VLA | Chapter 1.3

Cha Sooha decided to revise his plan. With someone so unsociable, he needed a different approach.

He had already obtained Kwon Ram’s class schedule through Ha Kangji. Ha Kangji, with his wide connections, was helpful at times like this. Cha Sooha compared his schedule with Kwon Ram’s to see if they had any overlapping electives.

He hoped for an elective with lots of group projects, and he found one that matched.

In his previous life, he hadn’t paid attention to Kwon Ram, so he didn’t know they had taken the same class at this time. Was this when Kwon Ram started having a crush on him?

Just from a fleeting glance during an elective?

Cha Sooha looked down at the schedule. As far as he knew, this class required pairs to watch movies together. It was a popular class because it was easy.

In the past, he vaguely remembered watching movies with some guy. Of course, they didn’t just watch movies. He also remembered how that guy’s butt looked.

It was the perfect class for making eye contact during a movie.

Cha Sooha thought the heavens were on his side and smiled.

❀ ❀ ❀

From the day he confirmed the class schedule, he eagerly awaited that elective. And when the day finally came, Cha Sooha deliberately entered the lecture hall right before class started.

He sat right behind Kwon Ram. For some reason, Kwon Ram’s back seemed unusually stiff, as if he was tense.

Sitting down, Cha Sooha admired Kwon Ram’s pretty back with interest. He realized that Kwon Ram had no flaws.

Why hadn’t he noticed Kwon Ram in his previous life? Cha Sooha was puzzled.

He suddenly wondered who Kwon Ram had paired with in his previous life. Knowing Kwon Ram’s personality, he probably watched movies alone rather than with someone.

It was funny that someone who seemed like such a loner took this elective. Imagining ‘that’ Kwon Ram sitting in front of a monitor, eagerly clicking the mouse during course registration, made him want to laugh.

“Kuk…”

At his small laugh, Kwon Ram’s neck twitched. Thinking he might have imagined it, Cha Sooha kept watching and realized Kwon Ram’s posture was very unnatural.

This made Cha Sooha feel like he was onto something. Was Kwon Ram aware of his gaze?

Cha Sooha wanted to confirm his suspicion. How could he naturally provoke Kwon Ram?

He sat quietly, resting his chin on his hand, and admired Kwon Ram’s back. Then he found it amusing to be worrying about such things. Without warning, Cha Sooha poked Kwon Ram’s back. Kwon Ram’s back shook noticeably, as if he hadn’t expected it.

Cha Sooha thought Kwon Ram would turn around immediately if he poked him. But Kwon Ram didn’t budge. Instead, it seemed even more suspicious to Cha Sooha. It felt like Kwon Ram was very conscious of him.

It seemed like he didn’t know how to handle the situation. Cha Sooha didn’t wait for Kwon Ram to turn around.

“Sunbae.”

At his small voice, Kwon Ram’s posture stiffened unnaturally. Realizing he couldn’t keep ignoring him, Kwon Ram stiffly turned his head.

“…”

Instead of answering why he was called, Kwon Ram looked at Cha Sooha with a blank expression. Cha Sooha was momentarily confused.

Didn’t this guy supposedly like him?

How could he look at him with such a cold face?

Cha Sooha stated his purpose for calling Kwon Ram.

“Sunbae, have you found a partner?”

“…”

“If not, do it with me. I don’t know anyone here.”

Kwon Ram didn’t say yes or no. When Cha Sooha kept looking at him, Kwon Ram mumbled something quietly.

“Do as you please.”

Then he quickly turned away, as if continuing the conversation would infect him with a disease. Cha Sooha felt a bit hurt.

Could the investigators have been wrong? Did Kwon Ram actually dislike him instead of liking him? Don’t people usually want to talk longer with someone they like?

But Kwon Ram’s attitude seemed to be wary of having any more conversation with him.

Cha Sooha felt uncertain. Yet, at the same time, it was clear that Kwon Ram was conscious of him. Not knowing what kind of person he was, Cha Sooha felt frustrated.

They say if you know your enemy and yourself, you’ll win every battle.

Cha Sooha decided to dig into Kwon Ram’s past before approaching him. He planned to tailor his approach to Kwon Ram’s preferences.

No matter how much someone fits your style, if their personality or tastes don’t match, feelings can cool. Cha Sooha intended to use his extensive dating experience to meet Kwon Ram’s needs. If he endured a little, a field of flowers would unfold before him.

For the future, he could endure this level of investment and sacrifice. Cha Sooha was willing to turn a blind eye to any secret hobbies Kwon Ram might have. He planned to tolerate whatever Kwon Ram did until he got pregnant.

Then he suddenly worried about what if Kwon Ram was a virgin. That would be troublesome. But Cha Sooha quickly dismissed the worry, thinking there was no way someone with that face could be a virgin.

❀ ❀ ❀

“Why are you so interested in Kwon Ram these days?”

Ha Kangji’s question made Cha Sooha pause. He must have been curious since Cha Sooha was asking about Kwon Ram, whom he hadn’t been interested in before. Cha Sooha tried to answer casually.

“Just because.”

“Do you feel some kind of conquest desire?”

“What?”

“Well, everyone who confessed to that sunbae got rejected.”

At that, Cha Sooha bit the straw in his takeout cup. It was true. In his past life, he never heard of Kwon Ram dating anyone.

“Is that why you’re curious?”

