The Tough Guy Hides the Villainess

016 – The Joy of Parties is Only for the Extroverted #5

016 – The Joy of Parties is Only for the Extroverted #5

“Alright, today’s duel ends here! We’ll start meditation now, so everyone go to your places! Meditation is important. It allows you to deeply examine your desires and set your direction!”

Dr. Wi Seon-ah clapped her hands and sent the children back to their places.

Meditation? Sounds boring.

With that thought, I returned to my seat and sat cross-legged. Someone poked my side. It was Baek Yeoul, the cheeky one.

With a face flushed red, he whispered just loud enough for me to hear.

“Hey! You need to get along with Wang Ja-hyun from Class F! Since you crushed Wang Ja-hyun’s gang, they’ll surely hate you! It’s going to be a huge hassle!”

“But I can’t just let myself get beaten up, can I?”

“……”

Baek Yeoul couldn’t refute my perfect logic and just moved his lips silently. Then, as if out of stubbornness, he barely managed to squeeze out some words.

“Wang Ja-hyun’s gang will be at the company party too. It’s going to be a disaster. What should we do… If we go, we’ll just get humiliated and create a bunch of embarrassing memories…”

“What kind of humiliation and embarrassing memories are you talking about? Worse than standing in front of a crowd in your underwear?”

“…Maybe not that bad.”

“See, it’s not a big deal then.”

“That’s just your standard! Besides, why do you keep taking off your pants? It’s embarrassing for me to watch!”

I’m the one taking off my pants, so why is Baek Yeoul embarrassed? Is it similar to how Jang Geun-seong lost the duel but apologized to Wang Ja-hyun?

Anyway, after the duel, a mundane meditation class proceeded.

If you ask me now whether the “special class” was worth 400,000 points, honestly, I don’t know.

“Alright, from now on, we’ll add yoga poses to the meditation.”

As time passed, we combined yoga poses with meditation. Dr. Wi Seon-ah approached me, thinking my posture was stiff, and pressed down on my back, leaning her upper body.

“Be flexible. Both body and mind. Got it? The reinforcement of existing concepts and the blossoming of new ones come from imagination. Imagination thrives on flexibility. Like this─.”

Press, press─.

The ‘flexibility’ that touched my back was incredibly soft and warm.

This place, they really know how to give special lectures! I’ll have to save up another 400,000 points next time! Hehehehe!

Tick-tock, tick-tock-.

Time passed, and before I knew it, it was time to attend the party held at the company building after school.

“Really? Are you saying you’ll give me the last invitation?”

I had decided to give the invitation I got from Muscleman Jang Geun-seong to my friend Chang-sik, but he blinked in disbelief.

“You’re inviting me to that ‘company building party’? Are you serious? Even if you just sold the invitation for money, it would be worth a lot!”

“Stop talking about money.”

If we talk about money, I might change my mind. How many packs of ramen could I buy if I just sold the invitation for money?

But!

I judged that investing in Chang-sik, who could get me free candy for life, was more beneficial in the long run than the ramen I could eat right now.

No matter how many points I earn with him, it’s never enough.

“Friend, are you really okay with this? I’ll ask one last time. The company building party is a place where amazing people gather, and many people work hard to make connections there!”

According to Chang-sik, this “company building party” was a social gathering for extraordinary people. It was said that getting an invitation was as difficult as picking stars from the sky.

Honestly, I couldn’t know exactly who would come or what would happen there, but there was one thing I was sure of.

From noble mtl dot com

“No matter who comes, there won’t be anyone more amazing than you, Chang-sik.”

“You’re exaggerating, friend. All I can do is turn stones into candy or paper into gum. Honestly, I wonder if I’ll even fit in among those great people….”

Chang-sik’s face, which trailed off in embarrassment, was flushed with a bit of hope and anticipation.

Despite everything, he seemed happy to be invited.

So, when is Bang-daeng coming?

We were supposed to meet in front of the school by 5 o’clock, but even though it was almost time, there was no sign of him.

He said clearly, “I have something to bring from home! I’ll be right back!” but it seemed there was a difference between his ‘right back’ and mine.

“There was a time difference between us.”

Thud-thud-.

