Chapter 45 : Chapter 45

And I deeply regretted my actions.

The captain was more serious about soccer than I thought.

Since things had come to this, he decided to give me some time to 'get familiar with the ball'.

Unfortunately, Ye Sara's athletic ability wasn't enough to get friendly with the ball even if she tried hard for just one day.

Or was it that my past life, which had nothing to do with sports, synergized with it?

However, there was one thing I clearly found out.

Ye Sara should avoid jobs related to sports as much as possible.

Same goes for me.

"I told you, didn't I? That guy is pretty serious about soccer."

Seeing me staggering toward the wall again today, Nam Da-un spoke as if he had expected it.

"…"

I couldn't refute his words because I was silently regretting drawing attention.

Honestly, I thought I could just kick the ball a few times and be done with it.

I guess I underestimated how serious that guy was.

"Well, still, it's impressive. You're gradually roping in people who vowed never to talk to you."

"It's still far off."

Yeah, far off.

I haven't even talked to five people yet.

Including Shin So-hee, it's just five.

Though Shin So-hee isn't a student, so counting her doesn't really mean much.

"…"

After hearing my response, Nam Da-un narrowed his eyes and looked down at me for a moment before speaking.

"Don't tell me your goal is the attitude of those girls sticking to you?"

"…"

It's true that the reason I was able to walk straight without collapsing, even while staggering, was thanks to Ha-neul and Lee Soo-ah, who were supporting me on both sides.

It seemed like they were sticking closer than just offering a helping hand.

"This is part of the process," Ha-neul responded.

"There's no better way to attract people's attention," Soo-ah replied this time.

"…"

Nam Da-un sighed deeply, as if he couldn't believe it.

"Well… I don't know what you're thinking, so it's not my place to interfere… but don't you have a fiancé?"

"…Oh."

Right, I did.

I'd completely forgotten.

Now that I think about it, he's been awfully quiet.

Even though we've never been particularly affectionate, if he saw those articles, he'd be furious.

In the original story, he hated losing what was his, even pulling Yoo Ha-neul away when he saw her with another guy.

Although, back then, he had some twisted affection as a tsundere…

Still, wouldn't Ye Sara think of me as 'hers'?

To be blunt, our engagement was for money.

For him to claim Ye Sara's wealth, she had to be completely his, right?

Hearing rumors about us being in a romantic relationship and being physically close during class should make him uneasy, shouldn't it?

Well, if he just gave up, that would be a relief for me.

"If he's bothered, he'll come and ask me himself."

So, I just said that and moved on.

Yeah, he'll handle it.

The Ye Sara who couldn't say a word in front of him is gone, and he's seen that change himself.

He wouldn't assume that I'd just obediently take whatever he throws at me.

"You're brushing it off too casually… Well, it's your business. You know best."

Nam Da-un shrugged lightly.

While we were chatting, we arrived at the place where we always climbed over the wall… although it had only been a few days.

Anyway, it was the wall we used to climb over.

"Today, it might be better to use the front gate."

It seemed he said that because he saw my legs trembling.

"If we go out through the front gate, I'll get kidnapped."

"Most people wouldn't call getting into your family's car kidnapping."

Even as Nam Da-un said that, he helped me climb over the wall.

Still, I've been running every weekday.

Even if I exerted myself more today, I thought I could at least—

"Okay, I'm letting go."

With that, Nam Da-un let go of me.

I fell off the wall,

"Ugh."

And as soon as my feet hit the ground, I fell forward.

—so I'm falling.

Alright, from now on, I'll just be satisfied with running.

Or maybe I should just be content with exchanging a few words.

I don't seem to get along well with soccer balls.

As I stumbled forward, trying not to hit my face on the ground,

I felt something soft, warm, and pleasant against my face.

"…"

"…"

There was a brief moment of silence.

I slowly lifted my head to see Shin So-hee looking down at me with an expression that showed she couldn't believe what just happened.

"Oh, uh, sorry!"

I tried to get up, but my weakened legs couldn't support me, and I almost fell backward— but I didn't.

That's because Shin So-hee grabbed my shoulders with both hands and stopped me.

Fortunately, although my legs were weak, I could still stand as long as someone was holding me.

I didn't end up collapsing.

"What are you doing?" Shin So-hee asked.

