Chapter 15. Just This Once, Let Nothing Go Wrong (1)

Translator: Lili

“Not only did you give me your business card after the incident, but you even punched a hole in a car that’s less than a week old… that was shocking… you’re so attracted to me…?”

“W-When did I ever punch a hole…?”

“I’m also curious to see how long you can keep acting so cute.”

A shiver, almost akin to terror, crawled up Sera’s spine at Seo Jungwon’s words. He glanced at her stiffened expression, as if reassuring her not to worry.

“I get bored easily, so don’t worry too much.”

“…”

“I have a meeting, so I’ll be off now. See you next time, Vice President.”

As soon as Seo Jungwon left the office with a smile, Sera slumped down, feeling as if she had barely survived a raging storm.

“… Hah, crazy.”

Not only had she gotten tangled up with Seo Jungwon, but she had even been blackmailed by him. Accepting this harsh reality was proving difficult. Not that the blackmail itself was terrifying—compared to Shin Sera’s existing reputation, this kind of trouble was practically child’s play.

The real problem was that the one doing the blackmailing was Seo Jungwon, and the second issue was that the KM Group backing him was a media conglomerate. If he wanted to, exposing every last detail about her until there was nothing left of her but ashes would be a piece of cake.

“Why the hell is Shin Sera’s life like this?”

The light-colored eyes staring at her had held a certain amusement—like someone who had just found a fascinating new toy. Feeling a wave of despair, Sera ruffled her hair irritably.

In the original story, Seo Jungwon was supposed to return to Korea and get engaged to Lee Seonkyung. At that point, Shin Sera, out for revenge against Lee Seonkyung for shaking up Cha Jaeheon’s heart, would approach Seo Jungwon, inadvertently piquing his perverted interest.

— Do you like being tied up? Is that why you cry so prettily?

“…Fucking pervert.”

A shudder ran down Sera’s body as she recalled the depraved things Seo Jungwon did in the story. The circumstances of their meeting had changed, but the result remained the same—she had caught his attention.

No matter how she looked at it, this drama’s survival difficulty was way too high.

***

After that day, Seo Jungwon began contacting Sera incessantly, completely unfazed by her cold indifference.

Today was no different. The sound of an incoming message disrupted Sera’s morning.

‘Should I just block him?’

She seriously considered it as she checked her phone. However, the sender was not who she expected.

—— You’re still alive, right? If you don’t reply this time, I’m really going to be upset. ——

It was a message from Lee Seonkyung. Below the short text was a cute sticker of a bunny clutching a carrot, teary-eyed.

This wasn’t the first time she had reached out. Lee Seonkyung had been consistently messaging Sera, but she had never responded—not once. The truth was, she had no idea how to deal with the story’s only genuinely good character.

Despite the constant silence, Lee Seonkyung had continued to check in and express concern for her. Even though it was just text, Sera could feel her sincerity.

‘Why did Shin Sera hate such a kind friend so much? It was probably an inferiority complex…’

Lee Seonkyung was a character designed to be loved. Affection and goodwill followed her wherever she went—something that, as the female lead of a drama, was only natural. But Shin Sera, who had no way of knowing that, had been consumed by jealousy, ultimately dragging herself into ruin.

What she didn’t understand was why Lee Seonkyung had kept someone like Shin Sera around in the first place. No matter how kind she was, there was no way she hadn’t noticed Sera’s blatant hostility. So why…?

“Well, that’s just how shitty soap opera dramas are.”

It was a curious thought, but she had no way of deciphering it right now and it wasn’t particularly important. What was important was that Lee Seonkyung was the main character of this drama, and Sera needed to get along with her peacefully.

—— Sorry. Things have been hectic. ——

The moment she sent the reply, her phone rang. After hesitating briefly, she answered the call.

“…Hey, Seonkyung.”

— Sera! You’re so mean. Ignoring everyone else is one thing, but how could you ignore even me? And what’s this about amnesia? Do you know how worried I was?

“Sorry, that’s just how things turned out. My memories are a mess, and it’s been confusing.”

Sera trailed off, making up an excuse. She tensed slightly, worried that her changed tone might raise suspicions. But Lee Seonkyung, oblivious, simply expressed warm concern.

— I figured as much, and that’s why I was even more worried. Usually, people recover quickly, so try not to stress too much. And if you ever feel down, just call me. Talking might help jog your memory, you know?

Since possessing Shin Sera’s body, all she had received was cold treatment. This was the first genuine kindness she had experienced.

The fact that something so small made her chest ache only proved how exhausted she had become.