Delinquent Girls Are Too Fond of Me

Ah… I feel like I can finally breathe again.

Stepping outside and catching some fresh air made the heat in my face subside.

The small classroom setup had felt suffocating enough already, even without the added stress.

‘Hmm…’

The breeze felt good.

I sat down for a moment, sipping on my bottled water, when I noticed someone coming up from below.

Wait… why are they heading this way? Oh, right—the smoking area is nearby.

Our eyes briefly met, and I quickly averted my gaze, pretending not to notice.

In one hand, they held a coffee cup; in the other, a cigarette—looked like an IQOS or maybe a Lil device.

Of all places, my seat happened to be right next to the smoking area. Now it felt awkward to suddenly get up and leave.

I hesitated for a moment, pretending to look off into the distance.

‘Ssshh… whoo.’

It was the girl from earlier in the physics class.

Time to casually get up and leave, I thought.

“You don’t smoke?”

Huh? There was no one else around.

“Me?”

“Yeah.”

“Uh… no, I don’t.”

“Really?”

She narrowed her eyes slightly and took a drag from her cigarette, exhaling slowly.

As she exhaled, the cigarette smoke drifted into the air.

She seemed… very practiced at it.

“Your name’s Jun-hyung Lee, right?”

“Yeah, that’s me.”

Why does this feel so familiar? Oh, right. This reminds me of those high school moments.

If I smoked too, this setup might feel balanced. But sitting here answering her questions makes me feel like some errand boy…

‘Ssshh, whoo.’

The conversation paused for a moment.

Should… should I ask her name?

Sweat started trickling down my back again. Save me, damn it.

“Want some?”

She took a drag from her cigarette and casually held up her coffee.

The coffee cup already had a hole in the lid, so she’d probably already taken a sip.

“Uh… no thanks. I’m not really into coffee.”

“Ah, okay.”

…

This is so awkward, I’m dying inside.

Now that I think about it, I’ve never had a proper conversation like this with anyone in college.

Actually, it was the same in high school. It’s not that I can’t talk because she’s a girl.

It’s the same with guys. I’d usually just stare straight ahead and eventually ask something like, “Hey, do you play games?”

That’s about the only icebreaker I know. If they’re into games, the conversation naturally flows. If not, it fizzles out, leaving us in awkward silence.

Still, I should probably at least ask for her name.

“So… what’s your name?”

“Me? Joo Yejin.”

“Joo Yejin. Hmm.”

Oh. Joo Yejin, huh. Great, now what do I say next?

Uh… should I say, Your name is pretty? My brain was starting to short-circuit.

‘Ssshh, whoo.’

Once again, the cigarette smoke swirled gently into the air.

“What school did you go to? High school, I mean.”

“Me? I went to Saemun High.”

“Ah, Saemun High.”

I managed to keep the conversation going with a high school topic.

“I graduated from Yehu High.”

Where was Yehu High again?

I couldn’t remember exactly, but I think it was a fairly well-known school.

I heard some of the tough kids hung out there, but I might be mistaken. My memory’s a bit fuzzy.

“I knew someone from Saemun High. That… um… hmm. Do you know Park Jiha?”

“I… don’t really know.”

“Mm. How about Lim Yeji?”

“Uhh… I think I’ve heard the name before…”

Sweat started to bead on my hands.

I think I’ve been through this kind of thing in my first year of high school.

It’s a classic nerd test question.

“Oh, you don’t know them? Haha… you must be a nerd.”

Of course, it didn’t seem like there was any malicious intent behind it, but for some reason, I felt nervous.

“Maybe you don’t know because you’re a boy? Ah, okay… then what about Lim Hyunsoo?”

…Lim Hyunsoo.

I know him.

He’s one of the top guys in the male delinquent group. A guy who loved bullying others.

Of course, he wasn’t in my class, so I didn’t have much interaction with him.

“Yeah, I know him…”

“You’re not close, though?”

“Yeah…”

I dodged the question as best I could. Damn, what if she calls him later?

‘Hey, do you know Jun-hyung Lee from Saemun High?’

‘Huh? Jun-hyung? Not really, but he’s probably a total loser.’

‘Oh, really? Haha.’

‘Why?’

‘He was talking like he knew you, haha.’

‘What a nerd. Use him as your errand boy.’

The thought made my stomach churn.

‘OK, OK.’

Ah, damn it…

I already feel guilty for no reason. But then again, I don’t even know if she’s close with Lim Hyunsoo, so it could just be that she knows his name. Maybe they’ve only hung out a few times…

“…”

“…”

Silence fell again.

