Gender Reversed Geum Taeyang - Chapter 50

Chapter 50 – Class Observation (3)

I had heard the name ‘Sijun’ a few times before.

Whenever I met Sehee at the orphanage on weekends, I always asked about her school life, and occasionally, the name Park Sijun would come up.

Usually, I didn’t want to remember the names of men I’d never even seen, but…

I couldn’t just ignore a man who was supposedly close to Sehee.

Though Sehee didn’t seem to think of Sijun as anything more than a friend… still! What if she meets some weird guy!

Of course, I’m not sure how similar this Park Sijun in the reversed world is to the Park Sijun I heard about in the previous world.

In Sehee’s case, even though she changed to fit this reversed world’s feminine standards, she wasn’t really that different from before. She had always been straightforward by nature.

However, there’s no guarantee that people in the reversed world must have similar personalities to their counterparts in the original world.

Minwoo at the orphanage showed considerable changes from the personality I knew, and other children showed various changes as well.

More examples would allow for better judgment, but what could I expect from my pathetic social relationships?

Well, I’ve gone on about this, but it’s not really important. Rather, it’s a completely useless worry.

After all, I’m living in the reversed world now and will continue to live here, so what does it matter what Sijun’s personality was like when I’ve never even met him in reality?

Even if his personality has changed, I’m meeting him for the first time anyway.

Setting that aside, others might disagree, but I think I’m quite good at reading people. That’s just how it is.

At least, I’m confident in my ability to read people’s expressions.

It was what helped me maintain work as a day laborer, and what made adults particularly fond of me.

And with those observational skills…

In Sijun’s expression earlier… I definitely sensed hostility toward me.

Judging by how he threw in those friendly lines afterward, he probably tried to hide it in his own way, but I’m not going to fall for that.

I wondered what his deal was.

I don’t understand why he’d react that way to someone he just met, especially his friend’s brother.

Usually, when people first see this golden sun-like appearance of mine, especially men, they tend to be intimidated, so I don’t understand how he could show such a reaction. His courage is admirable, albeit unnecessarily so.

Except for Ari, no one has ever been hostile to me at first meeting… Even with Ari, we had our complications, but what’s his problem?

Is it because I sat in his chair? Surely no one could be that petty.

Even for someone like me who tries to live harmoniously with the world, it’s natural to get annoyed when a stranger treats you that way.

Still. Of course, I let it slide.

Maybe I misunderstood, and besides, he’s Sehee’s friend, so I can’t just say something suddenly.

I can’t interfere with Sehee’s relationships over something this minor. I don’t want to either.

For now, letting it go is the right choice.

Hmm. I organized my thoughts as I returned to the classroom.

The faint traces of makeup had been washed away after several face washes, and my elevated body temperature had returned to normal.

I feel very comfortable. My body condition is perfect for having a good day.

My mood will improve again when I play with Sehee during break time.

So I opened the back door of the classroom, and.

I see that man. The one who dismissed me earlier, and now. The one sticking close to Sijun.

Seeing him standing with Sijun… were they family?

My settled heart begins to waver.

My mindset changes.

I was going to let it go thinking I’d just stepped in dog poop. Like stepping in it twice.

But when the situation turns out like this, it’s different.

If these two people who ruined my mood on this nice day were family.

If that family collectively treated me with disrespect.

Then I don’t need to show them respect either, right?

I may be a pushover, but even that has its limits.

Sehee, who’s caught between them, maintains a smiling expression.

Most people wouldn’t notice, but having known her for so long, I can tell. That’s not so much a smile as an expression full of discomfort.

My opinion of those two has already hit rock bottom and broken through.

I took a step into the classroom.

I can’t stand being disrespected, but I especially can’t stand seeing Sehee in distress.

With that thought, I felt my instincts starting to surge, but.

This time, I decided to comfortably go along with it.

I think… it might be necessary to take this opportunity to advise Sehee about relationships. Even though I don’t have friends myself, still.

###

I was someone who rarely felt a sense of belonging.

I had no family, my attachment to the orphanage was weaker than the other children’s, and I had no particular feelings about elementary school or middle school either.

Let alone feeling any attachment to high school, where I hadn’t even attended for half a year yet, and spent most of that time doing other things – that would be nonsense.

There was never any emotional attachment to begin with.

And yet… I never thought I’d end up expressing that I was losing affection for this school.

