COAC 28

He downed the rest of his drink in one go. Without even registering the sensation of the cold liquid going down his esophagus, he crushed the empty can, threw it into the trash, and dialed a number without hesitation.

A short while later, behind the library, in a deserted corner, they stood facing each other alone for the first time since that day. Instead of the usual nonsensical banter, a cruelly heavy silence pressed down on their shoulders. The one who spoke first was Do Hyeonjun.

“Let’s sort out what needs to be sorted out. You don’t want to keep going on like this either, do you?”

He balled his hands into fists on his thighs to hide his trembling fingertips. Even though he was not putting any strength into them, his fingertips tingled and trembled.

“I like you.”

It was a confession that felt like bursting a boil that had been festering for years.

“I think I was too flustered then, so I’m telling you again. It’s not an excuse that I was intoxicated by the pheromones. Regardless of things like that, I like you. The situation… has become like this, but I wanted to be honest at least once.”

He finally lifted his gaze, which had been wandering on the floor. The setting sun was behind him, casting his expression in shadow, but he could tell that the faintly outlined corners of his mouth were set in a hard line.

“I’ve never thought of anyone other than Jeong.”

It was an answer he had anticipated countless times, but hearing it directly made his stomach churn as if he had swallowed sharp shards of glass.

“So you deal with your feelings.”

Despite the cold notice, he could only nod. It was a moment he had braced himself for, repeating it countless times in his head, but the reality of the pain chilled the blood in his veins more sharply than he had imagined.

“That day…”

“That day means nothing to me. It’s the same for you, isn’t it, Do Hyeonjun.”

The moment his name was called, he felt a transparent wall being erected between them. It was not a question. It was a demand that he must feel the same way. His fingernails dug into his clenched fists. Yes, at the very least, it was something that should not have happened between them.

“The heat suppressant, I really didn’t take it on purpose. I understand if you don’t believe me, but I had no such intention.”

“You better not have. Because I don’t want to regret the time I thought of you as a friend.”

That was the final blow. Ah, a short sigh almost escaped his lips.

“If you have nothing more to say, I’m leaving.”

With those words, Kim Chayeon turned his back. It was a back with no lingering attachment.

Only after he had completely disappeared from view did the tension he had been forcibly maintaining crumble. His legs gave out, and he almost collapsed on the spot.

This is the end.

The long, terrible fever was really over.

After that, he stayed up for almost two whole nights. The fact that there was a professor who gave out assignments already was an excellent excuse. Most of the students cursed, saying the professor was crazy, but for Do Hyeonjun, who needed a refuge to stop thinking, it was a relief. Sitting in a corner seat, he tilted his stiff head back, and a throbbing pain spread from his temples.

Should I head to class soon? He planned to be active in the club this year. He would also work part-time in between, and what else? He got up, staggering. He pressed his tired eyes, which felt gritty from the recent lack of sleep, and left the library. The bright sunlight painfully stabbed at his defenseless eyes. On his way to the lecture hall, his phone vibrated in his pants pocket.

Seo Jeong

Where are you? I’m in the club room now.

Neither of you are here. Lonely..

His fingers, which had been typing ‘Now’, froze in mid-air. It was because when he casually lifted his head, he had spotted Kim Chayeon walking from across the stairs. He was walking with his hands casually tucked into his pockets. His hair shimmered faintly in the sunlight that fell on his shoulders, and his expression, draped over his neat collar, was as calm as ever. Unlike himself, whose emotions were running wild without discretion.

As if sensing his gaze, Kim Chayeon looked in his direction, and their eyes met in mid-air. The one who looked away first was Kim Chayeon. He walked past Do Hyeonjun without a moment’s hesitation, as if he had seen nothing from the start. Do Hyeonjun swallowed dryly and, trying his best to act nonchalant, started moving his stopped fingers again.

Just left the library. I have a clas

I can’t go because I have a class. Before he could even finish the sentence, a ruthless impact struck his shoulder.

He saw the phone fly from his fingertips as if in slow motion. But his body, which had already completely lost its balance, was instantly thrown forward.

Stumble. He put his foot out to regain his balance, but there was no way his legs, weakened from staying up all night, would have any strength. He tumbled down the stairs just like that.

