Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 9-16 follows the blossoming tension, emotions, and misunderstandings between Ajin and Junu as their school trip unfolds. Starting with a scene under a blanket and a shocking admission, each chapter looks at the struggles of young love involving teasing, silent looks, and confusion. Junu’s inner emotions are revealed when Ajin goes through her own emotional changes, mainly after Junu saves her from a group of older students.
Even though they get closer, frequent misunderstandings, including a lie about Junu’s wound, only bring them distress. Because of Ajin’s caring promise, there are many moments that are both funny and heartwarming. At the same time, Chohui becomes more jealous as she notices Ajin and Junu getting close, feeling hurt and envious. These chapters wonderfully show how adolescence is full of surprises and how friendships are put to the test, and it’s easy to mix up what you feel and what you do.
Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 9: Confessions, Covers & Complete Chaos
Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 9 begins with Ajin still reeling from her accidental closeness with Junu. She quickly takes off her glasses, and Junu notices the scent of green apple as she stands nearby. The conversation grows serious, and Ajin asks, “Why are you so mean to me?” while Junu shouts, “Huh, because I like you!” A moment of shocking quietness follows. However, a surprise happens next! Junu brushes it off, which makes Ajin feel a bit confused, dazed, and teary as she leaves. She feels confused seeing that he makes fun of her, but also helps her out.
At the site of the school trip, seniors approach Chohui and try to flirt. Chohui feels scared and uncomfortable. Just like a hero, Ajin suddenly appears, yells at the creeps, takes her friend away, and puts an end to their plans.
Later, the girls’ room becomes chaotic when some boys (including Junu and Chohui) enter for a party. After the next room is busted, everyone pretends to sleep under blankets while the security team looks in their room. All the lights are put out, and the room goes silent.
Ajin senses a weight on her neck and thinks it to be Chohui underneath the cover with her. However, a notification appears on the phone, and it’s not Chohui who is there, but Junu instead. Plot twist indeed! Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 9 ends with a very confused Ajin, one panicked Junu, and a whole lot of teenage tension packed under one blanket.
Chapter 10: Truth, Dares & Dangerous Heartbeats
Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 10 begins with Ajin and Junu blushing furiously under the same blanket, because nothing says teen drama like accidental cuddles. Ajin’s heart is pounding, but before she can figure out her emotions, the lights turn on and Jongmin accidentally breaks her glasses. Junu pulls the cover off with a shock, and Ajin thinks he must not like her very much.
At the same time, Junu is finding it hard to cope with being so close to Ajin. The group finally proposes starting to play Truth or Dare. Chohui gets a dare to feed chips to her “close friend,” and she picks Jongmin, hoping to make Junu feel jealous. Jongmin? Blushing mess. Junu? Completely poker-faced. Chohui gets frustrated and calls Jongmin cute to add more intensity to the situation.
The next spin is between Ajin and Junu. Jongmin suddenly gets playful and gives them a dare and asks them if they like someone in the room. Both freeze and blush. They try to avoid making eye contact with each other. Junu and Ajin have to take a picture of the teacher’s room as a punishment for not answering the question. Classic.
As they both leave, Seonho, one of the boys, mentions that Ajin seems cuter without glasses, and Chohui instantly feels jealous. Meanwhile, Junu realizes it’s time for him to apologize and hopes it will fix things. While he’s about to open his mouth, they hear a shout. A guard.
Junu holds Ajin’s hand, and the two run, the air full of tension and emotions that are not yet spoken. Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 10 ends with two teens hiding in the dark, hearts pounding louder than their footsteps.
Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 11: One Jacket, Two Heartbeats
Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 11 begins with Junu realizing—oops—he’s still holding Ajin’s hand after their hide-and-seek escape from the guard. He lets go of her after a few seconds, and it’s a bit awkward. But the guard returns, hearing some noise, now on alert. Fast on his feet, Junu tells Ajin to stay hidden and takes the blame, proving that he’s an undercover hero.
After handling the matter, Junu walks back to her as if nothing happened. Ajin’s feelings are not able to handle the intensity of this moment. She says she’s sorry, but Junu smiles and tells her they still need to finish the dare. Really? After experiencing all that? Yep. He says making fun of her is entertaining and even admits that he never hated her.
While walking back in the chilly night, Junu gives his jacket to her. Ajin is surprised: Why does he act so friendly and nice at the same time, even after teasing her? Junu, who is naturally charming, says he doesn’t feel hatred toward her. None at all. Ajin’s brain? Static.
