DI Ch 104

He wouldn’t let me go, and we walked together, waddling along in a funny way. I laughed as I thought I was going to fall, but he didn’t let go, making me struggle. Matching our steps like a dance, we changed clothes and went outside. A scent reached my nose as I sat in the passenger seat and buckled the seatbelt.

“Did you change the air freshener, hyung?”

“No?”

I continued to sniff as he gently turned the steering wheel and started off.

“I smell a floral scent.”

“Did you get it on your clothes while watering the plants?”

“Maybe…”

I trailed off as I buried my nose in his forearm. No, that wasn’t it. I rubbed the bridge of my nose as I tilted my head. It was only a short drive to school, so the conversation we could have was limited. Should I talk about Woo Ji-min now? It was not that I was cheating, but considering what I had done in front of Kang Muhyun recently, it made me a bit nervous. Besides, I felt like I should talk about my studio. But when should I bring it up?

“I love you. Don’t overdo it.”

I can’t believe we’ve already arrived. This time too, I was the one who couldn’t say anything. He parked his car in the familiar Korean University library parking lot, and I grabbed him just as he was ready to leave. From the window to the corners of the building, I swiftly glanced around before pressing my lips firmly against Tae Seong-je’s.

“I love you. You also don’t overdo it, hyung.”

I adjusted my backpack and entered the library after his car disappeared from view, leaving me with fluttering hair. After returning the borrowed book and going up to the second floor, I sent a text message to Woo Ji-min.

1 [15:48] Are you really not able to take the special lecture?

I don’t think he would be able to make it because of his part-time job. It was a shame because the lecturer was pretty good. He has 30 minutes to spare until his part-time job, maybe would he come? No, it seemed too rushed.

“Seo Seung-won?”

It was my first time meeting her outside of a classroom, so I felt a little awkward. I was ready to greet her and continue walking when she grabbed my wrist. She was short, and her palms were so small that I felt like I was being held by a doll. I let her drag me along, wondering how far she would drag me. I didn’t expect her to go to a secluded place. Kim Young-ji suddenly turned around and pressed me against the wall. I blinked absentmindedly between the wall and Kim Young-ji and then looked around. As I wondered if a hidden camera was filming us, Kim Young-ji suddenly asked,

“It’s not true, right?”

“What?”

When I asked again immediately, Kim Young-ji took a deep breath.

“That.”

“…?”

Unable to understand what she was talking about, I looked down in bewilderment. Kim Young-ji nervously stamped her feet and pursed her lips.

“Can I ask something?”

“What?”

“…”

Look like her mouth will bleed. I felt like she would hurt herself chewing it like that, so my eyes kept focusing on her red lips. But what is Tae Seong-je doing now? Come to think of it, I’ve been meaning to tell him about it, but I haven’t yet. When should I say it? Kim Young-ji, who had been carefully considering her words for a while, asked me a question slowly but sternly as I was buried in my own thoughts.

“Do you really like men? So, are you dating senior Woo Ji-min?”

For a moment, I doubted my ears and then realized I heard correctly, furrowing my eyebrows. What kind of nonsense is this?

“Sorry! I know it’s impolite to ask such things, but I was just, uh… That’s right! I’m just too curious. I’m really sorry. But are you?”

Struggling alone, looking to be about to cry, and forcing a smile. The expression was comical and amusing, but honestly, as her voice gradually became quieter, it was hard to hear. Maybe it was because her voice came from below. Kim Young-ji, who was talking quickly, was difficult to comprehend as I tilted my head slightly to listen to her nonsense but I heard it all.

“No.”

“No…? Then what’s that rumor?”

I was the one who should be embarrassed, but Kim Young-ji stuttered, looking even more embarrassed.

“I heard you send signals to senior guys, brushing your shoulders against them on purpose and looking at them. I don’t know. But there’s a rumor that you’re gay.”

I was wondering why she was curious about such a thing, but what she said next seemed a bit suspicious. It’s not Kim Young-ji, but the rumor is so ridiculous and suspicious.

“It’s been going on since the end of the semester, right?”

“Huh? Uh. Yeah. I didn’t believe anyone back then, but it’s been a bit noisy lately. But I thought that couldn’t be possible since you go out alone or with senior Woo Ji-min. …But I was wondering if you two were dating.”

I wondered if Woo Ji-min also heard this rumor. He would have hated it so much if he had heard it. He’s a person who hates being associated with men. Oh, but did he know that I’m dating a guy? Come to think of it, I didn’t ask how much he knew or how he knew.

“Thanks for letting me know. I didn’t know if such rumors were going around. But you shouldn’t weave people together for such a rumor.”

Kim Young-ji must have realized that I was talking about Woo Ji-min and stepped back with a bright blush on her face.

“Sorry. Well, actually, I have a friend who really likes you. and she was so upset about the rumor that I did it without realizing it.”