Thud, thud, thud. The impact echoed dully through his joints. He could hear the surprised gasps of people from a distance. As his elbows and knees hit the floor, the phone was finally flung far away.

“Oh my gosh. Did you hear that? That person fell really hard.”

“Isn’t that Do Hyeonjun from the Broadcasting and Video Department?”

He tried his best to ignore the murmuring and placed his hands on the floor. Do Hyeonjun. Where did you leave your mind? Is it a relief that Kim Chayeon must have already passed, so he did not see this pathetic display?

He did not even have the time to worry about the rough friction on his palms. The moment he suppressed his breath and placed his hands on his knees, a stiff, solidified pain shot through him. He tried to hold on, but he could not put any proper weight on one leg.

“Get up.”

A voice that seemed completely devoid of emotion rang out from above his head. Kim Chayeon? Didn’t he leave? Slightly flustered, he looked up at him.

“If Jeong finds out later, he’ll get angry and ask what I was doing not taking you to the hospital.”

He almost let out a disbelieving laugh. It was absurd that even in this situation, all that was in that guy’s head was Seo Jeong. Ignoring Kim Chayeon’s words, he placed his hands on the floor and tried to stand up on his own.

But as soon as his weight was on his ankle, a stabbing pain pierced through him, and a groan escaped him involuntarily. The moment he staggered again, Kim Chayeon’s firm arm caught his shoulder.

“Don’t be stubborn.”

Forced to accept his support, Do Hyeonjun bit the inside of his lip and went down the stairs.

It took about twenty minutes to get to the hospital from the school. Even on a weekday afternoon, the hospital was crowded with people. He stopped in front of the reception desk and caught his breath for a moment.

“Thanks. I can handle it on my own now, so you can go.”

When he heard no reply, he turned his head, but Kim Chayeon was already gone. Do Hyeonjun slowly looked around. He saw Kim Chayeon’s back briefly passing by at the end of the corridor. He doesn’t even say he’s leaving now? Instead of calling out to him, he sat down in a chair in the waiting room.

Only then did his whole body ache. He had been more nervous from riding in the taxi with Kim Chayeon than from falling down the stairs.

[Waiting Room 3, Examination Room: Do * Joon]

He had confirmed that his name was up and was waiting for his turn. An elderly gentleman with graying hair, sitting next to him, fumbled to take something out and looked back and forth between the monitor in front of the examination room and his reception slip.

“Is something wrong?”

“No matter how long I wait, my name doesn’t come up. It seems my number passed a long time ago.”

“Could you give me your reception slip for a moment?”

Do Hyeonjun took the paper the old man was holding and compared the number with the waiting list.

“Sir, you’re in examination room 5, but this is examination room 3. Examination room 5 is straight down this way… wait a moment, if you don’t mind, I can take you there.”

“Oh, no, it’s fine. I can find it myself. I don’t want to be a bother at my age.”

“This hospital is big, so the directions can be a bit confusing. My turn is still a little while away, so it’s okay.”

He grinned at the old man who was trying to refuse. It was not a difficult task, and it reminded him of his grandmother in Busan, so he wanted to help. The old man, giving in, stood up, and he helped him to examination room 5.

“Thank you. Young people these days don’t even spare a glance if it’s not their business, but you, student, are a very upstanding young man.”

The old man expressed his gratitude and briefly looked Do Hyeonjun up and down.

“What’s your name, student?”

“It’s Do Hyeonjun.”

“Do Hyeonjun. A good name. Thanks to you, I was saved a lot of trouble. Thank you so much.”

“Not at all. It was nothing difficult. Well then, have a good examination and a safe trip back.”

On his way back, he was surprised to run into Kim Chayeon, who he thought had disappeared.

“Your phone.”

It was Do Hyeonjun’s phone. Despite having practically tumbled down the stairs, not a single crack was on the screen, and it was perfectly fine. He felt a strange feeling, wondering if he had gone back to get this.

“Thanks.”

“It’s nothing. Isn’t it your turn now?”

Ah. It was his turn next. Knock, knock. He knocked on the door and entered the examination room. A doctor who looked to be in his late forties was looking at the monitor with a dry expression.