Read Just Twilight Novel Translation Chapter 13

(Just Dawn | 그저 여명일 뿐 )

Romance, Drama, Slice-of-life, Josei, Mature

Original: Woo Jihye | Translation: Genie

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Damn you, my mouth. No, the math teacher should be cursed instead. The root of all evil.

May he catch himself in his zipper while zipping up his pants!

Internally throwing curses, Junyoung came to a halt. The cloud-covered sky looked gloomy. She really didn’t want to go.

Despite not having many clothing options, she had barely slept. She had put on her best-looking blouse and a knee-length cotton skirt, but all she wanted was to throw everything away and call it quits.

She had debated at least twenty times whether to spend the money she had saved for a workbook on buying a new outfit at the market. But she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

It would still look shabby anyway.

“May he wake up hungover, collapse, and hit the back of his head on the corner of the bed!”

Not enough to kill him—that would be too much—but just enough to suffer.

Junyoung, now cursing the math teacher with even more detailed malice, let out a long sigh and resumed walking.

Her mother, who had come home drunk from somewhere the night before, had been quiet. Thanks to that, she had a bit of space to think.

Why did she invite me?

She might have found it rude when I brought up the gymnasium. Or maybe, as she said, she was curious about me after hearing about me from Seungwoon. Either way, she might’ve been concerned since I collapsed after getting hit by Seungwoon’s ball.

I just need to eat quietly, use studying or chores as an excuse, and leave quickly. There’s no need to be nervous.

“Junyoung.”

As she was trying to reassure herself, a voice calling her name made her look up. Seungwoon was walking toward her with a bright smile.

His shirt, as clear as the blue sky, and matching white pants were almost blinding. Fighting the urge to turn and run, Junyoung nodded awkwardly.

“Why are you here? The church is over there.”

“Oh, I was waiting and saw you.”

Seungwoon trailed off a little, looking slightly awkward, before quickly taking the lead and chatting as they walked.

“Are you hungry? Did you have breakfast? Was the trip tough? At least it didn’t rain, so that’s good.”

“Your mother.”

“Huh?”

“Does she normally like inviting people over?”

The sudden question made Seungwoon glance around nervously before stammering out a reply.

“Um… sometimes?”

So, no.

Ignoring the added weight of this realisation, Junyoung pressed her lips together. Beside her, Seungwoon gave a soft smile as he glanced down at her.

“Still, it’s the first time she’s invited a friend of mine from around here. She seemed really excited. She even paid extra attention to the food because she wasn’t sure what you’d like.”

“I don’t like anything. I don’t dislike anything either.”
“Isn’t that something only people with the luxury of choice worry about? Look at Bumjin and me—we eat ramen every day.”

Junyoung’s grumpy reply ended with a sigh as she furrowed her brow.

“I don’t even know why I’m going.”

“Probably because of me.”

Seungwoon’s sheepish face softened as he spoke to her, muttering.

“My mom takes a lot of interest in my grades and school life. She always asks who the top student in my class is and if anything special has happened. Your name came up often, so I think she got curious.”

He glanced at Junyoung’s face, his gaze softening.

“You come up the most when I talk to her, so I think she really wanted to meet you.”

*Adults, huh?* They say one thing to the vice principal about not wanting much from the school other than students staying healthy, and now this.

The word *caution* etched itself into Junyoung’s mind as she loosened her tense shoulders.

“She came to the school because of the letters of apology, right? She seemed to know it was because of what happened with me.”

“She wouldn’t blame you for that. At home, I told her about how unfair the math teacher was. Making us write apology letters over something so minor. You, me, and even Bumjin, who wasn’t just sitting there.”

“Well, Bumjin deserved it. He threw a basketball at the teacher.”

The thought of Bumjin made Junyoung chuckle involuntarily, recalling his grumpy face when he blamed his temper on his “bad sleeping habits.”

…But what did he mean by that? That there was something he was scared of, which was why he stayed there.

*Ugh, there’s no way to ask. How do I deal with this?*

Lost in thought, she didn’t notice Seungwoon studying her face. His voice broke through slowly.

“Maybe I should’ve invited Bumjin too? We all got tangled up in the apology letter thing together.”

“As if he’d come. He’d probably spend that time sleeping.”

Answering offhandedly, Junyoung suddenly realised her tone had been too familiar. She quickly added,

“I mean, all he does is sleep. Even at school.”

The short silence that followed felt strangely heavy, but Junyoung avoided looking at Seungwoon. She kept her gaze firmly on the ground, ignoring the heat creeping to her cheeks from his apparent stare.

As they turned onto a hilly path, Seungwoon finally broke the silence.

“It’s odd. I’ve never seen you and Bumjin together, but sometimes it feels like you know each other well. Usually, he’s like a ghost, so quiet, but with you, it’s like he gets involved in your matters.”

