Chapter 41.1

“Kate had a date with Noah sunbae today.”

My hand that had been tearing some bread and dipping it in the soup paused. I glared at the gossipy faces looking at me.

“It wasn’t a date. We just…… drank tea for a bit and then I got some help with something.”

“Ohhhhh.”

“That is a date.”

I didn’t bother trying to refute their continued teasing and laughter.

“So what did sunbae say? I dressed you up so prettily; if he didn’t even say one word about how good you looked, then……” Dora said, simultaneously swinging her fist back and forth.

“He said my lips looked pretty.”

“What? Is he a pervert?” Dora asked, her face scrunched up, causing me to roll my eyes at her.

“He didn’t mean it that way!”

“Oh, Kate went on a date?” a familiar voice said.

Startled, I turned my head towards the sound. There Gloria sunbae stood smiling, a plate in hand. She looked at Aiko and froze for a moment, before breaking into laughter again. My friends were puzzled, wondering why she froze, but having been forced to attend the Marigold Memorial Ceremony, I understood her.

“I wasn’t eavesdropping; I just happened to hear what you said. Hi, Kate’s friends.”

“Hello, sunbae . I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Really? What did she say? She didn’t curse at me, did she?” Gloria sunbae said, laughing playfully.

“No, she said you are an interesting person.”

“Kate has a lot of good friends.”

I gestured to her, beckoning her towards us.

“Would you like to sit and eat with us, sunbae ?”

“Yes, we don’t mind.”

“No, you should eat with your friends.”

“Tell me all about the date later,” she whispered to me. She placed a dessert cookie on my plate, winked at me and walked away.

“Wow, that sunbae is so cool. You should get to know her better, become closer.”

“Your social network is our social network.”

“……”

I shook my head at my friends and raised my fork.

Gloria sunbae was a big shot, yes. But our interactions would end once she graduated from the academy, anyway.

……right? Although she does seem to like me a lot.

“Wait, are you reading the newspaper? I heard that the head of the newspaper department has changed.”

“For real? No wonder it’s so bad. There’s nothing good in here, only trivial nonsense,” Mallory said, before tossing the school newspaper to the side, and picking up her spoon. She looked at my still full plate and frowned.

“The soup is getting cold. Hurry up and eat.”

“Uh……”

With a blank face, I paused mid-bite and stared at the cookie Gloria sunbae had given me.

* * *

The plump cat lay in the sun, looking sated, as if it had found food from somewhere. It looked arrogant lying there like that.

Is this a pig or a cat?

I was squatting, tsk-ing at the cat, when Gloria sunbae who had approached me at some point asked me a question in a mischief-filled voice. Her intention to tease me was very obvious.

“You said you’d give up. Hmm, a date? Explain that to me.”

“It was you who told me to go to Noah sunbae for help,”I grumbled. I remained squatting while looking at the cat.

“So how was it?”

“……he was very handsome.”

“……”

Gloria sunbae looked fed up after I answered. But that was the truth. Even though she was very vocal about her dislike for Noah sunbae , she had never said anything about his appearance.

Or am I mistaken?

“Our hands also brushed against each other……”

I raised my hand and stared at it.

“It was warm.”

“Wow. You are terrible. No, he is the awful one.”

Gloria sunbae , who had been leaning against a nearby pillar with her arms crossed, suddenly squatted and made eye contact with me.

“Then go on a date with me too.”

“Huh?” I foolishly exclaimed, having been confused when her face abruptly drew close to mine. As I blinked, perplexed, Gloria sunbae held onto my shoulder and began to whine.

“Let’s go. Go on a date with me! Date, date, date!”

“ Sunbae , quiet down……!”

You’re some child asking for a toy to be bought for them.

Fearing that people would look our way, I quickly covered her mouth. The culprit herself did not seem at all worried, but her social reputation had to be protected.

That was when it happened.

Lick.

“What the heck!”

I shook my now damp palm and proceeded to freak out. Gloria sunbae laughed loudly with her hands on her waist. Then she asked in a low voice.

“So, what is your answer, young lady.”

The serious voice that was out of character for her made my ears itch. I scratched them and mumbled my reply.

“……okay.”

“Yes!”

Her dark, ocean-blue eyes curved into crescents as she smiled.

* * *

[Gloria]

I asked my fave out on a date, and she agreed.

My first wish was to hear her call me ‘ unni’, which had been fulfilled, and my second was to go on a date with her.

Just wait and see. I was born into a rich family just for today.

“Hehehe,” I cackled, pulling out my wallet. The sound of gold coins jingling could be heard.

My roommate looked at me like I was pathetic. I had long gotten used to getting that look from them.

* * *

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