Chapter 44: Misunderstandings and Protective Glances

“Why? I got the ticket.”

“You’re seriously going?”

Honestly, I wasn’t planning to. But Do Yoon’s obvious dislike made me want to go.

“It’d be nice to check out a university after so long. You said you’d show me around your school.”

As expected, his face soured.

“It’ll be boring…”

“You don’t want me to go?”

He hesitated.

“Not that… I’m worried people will fall for you.”

I nearly spat my water. What? With him standing next to me, who’d notice me? Ever since he visited my company, he kept saying A Young from my training group liked me—nonsense. His delusion was back.

“Do Yoon, don’t say that out loud. You’ll get me in trouble…”

“Why?”

His genuine confusion made my face burn. Continuing this topic would only embarrass me more.

The following week, before Friday, I stopped by the main house and grabbed a flashy blue metallic foreign car. If I ran into Do Yoon’s friends at school, I wanted him to look good. It was evening, so less noticeable, but still…

At the school, people were buzzing even before I got out of the car. Success. Worth rushing from work. Pleased, I texted Do Yoon.

[Hyung’s here. Heading in.]

His reply came in a second.

[Okay, I’m in the last row by the window.]

I entered the student hall’s second floor as the ticket directed. The closer I got, the louder the music. Slipping through the back door, I spotted Do Yoon staring at it, waving eagerly. The dim room made it hard to see, but his wave helped me find him. I slid into the empty seat beside him and whispered under the soft lights.

“Sorry, work ran late.”

“What?”

The loud music and crowd drowned me out. I typed it on my phone and showed him. He smiled, then whispered back.

“It’s okay.”

His voice sent an inexplicable shiver through me. I hear it daily, but his low whisper felt strangely unfamiliar. Did he pretend not to hear earlier? I glanced at him, but he just gazed ahead calmly.

Hwang Yeon Seok was on bass, and even to my untrained eye, the band was solid. They mixed popular songs with originals to keep the crowd engaged. The vibe was nostalgic, and I got into it. I wanted a beer but got a cola since I drove. The atmosphere was tamer than expected for a band, which was reassuring—I was drained from work. Enjoying the music, I said to Do Yoon.

“Your friend’s good. You not joining any clubs?”

“I’d get home late. Don’t want to.”

Such a homebody despite his looks. I chuckled and stood.

“Gonna hit the bathroom.”

“Let’s just go. We’ve seen enough.”

“No, we should say hi to your friend. And let’s check out the campus. Saw food stalls outside.”

I calmed Do Yoon, who tried to follow, and left the venue. Washing my hands in the bathroom, I noticed a group of students laughing loudly at the corridor’s end. So full of life—youth.

That’s the age where even a rolling leaf is funny.

Nodding, I shook water off my hands.

Huh?

Something drew my eyes back to the group. For a split second, a long-haired girl laughing arm-in-arm with a friend looked too familiar.

…?!

Seeing her again, my eyes nearly popped out. I knew that face—So Eun Bi, the actress cast as Bae Ji An in the real world. A rising star, the epitome of “pure and delicate,” perfect for romance, with flawless acting, big innocent eyes, clear skin, and a puppy-like, wistful charm. In short, gorgeous.

Stunned, I stood frozen, then moved toward her like a magnet.

What? How does she look so identical? Just a lookalike? Or… did she transmigrate too?

Chills ran through me at the possibilities. Pushing through the crowd handing out festival tickets, I chased her to the first floor. She was chatting, distracted. I shouted.

“So Eun Bi-ssi!”

My yell was so loud, not just she but everyone nearby turned. My heart pounded like I was about to die. But she glanced at me like I was a stranger and resumed talking, heading out. I stood on the stairs, dazed.

Not So Eun Bi? Then…

My steps quickened. Catching up on the lawn, I gently grabbed her shoulder. She spun around, eyes wide. Gasping, I asked.

“Bae… Bae Ji An-ssi?”

“What?”

She looked genuinely startled, even offended. Shocked, I let go. She stared.

“You’ve got the wrong person.”

“Oh…”

Up close, she wasn’t quite So Eun Bi. Relief and disappointment hit me. Better confirm.

“Sorry, but… may I ask your name?”

She and her friend eyed me suspiciously. She asked.

“Why do you want to know?”

I realized my actions seemed creepy. Embarrassment flushed my face. Seeing someone like So Eun Bi made me act without thinking.

“No, I’m not weird. So, your name’s not Bae Ji An or So Eun Bi?”

“No.”

“…My apologies.”

Relief washed over me. As I bowed slightly and turned, she grabbed my wrist.

“What’s your name, sunbae?”

“Huh?”

“What’s your name, oppa?”

“What?”

Then someone yanked her hand off my wrist.

“What ‘oppa’? You’re not even in my family register.”

Startled, I saw Do Yoon, breathing heavily, glaring. I asked.

“When did you get here?”

He didn’t answer, staring at the pretty girl with cold—no, hostile—eyes. She looked flustered.

“Choi Do Yoon?”

“You know me?”

“We’re in the same class. How don’t you know?”

His department, with many students, was split into four classes like high school. You might not know everyone, but same class? That’s unusual. Was he clueless or pretending?

People started gathering, murmuring at our standoff. I panicked at the attention.

“Do Yoon, why’re you out already?”

“You didn’t come back. Do you know her?”

“How would I?”

“I mistook her for someone.”

“Who?”

“…Just someone.”

Now he turned his intense gaze on me, pressuring me silently. It was the same look from when he interrogated me about the kickboard incident. Overwhelmed, I said awkwardly.

“Bae Ji An, a girl I thought I knew.”