I had no idea what to ask next.

A lot of questions popped into my head, but it felt like no matter what I asked, the answers would always be short and awkward.

I could practically feel the tears of frustration welling up inside. Someone, please, just save me!!!

“Did you study well in high school?”

“Uh… no. I wasn’t that good.”

There’s no way I could’ve been good at it.

If I were good, I wouldn’t have ended up at this university in the first place.

Joo Yejin took a long drag from her cigarette and exhaled.

“You seem like you’re good at studying, though.”

“Maybe… I’m just in a good mood today.”

She nodded, as if agreeing.

“Did you come from a science track?”

“Uh… yeah.”

“I came from the liberal arts.”

Why did she come to an engineering school if she’s from the liberal arts?

I guess it doesn’t really matter in the end.

I was in the science track, but I don’t really know much either. Understanding it would’ve helped, though.

They said they were going to integrate the fields, but at the university, they just kept separating them into science and liberal arts tracks.

It’s too much of a hassle, and honestly, when it comes to sending students to college, they still divide them into science and liberal arts.

Sigh…

Should I ask if she has any questions?

I paused for a moment. But honestly, there’s nothing else to say.

“If you don’t understand anything, feel free to ask… though I’m not really an expert either.”

“Probably better than the liberal arts.”

Is that so?

When I froze up for a moment, Joo Yejin gave a quick, teasing laugh.

…She looks really pretty when she smiles. It’s so different from the image of her with a cigarette.

“Can I really ask you?”

“Uh… yeah. I haven’t understood it for long myself, to be honest.”

If I tell her my brain just clicked today, she’ll probably think I’m an idiot.

“I’m probably going to be really confused and frustrated. I might end up swearing while trying to teach you.”

“No, no. I didn’t know much at first either, so I get it.”

“Really?”

It feels like the conversation is flowing a bit more now, though.

The tension is easing up compared to before.

“What’s Byeolsta? Say it.”

“…Byeolsta?”

Cold sweat started to drip again.

I don’t have anything like that, though.

No Byeolsta, no threads, nothing.

“Uh… I don’t have anything like that.”

“Oh, really?”

Damn it.

I knew it—this is the second round of the nerd test questions. Even if a lot of people don’t use Byeolsta, I feel like I’d look like a total loser if I didn’t have it.

“So, what’s your number? Give it to me.”

“Uh… okay.”

At least she didn’t ask anything worse.

I carefully took the phone that Joo Yejin handed me.

It looked pretty clean, probably because it was new.

‘010…’

I finished typing in the number and handed the phone back.

Joo Yejin nodded as she checked it.

“This is my number.”

…This is the first number I’ve gotten since starting college.

I quickly memorized the number and saved it into my phone.

Meanwhile, Joo Yejin finished her cigarette and stretched.

The blouse she was wearing made her breast rise with the stretch. I instinctively looked away.

“Ugh. I’ve been struggling, but this is actually going well. I was about to drop out.”

“Uh… really?”

I guess if something doesn’t suit you, it’s better to quit early.

But it felt like she was just saying it for the sake of saying something.

“Did you join any clubs in your department?”

“Ah… no.”

“Why not? The seniors seem like they’re having fun.”

“Uh… just because?”

This girl really knows how to make me sweat.

Does she not have any prejudice? I mean, it’s obvious I’m a total nerd who doesn’t even get into clubs…

“What about the central club?”

“The… central club? Not really. I don’t even know what’s available yet.”

“Doesn’t the travel club look fun?”

“It does look fun… but I’m not really sure yet.”

I see. Joo Yejin nodded.

Looks like she hasn’t joined the central club yet either.

The thought “Are you going to join the travel club with me?” almost slipped out, but I held back.

I barely managed to stop myself from making a total nerd move…

“Yeah, well… if I have any questions, I’ll ask.”

“Mm-hmm. Feel free to ask anytime.”

“Okay, haha.”

Joo Yejin finished off her coffee and glanced at her phone.

The 10-minute break was almost over. It felt like it had been at least 30 minutes.

“Shall we head back?”

“Yeah.”

Joo Yejin stretched again and walked back toward the classroom.

I awkwardly matched my steps to hers and followed.

…Now that I notice, she has a small piercing on her nose. When did she get that? It’s strange, like she gives off a sweet yet edgy vibe at the same time.

‘Creeeak.’

Joo Yejin opened the door first and sat down, and I followed, taking my seat at the very back.

As soon as I sat down, I pulled at my face in frustration.

Damn… I feel like such a loser… muttering internally.

A deep sigh escaped me.

