LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 8.2
I grabbed the last remaining triangle kimbap, while Eum-ah picked out a bag of apple chips. She had the taste of a rodent, I thought idly, munching on foods you’d expect to see in a cage.
I moved to pay for my kimbap, but Eum-ah pulled out her card first.
“What are you doing? Are you trying to pick a fight?”
“I-I’ll pay for it!” she stammered, her ears twitching.
“Oh. Thanks.”
Food always tastes better when someone else buys it.
As we left, Eum-ah nibbled on her snack of mountain ginseng as she headed toward the next classroom.
Choi Eum-ah kept glancing at me while nibbling on her apple. Was it just her mood, or was the flush on her cheeks refusing to fade? Wait… could it be?
“Hah! Are you harassing me right now?” I asked dramatically.
“What? Wh-what? H-harass…? Construction?” she stammered, clearly flustered.
“Yes, you! Did you buy me food just so you could try to eat me up later? What’s the deal? Are you planning to devour me in one bite? Do you want my body that badly?”
“Ah, nooo! That’s not it! Ji-Jihyuk, you’re so vulgar!”
Choi Eum-ah squealed, her voice rising as though I’d struck a nerve. Her startled reaction—it was exactly like a panicked rabbit’s cry! Could she really have been planning something after all?
As we bickered, we finally arrived at the classroom.
But then, a new problem appeared.
Rattle rattle!
“The door isn’t open yet,” I muttered, frowning.
“Ah…”
I never thought I’d experience this in college. Aren’t classroom doors supposed to always be open here?
Who even unlocks these doors? The teaching assistant? The professor? The security guard?
As I stood there pondering, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Thinking it might be the teaching assistant, Kyeon Na-ri, coming to unlock the door, I straightened up against the wall, trying to look composed.
But then I saw who it was, and my expression crumpled in dismay.
“…Churukkake,” a familiar voice said.
“What? I’ve never even touched it—what are you talking about? Dorshin?” I shot back, exasperated.
Mommy tilted her head, her expression blank, before muttering, “Hey, Jihyuk, the guy who’s always swearing… He’s the best… He’s so cool…”
“Oh, okay,” I replied awkwardly.
Mommy’s face twisted into bewilderment. Yeah, I got it—I’d felt the same way the first time I’d met her.
After a moment, she regained her composure and muttered again, “Churkkagae.”
“It’s Joo Ji-hyuk. No, Joo Ji-hyuk,” I corrected with a sigh.
Honestly… why is she so random?
“Anyway,” she said suddenly, “come with me. Let’s talk.”
Without waiting for a response, Mommy turned and disappeared around the corner of the hallway. Her erratic movements made it seem like she knew I’d follow her.
What was this? Did she have some sixth sense that I’d cave and go after her?
I hesitated, sulking, when Eum-ah began poking me in the side.
“Hey! Where do you think you’re touching now?” I snapped, glaring at her.
“That’s not it…! T-that’s right, that’s what I want to touch…!”
“Huh? What did you just say, classmate?”
Eum-ah fidgeted with her long ears, her cheeks glowing red. She looked shy—honestly, it was kind of cute.
“I-I’ll just wait here… so you can talk comfortably…”
I didn’t get why she was acting like this, but it felt weird to leave her on her own.
“Alright, I’ll wait.”
“Okay! Have a nice trip!”
Still curious about what she was trying to tell me, I decided to follow Mommyammi.
As I turned the corner, I found Mommyammi perched on the emergency stairs, her legs crossed like she was the queen of the building.
With her light beige bangs styled in a 2:8 part, Mommyammi’s sharp features and piercing blue eyes gave her an icy, almost intimidating look. Paired with her long, pure white hair and fur-lined miniskirt, she gave off the vibe of a frosty diva—or maybe a yeti in disguise.
When she shifted, uncrossing her legs, the edge of her skirt lifted slightly.
…Purple.
“…Your eyes are filthy,” she said without missing a beat.
“Stop making baseless accusations. Why did you call me here?”
“… … .”
What now? When I asked, Mommyammi puffed up her black tail feathers like she was preparing for battle. Why is she mad again? Does she have a built-in anger switch? Her tail began wagging side to side, almost hypnotically.
“Churkkagae.”
“It’s Joo Ji-hyuk. No, Joo Ji-hyuk.”
“Can opener.”
“Really? Are we doing this again?”
“What were you doing in the bathroom earlier?”
“What? What bathroom?”
“Don’t play dumb. I was eating Churu in the innermost stall, and I heard everything. You did something terrible to Choi Eum-ah.”
Why were so many people eating Churu in the bathroom? I didn’t get it, but the thought was starting to give me a migraine.
“What exactly did we do?”
“Should I spell it out for you?”
“Wow! I didn’t think you’d hold such a grudge just because I didn’t buy you that 100,000-won Churu!”
“You threatened Choi Eum-ah, didn’t you?”
“Why does it sound so awful when you say it?!”
“Choi Eum-ah is a rabbit—a small, gentle woman. You pick on weak people and treat them like toys. It’s disgusting.”
This was ridiculous. Who was the one who created the situation that made Eum-ah want that in the first place?
‘If I phrase this wrong, I’ll definitely end up in cuffs… Wait a second.’
That glint in Mommyammi’s eyes… was that… Churu?!
‘This sneaky little cat is using this as an excuse to milk me for more Churu!’
“Can opener. Why aren’t you answering?”
“Choi Eum-ah and I… we’re having a fling.”
“…What?”
“Yeah. Eum-ah and I are romantically involved. If you don’t believe me, ask around. It’s not like I’m making this up—it’s real.”
“…???”
Whoa. That improvisation? Legendary.
Mommyammi froze, caught completely off guard by my answer. While she stood there processing, I bolted toward Eum-ah before she could snap out of it and corner me again.
‘Wow. You live long enough, and you see it all.’
Just three days ago, I couldn’t stand Su-ins. Now, I was actively running toward one. Amazing what life throws at you.
‘Su-ins aren’t the issue. It’s manipulative little schemers like Mommyammi who cause the trouble.’
Honestly, loud minorities ruin it for everyone.
“I’m back, honey!”