In the room, they display the photo evidence for everyone. Ajin’s curious classmate notices she is wearing Junu’s jacket, and the whole group inquires about it. She explains that she was just cold, and Junu makes an excuse that he’s tired and leaves. That night, Junu spends time tossing and turning in bed. He keeps thinking about Ajin and even finds her very cute without glasses. But no! He needs to resist!! He decides to stop thinking about her and tries hard to fall asleep. Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 11 ends with Junu trying (and failing) to convince himself it’s just the cold, not his heart, that’s racing.
Chapter 12: Dreams, Laces, And Realizations
Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 12 begins with Junu groggily walking back to class to get his phone, his brain still tangled in thoughts about a certain girl. He notices that Ajin is looking for her scrunchie while it’s actually around her wrist. He makes the observation with a smug grin on his face. She says, embarrassed, “Do you find me that cute?”
Junu wakes up all of a sudden. This was just a dream. But the pink on his cheeks is definitely not fake. Jongmin helps Ajin the following morning by buying her contact lenses after her glasses were broken (best friend for sure!). Later on, Ajin returns Junu’s jacket. Upon noticing his loose shoelaces, she kneels and ties them so he doesn’t fall. Junu becomes red-faced with gratitude, seeing her being so concerned.
On top of that, later, Ajin’s friend even jokes about how adorable Ajin is, which makes Junu swiftly respond with a flat “No.” At the same time, Chohui, feeling alone and upset, calls Ajin to meet her. Later, she receives a call from Dojin Lee, whom she dates just for his money. She convinces him to purchase a designer bag for her. Next, she receives a text from the seniors she met yesterday, constantly messaging her and asking if they can meet again.
Then she notices a scene where somebody has fallen, and the students are laughing. Ajin runs to assist Hojin, the boy who is in danger. Chohui pretends to care only when she sees Junu, hoping he will see her too. However, he doesn’t do that. His eyes? They are only drawn to Ajin. Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 12 ends with Chohui finally realizing that Junu’s gaze has never been for her.
Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 13: Cracks Beneath the Surface
Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 13 begins with Chohui grilling Ajin about last night’s events, especially that jacket. As always, Ajin points out that Junu lent the jacket when she felt cold. Chohui’s smile is a disguise for her growing jealousy, since she is already suspicious. In her mind, she labels Ajin as a “liar.”
That night, she sneakily sends Ajin to the nearby store to buy a pad, saying she needs one. Ajin feels worried and agrees. However, when she enters the store, she encounters the senior guys from before, and it’s obvious they’re up to something. This encounter was planned by Chohui, unknown to Ajin. Soon after, things become dangerous…
Junu barges in and exclaims, “Let go of her.” He stands up for her and even fights with the senior guys, defending her bravely. After the attack, Ajin finds out that Junu is injured. Later, in the hospital, Junu tells her that he wants to stay for the rest of the trip, but keeps thinking about Ajin being very upset earlier, and her voice begging for help, only for him.
At the same time, Chohui stays in the background, appearing concerned but secretly feeling guilty and angry. Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 13 ends with Junu injured, Ajin emotionally shaken, and Chohui’s mask of friendship beginning to crack.
Chapter 14: A Lifetime of Responsibility
Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 14 begins with rumors spreading like wildfire among the students about Junu’s absence from the lodging. Rumors that he was injured during a fight the night before make everyone wonder and feel surprised. Ajin feels strongly guilty and anxious, so she separates from the group and blames herself for what happened to Junu. On the way, Jongmin meets her and, seeing how worried she looks, can’t help but joke with her. He jokes that Junu’s arm will not work anymore and that he might be permanently injured. This puts Ajin into a state of panic.
Afterward, Ajin tells Chohui what happened, but Chohui takes advantage and uses the situation to her own advantage. She tells Ajin that Junu is likely to hate her now and suggests she should not try to apologize but remain quiet. Crushed by her feelings, Ajin does not wait and runs to the hospital to be with Junu.
When she reaches the site, she sees Junu resting with a broken arm. Because she wants to help him, she gives him some milk and sits beside him, her face white and lips shaking. Junu, after seeing her panic, jokes that he can’t even hold a straw. With all the teasing, Ajin finally explodes, thanks to the strong emotions and guilt she feels. With tears in her eyes, she screams, “I will take full responsibility for you for the rest of my life!”
