78) Chapter 13. She Says She Wants to Talk to You (5)

“Th‑then, I’ll just… go now…”

“Where are you going?”

“Huh?”

“There’s still plenty of time. It’s not like we have homework. Let’s go to a café.”

“C‑café?”

“Yeah. You don’t want to?”

“……”

Jinwoo’s eyes darted around, then she glanced nervously between Soi and Chae‑yi.

I turned to see what was going on—Soi and Chae‑yi were smiling sweetly at me.

Much better expressions than earlier, but… why?

“Uh… okay…”

Jinwoo finally lowered her head in resignation.

“Hey.”

“Hm?”

Before Soi and Chae‑yi could latch onto me again, Hyeonji hurried over and called me.

“Why are you dragging him around like this?”

“Why? You don’t like it?”

“No, it’s not that.”

Hyeonji made a complicated face.

“Do you… not like him? Are you trying to bully him or something?”

“……Do I look like that?”

When I asked seriously, Hyeonji froze for a moment.

She hesitated, then sighed deeply and shook her head.

“No, that’s not it.”

I’m frustrated too, you know.

I can’t exactly ask her to her face, “Are you a girl?” And calling her “feminine” isn’t exactly a compliment either.

So for now, I just have to keep her close. If I gather enough hints, maybe a situation will come where I can ask directly.

Even if it’s not today.

…Besides.

I want more friends.

And seeing her alone all the time makes me feel guilty. Like it’s my fault she ended up isolated.

“……Fine. I get it.”

Hyeonji brushed her hair back.

“But if you want to get close to him, shouldn’t you act a little friendlier?”

“Friendlier?”

“I mean… he’s terrified right now. Maybe you should be a bit more… you know.”

When I stared at her, Hyeonji’s face slowly turned red.

“Okay, fine, I’m not one to talk. Forget it.”

She backed away, flustered.

As soon as she stepped aside, Soi and Chae‑yi immediately returned to my sides and grabbed my arms.

“……”

Their gazes landed on my face. They didn’t say anything—just smiled brightly while staring straight at me.

…What do I do.

They look angry.

Maybe Hyeonji was right. Maybe I really did look like I was bullying Jinwoo.

And Chae‑yi suddenly taking care of her earlier…

Are they mad because they think I bullied her? They’re both daughters of heroes, so from a justice‑based perspective, I guess that makes sense.

But with those stares on me, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything all the way to the café.

*

“……”

“……”

Jinwoo ordered another fancy menu item.

Honestly, I couldn’t even tell what was in that drink. The inside of the glass had layers of colors—probably strawberry and banana, at least.

Or maybe it wasn’t layered at all and was just drawn on the inside of the glass? I only ordered an Americano and a slice of cake, so I had no idea.

If you’re going to spend money anyway, might as well get something tasty.

Or maybe she’d always wanted to try something like this but never had the courage.

“Is it good?”

“Y‑yeah.”

Maybe because it was a drink this time, or maybe she was mentally prepared—at least she didn’t choke.

“……”

When I stopped talking, Jinwoo stopped too. My friends also fell silent.

Jinwoo’s face went pale, then red, then pale again under all the staring.

The original characters were right—she really does have a “cute face.”

And I can see why girls were drawn to her. If you ignore the fact she’s a girl, she’s just a cute, pretty boy.

I’ve never been attracted to men, so I don’t fully get it, but I’ve heard that “boys who trigger maternal instincts” are popular.

“Do you…”

Anyway.

Thinking about what Hyeonji said earlier, I slowly opened my mouth.

Jinwoo lifted her gaze toward me.

“Do you think I’m bullying you?”

“N‑no.”

“Then?”

“Uh…”

“Or do you hate eating with us?”

“……”

She hesitated.

“…No.”

No, that’s definitely a lie.

Does she dislike girls? In the original, Jinwoo ended up with a girl just fine.

Maybe this world’s Jinwoo, despite cross‑dressing, actually has normal girl tastes and sensibilities.

“Then good.”

I said.

“If you don’t hate it, then it’s fine.”

“Uh…”

“Let’s eat together tomorrow too. You always eat alone.”

Honestly, it’s funny how easily the words come out around her.

I stutter in front of Soi and Chae‑yi sometimes.

But it’s not because I feel especially comfortable around Jinwoo.

I’m far more comfortable with Soi and Chae‑yi. Sleeping together in one bed is cramped, but that tight closeness feels comforting.

It reminds me I’m not alone.

