Adjusting the Gangster Male Lead’s Intensity [Novel] Chapter 25

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 25

Chapter Title: Eun-seol's Mysterious Identity

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‘This is tricky. The trigger was supposed to be Seo Do-gyeom taking an interest in the female lead for the first time upon seeing her studious side and thinking she was unexpectedly smart.’

And on top of that, not knowing any of it, the pretty Yi-hae Baek was smart too.

Thinking it was all her own fault for being too perfect, she let out a deep sigh. She was walking side by side with Eun-seol Yeo, holding textbooks, heading to the classroom.

“Why are you sighing like that? Because you don’t want to teach that Do-gyeom kid?”

Having no idea about her situation, he grinned innocently and said. That look somehow irked her, so Yi-hae Baek grumbled.

Even though she knew she needed to manage her image, her usual personality was slipping out with him for some reason.

“It’s not that. It’s just tiring carrying your books.”

“Ouch. You’re giving me a hint outright. I thought you were...”

Eun-seol Yeo paused for a moment before leaning his head closer. He stepped right up and whispered softly into her ear.

“...dissatisfied because you ended up doing it even though it’s not your role.”

What did he mean by that?

It felt like he had read her mind. But it could just be her imagination.

She stared at Eun-seol Yeo silently, and he gave a subtle smile that seemed knowing yet ambiguous.

‘Obsession?’

She’d seen favorability and trust notifications before, but obsession was a first. And with Do-gyeom Seo not even here, a notification popping up was weird.

Suspicious, she glanced around and spotted Do-gyeom Seo approaching from ahead, his face expressionless.

“Yi-hae Baek.”

His low voice echoed unusually clearly in the quiet hallway.

For some reason, the different atmosphere made her tense up. He strode over and stared intently at her hand holding Eun-seol Yeo’s textbook.

Then Do-gyeom Seo’s gaze shifted to Eun-seol Yeo. Do-gyeom Seo was tall, but Eun-seol Yeo wasn’t short either, so their eyes met silently from above.

‘Wait, come to think of it, this might be the first time Do-gyeom Seo is properly looking at Eun-seol Yeo? Is he falling at first sight?’

His cold expression suggested not. Do-gyeom Seo snatched the textbook from Yi-hae Baek’s hands and tossed it onto the one Eun-seol Yeo was holding.

Eun-seol Yeo’s body lurched forward, caught off guard.

“Carry your own stuff, or get someone else. Don’t make Yi-hae Baek do this.”

Do-gyeom Seo’s arm gently wrapped around Yi-hae Baek’s wrist. Before she knew it, she was standing at his side, not Eun-seol Yeo’s.

Her eyes widened at the events unfolding without her say. Seeing this, Eun-seol Yeo spoke up.

He still wore a smile, but it was an ambiguous one—unclear if he was genuinely pleased or just habitual.

“I didn’t ask her to. The teacher did.”

“No need for Yi-hae Baek to follow that. It’s your stuff.”

A subtle war of nerves.

Still, the textbooks had been heavy, so Yi-hae Baek sided with Do-gyeom Seo.

She gave a timid nod from the side, as if agreeing. Their eyes met—Do-gyeom Seo and Eun-seol Yeo’s. She thought her small movement would go unnoticed, but they were sharp ones.

Do-gyeom Seo’s hand patted her head, like petting a small animal. She didn’t like the gesture, but she stayed still.

By now, such physical contact felt natural; their distance had closed that much.

“You two look close.”

Eun-seol Yeo watched them with a strange gaze.

It was an odd look. Not just her imagination—truly odd.

It felt like he was surprised by how close Yi-hae Baek and Do-gyeom Seo were.

‘It’s like... he knows our relationship from the start.’

Eun-seol Yeo’s identity.

And since it was a main quest, his presence seemed pretty important.

‘She really is the original female lead. No way she’s cross-dressing, right?’

Yi-hae Baek glanced at the floating status window, then at Eun-seol Yeo. Their eyes met, and he smiled innocently as if asking what was up.

‘His build is too obviously male to ask if he’s cross-dressing. Or maybe transgender...?’

Of course, asking that would be rude too.

Maybe her intense stare made him uncomfortable, because Eun-seol Yeo spoke first.

“Yi-hae, why are you staring like that? If you have something to say, go ahead.”

How could she ask indirectly without offending?

She racked her brains hard. For all her faults, Yi-hae Baek was a smart one, ranking in the top of the school.

What refined, dignified words could probe without hurting feelings? Lost in thought, she blurted out without realizing.

“Eun-seol, were you dreaming of being a eunuch or something?”

“......?”

“......”

Eun-seol Yeo’s expression hardened for the first time. Do-gyeom Seo said nothing.

He was silent, but it was loud.

“...Sorry. Just let it go in one ear and out the other. I must not be in my right mind right now.”

Yi-hae Baek admitted it was a brilliantly ridiculous thing to say, even to herself.

After that, an awkward silence hung between her and Eun-seol Yeo. She spaced out so badly through class she couldn’t recall how she got through it, and when she came to, it was already time to go home.

“What on earth were you thinking saying that earlier?”

Walking side by side with Do-gyeom Seo, he asked. Yi-hae Baek sighed at the question.

“He’s just so pretty, I didn’t want to offend by asking if he’s a girl in disguise.”

“Asking if he dreamed of being a eunuch seems the most offensive.”

“...I’m reflecting on it, so stop teasing.”

She’d been trying to probe his identity gently without upsetting him, but who knew it’d end like that.

Yi-hae Baek covered her face and groaned. A small laugh came from beside her. It was the first time Do-gyeom Seo had laughed out loud.

‘Come to think of it, his favorability jumping like this is a first. Does he like absurd jokes like this?’

Yi-hae Baek peeked at Do-gyeom Seo through her fingers. Then a large hand came down on her head.

Now a habit, he stroked her hair.

“Do-gyeom Seo.”

“What.”

“I’m curious about something. Why don’t you cut your bangs? Don’t they bother you?”

“Not really. Never thought about it, and no one’s ever mentioned it.”

Yeah, I-heum Seo didn’t seem to care about looks, and Yeol Seo would call whatever Do-gyeom Seo did cool.

The other gang members probably didn’t dare say anything.

“They look stuffy?”

Yi-hae Baek nodded firmly at Do-gyeom Seo’s question.

“Yeah. Can’t see your eyes, so it’s uncomfortable talking while looking at your face. And hiding such a handsome face is a waste.”

“I’m not that handsome.”

What was this guy saying?

His calm tone sounded sincere, so Yi-hae Baek smacked his forearm hard in shock.

It only hurt her hand; Do-gyeom Seo didn’t budge.

“If you’re not handsome, who is? You’re ridiculously handsome!”

“You don’t like looks like Eun-seol Yeo’s?”

Eun-seol Yeo was handsome. His striking features drew eyes.

But did that mean Do-gyeom Seo lost out? He was the original main male lead!

In the game world, he was undoubtedly the handsomest. So Yi-hae Baek said confidently.

“I like yours more.”

Personally, even playing the game, Do-gyeom Seo’s looks were her type. Recalling that, she said it, but thinking back, the nuance felt oddly intimate.

Anyway, he wouldn’t misunderstand something like this.

“Yeah?”

As expected, Do-gyeom Seo’s response was nonchalant. They were walking along, casually nodding, when it happened.

‘Huh?’

‘Wait, hold on. I think the status window’s glitching.’

Do-gyeom Seo remained silent as ever, but he was making more noise than anyone.