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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Time Without You
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Cho-hee ground her teeth as she headed home.
“How dare they kiss me.”
She recalled the faces of those who had humiliated her, one by one.
There was Ji-yeon, Ji-yeon’s mom, Jin Mi, and finally, A-jin.
Why did you have to be there in that moment I least wanted anyone to see?
“That’s why I hate you.”
Every day of Kang A-jin’s life was perfect.
There were no days of complaints, hardship, or sadness.
Every day was carefree, like a calm sea without a whisper of wind.
That’s why the comparisons stung.
What kind of luck did she have to be so happy?
Would I be happy too if I stayed by Kang A-jin’s side?
It felt like happiness came instantly, like a lie.
But it was all my delusion.
Being next to Kang A-jin only made my own deficiencies feel deeper.
I hadn’t received my father’s love, hadn’t earned my friends’ trust, hadn’t found something I truly enjoyed.
In the end, even my luck—which I didn’t have much of to begin with—felt stolen by her.
Even Park Jun-woo.
Seducing guys was the one thing I was better at than her,
She hated the A-jin in her head, hated her over and over.
Before she knew it, she had arrived home.
The sensor light on the rundown villa flicked on.
As she stepped onto the faux marble stairs, a black shadow appeared.
“Hey.”
It was Min-hyuk.
What a rotten day for a bad encounter.
She wouldn’t have been happy to see him on a normal day, but today was worse.
“Why do soldiers get so much leave these days? And why are you here?”
Cho-hee scowled, her eyes narrowing in annoyance.
“I have something to say.”
“What? Gonna blackmail me with photos again?”
“Blackmail? Depends on what you do. Might have to.”
“Ha...”
Cho-hee let out a heavy sigh and rolled her eyes in exasperation.
“Can you just leave today? I’m really tired.”
“Then it’s not blackmail—it’s a request.”
He lowered his voice, suddenly serious.
Cho-hee figured she’d hear him out and send him packing.
“What?”
“Post something on the school bulletin board.”
“What?”
“That I’m not a pervert. That we dated.”
“Why should I?”
“I’m reenrolling next semester.”
“And?”
“My mom’s lived her whole life for me. She worked so hard to get me into a top university. If rumors keep me from going to school, she might actually die.”
“And? You want me to play the gold-digging seductress who made a guy into a pervert?”
“Gold-digger? Just post a clarification. No one will even know it’s you. I just want to shut down the rumors about me.”
Rumors.
She was sick to death of them.
She’d spent weeks exhausted by rumors about herself.
She couldn’t even handle her own, let alone clear up someone else’s misunderstandings.
Cho-hee twisted her lips into a sneer.
“You’ve got some nerve. Clear up your own mess. I’m exhausted today. Just get lost, please.”
Cho-hee brushed past him, but Min-hyuk grabbed her arm.
His grip carried desperation.
“Isn’t that too much? Even for someone you once liked?”
She glared at his hand on her arm and shook it off irritably.
“Who said I liked you?”
“I told you. Depending on what you do, it could turn into blackmail.”
“Ha...”
He was really wearing her out.
Her eyes darted under her eyelids.
“What? What are you gonna do? What’s in these photos that’s got you so worked up? Let me see them. Did we ever do anything so scandalous it’d be terrifying to get caught?”
“We did some things.”
“Oh, right. Guess you dated solo. Do whatever. But I’m not going down alone. If you wanna go back to your fancy university like some invisible man, quit yapping and scram.”
Cho-hee gave him a dismissive once-over and went inside.
* * *
Before heading to school, Jun-woo glanced at the calendar pinned to the wall.
The number 18 had a circle around it, with “Preliminaries” scribbled small beneath.
The baking contest prelims were today.
He called A-jin before grabbing his bag.
-Hello?
He’d expected her to be nervous, but her voice sounded bright, thankfully.
“Did you sleep well?”
-Yeah. You?
“Me? Eh.”
He was the one who’d tossed and turned from nerves.
“What time does it start again?”
-1 p.m.
“So you’re skipping school altogether?”
-Yeah. Travel time, prep time—I told you yesterday I couldn’t make it.
Just one day without her at school, and he already felt bored.
He wanted to go to the contest venue with her.
“Got it. Everything prepped? Don’t forget anything.”
-Pfft, don’t worry. I’ve checked like ten times.
“You’re the queen of slip-ups.”
-What do you take me for? Not in this area.
Her bravado was cute; he chuckled.
“You sure? Think you’ll pass the prelims?”
-Of course. Prelims are nothing. I prepped for semis and finals too—no, wait. I kinda want third place, so semis at least.
“Why third? Go for first.”
-Oh, it’s just...
She hesitated at his question before continuing.
-I like the third-place trophy.
“What’s so special about third?”
-My mom calls it that. Talk later.
Clattering sounds came through, and the call ended.
He could picture it.
She was probably bustling around getting ready.
He chuckled.
