LM Chapter 3

The downside of working part-time is just one thing. Lack of time. Being a student is technically my main job, so I need to study and do assignments, but there’s just way too little time. This usually leads to cutting back on eating and sleeping.

“Did you sleep well again today?”

After class, Euiyun teased me with a smile. I should’ve felt embarrassed for not fulfilling my duties as a student, but then again, this was someone who hadn’t even shown up to class.

“Did you at least send your soul to class?”

He wasn’t even physically present—how did he know I slept?

“Saebyeok sent me pictures of you sleeping.”

Oh Saebyeok, that rascal. I wanted to plot my revenge, but this guy had been diligently attending class and even sharing lecture materials while I was asleep. For that, I could forgive him taking a hundred pictures of me.

“I don’t have time to sleep because of assignments.”

As I cracked my neck left and right while making excuses, Euiyun frowned.

“How long are you going to keep working part-time? We already have to pull all-nighters every day. And that’s not all. We have liberal arts classes too. How are you going to prepare for those exams?”

“What can I do? If I can’t give up earning money, I have to give up something else.”

“What?”

“What else? My grades, of course.”

If Saebyeok had heard my casual response, he would have been horrified, but Euiyun was different, as expected.

“Grades… well, we just need to graduate, right?”

“The question is, will you be able to graduate?”

At least I attend classes. As I clicked my tongue, Euiyun revealed his own plan, saying he just needed to avoid failing.

“But what were you doing that you couldn’t even come to class?”

“I just woke up late.”

“What time?”

“10:20.”

What the heck, you could’ve just rushed here since the class was at 11. When I looked puzzled, Euiyun defended himself firmly.

“Working out as soon as I wake up is part of my routine.”

What a joke. I barely held back from saying something. Euiyun really hated the nickname ‘idol’ that he got right after entering college. So he was dedicating his time to building muscles through exercise besides studying. Thanks to that, contrary to his slender and delicate appearance, his body was quite solid.

“At this rate, you’ll end up carrying Taehoon around.”

He frowned when I mentioned his boyfriend. Since they had been dating since high school, to my eyes they looked more like simple friends than lovers.

“I could carry that guy even now. It’s just that Taehoon’s legs would drag on the ground.”

Euiyun clenched his fists, angry about his short height. Since I was quite tall myself, I tried to comfort him.

“Instead of trying to bulk up by building muscle, why don’t you play basketball like Taehoon? Then you’ll grow taller.”

“Shit, how am I supposed to grow taller at this point? I need to at least grow broader. And I don’t even like basketball. Come to think of it, I thought everything would be fun when I got to college, but it’s not. Nothing’s fun, ha.”

Euiyun spoke like a returning student who had experienced all of life’s ups and downs. But I couldn’t relate since I was still a freshman.

“I think it’s fun.”

“You don’t even have time to hang out.”

“I don’t? Being here with you like this is hanging out, isn’t it?”

“How is this fun?”

“It’s enjoyable, isn’t it?”

Euiyun stared at me as if he’d heard something he shouldn’t have, then quickly turned his head away. He covered his face with his hands and cursed.

“The fu… You bastard, that’s disgusting.”

I was the one who wanted to ask. What’s disgusting about it? He’s overreacting as if I had confessed that I liked him. Ignoring him, I stood up. Maybe it was because I had been sitting in the same position during class, but my body felt stiff. But as soon as I stood up, Euiyun grabbed my arm.

“Hey, where are you going?!”

His voice was quite loud, and I could feel people passing by looking at us. I glanced around and tried to calm my friend down.

“Just trying to stretch, mom.”

“Ah, I thought…”

Euiyun mumbled as if embarrassed and turned his gaze away. Though there weren’t any more loud outbursts, there were still a few people watching us like a show. Since Euiyun had been famous for his looks since entering college, I had gotten used to this attention too. Even Euiyun himself didn’t mind it. But this time was different. He suddenly froze and stared at one spot.

“What’s wrong?”

I asked and looked where he was looking. I caught a glimpse of someone’s side profile just entering the building, but nothing special besides that. Wait, doesn’t that person seem unusually tall, like someone I know? As I tilted my head wondering, I noticed Euiyun was still frozen. When I nudged him, he let out a low sigh.

