Chapter 44
‘Ah, the burn scar.’
Baek I-hae had forgotten about the scar.
It only felt odd when she washed, and since it wasn’t visible to the eye, that was natural. Besides, it was a wound from saving Seo-yeol, so it wasn’t something to be ashamed of.
“I-I’m sorry, I-hae! I didn’t mean to……”
It was Jang Seul-gi who apologized with a genuinely flustered expression.
“It’s fine. The scar is pretty big, so it could look gross, I get it.”
Since her expression didn’t seem feigned, Baek I-hae readily forgave her.
The frozen atmosphere seemed to thaw a bit at her casual tone, as if it were no big deal.
“Sorry. I didn’t know you guys were here; I brought them without thinking.”
Ye Eun-seol also apologized with an awkward face. Then, noticing Baek I-hae’s back still exposed, he started taking off his gym jacket.
It was obvious to anyone that he intended to give it to Baek I-hae, so she stayed still, holding out her hand.
“You’re showing through the back, so at least cover up with this.”
‘This guy is so oblivious sometimes. Though it’s probably because he remembers being a girl in the past.’
Telling her outright in front of the kids that her underwear was showing through and to cover it up.
If Baek I-hae were an ordinary female student, she might have blushed in embarrassment.
She nodded calmly and was about to take the jacket when what landed on her hand wasn’t Ye Eun-seol’s.
“……?”
“……?”
Baek I-hae and Ye Eun-seol both looked up with puzzled expressions at the same time.
There was Seo Do-gyeom, who had approached closely and placed his hand on Baek I-hae’s shoulder. She could feel his solid upper body pressing against her back.
He probably meant to cover her exposure…… but this was even more embarrassing!
“Why should she wear your clothes?”
“……No, I just felt bad because it seemed like my fault.”
“Baek I-hae isn’t affected by you. Maybe if it were because of me.”
With those words, he unfolded his own gym jacket that had been on Baek I-hae’s hand and draped it over her.
A very faint “Whoa” of admiration escaped from the group of girls, but Baek I-hae nearly let out an exclamation for a different reason.
‘Whoa…… I’m dying of embarrassment!’
If adults have their spicy, adulterous melodramas, kids have their provocative internet novels.
Feeling like the girlfriend of the top delinquent, Baek I-hae inwardly shed tears of blood.
The cringeworthy event, enough to make her skin crawl, was making her heart race in a whole different way.
“Yeah, you’re right about everything, Seo Do-gyeom.”
Ye Eun-seol, retrieving his now-unwanted jacket, spoke as if entranced.
He didn’t even notice the strange looks from the others, including Jang Seul-gi.
Baek I-hae ended up with her shoulder pulled into Seo Do-gyeom’s embrace just like that.
‘Huh?’
Before she could react in surprise and refuse, she was dragged all the way to the classroom.
She kept getting swept up in his actions, missing the timing to refuse. Baek I-hae blinked in shock before rolling her eyes.
‘Class isn’t over yet.’
Yet no teacher touched Seo Do-gyeom. Moments like this made the game-like world feel a bit absurd and ridiculous.
Several days passed like that, and the vacation ceremony approached quickly.
It was a time when even wearing summer uniforms felt hot, leaving her panting and dazed.
She had asked Seo Do-gyeom to fan her with a notebook and was sitting with her armpits exposed when someone approached.
“Um, I-hae. Could you spare a moment?”
It was Jang Seul-gi.
Hesitantly, unlike her usual self, she approached Baek I-hae alone.
Since it was a girl, Seo Do-gyeom didn’t guard against her and just glanced at Baek I-hae.
“Ah, sure. Do-gyeom, I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.”
Baek I-hae stood up and followed Jang Seul-gi out into the hallway.
From behind, she heard Ye Eun-seol asking Seo Do-gyeom if he could fan him too. Of course, Seo Do-gyeom’s response wasn’t audible.
Once in the hallway, Jang Seul-gi hesitated for a moment before holding out her phone to Baek I-hae.
“I want to contact you during vacation; can I have your number?”
Honestly, she’d been a bit wary because of the supporting villainess position.
Seeing Jang Seul-gi’s face, tense to the point of deflation, Baek I-hae smiled softly. Maybe she’d been too prejudiced against her all this time.
“Sure.”
“Thanks! And about the playground incident last time, I’m really sorry. Even if I was flustered, it could have hurt you……”
As Baek I-hae inputted her number into Jang Seul-gi’s phone, the apology came.
She’d said sorry back then too, but it seemed she’d been bothered by it even days later.
‘She looks tough, but she’s surprisingly sensitive.’
Indeed, it seemed she’d been prejudiced.
“What I said back then about it being fine wasn’t just empty words. To me, it’s kind of a badge of honor.”
Baek I-hae handed back the phone after inputting her number. Jang Seul-gi, who had been staring at her as if entranced, slowly nodded.
It seemed their business wasn’t quite finished yet, as Jang Seul-gi was still fidgeting with her hands. Baek I-hae waited patiently for her, remaining calm.
“And also…… you might not have known, but I was jealous of you. Seeing how close you are with Do-gyeom and Eun-seol.”
She knew. The status window had outright called her a supporting villainess, and she had that much intuition.
Still, without showing it, she responded nonchalantly with an “Oh, really?” and listened as Jang Seul-gi continued.
“Do-gyeom was originally close with you, so I don’t know what I was thinking……. Later, seeing how much more he liked you, I gave up. You two suit each other well, so I’ll genuinely cheer you on.”
“Ah……”
In such a heartwarming moment, it would be too callous to say she hadn’t decided yet whether to date him or not.
Baek I-hae replied with a polite thank you. At that, Jang Seul-gi smiled softly, as if her tension had eased.
“But still, I think you should be a bit careful around Eun-seol.”
Jang Seul-gi leaned in slightly, closing the distance, and whispered quietly.
“He seems to be really conscious of Do-gyeom! Though Do-gyeom does have a face that’s popular with everyone, regardless of gender or age.”
Insane.
Baek I-hae suppressed the laughter threatening to burst out. And she nodded desperately.
It was because Jang Seul-gi’s face, giving the advice, was so serious.
“And this is a bribe because I want to get closer to you.”
What Jang Seul-gi pulled from her pocket was a keyring with a small sky-blue rabbit doll attached.
As Baek I-hae took it, Jang Seul-gi hurried away, looking embarrassed.
“Then have a good vacation, and I’ll contact you first!”
Only then did Baek I-hae’s eyes catch sight of Jang Seul-gi’s phone. It had a pink rabbit doll of the exact same design hanging from it.
‘Cute.’
She never expected to become friends with a supporting villainess.
Nor that someone whose favorability wasn’t visible would show such a clear, unquestionable affection.
A smile curved at the corners of Baek I-hae’s mouth as she held the phone charm in her hand.
***
The vacation ceremony began.
It was the summer break of her second year in high school. At this time, Baek I-hae was unusually enjoying a peaceful happiness without any worries.
The status window, which had appeared infrequently since successfully completing the main quest. And Seo Do-gyeom’s smooth changes.
A bit annoying at times, but Ye Eun-seol, who had become an ally with whom she could share secrets. And Jang Seul-gi, a same-gender friend who wanted to get closer to her.
‘It would be great if things could stay like this.’
Of course, that wish would crumble around this time next year.
But the current Baek I-hae knew nothing of it.
