ABM CH22

Episode 22: I Should Be Silencing Woo Yeonho, Not Kim Jungwoo

“…!”

If Woo Yeonho hadn’t suddenly bitten my palm, I might have kept covering his mouth. Startled, I quickly pulled my hand back and hid it behind me, but the spot he had bitten still tingled, as if he were playing with it even now. 

I tried pinching and scratching the place where his lips and teeth had touched, but it didn’t help.

‘Maybe it’s because he’s not a mosquito?’

The tingling sensation crept up my wrist and spread to my entire arm. I had tried to stop this from happening, but now it was too late. Frustrated, I shot a sharp glare at Woo Yeonho, who whispered again in a slightly more careful tone this time.

“Was it a secret that we kissed?”

Though the content of his words was anything but cautious.

‘How can he say something like that so casually…?’

What’s worse, his expression was completely unbothered, as if it was no big deal.

Did he think the kiss we shared didn’t mean anything and was just a playful act, unworthy of being kept secret? Was this all some kind of joke between him and Kim Jungwoo? When we get back to the classroom, will they laugh about my reactions and find it entertaining?

Maybe the whole class already knows. Maybe he even talked about me to that girl yesterday—saying something like, “There’s this kid I’ve been having fun teasing lately.”

I was only trying to do something because I was worried that bad rumors might spread about Woo Yeonho. But, as expected, someone like him didn’t need my concern.

‘How ridiculous of me to worry about Woo Yeonho.’

They say you shouldn’t waste your time worrying about people who already have everything. Who was it that said that to me? Was it my older sister?

“Seungwoo yah.”

“…”

“What are you thinking about?”

“…”

“Let’s do it together.”

Woo Yeonho said something cryptic again.

‘Do what together? What does he mean by that?’

“…Do what, exactly?”

“Trick Kim Jungwoo.”

His voice was a little lower and quieter than before.

“You said Jungwoo might’ve seen it. Us kissing.”

“D-Don’t say things like that…”

What if someone hears?!

I glanced nervously around the empty hallway, signaling him to keep his voice down. But once again, I was the only one worried. Woo Yeonho didn’t bother looking around at all; from start to finish, his gaze stayed fixed on my face.

His pretty face, with that mischievous smile perfectly suited to it, was so infuriating.

“How should we hide the fact that we kissed?”

‘At this point, how is this any different from just outright announcing it? Why not just head to the broadcasting room and let the entire school know?’

Once again, I reached out to cover Woo Yeonho’s mouth, which kept on saying kiss, kiss, as if he enjoyed watching me squirm. This time, thankfully, he didn’t pull any strange moves like before. But as his face suddenly came so much closer, my heart started pounding wildly.

I didn’t think we could get any closer, yet Woo Yeonho pulled me even tighter into the corner where he was standing. He spoke with my hand still covering his lips.

“You felt too far away.”

I—what?! Not far at all! We were already way too close! So close I couldn’t even properly see his face anymore.

…I couldn’t even breathe.

“What should we say to Jungwoo, Seungwoo?”

“…Huh? W-What do you mean?”

“If we just tell him he saw wrong, he won’t believe it.”

Woo Yeonho spoke slowly, rocking slightly like a steady weeble-wobble while still holding me close.

‘Ah, right, we need to think of an excuse for Kim Jungwoo. Something, um… something….’

“What if… we said that, uh, something… like dust… got in my eye…?”

“…Ha…”

Woo Yeonho suddenly stopped moving, letting out a short sigh. His warm breath brushed against my palm, and I instinctively pulled my hand away.

The spot where his breath had touched felt as hot as my face—and my neck, too. Actually, it felt like my entire body was heating up, leaving no part of me untouched.

Even his breathing had a way of mimicking him—calm and composed, but somehow so… unnerving.

Now, I didn’t know where to place my hand. Would it be okay to hold onto Woo Yeonho? Maybe just his arm… slightly… lightly…

Wait, what had I just said? Was it something weird enough to make Woo Yeonho sigh?

“W-Was that strange? Do you think he won’t believe it?”

I asked cautiously, stealing glances at him, but Woo Yeonho’s expression was unlike anything I’d ever seen before.

His lips were pressed together as if he were holding back a laugh, and though he managed to keep his mouth in check, the way the corners of his eyes lifted betrayed him.

He tilted his head down, then back up, darted a glance at the ceiling, and finally straightened his posture with a small, awkward cough.

‘Has Woo Yeonho ever tried to hold back laughter before? …Maybe? I think? But how is it possible for someone to look so pretty even while doing that?’

“No, it’s fine. He’ll believe it. Jungwoo’s more naïve than you’d think.”

“Uh… oh… I-I see… naïve…”

If Woo Yeonho said something as outrageous as food falling from the sky, I’d probably nod along and think, well, maybe it could happen. But when it came to Jungwoo being naïve, there was just no way I could agree.

‘Does Woo Yeonho really understand the meaning of “naïve”? Is that how Kim Jungwoo appears to him? Is that why he’s been hanging out with him so much?’

I thought Woo Yeonho could read people better, but apparently, his judgment is terrible…

‘You call his name so kindly, but that guy curses you out, calling you all sorts of names. He even said we were disgusting. He always ruins your image. No matter how nice you are to him, he’ll never appreciate it. He’s the worst, the absolute worst. So please, don’t hang around him anymore.’

