Chapter 6: Chapter 2: How Embarrassing. (2)
The next day, as soon as my lecture ended at one o'clock, I grabbed my phone and shook my leg nervously on a campus bench.
"...Why hasn't she contacted me? Why?"
The mood was definitely good when we parted yesterday. It was definitely fine. We laughed, and even had a little physical contact well, just a few friendly taps on the shoulder, but still. So why hasn't she contacted me yet?
"Haaaah..."
I really don't get it.
While I was pulling my hair out in frustration, my phone's notification went off.
"Gasp!"
It felt like electricity shot through my whole body. I'd never felt my phone's vibration so intensely.
[Come to the place I sent.]
"Huh..."
It wasn't the short message that surprised me. We'd been speaking informally, so why was she suddenly being formal again?
"Did I do something wrong...?"
My mind grew complicated for no reason.
But thinking more about it here wouldn't change anything, so I decided to head to the meeting place.
I took the bus to the address she sent and found a fairly nice café. The prices were a bit high at least, for someone used to student café prices, it was a bit much.
The marble walls were trimmed with gold, making it look luxurious even from the outside. Everyone inside looked like wealthy housewives...
[System: Class target detected. Would you like to view the profile?]
[System: Class target detected. Would you like to view the profile?]
[System: Class target detected. Would you like to view the profile?]
.
.
.
Shut up!
Just because I like MILFs doesn't mean I look at every woman that way! And right now, I have someone I need to focus on.
There's nothing good about acting like I'm in heat here.
"...Let's just go in."
I slowly pushed the heavy door, which opened smoothly without a sound. A pleasant aroma filled the café and greeted me.
"Wow..."
"Ah, teacher!"
...Teacher?
The lessons hadn't even started, so who was already calling me that? I turned toward the voice and saw Aunt Sua waving her hand.
She was still beautiful, smiling, but there was something different. Her jacket draped over her shoulders and the light cotton dress underneath couldn't hide her figure at all.
"This way. I ordered in advance."
"Uh..."
It wasn't my imagination. She was trying to act as usual, but there was a subtle sense of distance.
"Was it difficult for you to get here?"
As she spoke, she tucked her hair behind her ear, and I noticed a ring on her finger.
"..."
Strange. Was the profile lying?
I knew exactly what a ring on the left ring finger meant. But I already knew from her profile that she didn't have a husband.
"I have a few questions, if that's okay?"
"Ah, yes..."
"Great, teacher. First, I'd like to hear about the curriculum you'll use to teach my child..."
Even as the conversation continued, there was no room for personal talk.
"Hmm... sounds good. I was worried because my child's level is quite low, but I think you'll teach well."
She smiled brightly, but her words were stiff.
She was definitely trying to keep her distance from me.
'Why...?'
I glanced at her profile, but her affection score was still at 40. I didn't know exactly what level 40 meant, but if it was higher than before, shouldn't she be friendlier?
I couldn't understand why the atmosphere had changed.
"Okay. Then can we set the lesson schedule at our convenience? I don't think you have any other commitments."
"Weekdays should be fine."
Damn. Even my answers were getting stiff. If this keeps up, it'll be bad.
'Why is she acting like this? Is there anything else I can find out...'
Then something popped into my head.
Information Viewing Pass (500p): Allows you to view information one level higher than currently available.
Desperate times.
"Then, at this point "
"Um, I'll just go to the restroom for a moment!"
Before she could end the meeting, I quickly bought some time. I asked the counter for the restroom and hurried in, pulling out my phone.
"Shop... shop...!"
I frantically looked for the Information Viewing Pass. The black text taunted me, as if mocking the fact that I had to spend all my points.
Gulp.
I was nervous enough to swallow hard, but I had no other choice.
I pressed the button on the screen and purchased the Information Viewing Pass.
[System: You have purchased the 'Information Viewing Pass.' You can now view information one level higher than currently available.]
[System: The current state of affection is now displayed due to the Information Viewing Pass.]
Did... it work?
There was no point staying in the restroom any longer. I shoved my phone in my pocket, washed my hands quickly, and returned to the table.
"You're back, teacher?"
"Ah... haha... sorry."
"It's okay. So, is there anything else you'd like to discuss?"
"Um, then about the pay "
I dragged out the conversation with trivial talk, but my mind was busy with something else.
'...View profile.'
Aunt Sua's profile appeared.
'It said the state of affection would be displayed, right?'
I slowly checked the affection score, and saw new words written there.
[Affection: 45. (Self-denial)]
...Self-denial?
'What does that mean?'
I almost flinched in surprise, but thankfully didn't show it on my face, though I lost the flow.
"Okay, then I'll pay you a bit more than you received before. Please take good care of Yerin, okay?"
"Ah...!"
"Please have your coffee. I paid. See you at our house tomorrow, 'teacher.'"
This time, I didn't even have a chance to stall. I just had to watch her pick up her handbag and leave the café.
"...Haa."
A sigh burst from deep in my stomach.
"Useless..."
I'd spent all my points on the Information Viewing Pass, only to be confused by some cryptic message. And even though her affection score had increased, her attitude had only grown colder.
"Sigh."
The bitterness in my mouth made the coffee taste almost sweet.
"Haa..."
Returning to the parking lot, Sua sat in the driver's seat and banged her head against the steering wheel.
"How embarrassing... Embarrassing... Han Sua, you crazy woman..."
Her body made it clear that her stiff, cold attitude just now was a lie. Above all, the ring on her finger was a lie.
"..."
Sua's eyes wavered as she looked at the ring on her left ring finger. Not only was she pathetically lusting after a man young enough to be her son, but now she was even starting to see him as a man. That's why she wanted to put on a fake ring, to keep her distance.
It wasn't for Sehyun's sake, but more for herself. She wanted to remind and warn herself not to have false hopes. She thought she shouldn't seduce Sehyun. She didn't want to blame him for her own inappropriate desires.
She made her tone even more formal. She drew a line with her words, unlike before. She thought they should just pass by each other as parent and teacher, nothing more. That was the only thing she could allow herself as she went to the meeting.
But embarrassingly, that resolve collapsed the moment she saw Sehyun's face.
"..."
Sua buried her face in the steering wheel again. She didn't want to admit it, and couldn't. She felt ashamed about the pleasure she'd experienced in the shower after her workout last night, but the moment she saw him again, her lower belly started to tremble. Or rather, it wasn't just her belly.
Now, even her every action was drawn to him.
She couldn't forget how flustered she was at her own changed behavior, or how she hesitated when she saw the ring on her finger. In fact, as time passed, those moments became more deeply etched in her heart.
"...How embarrassing, Han Sua."
She banged her head against the steering wheel again with a sigh.