Side Story 2.

Since it was the beginning of the semester, the bars near the university were bustling with students. Despite the bitter cold snap, the university students seemed oblivious to the cold.

“How is it? The atmosphere here is nice, right?”

Chaeyoung asked, subtly gauging Lina’s reaction.

“Yeah, it is.”

Lina looked around the bar with a look of interest so as not to disappoint her friend.

The interior of the bar seemed ordinary but showed signs of considerable effort.

“Right? I heard the food here is good too. What do you want to eat?”

Feeling pleased with Lina’s approval, Chaeyoung poured a drink into her empty glass. Lina glanced at the menu and randomly chose one of the most popular dishes. Perhaps because it was pre-prepared due to its popularity, the food came out quickly.

After finishing her first drink, Chaeyoung gave Lina a mock glare.

“You know, you really surprised me last year when you suddenly took a leave of absence without a word. I couldn’t reach you, and your apartment was empty. I thought something terrible had happened.”

“Sorry. There was a big accident all of a sudden…”

“Oh, never mind. At least you’re all better now. But make sure to keep in touch from now on. Don’t scare me like that again.”

“Okay, I will. Thanks for worrying about me.”

“And one more thing. I know it’s hard to adjust after being away from school for a while, but don’t just attend classes. Sometimes come out and drink with me like this.”

“Sure. If you call me, I’ll come out as much as I can, so call me often.”

Lina smiled shyly.

Watching her friend drink, Chaeyoung wore a momentarily troubled expression.

She had heard that Lina had an accident so severe she lost her memory, and it seemed her personality had changed as well.

Lina had always been quiet and shy, but now it was more pronounced. She even avoided meeting Chaeyoung, her closest friend, which is why Chaeyoung had practically dragged her out today.

And sometimes, when Lina stared off into space lost in thought, the sense of unfamiliarity grew stronger.

Chaeyoung couldn’t pinpoint exactly what felt off, but if she had to describe it, it was as if Lina had an otherworldly, unreal aura, like she’s someone from another world.

Was that also a side effect of the accident?

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

Noticing Chaeyoung’s gaze, Lina tilted her head in curiosity.

“Oh, it’s nothing. Don’t just drink. Eat something too, or you’ll upset your stomach.”

Chaeyoung placed some food on Lina’s plate.

“Thanks. You eat too.”

Lina absentmindedly put the food in her mouth. The cheap food, in line with a student’s budget, was overly seasoned with MSG, making it very stimulating.

She had once lived as the Crown Princess, enjoying all kinds of luxuries.

The taste was far from satisfying her palate, which was accustomed to gourmet delicacies, but Lina willingly swallowed the food and drink.

Chaeyoung, who was considerate and kind, was a very precious and dear friend.

Through her experiences, Lina had learned that sharing cheap food with loved ones was far more valuable than eating delicacies in formal, uncomfortable settings.

“Let me pour this time.”

Lina had just filled Chaeyoung’s glass when someone called out to them cheerfully.

“Oh, seniors! Nice to see you here!”

A male student greeted them warmly.

Lina didn’t recognize him, but Chaeyoung seemed quite pleased.

“Oh, Jaeyeon. Are you drinking here too?”

“Yes, I’m here with Sua and Minwoo.”

Jaeyeon pointed to a table in the corner. A girl and a guy who had been watching them waved. Lina vaguely recognized the guy. He waved, acknowledging her. Lina awkwardly nodded back at him.

“Oh, hello, Senior Lina.”

The male student named Jaeyeon greeted politely and courteously.

“Lina, you probably don’t know because you missed the orientation and welcome party. This is Jaeyeon, our junior. You know Senior Minwoo, and Sua is also a freshman like Jaeyeon.”

“I see. Nice to meet you.”

“Then, why don’t you join us? Drinking is more fun with more people.”

“Shall we? Lina, what do you think?”

Lina hesitated for a moment but then agreed to the suggestion.

Her goal was to graduate quietly. But being too unsociable would draw more attention, so it wasn’t a bad idea to build some connections with her juniors and seniors.

