Chapter 10 – Secret Temptation – Part 3

Chapter 10 – Secret Temptation – Part 3

Woojin wrote another message.

-You said you were also first in the entire school, right?

-Yeah, it’s no big deal.

Woojin began to touch on her deficit.

-Being first in the whole school isn’t easy, it must have been tough.

-I told you, it’s nothing.

-How much effort did you put in, you must have been very stressed, right?

-Hey, your tone is like an old-school boss lol

-I should go to sleep now. Good night.

It’s only 10 o’clock, and you’re already sleeping? Perhaps you’re sulking because I called myself an old-school boss?

At that moment.

Lying in bed and looking at her cell phone, Lee Hyerim felt the same emotion she had experienced at the restaurant once again.

It was regret.

She scrolled through the messages she had exchanged with Woojin, checking them again.

[You must have had a hard time.]

[How much effort did you put in? You must have been very stressed, right?]

These were words she had never heard before.

Not from her teacher, nor from her dad.

They only ever said things like, ‘You did well,’ ‘Work harder in the future,’ ‘Keep striving,’ and so on.

Her friends were similar.

You’re amazing, I’m jealous, it’s always Hyerim. You have a lot of money and you’re smart…

She thought she would feel good if she was first in her class, but she didn’t.

Dad didn’t acknowledge her.

She didn’t know how much effort she put in to get first place, even going to the hospital due to excessive caffeine intake.

When she showed him her report card, Dad uttered only one word.

‘Well done.’

That was it.

Hyerim, who had been quietly looking at Woojin’s message, opened her mouth.

“What does he know?”

Her tone was rough, but she was genuinely smiling.

It felt like something was being filled.

But she didn’t realize what it was.

The next day, during lunchtime.

Lee Hyerim, who hadn’t eaten lunch, was sitting in the classroom, surrounded by several friends.

“Hyerim, where did you get your hair done? It’s really pretty.”

“Did you buy a Garoom? Where? How much was it?”

“Did you change your chapstick?”

Her friends showered Lee Hyerim with various compliments, but she only stared at her phone.

She was rechecking Woojin’s message, but he hadn’t read the one she sent last night.

“Is he really mad?”

Just then, a message from Woojin came in.

-I’m not mad.

Her fingers rapidly tapped on her phone.

-Were you sleeping until now?

-No, I woke up this morning and studied.

-What on earth are you studying?

-Studying how to live ordinarily.

‘He’s really weird.’

As Lee Hyerim was thinking that, her friends asked.

“Is something good happening?”

“Who is it?”

It was because a smile was on Lee Hyerim’s face.

But she didn’t hear her friends’ voices.

-Hey, are you perhaps cultivating yourself? lol Is it that ‘Do you know the Way’? lol

Her small smile grew much wider.

She was truly beaming.

-The ordinary studies that others do. I should eat now. You eat deliciously too.

-Hey, dinner tonight? Want to try that pasta place I mentioned yesterday? My treat.

When a reply didn’t come immediately, Lee Hyerim’s eyelids blinked, and she brought a finger to her mouth.

It was proof that CandleCandle was doing it.

But Woojin didn’t even read it, let alone reply.

No.

– Call.

“Hyerim, you know there’s a party at Jinhee’s house today, right?”

“Minwoo also said he’s coming.”

Minwoo was an idol.

“I can’t go.”

“Huh? What do you mean? We made plans two weeks ago.”

“Yeah, Minwoo seems to be coming to see you too.”

“Come on, let’s go. It’ll be really fun.”

Lee Hyerim’s smiling expression suddenly fell.

And she looked at her friends and said,

“I’m not going. I’m not, go-ing. You guys go by yourselves.”

Her friends smiled awkwardly and tried to match her mood.

Even the homeroom teacher was wary of Hyerim, so that said everything about her personality.

“Looks like something came up. Then there’s nothing we can do.”

“The party shines when Hyerim is there, let’s definitely go together next time.”

Lee Hyerim’s expression, as she tapped her cellphone, was smiling again as if nothing had happened.

The kid is unique.

That’s why it’s fun and good.

***

Lee Hyerim walked up to Woojin, who had arrived at the meeting place.

Woojin quietly watched her.

Candle made her nervous, and he got a promise from her.

