How to Survive as a Supporting Male Lead - Chapter 12.2

Iann’s blood pressure was spiking. He pressed his temples, taking a step back as frustration boiled up inside him. Yet, try as he might, he couldn’t find anything clever to retort with or any way to jab back at Kallian. His mind was so singularly focused on getting the ring that he was drawing a blank.

“Fine, I’ll let you have this one today.”

“Have what, exactly? Were we even fighting?”

“What?”

“Fighting usually implies an exchange of some kind.”

It wasn’t exactly fair for Kallian, who had stormed the Count’s residence in a fit of anger, to say such a thing, but by this point, Iann’s mind was thoroughly consumed with the ring. His biting remark stung, and Iann could only press his lips together in frustration, unable to counter it.

“Ugh, you… damn…!”

“Want it back?”

“Of course I do!”

“Then get on your knees.”

“What?!”

Iann quickly tried to think of something—anything—to irritate Kallian or find something he could trade for the ring. But his mind was blank, and all he could remember was that he had a mere few seconds before the nine-minute deadline he’d set with Derrick was up.

If he wasn’t back within those nine minutes, Derrick would probably turn the whole office upside down.

“You… Kallian, you jerk! Just you wait!”

In the end, Iann had no choice but to retreat, throwing out a petty threat more fitting for a cartoon villain than anything else. He hurriedly rushed back upstairs, leaving Kallian alone to enjoy the view of his retreating figure.

“Yes, just you wait.”

The one who laughs last laughs best, and today’s winner was, without a doubt, Kallian.

* * *

“Can a male lead really act like that?” 

Iann muttered to himself, pacing circles around the office while Derrick simply focused on his work, realizing Iann had undoubtedly been bested by Kallian again. He knew from experience that it was best to let Iann rant on days like this; after all, Iann was the type to finish his tasks, even if it meant working late into the night.

“Derrick.”

“Mhm.”

“I really was trying to let it go after seeing Yuhwa’s face. I was ready to wish him all the happiness, you know?” 

Iann lied naturally, emphasizing his supposed innocence. Derrick barely responded.

“Really?”

“But no. That’s not happening.”

“So… what are you planning to… do?”

Iann abruptly stopped. Derrick, who was half-listening while working, finally looked up when no reply came. Iann’s eyes were alight with a fierce determination.

“I’m going to make him experience the true pain of first love.”

A mischievous smile crept onto Iann’s red lips, the kind of smile that suggested he was planning something particularly nasty. Judging by how Kallian had reacted to both his first encounter with Yuhwa and their confrontation today, this scheme was bound to make Kallian suffer.

Seeing Iann’s expression, like that of a mad scientist, Derrick momentarily questioned his choice of friends.

“Sure. Go ahead.”

It was a harsh reality that this lunatic was his only friend. Derrick resolved, once again, to make some new friends—a vow he’d made 101 times by now.

‘Once I finish my work, leave on time, and find some decent friends…’

But, as always, Derrick found himself dragged into overtime, shackled to Iann’s complaints and whims for yet another long evening. Just another ordinary day.

* * *

At least Iann now had a clear goal.

<Make Kallian Ugly Cry> ^[1]

It was a simple yet challenging objective, but Iann was confident. In romance stories, it was fairly common for the male lead to shed tears, often when things went south in his love life with the female lead.

So, what was his role? He, as the supporting male lead, had to gradually but surely establish himself as an obstacle to Kallian’s love for Yuhwa. After building up to it, he’d strike a critical blow in some crucial situation, using Yuhwa to deliver a final, crushing impact.

Sure, Kallian would probably cry in front of Yuhwa, not him—but that was fine. Iann could always sneak a peek. Maybe even record it for future teasing. A crying Kallian would be material for endless jokes.

“Lord Iann!”

“Hmm.”

Despite his solidified plans, Iann hesitated in front of Yuhwa. Her eyes were shining brightly, and in just a few days, she’d grown unexpectedly close to him.

‘Oh, my conscience…’

Iann tried in vain to find the conscience that had long since vanished.

T/N:

^[1] ↩

The term used here is “질질” which is ‘jil-jil’ is slang that’s used for ugly crying. Imagine the cinderella ugly crying meme (search for it if u dont know, she’s a vibe lol)