“I just thought I saw someone I know. I heard they took a leave of absence… I wonder what business they have at school?”

He talked to himself and sighed again. Unlike his usual self, there seemed to be some regret and concern for that person. I took out my phone and fiddled with it to let him sort out his emotions on his own. But instead, Euiyun asked,

“Aren’t you curious who it was?”

“You said it was someone you know. As long as it’s not a ghost, I don’t care.”

At my words, he smiled brightly, looking like the protagonist of a coming-of-age movie with a refreshing background.

“Minha-ya, don’t go to your part-time job today. Let’s go eat something delicious.”

What nonsense is he even saying? I firmly rejected him.

“Go with Taehoon.”

***

Cheolsoo hyung would come without fail at midnight. He was someone who kept time so precisely that when he was once one minute late last week, he even reported to the store manager that his clock must be broken.

The handover process, which we did every time, was now completed efficiently with just the necessary exchange of words, like clockwork. His quick work processing was always admirable, and he was the perfect colleague for me who couldn’t waste even a single minute.

Although his gaze seemed to have gotten colder ever since he allowed me to call him hyung, I didn’t mind since he wasn’t someone I needed to talk to for long anyway. This day was no different. I was about to quickly say what needed to be said and pack up to leave. But he threw an unexpected question at me as I was about to leave.

“Are you close with Jeon Euiyun?”

“Huh? You know Euiyun?”

“I asked if you’re close or not.”

“Yes, we’re close.”

As if that was all he wanted to know, he turned his eyes to check the POS machine.

“How did you know I’m close with Euiyun?”

“…Saw you on the street.”

“Ah.”

“I knew you were in the same major, but…”

His mumbling surprised me for the second time.

“How did you know I’m majoring in painting?”

He slowly raised his eyes. It was that characteristic look of disdain I often saw.

“You draw every day.”

“What, is drawing pictures exclusively for those majoring in painting? Besides, those drawings aren’t even for an assignment, I’m drawing because I want to.”

“It says ‘painting major’ on your sketchbook cover.”

Right, it did. Since drawing was the most important thing to me, I wrote it in huge letters so I wouldn’t lose it. It was a habit from when I was young, my grandfather making me write my name and period of use on my sketchbooks.

“Then you must know my real name too, hyung?”

He stared at me with his usual expressionless face for a moment before speaking.

“I don’t.”

“My name is written even bigger than my major, what are you talking about?”

I was dumbfounded and waved the evidence in front of his eyes. But like an immovable rock, his expression remained unchanged. There was some annoyance visible in his eyes though.

“Your handwriting is terrible.”

“…Ah.”

I lowered the sketchbook I had been waving like a cheer sign and quietly turned around. Then I turned halfway back as another question came to mind.

“But still…”

“I just guessed the majoring in painting part.”

“Sure, sure.”

I nodded compliantly while walking out and comforted myself. It’s okay, who cares if I have bad handwriting? As long as I draw well.

“What is Cheolsoo majoring in?”

Annoyed that only my information had been exposed, I asked the manager the next day. Since Cheolsoo hyung had been working at this convenience store for three years, I figured the manager would surely know.

“I don’t know.”

“…Okay.”

“Student Ryeok, are you interested in Cheolsoo?”

“No.”

“As I thought.”

What do you mean ‘as I thought’? When I looked at him questioningly, the manager smiled proudly.

“I have an eye for people. I could tell at first glance that you wouldn’t have even this much interest in dating.”

“Ha, me?”

“Yes. You don’t, right?”

“…How did you know?”

The manager acted proud like a fortuneteller who had coincidentally gotten it right.

“If you were interested in dating, would you dress like that?”

What’s wrong with how I dress?!

“Cheolsoo dresses just like you. That’s how I noticed right away.”

Kim Cheolsoo? I quickly tried to recall how Cheolsoo hyung dressed. I didn’t need to think long. He always wore the same plain t-shirt and jeans as if it were a uniform. But I’m not like that at all! I looked down to check my clothes. I had been rotating through several t-shirts throughout this first semester. But these all have different colors and patterns.

