Pick Up the Rejected Pure Love

Eventually, the first day of classes arrived.

I wished I could have spent a little more time alone with Han-gyeol. It’s a bit disappointing.

Now that the semester has really started, I’m even more worried.

I can't always be by his side, and I'm sure there will be girls throwing themselves at him.

"Okay, Han-gyeol. If you're walking down the street and a girl is carrying something really heavy, what do you do?"

"Pretend to be on the phone and walk past her."

Oh, that sounds good.

It was a satisfying answer.

"That's right! You can't be nice to other girls, okay?!"

"You don't need to worry about me. But will you be able to handle it, Eun-ha?"

"Me? My body and heart belong entirely to you, so you don't have to worry."

"Same here. But what if a guy asks for your number?"

"I'll tell him I'm married."

"Good. But let's avoid mentioning that we're living together."

"What?! Why?!"

Han-gyeol thought for a moment before explaining logically.

"The reality is, there's still a conservative view on cohabitation. People enjoy gossip more than you think. They might say things like, 'Did you hear about her?' or if you make a minor mistake, 'I knew she'd be like that.' Just say you're living nearby. But don't bring anyone home. Got it?"

It was disappointing, but everything Han-gyeol said was true.

I thought rumors about us living together would keep girls from hitting on him, but...!

Seeing I didn't respond, Han-gyeol patted my head and said,

"Don't worry~ I'm yours too, Eun-ha."

"That's right. Han-gyeol is mine."

"Let's go, or we'll be late on the first day."

"Okay! Text me when you're done, okay?!"

"Sure. Let's go now."

"Oh, wait a sec!"

As Han-gyeol was about to leave through the front door, I quickly hugged him from behind.

"Eun-ha?"

"Even if there's a girl prettier than me, don't look at her."

"Then I can look at everyone~"

"We won't see each other for hours, so kiss me...!"

"Alright."

With a smirk, Han-gyeol turned and kissed me.

I dropped the bag I had slung over my shoulder and continued kissing him.

Ah... I don't want to be apart. To hell with the start of the semester; I just want to stay with Han-gyeol.

More... just a little more...!

***

The first class ended after just taking attendance.

As soon as the professor left, the class representative came into the lecture hall.

She informed us that there would be a semester kickoff party at a bar tonight after all the classes were over.

A kickoff party...

I wanted to go to make some college friends, but I didn't have anyone to go with.

I guess I should have attended the orientation after all.

Everyone who made friends at orientation went off to have lunch together.

I wondered if Han-gyeol was done with his class. I quickly texted him.

[Hey, Han-gyeol. Are you done with class?]

[No, it looks like we'll have a full class.]

[Alright. I'll wait for you then.]

[If you have someone to eat lunch with, don't wait for me~]

The thought of having lunch with Han-gyeol made my heart flutter.

As I smiled at my phone screen, someone spoke to me.

"Hey, are you going to the kickoff party today?"

"Me? Are you talking to me?!"

A girl sitting next to me spoke to me.

She had short brown hair that suited her very well.

"Yeah. If it's okay, do you want to go together? It seems like everyone made friends at orientation, but I couldn't go because of my part-time job."

"Oh, sure! I'd love to. What classes do you have this afternoon?"

"I don't have any electives today, just major courses. What's your name? I'm An-Yoori."

"I'm Shin Eun-ha. I also have only major courses today."

"I see. Do you want to have lunch together then?"

"Oh-"

I hesitated for a moment before replying.

"Sure. Let's go have lunch."

I decided to do as Han-gyeol suggested.

I definitely needed to make friends too.

Most importantly, I didn't want to turn down Yoori's kind offer.

"Alright. Let's go."

We packed our things and headed to the cafeteria.

***

Yoori turned out to be even nicer once we got to know each other.

She had a bright smile and a gentle way of speaking.

I felt good about how my college life was starting.

"So, does your boyfriend go to our college too?"

"Yeah, he's in the Business Administration department."

"Shouldn't you be having lunch with him? Am I interrupting?"

I waved my hand dismissively at Yoori's concern.

"No, he finishes an hour later, so I told him I'd eat first."

"Ah, I see. Have you been with him for a long time?"

