ABM CH 7

Chapter 7: His Fingers Must Be Broken

Just because it was my birthday didn’t mean the morning started any differently. We had plans to go out for dinner, so until then, I had nothing to do. My phone didn’t buzz much, except for a few birthday messages from some friends I used to hang out with in middle school. There was no birthday message from Woo Yeonho either.

‘Of course not. Why would he bother sending a text in the morning? And did Woo Yeonho even say “happy birthday” yesterday?’ 

I opened the chat I had pinned with Woo Yeonho and scrolled through our brief conversation. Other than asking if it was my birthday and some small talk, there wasn’t a trace of a “happy birthday.”

‘…What the hell, if he knows it’s my birthday, can’t he at least say “happy birthday”?’

He said it to our classmates on their birthdays. I’m just another one of them, aren’t I? And I even have his number.

Yesterday, it didn’t occur to me, but if he went through the trouble of asking if it was my birthday, he could at least say “happy birthday.” What, did his fingers break while typing?

‘Is it that hard?’

The more I thought about it while clutching my phone, the more my frustration simmered. It wasn’t something I should be greedy for, but still, it was annoying how he could be so unkind when I actually wanted something. Other times, he’d shower me with this mysterious kindness out of nowhere, yet now he didn’t care at all.

I rolled around in bed until I locked eyes with the stuffed animal at the head of my bed. It was a rabbit character plushie that my older sister had drunkenly brought home a few days ago and left in my room without asking.

I thought its plastic eyes were kind of similar in color to Woo Yeonho’s, and today, it even seemed like its expression resembled his. Annoyed, I squished the toy’s head on both sides and then shoved it out of sight.

Having his number was like holding a picture of food I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t lash out, nor could I be the one to text first, no matter how much I wanted to. 

Realizing this again made me sink into a deep gloom. I didn’t even feel like getting up to greet my family, who were probably waiting for me outside my room. So, I buried myself back in my bed, wrapped myself in the covers, and cursed Woo Yeonho under my breath.

“Woo Yeonho, you jerk.”

***

I wanted to stay holed up in my room with this gloomy mood but I was eventually dragged out to the living room. Mom sat me down at the dining table and served me a big bowl of seaweed soup, while Dad handed me a spoon. He even tried to feed me water, which I quickly refused by shaking my head.

“I can eat by myself…”

Dad looked visibly dejected, but that wasn’t my concern. I was not a baby that needs constant attention, but they always treated me like one, especially on my birthday. If I hadn’t refused, they might have even brought out my old baby bib and spoon-fed me the seaweed soup.

Being the youngest in a family of five, I had to deal with this kind of thing every birthday. Considering how affectionate my parents still were with each other, it wouldn’t have hurt for them to have had another kid.

While I was in my room cursing Woo Yeonho, my family had already eaten. The table was set only for me. When I glanced at the clock, it was already 2 PM. The seaweed soup was filled with beef—half seaweed, half meat. I liked meat, but this was a bit much. 

I looked at Mom, thinking she might have gone overboard. She interpreted my look as a sign that there wasn’t enough meat and started scooping more into the already overflowing bowl. Before she could add any more, I started chewing on the overly rich soup when I heard someone clear their throat.

“Ahem, I added a bit more than last year,” my older sister said, looking sheepish as she handed me a thick envelope. I didn’t understand why she seemed embarrassed when I was the one receiving the money.

“…Thanks.”

It was definitely a better gift than some useless stuffed animal or bizarre self-defense gadget. I placed the envelope on the table, but my sister continued to stare at me with bright, expectant eyes. She usually only had that look when she was about to pull some kind of prank, so I instinctively leaned back, putting some distance between us.

“You’re not going to open it? You’re not going to open it?” 

My second older sister asked, her face inching closer to mine. Despite my concerns, she didn’t do anything else, aside from invading my personal space with that overly eager expression.

“Later…” I mumbled.

“Now! Open it now!”

“Why?”

“I’m curious about your reaction. If you take it to your room, you’ll just open it alone.”

“…It’s my choice.”

“Give it back, then. You don’t deserve a present.”

“No.”

She’s my own sister, but her personality is something else. I frowned as I paused from eating my seaweed soup, but before my second older sister could pester me more, my first older sister—who was usually more reasonable—placed a small, wrapped box on top of the envelope of cash. 

Last week, she’d asked me what I wanted, and I casually said new sneakers, but judging by the size of the box, it was definitely not shoes. My older sister always did this—no matter what I said I wanted, she’d end up buying something else entirely. 

Usually, it was something much more expensive than what I’d asked for. I assumed this was the case again, so I gave the box a quick glance and returned to my soup. Of course, my older sister gave me the same expectant, beaming look, her voice full of excitement as she spoke.

“Aren’t you going to open it? Hm?”

“I’ll check it out later.”

“Can’t you open it now?”

