LA0S | Chapter 9

Yoon Sejin neatly placed his hands above his belly button and gave a slight bow. The sly, humorous response was just so like him. It was a relief to be back at school with Yoon Sejin; otherwise, I would have had to navigate school life all by myself. It wouldn’t have been a big deal alone, but it’s definitely better with company.

“PC room? Bet dinner and let’s smash a game tonight.”

“Pass. I’m heading to the computer lab.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Computer lab? Studying on this precious break time? You must be possessed by an evil spirit. There’s no other way to explain it.”

Yoon Sejin quickly grabbed my shoulders and shook me, trying to snap me back to reality.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Why is this guy overreacting again? I twisted my upper body to easily shake off Yoon Sejin and headed towards the shared computer lab.

I settled in a corner and opened a web portal. I don’t have a tablet or a laptop, so I usually use the shared computer lab when I need to write reports or print something. Usually, on a day off like today, I’d be in the library, but I had plans with Kim Chayoung later.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Kim Chayoung, who I thought would contact me beforehand, remained silent after that. Despite his earlier talk about not ignoring him. Just as I thought, all talk no action.

I don’t really know. I told him we’d meet in the Humanities lounge, so I guess heading there around 3 should be fine.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

2:50 PM. I sent the file I had saved to my email and headed to the Humanities building. The lounge was bustling with students trying to kill time due to an unexpected class cancellation. I exchanged awkward greetings with some classmates I barely knew and sat in a corner waiting for Kim Chayoung.

3:20 PM. Hmm, okay. Classes ended late, it might take him longer to come over. Considering the Art Department is pretty much on the other end of campus. It’s been 20 minutes past the meeting time and still no word from him, which was annoying, but I tried to be understanding.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

4:10 PM.

“Finally snapped.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I crossed my arms and stared at the entrance of the lounge, but the person I was waiting for was nowhere to be seen. Over an hour had passed since the time we had agreed on. It was unlikely I’d miss him; he’s too noticeable in a crowd.

Lee Jinha tapped irritably on his phone screen. Still, no word from Kim Chayoung.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

What is he doing, really? Standing me up on the very first day we were supposed to meet? Is this his revenge for ignoring him in the classroom? Or was it all planned from the start? I wouldn’t put it past Kim Chayoung.

I had no desire to contact him first, so I shoved my phone back into my pocket. Maybe it’s for the best. I wasn’t keen on this from the start.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Should’ve just gone to the library from the beginning. Just wasted my time.

8:35 PM. I checked the time and stood up. I had been in the library for over two hours, but my concentration was almost non-existent. At times like this, it was better to get some air, even if it meant going to a crowded or noisy place. I grabbed my textbooks and notes and headed to the snack bar.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Without hesitation, I pressed the vending machine button. Clunk, thud. I listened to the sound of something heavy falling and then pulled out a grape drink with chewy jelly.

…

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I swallowed the sweet beverage, feeling it coat my throat pleasantly. I didn’t get far into my book before I closed it. This time, I pulled out a plain navy notebook. It was a collection of ideas and world-building notes I jotted down whenever something came to mind. Looking at the notebook reminded me of a shiny face.

We were supposed to meet at least four days a week, but he had ghosted me right from the first promise.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Shin Yoona. Been dating lately? You’re all dolled up.”

“That’s right. How can she do her school work properly with those heavy lashes?”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Shin Yoona. A familiar name. Who was it again? I rummaged through my mind while the conversation continued.

“Actually, her eyelids do get stiff in the evening. I could probably move water bottles with my lashes.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

That must be Shin Yoona’s bubbly voice. It seemed to be coming from right behind me.

I could turn my head and see them, but I buried it in my notebook instead. It’s not like there’s only one break area in the library, but of all places, I had to run into people from the same department as Kim Chayoung. Not a pleasant coincidence at all. If it weren’t for Kim Chayoung, they might as well not exist.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Ah.”

I absentmindedly drew a circle with a blue pen and then switched to black. Click. The sound was particularly annoying.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“Yoona, you’re doing that because of Chayoung oppa, aren’t you? Thought you could fool everyone?”

