VNV Chapter 03

Chapter 03

 

“When are you going to apologize?”

“During lunch break.”

“Ah, got it.”

With a sly smirk, Jin Ha-seong suddenly snatched one of the cream buns from my hands. My narrowed eyes immediately locked onto him at the unexpected action.

“Then I’ll put this one on Yoo Si-eon’s desk. Just in time for lunch.”

“What’s the point of that? I’m in the same class as Yoo Si-eon.”

“I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry about it, Min Yu-un.”

My previously indifferent expression twisted slightly. Don’t worry? That was exactly what I wanted to say to him. I wished Jin Ha-seong would stop interfering and leave me alone already.

To make matters worse, walking down the hallway side by side with him drew whispers from all directions. It was obvious what they were assuming—that we were plotting together to bully Yoo Si-eon again.

If we happened to run into Yoo Si-eon now, things would get complicated. I had no intention of creating any misunderstandings. Just as I was about to snatch back the stolen cream bun with a frown, the class bell rang. Jin Ha-seong pushed me toward the classroom without warning.

“Trust me! I’ll handle everything!”

He even shouted as he ran off toward his classroom. I closed my eyes tightly, hoping that his obnoxious voice had been drowned out by the bell.

❤️‍🩹

Maybe my wish had come true because less than ten minutes after lunch began, Yoo Si-eon came looking for me. I had barely stepped outside toward the schoolyard when his sharp gaze found me. His sudden approach was probably driven by that annoyingly kind heart of his.

I took a deep breath to settle my nerves, then calmly spoke.

“I’m sorry.”

Yoo Si-eon flinched.

“What?”

“I’m sorry—for hitting you, for bullying you, and for all the insults.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“I’m not asking you to forgive me.”

At my unwavering tone, Yoo Si-eon’s face twisted into something more complicated. I recalled Jin Ha-seong’s words about placing the cream bun on Yoo Si-eon’s desk by lunchtime. Since there had been no sign of a lie in his eyes, he had probably done as he said by now.

“There’s a cream bun on your desk. I wanted to show that I’m sincere.”

Yoo Si-eon’s fingers trembled slightly.

“And you think I’m just going to accept that?”

It was the reaction I expected. Without any change in expression, I looked up at him.

“You don’t have to eat it.”

His gaze wavered slightly.

“If you want to throw it away, go ahead. I didn’t do anything weird to it, but I’m not going to force you to take it either.”

I wasn’t sure what emotions were flickering in his eyes, but his clenched fists trembled as if suppressing something.

“Are you serious right now? Why—why all of a sudden…”

“Sorry.”

Cutting him off, I turned around. My gaze, which had stayed firmly on him until now, shifted away as I added.

“I won’t bother you anymore.”

Without waiting for a response, I walked away. I could hear him calling after me, but I didn’t stop.

As I climbed the stairs back into the school building, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the large window—the same expressionless face as always. Min Yu-un’s hesitant voice echoed faintly in my mind.

[I-Is it really this easy?]

“Yeah, it’s easy.”

Of course, it wasn’t. I had lived my whole life bowing my head, apologizing for things that weren’t my fault. I endured unfairness without complaint and begged until my knees ached.

Compared to all that, this was just a single apology. No kneeling, no punishment—just a few simple words. This couldn’t possibly be difficult.

Pushing aside the vague emotions stirring in my chest, I checked the system window.

[ Quest 1: Apologize to the main characters. (1/3) ] (★TIP: A sweet tip for someone who’s never apologized before!★) *How about gifting a cream bun as a gesture of your pure-hearted intentions to turn over a new leaf?

“Two more to go.”

Since it was labeled as Quest 1, there were probably more tasks after this. But at this pace, I’d be done in no time. I decided to find the other two students before homeroom began.

Just as I started walking—

“Ah.”

I bumped into someone coming down the stairs, stumbling backward in surprise. Instinctively, I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for the fall. But before I could tumble, a firm hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me forward.

“…Min Yu-un?”

The voice, tinged with faint displeasure, made me open my eyes. I inhaled sharply as I took in the figure before me—

Golden hair, gleaming like captured sunlight, and eyes the color of burning embers.

