Became an Observer in Love Company

Ding. I looked at my phone as the notification chimed.

[Lee Jian]

→ What are you doing?

After finishing uploading the observation report, I sent a reply.

[Kim Dohyun]

→ Texting.

There was no reply for quite some time.

[Lee Jian]

→ Who’re you texting?

Is he sleeping? There are quite a few typos.

[Lee Jian]

→ I’m not in the way, am I?

[Kim Dohyun]

→ Aren’t I texting you right now?

[Lee Jian]

→ ?

→ Hey, you #$@%(angry origami emoticon).

Teasing her is quite enjoyable after all.

Moreover, she seems to be rather fond of this emoticon.

‘She’s been using it ever since I introduced it to her back then.’

[Kim Dohyun]

→ Are you an idiot?

[Lee Jian]

→ Why am I the idiot? You’re the one who deceived me.

→ It’s the person who calls others an idiot who’s the real idiot.

Seeing her talkative nature, she must be upset.

[Kim Dohyun]

→ It’s not on your level…

[Lee Jian]

→ Huh?

→ Then how about a bet for this midterm?

→ The loser fulfills the winner’s wish.

[Kim Dohyun]

→ Can you handle it?

[Lee Jian]

→ It’s not me who needs to handle it but you.

“Really, you’re something else.”

I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.

In the original story, Lee Jian boasted of her barely passing grades.

The Academy had a failing system.

An academy famous for its active encouragement of club activities, but it also ensures academic diligence.

Failing doesn’t lead to repeating a grade, but instead requires mandatory full participation in studies and no club activities during that time.

“Even if I’m as I am, I still do better than you.”

*

The school had already grown quiet, and the outside air had grown cooler.

Since it was the last day of exams, there were only a few students still around.

I was seated at my desk, checking the answers.

Next to me, a figure approached.

It was Lee Jian.

“Hey, you haven’t forgotten about our bet during this exam, right?”

Though she appeared confident, she subtly avoided eye contact.

She seemed both anticipatory and cautious.

“Bet?”

I replied indifferently.

“Why? You wouldn’t have forgotten, would you?”

She looked up at me, dissatisfied.

“Ah, that? Are you really an idiot? That’s why I’ve stayed here to grade.”

After she herself had mentioned it…

“I’m just double-checking! I’ll flatten your nose.”

“Then you wouldn’t be able to wear glasses….”

Lee Jian burst out laughing.

Though I hadn’t exactly told a joke.

“Don’t laugh! I’m trying to have a serious conversation here.”

“What? After laughing yourself.”

“4, 2, 3, 4, 1.”

Answers were called out, and the sound of grading filled the room.

Lee Jian placed the graded exam sheets in front of me.

“Take a look!”

“Oh, your scores have improved a lot.”

I thought she’d barely pass, but she comfortably surpassed the failing grade, clearly putting in a lot of effort.

“Isn’t that impressive? Wait…”

“What is it?”

“How do you know my scores improved?”

Though I felt a little caught by Lee Jian’s words, I didn’t outwardly show it.

“…I can roughly guess from what you do.”

She silently glared at me.

“You keep looking down on me. How much did you score, huh?!”

While calculating the exam scores, Lee Jian continued talking nonstop at my side.

“Don’t forget our promise! The wish voucher, you remember? Want to back out now?”

I quietly handed over the finished score calculation.

Lee Jian’s expression gradually stiffened.

Given my consistently high grades compared to hers, the competition was never really a match.

“How about it? Want to back out now?”

As I calmly asked while packing my bag, she slightly stiffened her expression, cleared her throat, and looked away.

“Can I back out?”

“No, it was just a question.”

She looked at me with an expression full of betrayal.

“The world of competition is naturally ruthless.”

“Isn’t that too ruthless between us?”

Muttering, she kicked a stone on the ground.

“What kind of ‘us’ are we talking about anyway?”

“…Just… Friends.”

She walked away looking somewhat dispirited.

It seemed like she was dejected about losing. I patted her shoulder lightly to console her.

“You lost, but you fought well.”

“What?”

“Just a little consolation.”

“Instead of that, how about you let me off?”

“Nope.”

She hit my arm. It wasn’t with much force, but it was a full attack filled with injustice.

I looked down at her indifferently without dodging.

“Anyway, since you lost, my wish voucher is valid.”

“…”

“It’s cheating if you don’t keep it.”

Lee Jian tightly shut her mouth.

“Instead, can I ask you one question?”

“The wish voucher should be given originally.”

“Then, as a form of condolence, one question.”

“What is it?”

Lee Jian hesitated for a moment. Her mouth opened and closed repeatedly.

What kind of question was this making her take her time?

“Do you like anyone?”

The moment I heard that question, I stopped in my tracks.

Lee Jian, who had been walking ahead, turned around.

