BJ Villainess

What? They’re already here?

I wasn’t ready for this, and the words were incredibly unsettling.

“Yes, I’m coming.” I quickly answered and grabbed the dress.

The cream-colored dress, which hugged my body nicely, fell just above my knees and had a cute fit.

“This is the first time I’ve worn something like this…”

I remembered hearing there was a barbecue party in the garden. It was a bit of a shame I didn’t have any shoes to match the dress.

Just then, there was another knock on the door.

“Yes, you can come in.”

I had already changed my clothes and put away Ozworld’s T-shirt, so there was nothing to worry about. But the person who opened the door wasn’t the housekeeper, it was Ozworld.

“Why are you here…”

This was the first time Ozworld had ever entered my room. He handed me two shopping bags.

I looked at him questioningly, and he explained. “Your uniform and shoes.”

“Shoes?”

“To match that dress.”

“

…” I dumbly accepted the shopping bag.

“Jiwoo.”

His gentle voice made me unable to look up, so I just stared at the shopping bag and answered, “Yes?”

At that moment, Ozworld’s large hand gently lifted my chin. I had to crane my neck at an odd angle to meet his gaze due to our height difference. My dry throat moved noticeably as I swallowed hard.

“Have you thought about it?”

“…About what?”

“Us dating.”

This guy was serious. That’s why he showed up looking dazzling in a sky-blue striped linen shirt and black slacks.

“Jiwoo. Aren’t you going to answer?”

His voice, calling my name, started to sound increasingly annoyed. It was absurd how he acted like he was leaving the decision entirely up to me.

I was so tense that I suddenly snapped back to reality and took a step back. “I’ve never thought about being in that kind of relationship with you.”

Ozworld’s expression turned dramatically cold upon hearing my answer. That was the look he had when he was really upset.

“Why not?”

“…We’re friends.”

“Friends.” He sneered. “I don’t treat my friends like this, Jiwoo.”

Then Ozworld approached as much as I had backed away and knelt on one knee in front of me. Before I could ask what he was doing, he took the shopping bag from me.

Ozworld held one of my feet, placed it on his thigh, and took out loafers that matched the dress from the shopping bag. He put them on me himself. I felt an oddly burning embarrassment on my cheeks.

Only after he had put shoes on both of my feet did he stand up again. His actions were kind, but his expression was still icy.

“Oppa, where are you?”

At that moment, I heard Umi’s soft voice in the distance. It seemed she was looking for Ozworld.

I glanced at the door in a panic, and Ozworld said, “I’ll go out first.”

“

…”

Thanks for the shoes. Before I could thank him, Ozworld left the room.

Ozworld confessed that he liked me but didn’t make any effort to win me over and just showed his nasty temper.

“What an insufferable jerk.”

I felt my previously floating mood plummet as I took off the loafers and held them in my hand. “Why put loafers on me in the room? Does he think this is a foreign country?”

Why on earth should I feel like I did something wrong? Is it a crime to reject a confession? What was I supposed to do? I’ve never seen him as a romantic interest!

We’ve been fine as friends all this time. How could he be so selfish and make our 10-year friendship feel meaningless in an instant? Is this still my fault?

?

My heated mind overflowed with all kinds of reproaches for Ozworld. But when I reached the front door and put the loafers back on, my anger suddenly cooled like a hot stone dropped in ice water.

“…What should I do now?”

Will I not be able to remain friends with Ozworld anymore? Thinking that, I felt a deep emptiness in my chest, and a wave of intense sadness washed over me.

The world felt like a giant fish tank. The problem was, I wasn’t a fish. Everyone else was swimming effortlessly, but I was struggling to breathe and clinging to the life preserver that was Ozworld.

That would really be the end of everything.

We were only 18 years old. I didn’t believe in eternity. Moreover, love was just a hormonal trick. Unless you’re leveraging marriage for some benefit, dating is just a temporary and exhausting activity. Hamin said my view on relationships was too negative and dark, but oh well. That’s what love looked like to me.

In the end, I couldn’t sort out my thoughts as I dragged my feet out to the garden. My stepfather stood by the grill, trying to act like a family man. Since it was still cold, they had set up a tent and hung lights around the table, giving off a glamping vibe.

As I approached the tent, I saw a handsome middle-aged man who looked nothing like Ozworld pouring wine. It was Mr. Holton, whom I was meeting for the second time.

