She was no different from a beast

Chapter 28

—–CROW—– 

“Hey! You!”

“???”

I finished the final exams faster than anyone else and checked my answers.  Perfect scores across the board.

After Korean, math, and the integrated subjects like “Enjoyable Life” were over, we had free time for the fourth period.  I was dozing off, planning to have a good lunch and go home, when…

A large, tall…not exactly fat, but a buzz-cut kid with a chubby body like a mix of fat and muscle, like our Tonggumi’s youngest, Burari, blocked my way.

His face looked familiar.

Like I’d seen him somewhere before… Ah, right.  He’s the older brother of the two-pizza-villain buzz-cut kid from the Taekwondo dojang.

I remember this kid being just as empty-headed as his younger brother.

He kept whining about not knowing what an angle was in a prism, and I wondered if he was trying to get himself killed.

Like they say, brothers resemble each other. After I finally managed to explain it to him, he complained about why I had to make such a simple thing so complicated, acting like he hadn’t matured at all despite his size. Wow. Just wow.

Thankfully, Jeongwoo and Yuri physically restrained me and dragged me outside, preventing bloodshed.

‘Or did it? After this kid played the idiot card, the mini buzz-cut kid’s intelligence returned to normal.’

I wondered if both brothers were like that, but after this one kept me captive, whining for explanations, his younger brother became strangely quiet…

Well, yeah.  He might not be smart enough to understand everything immediately, but at least he became someone I could have a conversation with.

Anyway, the older one of the brothers, who had been the worst duo during my month-long crash course, suddenly blocked my way.

I wanted to tell him to get lost because I needed to go home, but I had an image to maintain, so I smiled and greeted him politely.

“Hello.  Uh…ahem.  What can I do for you? I need to go home.”

Since he’s in sixth grade and older than me, I considered calling him “oppa,” but…ugh.  That’s too difficult for me, so I’ll just stick with polite language.

“What?  W-why are you going home already even though the exams are over! We finished early today! Let’s hang out!”

Nonsense. First graders only have four periods.

I know sixth graders have five or six periods, but first graders only have four, except for Tuesdays.

Midterms and finals were also four periods, so I’m going home like usual. What does he mean, “finished early”?

And I really need to go home.

Even though I’m not visibly showing yet, Dad, who’s been secretly playing shooting games with me, told me a few days ago that Mom is pregnant.

He said the test showed two lines.

How anxious and lonely would she be, home alone while pregnant, even if it doesn’t show yet?

Besides, even though I still don’t fully understand, I was going straight home today, not even playing with Jeongwoo and Yuri, to try and fulfill Dad’s wish to “make more memories” with me.

Should I tell him I need to go home and take care of Mom and the baby?

Hmm. No. Why should I tell this jerk my family matters?

I don’t want to tell this guy about our happy news, which I haven’t even told Jeongwoo and Yuri yet.

…This is tricky.

“My mom will be worried, so I need to go. Let’s play next time.”

I put on my sweetest smile and answered in a firm voice.

Even though my body is younger and sometimes my reason tap-dances with my instincts, urging me to punch something, I can still manage decent lip service and expressions, honed from my past life.

As I tried to walk past him…the big buzz-cut kid stammered, as if he hadn’t expected this, and grabbed my hand.

“H-hey! Don’t go!!”

“Oh, come on, you littl- … No.  Huh? But I really need to go.”

I almost cursed instinctively when this sweaty, large boy touched me without my permission.

Phew. Good thing I muttered it quietly so he didn’t hear.

I forced a troubled expression, rolled my eyes, and tried to pull my hand away, but he didn’t let go.  He might be big, but he wasn’t strong enough to hurt me, Han Yuna, the beast with gorani-like strength.

Seriously, just let me go.

I’ll play with you next time if you want.

This is strange. Why does a sixth grader want to play with a first grader like me?

“L-let’s eat tteokbokki together!!”

“But I already ate lunch…”

“I-I’ll buy it for you!!”

“Hehe. Tteokbokki is delicious. Okay, let’s eat.”

Well, I can’t resist free tteokbokki.

He looks like a dumb kid who only gets into fights, but…is he actually a loyal guy?

He’s offering to buy me tteokbokki, perhaps grateful that I suffered through tutoring him.

Wow, the older brother is better than the younger one.