"Well, you know…"

I glanced at her from the corner of my eye.

Where I had buried my face—Shin So-hee had undone about three buttons of her shirt, probably because her chest felt suffocated.

Although she wore a cardigan on top, covering any excessive exposure, the large chest beneath created a prominent valley.

…I had buried my face right in that valley.

"Sara!"

Just then, Ha-neul jumped down from the wall, calling out in panic.

She must have seen me fall as soon as I touched the ground.

Then, seeing me and Shin So-hee, who was holding my shoulders, Ha-neul's mouth fell open slightly.

Shin So-hee just shrugged at Ha-neul, as if to say, 'Well, these things happen.'

…She's much calmer than when she saw under my skirt.

Maybe it's because she knows this was an accident?

Ha-neul glanced between me and Shin So-hee, then quickly came over and linked her arm with mine.

"…Huh?"

…And stuck right next to me.

Even Shin So-hee looked momentarily startled by how close Ha-neul had gotten.

"Sara, are you okay—"

Then, Lee Soo-ah, who had also jumped down, took in the situation and immediately ran over to cling to my other arm.

"…"

Shin So-hee stayed silent for a moment before slowly letting go of my shoulders.

"Well, uh…"

"No, it's not."

Before Shin So-hee could ask anything, I quickly denied it.

"Not?"

She asked back, her face briefly confused, then she furrowed her brow slightly.

"No."

When I firmly denied it, Shin So-hee's eyes moved.

She looked at my face, then at Ha-neul's, and finally at the arm Ha-neul was clinging to.

It was obvious Ha-neul was sticking closer to me than necessary for mere support.

The same went for Soo-ah on the other side.

She was clinging to my arm so tightly that it distorted the shape of her chest.

"So, really, nothing's going on?"

Shin So-hee, after taking it all in, asked seriously.

I suppressed the urge to sigh.

*

"So, in summary…"

A quiet café, tucked away in a small alley some distance from the school.

We chose this place because we didn't want other students overhearing our conversation at a café near school, and it turned out to have a nicer atmosphere than expected.

It seemed like an older building that had been renovated, offering cheaper rent, but still… it was probably only considered cheap for central Seoul.

After settling into a corner seat, I explained to Shin So-hee what had happened at school today.

Of course, I also showed her the photos of me and Ha-neul from the article.

While tapping the phone screen showing the article photo, Shin So-hee spoke.

"So, you were caught hanging out together over the weekend, and it made the news."

"Yeah."

"And the article gave off the vibe that you two are dating."

"Mm-hm."

"And now, since it's come to this, you're using the misunderstanding to draw attention at school?"

"That's right."

After hearing me out, Shin So-hee crossed her arms and tilted her head, furrowing her brow slightly.

Her arms pushed her heavy chest up, making the valley between the open buttons even more prominent.

I couldn't help but glance at it and then quickly looked away.

I hadn't been so conscious of it before, but now, after burying my face there, I couldn't stop recalling the feeling.

Was I always this weak to girls?

…I guess I was.

If it weren't for my circumstances, I could probably enjoy this situation.

The only reason I'm holding on to my sanity is because I don't know what the chairwoman might do to me if I let go.

"Why?"

After thinking for a while, Shin So-hee asked.

"Huh?"

"I mean, you're pretending to date to get attention at school. You're even making it look like some love triangle or harem situation. But why go that far to attract attention? I just don't get it."

"…Oh."

Only then did I realize that Shin So-hee didn't know the full context of my situation.

She might have guessed that I couldn't freely go out or that I had family issues, but not the whole picture.

I glanced at Ha-neul and Lee Soo-ah.

Both were also looking at me.

Maybe, seeing my hesitation, Shin So-hee assumed I didn't want to talk.

"Oh~ If you don't want to talk about it, it's fine. If it's too personal, I don't have the right to pry anyway."

Her reaction was almost as if she were sulking.

"No, it's fine."

I shook my head.

"I've come this far, so I'll tell you. Besides, everyone in school already knows."

"Oh, really?"

Shin So-hee, who had been leaning back in her chair, quickly leaned forward at my words.

She's so honest.

Well, it's not a bad thing. It's much better than lying.

Thinking that, I began explaining my current situation to Shin So-hee.