Adjusting the Gangster Male Lead’s Intensity [Novel] Chapter 35

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 35

Chapter Title: For Adjusting the Intensity of the Yakuza Male Lead

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It looked like Yi-hae Baek and Eun-seol Yeo needed to have a lot more conversations. Specifically, times where she asked questions and he answered them.

The two headed to the nurse's office while exchanging phone numbers. They kept up a brisk conversation without even looking at each other's faces, just walking their separate paths.

"Did you know Do-gyeom Seo from before?"

"No."

"Then how do you know his personality? Were you secretly stalking him or something?"

"I can only answer yes or no. Especially about myself or Do-gyeom Seo."

Eun-seol Yeo and Do-gyeom Seo.

In the game, they were the protagonists. This probably wasn't just a coincidence.

"These restrictions don't seem good for you, and the same goes for Do-gyeom Seo, right?"

"Yes. Absolutely."

Eun-seol Yeo somehow looked angry.

'In the game, the two liked each other.'

But that was also because of their roles as the female and male leads.

Strip that away—what were they really? Just one guy obsessively fixated on a girl in an abnormal way. And his methods were a bit extreme and creepy.

"Did you regress by any chance? Or possess someone? Reincarnate?"

Yi-hae Baek asked lightly, figuring something might stick. Surprisingly, Eun-seol Yeo started pondering the question seriously.

It was an unexpected reaction.

"Something like that."

A peculiar answer, the first of its kind. But he didn't deny it outright.

She felt like the truth was just a hand's reach away, and her heart pounded wildly.

"This might sound crazy, but do you have any memories of being a girl?"

Eun-seol Yeo's steps halted. He stared at Yi-hae Baek with wide eyes.

It was as good as hearing his answer. Yi-hae Baek squeezed her eyes shut.

Eun-seol Yeo knew who he—she?—had been as the game's female lead. She wasn't sure how, but...

'That's why he knew about Do-gyeom Seo. If that's the case, it's only natural he'd hate him.'

She didn't know which ending scene he'd seen, but even the Happy Ending wasn't exactly normal.

The nurse's office was drawing near. They'd deliberately taken the long way around, but they were already at their destination.

Still, Yi-hae Baek felt good. Maybe she could clear the main quest easily.

Clearing the quest would automatically skip the bullying episode too.

'No need to worry about Jang Seol-gi or the other girls.'

A smile crept onto her lips. She was just about to ask her final question.

"Hm?"

Eun-seol Yeo's gaze had shifted from Yi-hae Baek to ahead. Irritation crossed his face.

Like someone who'd run into someone they really didn't want to see.

"Yi-hae Baek."

Turning at the voice calling her, she saw Do-gyeom Seo leaning against the nurse's office door.

No idea how long he'd been watching. He straightened up and approached slowly.

Eun-seol Yeo's eyes met Yi-hae Baek's. Suddenly caught between two guys' stares, she swallowed dryly.

And for good reason.

Unlike before, the Status Window was warning her.

"You left way earlier—why are you only getting here now?"

It was a perfectly reasonable question. Saying she got lost would sound too half-hearted.

Yi-hae Baek was honest.

"I took a detour because I had some questions. Eun-seol seems fine too."

Yi-hae Baek glanced at Eun-seol as if seeking agreement. Just as he started to nod.

A hand touched her chin, forcing her head to turn. Do-gyeom Seo glared at her fiercely.

"Talk to me."

"......"

It was too coercive to call it jealousy. He hadn't even properly realized he liked her, and here he was already acting like this.

Eun-seol Yeo looked utterly fed up.

"Don't force me."

Yi-hae Baek calmly grasped Do-gyeom Seo's hand and slowly lowered it.

His mood was clearly sour, but was it a blessing that he gave in without resisting like before? Maybe because Do-gyeom Seo was still young.

'In the game, he wouldn't budge even if the female lead begged or threatened him.'

The Player's condition included adjusting his intensity level. It seemed like she'd need to diligently educate Do-gyeom Seo on proper behavior from now on.

Midterms weren't what mattered, Yi-hae Baek sighed inwardly.

"Class isn't over yet—why are you here?"

"I got hurt too."

"You look fine."

"I got hit by a ball. He's fine too, but he came."

Do-gyeom Seo nodded toward Eun-seol Yeo. Come to think of it, the Status Window that popped up when they left the gym mentioned Do-gyeom Seo getting hit by a ball.

Who would've thought he'd use that as an excuse to come to the nurse's office? He knew the way, so Jang Seol-gi had no reason to follow.

"Eun-seol isn't dangerous. You're being overly protective."

"Overly protective?"

Disbelief dripped from Eun-seol Yeo's sudden interjection. Like she'd dressed it up with a nice word like 'overprotective'.

Yi-hae Baek ignored him and looked up only at Do-gyeom Seo.

"......Did you follow me? It was obvious, wasn't it?"

Expecting shameless denial, she was surprised when Do-gyeom Seo asked back, looking slightly shocked. An almost innocent expression, like he hadn't expected to get caught.

Yi-hae Baek and Eun-seol Yeo were both at a loss for words. Eun-seol Yeo even pressed his forehead, looking dizzy.

"This doesn't seem like something I should butt into, so I'll go inside and rest. You two talk it out and head back to the gym or whatever."

Realizing he'd just be wallpaper if he stayed, Eun-seol Yeo sighed and headed into the nurse's office. He glanced back, tapping his phone.

Meaning they'd talk later. Yi-hae Baek quietly blinked in acknowledgment.

"What now? You look fine—so wanna head back to the gym with me, or go inside and rest?"

As Eun-seol Yeo entered, Yi-hae Baek politely asked Do-gyeom Seo too.

Do-gyeom Seo still gripped her wrist.

Staring pointedly at it, she watched him not let go—instead, grip tighter.

"Take the long way with me."

"We live together. No need to make extra time, right?"

A harsh response, if blunt. But beneath the harshness lurked subtle anticipation for his reply.

"I want to spend a little more time with you."

His unaware, pure affection was a bit troubling.

Yi-hae Baek gave a small laugh, as if she had no choice. Do-gyeom Seo wasn't like Eun-seol Yeo or Jang Seol-gi, where she'd have to guess hidden intentions and read between the lines.

Was that what lowered her guard? Or was it satisfying his instinctive liking for her, not Eun-seol Yeo?

"Okay."

With that short reply, she intertwined her fingers with the hand he'd been holding. His knuckles were surprisingly thick.

The Status Window didn't need to tell her—she could guess from the faint smile on Do-gyeom Seo's face. She glanced at it, then looked away.

It wasn't hers, so she shouldn't covet it, but she kept testing the waters. She wanted to show the Player this was what Do-gyeom Seo wanted, not her.

But what she feared was eventually facing Do-gyeom Seo turning to another girl.

The Player might crash in, insisting the future couldn't be changed. Might mock her excitement and hopes.

A little scared of that, Yi-hae Baek tightly hid her feelings.