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"No."
I flatly refused her request. But Soo-yeon Choi did not give in and responded.
"Why?"
"This is not the place for you."
"So, if you didn't want to rehearse the date, you told me to follow you there and pretend to be your girlfriend? What if I said I knew?"
Even after she revealed that we were the same age, Soo-yeon Choi, who had maintained her respectful manner, suddenly spoke to me informally. In the first place, it was obvious that Soo-yeon Choi would 100% reject the idea, so it was a bluff I had used as a negotiation tactic…
'I didn't expect this.'
I didn't think Soo-yeon Choi would actually agree to come with me. However, I couldn't just refuse her because, as she said, I had already bluffed about this before, and I was caught in the middle of the argument because of my own words.
While I was at a loss, Soo-yeon Choi's condition began to worsen again.
"As expected, were you lying too? Did you just say something to make me feel good, even though you didn't mean it? You said I was a good woman and that I deserved to be loved… Yeah, I knew it. Haha. I was fooled by someone twice in one day, huh? You wanted to do that to me?"
"Oh, no! Okay, let's go together! If you stick with me, they won't do anything weird."
When I saw Soo-yeon Choi about to have another emotional outburst, I quickly allowed her to accompany me. Then…
"Heung, thank you, Senior. I really didn't want to go home like this."
Soo-yeon Choi's expression completely changed, and she returned to her usual demeanor as if nothing had happened. Her face was still a little pale and her eyes were swollen and a little puffy from crying, but she was smiling.
I had no choice but to admit that I had been outsmarted by her.
Soo-yeon Choi and I headed to the meeting place, a barbecue restaurant.
"Soo-yeon, didn't you say you've never been to a place like this before?"
"Yes."
"Do you know what those people do together?"
"I know."
"What is it?"
"After eating, we get together to drink and smoke? And then when it's over, we go to a motel? I heard that's what my friends did with their seniors and juniors, so it seems like that's the case."
'She doesn't know anything.'
"Soo-yeon, I am giving you serious advice for your mental health, but it is not too late, so just go home."
"You don't want me there? You rescued me from the rain and took me home, so you have to take responsibility."
"You might pass out from shock. And if I go there, I can't keep acting like I am now. Those people will look at me strangely. Are you really doing this because you know what they do there?"
"You're making such a fuss. Do you think I don't know you're trying to scare me away? Don't even think about throwing up a smokescreen and just go."
'It's not a smokescreen this time.'
I wondered if Soo-yeon Choi could imagine what she was about to see.
…
We arrived at the restaurant while I was still worried.
"Soo-yeon, I want to warn you in advance, apologize, and ask for your understanding. From now on, no matter how I treat you in there, and no matter what you see, don't be surprised, don't rebel, or show any awkwardness. You will become prey."
"Prey…?"
Everyone except me was already seated in the private room of the restaurant. The most prominent and central seat was left empty.
"Han Seongjin! Are you here? I've left a seat empty, so sit down quickly."
"Hello, Senior Seongjin!"
"Hello, Senior!"
Among the group of third-year students, the higher-ranking ones greeted me lightly without hesitation, and among them was Hwang Seong-tae, who was kicked out by me while chasing Yu-ri Lee and Gong Young-bae on the opening day of school.
The lower-ranking third-year students got up from their seats and stood still, while the first and second-year students bowed 90 degrees and greeted me loudly, like low-level gangsters greeting their boss.
I also had a tattoo on my forearm, but the other first- to third-year students here had even more tattoos than me.
Soo-yeon Choi froze on the spot when she saw the atmosphere of this place, which looked more like a gang gathering than a group of students from a higher-education academy.
And several of the girls there recognized Soo-yeon Choi and shouted.
"Huh? It's Soo-yeon, right? Soo-yeon!"
"Oh… Hello, Ji-ah."
A group of girls sitting on one side of the table waved their hands happily at Soo-yeon Choi. Among them, the girl with curly hair who seemed to be the leader had two pairs of piercings in her ears, and her makeup was so heavy that she almost looked like a different person. It was Jeong Ji-ah, the leader of the second-year female group that Soo-yeon Choi belonged to.
"What? You always asked me to come, but you never came, so why did you come with Seongjin?"
"I brought her because she is mine."
At my words, Soo-yeon Choi looked at me quietly, and I strongly wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her toward me, as if to show off.
"Oh, oh~"
The boys around me cheered, and many of them looked at me with envy. Soo-yeon Choi, a second-year student, was a beautiful girl who was famous not only among other students but also among the academy's students. Since she never showed up at these gatherings, she was a woman who was just a fantasy.
Soo-yeon Choi became my woman, and she came to this meeting for the first time. Everyone who was thinking about making a move on her swallowed their regrets.
"Bring another chair."
"Yes, Senior!!!"
I said that as I sat down in the middle seat, and immediately one of the first-year students rushed over with a chair and placed it next to me. As everyone naturally moved aside, Soo-yeon Choi had space to sit, and I deliberately placed her very close to me.
On the other side of Soo-yeon Choi sat Jeong Ji-ah, the leader of her group, and on the other side of me was Hwang Seong-tae, the second-in-command of our group.
Jeong Ji-ah teased Soo-yeon Choi by poking her cheek.
"Hey~ You always meet college guys. When did you start dating Seongjin oppa? I'm jealous. Hey, you've achieved great success."
"Ah, ahaha… S-success…"
"Ah~ Seongjin oppa is so excited. I really wanted to hang out with you today, but I can't because the other person is Soo-yeon. Or can I join you too?"
"That's not happening."