“I’m pursuing more diverse fashion than Cheolsoo hyung. I rotate through four different ones!”

When I protested, the manager replied indifferently.

“Cheolsoo rotates through five.”

What the…? Even though I clearly win in terms of fashion, why does it feel like I lost?

***

Summer break. A time any student would welcome, but to me, it only meant an increase in working hours and nothing more.

“Minha-ya, wouldn’t working at a cram school be better? The one I used to attend seems to be hiring part-timers. They’ll probably pay more than the convenience store.”

Saebyeok carefully suggested when we met at school before vacation. He seemed worried after learning that I would continue working at the convenience store during the break, so I couldn’t bring myself to tell him about me going to work even longer hours. The one who was most happy about me working during vacation was the manager. He went even further and suggested me,

‘Ryeok, how about going full-time? Hm? Fill up your legal monthly work hours to the brim. As Park Ryeok, yeah?’

Like the punishment of choosing the name Park Ryeok, he tried to exploit me using Park Ryeok¹ as an excuse whenever he could. Still, since I was thinking of saving up some money during the break anyway, I didn’t think it was a bad idea this time.

“Thanks for the suggestion, but I’ve already signed the employment contract.”

Saebyeok, probably because he had never stepped into the harsh world of working, took the employment contract very seriously.

“You can’t break the contract then.”

Actually, I can. I’d just get cursed a bit and promise not to appear in front of his face again, but… I was about to tell him but decided to preserve Saebyeok’s innocence.

“Right.”

“So you’ll be busy during break too…”

“You’ll be busy too, won’t you? Didn’t you say you’re attending several cram schools during break? English is one thing, but didn’t you say you’re learning French too?”

“Yes, I want to study abroad in France later. And I promised to help with my mom’s gallery during the break.”

Saebyeok’s voice was filled with excitement, truly looking forward to it. Saebyeok was the busiest student at school too. He was diligent in classes, active in club activities, and although still a freshman in college, he was busy checking off things one by one from his completely laid out future plans. Perhaps because he disliked uncertainty, he tried to prepare for everything about the future.

As if that wasn’t enough, Saebyeok was also the vicepresident of our class while also being the Omega representative for our year. And on top of that, he even finds time to help out lowly souls like me who barely pay attention in class. I looked at Saebyeok with amazement. Is there anything he can’t do? Saebyeok’s timid voice interrupted my thoughts.

“But I’m worried I might not do well.”

“It’s natural that you might not be good at something you’re doing for the first time.”

I tried to comfort him, but Saebyeok was nervous, his lower lip trembling.

“I just really want to do well. Actually, I’ve seen people working at the gallery a few times before. Ah, I should have stayed and watched more then. I can’t afford to make mistakes.”

You can make mistakes when it’s your first time. I was about to comfort him again but changed my words.

“Let me know if you need any help. That brat, Euiyun, won’t be of any help since he’s not in Korea, but I can help anytime. He must be excitedly flying on a plane right now.”

Euiyun left for a European backpacking trip, dragged away by Taehoon as soon as classes ended.

“Ah… he went with Taehoon?”

“Yeah. Oh right, you know Taehoon too, don’t you?”

I didn’t notice Saebyeok’s slow response as I was checking my phone. Only when I looked up did a brief ‘Just… a bit’ come as an answer.

“I have to go. Assistant Professor Park’s assistant asked me to stop by. I wonder if there’s a problem with the assignment?”

When I tilted my head in confusion, Saebyeok, true to being a human search engine, answered right away.

“Professor Hong is conducting counseling sessions with first-years. Your counselor must be Professor Hong. Lucky you—everyone wants her.”

What’s with the counseling? We’re not high school students anymore. I was grumbling as I turned away, but then turned back again. I’m not sure why, but at that moment, I felt I had to say this.

“Saebyeok-ah, if things get really tough, call me.”

***

Generally, I don’t get nervous around people, but there are exceptions. Professor Hong was one of them. Standing in front of her made me strangely nervous. Of course, it could be because she was a female dominant Alpha. Generally, female Alphas had better abilities compared to male Alphas. That’s why among Alphas, female dominant Alphas were considered the most outstanding.

