I am Smart

---

“…… Ah, I’m not beating around the bush.”

“……”

San-deng stared at Moon Si-hyun in disbelief.

But Moon Si-hyun seemed to have attained what she wanted from the conversation, no longer looking at San-deng.

Just a few seconds earlier, Moon Si-hyun had been blushing on her own, while San-deng had been doing her best to look away.

Now, the roles had completely reversed. This time, it was San-deng who opened her mouth first.

“…… What do you mean by not beating around the bush? And why do you keep smiling?”

“Huh? Ah…… No. It’s just that suddenly San-deng is so cute— no, just…… never mind.”

“…… Cute……? …… Okay, then—”

“Hmph…..”

“…… Are you smiling again?”

“…… Ah, I’m sorry.”

“I didn’t ask for an apology. But—”

“Ugh……”

“Ha……”

―――

Hahahahahaha

Ah, seriously, wtf

Where did this idea that the Sociology department is so pretentious come from?

Ugh

Ah, they’re acting up again, haha

Is she out of her mind?

The Sociology department wouldn’t be affected, so why am I, a high school graduate, getting bothered?

Ugh haha

I can’t hold back my laughter, haha

I really want to grab that handle, seriously

―――

The chat, already fast-paced, surged once more.

Ultimately, San-deng’s mood…… was scratched.

“Hey, which university are you from?”

It’s not a university to be embarrassed about anywhere. So I’m not angry.

However…… Moon Si-hyun’s actions right now were really oddly stirring up emotions.

“From Korea University.”

“…… Not RP or anything, right?”

“From Korea University. Really.”

“What major?”

“I can’t tell you that I’m a VTuber. Sorry.”

“…… Ha……”

San-deng’s breath quickened slightly.

The more she talked, the more it felt like she was just losing out.

There was ample circumstantial evidence that made it highly likely she wasn’t from Korea University, but voicing that would make her seem weird given her age.

San-deng briefly glanced at her as she pushed her hair behind her ear.

Then she considered turning back and suggesting they return to the Bear Doll Family’s chat room.

…… But she turned back to look at her again.

“By the way, Si-hyun.”

“Huh?”

“…… Where did you hear that? Sociology is…… something or other. That.”

“I felt it after a few conversations.”

“…… Really, honestly. I’m curious this time.”

“Really. I felt it after talking a few times.”

Of course, she was somewhat heated by Moon Si-hyun’s strange reaction.

…… But San-deng didn’t have enough pride to continue the conversation solely for that reason.

She usually showed a mature and cool side. So even if she showed this kind of childish side this time, San-deng could just see it as cute and let it go.

…… But the reason San-deng kept digging deeper like this was.

“…… No, seriously—”

A memory of a conversation with a friend surfaced.

– Didn’t you say you were going to a meeting yesterday? How did it go?

– No, the kids from Hanmi University suddenly ditched. They heard our university’s name and just ignored us. The Sociology kids are really full of themselves. What the hell, it was so ridiculous……”

Among similar tier universities, there are plenty of meeting or exchange opportunities.

Meanwhile, there exists an unwritten image that spreads among university students.

For example, Seongdong Engineering students are boring, Hanmi University students party too much, and Gongji University students are strong-willed.

Human nature’s unavoidable instincts, prejudices, and division.

And the image of the Sociology department itself is.

They tend to show off a lot.

The reason that image stuck is unknown.

It could be because it’s relatively the highest regarded university among Seongdong Engineering universities.

Or perhaps there was some incident that sparked it.

Regardless, such preconceived notions were not widespread enough to be consumed as a ‘meme’ within the community.

Only students currently enrolled or those who interacted with Sociology students would know about it.

It was a bit strange she knew about it.

“No, but seriously. Where did you hear that?”

“I told you, I’ve been there before.”

“Why did you go?”

“For research. Have you been to the 5th floor of the 1st Engineering Building in the Sociology department?”

“No, what do you mean by that? Why would you come here for research?”

“Is the curtain still there—”

“Ah! Huh…… never mind.”