The sharp sound of a can opening echoed in my ears as if to cool the situation.

Our eyes met.

A face flashed and disappeared in my mind.

“…No.”

“Is that so?”

And our conversation came to an end.

The light from the practice room pierced through the darkness.

At that moment, light seeped through the half-open door of the practice room.

There were sounds of movement inside.

“…Who would be here at this hour?”

[Observer’s POV activated. POV fixed.]

Yoon Jihoo was taking up a martial arts stance.

To be precise, Park Nayul was adjusting his stance.

“Your octagonal stance needs to be lowered a bit.”

Park Nayul lightly held Yoon Jihoo’s arm and adjusted it.

Her fingertips slid along Yoon Jihoo’s forearm.

Without any particular reaction, Yoon Jihoo followed her guidance and corrected his stance.

It was gentle. Natural.

The proximity.

From the side, Lee Jian suddenly grew quiet.

I naturally looked at her.

Her gaze was fixed inside the practice room.

Her eyes followed the two people inside for a long time, silently and for a very long time.

An expression as if she was thinking about something, or perhaps refusing to think.

“…”

I silently stepped back one step.

Observer’s position.

As always, I observed her from a step away.

The longer her gaze lingered on Park Nayul and Yoon Jihoo.

While I watched this, I unknowingly thought to myself.

‘She must be in a bad mood.’

Perhaps.

Because it was too natural.

The sight of Park Nayul and Yoon Jihoo together.

The closeness and proximity of their postures.

Lee Jian’s expression subtly wavered.

I watched this and once again came to a simple conclusion.

‘It’s inevitable.’

Considering the flow of the original story, it’s a natural emotion.

Lee Jian was paying attention to Yoon Jihoo.

Then this reaction is also natural.

I was unaware that I had harbored some hope that they might connect.

That hope was ultimately in vain.

It was a love story with a predetermined conclusion.

I watched Lee Jian’s gaze into the practice room.

I wanted to approach and offer her a word of reassurance.

But I couldn’t.

During the observer’s POV, movement is impossible. I am merely the camera and the narrator.

I cannot intervene.

So I stepped back again.

And—

My wrist was grabbed.

“Where are you going?”

Lee Jian grabbed my wrist and looked me in the eyes.

“Are you okay?”

The one who should receive comfort was asking me if I was okay.

Her face asking me this didn’t look good either.

[POV ends.]

The system message conveniently appeared.

I sighed quietly and responded.

“Yea, I’m fine. There’s nothing to feel bad about anyway.”

She looked at me with a suspicious gaze.

“You wouldn’t…”

In that instant, I felt a sinking feeling.

Though it was unlikely, it crossed my mind—had she figured out that I had possessed this body?

Maybe it was simply a wish.

A wish to be understood by someone. Perhaps I had subconsciously been hoping for it.

It seemed like I needed to change the topic.

“Ah, by the way. I saw you in the bookstore the other day.”

“Really? When? Why didn’t you say anything?”

“There wasn’t a good time to approach.”

I quietly handed her a book.

“…What is it?”

“This. Didn’t you want this?”

Lee Jian looked down at the book in confusion.

Then, she looked up at my face again.

“Why did you…”

Her face turned slightly red.

“You need to be more honest.”

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She feigned ignorance.

“You don’t have to just back down all the time.”

I pointed quietly at the book.

“If you want something, you can say that you do. Otherwise, when you really want something, it might be taken away when you hesitate to speak up.”

Unless you want to lose Yoon Jihoo like in the original story….

That was the best advice I could offer.

As an observer, I aimed to minimize intervention, but I still felt compelled to say this.

At least, you should confess. Don’t foolishly give up.

“Thank you.”

Lee Jian held the book tightly and smiled brightly.

As if she’d just reclaimed something she thought she’d lost.

Yet, the tension in her fingers suggested that she might be afraid of losing it again.

For some reason, without realizing it, my gaze was drawn to her smile, which seemed insignificant.

“Look, you like it so much.”

The moment those words left my mouth, a strange pang prickled in the corner of my heart.

Her fingertips trembling with the book eventually cradled it gently in her arms.

Even though she initially appeared disinterested, her joyful reaction once she had it in her hands made me smile.

But why did the trace of bitterness lingering at the corner of my upturned lips remain?

You claimed you’d give up, yet you’re clearly happy.

If you’re going to hide, hide it properly.

It’s all exposed.

You foolishly give up, and foolishly don’t even understand your own emotions.

Yet, once you have it, you’re this happy.

The book ultimately became hers, and the sight of her holding it seemed as natural as it should be.

Then, what about the other things?

My gaze inadvertently turned toward Yoon Jihoo.

Would you feel the same if you let go only to discover how joyously you love it once it’s yours?

…Well, not my business.

Yet, for some reason, a corner of my chest felt uneasy.

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