Adjusting the Gangster Male Lead’s Intensity [Novel] Chapter 43

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 43

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

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"Good, everything’s going according to plan."

Yi-hae Baek turned her head toward Eun-seol Yeo, who spoke with evident satisfaction. Despite her incredulous stare, he wore a pleased smile.

PE class under the blazing sun. Yi-hae Baek and Eun-seol Yeo sat in the corner of the sports field.

The two stared straight ahead, so absorbed they barely seemed to realize they were talking.

"What plan? You haven’t done a thing."

"Don’t say that—you’ll hurt my feelings. Seo Do-gyeom got jealous because of the bracelet I gave you, didn’t he?"

Yi-hae Baek’s eyebrow twitched. She whipped her head around to glare at Eun-seol Yeo, two steps up on the stairs.

How shameless can he be?

"Hey, hey, don’t look at me. Fire’s shooting out of Seo Do-gyeom’s eyes."

Eun-seol Yeo, still facing forward, flinched in surprise and hurriedly waved his hands. Urgency seeped from the gesture, as if telling her to turn away.

She pouted, facing forward again—and locked eyes with dark ones.

They were measuring running times in order, and now it was Seo Do-gyeom’s turn.

Yi-hae Baek shot up from her seat at the chilling status window right in front of her and waved her arms energetically.

"Our Do-gyeom, you got this! Fighting!"

What was a little embarrassment? Survival mattered more.

Among the kids staring like she was some freak show, Eun-seol Yeo’s gaze mingled in.

He muttered in a tiny voice only Yi-hae Baek could hear.

"She’s trying hard, really trying…"

Having witnessed this a few times now, Eun-seol Yeo could roughly guess what status window had popped up.

Yi-hae Baek flushed with shame. But she had no regrets, for one simple reason.

The effect was too damn good!

The obsession level that was already at 35 dropped to 22. Treating him special, different from others, definitely provokes a reaction.

Yi-hae Baek sat back down, brain churning. Compiling statistics from past ordeals, Seo Do-gyeom loved special treatment.

More precisely, her attention eased his anxiety.

"How much did it drop?"

"3."

"Short-term results better than expected."

Eun-seol Yeo nodded, impressed.

He hadn’t bought the idea that raising affinity could prevent obsession like in the original story.

But Seo Do-gyeom’s changing behavior day by day had convinced him somewhat.

Thus, he’d been keeping extra distance from Yi-hae Baek to avoid provoking Seo Do-gyeom.

"You’re working this hard not just from fear. You like Seo Do-gyeom, don’t you?"

Eun-seol Yeo whispered. Luckily, the other kids were chattering among themselves, ignoring them.

Yi-hae Baek hesitated, then admitted honestly. Her actions screamed it anyway—no point denying.

"Yeah. But only if he gets a healthy future. Haven’t told Seo Do-gyeom straight-up yet."

"Fair enough. Yakuza life ain’t healthy from the start. That house doesn’t freak you out? All guys."

"The uncles warn ’em off, so… Some pretend I don’t exist, but they don’t touch me, I’m good."

Truth be told, aside from O Seo-bang, the gang members fell into two camps toward her.

Indifferent, or grudgingly tolerant.

The latter unnerved me at first, but O Seo-bang uncle said it’d be fine.

Unlike his bearish looks, O Seo-bang was surprisingly sensitive. He’d drop hints based on vibes and her reactions.

Miss, no one here’s gutsy enough to defy the boss. Big bodies, tiny hearts.

He’d chuckled that defiers would meet their end that day—creepy, but reassuring.

Yi-hae Baek was reminded they were yakuza.

"Anyway, that status window’s handy. Seeing true feelings and affinity levels? Total game vibes."

Eun-seol Yeo went quiet. At the dragged-out silence, Yi-hae Baek spoke without looking back.

"No clue what you’re thinking. Status window didn’t say. Probably cursing me, though."

"Ooh, sharp guess."

Yi-hae Baek crossed her arms, pondering something Eun-seol Yeo would panic over if he knew: maybe craft a marriage ending with Seo Do-gyeom.

Seo Do-gyeom sprinting across the field on long legs was picturesque.

"Won’t spill my inner thoughts but flags my dyed hair…"

Eun-seol Yeo trailed off oddly, then crossed arms and cocked his head.

She eyed his shadow when he spoke up.

"Text or calls hit limits for planning ahead. Summer break plans?"

"Nothing firm. Beach trip with Seo Do-gyeom’s family, maybe?"

"Part-time job then?"

Out-of-left-field offer. Yi-hae Baek blinked slowly. Reading it as hesitation, Eun-seol Yeo elaborated.

"Dad hooked me up with a company for heir training over break. They can squeeze you in short-term as an assistant. Nod yes, I’ll ask him."

Suddenly felt Eun-seol Yeo’s chaebol heir status. Right—game heroine was rich kid too.

Kidnapping ending for her? Game or not, zero realism.

She gave a dry chuckle, propping her chin.

Part-time gig…

Not a bad idea. Independence from Seo I-heum’s wing someday? Money cushion helps.

Or emergencies.

Eun-seol Yeo’s rec—probably safe.

Break was study or PT anyway. Yi-hae Baek nodded eagerly.

Definitely not the pay.

"Sweet. I’ll text schedule. Quick chat post-shift, Seo Do-gyeom won’t know."

"Yeah. Ah, Do-gyeom’s here."

Yi-hae Baek’s words barely ended when Eun-seol Yeo bolted elsewhere.

She scowled at him weaving into welcoming girls.

A shadow fell. Seo Do-gyeom’s, blanketing only her.

"Who you looking at."

No curiosity—just order her focus. Yi-hae Baek smiled.

"You ran great."

Deflecting smoothly now, she clapped. Seo Do-gyeom eyed Eun-seol Yeo a beat, then softly clasped her hand, leading.

"Face wash."

"Huh? Yeah, sweaty…"

Why pull my hand saying that?

Words failed; Yi-hae Baek trailed.

Sink tucked in field corner. He released her wrist, twisted faucet.

Stream gushing; hand under, gaze down. Gym clothes, sweat—yet photoshoot flawless.

Yi-hae Baek pondered lovesickness seriously, but nah—objectively, handsome guy.

Her hype natural.

"Spacing again."

"Ah, seriously!"

Cold splash hit her face. Off-guard grimace, turn—low chuckle.

Playful. Proper Seo Do-gyeom teasing crush like any teen boy.

Fresh, thrilling—cheeks burned.

Mulling face wash, hand to hot skin.

Back doused. Yi-hae Baek gaped, dumbfounded.

"Ah, accident."

Prank backfired on him too—stronger spray than thought, blinking.

White gym top soaked rear. Front dry—small mercy!

"Sticky! You trying to die?"

"Sorry."

Stoic face screamed not sorry.

Yi-hae Baek gritted for more scolding—

"Eww, gross…!"

Small, sharp disgust from behind.

Turn: flustered Eun-seol Yeo, girls.

Gazes pinned to Yi-hae Baek’s back.