BJ Villainess – Chapter 293

Author: alyalia

* * *

Ozworld began to steadily take root in my life, as he had once before. Honestly, having Ozworld look after me was convenient. The more I accepted him into my life, the more it seemed to improve.

Bzzzz!

[Sender: Not Sure]

[Hmm... Did Ozworld finally come to his senses?]

Bzzzz!

[Sender: Born From Jiwoo’s Heart]

[No way, considering all the things he had done.]

They said the constellations didn’t know about Ozworld’s disappearance in time, but why would they say that? Could this be related to the ‘home’ that Kim Cheolsoo mentioned? Was I actually not Shin Jiwoo but a different entity that lost its memories?

It wasn’t an entirely outrageous hypothesis. Otherwise, there was no way to explain my sudden superpower.

“This is tough.”

I muttered while furrowing my brow, and Senior Seonga looked at me.

“Why? Is there something you don’t understand?”

I was studying for exams with Senior Seonga and my juniors in the cafeteria.

“No, it’s just another problem.”

My major wasn’t particularly difficult. However, it seemed my comment piqued everyone’s curiosity, as they all looked at me with eager eyes.

“What’s wrong? What’s the problem?”

“Is it a love problem? It is, isn’t it? Did your childhood friend confess to you?”

The direct question caught me off guard, and as I hesitated, everyone laughed as if they knew it all along.

“The person who’s been picking you up recently is your childhood friend, right?”

“Didn’t he also drop you off here? I saw you coming out from the parking lot.”

So this is why people say there are no secrets in the world. When did they start watching me? Witness accounts poured in as if they had been waiting for this moment. I thought I was being careful, but apparently, it wasn’t enough.

Senior Seonga, looking proud as if it was her own accomplishment, wrapped her arm around my shoulder and asked. “Is that handsome friend coming to pick you up today too?”

“…Yes, well.” I couldn’t lie, so I mumbled and affirmed, which set off another commotion.

“Can’t you call him now?”

“Does he have any friends? Equally handsome ones?”

Ozworld probably has no friends, at least not more than me. Though there might be some I don’t know about.

Senior Seonga glanced around and then asked in a hushed voice. “But Jiwoo, did you say your childhood friend’s name is Ozworld Holton?”

“Yes.”

“It can’t be the Holton I’m thinking of, right…?”

“It probably is. That Holton.”

Senior Seonga’s jaw dropped. “No way.”

“Why? What’s up?”

“Jiwoo’s childhood friend is the heir of a different-level wealthy family.”

“Really? Wow, Senior, you must marry him!”

“A childhood friend who’s both rich and handsome. This is destiny.”

“So, when will you start dating?”

I opened my mouth with a perplexed expression. “Well, actually, we dated in high school.”

That statement set off another uproar, and we received a warning to be quiet. However, that warning wasn’t enough to quell their interest in someone else’s love life, which was far more entertaining than studying. In the end, I sheepishly recounted how we had dated but lost contact when he disappeared, then reunited after five years, and what the current situation was like.

“Was it because of family opposition? Did his parents take him away, saying they couldn’t give him to you?”

“No, it wasn’t like that. He said something came up that made it impossible to contact me.”

Why am I even explaining this?

“So, how do you feel, Senior? Do you want to see him again?”

I hesitated to answer. I hadn’t defined my relationship with Ozworld, but the things we did together weren’t exactly what friends do.

Just today, he had dropped me off at campus. He would be picking me up soon. On days when I had personal plans, he would take me to my appointments and wait patiently. When I got home, I’d freshen up and head next door. Ozworld would have dinner prepared, and we’d eat together. Some days, we’d go for a drive. Other times, we’d sit at a table outside a convenience store, snacking and drinking beer in the muggy night air. When a new movie caught our interest, we’d sit side by side on the couch to watch it, just like in old times.

Although I still couldn’t fully understand who he was, his devotion was so tailored to me that my wariness began to fade. And the clear affection in his words and actions made it hard to pretend not to notice. His emotions were so deep they seemed mismatched with mine, which sometimes left me bewildered.

At those times, I suddenly realized that there was a period in our lives that I didn’t remember, but he did. Ozworld had a habit of observing me. Perhaps that’s why he could quickly discern what I was thinking, feeling, or need. He had always been like that, but now it was on a different level.