The teasing was unfriendly. Shin Yoona told them to stop, but her tone wasn’t really serious.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Chayoung oppa is usually quite friendly, but he’s especially nice to Yoona. If he didn’t care, he couldn’t act like that.”

A mixture of teasing and curiosity filled their voices.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“If he acts nice without feelings, that’s a real crime. Not guilty but a crime.”

Laughter erupted among Shin Yoona and her friends at the silly joke.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Just like they said, Kim Chayoung was always a sweet guy. He matched people’s moods so well it was strange, and he was kind within a non-overbearing range. He seemed like an old friend even to people he just met, making them comfortable around him. His kindness was not a conscious act but something that naturally emanated from him.

Kim Chayoung was already well-known in high school, known by teachers, classmates, and even juniors and seniors from other grades. That’s why when he hung out with the very different Lee Jinha, there were a lot of rumors.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

The funniest rumor was that Kim Chayoung was being blackmailed into being friends with him.

‘Kim Chayoung. You know they say the only reason we go to the snack bar together is so I can’t run away. What do you think?’

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

The guy who had been sucking on a hard candy laughed so hard he choked, but couldn’t stop laughing. Kim Chayoung casually affirmed it by running his finger under his eye saying, ‘That’s somewhat true.’ What do you mean true? Who’s the one dragging who to the snack bar? Only I feel wronged here.

“Sigh.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

I don’t know why memories I thought I’d buried deep away are resurfacing now.

…Why? Because I’m meeting the person involved, that’s why.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

An unplanned encounter dredged up the past all too easily. My mind became cluttered again. Was preparing for the contest with Kim Chayoung really a good idea? Should I reject him even now? I questioned myself several times. But the drawings I had seen from Kim Chayoung and the allure of winning the full prize were too great. Plus, backing out now felt like losing, and it hurt my pride.

“Yoona, just confess first. Where’s it written that guys have to make the first move nowadays? The brave win the beauty! Don’t you know?”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I’m going to wait a bit longer.”

Shin Yoona murmured quietly with an excited tone.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Lee Jinha put down his pen and rubbed his chest. Had he overeaten at lunch? It felt like there was a huge rock sitting in his stomach.

He finished the rest of his drink and crushed the can. The crushing sound made a few nearby people look over.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

I had done nothing productive all day. It was the kind of time-wasting Lee Jinha hated most. He would have been better off playing games in the PC room with Yoon Sejin.

This was all because of being stood up by Kim Chayoung. Swearing unrestrainedly at the smooth face that popped into his mind, Lee Jinha left the library. The spring breeze, failing to live up to its name, was still chilly. I wished it would hurry up and become summer. It would save on heating costs.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Lee Jinha.”

Just below the stairs, the man I had been internally gossiping about was sitting on a bench. He leaned forward, elbows on his thighs, slightly hunched over like a huge bear shadow.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The streetlamp cast a soft light over his head, and because he had slightly lowered his chin, shadows fell across his face, making his expression unreadable.

It was 8 PM when I last checked the time before leaving the library. It had been a full five hours since the unspoken agreed meeting time.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I didn’t want to deal with him and briskly walked past, but as I did, his arm shot out and grabbed me. The grip was so strong it made me pause. My clothing crumpled mercilessly in his grasp.

“Lee Jinha.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

My arm hurt where he held it.

“Where are you going?”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“What does it matter to you where I’m going?”

Ha. Kim Chayoung exhaled a shallow breath and ran his other hand through his hair. His usually slight smile had hardened into a flat line.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“I told you not to ignore my calls.”

His voice was as cold as his expression, which only fueled the anger.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“Hey. Who’s the one who should be mad here? Are you starting a fight? Is this some kind of ‘first strike wins’ thing?”

Why was he getting so worked up? Even though he wanted to let it go, he couldn’t. Jinha tried to remove the hand gripping his arm, but it wouldn’t budge.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Instead, Chaeyoung was applying so much force that veins were bulging on the back of his hand. His fingers, curved like hooks, dug into Jinha’s arm.