The Tough Guy Hides the Villainess

007 – Even Ugly People Enjoy Seeing Each Other’s Faces #1

007 – Even Ugly People Enjoy Seeing Each Other’s Faces #1

The cafeteria building was larger than the auditorium of most schools.

It seemed to be divided into the first and second floors, with the first floor being an ordinary school cafeteria and the second floor being a high-end restaurant called ‘Noble’.

A buffet that costs 50,000 won per meal?

“Wow, what is all this.”

Entering the upscale restaurant, I was immediately overwhelmed by the breathtaking view that unfolded before me.

The floor and pillars were made of gleaming marble that reflected my face, and above, chandeliers that seemed fit for the Titanic’s first-class cabins sparkled.

Each section had bright signs that read “SEA FOOD,” “STEAK,” and “DESSERT,” which captured my attention.

Every section was filled with dishes piled high on large plates.

Is this heaven?

“Can we eat as much as we want?”

I asked Geum Tae-seong, who was good at socializing, and he nodded vigorously, saying, “Of course!” as he handed me a white plate.

Taking the plate, I immediately headed to the steak section and grabbed five pieces of some kind of rib meat, then sat down at an empty seat nearby.

“How long has it been since I last had beef?”

Let’s eat right away!

As I cut into the meat and took a bite, the beef juices burst in my mouth, just as I had hoped.

This must all be thanks to Seo Ga-eul’s grace.

I was seriously contemplating whether it would taste better with ketchup or in ramen when Geum Tae-seong, who had evenly filled his plate with fried food, rice, and soup, sat down in front of me, chuckling.

“When I first ate here, I also piled my plate high with meat. I thought it would be different because you’re from a prestigious school, but people are all the same.”

“It’s 50,000 won per meal. To get your money’s worth, meat is the best choice, right?”

“I think so too. But maybe because this school has a lot of rich kids, they don’t seem to think that way. Look.”

Geum Tae-seong pointed around with his chin.

Sure enough, everyone was pretending to be sophisticated, filling their trays with salads full of greens and lettuce.

Idiots.

If you don’t eat meat now, who knows when you’ll get to eat such high-quality beef again after the world ends.

Ignoring the stares of others, I stuffed several pieces of steak into my mouth at once, making Geum Tae-seong burst into laughter.

“Hey, you’re funny. Just like the story you told earlier.”

“The story from earlier?

What story does he find funny?

As I chewed the tender beef, I thought back to the arguments I had passionately made during the debate.

“About selling the organs of death row inmates?”

“…Uh…no, that too, but also about giving a second chance to those who work hard.”

“Oh─.”

“Look at me. I seem like a troublemaker far from being a model student, right? I actually was. Riding motorcycles, smoking… But since entering Youngsa High, I haven’t been able to do those things.”

As expected, my judgment of people was accurate; Geum Tae-seong was a thug.

“The past always follows people around. So, starting anew isn’t easy. In that sense, this place, Yeongsa High, is a decent stage for a fresh start.”

As Geum Tae-seong scanned the surroundings with his sharp eyes, I also looked around the interior of the restaurant, my stomach moderately full.

Even though eating a few plates of steak had already recouped most of the entrance fee to this high-end restaurant, my true purpose for coming here wasn’t just a meal.

Seo Ga-eul.

If this student restaurant ‘Noble’ was anything to go by, Seo Ga-eul, who was like a purebred cat from a rich family, would surely be dining somewhere here.

Wouldn’t it be nice if I could casually and naturally approach her?

“……”

I looked around for a long time with that thought, but no matter how hard I looked, I couldn’t see her pretty face.

“Who are you looking for?”

“Seo Ga-eul.”

“Seo Ga-eul? From class F? Ah, when you first come to the stage, you want to meet famous people. But as far as I know, Seo Ga-eul doesn’t eat here often. Maybe she came once in a while.”

“What…!?”

Is this for real?

I spent 50,000 points of my hard-earned money to come to this restaurant!

I was so frustrated that I was about to foam at the mouth.

But! Who am I?