"Yeah, we've been together since our senior year of high school. What about you? Do you have a boyfriend?"

"Yeah, I do. We've been together for about four years."

I was surprised.

I had never met anyone my age who had been in a relationship for so long.

"Wow, that's a really long time. Is he at the same college?"

"No, he's retaking his exams now. He's at a boarding academy, so we don't get to talk much."

The conversation suddenly felt heavier.

I hoped I hadn’t touched on a sensitive topic, especially since it was our first meeting.

"I hope everything works out well for you."

"Thanks for saying that~ The cafeteria food is good."

"I was just thinking the same thing."

After that, we returned to lighter topics and chatted about various things.

I'm really glad that Yoori is the first friend I've made in college.

"Shall we get up if we're done eating?"

"Yeah, let's go."

Yoori and I put our trays away and left the cafeteria.

People were continuously coming in, and among them was Han-gyeol.

"Oh? Han-gyeol!"

"Oh?! Eun-ha. Did you just finish lunch? I messaged you, but you didn't respond."

"Oh, I must have missed it because my phone was in my bag!"

Han-gyeol's bright smile was accompanied by his friends.

"Wow, Lee Han-gyeol. I thought you were so reserved."

"Yeah, he changes completely when he sees his girlfriend."

"Of course, a girlfriend is different from friends."

Fortunately, there were only guys with him, which made me feel slightly relieved.

"What's this~ Lee Han-gyeol~ You had a girlfriend?"

"Whoa... what are you guys doing here?"

Just then, two girls appeared behind Han-gyeol, calling his name in a very familiar tone, which made me feel a bit uneasy.

Still, I'm not so naive as to get upset over someone just calling his name.

Especially since Han-gyeol didn't seem particularly pleased to see them.

Hmm-! It seems like he's doing well!

"We're here for lunch too~ Enjoy your meal~"

The two girls passed by Han-gyeol’s group without joining them.

"What's her name again... Anyway, oh- is this your friend, Eun-ha?"

"Yeah, her name is An-Yoori. We're going to the kickoff party together tonight."

"Hi~ So you're Eun-ha's boyfriend? I just heard about you."

"Yeah, hi~ Okay, Eun-ha. I'll finish eating and then contact you."

Han-gyeol waved brightly and even shook hands with Yoori.

Is my friend safe? It's too cute.

"Yeah, see you later!"

After watching Han-gyeol go into the cafeteria, I left with Yoori.

But it really bothers me that there’s a girl I don’t know saying hi to Han-gyeol.

Not knowing anything about her makes it even more concerning.

Objectively speaking, they didn't eat together, just said hello in passing.

Han-gyeol doesn't have female friends and isn't interested in anyone else but me.

So far, this hasn't been an issue, but now I wonder if I need to get used to this.

The thought of Han-gyeol talking to a girl I don't know... it hurts a little.

Come to think of it, Han-gyeol might go to the kickoff party tonight too, right?

What if he gets friendly with other girls?

Ugh, I still feel a bit uneasy.

***

After the afternoon classes, Yoori and I went to the kickoff party.

The students who had already made friends at the orientation were quickly pouring and drinking.

Yoori and I sat in a secluded corner, sipping our drinks.

"Everyone's having so much fun."

"Yeah, they're even playing drinking games."

"Should we play, just the two of us?"

"That'd be a bit awkward~"

While Yoori and I were chatting, someone approached our table.

"Hey, if there's no one sitting here, can I join?"

"Oh- yeah, sure. Have a seat. What's your name?"

"I'm Choi Jiyoung. Are you all twenty?"

"Yeah, we are. I'm Shin Eun-ha, and this is An-Yoori."

Once Jiyoung sat at our table, we quickly hit it off.

After a few drinks, we were all laughing and chatting away.

"As soon as I came in, this table looked the most comfortable~"

"Really? You're not regretting it now, are you?!"

"Nope, I'm glad I came here~"

"Hehe. Let's drink! Drink till we drop."

Yoori and Jiyoung started drinking nonstop.

Can they handle it?

I wonder what Han-gyeol is doing right now?

"Come on, Eun-ha, drink up too~"

First, I need to survive this table.

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

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