At that moment, I heard someone running from somewhere.

When I turned my head, I saw Bang-daeng in his school uniform, waving and running from afar.

“Did you wait long?”

“Yeah. It’s exactly five o’clock. At least you’re not late.”

What on earth did he do at home?

I quickly scanned Bang-daeng Baek Yeoul from bottom to top, but nothing seemed different, so my head was filled with questions.

“What has changed?”

“The bag!”

Swoosh-.

Baek Yeoul handed me something like a small handbag.

I didn’t know much, but it looked small and soft, with a very impractical design.

“Do you know how much you’ll be looked down upon if you don’t have at least one luxury item?”

“R-Really?”

Changshik trembled, seemingly fluttered by Baek Yeoul’s boastful words.

He seemed to think that he might be looked down upon because he didn’t have any luxury items.

There’s no choice. I have to step in.

“Changshik, don’t worry. There’s a way.”

Swoosh-.

I took a pen out of my bag and drew the Chanel brand logo on the sneakers that Changshik and I were wearing, making the C shapes face each other.

Instant luxury!

They were couple shoes for me and Changshik.

The ultimate luxury, with only one pair in the world.

“How about it? Now we won’t be looked down upon, right?”

“……”

“……”

Changshik and Baek Yeoul looked at me with strange eyes as I drew on the shoes.

I didn’t know for sure, but they must have been moved by my pioneering and innovative idea.

# # #

The building referred to the rooftop of Seonam Group’s headquarters.

The global company Seonam Group had been operating in D City since before concepts like ‘concept’ appeared in the world.

In a world that had changed drastically, with the discovery of the “Great Labyrinth” and the rise in D City’s status, Seonam Group had also soared to its peak.

“The suits are all over the place.”

As it got darker.

Under the beautifully shining skyscraper lights, burly men in suits were guarding the building entrance like a fortress.

Vroom-.

Expensive cars appeared one after another in front of the building, and as men and women who looked about my age got out of the back seats, Changshik made a big fuss.

“Lo-look over there! Isn’t that the million-subscriber MeTuber Kim Byul? I can’t believe the MeTuber I subscribe to and watch every week is attending the same event as me! Do you think I could talk to them? “

Choi Chang-sik recognized a lot of impressive people, but I couldn’t tell who they were. It seemed like they were people who hadn’t made a name for themselves in this roughly ruined world.

“Here’s the invitation.”

Chang-sik, Bbangdaengi Baek Yeoul, and I showed our invitations to the guard at the building entrance and entered the elevator.

30th floor, 40th floor, as the elevator kept going up endlessly, Baek Yeoul and Choi Chang-sik’s breathing grew heavier.

“Ah, damn, why did I come here? Should I go back now? I knew it was a trap, but I came back here. I’m such an idiot, a fool!”

Especially Baek Yeoul, who was fidgeting like a scared person.

I decided to comfort Baek Yeoul.

“Bbangdaengi, honestly, I see you differently now. You knew you were an idiot and a fool.”

“…What!?”

Ding-dong-.

We arrived at the rooftop of a large corporation.

Srrrk-.

The elevator doors opened, revealing a huge penthouse before us.

“Truly impressive.”

It was a space you might see in Batman’s charity events. You know, the kind of place where rich people are partying, and then villains in clown masks show up to terrorize everyone.

The only difference from that movie scene was that everyone here was young.

Many people were already gathered in small groups, chatting or enjoying the party, and through my 《Emotion》 eyes, I could see they were all around my age.

A party just for students─is that the feeling?

Sssk-.

As we stepped out of the elevator, a few people’s gazes turned towards us.

They must be curious about the newly arrived guests.

Or maybe they were all thrilled by my appearance, the star of the day.

I had practiced my autograph a lot for this day.

“Isn’t that Baek Yeoul?”

“Huh? It’s really Baek Yeoul.”

“Wow, even Baek Yeoul came to the company party.”

“I heard Gaeul had been sending invitations consistently.”

What? They’re more interested in Bbangdaengi Baek Yeoul than me?

Humiliation.

Great Humiliation!

Bbangdaengi, feeling proud of having stolen everyone’s attention, nonchalantly cleared his throat with a hum-hum.

