Pick Up the Rejected Pure Love

After finishing breakfast, we started talking over a cup of warm cocoa.

“I’m not sure where to start. Honestly, I only heard about what happened at the drinking party from Han-gyeol.”

“Ah- We were definitely drinking together, but then we ran into the second-year seniors. They said they came to drink together because it was a classmate’s birthday.”

“Ah- Yes, Han-gyeol told me that in a text. Han-gyeol said you drank with the second-year seniors, is that right?”

“Yes...! But there were some uncomfortable seniors there.”

There was no difference from what Han-gyeol had said.

“Han-gyeol said the same thing. And then you got drunk, right?”

“Probably... I think so, but I don’t remember after that...”

I took a sip of cocoa and continued speaking.

“This might sound unpleasant... but it seems like one of the seniors who was drinking with you tried to do something bad to you, Chae-in Jeong. Han-gyeol said that someone tried to take you to their place, but somehow he found out and helped you.”

“What?!”

She must be surprised that she was in danger.

It would be a bit tricky if she fell for Han-gyeol’s kindness.

If that happens, I might have to take out the chopping board again.

“You should hear the details from Han-gyeol. He said he managed to get you into a taxi. He was planning to send you home before the seniors came out, but you didn’t tell him your address. In a hurry, he asked the taxi driver to drive around and then drop you off at the university gate. Thirty minutes later, Han-gyeol found you at the gate, called me, and I took you to my place. That’s all I know.”

There were no objections to my explanation.

“I’m sorry for the trouble I caused.”

“The ones at fault are those seniors, so there’s no need for you to apologize. Are you okay? If you feel uncomfortable, you can take a moment to gather yourself.”

“What? No-! Nothing happened in the end, and I was cautious of that senior, but... I drank too much yesterday...”

“It’s good to be a bit more cautious. You were completely wasted last night.”

“I’m sorry...”

“There you go again. I said it’s okay, so can I ask you a few things?”

“What? Yes-!”

I slowly leaned in closer to Chae-in Jeong.

“I’ll tell you in advance that I have a strong sense of possession and jealousy... I consider it a flaw, but I can’t seem to fix it. So, you need to answer carefully... Did you fall for Han-gyeol because of what happened? Or did you already have feelings for him? If it’s affection you have for Han-gyeol... to what extent is it? It’s okay. Be honest. Go ahead.”

Depending on her answer, I had to decide my actions.

Right now, I was the most nervous asking these questions.

Chae-in Jeong slowly opened her mouth and then shook her head.

“N-No-!”

“When I first saw you during lunch and at the start of the semester party, when you borrowed Han-gyeol’s printout and gave him canned coffee... I’ve been watching you closely. It felt like you were often involved with Han-gyeol... As his girlfriend, I can’t help but look at it with suspicion.”

“Eeek-! It’s not like that, so please relax your expression...! O-Of course, when I first saw him, I thought he was very handsome-! But it was nothing more than that-!”

Not exactly a safe answer.

“Ah... So can I interpret it as you having some level of affection for my Han-gyeol?”

“Ahhh-! No! It’s something any girl in our department would have thought at least once-!”

My face turned cold.

It’s better to cut off the buds of anxiety early for the future.

But... if what she says is true, there are too many anxious buds.

“So... Han-gyeol is quite popular in your department, huh...?”

“Well-! He is definitely good-looking-! But I don’t like him or anything like that-! I just thought I wanted to get closer to him!”

“Why...? Wanting to get closer to someone of the opposite sex is a form of affection, isn’t it...?”

“Well-! He seemed to have a clear sense of self and appeared to be a good person! There’s always someone who attracts those around them, right?! That was exactly Han-gyeol!”

Another precarious answer.

It seems like I might have to take out the chopping board and knife again.

It’s something I’ll have to endure as the girlfriend of a handsome boyfriend...

“Chae-in Jeong...?”

“Yes...?”

“I have no personal hard feelings for you.”

