The Law of Webnovels

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Indulging in reminiscence, I marveled at how fast time went by. 'Wow, how long has it been already?' It was almost ten months since we entered high school, but it felt like it happened ages ago. So many things had happened since then.

Anyway, just like they said, before entering high school, I asked them, 'Would you mind pretending you don't know me at all in our new school?' without giving a reason. They felt hurt and almost frustrated but accepted my request in the end.

That event wasn't delightful to both them and me; however, the fact that the boys were bringing out the memory would mean that they were, right now, as desperate as they had been in the past.

Why, though? I really had no idea. Disheveling the back of my hair, I finally nodded.

"Okay, fine. If you guys say so, what else can I do?"

"Yeah."

"Ah, but...

'You and I can still see each other, right?' Just when I tried to fling that question, Jooin added ahead of me, "Oh, mama, and these bastards... I mean, the boys tell me not to see or keep in touch with you for a while."

"Eh?" Wondering for a moment, I barely suppressed my anger and asked him, "What the fu*k is going on?"

If there were a time when I desperately longed to learn Yeo Ryung's skill of smiling and swearing simultaneously, it was now.

Jooin's voice suddenly grew urgent, "Mama, I'm really gonna lose my phone. You know I love you, right?"

"Huh?"

"Even if we won't be able to see each other, please keep in mind that I'm always thinking about you."

"No, hold on..."

"Congrats on your first love."

"Jooin?"

The call ended again without exception. Left with the beeping sound, I sincerely didn't know what to do this time and just stared blankly at the space in front of me. Exchanging eye contact for a long time with those asking me if I was okay, I later banged my head onto the desk again.

"URGH!!" While I shouted that way, Shin Suh Hyun, who was sitting behind me, uttered, "I guess banging heads on the desk is the latest trend in our class."

It was indeed the sharp insight of an archer.

* * *

Usually, I, who didn't go to cram school, would have returned straight home with Yeo Ryung; however, I was now dating Yeo Dan oppa, although it was a fake relationship. Besides, the reason we were together was to get rid of his stalker, wasn't it? In other words, we had to advertise everywhere that our relationship was official.

Thus, we decided to return home after school, bring things to study, and go to a café. Wasn't a café in the downtown area the best place to draw attention in public to promote that we were an official couple? The site would be full of students from neighboring schools.

As soon as we promised to go to a café, I asked Yeo Ryung, "Do you want to go together?"

Since Yeo Ryung was his sister and my best friend at the same time, it wouldn't look that strange to have Yeo Ryung on our date. Though the advertising effect would slightly be cut by half... Although I thought Yeo Ryung would follow us at once, she was, unexpectedly, in agony with her head in her hands.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I mean, even though I knew you two are together, I'm not sure if I can stay with you guys..."

"..."

"Sob sob... It's so painful to think about what you guys will be doing out of my sight, but it's also excruciating to see that in front of my eyes."

Agonizing for quite a long time in pain, Yeo Ryung finally declared that she wouldn't come with us. Instead, she confined herself in her room.

Watching her behaving that way, I felt a little... no, very guilty. I wished the stalker thing would be resolved soon so that we could reveal the truth and say, 'Ta-da! Actually, it was a fake relationship!'

For now, I couldn't help but let her do whatever was comfortable for her. Heaving a sigh, I waited for Yeo Dan oppa before heading straight to the café.

When high school students were dating, people were mostly concerned about the drop in academic performance. So was I. Although I wasn't the type of person who would risk my life for good grades, I wanted to go to college with my friends in the same metropolitan area. My house was also in Seoul, so I didn't want any declining grades, which would affect my college admission.

However, ever since I dated Yeo Dan oppa, I realized a new thing. If having a relationship as a high school student was something like this, I wouldn't have to worry about getting lower grades.

Unlike what I had anticipated, Yeo Dan oppa was quite a good teacher. Honestly, his teaching skills were as amazing as Eun Jiho. Listening to his explanation while pressing my lips with the eraser tip of my pencil, I raised my hand for a second.

"Ah, oppa, hold on. You skipped explaining how to get to this part."

