Adjusting the Gangster Male Lead’s Intensity [Novel] Chapter 31

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 31

Chapter Title: The Revealed Face

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‘What’s going on here?’

Yi-hae Baek knew Seo Do-gyeom was handsome. He was the male lead in a dating sim packed with various male characters, after all.

It wouldn’t make sense if he wasn’t good-looking to begin with.

Eun-seol Yeo’s expression as she stared at Seo Do-gyeom was somehow subtle. It didn’t seem like she was surprised by his handsome features.

That faint shift in her expression made Yi-hae Baek feel a twinge of unease.

“I had no idea you two were that close.”

The silence was broken by Eun-seol Yeo.

“……I heard you were just friends.”

Eun-seol Yeo’s gaze shifted from Seo Do-gyeom to Yi-hae Baek, as if asking whether that was true.

Seo Do-gyeom didn’t seem too bothered as he let go of her hand. He sat down in the seat next to her with familiar ease, and Yi-hae Baek’s eyes followed the motion.

With his handsome face now fully on display, it felt strangely novel.

It wasn’t odd that the girls’ surprised stares followed him.

“So, the errand you had was just to get your bangs cut?”

Yi-hae Baek whispered.

“Yeah. Not many places are open before school.”

“You could’ve told me. I would’ve gone with you. Why’d you suddenly decide to cut your bangs? You never did before.”

In the original story, Seo Do-gyeom only cut his bangs after the original Eun-seol Yeo tutored him and complimented him, saying he’d look prettier with his eyes showing.

Recalling how he appeared with short bangs when he later saved the female lead from bullying, Yi-hae Baek felt confused.

Of course, I ended up taking her spot tutoring him without meaning to. But I never complimented him by saying his eyes would look pretty if they showed!

Yi-hae Baek furrowed her brow.

……Or did I? I think I said something similar.

She wasn’t entirely sure.

But the current Eun-seol Yeo isn’t getting bullied because of her looks—she’s just piling up affection from everyone.

So why had Seo Do-gyeom suddenly cut his bangs?

Seo Do-gyeom, who had been quietly listening from his seat, leaned forward. His face came right up to hers.

His dark eyes, previously hidden by his bangs, now reflected her image clearly.

“You said it was uncomfortable talking when you couldn’t see my eyes.”

“…….”

Right—Yi-hae Baek’s recent thought. That sense of déjà vu from words similar to the original female lead’s.

It wasn’t something she’d said consciously imitating the female lead. Nor did it carry any deep meaning.

Yet Seo Do-gyeom had acted on her casual remark. Because of Yi-hae Baek, not the female lead.

I shouldn’t read too much into it.

But could she just let it slide?

Yi-hae Baek had no idea how to respond. She opened her mouth hesitantly before clamping it shut.

Just then, the teacher entered the classroom. She quickly faced forward. She ignored the gaze she felt from beside her.

“…….”

Eun-seol Yeo, who had been watching them with her chin propped up, wore a peculiar expression.

When PE time arrived, the girls headed to the bathroom to change into their gym clothes. Some lined up to use the stalls, while others boldly changed right there without hesitation.

Yi-hae Baek stood blankly waiting her turn when someone tapped her shoulder from behind.

“Yi-hae.”

It was a familiar face. Yi-hae Baek didn’t know her name, but she was the one who’d previously told her Seo Do-gyeom seemed gloomy and she shouldn’t hang out with him.

The shorter girl asked with a shy expression.

“Did you know, by any chance?”

“Know what?”

A bad premonition stirred. And these unlucky hunches of hers usually hit the mark.

“That Do-gyeom is handsome.”

Every girl’s attention focused on her, except the one asking. The previously rowdy bathroom fell silent as proof.

Aha.

Yi-hae Baek smiled wordlessly.

Seo Do-gyeom’s change was sparking a lot of ripples. And she had a feeling those ripples wouldn’t be pleasant for her.

“I didn’t know. He never showed his face, and I wasn’t interested. I did think his skin was nice, though.”

Yi-hae Baek lied calmly. Admitting she knew would make her seem like someone selfishly hiding a good thing.

Though calling it “good” felt a bit off.

“I see. Guess I misunderstood him. I thought he was gloomy, but he’s not at all. He just doesn’t talk much.”

Seo Do-gyeom wouldn’t care if others like this girl misunderstood him.

“It was cool how he stopped Eun-seol’s prank earlier. I get why you call him like an older brother. He’s so reliable.”

Calling the transfer student from yesterday so casually by name felt odd. Yi-hae Baek listened quietly for a moment before thinking cautiously.

Is this girl one of the main culprits bullying the original Eun-seol? She’s one of the girls interested in Seo Do-gyeom, apparently.

She was just a side character, so the game didn’t detail her much. Nothing certain. But if this continued, Yi-hae Baek might end up bullied like the original female lead.

Should she act indifferent? Or lie and say Seo Do-gyeom liked someone else?

Yi-hae Baek’s eyes darted around. Then the stall she’d been waiting for opened. A silver lining in misfortune.

“I’ll go change quick!”

Yi-hae Baek hurried inside, stripped off her uniform, and donned her gym clothes. The lack of a changing room was rough, but right now, she was grateful for it.

This is tricky. I’m not even the real female lead, and I don’t want to deal with hardship.

She felt guilty viewing these girls as potential school bullies, but it was a bind for her.

As she dawdled changing and stepped out, the girl was gone—probably in another stall. Seizing the chance, Yi-hae Baek slipped out of the bathroom.

Hurrying to the classroom, she spotted two boys in the hall.

Seo Do-gyeom and Eun-seol Yeo.

Putting them side by side, it’s like they’re from another world. More like web novel protagonists than game ones.

In web novels, the cocky type usually played male lead, which suited Seo Do-gyeom.

She nodded to herself and reached for the back door to drop off her uniform.

“Wait!”

Eun-seol Yeo’s urgent call came with a large hand covering Yi-hae Baek’s vision.

Yi-hae Baek blinked and stayed still. She heard the slightly ajar door close again.

“Why?”

“Someone’s still changing inside.”

Seo Do-gyeom’s calm voice. She’d guessed as much, but hearing the familiar tone made her relax unwittingly. She grumbled in response.

“Then say so earlier. I didn’t even see anything, so why cover my eyes?”

Grabbing his hand and pulling it down, their eyes finally met.

Her heart pounded at his downward gaze. Definitely from surprise.

Just cutting his bangs, and he suddenly feels like a stranger.

As Yi-hae Baek averted her eyes, Seo Do-gyeom’s brow furrowed ever so slightly.

Spotting a group of girls in gym clothes approaching from afar, she tried to pull away.

“Why dodge?”

This time, Seo Do-gyeom gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

Confinement ending?

Didn’t endings only apply to the female lead in the first place?

Yi-hae Baek held her breath. Her body trembled faintly, though she wasn’t sure if Seo Do-gyeom noticed.

It was the first time Seo Do-gyeom ever felt scary to her.