For a moment, Junyoung’s heart sank. She hadn’t expected Seungwoon to notice or even think along those lines.

*No, it’s just speculation. Besides, it’s not like it’d be a disaster if anyone found out. I could just deny it.*

“Maybe he’s just a do-gooder. Or he hates the math teacher.”

She narrowed her eyes as if annoyed. The sky grew darker, and a damp breeze swept through.

“That day—”

She thought he’d drop the subject with a laugh, but she was wrong. Seungwoon’s low voice pressed on.

“When you collapsed and were lying in the nurse’s office, I said something about the heater and the window. I thanked you for it.”

“And what? Are you trying to get credit for it now—”

“That wasn’t me. I just sat by your side during the break. I didn’t know where the heater was.”

Junyoung stopped in her tracks and turned to look at Seungwoon. He had been gazing down but slowly lifted his eyes to meet hers.

As their eyes met, Seungwoon curved his lips into a slight smile and asked,

“Who are you thinking about right now?”

***

In some ways, it was a relief to be half out of her mind. Otherwise, the overwhelming inferiority complex might have suffocated her.

Seungwoon’s house wasn’t just nice—it was jaw-dropping. Originally a three-story building, they had opened up the interior to create two massive floors. The high ceilings and chandelier that resembled something out of a medieval castle were overwhelming.

Junyoung, who had thought they might have a single housekeeper at most, was stunned by the six or so people bustling about in matching white shirts and black skirts or trousers.

“She likes things a bit grand,” Seungwoon muttered as he led the way inside. A woman in a blue dress, standing statue-like in the living room, waved warmly.

“Come in, dear. You’re right on time.”

“Hello,” Junyoung greeted stiffly, studying the woman. Her hair was styled without a strand out of place, and her dress was more akin to a gown. Intricately embroidered with white lace, it gleamed as if it couldn’t possibly be cheap.

As the woman’s sharp eyes quickly scanned her from head to toe, Junyoung clenched her fists at her sides, feeling as though a cold serpent’s tongue had just slithered over her.

“Are you hungry? Sit down. Kim, show them the way.”

“Yes, ma’am. Please follow me.”

The woman in glasses and a black suit guided them into the dining area. Junyoung had to keep herself from gaping.

A long table, large enough to seat at least a dozen people, was covered with an array of food that looked more like art than meals.

“Are there others coming today?”

“No, but since I wasn’t sure what you’d like, I prepared a little bit of everything.”

“This is too much, Mom.”

“Your first female friend coming to our home is too much?”

“Mom!”

Flustered, Seungwoon glanced at Junyoung and then back at his mother, who nonchalantly took a seat. Junyoung followed suit, pulling out a finely carved chair that was as smooth and sturdy as it was ornate.

When the sound of a bell chimed, Junyoung turned to see Kim jangling it. The woman smiled as her eyes curved.

“The warm dishes haven’t been served yet. Take your time and eat as much as you’d like.”

“…Thank you for the meal.”

Junyoung hadn’t planned to eat much. She picked at the easiest things with her chopsticks, tasting foods she’d never seen before, some of which she had no idea how to approach.

“The teachers speak highly of you. They say you’re excellent at studying. Do you attend any academies or have private lessons?”

“I study on my own.”

“My, how impressive.”

“Mom, are you trying to ruin our appetites by bringing up studying at a meal?”

“How will you survive Senior year with a stomach that weak?”

Shaking his head, Seungwoon slid a dish toward Junyoung. It contained some kind of crustacean she didn’t recognise.

“It’s good. Try it.”

“Why don’t you take such care of your mother?” his mom teased with a chuckle. In response, Seungwoon scooped some of the food onto her plate with mock exasperation.

“Here, Mother.”

What surprised Junyoung wasn’t the banter but Seungwoon’s actions. With a subtle glance at someone standing behind her—a person she hadn’t even realised was there—he had silently requested the plate. The entire exchange was so natural it felt rehearsed.

“Is it your first time trying this?”

“No.”

Her answer was almost automatic. The woman paused mid-motion with her fork, her smile widening knowingly. Junyoung felt compelled to clarify.

“I just don’t like it much.”

“That’s fair. Everyone has their preferences. By the way, have you decided on a school? Do you and Seungwoon share the same goals?”

Any school that offers scholarships and a quick path to a job.

“I’m just aiming for whatever my grades allow.”

“Do you not have anything you particularly want to do?”

Once again, the woman’s words carried an edge. They felt like fine saw blades scraping across her skin.

“With grades like yours, medical school would be a good choice. Or maybe studying abroad. Of course, you could take it easy and go to law school later.”

Was it just her imagination, or was the woman deliberately mentioning only the most expensive options? Placing her chopsticks down, Junyoung replied,

“Yes. With grades like mine, I have the time to figure it out.”

As their eyes met, the woman’s amused smile deepened.

*Did you think I’d lose?*