Episode 2 of "True Beauty" unfolds with Jugyeong mired in contemplation, her mind revisiting her fateful encounter with Semi at her alma mater. She drifts to the river's edge, questioning what sins she might have committed to merit such harsh treatment. In her introspective reverie, Suho's voice cuts through the silence, requesting she lower her volume. An argument sparks between them, culminating in Jugyeong bolting from the scene. As she sprints away, memories of her past encounters with Suho flash through her mind.
The narrative then seamlessly transitions back to the cliffhanger from Episode 1. Suho confronts Jugyeong, inquiring if she's the same young woman from the bookstore. Jugyeong flatly denies it, adding that the earbud Suho holds isn't hers as well. However, Suho's suspicions are further cemented when he takes her other earbud and discovers she's listening to the same Heavy Metal track. Their debate intensifies, inadvertently confirming Suho's hunch that she is indeed the bookstore girl. Defeated, Jugyeong trudges home, her thoughts swirling with worry about the consequences of her "true" appearance being exposed.
Desperate for a solution, Jugyeong ventures back to the bookstore, pleading with Suho to guard her secret identity of the "bare-faced" girl. She vows to fulfill any request if he promises to keep her secret safe. Suho, intrigued by her desperation, agrees to her terms. Later, Jugyeong fulfills her end of the bargain by delivering Suho's comic books.
The next day, Jugyeong's role as Suho's errand girl becomes apparent to all. She is constantly on the move, fetching items for Suho, who pesters her incessantly about her tasks. Navigating the school corridors, Jugyeong can't help but eavesdrop on conversations about her unexpected friendship with Suho. When she visits another classroom, Chaerin and Sua catch her eye, noticing the sudden closeness between her and Suho. Seeing an opportunity, Jugyeong hatches a plan. She reasons that if she tells the girls about Suho's incessant bothering, they might rally together and persuade him to leave her in peace.
Before Jugyeong could unveil Suho's mistreatment towards her to Sua and Chaerin, the duo ventured that many wouldn't mind being bullied by the charismatic Suho. Disheartened, Jugyeong relinquished her intent and eavesdropped on their conversation about Suho, which affirmed that he was a different person in middle school. A pivotal moment in his life—a trip to Korea—had radically transformed him.
As Sua, Chaerin, and Jugyeong prepared to leave, Jugyeong received a text from Suho, summoning her to the acting department. There, Suho handed her his phone and requested she film him for an acting assignment. While Suho performed, Jugyeong observed that he was much kinder when acting. Following this, Suho and Jugyeong visited the theater to alleviate the gloom Jugyeong had cast over his mood. Inside the theater, Jugyeong proposed watching a horror movie together, and they entered the cinema, unnoticed by Sujin from a distance.
Later, Jugyeong pondered over her recent interactions with Suho, realizing she was beginning to harbor fond feelings for him. Interrupted by Juyong's arrival, he insisted Jugyeong buy him a hamburger. Obliging, Jugyeong headed to Burger Cat, where Semi and her friend arrived, humiliating Jugyeong in front of everyone. Humiliated, Jugyeong retreated.
Reflecting on Semi's taunts and how both Semi's boyfriend and Suho had treated her, Jugyeong felt a pang of despair. Suho called, but Jugyeong snapped, asking him to leave her alone, accusing him of treating her as her bullies did. Ending the call abruptly, Jugyeong realized she had left her wallet at Burger Cat.
Fortunately, Seojun and his friends found her wallet there. Jugyeong arrived just in time to snatch it from Seojun's hand. The next day, Sua and Chaerin informed Jugyeong that she had garnered the most likes in the Goddess competition. Their conversation was cut short when they spotted Suho and Seojun from afar, tensions flickering between them as they prepared for a confrontation. Seeing Jugyeong, both Suho and Seojun, Jugyeong was worried—not about the impending fight, but that they had seen her without makeup.
The episode concludes with Jugyeong confiding to the audience her concern: Suho and Seojun had witnessed her unadorned, a vulnerability she had hoped to keep hidden.