I don’t know what she thinks of me, but all I can think about is how much of a nerd I look like.

It’s hard enough interacting with people in general, and it’s even more difficult because she’s a girl… But not just any girl—she has that kind of badass vibe, like a top-tier girl from high school.

‘Hmm… come to think of it…’

Why does it feel like I’m only hanging out with the “popular” type here too?

This can’t be true, right? It would be a nightmare if I end up stuck in this kind of pattern again.

I glanced at the podium, tasting the bitterness of my own thoughts.

‘This is so embarrassing…’

It felt like I was floating after talking to a girl in college for the first time, but at the same time, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I just fumbled through the whole conversation—awkward and stuttering. A strange mix of self-doubt and disappointment filled me.

Can’t help it… I guess I’ll just hope things get better with time.

***

“That’s all for today’s class.”

“Thank you, professor.”

As the professor left, the students quickly made their way to the door.

Class ended exactly at 5. I wonder if Yoo In-ha’s done too? I should text her.

“Jun-hyung?”

“Yeah?”

As I was gathering my things to leave, Joo Yejin called out to me.

The line of her collarbone visible through the white blouse caught my eye before I could stop myself.

“See you next time.”

“Uh, yeah, see you.”

I waved awkwardly. Joo Yejin smiled brightly before she opened the door and walked out….

For some reason, I felt strangely good. Classic nerd behavior—lost in my head after one simple word from a girl.

‘Damn, how do I even handle this feeling?’

I guess it’s just the way hormones work. My heart races just from a simple smile.

【Yoo In-ha: Hey, are you done?】

【Yoo In-ha: Hey, are you done?】

No need to send a message—I already had a text waiting.

I quickly typed my response.

【Yeah, I’m on my way down from the engineering building.】

【Yoo In-ha: Wait for me at the school gate.】

Looks like she’s coming down too.

After replying, I slowly started walking toward the school gate.

Ah… these past few days have been a blur. It’s definitely better than being bored all day, but it still feels hectic.

‘Where is she coming from?’

I fidgeted a bit as I waited for Yoo In-ha, but then I spotted a familiar face coming down from above.

It was Kim Myeongjun, the guy I saw last time when we were playing soccer. He’s been getting some buzz around our department as one of the more good-looking guys.

‘Hmm… should I ask him?’

Honestly, there isn’t really anyone I could ask.

I’m not sure if he’s into this sort of thing, but if I don’t ask now, I probably won’t get another chance.

“?”

Just then, as Myeongjun was coming down, our eyes met.

I awkwardly raised my hand to greet him, and he waved back casually.

“Uh… did class finish?”

“Yeah. Why?”

Normally, we would’ve just exchanged pleasantries and parted ways, but when I spoke up, Kim Myeongjun raised his eyebrows in surprise, clearly not expecting it.

I suddenly felt nervous. Damn.

“It’s nothing really… One of my friends asked if I knew anyone interested in a group dating event…”

“Group date?”

Myeongjun looked at me like I’d just said something totally unexpected.

It was like he was thinking, You’re setting up a group date? Someone like you?

“Which department is it with?”

“It’s with the liberal arts, over there. If it doesn’t work out, then it’s no big deal.”

“Well, it’s not like it can’t work.”

He was probably just surprised by the unexpected phrase coming from me.

Kim Myeongjun kept looking at me with confusion, then handed me his phone.

I saved his contact information, feeling a little awkward.

“When’s it happening?”

“I’ll text you once it’s set. I still need to find one more person…”

“Should I help find someone?”

Good-looking guys tend to stick with other good-looking guys… If Myeongjun asks, maybe another handsome guy will join too.

I nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, it’d be great if you could help out. I’ll try to find someone too.”

“Mm, okay. I’ll text you later.”

“Alright.”

Kim Myeongjun said “good luck” and turned to walk away.

From behind, he looked even more handsome. He dressed well too.

Well, at least I’ve found someone. I was worried I’d get scolded by Yoo In-ha for not finding anyone, but luckily that’s not the case.

If I had found someone unattractive, I would’ve been in even more trouble…

I would’ve been stumbling over my words when Yoo In-ha asked, “Did you find anyone?” but thankfully, I don’t have to worry about that.

As I waited, a tall, slender girl was coming down from above.

A girl with a handbag slung over her shoulder, arms crossed, was walking down with confident strides.

It was clear she stood out—her long legs, fashion, and overall appearance were impossible to ignore.

“Hey, loser.”

“…”

She called me a loser the moment she saw me.

Yoo In-ha stopped, grinning widely.

“Shall we go? Time to escape being a loser.”