Mr. Holton was the first to acknowledge me as I approached the table.

“Hello, Jiwoo. I’ve only seen your photos, but you’re much prettier in person. Do you remember me?”

“Yes. Hello.”

“Thank you for always taking care of Ozworld. I’ve wanted to thank you in person, but I’ve been so busy.”

“No, it’s…”

I glanced at Ozworld, who was helping my stepfather with the barbecue. Umi was chattering beside him, following him around. Ozworld, who usually ignored Umi, was now making eye contact and occasionally responding.

The loneliness that had risen to my ankles suddenly surged to my knees. Was this the price of rejection? My heart left with no time to prepare, and I felt horribly tattered. I knew this made me seem childish, but my emotions weren’t so easily controlled.

“Jiwoo, come here and help.”

Just then, my mother called me. I was relieved to have something to do and helped set the table.

Meanwhile, Chae Bohyeon sat quietly with his legs crossed, eyes closed, and wearing Bluetooth headphones.

It was the pinnacle of his worsening artistic pretensions since middle school. They say music is the only drug allowed by the country, but seeing him, it seemed some legal action might be needed.

My stepfather placed a plate full of well-cooked meat on the table, smiling broadly. “Maybe it’s because Ozworld helped, but the meat turned out great today.”

“Dad, I helped too!” Umi pouted, trying to help with the table setting, and my stepfather chuckled.

“Sure, you helped. Now stop bothering Ozworld and come eat. Bohyeon, take off your headphones at the table.”

As I handed food from the kitchen to the table, Umi picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks and ran to Ozworld.

“Oppa, eat this.”

I deliberately avoided looking in that direction and focused on my task. Meanwhile, my stepfather and Mr. Holton raised their wine glasses for a toast.

“It’s a shame we’ve been so busy and haven’t had much interaction since becoming neighbors.”

Mr. Holton replied with a smile. “But at least the kids have become friends.”

My stepfather glanced at me as he continued. “I’ve always wanted to treat Ozworld like a son, but I haven’t had the chance. I hope we can interact more in the future.”

“I would appreciate that. Ozworld insists on staying in Korea, but my wife and I can’t always be here.” Mr. Holton smiled warmly at me. “I worry about leaving him alone in a foreign country, but it’s a relief he has a good friend.”

My stepfather called my mother with a slightly uneasy smile. “Come join us, Honey. The wine Mr. Holton brought is excellent.”

Finally, everyone gathered around the table, and the meal began in earnest. The conversation was mostly among the adults. Chae Bohyeon, engrossed in his melancholy artist role, occasionally glanced at the wine and licked his lips. Meanwhile, Umi sat beside Ozworld, tirelessly trying to get his attention.

“Oppa, what are you doing tomorrow? Want to go shopping with me?”

“I have tutoring tomorrow.”

At that, my stepfather showed interest. “Come to think of it, I heard Ozworld has always been the top student. His tutor must be excellent.”

Mr. Holton shrugged. “I think so. Ozwin has a distinct personality, so he only does what he likes.”

“Is Ozwin Ozworld Oppa’s nickname?”

Umi interrupted, and Mr. Holton nodded with a smile.

“That’s what my wife and I call him.”

“Then I’ll call you that too.”

Ozworld responded indifferently, “Go ahead.”

“Or can I call you Oz? It’s cuter.”

I unknowingly stopped eating.

“That’s not allowed.”

“Why not?”

“Only special people can call me that.”

I focused on my meal, pretending not to hear the conversation. But the food tasted like nothing.

Umi glared at me with narrowed eyes, but she didn’t say, ‘Sister Jiwoo calls you that,’ showing some restraint.

Despite the uncomfortable atmosphere, the meal progressed. Chae Bohyeon soon went inside and dramatically opened the window to play Chopin. I never understood why he kept messing up the same part and wouldn’t give up on that piece.

I also left the table, moving to a quiet spot away from everyone. As night fell, it grew colder. But instead of going inside to get a coat, I just stared blankly at the moon.

Someone approached and sat beside me. I didn’t need to look to know it was Ozworld. We remained silent as if the first to speak would lose. Even though I felt him fidgeting next to me, I didn’t turn my head. Soon, Ozworld’s shirt draped over my shoulders. And then he left.

My sleeves were long, but he was only wearing a white short-sleeved t-shirt under his shirt.

“

…”

I felt like crying from the confusion.