Author's pov.
It was a sunny Sunday afternoon, and two girls were enjoying a K-drama together. Suddenly, Yeji turned to Chaeryeong and asked curiously, "Cherry, what's it like going to school?" Chaeryeong thought for a moment before replying, "It's really fun! You get to hang out with friends, meet new people, and learn cool stuff. But sometimes it can be boring or tiring because of all the projects. Still, it's worth it since you do them with your classmates or friends."
Yeji listened closely, her curiosity growing. "I want to go there!" she exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over. "Ehh, are you sure about that?" Chaeryeong asked, surprised by Yeji's sudden enthusiasm. "Yup, so I can be with you all the time! Hehehe," Yeji giggled, imagining spending every moment with Chaeryeong at school. "Well, you can go! But can you read and write?" Chaeryeong asked.
"Ehhh, do I have to?" Yeji questioned. "Yes, it's part of going to school!" Chaeryeong replied. "Alright, then I'll learn it!" Yeji said proudly with a big smile. "Okay, I'll help you," Chaeryeong said with a smile.
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After two months of learning to read and write at the same time, Yeji had made remarkable progress. Chaeryeong decided it was the perfect moment to enroll Yeji in her school, and by chance, they ended up in the same class with identical schedules.
"Are you ready, Yeji?" Chaeryeong asked. "I-I'm a little nervous, but I'm more excited, hehe," Yeji replied. "It's okay to feel nervous. I've got your back. Let's go before we're late!" Chaeryeong said, and together they headed to school.
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"Good morning, class. Before we dive into today's lesson, I have an announcement to make. We have a new transfer student joining us. Please come forward, Ms. Hwang!" the professor said. "Hello, my name is Hwang Yeji. I'm 21 years old. I was born in Seoul but grew up in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do," Yeji introduced herself calmly. Every word she spoke was a lie, carefully crafted as part of the plan Chaeryeong had designed before her enrollment.
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"Cherry, do we really have to lie?" Yeji asked with a hint of sadness. "Yes, because if I tell them you're a cat, they'll say terrible things about you!" Chaeryeong answered. "Oh," Yeji murmured softly. "I looked into the Hwang family and decided to use their last name for you. Mother said she found you there as a baby, so it makes sense. I know lying isn't right, but if you really want to go to school, this is the only way," Chaeryeong explained.
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After Yeji introduced herself with a bright smile, the professor gestured to an empty seat. "Okay, Ms. Hwang, you can sit in that vacant seat!" he said, pointing to the spot beside Chaeryeong. Yeji smiled again, pleased to sit next to Chaeryeong. "Wow, she's so pretty," one classmate whispered. "She's both pretty and cute!" another chimed in. The room buzzed softly as students murmured about Yeji's beauty.
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"Yah, Chaeryeong-ah, that's the girl, right?" Lia called from the back. "Ah, yes, she is!" Chaeryeong responded. "Oh, so she's your girlfriend, huh? Hehehe!" teased Ryujin with a smirk, settling beside Lia. "H-huh? No, it's not what you think!" Chaeryeong stammered, clearly flustered.
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Break time:
Yeji and Chaeryeong strolled down the hallway, drawing plenty of attention—some directed at them, but most at the new girl. "CHAERYEONG UNNIE!!" Yuna called out, rushing over to hug Chaeryeong tightly. Chaeryeong returned the hug warmly, while Yeji stood nearby, glaring at Yuna for embracing her "owner."
"Oh, unnie, who's this?" Yuna asked with a cheerful smile.
"She's a new transfer student at our school and also my childhood friend!" Chaeryeong explained.
"Hi, nice to meet you! I'm Shin Yuna, but you can just call me Yuna!" Yuna said brightly, extending her hand toward Yeji. Reluctantly, Yeji shook her hand and replied coldly, "Hwang Yeji. Nice to meet you," all while shooting daggers at Yuna with her eyes.
"A-ahh, unnie, why is she so cold and angry with me? Did I do something wrong?" Yuna whispered nervously to Chaeryeong.
"I don't know either! But I'm sorry on her behalf," Chaeryeong said, apologizing to Yuna. "It's fine, unnie. I have to head to the library to grab a book, so I'll see you later at the field. Bye!" Yuna replied, waving goodbye. "Yeddeong, why are you upset with Yuna?" Chaeryeong asked with concern. "It's nothing," Yeji replied coldly. "You need to tell me why when we get home, okay?" Chaeryeong insisted, but Yeji remained silent.
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"Yow, Chaeryeong!" Ryujin greeted with a smile. "Hi, Ryeong," Lia chimed in with a grin. "Oh, Chaeryeong, care to introduce us to your friend here?" Lia asked, raising an eyebrow while Ryujin smirked. Chaeryeong frowned at the two, clearly annoyed by their teasing about Yeji being her girlfriend. "Yeji, these are my friends Choi Lia and Shin Ryujin. Earlier, you met Yuna; she's Ryujin's little sister and also our friend," Chaeryeong said, introducing Yeji to her friends.
"Oh, I saw you two at the back of the class earlier," Yeji said with a smile to the pair in front of her. "Yep, that was us," Ryujin replied with a grin. "And for the record, Lia is my girlfriend, so Chaeryeong is all yours," Ryujin added with a smirk. "Cherry, what's a girlfriend?" Yeji whispered to Chaeryeong beside her. "Oh, um, it's someone you love," Chaeryeong stammered. "Chaeryeong is my girlfriend too," Yeji suddenly announced with a bright smile.
Chaeryeong's eyes widened as she quickly turned to look at Yeji, then glanced at her friends, who were now smirking and wiggling their eyebrows. "A-ahh, it's not what you think, guys! She said I'm her childhood friend, not her girlfriend!" Chaeryeong stammered, panicking. "No, Cherry, I said g—" Yeji started, but Chaeryeong hastily clapped her hand over Yeji's mouth. "Ohhh, 'Cherry,' huh?" Lia teased with a smirk.
"Yeddeong, please, just be quiet for now! Don't say anything, I beg you!" Chaeryeong pleaded, and Yeji nodded in response. "Ohh, 'Yeddeong'!" Ryujin chimed in, joining the teasing. "It's really not what you're thinking, guys! We're just childhood friends, that's why we have nicknames for each other. And when she said 'girlfriend,' she meant a girl who's a friend, that's all!" Chaeryeong explained in a rush. "Okay, okay, Chaeryeong, we get it!" Lia said, but in her and Ryujin's minds, they were already busy shipping the two girls.
YOU ARE READING
The Cat That I Love
FantasyIn your life, have you imagined what the cat that your mother left you well became something that's hard to believe, something that's so unreal?
