Chapter 10: Reunion (2)

Hwajuyeon, the head mod of the Yuri Gallery, was a woman who had to possess everything she desired.

And she had the means to do so. Her parents were second-generation chaebols; money was no object, and she possessed objectively beautiful features that charmed women.

This was also true online. Holding a powerful position as a moderator, she could act as she pleased, with no one to stop her. Even if someone did object, they wouldn’t dare say anything in person.

Then, Hwajuyeon fell head over heels. A woman with long, wavy brown hair, swinging her legs listlessly, looked incredibly alluring. She wanted her. As always.

And shockingly, she was rejected. Trying to appear unfazed, she proceeded with her next plan.

She abused her power as head mod. She had to have her, even if it required some forceful action. But it seems that was a terrible move.

Returning home, Hwajuyeon, feeling down, turned on her computer. She logged onto the Yuri Gallery, her sanctuary, and posted.

[Title: I asked for her number and got rejected. Was I friend-zoned?][91]

[Author: 00]

I even wrote my number on a note in her bag, but I haven’t heard from her in hours. Was I rejected?

[Likes: 87 / Dislikes: 24]

[All Comments]

00: Loser.

roo

1: Shut up, you b*tch.

Loo: Ouch, lol

00: You were rejected; don’t cling to it.

LOO

00:00

1: Lies.

YuriGalleryUser: The mod is asking a rhetorical question lol

The final comment hit Hwajuyeon hard. She silently closed the post. But the gallery was already ablaze with gossip about her.

[Title: Upvote if you want to seduce the head mod lol][16]

[Author: 00]

(Pepe the Frog laughing meme)

She always acts superior and hurts people, but she got rejected lol

[Likes: 4 / Dislikes: 1]

[All Comments]

00: Anonymous dislike feature lol

Loo: The head mod is so pathetic.

00: I’m a heartbroken assistant mod, and I upvoted.

YuriGalleryRegular: Our assistant mod doesn’t talk like that.

Loo: I’m the assistant mod’s ex-girlfriend; she really is an assistant mod.

Approx.YuriFlower: fcking btch.

00: But honestly, her acting superior because of her looks was annoying.

00: Annoying?

[Title: Farewell, Head Mod.][8]

[Author: AnimeLover]

(Image of a female silhouette)

A mere mortal hopelessly loves a woman who can’t be theirs.

[Likes: 6 / Dislikes: 4]

[All Comments]

oo:lololololololololololol

00: What the f*ck is this?

O O

1: Banned.

[Title: Why was the head mod, who’s not unattractive, rejected?][4]

[Author: 00]

Everyone agrees she’s gorgeous; what kind of person would reject her?

[Likes: 0 / Dislikes: 0]

[All Comments]

00: She treats the gallery members like toys; someone who’d fall for that has serious issues.

ThisPostWasWrittenByACat: Hey, take this down.

00: No, but I’m curious.

Hwajuyeon closed the community, wanting to ban the trolls, but that wasn’t important now.

She reopened her computer, still agonizing over how to win her over. She was addicted to the gallery after all.

She wrote a new post, realizing the Q&A section was genius.

[[Question] How to re-confess to someone who rejected you?][2]

[Author: 00]

Serious answers only.

Hamburger gift certificate reward for good advice.

[Likes: 0 / Dislikes: 0]

[All Comments]

RelationshipExpert[118.235]: Girls like those respond well to jokes. Brush up on your dad jokes.

LOO: Okay.

Hwajuyeon closed the community and searched for a compilation of dad jokes. She overlooked one key detail: 00 was anonymous, making it a scientific certainty the answer would be bad.

Unaware, Hwajuyeon diligently memorized dad jokes. The gallery members later lamented the lost burger gift certificate.

Hwajuyeon’s furious discovery of her trickery would come much later.

Three minutes ago, she’d heard someone call her name. A minute ago, she’d been “wall banged.”

And now, she was kneeling.

I regained my composure and frantically tried to stop her. The most important thing was that we were outside. It was currently deserted, but someone could walk by at any moment.

The thought was horrifying. I needed to get her up.

“I’m truly sorry for abruptly asking for your number and arbitrarily banning IPs.”

“So… could you please stand up and talk?”

“I can’t. I was wrong… I heard apologies need to be sincere.”

“Yes, yes, I understand…”

“Do you accept my apology?”

Her face lit up. I nodded vigorously to escape.

“Y…yes!”

“Thank you… then…”

Even though I’d clearly agreed, she didn’t stand up. Please hurry… I pleaded with my eyes.

“I’m having trouble standing, could you help me up?”

“Okay, so hurry…”

She reached out, still kneeling. I took her hand and pulled her up.

Her upper body swayed, causing her to lean on me. She was bigger than me; it felt like a hug.

“I… I need to step back…”

“Ah, yes.”

She surprisingly complied. Relieved, I straightened my clothes.

“You’re… soft.”

“Huh?”

“No, nothing.”

She shook her head; it must not be important. It was awkward and inconsiderate to stand and talk on the street, so I suggested we walk together.

She readily agreed. She seemed happy; I casually asked my question.

“So, you called me to apologize?”

“Hwajuyeon Unnie.”

“…What?”

“Please call me Unnie. ‘You’ sounds too stiff.”

“Uh… Hwajuyeon-ssi.”

“Please call me Unnie.”

This was awkward. I barely dared to call my own sister “Unnie,” let alone a stranger. I stammered,

“I’m… not used to those honorifics… I’ll call you that later…”

“Promise?”

“Yes…”

She smiled, clearly satisfied. Then, hesitating slightly, she spoke about my earlier question.

“I… I have something I want to say.”

“Yes.”

I nodded, encouraging her. She looked serious. What could she possibly say?

“I… am a fruit.”

“…?”

“I want to have Jia!”

“…”

“And I’m milk.”

“….”

“I love you!”

I froze. Where did she get that joke? Seeing my expression, she frowned. I thought I heard her mutter, “Sh*t, I messed up.”

A silence followed. She anxiously watched me. That’s unfair.

“Pfft…”

“Huh?”

“It was terrible, but it’s better coming from you.”

Looks are everything, I thought, scrutinizing her face. A less attractive person telling that joke would’ve earned a punch.

Seeing my smile, she dropped her frown and looked at me expectantly.

“So…?”

“I’m sorry. I’m not looking for a relationship right now…”

“Oh…”

She looked disappointed, but quickly shook it off.

“It’s okay! Not looking for a relationship means there’s still a chance for me, right?”

Is that how it works…? She had an extremely optimistic mindset.

“I’ll work on it. Jia!”

“Yes…”

Her enthusiastic fist-pumping made me smile; I nodded. Whatever.

“And… could you create a regular account for me on the Yuri Gallery?”

“Regular account?”

“A fixed nickname. You use the same name every time you log in.”

“Okay.”

“Really??”

“Yes, it’s not difficult…”

It doesn’t cost anything; I could register her. I’d been interested in the Yuri Gallery, so I didn’t refuse.

Hwajuyeon beamed at my response. Then, saying she had to leave, she asked for my contact information. I waved goodbye.

“Oh Jia!”

“Yes?”

“When you register, tell me your nickname. Please!”

“Yes…”

Her happy stride as she walked away was… odd. She’s a strange woman.