A breathtaking beauty.

Of course, Yoo Si-eon, the main character, was also stunning, but this person possessed a different kind of allure.

If Yoo Si-eon was like a gentle, soft-hearted deer, the man in front of me was like a fierce, predatory wolf.

Yet, despite this striking first impression, the evaluation that crossed my mind was rather simple.

‘A novel is just a novel, after all.’

It made sense for the main bottom to have striking features, but even the top had exotic hair and eyes. Having read the novel, I knew what they looked like, but I never imagined I’d see it in real life.

Well, he is the main character.

The one awkwardly glaring at me right now was none other than the main character, Han Tae-ryeong. His grip tightened irritably around my arm, and with that force, I was practically dragged onto the second-floor landing. Before I could steady myself, he let go and stepped back, rubbing his hands on his clothes like he’d touched something dirty. The sight didn’t really faze me—it was a scene I was all too familiar with. People avoiding me and walking away from me.

But that wasn’t the point right now.

“Apology…”

I need to apologize.

“Apology?”

Han Tae-ryeong repeated my mumbling with a frown. For a moment, I had the absurd urge to press down the wrinkles between his brows with my finger. Swallowing the ridiculous thought, I awkwardly wiggled my fingers.

“Apologize for what? Don’t tell me you’re gonna harass Yoo Si-eon again?”

“Cream bun.”

The random words made Han Tae-ryeong’s face twist in confusion.

“What the hell are you talking about—”

“Sorry, but I don’t have any cream buns right now.”

Ignoring his question, I answered curtly. I needed a cream bun to apologize. It was part of the quest, and since I’d already given some to Yoo Si-eon, I couldn’t just offer a verbal apology to anyone else.

“I’ll call you later.”

“What? What are you—”

I walked past him without answering. He neither stopped me nor called after me.

❤️‍🩹

I cradled a cream bun the size of my face as I strolled down the hallway. I could feel the stares from all directions, but I ignored them. They were bound to be harsh and judgmental anyway.

After getting the cream bun and confirming the one I’d left on Yoo Si-eon’s desk was still there, I had time to spare before class. I moved leisurely, and fortunately, I spotted Han Tae-ryeong not long after.

Surrounded by a group of classmates, he seemed to be in the middle of a conversation, though his expression suggested it was more of a one-sided interaction. Without a word, I approached them. As soon as my footsteps sounded, the other students glanced my way, their faces draining of color before they hurriedly scattered.

Do they avoid dung because they’re scared of it or because it’s filthy?

Their expressions said it all. Not that it bothered me. I was long used to such sights.

“Han Tae-ryeong.”

Calling his name softly, I met his cold gaze. His glossy pupils swept over me.

“What’s that supposed to be now?”

He gestured at the cream bun in my arms with a flick of his chin. I slowly parted my lips to answer—

“Is it expired? Or did you lace it with something?”

—but he cut me off with a sneer before I could get a word out.

“Why can’t you answer? Huh?”

“…..”

“After rushing at Yu Si-eon, now you’re reaching out to me because that didn’t work?”

Han Tae-ryeong’s smirk reflected in my unblinking eyes.

That’s not it. I’m here to apologize. For everything I’ve done so far. I’m sorry for bullying Yoo Si-eon. I’m sorry for bothering you too.

Which words should I choose? Which ones would sound the most sincere and reach Han Tae-ryeong’s heart?

Then again—

‘Would it matter no matter what I say?’

The thought crossed my mind. Did an apology from a third party like me even mean anything? Han Tae-ryeong had no intention of listening to what Min Yu-un had to say, and Min Yu-un himself had no genuine intention of apologizing.

[Just apologize. Half-heartedly.]

As if stung by Han Tae-ryeong’s mockery, Min Yu-un’s voice echoed in my mind, barely suppressing his anger.

I blinked slowly, then extended the cream bun toward him.

“Sorry—”

“Get lost.”

Before I could finish, Han Tae-ryeong slapped the cream bun out of my hands. It fell to the floor with a dull thud, the plastic bag crinkling harshly against the tiles. And then, without hesitation, he ground his foot into it.

❤️‍🩹

Thank you for reading! ♡