―――

What was that about?

Curtain?

At this point, did she really go there?

What is she talking about?

Maybe she went because of an ex-boyfriend, haha [deleted message]

―――

She decided to just give up.

Another moment of silence lingered.

Then.

“…… What does ‘educational punishment’ mean?”

Moon Si-hyun asked, seemingly having read something while staring blankly into space.

“……”

“…… I’m currently……”

“Huh?”

“Ah, it’s nothing. Ignore it. Let’s go. I’ll wait.”

―――
Hako Virtual Minor Gallery

―――

– Moon Si-hyun’s cluelessness is unreal…

She usually seems so enlightened, hugging and soothing whatever nonsensical talk comes her way, but when a conversation like this comes up, she suddenly transforms into a 5-year-old kid who just had her candy taken away.

– For real haha

– Seriously, it was hard to bear this time

– Is this really the same person who gave Harris a serious talk about watching 15+ webtoons?

Totally mind-blowing…

– Back then, she was acting like a sex education teacher

– I really wanted to give her some ‘educational punishment’

– A tall girl with big assets is refreshing, huh?

– She just knows she’s not the sharpest, so she’s acting like this… It’s a kind of inferiority complex.

– For real.

– If she really thought she was brainy, she wouldn’t act like this haha

– I don’t know why San-deng got bothered for no reason and ended up dragging things longer wtf

– For real.

―――

– So she’s not from Korea University, right?

She speaks so confidently now.

Now I’m really lost.

– Are you kidding?

– “RP.”

– For real, every time I see a question like this, it boggles my mind. Does she see Korea University as trash?

– Scratch that.

– Would she even be from Korea University?

– But can she really say things about universities like that?

– Since Sociology University is probably fine with it, they wouldn’t even care.

– If a moron like that mocks him for being bad at games, who would be bothered?

– Moon Si-hyun’s teasing just pisses me off so much, I just want to pin her down and unleash my pent-up frustration.

– For real, just furious about some righteous punishment… At this rate, just cleaning up her mess isn’t enough.

– But seriously, I attend Sociology University and that image is totally there; I don’t know why.

– Nonsense???

– Yeah, but for real, I’m also curious how Moon Si-hyun knows that.

– It’s probably just because some ex-boyfriend used to attend Sociology Uni, that’s why she said that.

– If you just mention ‘ex-boyfriend’, it all makes sense, but they keep going in circles.

– Just shut up.

– Just shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up.

―――

– I asked one guy at Korea University, and he said there are a few people named Moon Si-hyun.

– Genuine question.

– Are you seriously going to tell me the truth?

– Don’t put that frame on a crazy person who thinks she’s from Korea University!

– Please, give a detailed explanation.

– He said he hadn’t seen anyone with that voice; there’s no one like that.

– No, Korea University is huge. Asking one person won’t give a proper sample.

– They say Moon Si-hyun has taken a leave of absence; can’t we just find her among those?

– There are a few people who suddenly vanish, but whether they took a leave or were kicked out, who knows.

– Why not?

– Unless you’re close, how would you know if she’s on leave, skipping classes, or dead? Do they think this is high school?

– Wow, this gaslighting is really scary; those guys genuinely think she’s from Korea University now.

– But I don’t know if she’s on leave; there used to be a very pretty girl who suddenly disappeared.

– Isn’t it her?

– If not, isn’t that Moon Si-hyun? They say she’s a VTuber, so it’s relevant, right?

– I just asked, and even if they don’t know anyone else, they said she wouldn’t even show up…

– Why isn’t she?

– I have no idea. No matter how much I ask, she just shuts up and says her voice and behavior are entirely different.

-♫♬

-♫♬

[Why did it take so long?]

[What were you doing?]

[…… Nothing, just talked a bit with San-deng.]

[…… What do you mean-]

[But, let’s get back to the earlier topic. Seriously, if we win, shouldn’t we throw a big party? Like, rent a fancy bar or something.]

[Please don’t set that flag!! Just…..]

