BJ Villainess Chapter 292

The kids were so excited about my rare appearance at the drinking party that they kept putting me at the center of attention.

 

“Don’t you get a lot of confessions, Jiwoo? But I’ve never heard of you dating anyone.”

 

Then, a male classmate sitting nearby spoke as if it was obvious. “She’s always taking game freelance work, so she’s either in the club room or holed up at home. When would she have time to meet guys?”

 

That was just the beginning.

 

“Normally, Shin Jiwoo is like a stone when it comes to men.”

 

“Hey, people like Shin Jiwoo have their noses in the air, so they don’t date just anyone. But they end up marrying a rich guy.”

 

And then they snickered. There were a few people in the department who particularly disliked me, and they were among them.

 

Senior Seonga, apparently offended, shouted in irritation. “What nonsense! She’s got a guy she’s in contact with. That’s why she blocks other guys!”

 

I understood that she was trying to take my side, but honestly, I didn’t care what people said, so her intervention made me more embarrassed.

 

“It’s not like that, Senior.”

 

Normally, Seonga would have stopped by now, but perhaps due to the alcohol, she couldn’t hold back her indignant feelings.

 

“What do you mean it’s not like that? I saw a really tall guy taking you home.”

 

Everyone exclaimed, “What?!” with a mix of cheers and jeers.

 

Seonga didn’t stop talking. “He was wearing a hat, so I couldn’t see his face, but I could tell he’d be really handsome. All his clothes were designer. I know all about that kind of stuff.”

 

Aah… my head got dizzy.

 

At that, a classmate shouted noisily, “See, I was right! She caught a rich guy.”

 

I could feel the atmosphere getting stranger and stranger. At times like this, it’s better to give out just enough information to satisfy their curiosity than to leave it alone.

 

“The person Senior saw is my childhood friend. We’ve known each other since we were 8, and he was my neighbor.”

 

The female juniors started joking around, trying to lighten the mood.

 

“Ah, what the? I thought you really had a guy, but he’s just a childhood friend? You should date, Senior!”

 

“That’s right. If I had your looks, I’d have at least twenty exes by now.”

 

Then Jin Wonwoo spoke up. “You must be in touch with Ozworld again.”

 

The atmosphere, which seemed to have been calming down, started to heat up again.

 

“Ozworld? Is he a foreigner?”

 

“…Yeah, he’s American.”

 

“Wow, so do you talk in English when you speak with him?”

 

“No. He’s good at Korean.”

 

I tried to respond as nonchalantly as possible, but the topic of ‘Shin Jiwoo’s childhood friend’ wouldn’t die down. Thinking it might be best to leave before attracting more unnecessary attention, I sent a text to Ozworld.

 

[Can you come pick me up right now?]

 

The reply came as if he had been waiting for it.

 

[Ozworld: send me the address.]

 

It was a moment later.

 

[Ozworld: I’m in front of the store. Should I come in?]

 

[No, I’ll come out right away.]

 

I grabbed my bag and stood up. “I’m just going to the restroom.”

 

“Senior is trying to escape!”

 

“Hey, grab Shin Jiwoo’s bag!”

 

“No, I’m taking it to touch up my makeup.”

 

“You don’t even wear makeup, Senior!”

 

I guess I should start carrying lipstick around. The kids realized I was trying to escape and took my bag away, forcing me to sit back down.

 

“I really have to go.”

 

“You live alone, don’t you? Why are you leaving already?”

 

“It’s been a while since we’ve all gathered like this. Don’t leave and stay longer.”

 

As I awkwardly asked for my bag back, I noticed a call coming in. It was Ozworld. The kids, seeing the name on the screen, reacted as if they’d caught a big fish.

 

“Oh, Shin Jiwoo’s childhood friend is calling!”

 

“Answer it! Answer it!”

 

This is driving me crazy, really. I couldn’t just ignore the ringing call, so I answered it.

 

-Jiwoo, is something wrong? Are you drunk?

 

“No, I barely drank. I’m trying to leave, but the kids are holding me back…”

 

-The kids?

 

“Uh, yeah. It’s near the school, so we all ended up joining in.”

 

“Jiwoo’s childhood friend! Join us for a drink!”

 

“Wonwoo, you know him, right? Invite him over.”

 

-Wonwoo… Oh, he’s there too?

 

Amid the chaos around me, I hastily told him I’d head out soon and ended the call. That was a mistake.

 

“Wow, is your childhood friend here to pick you up?”

 

“Then he must be outside. Let’s go say hi.”

 

The kids, getting more mischievous, were about to head out to see Ozworld when—

 

“Welcome!”

 

In walked Ozworld, whose striking appearance didn’t match the shabby barbecue restaurant. His entrance was overwhelming. The noisy chatter of the restaurant died down in an instant.

 

Ozworld immediately spotted me and came over. Though the kids had been brazen, no one dared to speak first upon seeing him.

 

“You’re here,” I spoke up first, still feeling awkward.

 

Ozworld kindly said, “I was worried,” and greeted everyone around. “Hello. Oh, you’re Wonwoo, right? It’s been a while.”

 

Only then did the kids, previously overwhelmed by Ozworld’s looks, start fussing again.