With a faint smile lingering, he slung on his bag and headed to the living room downstairs.
Hee-jin was there.
She had a suitcase open on the living room floor, packing things inside.
“What’s all that?”
He rarely pried into Hee-jin’s business, but today he couldn’t help it.
Hee-jin was going to the contest with A-jin.
“Baking supplies for the contest, and stuff A-jin might need.”
“But do you have to go, Mom?”
“A-jin’s parents are busy with their shop. Why? Can’t I go?”
It was great that his mom got along with his girlfriend, but he worried it might make A-jin uncomfortable.
“No... A-jin might feel awkward. You know, with an adult around.”
Hee-jin shot him a sharp, bratty glare.
She looked hurt.
“Already taking your girlfriend’s side? This is why raising sons is pointless.”
“That’s not it. She’s just... an adult, so...”
“What? Worried I’ll pry into your little romance?”
He hadn’t told Hee-jin yet.
“Me and her? Why?”
“You two are dating.”
Her intuition was just like her mom’s.
Jun-woo didn’t deny it.
No point; she wouldn’t believe him anyway.
“You knew?”
“What do you take me for? I’ve got all you Park men figured out.”
“Guess you knew without me saying. A-jin’s too polite to speak up; she’ll just go along with you. So...”
“I know without you saying. I won’t make A-jin uncomfortable, so mind your own business and get to school.”
Hee-jin spread her arms like a tour guide, pointing to the front door.
Jun-woo said he got it and headed out, while Hee-jin resumed packing.
She hummed a tune, then took a deep breath like she was nervous herself.
She seemed excited.
Why was she so enthusiastic about something that wasn’t even her own?
Before stepping out, he watched her.
“Kang A-jin, you’re something else.”
He muttered to himself.
Amazed at his girlfriend’s power to completely enchant them both.
* * *
When the clock hit 10, Jun-woo bolted out of school like a spring-loaded toy.
He’d been counting down the end of self-study.
Never had “eagerly awaiting” fit his life so perfectly.
He called her the moment he got off the bus.
“How’d the contest go? No mistakes?”
-I thought I was calm, but stepping into the venue made it hard to breathe. Still, your mom got me calming pills and cheered me on, so I finished without a hitch.
“Good. She didn’t make you uncomfortable? Being my mom and all.”
-Uncomfortable? Oh! But did you tell her we’re dating?
“She knew before I said anything.”
-Quick on the uptake. Anyway, how do I thank her? She drove, bought food... Felt bad for being a bother.
“No need to think that. She likes you. Loves having you around as much as I do.”
-What?
Shy, she trailed off in a cute, coquettish voice.
He couldn’t help but laugh.
He wanted to see her now.
-So, how was school today?
Way too boring without her.
Time had never dragged so slowly.
“Just the usual.”
But he didn’t say how he really felt.
-Wasn’t it boring without me?
Classes had never been so dull.
He’d checked the clock by the minute.
“We don’t even hang out at school anyway.”
-Oh...
Against his true feelings, he sounded nonchalant, and her voice turned listless over the line.
She seemed sulky that he didn’t miss her.
Better get to her place quick and surprise her.
-Okay, rest up. Gonna shower and sleep.
“Shower and bed already?”
-It’s bedtime. You home? Rest up too.
Her grumpy tone screamed she was pissed.
He burst out laughing.
-What? Why’re you laughing?
She sounded annoyed, like he was teasing her.
“I’m at your place.”
-What?
Her voice was pure shock—no expectation at all.
He could picture her startled face just from the sound.
“Right outside.”
-Since when?
“Just got here.”
-No way.
“Come out.”
-Wait, wait. I’m not kidding.
“Then get ready and come.”
The call cut off the second he finished.
Imagining her scrambling around made him laugh again.
Should’ve warned her ahead.
* * *
Thanks to Hee-jin’s help, she aced the prelims and got home.
The tension melted away inside, sleep crashing over her.
She dozed off right before his call, waking just in time.
Her hair was a total mess, face rough, hadn’t showered—probably smelled like sweat.
But he was outside.
No way she could face him like this.
Shower and brush in five minutes flat.
Three minutes of blow-drying like a maniac.
Two minutes to change.
Ten-minute makeover done, she stepped out.
But he was gone.
“You said you were out front.”
She called him.
Once, twice, three times—no answer.
Maybe circling the apartments? She looked around—no sign.
“Did he go home? No, he’d say if he did.”
“Why isn’t he coming?”
She scanned the area for ten minutes.
Late night—no one even close to resembling him, no people at all.
Worry crept in.
What happened?
Did he run into trouble waiting?
Her energy drained suddenly.
Bad thoughts flooded, heart uneasy.
Should call Hee-jin? Nah, might worry her.
Minutes later, A-jin called Jun-woo again.
“Please pick up. Please.”
She murmured desperately, biting her lip.
-Hello?
Her wish granted; the call connected.
But her expression soured.
Her face stiffened at the familiar voice from the phone.
