Adjusting the Gangster Male Lead’s Intensity [Novel] Chapter 41

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 41

Chapter Title: The Start of First Love

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'Is this even possible?'

Yi-hae Baek was utterly confused.

'I knew he had feelings for me. But I never expected him to admit it so straightforwardly.'

Yi-hae Baek wondered if she should reveal her own emotions to Do-gyeom Seo. Her instincts told her she couldn't let herself get swept up in his pace like this.

"Do-gyeom, have you ever liked someone before?"

"No."

"Then you can't definitively say whether your feelings for me are romantic or not, right?"

Yi-hae Baek said, widening her eyes. Do-gyeom Seo, meeting her gaze, simply blinked slowly.

Words that were neither affirmation nor denial slipped from his mouth.

"It feels like you're asking that in hopes of a 'yes.'"

What a needlessly perceptive guy.

Yi-hae Baek clicked her tongue inwardly but plastered on a smile in front of him. Then, in a soft whisper as if soothing a child, she said,

"Neither of us has ever seriously liked anyone before, so maybe we're just mistaking it for something else. Let's not jump to conclusions—let's think about it a little more."

"I think I like you."

"I prefer certainty over 'I think.'"

Even in the game, Do-gyeom Seo had never fully realized his feelings for the female lead—he'd only shown jealousy and obsession.

Simple jealousy and obsession were cute enough. But if that obsession grew, he might try to kill another guy just for making eye contact with her.

'What if Uncle and Yeol end up in danger because of this? Nah, they're family, so it should be fine.'

Yi-hae Baek stared at Do-gyeom Seo in silence. He blinked slowly as he met her eyes.

Then, he subtly rolled his eyes away, avoiding her gaze!

'If he's this cute, maybe it's worth a shot... No! Snap out of it, Yi-hae Baek! Don't fall for Do-gyeom Seo's unwitting charm!'

She wasn't even offering rice cakes, yet here she was expecting a feast—it was enough to drive her mad.

"So, if I become certain, will you too?"

Do-gyeom Seo glanced at the flustered Yi-hae Baek and asked.

Yi-hae Baek paused after briefly tugging at her hair. Even if she asked again later, he'd probably deny liking her anyway.

"Of course!"

Yi-hae Baek shamelessly extended the grace period. She vowed to change his mind in the meantime.

Do-gyeom Seo nodded. Fortunately, he seemed uncertain about his own feelings too.

"Got it. But I want to look good to you—what should I do?"

"Huh?"

"Until I make a decision while constantly thinking of you, I want you to think of me too."

Yi-hae Baek clamped her mouth shut.

'This guy has no idea he's confessing his feelings with his whole body, does he?'

Do-gyeom Seo might not have realized it consciously, but it was clear he liked Yi-hae Baek.

His pure affection toward her was so earnest it was hard to pretend otherwise.

And that was why.

"...When I was little, I got trapped in a closet during the midsummer heat for a bit. That's why I really hate dark, enclosed spaces. It gives me breathing difficulties."

She felt compelled to share a piece of herself, pretending it was reluctant.

Do-gyeom Seo blinked in surprise. Then he let out a low "Ah."

He must have recalled how she'd reacted especially sensitively when trapped in the truck during Yeong Baek's kidnapping.

"So, if a situation like that comes up, it'd mean a lot if you considered me."

"Got it. I'll make sure to."

His calm promise made her heart flutter.

Again. Yi-hae Baek sensed something off with her own heart.

"Um, and I like having a sense of belonging, I guess. Probably because my parents aren't around."

Do-gyeom Seo nodded. His sparkling eyes, urging her to continue, made Yi-hae Baek scratch the bridge of her nose.

It felt awkward yet pleasantly intriguing—the attention from someone wanting to learn about her.

Yi-hae Baek imprinting herself on Do-gyeom Seo. Wasn't that a form of belonging in its own way?

"And I like getting rewards for my efforts. That's why I study hard too."

It was work where the results matched the time and effort invested. The satisfaction a student could get without being old enough to earn money.

It was also why Yi-hae Baek's grades were always in the top ranks of the school.

"What about you?"

Yi-hae Baek found herself asking Do-gyeom Seo, who had been listening quietly.

She'd grown curious about him in return for his interest in her.

'This much should be fine.'

Do-gyeom Seo seemed pleased by her interest and promptly replied.

"I don't like quiet."

It was an unexpected answer from Do-gyeom Seo, who kept to himself without mingling much.

As Yi-hae Baek looked surprised, Do-gyeom Seo smiled. Just a slight upturn of his lips, but it was vivid.

"That's why I like hearing you chatter beside me."

"I thought you found me annoying."

"At first, maybe. But now I think it's a nice voice."

Thump.

A small echo spread through her.

"I felt the same with Yeol, but I seem to like small and cute things. You feel like a little animal, so you caught my eye."

To be precise, he'd thought of her as a baby pig.

Yi-hae Baek recalled his inner thoughts she'd glimpsed via the status window and pouted her lips.

Thump.

A bigger echo than before reverberated.

"It's intriguing not knowing where you'll bolt off to next. I was surprised how calmly you handle horror stuff that scares me off."

"...You're supposed to tell me about yourself, so why do you keep talking about me?"

She ignored the echoes in her heart.

As Yi-hae Baek grumbled in a petulant tone, Do-gyeom Seo's head tilted to the side.

He looked puzzled, as if unaware of it himself.

"Yeah. Maybe because you keep popping into my head no matter what I do."

Thump!

Yi-hae Baek shot up from her seat. A silent inner scream rang out loudly.

'You maniac! Unintentional flirting like this is a crime! With that face saying stuff like that, even nonexistent feelings would sprout!'

His innocent, questioning look only made it more frustrating.

Thump! Thump!

Her heart pounded like an earthquake now. Her face burned red, on the verge of exploding.

"N-No thinking about me!"

"...Why?"

"It's about me, so it's my heart! If I say no, it's no!"

It was childish behavior even Yeol wouldn't pull. But Yi-hae Baek's mind was too jumbled to register what she was saying.

And understandably so—liking someone was a first for her, just like it was for Do-gyeom Seo.

'I absolutely can't let him find out how I feel!'

Yi-hae Baek had to admit it. Unlike the emotionally dense Do-gyeom Seo, she was simply in denial.

Her curiosity about him had turned into fondness. That fondness had evolved into romantic interest.

An undeniable truth. Even reminders that the seat beside Do-gyeom Seo wasn't hers couldn't change her sincere feelings.

"Thinking about you is banned?"

Do-gyeom Seo fell silent for a moment. Then he nodded readily.

Yi-hae Baek's bewilderment was starting to settle at his unexpectedly calm response.

"Then I have to stay by your side."

"...How did you arrive at that conclusion?"

"If I don't see you, I miss you, so you keep coming to mind. Then I can't keep our promise."

How is that the logic?

'This is bad.'

Yi-hae Baek wanted to cry. No amount of mental pep talk could calm her relentlessly thumping heart.

Though stopping it would be its own problem.

'This is really bad.'

Yi-hae Baek, wearing a woeful expression, looked at Do-gyeom Seo.

"If it's uncomfortable, I'll just study by your side. You said being next to me while studying is fine."

Mistaking her expression for discomfort, Do-gyeom Seo offered an uncharacteristically explanatory excuse.

She knew it was his clumsy consideration for her. The problem was, it was behavior he'd never shown even to the original female lead.

'...I like Do-gyeom Seo.'

It was the moment their mutual first love began.