The woman who approached then linked her arm through his and said,

“You know you’re late, right?”

“No, it’s exactly five o’clock. You’re just early.”

“When you say it like that, anyone would think I have nothing to do. I’m a busy person.”

Woojin slowly nodded his head.

“Alright, then let’s eat quickly and go our separate ways.”

Lee Hyerim smiled bitterly to herself.

‘This isn’t right…’

Conversely, Woojin saw right through her true feelings from her expression and actions.

“Where is it? That pasta place?”

“This way.”

Lee Hyerim took the lead and began to navigate Itaewon Alley.

They arrived in no time.

Woojin entered the restaurant and looked around.

The walls had many patterns, as if carved, and the yellow lighting felt subtle.

“Would you like to order?”

At the waitress’s words, Lee Hyerim’s brow furrowed.

It was because the waitress was staring at Woojin.

Hyerim said,

“Two Alfredos, please. And a Flower Seltz for drinks.”

The waitress smiled faintly, seemed to look at Hyerim, then turned her gaze to Woojin.

“Is there anything else you need?”

Hyerim answered.

“No, no. Please bring it quickly.”

Woojin observed Lee Hyerim’s face.

My value is growing in her mind right now.

Then Woojin said,

“The atmosphere is nice.”

Her upper body, which had been sitting with her legs crossed and a displeased expression, leaned towards Woojin.

“Right? The taste is good too. Isn’t this music nice as well?”

Woojin slowly nodded his head.

She wants to show off about the music she knows.

It’s like Reporter Jang, boasting about what he knows.

Like a child praised by a teacher bragging to their parents.

Once you fill a deficit, people want to feel it again like this.

“It’s my first time hearing it. It’s good.”

“Right? This artist is…”

Lee Hyerim started pouring out words as if she had been waiting.

Just like yesterday, Woojin agreed and nodded his head.

Lee Hyerim has an unconscious desire to be recognized for her existence itself, not her background.

But that is a deficit.

I am filling that deficit now, and she will seek me out more and more to fill that deficit.

Soon, the food came out, and Woojin twirled pasta with his fork and brought it to his mouth.

Lee Hyerim, who had been sipping her drink, looked at Woojin with expectant eyes.

“It’s delicious.”

“Right?”

It was a bit less flavorful than ramen, but it was smooth.

The crunchy vegetables were also very fresh.

“Hey. You said you were studying…”

“Woojin.”

She chuckled.

“Alright, Woojin, what exactly is this ordinary studying you’re doing? Are you really just practicing asceticism?”

She laughed as if amused.

Woojin decided it was time to reveal a little more about himself.

It was to build rapport.

“GED.”

“Ah… it really was ordinary studying. But why aren’t you going to school?”

Woojin put down his fork and stared at her for a moment.

‘Marionette.’

As Woojin stared intently, she avoided his gaze and consciously nodded her head.

“Well, everyone has their reasons. Oh, right. Do you want to get tutoring?”

Lee Hyerim’s words were interpreted in Woojin’s mind.

“You’re getting private tutoring alone.”

“Hey, how did you know that?”

For Woojin, it was an obvious conclusion.

Considering her background, it would be high-quality tutoring.

Seeing Woojin’s contemplative expression, she quickly continued.

“I get bored taking lessons alone, that’s why. Don’t worry, I won’t ask you to pay.”

Two birds with one stone, and what was another way to say that…

Yes, that’s right.

‘Score.’

My Marionette, my doll, even brings gifts like this.

“Alright.”

But there are rules to follow.

Woojin had already finished his pasta and placed his fork on the empty plate.

“Let’s go.”

“Huh?”

“We’ve finished eating, so we should go. Didn’t you say you were busy?”

“Oh… right, let’s go.”

The two of them left and walked down the alley.

Just then, Lee Hyerim, who was following them, spoke up.

“Hey, the appointment was canceled. Want some coffee or… What’s wrong?”

Woojin’s feet suddenly stopped.

Woojin was staring expressionlessly at the room ahead,

An assailant, their face covered by a hat and mask, was holding a blood-dripping knife.

And the middle-aged person, who had been stabbed and slid to the ground, trembled, clutching their stomach.

Someone might have gasped at the terrible sight, but a dry sound escaped Woojin’s lips.

“Living a normal life is truly difficult.”