Ha Kangji insisted on an answer. Cha Sooha pondered for a moment. Should he tell Ha Kangji about his plan?

Anyone would think he was crazy.

Kwon Ram likes him, Kwon Ram is the son of a wealthy family, and because of that, he dies in four years. So, before he dies, he plans to have Kwon Ram’s child to claim part of the wealth.

“Kind of?”

Cha Sooha concluded that revealing the truth was foolish. Ha Kangji wouldn’t believe something even he found hard to believe. He might even spread rumors in the department that Cha Sooha was crazy.

“Kind of?”

“He’s pretty.”

Ha Kangji looked at him incredulously.

“You don’t date alphas. Kwon Ram is an alpha.”

“I know.”

“You know?”

Ha Kangji’s reaction was understandable. Even after his traits changed from beta to omega, he still only dated betas or omegas. Since he didn’t plan to get pregnant, he naturally avoided alphas. Even as a recessive omega, he wanted to prevent any accidents.

Ha Kangji looked at him as if seeing a stranger. Cha Sooha gave him a big grin.

“Life’s too short to be picky, Kangji.”

“So, are you planning to do something with Kwon Ram?”

“Well, something like that.”

“…”

Ha Kangji looked puzzled. He probably never imagined his friend would challenge Kwon Ram.

“Not necessarily dating.”

Just a taste.

Ha Kangji raised an eyebrow, seemingly understanding his unspoken words.

“Kwon Ram’s probably a cherry boy.”

“Don’t lie.”

“No, really. At the start of the semester, a girl asked, and Kwon Ram said he’s never dated anyone.”

Cha Sooha immediately started spinning hopeful scenarios.

“Even if he hasn’t dated, he might have had sex.”

“He said he hasn’t.”

“…He answered that kind of question?”

“Because he was drinking? Maybe he said it without thinking.”

“…”

“How are you going to seduce him?”

Ha Kangji smirked, teasing Cha Sooha. As Ha Kangji lit a cigarette, Cha Sooha’s expression darkened.

Damn it.

He hadn’t considered this. Did that mean Kwon Ram died a virgin, harboring feelings for him? Cha Sooha felt strange. Without that incident, he might have lived his whole life unaware of Kwon Ram’s feelings.

In a way, the man who killed him became Kwon Ram’s Cupid.

Then, taking a deep drag on his cigarette, Ha Kangji offered advice.

“Sooha, don’t mess with guys like that.”

“Why?”

“It’ll screw you over, seriously.”

Even without messing with him, Cha Sooha had already been screwed over in his past life. Whether he liked it or not, that man would come for him in the future. His gaze seemed capable of finding him no matter where he hid. And he’d end up dead in a drum again.

Not knowing who the enemy was, he couldn’t report it to the police, and nothing had happened yet. Cha Sooha had limited options.

“Mind your own business.”

“…”

Ha Kangji still looked dissatisfied. Was he worried about losing his party buddy? Cha Sooha thought of making a lighthearted joke to reassure him but decided against it.

“Anyway, he’s super pretty. If things go well, I might see him a bit.”

Until he got pregnant.

Dating was risky. He’d just get pregnant and apply for a fair share of the wealth.

Cha Sooha thought lightly. But Ha Kangji’s expression grew more serious.

“Are you planning to top Kwon Ram?”

Apparently, Ha Kangji misunderstood his intention to seduce Kwon Ram. How could he top someone much bigger than him? His imagination was wild.

Even as he thought that, Cha Sooha didn’t bother correcting Ha Kangji’s misunderstanding. And it felt uncomfortable to keep talking about the future father of his child.

“Are you my wife? Why are you meddling in my love life?”

Ha Kangji had nothing more to say and closed his mouth. It seemed he needed to find another source for information on Kwon Ram. Cha Sooha hated nagging.

“Anyway, no one’s had a meal with Kwon Ram? Not even among the freshmen?”

“Look at his expression. Who’d dare ask him to buy them a meal? Unless you want to get rejected.”

“Don’t you know fortune favors the bold? Just because he looks cold, should I give up?”

Ha Kangji’s expression turned serious at Cha Sooha’s words.

“You don’t actually have feelings for Kwon Ram, do you? Do you like him?”

“Ugh, what have you been hearing? How many times do I have to repeat myself?”

“You said you hate getting involved in troublesome things. That’s why I’m asking.”

“Is Kwon Ram a beehive or something? Will I get stung if I mess with him?”

“Don’t you know?”

“Know what? Ugh, stop it. Are you my dad?”

When Cha Sooha got annoyed, Ha Kangji said,

“Kwon Ram is the son of Seogang Construction.”

“…What?”

Now that he mentioned it, Ha Kangji was also from a well-off family. He might have heard something about a big corporation owner family. It was so long ago that he couldn’t remember exactly.

“That family is full of gangsters.”

“…”

“Do you think Kwon Ram would be any different?”

Ha Kangji kept talking, but Cha Sooha didn’t hear him. He realized one thing. The man who killed him was likely from Seogang Construction.

❀ ❀ ❀

Cha Sooha eagerly awaited the two weekly liberal arts classes where he could meet Kwon Ram. Although the answer had been vague, Kwon Ram had allowed him to team up last time.

When Cha Sooha confidently sat next to Kwon Ram, he felt a slight flinch. Kwon Ram looked like a predator, but his actions were more like a cautious herbivore. The contrast made Cha Sooha pause for a moment. Then, remembering his goal, he quickly smiled at Kwon Ram.