Junu doesn’t know if he should laugh, cry, or blush from what happened. Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 14 ends with an intense emotional shift, hinting at a deeper bond forming between Ajin and Junu.
Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 15: Confusions and a Shoulder to Lean On
Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 15 begins with Junu sweating nervously as Ajin, deeply emotional, declares she’ll help him through his recovery and rehabilitation. Even though he is shocked by her passionate commitment, Junu tries to tell her that everything isn’t as serious as she imagines. However, Ajin interrupts him by assuring him she will take care of him, whatever happens. When she starts crying, Junu is confused, touched, and feels completely flustered.
Later, the teacher asks the students to pick 10 places they enjoyed most during the trip and take photos of them. Because Junu can’t use his arm, the assignment becomes difficult for him, and a lot of girls step in to help. Far from the action, Ajin frets and feels that she is not helping him properly. Junu walks away from the crowd and vows to heal fast so Junu’s worry will fade.
Junu later talks to Jongmin to learn why Ajin is so worried. Jongmin admits it was only a joke. Jongmin, realizing Junu has a thing for Ajin, urges him to speak to Ajin instead and clear the confusion.
On the train home, Ajin provides help with Junu’s bags and sits beside him after Jongmin requested a change. While he is about to tell her the secret behind his arm, he sees that Junu has fallen asleep on him. When he hears her talking in her sleep about “taking responsibility,” he blushes quietly. Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 15 ends with Junu frozen in place, heart racing, unsure whether to smile, confess, or stay quiet just a little longer.
Chapter 16: New Seats And Old Feelings
Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 16 begins with the students returning to school after their memorable trip, only to be greeted with news that classroom seating will be reshuffled. Even though Junu is sitting near Ajin, he continues to watch her as she writes down the class notes with complete focus.
After she suggests printing a copy for him, he smiles on the inside at her kindness. When he sees how tired she is, Junu politely requests that she pick up some bread and milk at the cafeteria. Ajin hurries off and returns with banana milk, but Junu suddenly says he wanted chocolate instead. Quietly, Jongmin gently encourages Junu to confess that his real wish was for Junu to drink the milk. Ajin hears and blushes and thanks Junu in a soft voice.
In the following lesson, Ajin dozes off at her desk, and Junu observes her with a gentle smile, showing that he is starting to like her more and more. During the lunch break, Chohui starts to find Dojin’s excessive texts and calls very annoying. She decides to end the relationship after receiving the designer bag from him. Chohui receives a text from Ajin that she can’t make it, since she already has other things to do. Curiosity gets the best of her, and Chohui sees Ajin in the corridor assisting Junu with what he is doing. She feels a jab of jealousy and anger when she sees that Ajin is still getting close to Junu, even after Chohui repeatedly told her to stop. Her face drops, and her anger grows inside her.
Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 16 ends with Chohui’s possessiveness beginning to morph into resentment.
Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 17: Braces Off and Hearts On
Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 17 begins with Ajin and Junu sitting together in the school cafeteria. After they have lunch, Ajin suggests going to the library with Junu, since she doesn’t want his friend to struggle with his injured arm. While spending time with Junu, he gives Ajin a book that may help her with her studies, and Ajin is truly moved by his consideration. Before they part, she grabs a book for him, which makes him blush again. He again catches the scent of green apples that’s always around her.
Just after that, Ajin’s mom calls and asks her to see the dentist on her own because she’ll be busy with her grandmother. It is finally the day after three years when Ajin has her braces removed. She is very excited to finally be able to eat her favorite sticky candy without restrictions. She sees Junu on the way out of the dentist’s office, and it turns out his father is the dentist. Junu’s father is happy to meet one of his son’s classmates. When he asks about Junu’s behavior at school, Ajin tells him that Junu is a very popular guy in the school. Junu feels embarrassed and quickly takes her hand and runs away. His father looks at them with a smile and promises to give Ajin free cleanings next time she visits the place.
On the outside, Ajin shares how much better it is to live without braces. Junu’s cheeks turn red, but even with her new look, he says she hasn’t changed, which dulls her mood slightly. As she is about to leave, Junu asks if she’d like to have dinner with him to thank her. Ugly Duckling Complex Chapter 17 ends with Junu asking Ajin to dinner, their relationship quietly shifting into something more.
