DI Ch 108

First, I gently grabbed the arm of the person who was apologizing and lowered my head to look at his face. There was no dampness in his voice, but just to be sure, I checked if he might be crying. He was chewing his lip and muttered in a voice that had completely lost his energy.

“It’s my birthday today. I just don’t want to be alone… Sorry, I have no one but you to call.”

Ah, something like that. Anyway, it wasn’t anything serious. I glanced around.

“Wait a minute.”

I left him behind and went into a nearby bakery to buy a cake. I quickly returned and handed him the box with the cake.

“Happy birthday.”

“No, no. You don’t have to do this! Uh, sorry. That wasn’t my intention.”

I dragged the person who was frantically shaking his head into the store where the others were. Park Kang-woo, who had been grilling meat enthusiastically, turned his head towards me as I returned. At that moment, his pupils shook significantly.

“Sunbae, sit for a moment. Guys, say hi. He’s my senior from the department.”

“Were you hanging out with a friend? Oh, I’m Woo Ji-min. I didn’t know you were hanging out. Sorry for interrupting.”

“They’re my high school friend, this is Kwon Jung-hyuk. This is Lee Hyun-wook, and this is Park Kang-woo, why are you so out of it?”

Park Kang-woo stiffened and looked at me and Woo Ji-min in turn, not knowing what to do. Kwon Jung-hyuk ignored him and gestured with his chin to my hand.

“But what is that? Cake? Whose birthday is it?”

“Oh, is it Senior’s birthday?”

“Really? Then, let’s light the candle. Hey. Take it out, take it out.”

They casually greeted Woo Ji-min and began sticking candles into the cake, then started singing a birthday song spontaneously. Woo Ji-min blushed and whispered in a flustered voice, telling them not to do it. I was a bit embarrassed by the birthday song ringing in the barbecue restaurant, but I joined in the applause startling Woo Ji-min.

Park Kang-woo, who had belatedly regained his composure, approached and struck up a conversation in a more friendly manner. His eyes sparkled, perhaps because of Woo Ji-min’s gorgeous appearance or for some other reason.

Park Kang-woo poured the soda like alcohol and bowed.

“Sunbae-nim, please take care of this guy at school.  Even though he doesn’t look like it, he’s a bit…”

“If he’s acting weird, it’s because he’s got a screw loose, so don’t worry about it.”

These guys.

I couldn’t understand why they weren’t going home when they had an exam the next day. We ended up heading to Incheon together since Park Kang-woo and Kwon Jung-hyuk said it was fine because they had their exam in the afternoon, and Woo Ji-min stated he didn’t need to study anymore. I didn’t know how we became so close, but thanks to them, I had to send Lee Hyun-wook off without talking to him.

Do it in moderation and go home [02:27]

I was walking around the streets of Incheon at dawn when I got a text from him. I had said I would go home in the evening, but I forgot and didn’t notify him. It’s crazy to wander around outside at this hour. I quickly apologized and sent a reply, and at the same time, three black cars smoothly appeared in front of us.

“We will take you home.”

The men who came out of the driver’s seat were familiar faces. I couldn’t figure out where they came from. Everyone was surprised, and when we hesitated, the men opened the back door themselves, drawing the attention of the street.

“We’ll safely take the others to their homes as well.”

“Um… Well, goodbye…”

“Okay, goodbye.”

“Well, see you tomorrow…?”

Everyone awkwardly said their farewells and got in the car. With a bit of fear on the forced way home, I looked hesitantly at the side mirror. I wanted to ask if Hyung was really angry, but I was afraid of the answer. What if he just stood at home and waited? Even though there was no curfew, I was so scared that my legs were shaking.

But when I returned home, the light was on and Tae Seong-je was not there. I tried to contact him, but he just told me to sleep first. I flopped on the sofa and sighed. My legs were a little sore from the long walk. I was used to coming home and finding no one there, but today it felt a bit lonely.

***

I saw a fellow student in the hallway burying his head in frustration after finishing one of my exams. I couldn’t remember his name well, but he was one of those I used to drink with at the beginning of the first semester. Now that I think about it, the groups roaming around together have decreased. They still gather in threes or fives, but they seem to have started going around with those who suit their personalities, so the noise has decreased.

I was on my way down to the convenience shop since I was hungry and thirsty. I saw Kang Moo-hyun approaching while talking with the 4th graders. What to do. Should I just let it go today? I hesitated for a moment, but it wasn’t long. I took out my phone and called Woo Ji-min.

“… Ji-min sunbae, looks like he’s not answering the phone.”