Because of my trauma, Soi and Chae‑yi can’t hug me tightly. So they probably try to mimic a hugging posture without using their arms, trying to give me comfort however they can.

I’m so grateful for that.

That’s why I don’t want to treat them carelessly. I don’t want them to leave because of some small mistake of mine.

Well, not “leave because of my mistake.” I just don’t want them to leave, period.

I really haven’t grown at all.

“……”

My words drew everyone’s attention back to Jinwoo. She glanced nervously between Soi and Chae‑yi.

Then she looked at Hyeonji.

Hyeonji simply looked away, as if she had nothing to say.

“…Okay.”

Jinwoo finally nodded, looking like a terrified hamster.

But she still finished her drink to the last drop.

Which also felt hamster‑like.

She’s taller than me, yet somehow gives off that vibe.

Of course, we paid for her drink too.

*

“Hm~”

Soi pressed right up against me, humming through her nose.

“Hmmm~”

“W‑what?”

Her arm kept brushing mine, and I could swear I felt her breath on my neck. I shivered.

“No reason.”

Soi looked away casually.

“I just didn’t know our Rua was interested in boys.”

No.

This is so unfair.

She’s not a boy.

But of course, I never said anything, and normally there’s no reason for a girl to cross‑dress at school, so their assumption makes sense.

“I didn’t know Rua had that kind of taste~”

Soi stretched her legs dramatically.

“This big sister is so sad~ Rua didn’t tell me anything~ hmm~”

“No.”

I opened my mouth out of sheer frustration, but I didn’t know what to say.

“I just… felt bad for him.”

“Hm~ I see, he was pitiful~ Our Rua is too kind for her own good~”

She didn’t believe me at all.

For reference, Chae‑yi had gone to shower first.

I looked to Hyeonji for help.

But just like earlier with Jinwoo, she quietly averted her gaze. Well, what could she even say?

“No, seriously, it’s not like that.”

I tried again, but Soi just stared at the ceiling.

“Hmmm~”

She sounded incredibly sulky.

I stayed frozen beside her until Chae‑yi came out of the shower.

When Soi went in next—

“I see. So Rua likes that kind of person…”

Chae‑yi sat down on the opposite side where Soi had been.

She turned toward me, and something kept brushing my arm. But if I pulled away, she might get hurt.

Leaning slightly toward me, she stared right into my face.

“Did you… get interested in him?”

“N‑no.”

“No? Then why did you drag him around?”

“B‑because he looked pitiful…”

“I seeee~ he looked pitiful~”

She didn’t sound convinced at all.

I was sweating cold bullets when Chae‑yi let out a soft laugh.

“Then you’re not in love with him, right?”

She stretched out the words teasingly.

“Y‑yeah. I’m not. Not in love.”

Of course not.

“I seeee. Rua doesn’t lie about things like that. Right?”

“Y‑yeah.”

“Then I’ll believe you. Okay? It’s okay if I believe you, right?”

“Y‑yeah…”

“Hehe.”

Chae‑yi giggled, then grabbed my hand and interlocked our fingers tightly.

As if she’d never let go.

I had no idea whether I should feel relieved or terrified.

I looked at Hyeonji again.

She quietly looked away.

Someone save me.

===

Author’s Note (A/N):

Thank you for reading today!

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Thank you, 라뽁이님, for your support!

You donated on April 10th, and I’m so sorry for thanking you so late ㅠㅠㅠㅠ

Thank you always for reading my work! The reason I can finish one story and gather the courage to start the next is because of all of you who read my novels. Writing is sometimes difficult, and plotlines often get stuck… but the strength to push through always comes from your encouragement. Seeing the rising likes, views, and support makes me want to write more. Thank you so much.

I will never forget the time I spent with all of you who helped me achieve my dream of becoming a writer. Realizing that there are readers who enjoy my stories made me so happy… I’ll do my best to continue bringing you joy! Thank you so much! Please continue to support me!

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Thank you, eternalyg님, for your support!

Thank you always for reading my novels! I always want to write happy endings, so of course I want this story to have a happy ending too! Since it has a harem tag, naturally it should head toward a harem ending! I’ll do my best so that every heroine can be happy with Rua! Personally, I think being a writer is a lonely job unless someone reads your work. Only when someone reads and calls me a writer can I truly be one. So for all of you who gave me that title, I’ll always do my best! Please continue to support me!

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Pub: 15 Apr 2026 07:18 UTC

Edit: 15 Apr 2026 20:41 UTC

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