Chapter 15: Unexpected Encounter
Unexpected Encounter
The second morning in the novel, and no particular thoughts crossed my mind. It felt like the first week after joining the military when my thoughts were all over the place.
[Yoo Soojin]
[Taeyang, are you awake…?]
[We haven't decided where to meet yet ㅠㅠ]
[Let's meet at the academy gate at 12 for now.]
[Don't eat before coming! Let's have lunch together!]
I checked my phone to find these messages.
[Sure, senior.]
I responded with the brevity it deserved and dragged myself out of bed. The full-length mirror, steadfast in its position from yesterday."Status Window"
Difference is, this time, I popped the window open myself?
———————————[Name] Baek Taeyang[Physical] Height: 183cm / Weight: 95kg[Description] !)(*&$'s place is being updated to @$%%, definitely @$(!_$@$(updating information.)
[Main Skill] Coercion (???)[Sub Skills] Dignity named Taeyang (A), Virgin Bomber (SSS), Cleanup (F), Enchanting Gaze (B), Playboy Memory (B), Bash (A), ???(???), ???(???)———————————
"What's this?"
The original four-line description underwent a transformation. It claimed to be updating information in place of someone else's, but I can't make out the details. Since yesterday, it's been a relentless assault of question marks. In this supposedly concise status window, both the description and two skills are marked as unknown. Certainly, a character that isn't originally supposed to appear might be causing the novel to be in disarray.
Since there's nothing major to ponder while sitting still, I decide not to overthink it. If it could be sorted with calm thinking, those skills would've shown up ages ago.
"Now, the date outfit is the real head-scratcher…"
I'm lacking the right clothes. All I've got are uniforms, and a date in those won't cut it.
"Then, I'll just make buying clothes our date course."
Planning a date course is a breeze; nothing new to me. I slipped into my school uniform and strolled outside. It's 11:30, a considerate half-hour before the date.
***
In this world, coincidences are as rare as a sensible politician. It's one of the life principles my old man loved to preach.
"Huh?"
As I strutted out of the dormitory, the unmistakable sight of the fatass, or as I like to call him, Mr. Double Chin.
"Oh… What…" Convinced my eyes were playing tricks on me, I skeptically blinked, but to my annoyance, the image persisted. The face I encountered in that damn white space mirrored reality.
I was curious about his intense gaze, so I followed it to the entrance of the girls' dormitory. Turns out, he was ogling the girls' dorm entrance. If he'd been peering through a café window, it might've been discreet, but no, he chose to lean conspicuously against a tree, eyes wide open.
How do I articulate this surge of emotions? Anger? No, I was too calm for that. I didn't lose my composure and charge at him, screaming—I'm not daft enough to miss an unexpected opportunity.
Creeping up from behind, I pondered the what-ifs. What if he runs away for example? Greet him with a well-timed face jab? Do I unleash the bracelet? Countless mental gymnastics had me grinding my molars.
"Wait, why the heck do I have to endure this nonsense?"
As I drew nearer, my fingertips started trembling. Common sense suggested a chat might sort things, but my body vetoed that plan. Sure, it's just been a day and I hadn't been hit with any major hardship, but still.
"Is leaving a comment such a grave offense?"
Not like this. It felt unjust. If he thought it was malicious, he could've just sued.
[Bash activated! Strong power gathers in the left hand!]
The notion of hitting the back of his head crossed my mind, but the likelihood of dodging is high. So, the target: the lower back, annihilate the spine, render the lower body useless, no chance of escape. My history of countless beatings should play the perfect sidekick to this rookie endeavor. While I've never properly socked someone, I'm not exactly Baek Taeyang.
Power surged from the toes, as if telling the ground to take a hike. A subtly contorted waist, a leaning upper body—effortlessly choreographed as one seamless move. With the upper body naturally descending as the fist reached out, it found its mark in the plush landscape of the fatass' lower back.
BAM!!!
"What, what the hell! Who… who are you…?!"
Wait, I thought it landed. Right when my fist was about to make contact, an invisible barrier thwarted the punch.
"Fuck, is this a barrier…"
Moreover, the counterforce was no joke. If I'd hit any harder, my knuckles would have turned into mashed potatoes.
"What? You serious? Don't you remember me?"
Is this guy guilt-proof? Putting a well-off person in the novel and wearing a clueless expression? Mr. Double Chin genuinely seemed lost. After eyeing my uniform nameplate, he was visibly shook and began muttering.
"Baek Taeyang is definitely not supposed to… How, how could… Who are you…"
"I'm Lee Taeok, you bastard!"
I thought I could endure, but in the end, I erupted. Sure, I couldn't resist from the moment I threw that fist, but at least I swore off profanity. If violence doesn't work, I planned to resolve it through gentle conversation… Everything turned into bubbles.
"You're Lee Taeok…? That's impossible… No way…"
As he stood there lost in thought, heat surged through me involuntarily. As much as I wanted to drive a huge punch into his face, that damn protective measure was undoubtedly in place.
"How come…? Suddenly not being observed…"
"You crazy bastard, stop mumbling to yourself and get me out of this novel already!"
Upon hearing that, he abruptly snapped back to reality and stared at me. Should I hit him again? As I pondered, his eyes shifted, perhaps thinking of a protective shield, and his expression shifted to relief.