It was a break time filled with endless emotional changes.

When I saw that Yuhan oppa wasn’t in his seat, I felt confusion; when caught by Sijun’s father, bewilderment; when oppa grabbed my arm and pulled me outside, joy.

When oppa met Sijun’s father, I was worried about his somewhat sharp tone, but we’re not the kind of people to fall out with Sijun’s family over something so minor.

Even if we did fall out… well… Yuhan oppa is important to me, but my other relationships aren’t particularly significant.

Besides, after ending that uncomfortable conversation with Sijun’s father, walking around school with the oppa I’d been looking for so much – for me, it’s really just a happy situation.

According to Yuhan oppa, he pulled me out because I looked troubled… how does he know me so well? He’s really someone I can’t help but like.

Anyway, that happiness didn’t last long.

The numerous gazes flying toward us two made that happiness fly away.

I know there would be many students who know me. I’ve been quite delinquent for almost a semester. And I’m pretty good-looking thanks to careful maintenance.

I understand that oppa might attract interest. He gives off a unique vibe. He’s a handsome man you’d rarely see even on TV.

I acknowledge we’re a combination that’s bound to draw attention.

But this level feels like voyeurism. Why are they staring so much at us just walking around school?

Did they gather only sexually frustrated kids at this school? Most of those gazes contain lust that even I can recognize.

The expression “losing affection” is too appropriate for this situation.

“Oppa… are you okay? It seems like the kids are staring too much.”

“Huh? Ah. I’m used to getting all sorts of looks normally. I’m used to it. Are you okay? Should we go back to the classroom?”

“I’m fine, but…”

According to oppa, he tends to attract more attention than others for some reason.

What kind of life would one need to live to get used to stares like this?

I’ve unnecessarily gained one more thing to worry about.

And a few people who’ve been catching my eye since earlier. The delinquent group that used to constantly cling to me when I was deep into my rebellious phase.

They’re the main culprits making an already annoying situation even more annoying.

I didn’t have a good relationship with them. I never intended to form one either.

I think I was quite popular during middle school. Though it was just unnecessary attention since it wasn’t from Yuhan oppa.

Anyway, maybe because of that, that delinquent group always wanted to include me in their circle, and since I found it annoying to keep rejecting those persistent girls, I sometimes hung out with them.

Hmm. We didn’t match from the start. You could call it a difference in tendencies.

When they tried to bully other students, I stopped them, and it was the same when they tried to extort money.

They seemed to want to make me the face of their group, but I rarely showed my face.

Even though we occasionally hung out together, we only made each other uncomfortable, and finally, when I ended my rebellious phase and took the path of studying, that relationship ended.

No, saying it ended might be slightly problematic. Whenever I ran into that group, they would bump my shoulder as they passed by or show blatant emotions.

To conclude… those girls. Their watching from that corner. Those strange looks toward oppa.

It’s really annoying.

I don’t even think about whether to endure or not when they mess with me.

But I’m not confident I can well endure them messing with oppa.

Our gazes met in the air.

Those gazes that somehow make me uneasy.

Stress built up.

###

I always think this, but I wonder if this body comes with a built-in attention-drawing function.

Strange sexual comments that aren’t often seen in other broadcasts frequently fly in my broadcast, and today I received so many stares again… There must definitely be something.

I’m not sure if it’s a good symptom that I’m gradually adapting to it, but anyway, I’ve somewhat adjusted.

We returned to the classroom just barely before the fourth period started.

The teacher whom Sehee said was the homeroom teacher looked at me and showed a shocked expression.

I wondered why they were acting like that, but maybe since they’re the homeroom teacher, they know about Sehee’s circumstances and were surprised to see me.

Teaching ability… similar level to the previous period… I really can’t understand why they’re all like this.

I also can’t understand why they keep flinching every time they see me, even though they were surprised once already.

Anyway, except for the subpar lecture, the fourth period went quite pleasantly.

Although Sijun looked at me with irritated eyes, and Sijun’s father clicked his tongue noticeably while leaving in the middle of class.

Well, I got back at them earlier, so it’s fine. Better than not being able to do anything and kicking the blanket in the middle of the night, right?

It was a pretty satisfying day.

Hmm. No, it was a satisfying day except for the anxiety about Sehee’s relationships.

About that… I’ll have to bring it up separately later.

(End of Chapter)