SMNTCERR, Chapter 53: La Dame Du Mercredi #2.
Jihye stared at the changing eyes of the person in front of her, from arrogant to playful. And then fierce. At the same time, she waited for him to continue speaking.
“Are you planning to confess your love after dinner tomorrow? Suppose you say, “Let’s date.” how do you think I would respond? Can’t you guess?”
“…”
“No, this semester I have to focus on studying and game development.
There’s no time for romance.”
Jaeyoung raised his eyebrows slightly and spoke with a face that said he wouldn’t accept it, mimicking the way certain people speak. If it weren’t for this situation, Jihye would probably burst out laughing as well.
“Or maybe just say, ‘There’s no time for trivial matters like that,’ would suffice.”
After playing the role Chu Sangwoo, Jaeyoung returned to his usual demeanor, and the tense atmosphere seemed to dissipate. Jihye was pulled back to face Jaeyoung once again, feeling terrible. The words chosen by the other party seemed too real, as if they came directly from Chu Sangwoo himself. Even though there was no romantic relationship yet, she felt like she had been rejected beforehand.
However, she had prepared herself to be rejected, not expecting to immediately start dating the other party. But the idea of a romantic relationship was to make Chu Sangwoo see her as a woman. After that, they would gradually get to know each other, even if it wasn’t within this semester.
But there was still hope for one day, that was Jihye’s plan.
“I understand what you’re saying, but if I can’t fight against you, then why did you ask me out?”
Jihye could no longer control her facial expressions. She looked at the older student with sharp eyes, unable to reserve her posture anymore. Jaeyoung followed Jihye’s gaze silently before responding.
“You are irritating to the ears and eyes.”
The words that came out didn’t sound pleasant, if Jaeyoung didn’t even consider her as an equal competitor. And that made Jihye feel slightly offended.
“Lately, I’ve been quite sensitive. Whenever I think about Sangwoo attending classes, talking, eating, or going out with someone else without me knowing, it makes me feel jealous.”
A headache was starting to come on. This situation reminded her of a movie where a mother-in-law doted on her son so much that she didn’t get along with her daughter-in-law, and a husband who suspected his wife of cheating and wouldn’t allow her to associate with anyone. This man… even though she had heard that he was cool, seeing this situation… she didn’t know how those words came out like that.
“A romantic relationship in this kind of situation is complicated. Even though I know it’s pointless, I don’t like it. I don’t want you to talk about those things with Sangwoo, and I don’t want Sangwoo to listen to anything like that either.
Understand, right?” Jaeyoung continued.
She knew what he wanted to convey, but she still didn’t understand. If he had that much confidence in himself, why would he bother worrying about Chu Sangwoo, who seemed to have no interest in her at all? Furthermore, Jihye found it strange that she, who could choose to date the most beautiful and outstanding woman in the university, ended up falling in love with Chu Sangwoo, who was indifferent and unpredictable.
‘Why is he like that?’
After pondering over Jaeyoung’s narrow-minded and delusional words, she noticed something.
When reading literature, Jihye never understood the fascination that Chu
Liang had for Madame Renal[1] and the obsession that Quasimodo had for Asmerlada[2]. She had never felt such intense emotions before and thought it was just a story in a novel. However, she could see the strong and courageous feelings she had never experienced before from the person in front of her, the man who was angry like fire because he knew she had dinner and went out with Chu Sangwoo.
‘Maybe it’s not just one-sided love.’
Jihye felt defeated, and it wasn’t just that…
‘I don’t like him… No, that person. I don’t know what to do anymore.’
‘It’s… Jaeyoung, Jang… It seems like he has a girlfriend.’
‘If you agree, come to the ‘Tree Olive’ restaurant today at six o’clock.’
Jihye’s mind quickly assessed the situation she was facing, why didn’t she notice before? Besides playing games and explaining cultural theories during battles, there was nothing about Jang Jaeyoung that made Chu Sangwoo look so excited.