What had happened between us to make him turn back time five times? I was curious, yet also afraid to know.

“Senior?”

I was lost in thoughts of Ozworld when a junior called me back to reality. And I gave a later answer.

“I think so.”

“You want to see him again?”

I nodded, and everyone let out silent cheers.

“Why am I so excited?”

“I want to be in a relationship too.”

Just then, Ozworld called me.

-Jiwoo, I’m at your campus parking lot.

“What, already?”

Surprised, I checked the time. It was already 5 o’clock, the time Ozworld had said he’d pick me up.

-I can wait so you can study a bit more before coming out.

“No, I can’t let you do that…”

I hurriedly packed my pens into my pencil case and noticed eight pairs of eyes watching me with knowing looks. Screw it, I don’t care anymore.

“Or do you want to come over here?”

* * *

In the end, I officially introduced Ozworld to my acquaintances, and we even had dinner together at a nearby restaurant.

“Goodbye!”

“Come again next time, Oppa!”

We headed back to the campus, where his car was parked. The sky was still bright despite it being evening, so I felt a little giddy. Maybe it was because I had laughed so much during dinner that my cheeks hurt.

“Do you want to walk a bit before we go?” I suggested, and Ozworld showed his delight with a serene smile.

Walking around the campus with him was an impulsive decision. But as I introduced him to people I knew along the way, I felt glad I did it. I realized I had been waiting for this kind of day for a long time. A day where no one would say there was anything wrong with us being together.

“This place has good cake.”

I pointed to a café, and Ozworld naturally took out his wallet.

“Shall we buy some to take home?”

“Sure, but let me buy this time. You bought dinner.”

Ozworld looked like he didn’t understand why it mattered, but he didn’t object.

“Thank you for the food.”

By the time we returned to the parking lot, Ozworld was carrying two cute little cake boxes in his hands.

In the car, a song we had listened to together five years ago played, and the sunset turned the sky a deep pink outside the window.

Not long ago, the world felt suffocating and musty, just like my old studio apartment. But now, it felt like I was surrounded by rainbows.

At this point, I had no choice but to admit it. I liked Ozworld, whether he was a god or an alien. The fact that he liked me was enough for me to forgive whatever had happened in the time I couldn’t remember.

Once I acknowledged that, a new problem arose.

Bzzzz!

[Sender: Boarding on OzxJi Ship]

[Why isn’t he confessing when the mood is good?]

Bzzzz!

[Sender: Love Professor]

[Aren’t they one of those things where they do everything beyond friendship but don’t actually date?]

No way. If that’s all it was, he wouldn’t have been so devoted. But why hasn’t he confessed…?

Isn’t it about time for him to confess so we can start dating? Yet, I didn’t have the courage to ask when we were going to date.

Naturally, I followed Ozworld to his house, nibbling on the cake he laid out on the table while lost in thought.

“Is it not good?”

“No, it’s delicious. I was just lost in thought for a second.” I felt my cheeks flush, thinking I was being too shameless with him right in front of me.

Ozworld poured me a glass of milk and then headed to his room.

He’s probably going to shower. He was the type who had to wash up right after coming home to feel at ease.

I put the suddenly unappetizing cake in the fridge and brushed my teeth in the living room bathroom. My toothbrush was there.

A little later, Ozworld came out in a loose outfit, a towel draped over his head, and opened the fridge.

He’s going to drink water now. Sure enough, he took out a bottle of water and drank it. Seeing him do that, I realized he hadn’t changed much since high school.

Without anything particular to say, I found myself gravitating toward Ozworld.

“Do you need anything?”

“Huh? No. Just checking if there’s something to drink.”

“There’s some drinks in the fridge, so help yourself.”

“Okay.”

I didn’t really want anything to drink, but I opened the fridge anyway because of what I’d said. That’s when I saw the beer.

This is it.

“Shall we drink?”

Ozworld agreed readily and asked what I wanted to have with the beer.

“No, I don’t need anything.”

I needed to drink quite a bit. Feeling rushed, I quickly downed a can of beer, and the buzz hit me hard.

I asked him with a dazed expression. “What do you do while I’m at campus?”