 

“Why didn’t you tell us he was handsome?!”

 

Senior Seonga, who seemed to be sober now, eagerly vacated the seat next to me for Ozworld.

 

“Please sit here!”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Questions poured in from all directions.

 

“Are you the same age as Jiwoo?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Which school did you attend?”

 

“I graduated.”

 

“Oh, have a drink. Can we get another glass here?”

 

“It’s okay. I’m driving, so I can’t drink.”

 

“Did you come here just to pick up Jiwoo? You must be really close childhood friends.”

 

“Did Jiwoo say we’re childhood friends?”

 

Everyone’s eyes twinkled, sensing there was more to it from his tone.

 

“Aren’t you childhood friends?”

 

Ozworld chuckled softly. “Yes, we’re childhood friends.”

 

“Oh, what is this? Feels like there’s more to it~!”

 

Ozworld gently took my bag from the classmate and, in a polite but firm manner, asked. “Can I take Jiwoo now? I have something important to discuss with her.”

 

At that, everyone fell silent. It seemed they thought his ‘important matter’ was a confession.

 

Ozworld, seemingly unconcerned with the misunderstandings spreading, took out his wallet and continued. “I’m sorry for leaving early, so I’ll take care of the bill.”

 

“Wow, amazing!”

 

“So cool!”

 

Ozworld, quickly garnering cheers and support, easily led me out of the restaurant. As soon as we left the BBQ place, I sighed.

 

“Sorry. The kids can be a bit much, aren’t they?”

 

He opened the passenger door for me, speaking with a hint of amusement in his voice. “It was interesting because I felt like I had some experience in your school life.”

 

His words stung slightly. If he hadn’t disappeared, we might have attended the same school. We might have experienced campus life together, eating cafeteria food and possibly even living together as he had hoped. But now, we were in this ambiguous relationship, neither friends nor lovers.

 

Lost in thought, I arrived home. The place I lived in had been repaired, but it was originally a poorly maintained studio apartment. Plus, there was the robbery incident, which left a bad taste. I should move out when the lease ends.

 

After that day, Ozworld always made sure no one was inside before letting me in. But today, for some reason, he didn’t get out of the car first. Instead, he turned to me with a serious look.

 

“Jiwoo, I have a favor to ask.”

 

I thought the ‘important matter’ was just an excuse, but it seemed he really did have something to say.

 

“What is it?”

 

He tried to persuade me as calmly as possible. “Could you move into my apartment? The security here doesn’t seem good, and I’m worried about you living here.”

 

“That feels like too much to ask…”

 

“I still like you, Jiwoo.”

 

I was speechless.

 

“Can’t you use me a little? I can do anything for you.”

 

Honestly, I didn’t want to keep living here. I was staying because I didn’t have much choice.

 

Meeting Ozworld again, he was always devoted and gentle, which gradually lowered my guard. In the end, I nodded.

 

“Okay.”

 

Ozworld murmured with a relieved expression. “Thank you.”

 

I didn’t expect to hear him thank me, considering I was the one imposing. He must have really disliked the idea of me living here.

 

Ozworld suggested going to his place as soon as possible, and since I was already exhausted from the unwanted drinking session, I agreed. I followed him into his apartment. Honestly, I was worried it might be too luxurious, but it was more reasonable than I thought. Of course, it was still an incredibly expensive apartment.

 

“Wow, this place is amazing.” I walked around, admiring the inside of the home Ozworld opened for me. “But all the appliances and furniture seem brand new.”

 

Ozworld suddenly gave a sheepish smile at my words. “Hey, Jiwoo.”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“I also have a gift.”

 

“What is it?”

 

I found out what the gift was when he took me to the dressing room.

 

“Is collecting my clothes a hobby of yours?” I was puzzled to see the dressing room filled only with my clothes. What is this? Are his clothes in another room?

 

Ozworld cautiously spoke up. “And there’s something else. I live next door. If you’re not okay with that…”

 

“Oh? Not here?”

 

“…Huh?”

 

Oh, something got mixed up in our conversation. When Ozworld asked me to move into his apartment, I assumed he meant we’d share a room. Apparently, that wasn’t what he meant.

 

“You want me to use this place all by myself?”

 

“Yeah, that’s what I meant…”

 

Ozworld furrowed his brows with a complicated expression. He seemed quite disappointed, perhaps thinking he missed the opportunity to share a house as he didn’t know I would have accepted it.

 

He wasn’t going to turn back time over this, right?

 

Thankfully, Ozworld left it at that without pushing further.

 

“Do you have anything to bring from the studio?”

 

“I just need to move my computer and some books. The rest isn’t important.”

 

“Then I’ll take care of it while you’re at class. I was thinking of driving you to campus tomorrow, too, if that’s okay.” He looked at me for approval.

 

“I’d appreciate it if you did… See you tomorrow.”

 

“Text me when you’re ready. I’ll pick you up.”

 

“Okay.”

 

“I’ll go now. Good night.”

 

After Ozworld left for his place next door, I slowly walked around the empty house before stopping. “What the heck am I doing?”

 

I couldn’t understand my own feelings anymore.