“Lee Na-eun?”

“Huh? Uh, yeah! Nae-un still can’t forget you…”

No, that wasn’t it. When we bump into each other, she greets me with a smiling face and passes by. We even agreed to do a group project together since we have overlapping courses. I thought for a moment of Lee Na-eun’s face as she excitedly said that she would soon be going on a blind date. Scratching my cheek,  I realized I was being too nonchalant about it.

“Sorry.”

Kim Young-ji mumbled with a bright red face.

“No, thank you for telling me. …Can I leave now?”

“Yeah. But I’m really sorry. Can you go this way?”

I nodded at the finger pointing in the opposite direction rather than the way I came. It seemed like she came to the library with Lee Na-eun.

“Thank you. Are you going to listen to the lecture too?”

“Yeah.”

“See you later.”

“You too.”

Although I took a detour, I spent some time going to the bank and the convenience store. By the time I finished, it was almost 4:40 PM. Since I arrived early, it was still relatively quiet, but there were a few people around. Seeing chocolate bars, kimbap, and milk at the entrance, it seemed like someone had prepared.

“After it’s over, let’s go for 2 days and 1 night trip. Call the kids from the Drama Club.”

“Will she come? She’s probably not coming. She has a boyfriend now.”

“What? When? Ah, this is not good.”

Seeing them sitting in front of the table wearing an overcoat, it looked like they were student council members. I thought they were seniors when I saw their faces and tried to greet them, but because we had the same student number, I just passed them by. It seemed like the rumor had spread quite a bit without my knowledge as it immediately became quiet as I passed by.

But why would there be rumors about me sending signals to someone? Considering that Kim Young-ji did not specifically refer to Woo Ji-min, but referred to other male seniors, it seemed like they were enjoying their own fantasies and used me as a topic of conversation.

That’s because although there were many pretty women in our department, there weren’t any good-looking men. Even with the exception of Kang Moo-hyun and Woo Ji-min, who are the main characters, there was not a single male senior who was good enough on the outside to make others move their eyes with curiosity. It was a strange situation.

“Seung-won!”

Although I felt it was wrong, I found myself scanning the guy as he approached me with a bright expression. I didn’t know much about it, but he had a nice sense of style. His face… his eyebrows were thin. His lips are full. His hair seems to have been dyed recently, with a hint of brown. Still, his skin is nice.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

A blush rose on the student rep’s cheeks as if he was embarrassed.

“Oh sorry. I thought you dyed your hair.”

“… I’ve had my hair like this since the first semester.”

“… It looks a little brighter than usual. Sorry.”

The atmosphere had become so cold that I wished I hadn’t said anything.

“Hey!”

“Sunbae.”

Woo Ji-min, who was exhaling with a flushed face, smiled brightly. His face was so bright that it felt like fluorescent lights had exploded.

“I canceled my part-time job.”

“Is that possible?”

“In exchange, I’m working full-time tomorrow.”

Contrary to the proud and boastful tone, the content was very soft. He likes it so much, almost to the point of enjoying it like a child. After fixing the end of Woo Ji-min’s bag that had fallen down, I pulled up the chair right next to me.

“Aren’t you tired?”

“I’m fine. I’m fine.”

 I quickly sat next to him as he sat down on the chair.I raised my head as I realized that the friendly student representative had not greeted Woo Ji-min. He had gone far away by now. Maybe he missed the timing to greet him and just left.

When the much-anticipated invited lecture began, I felt like I now understood what a high-quality lecture really was. I thought how impressive it must have been that they put so much effort into inviting the lecturer, even involving the professor. Although I received a scholarship, attending a lecture like this made me feel that the tuition was worth it.

I passionately listened to the lecture by concentrating hard and even taking notes. Woo Ji-min, who was sitting next to me, also listened attentively, his eyes shining. The lecturer took a short break after an hour and a half. I got up from my seat to make a quick call to Tae Seong-je.

[Oh, it’s over?]

“No. It’s a break.”

[Is it fun?]

“Yes. The lecturer is a business consultant, and the lectures are interesting. There’s a lot to learn.”

I walked straight along the quiet corridor since there were too many people talking at the door. The ten minutes seemed to have passed much faster than the time I spent listening to the lecture. I felt regretful and asked to meet him later that night before hanging up.

[I love you.]

“I love you too.”

As I turned my back to go back inside with the corners of my mouth that kept rising, I saw Kang Moo-hyun. I saw other students behind him, but he was the only one standing tall blocking the hallway and just staring at me.

I hesitated for a moment, then went into the restroom next door. I turned on the water and washed my hands meaninglessly. I could feel a gaze during that time. I glanced at Kang Moo-hyun, who was washing his hands at the sink next to me and shook off his wet hands.

“You have a lover, but is it your hobby to hang out with both men and women?”