[Ah, okay…… Sorry, big sis.]

[Since this is our last match, we are running a bit late today. Should we end early? Tomorrow is the main event.]

[That sounds good.]

[I’m feeling a bit sleepy…… It’s tiring.]

[Okay, good work~]

[Thanks for your hard work.]

“Goodbye.”

San-deng wrapped up the broadcast after chatting with the excited viewers about advancing to the main event.

San-deng’s and Park Tae-yeon’s phones chimed with new messages.

[San-deng. If there’s anything you’re uncertain about, feel free to ask me.]

[Even if it’s a tech-related issue, or if it’s not, I can provide a basic understanding.]

“…… Huh……”

Looking up, the interaction with her had merely been light chit-chat.

But as soon as she learned that she was enrolled at Sociology University, it felt like the distance between them had rapidly closed.

From Park Tae-yeon’s perspective, it wasn’t like she disliked it.

…… But after feeling somewhat annoyed, she decided to hold off on replying.

Is this what it feels like to lose your temper at someone? Park Tae-yeon pondered.

She lay back on the sofa for a moment to calm her mind.

Today had been full of events for her.

The chaotic yet enjoyable excitement, the truly unexpected advancement to the main event.

And then, Moon Si-hyun.

…… And her words.

“…… 1st Engineering Building……”

Park Tae-yeon muttered softly.

Then a name suddenly came to mind.

Her gaze drifted towards the wall clock beside her.

10:13 PM.

“……”

It’s not that late for him.

Park Tae-yeon retrieved her phone from behind her and dialed the number.

-♫♬

She heard an unknown hip-hop ringtone before the call connected.

– Click

[Hey Tae-yeon. What’s up? You’re calling me? Huh?]

A voice that sounded like a young man who must have dyed his hair brown or lighter came through.

“…… Huh.”

Park Tae-yeon suddenly felt tired, and a soft sigh escaped her.

It had been 5 years since they’d faced each other, but the tension was still as unfamiliar as ever.

Back in their freshman days, a boy who suddenly approached her from behind during class and insisted on hanging out with her.

Even after she pretended not to notice him a few times, they somehow ended up building a friendship.

But private conversations…… were somewhat tiring, there was no denying that.

[What are you up to these days? Just stuck at home playing games? Don’t you have a girlfriend yet? I swear, you’re just wasting your good looks. If I had your face… I’d just…]

“Yeah. Uh. No. Uh.”

San-deng mumbled casual responses as he bombarded her with questions before cutting to the chase.

“Jae-hyun, since you’re there, do you go to the 1st Engineering Building often?”

[Are you inviting me to a vacation, only to go for once— …… Huh? There? Uh, sure, I go there often. Why?]

“…… I’m not sure exactly where it is, but is there a research lab with curtains on the 5th floor?”

[Hmm……?]

At his questioning tone, Park Tae-yeon’s face grew hot.

‘Why on earth am I asking him this?’

A sudden wave of embarrassment washed over her.

Given her elusive nature, it was hard to know what she was really thinking. She sometimes showed composed behavior, but at other times, she’d act downright strange.

Like in today’s conversation.

She could’ve just rolled with whatever she felt during their chat and let it go.

[Hmm…… Ah? Huh? That place?]

[You mean that lab with the pitch-black curtains?]

“…… What?”

[You know it. It’s been there since two years ago? I’ve never gone in, so I don’t know what they do there or anything.]

“……”

[…… What? Ah? Have you been there? No way! You’re not in this department, right?]

When Park Tae-yeon suddenly fell silent, the guy continued talking.

[I mean, I have to go back and forth there for research too. But every time I pass by, I’m always curious about what they do since they’ve got those thick blackout curtains up for so long… Not that I’ve gone in to check it out.]

[So one time, I got so curious that I tried to peek inside through a window near the door, you know?]

[But someone who usually goes in there, you know, that professor in the beige suit who’s always around.]

[Ugh, that dude seriously came running from far away and yelled at me.]

[He said regular folks aren’t allowed in there.]