Transit Love After Revenge Chapter 9

Following Minji, the other contestants took turns reading out their introduction letters. Chanwoo’s introduction was all about teasing him mischievously.

 

Especially the part that said, “He’s been called ‘Ppoong-woo’ ever since he accidentally farted in class” had everyone, including Chanwoo himself, bursting into laughter.

 

Then came Seongjun’s turn.

“My dearest friend Seongjun, whom I love very much, might look manly and reliable on the outside, but inside he’s thoughtful and incredibly kind.

There was a time I was feeling down, and he made a four-hour round trip just to buy the tteokbokki we used to eat together as kids.

That said, his taste in women is about as good as the bottom of his foot. He always gives his all in relationships, only to be treated like a doormat in the end.

I brought him here because I couldn’t bear to watch him get hurt by just anyone anymore. I want to help him find someone myself.

I’m sure there’s someone here who can love this foolishly sweet and sometimes steadfast Seongjun the way he deserves. I know it’s shameless, but please take good care of my friend.”

 

The Seongjun in Minji’s letter was nothing like the one Haeyoung knew.

 

‘You drove four hours round trip to buy tteokbokki? That’s funny.’

 

Seongjun used to find it too much trouble to even open a delivery app and would always make Haeyoung order for him.

 

He also insisted that, “low-class snacks like tteokbokki don’t suit my palate.” In the six years they were together, he never once ate it with her.

 

On top of that, the part about having poor taste in women? That was a direct shot at Haeyoung. Unless he had been cheating, Seongjun had not dated anyone but her for nearly six years.

 

It was clear when Seongjun glanced at her.

 

Her insides boiled. But at the same time, mixed in was a small sense of relief, relief that she was no longer the one being played between Seongjun and Minji.

 

Now, Haeyoung would be the one pulling the strings. For that moment to come, this was nothing.

 

“Next is Haeyoung, right?”

 

She opened the letter that Yoonhyuk must have written. It wasn’t very long.

 

Haeyoung read the introduction carefully in a low voice, hoping that it wouldn’t be too obvious that they weren’t friends.

 

“Haeyoung is kind. Many people think of Haeyoung’s personality as a weakness and try to take advantage of it. She sometimes regrets it, too, wishing she wasn’t such a softie. If only she had a bad temper. But I think it’s the assholes who underestimate her who are the real problem—”

 

Haeyoung paused. She wasn’t sure how to read the next part. She should have checked the letter beforehand.

 

“—I mean, I think they’re dogs… total bastards.”

 

Laughter broke out among the contestants. The wording was just edgy enough to pass as a joke. Relieved, she continued reading.

 

“In a world where it’s easy to turn cruel, Haeyoung’s goodness makes her stronger and more admirable than anyone. I hope she meets someone who doesn’t exploit her kindness but truly sees her worth.”

 

The reading ended with applause, and the next introduction began. But Haeyoung couldn’t focus on Gaeun’s letter.

 

The stiff, thick paper of her letter crackled faintly in her hands. Yoonhyuk’s words kept lingering in her mind.

 

How did he know? How did he know she was the kind of person who got taken advantage of for being too kind?

 

She hadn’t written anything like that in the information file she sent him for the friend act.

 

Could he have guessed it just from hearing that she wanted revenge on a boyfriend of six years?

 

The last to go was Jaeyoung, with a letter that praised his gentle and calm personality. And with that, the introductions were over.

 

Sharing the sense of having finished a major task, the contestants clinked glasses. The tension that had gripped the room began to ease.

 

“Honestly, I feel like everyone’s letters were pretty nice. Except… mine…”

 

Chanwoo trailed off, and everyone burst into laughter again, remembering the content of his letter.

 

“But doesn’t it feel real now that we’ve read our introductions? Like <Friendship Romance> has really started?”

 

“It really does.”

 

“Then next is probably that thing.”

 

“Oh, that.”

 

Everyone knew exactly what that was. As if on cue, the monitor lit up.

 

The <Friendship Romance 2> logo appeared, soon replaced by a message:

 

「Who made your heart flutter today?」

 

It was time to vote for today’s feelings.

