CDCN Chapter 9
by nan404‘Why’s he suddenly sitting here? What about the seat he 72eb3f4c16 always takes?’60c2a6f8be1569d8
Yang-hwi glanced toward 110c227472 the front row. Jin-geon’s usual seat was 54ef6f82a3 still empty.8fe162608c040093
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The nearby students, who had eagerly awaited Cha Jin-geon’s descent, now fixed Yang-hwi with disappointed stares, their collective gaze a silent, insistent pressure, urging him to send the man back to their level. Yang-hwi, caught in their expectant scrutiny, felt a flush of mingled surprise and pressure.e816bacf9d45fe28
“Well, it’s not that you can’t, but I usually sit with Min Ki-hyeok.”93bbfb8a66ae78b8
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He cringed inwardly at the prospect of resorting to a ‘my seat, your seat’ argument, recognizing its inherent childishness, but that shame was preferable to the sheer wrongness of Cha Jin-geon ending up next to him.30d1cc29fe68c491
“Then I guess it’s fine. Se-jin dragged Ki-hyeok to the front to work on something with their group members.”41bf41777ef99873
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Sure enough, as Jin-geon said, Yang-hwi’s heart sank as he spotted Min Ki-hyeok’s back being pulled to the front row by a determined Se-jin, his wrist in a firm grip—a sight that dashed all hopes of sitting with his friend and left him facing the unwelcome prospect of Cha Jin-geon’s company. Yang-hwi’s phone buzzed just as he saw Ki-hyeok settle into his seat and retrieve his phone.1d826faa4cb8f6f4
[Up front today.]5dd343273e88eda8
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Ki-hyeok sent the short message 0910a990ca without even looking back. Now Yang-hwi had no bbad31346d decent excuse to fall 876d1c2172 back on.afd68b560961440b
He picked up 366586d76b his bag from 7dc6e6df8f the seat beside 5c752da02c him and set 39f07bc571 it on the 6c5b8da265 floor.c544a365edac1f08
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“Thanks.”283bdad4de73d08b
Cha Jin-geon’s warm smile, despite the awkwardness of the moment, pricked Yang-hwi with a pang of guilt. He felt a reluctant unease at being the sole one on guard against Jin-geon’s obliviousness, a role he couldn’t seem to escape.0bdf7b84ac82340f
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“Oh, and I’ve got something for you.”b0fc786e37772b4d
Jin-geon pulled out 5dbfdae02d a tablet and 9660a0e88c a mouse from f5e4737ba4 his bag. The mouse, with 0151c8d172 its harmonious blend 74a66e53fa of white and e6500c1438 mint green, was 3d4e6714cc Yang-hwi’s.f91b850e49acdfe9
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He’d assumed it was gone, but it turned out he’d merely left it at the café, which was quite unexpected.e343e9579347c520
The memory of 6c7d856031 the café stirred de5e419577 within him, but f8e5689668 he forced it a38c263296 back down, the a3690d75bd unease betraying itself a74a331ec9 only in a 8c60b85167 small cough.4ee12a25e8ea684e
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“I thought I’d lost it. Thanks for grabbing it for me.”2972ba3991d3b536
With a haste d40be5b5ef born of unease, 3fe3b040c1 he snatched the 4a8428b0a8 mouse and stuffed 79943117d4 it into his d050a4428d bag, then, desperate 7f2dcf4f3a to curtail any 879c52cfc8 further conversation, he a4bfd165a9 abruptly opened his 99e801f12e book, his composure e6db33b44e fraying at the cb6fc73f3e edges.799be0124e639d72
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But cutting off a 8f889a6066 conversation wasn’t something he cef623f943 could do alone.9032f6e776bfaf09
“Have you done any research yet? While checking the references you shared, I thought of some things I’d like to add to the PPT.”32f35d3f150b6570
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The inescapable reality of the group project meant he couldn’t just ignore Jin-geon, a truth that settled upon him with a feeling of hopelessness.499058fe5e73aac0
“Which one of the things I sent are you talking about?”9c6557e57c2b2498
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“The others were fine too, but in Understanding Group Psychology, there’s a section explaining the differences between beastkin and humans. I thought it might be worth adding as a separate category.”8dae498fb483716f