I muttered while looking at my phone screen and then raised my gaze. I feel like I’m going to die from being stabbed by the sharp gaze. It would have been worth seeing if the call had been connected, but the result was clear even without that. Shivers ran down my back as the stare that reached me was as cold as thin ice. My legs tensed and I stopped walking without realizing it.

Every time Kang Moo-hyun appeared, I intentionally did something that would catch his attention, but as time went on, the reactions I received unknowingly became more intense, and it felt like my head might be smashed in from behind on a night like this. Of course, before Kang Moo-hyun could break my skull, Shoulder Uncle would probably do it for me, but it still sent shivers down my spine.

The convenience store was unusually noisy since it was exam period. Students were seen studying while filling their stomachs with triangle kimbap or bread. I went to the checkout desk after choosing the items, and the working part-timer who was listening to the lecture suddenly stood up and grabbed the barcode.

“I’ll pay for the alcohol in cash.”

“Yes. I’ve got your card.”

Just in case. With that in mind, I avoid using his card when paying for alcohol. Tae Seong-je probably wouldn’t check the details separately, but it was just that my conscience pricked me. Well, I could have just stopped drinking or used his card, but my check card, which I quietly put in my wallet had disappeared, and I couldn’t help it. And if I’m not drinking…

“Ahh, fuck. I’m screwed. I have to drink until I deas today.”

“Then let’s go drink now.”

I guess it was because it was exam period. I also felt like drinking since there were so many kids who wanted to drink until they passed out. I sighed as I took a hotdog into my mouth and pulled out five empty ion drink bottles and a tumbler to fill it with alcohol. This is all because of the exams. Of course, I’ve been drinking even when it was not the exam period.

My throbbing head calmed as I poured beer down my dry mouth. Haa… I’m feeling good. He’s probably going home late today anyway. There’s probably cheese at home. I should consider having just one bottle and relax. Just as I was turning around after finishing the recycling, I received a phone call. My heart was pounding for no reason. It wasn’t surprising since it was Woo Ji-min’s exclusive ringtone.

“Hello?”

[Yeah. You called.]

“It’s nothing special, I just think I did well on the exam thanks to you.”

A voice sounded on the other end as I answered while rubbing my pounding heart.

[Oh, is it finished now?]

“Yes.”

[If you’re not busy, do you want to come to my place? I’m going to make shabu-shabu.]

“I had lunch already.”

Thinking about the discarded hotdog stick in the trash can and the cheese waiting for me at home, I subtly expressed my refusal. However, I couldn’t refuse the following words.

[With soju.]

I insisted that I was fine because I only took the evening medicine, but sometimes he recommends this when there are no assignments or exams. Anyway, it was less busy than the first semester, but I was happy to be able to drink together after a long time. Drinking alone is not as enjoyable as drinking together.

[Okay. You lend me your place, but you haven’t come over even once. Come and see. Let’s have a drink after a long time.]

“Yes. I’ll be there soon.”

I went into a convenience store on the road and bought a housewarming gift.

It’s been a while since I gave up my own room. Time passed unnervingly quietly. This was all the result of various conditions meeting by chance. Tae Seong-je was not at all interested in what I did with my previous house, and I had not visited since I had given up my room, so there was no chance of nicking the surface.

I should say it, today I should say it, but in the end, I couldn’t say a word. However, in the midst of not saying anything, Woo Ji-min adapted perfectly to his new studio apartment. He looked satisfied. Well, the location of the building and the room itself was good, and it was clean like a new villa, and the management was well done, so there were many aspects to like.

“Did you do well on the exam?”

“Yes.”

“Today was the last test, right? Good job.”

There were a lot of cars parked at the front gate, but the sedan stood out and was easily found. I nodded to Min Jeong-oh, whose name I now knew, and buckled my seatbelt in the back seat. I didn’t know much about cars other than what was required to obtain a driver’s license, but I knew that this one would be fine even if there was an accident.

“Have you solved all the cubes?”

“Oh, not yet…”

I looked down at Min Jeong-oh, who looked uncharacteristically intimidated. The cube in his big hand looked cute. Even though he tried to hide it, it seemed mixed up chaoticly at a glance.

“But since you’ve solved one, you’ll get the hang of it.”

His hands, which had been closed like clams, spread wide as I comforted and encouraged him. I gave it to him because I thought he might get bored while waiting. However, he remained silent after that, and I had forgotten about it until one day he proudly told me that he had solved it. Seeing him feeling accomplished and proud after solving it, I couldn’t help but suppress my laughter. I suggested trying a more complex one, but he seems to struggle with it. Maybe I should have given him one with a lower difficulty level.