The younger one has been fidgeting whenever he sees me at school, just saying hi and quickly walking past.

Well, just eating tteokbokki is fine.

It won’t take too long, so it should be okay, right?

Home-cooked meals and school lunches are good, but sometimes I crave spicy and stimulating street food. Ooh, I’m already drooling.

How did he know I like tteokbokki? Hehe.

He seemed relieved at my answer and started walking, but…could you let go of my hand? I don’t want to hold hands with you.

I might do it with Jeongwoo or Yuri, but I don’t want to hold hands with a sweaty boar like you.

…I need to wipe my hand with a wet towel or tissue as soon as we get to the snack bar.

The snack bar in front of the school was crowded, not just with kids buying snacks on their way home after the exams.

Many kids were gathered in groups, occupying tables, chatting and laughing while eating tteokbokki, fried food, fish cakes, or sundae.

It should be a lively and bustling atmosphere, but the snack bar was surprisingly quiet.

Why? Did news of my feats of strength spread to other classes or grades? That can’t be it.

The kids in my class are cowardly and always watching my every move, so they wouldn’t spread rumors.

And how should I put this?

Are they…looking at this big buzz-cut kid nervously?

Whatever. I’m just stuffing my face with tteokbokki.

I savored the soft, chewy rice cakes simmered in the spicy, sweet, and savory gochujang sauce.

Hehe. Delicious.

Wow, this kid is generous.

He must have saved up a lot of allowance.  He’s a grade-schooler, yet he splurged 10,000 won on three servings of 1,000 won tteokbokki, two extra eggs, sundae, and assorted fried food.

When I was tutoring him, I thought he was just an idiot with an empty head to match his lack of hair, but now I’m wondering if a buzz cut is the hairstyle of a loyal man.

Well, 10,000 won is pocket change for Han Yuna, who’s been diligently saving her allowance since last year!

“Is it good?”

“Yes!”

Look at him.  Acting all manly, not eating, just watching me eat.

Crispy fried squid.

Dipped in the thick gochujang sauce… Wow. Now I understand why people still visit snack bars even when they’re older.

“I-I’ll…buy you this every day.”

“Huh? Really?”

How is that possible? Are you rich? Wow. Why didn’t you say so earlier!

I never thought there’d be a rich kid on this remote island.

The key to an easy life is to befriend rich kids, even if they’re a little slow.

But why does this supposedly rich kid have a haircut like a soldier about to enlist, and why does he look so tough?

Judging by his clothes, face, and size, he looks like a delinquent who gets into fights.

Hmm. Is it my prejudice?  Well, even if he’s rich, it’s hard to wear luxury brands or expensive clothes on this remote island.

…But why is a rich kid living on Ulleungdo? I don’t get it.

Anyway, I covered my mouth with my hand and pretended to be surprised.  His shoulders lifted, and the corners of his mouth curled up.

“Yeah.  I can just collect money from my underlings. So, since you ate this, we’re officially dating, starting today.”

“???”

Wh-what?

‘Damn it.’

The big buzz-cut kid smiled seductively and leaned closer, as if he were the male lead in a drama.

So he really *is* a delinquent.  Little shit.

As they say, appearances are deceiving.  He looked like a dumb brute, but!

Did I hear that right?

Is that something a 13-year-old boar should say to an 8-year-old, top-of-the-class pretty girl?

Why is he suddenly acting like he’s in a romance drama?

He declared that we’re dating, starting today, without my consent…and he did it publicly, inside the snack bar where other students were.  My head spun.

Okay, calm down. Calm down.

“Hoo.”

Calm down. He probably just said it in the heat of the moment.

He’s only 13, still a kid.  Still a kid…a kid…

‘Damn it. What 13-year-old asks an 8-year-old to go out with them?’

My reason, which had been controlling my brain, suddenly abandoned its post and returned hand-in-hand with my dormant instincts, whispering, “Should I kill him, Master?”

My instincts, which had been sleeping due to lack of opportunity, looked around, wondering what was going on, listened to reason’s explanation, and then tap-danced with joy.  “It’s finally happening!”

“…I’ll give you ten seconds.”

“Huh?”

Let’s have a genre shift.

Shall we change from romance to survival thriller?

Run if you want to live, buzz-cut.

—–CROW—– 

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