‘Sometimes it may not be just one-sided love.’
Jihye felt like she was running out of strength to continue fighting, and that assumption locked everything down. Chu Sangwoo had such preferences, it would make sense that he didn’t look at her. Maybe both of them were already dating. Jaeyoung might be lying because he was concerned about Sangwoo.
Jihye used her hand to cover her face, feeling defeated every time.
“I’m sorry. I don’t have time to wait for you to think endlessly, and I don’t feel like waiting either. I’ll just say what I want to say and then leave.”
Just then, Jaeyoung started talking incessantly. Jihye paused and adjusted her hair before looking straight at the person in front of her again. The other party’s expression was still as emotionless as when she walked into this café.
“Chu Sangwoo, he’s really interesting, isn’t he? I understand, he’s intelligent, charming, law-abiding, has a beautiful neck, and once he has finished his studies he will probably make good money.”
‘Hmm… What about that?’
Jihye stared, but Jaeyoung didn’t pay attention to that, he continued speaking methodically.
“I have no right to tell you to give up on him. Whether it’s following Sangwoo blindly, continuing as you are now, or even just this much, it’s your decision.”
Jihye laughed nervously. Just a while ago, she seemed to be forcing her to stop getting involved with Sangwoo, and now she was telling her to make her own decision. She was completely confused about what he wanted to do.
Jaeyoung laughed and spoke again.
“… if I still confirm that you will continue to pester him, then be prepared to deal with me. I’m not like you, because I am the real obstacle.”
“…”
“Let’s see how chaotic it will be.”
‘I already thought it would be like this.’
Jihye smirked, even though she had lost her motivation. When she walked into this café, she intended to clearly reveal her position and then leave immediately. However, she ended up being bitten and hurt. Jihye mustered her last bit of strength and asked.
“Are you threatening me, sunbae?”
“Yes, didn’t I say from the beginning that this was a threat.”
“I didn’t hear it that way at all.”
“Well, if this is considered a threat, then it’s just this much. From now on, it will be intimidating.”
Jaeyoung picked up a large envelope from the chair next to him and handed it over. Jihye took it with a puzzled expression.
‘Don’t tell me it’s money?’
Conflicting thoughts surged within her, but when she opened it, she found A4-sized documents.
Each page contained a photo along with brief personal information. Jihye frowned and glanced through the names passing by: a politician’s son, a musician, medical students, law students, a percussionist, a baseball player, a robotics developer, a voice actor, an executive at a foreign company… The profiles of many men flashed before her eyes.
“I don’t know what your specifications are, so I chose some for you first. I can arrange meetings with anyone of these whom you will want. No limits. If you don’t like anyone, I’ll find more for you.”
“How many people are there?”
“50 people.”
“Erik Smithson? Who is this person…”
There was even someone from Sweden.
“That person speaks Korean very well. Maybe even better than you.”
“How is this possible?”
Jihye felt the situation was absurd to the point where she couldn’t help but laugh. She laughed dryly with a sense of hopelessness as she continued to open the documents until she reached the last page and came face to face with a familiar face.
[Park Hyung Jin / 21 years old / 180 cm / Philosophy major at Hankuk University / President of the Drama Club /pires to be an actor. Highly responsible. Sincere and sensitive when it comes to love.]
This person, who is a Frankenstein, isn’t?”
“Do you still remember that day when you put on such heavy makeup?”
“How can I forget? You sent him to my table so many times!”
“From now on, I’ll find a way for him to approach you, it seems like he likes you.”
Jihye pouted her cheeks and couldn’t believe that the owner of this face was roughly the same age as her, but what caught her attention was the word
“philosophy.”
“So, the first person is Hyung Jin?”
“No, I haven’t said that yet.”
Jihye put the introduction documents for the blind date back into an envelope and stuffed it into her bag. Then she straightened her back and looked at Jaeyoung again. Although it seemed like she was willing to remember his threats and coaxing, she didn’t want to appear easily swayed.