“Isn’t that something someone would say before killing someone...?”

“Oh? Was it?”

I carefully got up from my seat.

“W-Wait a minute! Stop! Please stop! Your eyes! Please soften your gaze!”

“What about my eyes? My Han-gyeol always tells me they’re beautiful~. Are you denying the love Han-gyeol has for me? That’s basically denying me, you know?”

“N-No! But it’s true that everyone in our department knows how much Han-gyeol likes his girlfriend!”

Hmm? This was an interesting topic.

“Can you tell me more? Did Han-gyeol brag about me to your department...?!”

“Not so blatantly, but... how should I put it? It just seemed that way to us...”

“Tell me in detail.”

I sat back down in my seat.

“Well...! It was something that came up when we were talking among the girls... You know how Han-gyeol is usually aloof, right?”

“Yes, continue. I’m listening.”

I was curious about how Han-gyeol behaved when I wasn’t around.

“At first, everyone thought Han-gyeol was just a cold guy! That was the first impression! But some girls said they saw him smiling brightly when he was on the phone or texting outside the classroom...! We were sure it was his girlfriend!”

Listening to Chae-in Jeong’s words made my cheeks flush slightly.

Even when I wasn’t there... Han-gyeol was smiling thinking about me…

I was so embarrassed that my ears were turning red.

“What do the other girls say...?”

“Well... there were some who said they wished they could be loved like that too and... also-”

“What? All of Han-gyeol’s love belongs to me! Do you know their addresses?”

“That’s scary...!”

“Ahem...! Continue.”

For now, I decided to keep listening.

“Seeing that, there were girls who said they envied Han-gyeol’s girlfriend-!”

“Hehe... That’s embarrassing! Of course, Han-gyeol may seem cold usually, but he is incredibly warm when he smiles! The biggest charm of Han-gyeol is the contrast between his expressionless face and his smiling face! And he’s great at cooking and always helps when asked! I think Han-gyeol is way too good for me~ Talking about it makes me miss him again.”

“Ah! Come to think of it, when is Han-gyeol coming? I want to thank him before I go.”

“What? Why would Han-gyeol come here?”

I asked, tilting my head in confusion.

Chae-in Jeong also tilted her head as she answered.

“Aren’t you living together?”

Chae-in Jeong and I were silent for a few seconds.

But one thing was clear.

“I need to get rid of you...”

“Eek! Why! Why?! Spare me...!”

I stood up from my seat again.

“How did you know? There’s no way Han-gyeol would tell anyone we’re living together... No, that’s not important. I’m sorry. I still have no personal feelings. It’s all for the sake of me and Han-gyeol’s life... Please, make a sacrifice.”

I slowly approached Chae-in Jeong.

“W-Wait a minute! What’s wrong with living together?! It’s possible, isn’t it?!”

“Hmm... Do you really think so? Living together at twenty might look strange to some people. That’s why we kept it a secret...”

“Too many things give it away to call it a secret-!”

“Tell me.”

It’s important to know what to improve after dealing with her.

“There are two toothbrushes in the bathroom-! There are men’s shoes in the shoe cabinet-! And I saw that there are too many dishes in the kitchen for someone living alone...! I naturally figured you were living together-!”

“Huh... You’re quite perceptive. I appreciate it. Then-”

Wait a minute. I grabbed onto the tail of a sudden thought.

In just a short time, she figured out we were living together and from our conversation, it seemed like she didn’t have romantic feelings for Han-gyeol.

But it was clear that Han-gyeol was quite popular in the department and knowing about the girls who might target him when I’m not around would be useful.

So, it would be a rational choice to establish an information network.

And in front of me was a girl who seemed likely to cooperate.

What’s this? A lucky find?

“Your name is Chae-in Jeong, right?”

“Yes!”

“Do you want to be friends?”

“Suddenly?!”

“Let’s be friends. You’re Chae-in, right? Nice to meet you.”

“Suddenly talking informally?!”

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

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