A problem solver, Han Nam-jin, the leader in problem-solving!

In this situation, I knew exactly what to do.

“Tae-seong, shall we have another plate?”

Not only would I get my 50,000 points’ worth, but I would also take down the pillar of this restaurant.

With that feeling, I got up to get another plate, but Geum Tae-seong shook his head.

“It’s better not to eat too much. We have practical training in the afternoon, so it’s better to keep your stomach moderately empty. If you eat too much, you’ll throw up while moving. Cleaning that up is really annoying.”

Practical training?

I couldn’t quite picture what kind of training it would be, but Geum Tae-seong’s words didn’t sound like nonsense.

Combat, exploration, sparring, something like that.

I couldn’t meet Seo Ga-eul.

I couldn’t eat until I was full.

It couldn’t be helped.

As I looked around, I timely discovered a plate piled high with packaged puddings.

“Baekdang Chocolate Pudding.”

Where have I heard the word ‘Baekdang’ before?

What was it?

No, that’s not important right now.

“Hey, Taeseong. Keep a lookout.”

“What are you trying to do?”

“I’m going to grab some pudding! It’s packaged, so it should be easy to take!”

“What? Muhaha! Hey! You can’t take that! If we get caught, we’re in big trouble!”

Taeseong burst out laughing.

He soon stood behind me, using his tall frame to shield the plates.

Shushushuk, shushuk-.

Taking advantage of the moment, I successfully stashed five puddings into the pockets of my worn-out, loose school uniform.

The skills I honed stealing potatoes from Mr. Kim Jangdong’s potato field hasn’t gone to waste.

“Hey, Namjin. Can you grab one more for me? Since I’m keeping watch, it’s the least you can do, right?”

“Okay.”

With that, my pockets were filled with six puddings.

Even if I didn’t get to meet Seogaeul, could I say I got my money’s worth from this fancy restaurant Noble?

Later, I’ll bring a container and swipe some meat or kimchi too.

# # #

On the way back to the classroom after leaving the restaurant.

Taeseong took a pudding from me and said,

“Namjin. Have you thought about changing seats? The one next to me is empty. It’s in the front row. You can hear the instructor well and see the blackboard clearly.”

What? For a moment, I doubted my ears.

The front row?

Why is this punk, a delinquent, sitting in the front row?

I had planned to sit in the back row, daydreaming or dozing off throughout the class, and the front row was as bad as being under the burning eye of Sauron.

Of course, I refused.

“I like the back row.”

“Really? Well, that’s fine. That kid sits next to you, right?”

“That kid? Yeoul?”

“Hey, Baek Yeoul. Is it okay if I sit next to him?”

Is it okay to sit next to Baek Yeoul-.

What does that mean?

Simply put, it meant there could be a situation where it wouldn’t be okay to sit next to him.

It implied some kind of disadvantage.

I vaguely understood that the very back seat by the window in high school was a wannabe spot, like a prime location for adults.

Was such a place vacant─?

Thinking about it carefully, it seemed very suspicious.

“Didn’t Baek Yeoul himself tell you? Ah, damn. Then it’s a bit awkward for me to say it.”

“Why? What is it? Tell me.”

“No, it’s fine. I don’t like talking about others behind their backs.”

Geum Taeseong, this guy.

Is he really an ex-delinquent?

His personality is so manly and cool. In many ways, he resembles me.

We might get along well in the future.

“And well, I think you’ll soon find out why I said this. Today is a practical class day.”

I’m the type who can’t stand being curious.

I should ask Bread directly.

When I returned to the classroom, the kids started instructing me.

“Transfer student! How was your first school meal?”

“You went to Noble, right?”

“Were you really going to take off your pants earlier? Then I would really have taken a picture!”

“I was really going to take them off. I was confident because I wore cool underwear today.”

Kya-kyak.

After passing by the chattering kids and returning to my seat, Bread was lying next to me, snoring away.

Did he sleep like this all through lunch?

“Hey, didn’t you eat? Hey.”

Swoosh-.

When I poked his side with my finger, Baek Yeoul jumped up on the chair like a cat hit by cold water.