“Alright, I understand. I’ll try to think about it seriously.”
“It’s good that we’re talking about it.”
“Don’t misunderstand, I didn’t give in because of your threats or proposals. It’s just that I didn’t lose my composure to the point of being shaken like you did. I just don’t want to be the third party in a relationship that seems so serious and intense.”
Jaeyoung laughed without saying anything, as if saying, “Whatever happens, it doesn’t matter’ Jihye hesitated for a moment before deciding to ask.
“But can we still be friends?”
“No, you didn’t listen to anything I said before, did you?”
The other party immediately responded. Jihye felt a sense of injustice and started to raise her voice.
“Why? You know that he doesn’t care about me anymore! Every day, he treats me like a machine that explains cultural theories. When he pressed a button, there’s an explanation. I explain something wrong, he looks at me as if
I’m a malfunctioning machine. And he even says I have to study twice harder!”
“Treat him as if you’ve never met him before.”
“I don’t just like him as a man, okay? When I’m with him, Sangchu oppa, I feel fun and happy. I want to be friends with him forever.”
“Because you think you’re his little sister? Even if you are from the same bloodline, why do you have to call him “oppa”? And who are you to come from and call someone older than you a vegetable name[3]? No manners at all.”
“Sangchu-oppa said I could call him that!”
“But I don’t like it, don’t call him that.”
“Then what should I call him?”
“No need to call. If there’s something important, just call him, ‘Hey, you!’.
Like that.”
Jihye laughed dryly and took a breath at the same time, Jaeyoung himself laughed as if it was meaningless, so she couldn’t tell if it was a joke or if he was serious. So she couldn’t figure out what was going on.
‘What is this situation?’
Mixed feelings of sadness and joy overwhelmed Jihye, leaving her confused.
“Oh, really… Sangchu-oppa… No. Does he know? Does Sangchu-oppa know that you are… like this?”
“I don’t know, maybe lately Sangchu-oppa has become a talented designer.”
“I’m really sorry, Sangchu-oppa.”
“If you knew how difficult it is for me, you wouldn’t say that.”
Jaeyoung pondered before taking out his phone to check the time. Jihye glanced at the person in front of her who was standing up.
“I have to since now. If anyone is interested in him, they can contact me.”
“I understand.”
“But don’t call, Sangwoo might misunderstand.”
“Then what should I do?”
Jihye accidentally raised her voice.
“You must think I am just joking, right?”
Jaeyoung said that and left. Jihye sat there for a moment, laughing out loud.
‘It has become like this.’
It’s good to withdraw from a competition that can’t be won. It’s a very smart choice. Although she comforts herself like that, she still can’t help but feel regret.
She regrets the efforts she has made, thinking how ridiculous she looks, wondering why she couldn’t be outstanding like this. She wonders what kind of feeling is the passionate love in novels or movies, she can only think, think, and keep thinking. Even this time, the driving force is still the brain. Not the heart.
Jihye didn’t think of hating herself for being like that. This is the 21st century.
It’s not the era where Romeo and Juliet would kill themselves anymore.
I guess I should focus on studying only.”
Jihye sighed lightly and stood up. At least she might do better on the final exam than Chu Sangwoo, who was always busy with love affairs. Even though he would get higher scores in the middle of the semester, 8 points, she still wouldn’t give. Jihye pushed open the café door and met the special clear sky.
“The weather is so nice it’s annoying!”
The 4th love affair of Ru Jihye, which ended before it even began.
New criteria for screening future lovers – “Don’t date good-looking men who act humble but deceive you.”
________________________________________.
[1] Julien Sorel and Madame de Rênal, characters in the French novel “The
Red and the Black” “Le Rouge et le Noir”
[2] Quasimodo and Esmeralda, characters in the French novel “Notre-Dame de Paris.” the hunchback of Notre-Dame.
[3] Vegetable name. In this case, it refers to the nickname “Sangchu.” which means vegetable.
Leave a Reply