 

This was a staple of romance shows, and arguably the most important part.

 

Among die-hard viewers, there was a saying:

 

“When you’re confused about how a contestant really feels, look at the text.”

 

On-screen conversations and behavior could be edited or reframed later. But the vote messages couldn’t be faked. That’s why they were considered the most honest glimpse into each contestant’s true feelings.

 

With a mix of nerves and excitement, everyone picked up their phones. Some typed right away; others thought long and hard.

 

Haeyoung deliberately stalled, and fiddled with her glass of whiskey.

 

If things went like last time, Minji would get three votes, and Seongjun would get one.

 

Minji, who had been a popular participant from the beginning, maintained her popularity until the end. Her screen time naturally increased as she confidently showed her charms to various contestants, and the viewers adored her for it.

 

Haeyoung planned to change the result. She had no intention of letting it go the same way as her past life. She had to somehow keep Seongjun and Minji away from success.

 

“Ahem.”

 

A loud, exaggerated cough snapped her out of her thoughts. It was Seongjun, sitting across from her.

 

‘Vote for me. Got it?’ His eyes practically shouted it at her. 

 

How funny. He said her vote didn’t matter, but now he was clearly anxious.

 

Haeyoung tilted her head, pretending not to get the hint while making sure he noticed. His eyebrow twitched, his lips parted as if to say something.

 

If they were alone, he would’ve snapped, “Vote for me, you idiot!” But of course, he couldn’t say that here.

 

Still playing dumb, Haeyoung glanced down at her phone again.

 

She would vote for him, just like she had told him beforehand. But she would let him stew in uncertainty until the results came out. Let him sweat a little.

 

[Seongjun is the most handsome. – to Seongjun]

 

She could already picture him grinning like a fool when he read it. But the message wasn’t exactly flattering. Texts like this would easily become the subject of gossip among viewers later.

 

Some would agree, others wouldn’t. Either way, Seongjun’s looks would become a hot topic.

 

Who else would vote for him?

 

If her memory was right, Seongjun would get two votes: hers and Taeri’s.

 

No, he should get three.

 

Haeyoung glanced at Gaeun.

 

Gaeun was quiet and thoughtful, the type who found it hard to approach people first. That’s why, earlier during dinner, Haeyoung had nudged Seongjun over to her while she was doing the dishes alone.

 

Eight servings of dishes meant they had plenty of time to chat. Maybe Gaeun would vote for him.

 

If so, Seongjun’s ego would skyrocket. He would think every girl here liked him, that he held all the power. People like that always make mistakes, and proud people are bound to reveal their weaknesses.

 

While watching Gaeun hesitate, Haeyoung accidentally locked eyes with Jaeyoung, who was sitting beside her. She offered him an awkward smile.

 

All the contestants lowered their phones, and a strange silence settled over them.

 

“Uh, should we toast again?”

 

With another round of drinks, the mood lightened as everyone resumed chatting and laughing like nothing had happened.

 

Then, as new messages started coming in, the contestants picked up their phones again one by one.

 

Across from her, Minji also lifted her phone. Her gaze stayed fixed on the screen.

 

She probably got a lot of votes again. Same results as always? Or had Haeyoung’s presence shifted things, even just a little?

 

The outcome depended entirely on the male contestants’ votes. For now, there was nothing Haeyoung could do.

 

All she could hope was that the version of herself she showed today had been appealing enough to divert even one vote away from Minji.

 

Buzz. Haeyoung’s phone buzzed.

 

[No eating Pringles alone. We promised to share.]

 

Pringles? That had to be Dojin. They had picked them out together while grocery shopping.

 

Well, she had stolen one vote. Not bad, considering she hadn’t been expecting any. Haeyoung silently thanked Dojin.

 

She held her phone, waiting a bit longer, but no more messages came. As expected.

 

Then music began to play from the monitor.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

All eight pairs of eyes moved toward the screen.

 

「The results of today’s vote are…」

 

“Huh? They’re showing the texts?”

 

“No way. Why? Weren’t they supposed to be anonymous?”