“…Hiyah!”

Because of the loud noise, all eyes around us suddenly focused on us.

The problem was that a female student walking near me was started by the loud noise and threw the cup of water she was holding into the air.

Splaash-.

Something hot splashed from the top of my head to my chin.

“Guaaah!”

I was so surprised that I screamed too.

Is this lava with a sweet smell?

Lick.

Oh, tasting it, it’s hot chocolate.

Is it delicious?

“Hey! Hey! New student! Are you okay?”

The girl who dropped the cup took out a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped my face. Her touch was so gentle that it felt quite nice. It also smelled good,

and her nails were colorfully decorated.

Seeing her blonde hair, is she a bit of a troublemaker?

“You’re completely soaked!”

When was the last time I received such kindness from a girl my age?

Just as I was thinking that it might be worth getting hit by hot chocolate again, the blonde-haired girl frowned deeply and shouted at Baek Yeoul.

“Hey! Baek Yeoul! “How can you suddenly shout like that!”

“Well, but my side…”

“What! You really need to be more careful! How many times has this happened already! “Your lack of sense is always causing trouble!”

“… my side…”

Baek Yeoul pouted her lips.

She looked like she had something to say, but she closed her mouth, perhaps feeling intimidated by the gazes around her.

It seemed that Baek Yeoul had been scolded by her classmates quite a bit, just like today. I can read the room perfectly, you know.

I can even feel the atmosphere in the class getting tense.

I guess I should step in.

“Yeongmi, it’s okay. “I’m not seriously hurt.”

“Really? That’s a relief. But just in case, shouldn’t you go to the nurse’s office? My hot chocolate must have been quite hot. And my name is not Yeongmi, it’s Kim Jin.”

Puhaha- everyone laughed.

Except for one person who looked like they were about to cry.

# # #

After roughly washing my face in the bathroom and returning to the classroom, the commotion had somewhat settled, and the atmosphere was calm.

Instead, Baek Yeoul glared at me and complained in a very, very small voice.

“…Hey! I got scolded because of you!”

“I didn’t know your sides were so ticklish, Bbangdaengi. Should I call you ‘Side’ instead of ‘Bbangdaengi’ from now on?”

Swoosh-.

As I raised my index finger, thinking of poking her side again, Baek Yeoul flinched and covered her side with her hand.

“Go away…!”

What a reaction.

Honestly, her response was kind of funny.

But if she screamed again, it seemed like it would cause a big problem, so I took out a pudding from my pocket and handed it to her.

“I woke you up because it seemed like you hadn’t eaten. Here, have this.”

“Gasp, our store’s pudding!”

“Baekdang Chocolate Pudding.”

Now that I think about it, ‘Baekdang’ was the dessert business run by Baek Yeoul’s family.

“Chocolat flavor? My favorite…”

Baek Yeoul looked at the pudding and me with suspicious eyes, then quickly unwrapped it and started eating the pudding with the enclosed spoon. She looked like a hungry raccoon.

That’s why you shouldn’t skip lunch.

“Hey, dieting is fine, but if there’s something you want to eat, eat it while you can.”

Later, you won’t be able to eat even if you want to.

Actually, it wasn’t that far off.

One year.

In just one year, everything would be overturned.

“…Dieting…”

It was when Baek Yeoul, who had finished the pudding, muttered in a very small voice.

Rattle-.

The classroom door opened, and the one-eyed teacher with the rank of captain entered the classroom again and shouted.

“Alright, this afternoon’s class will be a practical lesson as announced. By the way, today’s practical lesson will be conducted jointly with Class F, so don’t start a fight like last time.”

Afternoon practical lesson.

I didn’t know what it was, but the fact that it would be conducted jointly with Class F made my ears perk up.

If it’s Class F, then it’s Seo Ga-eul’s class!

The problem was the following.

“Today’s practice will be conducted in groups as always, so from now on, form groups of five with people you are close to. With Nam Jin transferring in, the total number is exactly 30, so there will be exactly six groups.”

For someone like me who just transferred, a group project with close friends?