“Why? Are you curious about my reaction too?”

“I just want to see my little brother happy.”

“…Alright.”

“What the heck? Why are you only opening hers and not mine?” 

My second older sister protested, but I decided to just open my first older sister’s gift. 

I tore off the wrapping paper to reveal a sleek, luxurious-looking box. Inside was a watch. I didn’t know much about watch brands, but even I could tell it was expensive. Judging by the satisfied look on my older sister’s face, I was certain it was pricey. Expensive meant it was good, and that was the end of my evaluation. 

After thanking her, I closed the box. My older sister immediately asked if I was going to try it on, but I told her I’d do it later since I wasn’t in the mood to be bothered.

My thoughts began to drift. I found myself imagining how this watch would look better on Woo Yeonho’s wrist than on mine, or how if Woo Yeonho wore this watch and took a photo, it could easily be featured in an ad magazine. Unproductive thoughts like that. Come to think of it, Woo Yeonho always wore a watch. 

Was it a gift? From whom? Probably his parents? Or maybe a former girlfriend? Was it a birthday gift? I wondered if it would be okay for me to give him a present on his birthday. If I got him something nice but not too burdensome, I think he would accept it.

‘What would be a good choice…’

Ah, since I was already thinking about Woo Yeonho, I casually touched the phone in my pocket. 

What are the chances that Woo Yeonho was still sleeping because he’s a heavy sleeper? Could that be why he hadn’t sent a birthday message yet? If that’s the case, I would take back all the bad things I thought about him earlier.

Okay, Woo Yeonho, you jerk. When you eventually text me, make sure to say you overslept. Even if you claim you couldn’t text because you broke a finger, I’ll believe you. Just make sure you come up with an excuse.

***

After finishing the seaweed soup loaded with meat, I felt so full that I didn’t want to go out for dinner. But I couldn’t stand up to the combined efforts of my mom and sisters, along with my dad’s passive compliance. So, we ended up leaving the house around 7 p.m.

The restaurant we had a reservation at was one that was currently trending on social media, and my older sister explained how she had really wanted to visit.

‘If you wanted to go there so badly, why not go with your boyfriend? Or just a friend or something.’

Instead of feeling touched that she waited until my birthday, I found it hard to understand. If there was a nice place, a place I wanted to visit, or a place that was rumored to be good, I would rather go there with Woo Yeonho than with family. My family might feel hurt if they knew, but I couldn’t help it. There was simply no room in my thoughts for them, not even as much as a speck under my fingernail.

‘If Woo Yeonho were here and we spent time together, what would we talk about?’

Maybe we’d chat about our preferences, my eating habits, how many times we’ve been here, and where we should go next. We might also comment on the people at the nearby tables, compliment the friendly staff, and then maybe he’d offer me his water when I complained that my drink was too sweet.

Maybe I could hear stories about Woo Yeonho’s everyday life that I don’t know about—things like what happened yesterday or what he plans to do when he gets home today. While listening, I might find myself admiring each crease in his outfit, not the same old school uniform but something sharp and stylish. 

And then, noticing the watch on his wrist, I’d say, “That watch looks great on you. Come to think of it, it’s just like mine.” If I said that, Woo Yeonho might take my hand, laugh with me, saying it’s true, and we’d go back to chatting about ordinary things.

If I were with Woo Yeonho, if it were Woo Yeonho, what would Woo Yeonho do? Wouldn’t he smile if I did this? Wouldn’t he like that? These were the thoughts that crossed my mind whenever I imagined going somewhere with him.

I was surprised at myself. Even after getting to know Woo Yeonho, even after feeling that sense of unfamiliarity about him, I had only thought about how special it was that I noticed those things. I never realized that I actually liked him.

The fluttery feeling in my stomach, the rush of blood to my head whenever I saw him—I mistook it for the thrill of knowing something about him that no one else did. It never occurred to me that these feelings might be because of my emotions toward him.

Woo Yeonho had only spoken a few kind words to me, smiled a few times, and showed me just the tiniest bit of attention, yet he had made me realize feelings I didn’t even know I had—or maybe ones I had been deliberately hiding.

Woo Yeonho was incredible. I couldn’t imagine anyone else doing what he did. It was because it was him, and that’s why I liked him.

As usual, but especially today, I found myself really wanting to see Woo Yeonho. Forget the birthday messages—I just wished Monday would come quickly.

Using my birthday as an excuse, my dad and sisters made it clear they intended to have a good time out. Normally, my mom would have cooled their enthusiasm by getting on my dad’s case, but since it was my birthday, she seemed to be holding back a lot.

‘She could have just gotten mad; I wouldn’t have minded.’

In the end, after dinner, I had to endure another two hours at a karaoke room.

And now, I deeply regret those two hours. Because after coming home, I checked my phone, and there it was—a big, glaring red notification on the screen.

[Missed Call 10:20 PM Woo Yeonho]