I Just Wanted to Play Soccer, But I Became a Hollywood Heartthrob

"What do you want?"

Want to…? Nah, definitely not saying that.

Gu Ran smirked at Sophie's message.

This little girl was still fuming.

He still didn't know why exactly, but that wasn't the point—this was perfect.

He quickly typed a reply:

[Sophie, you said that if I won against Rusty, you'd do whatever I asked. You're not going back on your word, are you?]

On the third floor, buried under her blanket, Sophie's heart pounded violently.

"I knew it! He's bringing it up!"

Ahhhhh! What do I do?!

She had indeed promised. She couldn't just go back on her word.

But… what if he asks for something outrageous?

It was so late. Her parents were asleep.

If he was asking now…

Sophie bit her lip anxiously before replying:

[You helped me get rid of Rusty. In return, I can do your laundry.]

Nice move. Play dumb.

Gu Ran chuckled and replied immediately:

[Not laundry. It's… hard to say over text. Why don't you come to my room? Be quiet though, don't wake your parents.]

Sophie's eyelids twitched.

"Be quiet?"

He really wanted to…

Gu Ran, you bastard!

She had always thought of him as a handsome nerd. But now? A pervy wolf in disguise!

"You think just because you're good-looking, you can get away with this?!"

Her fingers trembled as she typed back angrily:

[It's late. Do you think it's appropriate for me to go to your room?]

Gu Ran replied instantly:

[Of course. Actually, I could come to yours, but since you're directly above your parents' room, I'm afraid if we move too much, we'll wake them up.]

Sophie's face instantly burned red.

HE KNEW?!

This confirmed it.

He was up to no good!

"Gu Ran! You are so dead!"

She clenched her fists.

He had completely misjudged her!

Did he think she was some easy girl?

Calming herself, she typed:

[Wait for me.]

A second later, Gu Ran's next message popped up:

[Okay. Oh, and… don't wear stockings. I might accidentally tear them.]

Sophie shook with rage.

Too much!

This was TOO MUCH!

"You filthy pervert!"

She grabbed a baseball bat from behind her door.

She didn't even bother changing her pajamas.

Barefoot, she stormed downstairs.

Standing before Gu Ran's door, she forced herself to calm down.

The bat was hidden behind her back.

Slowly, she pushed open the door.

Gu Ran, already sitting up in bed, smiled in surprise.

"Sophie! You're really keeping your promise! Time is short, so let's start right away."

Sophie's grip on the bat tightened.

Her expression turned icy.

"Fine. How do you want to start?"

Gu Ran nodded.

"Lie down."

Sophie's eyes widened.

"Wow. Straight to the point, huh?!"

She was ready to swing.

Gu Ran continued, completely serious:

"When you lie down, keep your arms supporting you, making sure your shoulders, elbows, and wrists are in a straight line. Keep your core tight, back straight—don't let your hips sag or push up. A proper plank is all about good form. Since it's your first time, let's start with 30 reps."

Sophie: ???

Gu Ran turned, finally noticing her raised bat.

Gu Ran: ???

Sophie stared at him, bewildered.

"You… you called me here… at midnight… to do PUSH-UPS?!"

Gu Ran blinked.

"Yeah. What else?"

Sophie's face turned red in anger.

"You mean to tell me… after ALL THAT… you just wanted me to do push-ups?!"

She was the school's number one beauty.

Any other guy would be thrilled just to talk to her.

Yet this guy dragged her out of bed… to work out?!

"Gu Ran! GO TO HELL!"

She swung.

Gu Ran dodged, catching her wrist in one smooth motion.

"Whoa, whoa, calm down! This is for your benefit! Push-ups improve blood circulation and help with growth. It's a solid workout."

Sophie's eye twitched violently.

"You're seriously trying to make this sound logical?! GU RAN, I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"

She struggled to break free.

But Gu Ran was too strong.

So she did the only thing she could—she BIT him.

"AH—!"

Ding!

"You have received 100 Negative Emotion Points from Sophie Turner. Generating system bubble…"

Holy sh*t!

It actually worked?!

Gu Ran was ecstatic.

100 points!

That meant he could collect a Talent Point bubble right now!

He had expected this to take way more effort—at least until she finished 30 push-ups.

Who knew a few sentences could set her off so quickly?

"Sophie, if I wasn't afraid you'd misunderstand, I'd kiss you right now."

At that moment, a bright red bubble materialized in front of Sophie.

It glowed intensely, far more powerful than the usual blue ones.

Gu Ran leaned forward and tapped it lightly with his toe.

POP!

The bubble burst into shimmering red light, flooding into his body.

Ding~

"You have collected a Talent Point. Today's progress: 1/10."

"Reminder: Talent Points can be allocated to existing skills for upgrades or to enhance base attributes."

Damn!

Talent Points were incredible.

Just as he was about to check it out, Sophie suddenly lost balance and toppled onto the bed.

Both of them froze.

Sophie: …

Gu Ran: …

Sophie's face turned crimson.

"Gu Ran… w-what are you doing? Let me go!"

"Oh… do you want me to help—?" Gu Ran asked kindly.

"NO! GET OFF ME!"

"Turn around!"

Sophie frantically reached back, fixing her pajama buttons.

Gu Ran sighed.

"Relax. I really do see you as a bro. That was an accident. I was trying to grab the bed."

Sophie, still flustered, adjusted her clothes.

Her long, wavy blonde hair was now a mess, her cheeks blazing red.

Her long legs pressed tightly together, looking incredibly awkward.

"Gu Ran… I HATE YOU."

She grabbed her bat and stormed toward the door.

"Wait! Sophie, you're leaving? Didn't you promise to do whatever I asked? Thirty push-ups isn't much—just finish them!"

Sophie twitched.

"I'M TIRED. TOMORROW."

Oh. Postponed, huh?

"As long as you keep your word."

Gu Ran smirked.

"Same time tomorrow, then. I'll be waiting."

Sophie said nothing and limped out of the room.

Gu Ran watched her leave, taking in her vanilla-scented presence.

"So much potential."

(End of Chapter)