Such an arrogant attitude.

For a mere Bbangdaengi! All he has is a slightly bigger butt!

How frustrating!

How can I turn all this attention towards me?

Fortunately, my keen ears caught a hint.

“Hey, look at Baek Yeoul’s bag.”

“What brand is that from?”

“Did she borrow it from her mom?”

“Is it true that her family is struggling?”

Everyone’s attention was now on Baek Yeoul’s bag.

Baek Yeoul’s face was turning red, on the verge of either crying or laughing.

Not good.

Since I’m the protagonist today, I want all the attention, whether good or bad, to be on me.

“Looks like no one is wearing better shoes than me.”

Swoosh-

I exaggeratedly stretched out my legs.

My limited edition luxury shoes on my luxurious legs.

Everyone’s murmuring grew louder, recognizing their value.

“What is that?”

“Wow, did she draw the Chanel mark with a pen?”

“Who is she?”

Good, good.

All the attention on me!

I glanced at Bbangdaengi Baek Yeoul with a look that said, “How about that?” Bbangdaengi Baek Yeoul, having lost all the attention to me, wore a very subtle expression.

“Uh, um…”

Even the most honored guest, Changsik, was stuttering like a broken robot.

Just as I thought I was the only star of this party, someone walked towards us with the sound of high heels clicking.

“Glad you made it on time? I’ve been waiting for you.”

Hehehe-.

A delicate smile spread across his face.

“Se, it’s Seo Ga-eul. My friend, it’s Seo Ga-eul himself!”

Choi Chang-sik couldn’t withstand the positive energy radiating from Seo Ga-eul and hid behind me with a swish.

Only Baek Yeoul, with her plump buttocks, stood firm and glared at Seo Ga-eul, like a raccoon who had its food stolen and was taking out its anger.

However, Seo Ga-eul seemed indifferent to Baek Yeoul’s pointless wariness and lowered his gaze to look at my shoes.

“Wow, what? Those shoes are really unique.”

“Right? It’s a brand with only two pairs in the world. Do you want me to draw one for you too?”

“That sounds fun. Sure. But maybe later.”

Swoosh-.

Seo Ga-eul grabbed my wrist.

Even though we were announcing our engagement today, it was bold to show such affection in such a public place.

It made me feel a bit proud!

“Han Nam-jin, and friends? Since you are my specially invited guests, let’s go to the VIP room. You are all cool and beautiful people, so I’m sure you’ll like it. They will like you too.”

VIP room!

They said it was the best room in this penthouse, where the most amazing people gathered.

On the way there, Chang-sik was overjoyed, exclaiming, “Is this a dream!” while Baek Yeoul’s expression became even more rigid.

The room we arrived at was slightly dim, with lighting reminiscent of a cheap karaoke room.

Students in Yeongsa High School uniforms and kids wearing unknown brand clothes were chatting and laughing on the wide sofa, and I recognized some faces.

“So, when I graduated this time, my dad said he’d get me a car─.”

“What? I’m jealous. Instead of a car, I have to go on a family trip abroad every year.”

Was it Wang Ja-hyun and his group?

They didn’t care that I had arrived and continued chatting and laughing among themselves.

“Guys, these are my guests. This is Han Nam-jin, whom I mentioned. And this is….”

“I’m Choi, Choi Chang-sik… I mean, sir.”

“He’s Chang-sik. And you all know her, right? It’s Yeoul. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Yeoul. Right? It’s been two years since she came to a party? So, everyone, wait here for a “I’ll go get some drinks for the guests.”

As Seo Ga-eul left, everyone’s eyes turned to Baek Yeoul.

Again, more attention on Baek Yeoul than on me?

Just as I was feeling wrong, someone clicked their tongue.

“Ugh, how annoying.”

Thud-.

She stood up and approached with a click-clack, her tall towering.

Is she a student model? Her refreshing and slender beauty left a deep impression as she brushed past me and stood in front of Baek Yeoul, poking her chest with a finger.

“Hey, Baek Yeoul. What face do you have to come back here? After causing such a ruckus last time. Shouldn’t you apologize to us first? No, did you apologize to Gaeul?”