Usually, Alphas and Omegas were considered beings who easily lost their reason to pheromones, but female dominant Alphas were known to suppress even these instincts. That’s why among those who pursued higher values based on reason, there were many names of female dominant Alphas. They were strong, beautiful, and noble to the point where one might think this was the perfect form of human beings.

Of course, not all female dominant Alphas were like that. Some actually wielded strong pheromones and led more promiscuous sex lives. Still, female dominant Alphas were respected everywhere.

There were reasons why they occupied major positions in politics and leadership. The problem was that even among dominant Alphas, the probability of being born female was rare. That’s why many Alpha families chose their spouses as carefully as checking a breeding horse’s bloodline to try to have female Alphas.

Professor Hong was a female dominant Alpha born into such a family. Regardless of how outstanding her artistic talents were, everyone found her intimidating because of her traits. I, a mere freshman, was no different. There’s an instinctive distance that forms with those in positions of power.

“Im Minha.”

Professor Hong mumbled my name while looking at the monitor. She just kept looking for a while, perhaps with my information displayed on the screen, so I silently waited for her next words. Then she suddenly asked.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

“Were you calling me?”

“You’re Im Minha, aren’t you?”

Ah, this is why this professor feels so intimidating.

I nodded my head, trying to find the reason for my nervousness.

“Yes, I’m Im Minha.”

“Right, Lee Hakwon’s grandson.”

Huh? At the sudden mention of my grandfather’s name, I couldn’t hide my surprise.

“You know my grandfather?”

“Of course. Lee Hakwon, the painter. We were classmates in college.”

What? I couldn’t hide my confusion and opened my eyes wide.

“But my grandfather didn’t go to college…?”

“Yeah, he enrolled but couldn’t graduate due to circumstances.”

Circumstances? Could it be that my bright grandfather has a sad past…

“He got expelled for skipping classes to follow a girl he liked to the countryside.”

“Ah…”

So he was exactly the thoughtless person I know. Confirming this made me feel less tense. He lived without thinking about tomorrow, both then and now.

“Your grandfather never mentioned me?”

I was about to say no when something occurred to me.

“Did I get into this school through connections?”

“I’m not that close with Lee Hakwon.”

“Why not?”

The question came out before I could stop it. Because my grandfather was like a human retriever, getting close to everyone. But there were exceptions.

“Because I hated his superficiality.”

I tensed up again. I worried I might get kicked out of school because of my grandfather.

“He’s gotten much better with age.”

“People don’t really change.”

I had no rebuttal. Fortunately, Professor Hong didn’t seem too interested in my grandfather. Then she got to the main point.

“So, about your art…”

I tensed up slightly again. Although I didn’t think it was necessary to decide my future already as a freshman, separately from that, I couldn’t envision my future at all. So I had a small hope that the professor would discuss and consider my future path in art with me. Professor Hong clicked her mouse while checking the monitor. I caught a glimpse of my artwork passing by. And after checking my artwork at an ominously fast pace, she evaluated.

“It’s just okay.”

“…That’s why I’m here to learn.”

“Even if you learn, you can’t catch up to natural talent.”

Coming from a dominant Alpha overflowing with natural abilities, these words hit especially hard. While I was wondering if I came here to be scolded rather than counseled, I heard her muttering.

“Actually, your writing is better .”

“Which writing?”

“The report.”

“…But I got a C.”

“Exactly.”

I had so much I wanted to say, but I barely held back, fearing I might get expelled for generations to come if I spoke up. Anyway, I didn’t have time to voice my opinions. She turned back to the monitor and commanded.

“You may leave now.”

Ah, that’s it? Wasn’t this supposed to be counseling? As I walked out tilting my head in confusion, Assistant Professor Park mechanically instructed me as if she had been waiting.

“Just because the counseling was short and there wasn’t much conversation, it doesn’t mean it wasn’t counseling. If you have any complaints, make sure to tell me first, and absolutely do not go to the school administration office to argue or post it on the bulletin board. If that happens, your next counseling session will be extended to three hours.”

The warning gave me chills. I confirmed that I had no complaints and realized something just as I left. It didn’t even take 5 minutes. Now I finally understood why students wanted Professor Hong as their counselor.

She’s better than what I thought?