I cut everyone off, and as soon as I opened my mouth, the room immediately became quiet.
"We have a new guest today, so let's not make too much of a fuss and eat quietly, okay?"
"Yes!!!"
Everyone answered loudly, and Hwang Seong-tae, who was sitting next to me, raised his voice by banging on the table.
"Hey, you guys. Boss, there's no drink in my cup. Come and pour some."
When Hwang Seong-tae scanned the table with his eyes, I stopped him.
"It's okay. I'll just get it from Soo-yeon."
"Huh? Okay, okay. Hey guys, the boss said it's okay, so come and pour me a drink. Oh, there you are. Come and sit next to me."
Hwang Seong-tae called one of the first-year students to sit next to him, as if calling a girl for hire, and the girl poured his drink very skillfully, even though she was still underage. Hwang Seong-tae sat the first-year girl down next to him and started massaging her breasts.
When Soo-yeon Choi looked at that spot in surprise, I nudged her side with my elbow to get her attention. It was only then that Soo-yeon Choi came to her senses and turned her head in the opposite direction without a word.
"Hey, Boss. It's been a while since we've all gathered like this. Should I say something?"
"One word… Yes, you should."
I sighed, paused for a moment, and looked at Hwang Seong-tae.
"No, why don't you just take the lead today?"
"Me?"
"Yeah. Think of yourself as the king and give it a try. I'm not in a good mood today, so I don't have much motivation."
As soon as I finished speaking, I saw the corner of Hwang Seong-tae's mouth twitch. Because of me, he had always remained the second-in-command, watching from the sidelines. But now that I had given him the right to lead, he must have thought he was the king at that moment. He had dreamed of it so much.
Hwang Seong-tae did not refuse and accepted my offer without hesitation. He then stood up, raised his drink, and shouted.
"It feels so good to see you guys like this! Now, let's make a toast to say that our friendship will last forever! Our friendship!"
"Forever!!!"
'Our friendship will be forever ruined.'
I clicked my tongue inwardly. If they were normal people, they wouldn't be so divided among friends.
After Hwang Seong-tae's toast, a party of meat and drinking took place. Among the people gathered, there were many first- and second-year students, but they were all just living their lives, so I didn't care about such things. The restaurant didn't sell alcohol to minors, but it was full of people who looked like gangsters, so even the staff didn't dare come into the room.
Jeong Ji-ah, the leader of the second-year female group, bombarded Soo-yeon Choi with questions the whole time, and the other men were busy glancing at Soo-yeon Choi's body.
As the alcohol slowly trickled in, the true purpose of this 'gathering' began to be revealed.
"Chuhup… Ha…♥"
Hwang Seong-tae was heavily intertwined with the first-year girl he had called, one hand on her chest and one hand under her skirt. The girl was also playing with her fingers, putting her hand under Hwang Seong-tae's clothes and groping his chest.
Jeong Ji-ah, who was sitting next to Soo-yeon Choi, was also facing her boy, who she didn't know was a first- or second-year student, and was sitting on his lap, moving her hips, groping each other's bodies and kissing.
Soo-yeon Choi, shocked by the lewd acts unfolding in front of her, opened her eyes and looked at me. She was speaking with her eyes.
I want to get out of here quickly.
I didn't intend to stay here for a long time anyway, and I didn't want to expose Soo-yeon Choi to a place like this for long. I stood up and told everyone.
"Hey, if everyone has eaten, let's get up quickly."
"Yes, Senior!"
Everyone, who was ready for a group orgy at any moment, answered loudly, got dressed, and got up. At this meeting, some of the third-year students, especially first- and second-year students who wanted to gain a good reputation from me, immediately ran out of the room to pay.
Because in this group, third-year students, including me, were the kings.
'Tsk.'
Even that didn't make me feel at ease. It was obvious that all that money had been collected by harassing and extorting money from people anyway.
After we finished eating, I was going to leave and announce to everyone that I would no longer attend this meeting.
But…
"Soo-yeon! This is our first time here. Are we going to go to the karaoke room for the second round? We're going to get a room at Junko."
"Huh? I…"
At Jeong Ji-ah's words, Soo-yeon Choi glanced at me. But before I could say anything, Jeong Ji-ah was already pulling Soo-yeon Choi by the arm.
"You're not going to come all the way here and leave, are you? To be honest, I'm kind of upset that you don't come out to places like this much. Since you're here, let's have some fun, shall we?"
'Damn it.'
I could have taken Soo-yeon Choi with me. The problem was that I was planning to cut ties with these guys from now on and wash my hands of them, but Soo-yeon Choi was not able to do that. Even after today, Soo-yeon Choi would have no choice but to belong to that group for the time being. Even if the relationship was made up of lies and pretense, they were the only ones who gave Soo-yeon Choi anything resembling a "friend" right now.
Someday I would have to cut my losses, but it was too early now. Whatever the reason, if Soo-yeon Choi was left out again, her reputation among that group would definitely deteriorate. They might say that she was putting on airs, or that she was only trusting me and making a fuss. Because she was in a different grade, it was difficult for me to protect her properly.
They say things like, "our friendship will last forever," but if they felt even the slightest bit offended, they could immediately punish the kids they were playing with until yesterday. If I wanted to take her out, I could, but then Soo-yeon Choi would have to deal with everything that might happen after that.
I couldn't let Soo-yeon Choi be taken for that reason. What if she leaves me here and goes alone? That was even more impossible.
"Let's all go. Those who took the room at Junko, lead the way."
The time to hold this meeting was postponed a little longer.
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