Since he's a genius, he had some limit; therefore, I had to point out the parts he naturally skipped because of his excellent thinking skills. However, taking that matter into account, I could listen to his lecture, which was clear and easy to understand, like he was one of those famous online tutors.

Coincidentally, we studied at 'A Twosome Place' near Wangsimni station, the café where we had our group hangout. It turned out this way since this place was the biggest café around the neighborhood, the best spot to maximize our advertising impact.

Near our table, a few girls wearing uniforms from a neighboring high school continually glanced in our direction. Although I was aware of their attention, I showed a satisfied grin instead of feeling uncomfortable.

Studying and helping Yeo Dan oppa at the same time... this was what they called, 'Killing two birds with one stone.'

At that moment, Yeo Dan oppa suddenly detached his lips, "Ah, now that I had come to think of it..."

"Huh?"

I lifted my head in a flash. Looking around, Yeo Dan oppa whispered in a low voice, "I told Kim Sun Woo and Ji Yeon Woo.

"Oh..."

Even though he kept his voice down, Yeo Dan oppa omitted what he truly meant in consideration for how risky it was; however, his words were enough for me to understand his point.

I nodded my head, thinking, 'He told them we have a fake relationship.' I opened my mouth.

"I... um... about our relationship..."

"Uh-huh."

Yeo Dan oppa nodded calmly, but for some reason, I suddenly felt so sad. To hide my teary eyes, I raised both hands and covered my face; however, it made it look like I was crying.

"Donnie?" asked Yeo Dan oppa in perplexity.

On the other hand, the people sitting beside our table began to whisper, 'Oh my god, they might be fighting all of a sudden! She's crying, isn't she?'

Meanwhile, I uttered while trying hard not to break down, "I... I... you know, oppa..."

"Uh-huh."

His thoughtful expression blurred after hearing my following remark.

"I think I don't have any friends."

A moment of silence hung in the air. Looking at me enigmatically for a while, Yeo Dan oppa got up from his seat and sat beside me. He stretched his hand to put his arm around my neck and made me lean my head on his shoulder.

As if putting a baby to sleep, he patted me rhythmically. Leaning my forehead onto his arms, I mumbled, "I mean, I really... I truly didn't want to keep it a secret, you know. I did my best to tell them about us, but..."

"Uh-huh."

"But no one's talking to me..."

"..."

"I... I have no one to confess my secret... not even one..."

"Donnie."

"Life is so lonely... Friends? Nah... no one is around me..."

While I was gradually murmuring to myself, Yeo Dan oppa patted me for a while, staying beside me.

So, there was this quest.

[Quest] Tell your secret to two of your friends. 0/2

I should tell it to two of my friends since Yeo Dan oppa also revealed his secret to two of his friends.

Anyway, I thought this quest would end quickly since I decided to tell my secret to the Four Heavenly Kings. Needless to say, they were a group of four people. Thus, once I grabbed two among the four and confessed the truth, I would simply succeed in the quest.

However, as it turned out, geez... it wasn't as easy as I expected.

When I tried to put my theory into practice, the cold and cruel reality struck me like a cutting wind from the north. 'Reality' asked me, 'Hey, don't you have any friends?'

'No, I don't.'

Therefore, I revised the whole quest.

[Quest] Make two friends. 0/2

I was getting the wrong end of the stick until now. The beginning of the quest started here. I had to make friends who would listen to my secret before confessing the truth!

Thinking to that extent, I carefully covered my face with both hands. When I did that, Ruda flung a question from beside me.

"What's wrong?"

That was when I took my hands away from my face and replied, "Ah... nothing. I was thinking about the cold and cruel reality..."

"What?"

Showing an expression of wonder, Ruda soon flaunted an aimless grin. He stretched out his hand above my head and continued, "You are quite silly sometimes."

I knew what action would come next. He would try to pat my head, of course. Since Ruda and I were very close, that gesture never bothered me. Besides, my head was like public property in my class in the first place.

However, just before his hand could touch my hair, Ruda took his hand off me with a look that seemed to say, 'Oops' as if he thought he was making a mistake.