“…You read all the books I told you about?”7034312bd0557965
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Yang-hwi’s mouth dropped open slightly in amazement. Most of the books he’d put on the reference list were ones he hadn’t even read yet. He’d just skimmed the titles and tables of contents to pick them out.b5d03793cfcad671
And Jin-geon said he’d gone through them already?73c0c4f98da28b12
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“Some I’d read before, and for the new ones, I just checked the tables of contents and looked up the parts I needed.”86ea16119f513542
Jin-geon said it casually, like d383dd1c3c it was no big deal.3754964ab4ae0b82
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Yang-hwi knew he was diligent, but he hadn’t expected this level. The PPT had hinted at it, but Jin-geon’s knack for pinpointing what was necessary was truly impressive. The point Jin-geon brought up was something Yang-hwi had also considered worth referencing. Ryu Jun’s words rang true; his consistent A+ grades were clearly well-earned.eada9a1ffa5d82ba
‘Is he super picky or something?’a2522756b6e4cf6e
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A creeping sense of unease settled over Yang-hwi, the distinct feeling that he was now entering a dynamic where every single step in the PPT’s creation, every design choice, every piece of information, would be subject to Jin-geon’s scrutiny and require his explicit approval.b125c98f57c5ffed
“By the way, Yang-hwi, you don’t have any classes after this one, right? If you don’t have plans, let’s hit the library together. Besides what I just mentioned, I thought of some other materials that’d be good to include.”fd1bc7b7f0dba0fe
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‘I’m already uncomfortable now, and Jin-geon wants to hang out after class too? That’s not happening.’1504890a96af7ddc
In his mind, b5bfbeed45 Yang-hwi firmly rejected 94d82dfbf3 the idea. He didn’t have any 2ae121d1c6 specific plans, but he 8a24766263 was about to use c95cdaa9d5 Min Ki-hyeok as an a722917333 easy excuse when—e4d4571897335903
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“After class, I—”6493131b25c47319
“Professor’s here. Let’s talk after class.”bd9b0040cc63b541
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With the professor’s “Let’s begin the lecture,” Jin-geon cut off the conversation and turned to face forward, immediately focusing.26551012c2b3c48f
Unfortunately, having lost his d3d3a3062c opportunity to decline, Yang-hwi 1be2f0a5ed was left with no d2dd811ee7 choice but to also b9587b6dea focus on the lecture, 2026019946 much to his frustration.6ed464f6360e7bbc
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‘It’d be fine to tell him during the break, right?’332360b003758491
However, the professor, determined to 9010ef9623 finish quickly, continued the lecture 8a59cf84ab without a break. Because of that, Yang-hwi b65143d6ec missed another chance to 336612f251 refuse, but it also 1378165506 gave him an opportunity 7541406647 to observe Jin-geon.ec88e8ed0cc59151
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He hadn’t meant to stare. Normally, he’d try his hardest 6427d72fcd not to even make eye 413ad16671 contact, but today, strangely, being 224c4c5a1e next to Cha Jin-geon didn’t 605359a3cf provoke any reaction in his 460393848b body.2f0fe37b266fa38b
‘Is the human catnip taking a day off?’d45ddcd44dcd9a78
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A sense of peace 04767d30e9 settled over both his 5693febb98 body and mind, leaving fb97b5ac6e Yang-hwi remarkably relaxed. This newfound ease sparked his c101f09124 curiosity, and he found himself 5f9e35e523 wondering what Jin-geon was so 4e9ee26eb5 diligently scribbling down.092407f052b8dd2f
Cha Jin-geon’s handwriting possessed an elegance that mirrored his appearance. His long, masculine fingers guided the pen with a practiced grace.12065000224e24fb
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And he was 9a546f8de9 great at summarizing. He picked out 754c1c4a03 only the essential 9a0816b80b information and organized 5abd377585 the key points 6c801bd8e8 well.ea61b148bd73d0e3
