasing question made my heart race. My prefrontal cortex became hot, my brain boiling like butter, and I finally quietly extended the handkerchief I had been holding in my hand towards her.
“Thank you for lending me this.”
“Ah, you’re the one with the handkerchief? The tiger underwear guy.”
“Pfft, who?”
“Remember? It was hilarious.”
Seugal remembered me? This is definitely a green light!
I’m glad I wore that tiger underwear that day.
I wondered if it was worth buying when it cost ten thousand won, but it has certainly paid off!
“But somehow, this handkerchief feels a bit different from when I gave it to you?”
“Oh, I embroidered a small heart on it.”
Seugal, can you feel my love for you?
Indeed, Seugal looked delighted, as if deeply moved, and proudly showed the handkerchief to everyone around her.
“Look at this. The embroidery is excellent, isn’t it? Have any of you received something like this?”
“Good hand skills.”
“Seugal is very popular.”
“Keek, giggles.”
A harmonious and warm atmosphere pervaded.
Then, Seugal smiled softly and said,
“I really liked this handkerchief too. Thank you for returning it so beautifully decorated. I’ll definitely think of you every time I see it.”
“Really? Then Seugal, as a thank-you for the handkerchief, how about we share a meal together?”
Every time she sees it, she’ll think of me.
This is clearly a sign of affection, isn’t it?
Since we already understand each other’s feelings, there’s no need to waste more time.
“Is this a date proposal?”
“Seugal is receiving another confession, isn’t she?”
“Didn’t Prince Juhyun make a move on her last week?”
The atmosphere had become a bit restless, but what the onlookers were saying didn’t matter to me.
The only thing that mattered was Seugal’s response.
I looked at Seugal with the “Emotion” power I gained from her.
From what I’ve observed so far, the “Emotion” concept is specialized in detecting the flaws in living beings.
Seugal’s mind must have had a gap now that she received an unexpected date proposal in front of so many people.
That gap is exactly what I should aim for.
This sudden flirtation is almost like striking a weak point.
Yet, strangely, the “Emotion” didn’t offer any information about Seugal.
So a public date proposal like this doesn’t even make her budge?
“I’m sorry, it was my first time being asked to have dinner in front of so many people, and I’m a bit shocked. Honestly, I’m a bit flustered and can’t decide right away.”
Flustered?
She’s lying when there’s not even a flicker in her heart.
Seugal covered her mouth as if pretending to be embarrassed.
“We’re having a party at our headquarters tomorrow. I’ll send an invitation, and you can seriously reply then. So, your name is…?”
“Hanamjin. The character for ‘male’ and the character for ‘truth.’ A man’s name you should at least remember.”