“That’s a good decision. Senior Minwoo and Sua are nice people. And Jaeyeon is one of the better freshmen guys. Not as good as Senior Minwoo, though.”

As they moved to the new table, Chaeyoung whispered. It seemed she was interested in Senior Minwoo.

Seeing her friend’s eyes sparkle at the sight of the guy she liked was both cute and amusing, so Lina couldn’t help but smile softly without realizing it.

Just as Chaeyoung had said, all three of them were very sociable and friendly.

As the drinking session progressed, Jaeyeon began to show interest in Lina.

“Senior Lina, what do you think about younger guys?”

“Hmm, I think it might be a bit burdensome.”

Chaeyoung, who was listening beside her, shook her head.

“Come to think of it, Lina, didn’t you say you didn’t even like guys your age? Do you always prefer older men?”

Minwoo, who was also listening, nodded in agreement.

“Of course, older men are the best, right?”

“Yes, I like older men.”

When Lina agreed, Jaeyeon’s face showed clear disappointment, while Minwoo’s face brightened.

Before Minwoo could say anything more, Lina quickly added,

“But I prefer someone at least 2,000 years older.”

“Huh? Did you say 2,000 years?”

“Yes. I prefer a significant age difference.”

“Haha, Lina, you’re surprisingly good at joking.”

Minwoo laughed it off, thinking she was joking. Chaeyoung did the same.

“Have you been watching too many dramas?”

‘It’s not a joke.’ 

Lina thought to herself as she downed the remaining drink and checked the time. It was almost midnight. Knowing Enril would surely sulk if she stayed out too late, Lina stood up.

“Chaeyoung, I’m going to head out now.”

“What? Already?”

“Yeah, I have an early class tomorrow.”

“Oh… I guess you have to. See you tomorrow.”

Chaeyoung, who could handle her drinks well, was the type to stay out until dawn once she started drinking.

Lina was relieved that there were other seniors and juniors to keep her company as she left the bar.

She was just about to call Enril to let him know she was heading home.

“Sister!”

Jaeyeon, who had followed her out, tapped her on the shoulder. When their eyes met, he shyly averted his gaze and smiled.

His young, friendly face was charming, but it fell far short of satisfying her aesthetic sense, which had been shaped by living among men with unreal beauty. Lina looked at Jaeyeon indifferently, thinking,

‘He’s fallen for me too.’

It wasn’t a new thing. Just bothersome. Deciding that after today, she would only greet him casually, Lina lightly nodded and began to walk away. But Jaeyeon kept following her.

“I’ll go with you. Where do you live, Sister?”

“Near here.”

“Oh, do you live alone?”

“Yeah.”

Lina, who had subtly put some distance between them, answered briefly. Though he didn’t seem to have bad intentions, she felt uncomfortable with his personal questions.

“Wow, that’s nice. I want to live on my own too, but my parents won’t let me. By the way, Sister.”

“Yeah?”

Jaeyeon hesitated for a moment before shyly asking,

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

Lina couldn’t answer immediately.

“Um, well…”

It was because she felt that the term ‘boyfriend’ couldn’t adequately define her relationship with Enril.

Although they hadn’t officially married in Korea due to circumstances, they were a legitimate couple who had sworn vows before God in the other world.

And she knew that revealing she was married at her young age would draw unwelcome attention. But she hated denying Enril even more.

“Actually—”

“Since you’re hesitating, it means you’re not officially dating but just seeing someone, right?”

Jaeyeon, interpreting her hesitation as he pleased, grinned knowingly. Lina didn’t smile.

“Jaeyeon, it’s uncomfortable to have this kind of conversation when we just met today.”

“Oh… I’m sorry.”

But Jaeyeon, young and full of spirit, wasn’t ready to back down easily.

“Then can you answer just one more question?”

“What is it?”

“Why don’t you like younger guys?”

“Because I’ve been hurt by a younger guy before.”

When she thought of Iscallion, the younger man who was uncontrollable like a mad dog, her expression grew cold. Jaeyeon, who had been watching her, was taken aback. Because of this, he couldn’t even bring himself to ask for her SNS account.