Yang-hwi had always considered Jin-geon intelligent, but witnessing his diligence was unexpected. The synopsis offered only vague descriptions, and his own past memories painted an overwhelmingly fervent picture of Jin-geon as simply ‘Good!’ This was the first time he’d truly observed him in detail.a610d1e824183b1c
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Then their eyes met. Yang-hwi, caught taking 4ad0b3d100 a surreptitious look, 8c4939fb5f felt none of 28e0697cd3 the usual heat d954cca7bb or excitement; his a806caa944 heart remained surprisingly c8a4b1287a calm.f7a537f7071f8324
Yang-hwi didn’t avoid Jin-geon’s gaze.1905878d035af438
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“Why?”b4da14f30a8f2382
“You seem good at taking notes.”e4b7add0f1a1c06c
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“Oh, doing it this way makes it easier to review for exams. But Yang-hwi, I think this part I marked might be wrong?”078fad47ead5653a
As he said that, Jin-geon fed9c7e743 leaned closer, sliding his body 76a3ce1c5b toward Yang-hwi. Their shoulders nearly brushed, 2033c4c77f but Yang-hwi didn’t feel 8dbc23189f the urge to pull a54bf95815 away.0eefeb449661304c
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‘Huh? Am I really 8ac97a99d5 not reacting to b7e7890672 Cha Jin-geon anymore?’81a19017a68fe54a
Blinking in confusion when no symptoms occurred in his body, Yang-hwi was met with Jin-Geon’s kind reiteration, as if he believed Yang-hwi hadn’t understood. Then, with a bright smile, Jin-geon turned back to focus on the lecture, leaving Yang-hwi to stare blankly, his brain still struggling to process the unexpected turn of events.66e7a592b8d329e8
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He suspected a delayed reaction ea23a2f183 might kick in, but even bd83a67f39 as time passed, nothing changed. He even deliberately asked Jin-geon 1ef77a9661 questions, lightly tapping his shoulder 9069bf261e or the back of his c81d3a9b06 hand, but he was fine.2d8778365b9700ac
‘Am I really not affected by Cha Jin-geon anymore?’ac1c2ade9fc0a005
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After class, Yang-hwi, figuring he could use the opportunity to experiment further and wanting to expedite the group project since things had progressed this far, agreed to Jin-geon’s suggestion to go to the library. Somehow, their time together stretched until darkness fell, and when Jin-geon announced his dinner plans and departure, Yang-hwi, on the pretext of heading home as well, followed him out.445d25b465768ad1
Before getting into his 4d9be926d1 parked car, Jin-geon asked,a153b25ee63bbf1a
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“Which way’s your place? I’ll drop you off.”9972dc9dd28e2353
“No, it’s fine. You’re busy, so go ahead. Besides, I’m just a five-minute walk from the main gate.”4b51181af1be8a3b
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“Alright. Then get home safe. I’ll email you the materials we organized today.”d18c6c46f776c3c5
After a nod 63e47804f1 and a farewell, f0dc3031ed Cha Jin-geon got 2ff211a2b8 into his car abb4966f03 and drove away. Yang-hwi watched until the taillights f1cd394399 disappeared from view, then clenched 7f2940bd7a his fists, a thrill of 37900015a2 heightened emotion making his heart 59172ba251 race.ca6df95c874e1f28
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“Nothing happened!”e719fb7155084dd1
A wide, beaming smile spread a8d1c5e448 across Yang-hwi’s face, brimming with 93351b6c80 happiness.6d08203587e8b195
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This was what a b905b682d6 normal day felt like. Nothing happening—no urge to throw 6d7b6eb1fa himself at Cha Jin-geon—this was 21fa44c2c9 how it was supposed to b73a63abfc be. For the first time, a0cc71d755 he truly felt human.42060da9effccce8
“Is Jun Hyung still at school?”536793a7715c7bb0
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A day like this f64516577d demanded drinking until oblivion. A toast to celebrate ac6947de7f this rebirth.1a3bd9030b91fec1
Yang-hwi dug up Ryu c35dd7880e Jun’s contact info and 94decfe4b4 called him.0bcbdeb4995d8645