‘Stop calling his name so kindly, and don’t smile at him either…’

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll talk to Jungwoo and sort it out. So let’s stop thinking about it, okay?”

“…Oh…”

“Do you not trust me?”

“It’s not… it’s not that, I just…”

Maybe I don’t trust him completely. Just a tiny bit. Really, just a sliver. After all, he keeps bringing up the whole kiss thing so casually. What if he accidentally says something he shouldn’t?

I should be there to stop him if it happens. But… no, no. I shouldn’t worry about someone like Woo Yeonho. He’s the capable one, isn’t he?

“I’ll make sure Jungwoo doesn’t bring it up again.”

“W-What are you going to tell him?”

“I’ll just say you had something in your eye.”

…Yeah, there’s no way he’ll believe that. Why did I even come up with such a dumb excuse?

How ridiculous must I have sounded to Woo Yeonho?

Looking at his face now—so calm and smiling—only made me feel more embarrassed.

‘Why isn’t the bell ringing already?’

Right, class.

It’s about time I used that excuse to go back to the classroom.

I’ve already told him what happened, so whether they make up an excuse together or not is up to them. Woo Yeonho is much better at these things than I am. He’ll come up with something more believable than my lame excuse…

‘…He won’t actually say that, right?’

Come to think of it, if Kim Jungwoo wants to keep hanging around Woo Yeonho and benefiting from him, wouldn’t he avoid spreading rumors that could harm Woo Yeonho’s reputation?

He must have at least some common sense. Even if he’s said things behind Woo Yeonho’s back before, he might keep his mouth shut this time.

“By the way, Seungwoo.”

“Y-Yeah?”

“Why did you leave so suddenly yesterday?”

“…Ah.”

So he didn’t forget.

I thought I’d gotten away with it, but of course not. Woo Yeonho can be annoyingly persistent sometimes.

He leaned closer, trying to make eye contact. I dodged his gaze, letting my eyes settle on his chest instead. His chest rose and fell faintly with each breath, three or maybe four times, before I decided to stick with the excuse I’d already given.

I mean, I’m the one who ran away. What more can he say?

“I-I really just left something in the classroom…”

“What was it?”

“I thought I… uh… knew where it was…”

“Yeah?”

“But then I… suddenly needed to use the bathroom… really bad…”

“You were in a hurry? You should’ve said so.”

“…And then… suddenly, I got a call from home. My sister—no, my mom—she said I had to come home right away…”

“Got it. You didn’t trip while running, did you?”

“N-No…”

“You must’ve been really out of it. You didn’t answer when I tried to call.”

“Well… um… I was talking with my family for a bit… and then it got really late…”

‘Oh no, this is bad.’

The more I explained, the more lies seemed to pile up.

‘Woo Yeonho doesn’t like it when people lie.’

My heart was pounding so hard it felt like he could hear it. The sound alone might give me away.

My mouth felt dry and rough, like it was full of sand.

“I-I’m sorry…”

Woo Yeonho’s chest rose and fell deeply, like a sigh, and it made standing there unbearable.

‘What’s he thinking about? If it’s Woo Yeonho, he’d probably know I’m lying without even needing to hear my heartbeat. Seriously, when’s the bell going to ring?’

Smart as he was, Woo Yeonho was probably holding me here because he thought I’d try to run away. Not that running would help—I’d have to sit next to him in the classroom anyway.

“If you’re really sorry, then let’s go watch a movie together this weekend.”

Woo Yeonho said, lightly bumping his forehead against mine.

Even though there wasn’t any space left between us, his voice somehow managed to squeeze through and make my ears feel full.

“We’ll eat, have dessert—you like desserts—and maybe do something else. What do you think?”

A movie…

Hadn’t he already watched one yesterday with that girl? Or was he asking me now because he felt bad about going with her first? Would I seem clueless if I said yes? If that’s the case, I don’t even want to go.

…Not that I plan on going, but I am curious about what Woo Yeonho’s like on weekends.

What if I just went to secretly watch him for a bit, then made an excuse about something coming up and left? He’d probably just say it was a shame and then go see that girl instead—watch the movie, eat together, and share the dessert she likes.

Would they also go to the place she mentioned yesterday? My older sister once said there’s nothing special about that spot. But maybe girls like places like that?

Woo Yeonho, being the kind guy he is, would act like he enjoyed it too. She’d probably misunderstand and think he really liked it.

She might keep pestering Woo Yeonho to go to more places like that, saying they should explore them together. Even if Woo Yeonho politely turns her down, clueless girls never take the hint. He’d end up going with her once, twice, and before you know it, they might start dating.

And if that happens, wouldn’t she end up visiting Woo Yeonho’s house? She’d meet his family, introduce herself, and eventually…

‘They’d date casually, graduate, and then get married…’

“Hey, Seungwoo. You’ll hang out with me, right?”

There it was again—his face playing the role of the poor, pitiful boy. But this time, I wouldn’t fall for it. After all, he’s already planning to marry that girl. They’d probably have kids and live happily ever after.

“Seungwoo.”

“…Ack!”

Startled, I let out a small noise. I’d been so caught up imagining Woo Yeonho cradling kids that looked just like him, doting on them with his signature smile, that I’d completely lost track of reality.

Right then, the school bell rang, its short melody echoing through the hallway speakers.

Before the sound even faded, Woo Yeonho leaned back against the wall and murmured something, his expression a blend of amusement and frustration.

“Seungwoo, what am I supposed to do with you? When you’re always off in your own little world.”