"Even capable of seeing me… It's a glitch…"
"Hey, are you even listening to me?"
Am I talking to a brick wall? Honestly, I never expected communication to break down like this. I thought he might say something about no turning back, or at least drop a hint if there was one.
"This bastard's just muttering to himself…"
He rambled on with incomprehensible words, then suddenly widened his eyes as if struck by a thought.
"I… I have to go…"
"Where are you going? No, get me out! Did I genuinely mess up that much? Honestly, no! You wrote that crap because you're a lonely loser, so why take it out on me?"
Only then did Mr. Double Chin finally look me in the eyes. Whether he actually listened or not, his face turned red, just like before. I tried to grab him, but once again, an invisible barrier blocked my attempt. My mouth vomited a mix of words, profanity included, but I tried to convey my emotions and the situation as calmly as possible.
"I don't know… I really don't know… And… you, you, you are the crazy bastard, you were the one who messed up first! Why were you doing that to me? I'm hurt too!"
Emitting oinks that would make a pig proud, Mr. Double Chin magically disappeared. It happened in an instant. We met, we parted, all in the time it takes to sneeze. What's the deal here? What the fuck did I even achieve from this weird meeting?
It felt empty. After all the nonsense about narration and observation, that guy vanishing without me getting a single punch in just left me feeling empty. I'm pissed at myself for not going all out, unleashing the bracelet, consequences be damned, and not giving him the hardest smack possible, even if I couldn't handle the power properly…
"Ha… Haha…." A bitter chuckle slipped out. My legs decided they'd had enough, and I slouched against a tree, sinking down.
Well, leaving isn't going to be a walk in the park, obviously.
To be honest, it wasn't a missed opportunity. I had no plans, just a sudden scramble for information—that was the entirety of the strategy. I knew I would fail, but leaving with absolutely nothing was beyond my expectations.
"Really, damn it…"
Now I get why those novel characters aren't plotting escapes but obsessing over completing the story. Since an instant getaway isn't in the cards, the master plan probably involves fixing the narrative and crossing fingers. But that's not for me. All I've read are the prologue, chapter 1, and the latest one. How am I supposed to fix or alter anything?
Quests don't pop up right after completion; they're reserved for specific situations, and I'm not even clued in on those situations. All I've got is a vague message to expect something
"This is driving me crazy…"
"What's wrong?"
Startled, I turned my head to see Soojin. Her beige dress paired with a pink cardigan gave off a spring vibe. The sky-blue stockings, with a short skirt revealing the band at the thigh, swayed with each step.
The predicament was dire, yet the resentment sparked by an unmistakable bulge in my pants at the sight of Soojin's attire was hard to ignore. My body was playing the diligent responder, surpassing everyone else. It was amusing how, despite the casual wear, a mere glance triggered my arousal.
I wonder if this guy ever experienced a normal life.
What kind of life has Baek Taeyang led…
"Senior, you look so pretty."
"What are you saying…" She said that but she blushed, seemingly embarrassed. Her long hair swayed, and the black handbag hung neatly on her shoulder.
Usually, when a woman with a bit of a bust wears a dress, the curves often don't show properly. But seemingly aware of this, Soojin took the initiative to secure the dress's waist with a delicate strap, creating a ribbon that unapologetically emphasized her figure. Despite being a supposedly modest dress, it had the audacity to induce my erection.
"Did you wait for me here? You could've waited up close."
Even so… she made that remark and subtly inclined her body. The theatrics of crouching down to align our eye levels had a monumental impact. Courtesy of gravity, the dress unfolded, exposing the cleavage canyon.
White… Her bra was plain white. Upon closer scrutiny, there was an embroidered floral pattern, unlike what I observed last time.
Is this Soojin's rendition of tactical underwear?
"Taeyang, stop it… Come on, you wouldn't want people to mistake you for a pervert."
"Okay…"
Leaving the person you're on a date with waiting on the street wasn't exactly the epitome of courtesy, so I promptly stood up.
"Senior, can we go shopping after eating? I need to buy clothes…"
"Sure. Then can I pick out clothes for you?"
"Oh, yes. I'd appreciate that."
"Okay. Let's have a meal first."
It was actually pleasant when a girl picked out my clothes. No need to overthink; she'd effortlessly opt for things she fancied, forming an ensemble far more harmonious than my selections.
"Ah… and Taeyang."
"Yes?"
"You can call me… ‘noona.'"
That was a bold proclamation, and her ears turned red. Why she found it embarrassing… it was genuinely cute. While a certain girl sent her masturbation video after sex…
Maybe it's because Soojin and I have tasted each other? She seems more innocent now. I can't protect her, but I should at least treat her well.
"Let's go; I've made a reservation at a restaurant."
"Alright, noona."
Addressing her as ‘noona' instantly brought a bashful smile to her face.
+++++
"This can't be happening, it can't!"
In a space filled with countless books, the largest one lay open. Its cover read ‘Academy Pure Love Diary,' and its size was large enough to swallow a person whole.
"The words… they're not coming out properly…"
A chubby man with glasses continued to write with a pen, but there were hardly any properly written words. Even though the ink was correctly applied, as the pen moved across the book, the words quickly vanished.
"Baek Taeyang… He's the problem…"
Someone who wasn't even planned to appear had entered the scene.
"I have to revise… I have to revise…"
It was a moment that demanded a bold development.