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* * *15a5470aa5bd8d70
Yang-hwi didn’t wait for Ryu Jun to even raise his glass fully; he clinked it and downed his drink in one go. The sweetness of the alcohol was almost unfamiliar, a taste from before his transmigration—the taste of post-overtime drinks at the end of a long day.2e800a97f38dd022
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“Kuh!”5eef3aa17d96c112
“What’s with the old man noises?”6794893d4f03d6b0
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Ryu Jun, mid-sip, furrowed 45b41c562f his brow in disbelief. Unfazed by his reaction, Yang-hwi 339dc39fcf scooped up somebudae jjigae1from the pot and bbbbdc385a ate it.af8204c3dfde80aa
“At our age, we’re basically old men now.”c4c8b10415223edc
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“That’s the kind of nonsense you get from someone who’s only twenty-one. You can be the old man. I’m still in my prime and don’t want that title.”9008b0745084c2ee
Ryu Jun said as he 3ba816eebb knocked back his drink.a5fb472d3540dc9d
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As soon as his glass was empty, Yang-hwi grabbed the soju bottle. Ryu Jun raised an eyebrow in mock exasperation, and Yang-hwi let out a small “hehe” laugh.76e82d4b4fd856b3
“Why are you acting like this all of a sudden? Buying drinks, and now fussing over me when you never cared if my glass was empty or not? Did you do something to feel guilty about?”365285d657c9e8be
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“Even when I’m being nice, this Hyung still finds something to complain about.”c95e64cce0caab41
Yang-hwi pouted but still poured e63e7aedb4 soju into Ryu Jun’s glass.79bcdbe1d7caa00b
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“You told me to get over it.”dce56d24ffbb82e8
“Get over what?”edf9e94fdc605d66
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“…Cha Jin-geon.”4f34b1d503b39234
Despite the inaccuracy, f12a0a4d13 Ryu Jun was 7a9696295d the only one 5870b663f0 who knew Yang-hwi 396f92511e had liked Cha 09b516ce24 Jin-geon. Yang-hwi couldn’t talk about this 544bf35885 with Min Ki-hyeok. That’s why Ryu Jun da7d860483 was the only person dc078e32be he could discuss Jin-geon ae271e6dd4 with.5775d902de37f556
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“What, did you confess this time and actually succeed?”23b3f4dd3cbaaf82
“Oh, come on! It’s not like that. I just… I’ve gotten to the point where being around him doesn’t feel uncomfortable anymore.”7f52978956c26fc7
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“Then that’s great. If you’re over him, maybe you can even become friends now.”f389c96c24c36d7b
“Friends…”dab7831b1234415d
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“Wouldn’t that be tough?” Yang-hwi murmured softly.7be365b2d536b47f
It wasn’t uncomfortable—that’s for sure. Just because he was fine 9e47c7ed06 now didn’t mean he suddenly 39e570dcbd wanted to get close to 2bc6d5a430 Cha Jin-geon.95c6deb6d3d6da95
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A high school classmate, original Yang-hwi’s first love, and the main love interest in the original work.d96f71c4d3b3b686
That’s where his relationship with 154cdb7d81 Cha Jin-geon should end.34f9846f13234e69
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“We’re in different departments anyway. After this semester, there’s no reason for us to run into each other.”a97761382a26070f
“Do you pick your friends by department? And Yang-hwi, like I’ve told you time and again, don’t jinx things by being so sure.”2f63f27e50e5950c
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“Like how you said you’d never become a TA?”0e47d2d2b9ae64c4
“Hey, you little—!”2e478bff60c0d7c6
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Not content with just words, Ryu Jun flicked Yang-hwi’s forehead hard, a hint of fury behind the sharp gesture.34ccfbef6ebb613b
Yang-hwi glared at him with triangular eyes but soon burst into a giggle. Ryu Jun narrowed his eyes, regarding Yang-hwi as if he were a lunatic, but, given that it was Yang-hwi’s good day, decided to let the matter slide.de06f3eaa9d3b822
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