DI Ch 98

His fingers twiddled weakly as if they had lost confidence. I wondered what could have taken away his self-esteem. The first thought that came to mind was Kang Moo-hyun. Although there were other environmental factors, it seemed inevitable in this world that the main character would come to mind first.

“Sunbae.”

“…”

“That sunbae is just a student too. It’s tough for you too.”

“Uh?”

I kept speaking calmly as I watched Woo Ji-min’s expression change.

“It may look impressive, but it’s just frogs in a well like us. So, ah, it hurts.”

“What? Did it bite you?”

I left it alone when it was playing by tapping my hand with its front paw, but I never expected it to bite me. I was happy for some reason because it was the first time the cat approached me. I took out the disinfectant from my bag, sterilized the wound, and applied some ointment.

“Anyway, we’re still the same student, but… Of course, the gap may widen as we integrate into society. Still, we’re all just college students for the time being. Even though that senior appears to be doing well, don’t you think some people will mock him and say that no matter how successful he is, he’s still just a college student? Whether it’s college students or high school students.”

“Haa. Kang Moo-hyun is a high school student.”

I was taken aback for a moment. Could it be that he also finds Kang Moo-hyun cute, just like I used to think it was cute if Tae Seong-je was a high school student? Although it was a bit surprising, it seemed like a far-fetched idea. Nevertheless, Woo Ji-min chuckled with an expression that suggested there was no need to consider such thoughts seriously.

“If that was the case, I would’ve grabbed that little rat and kicked his ass… How can he talk to someone older like that? Come to think of it, wasn’t that guy born in the early year?”

I proceeded to imagine Kang Moo-hyun in a school uniform while watching Woo Ji-min venting his frustration. The scene depicted Woo Ji-min tiptoeing with determination and playfully retaliating against Kang Moo-hyun with a ‘Your, mouth!’ gesture. It seemed like playful banter, but when I replaced the palm with a fist, the image became somewhat cruel.

“Even if both parties are at fault, will it be difficult to punish if the perpetrator is a student?”

“How far are you going with your imagination?”

I noticed a familiar cat among the gathered cats at that moment. It was the cheese cat I took a picture with.

“Can I give this one a name?”

“Sure.”

Woo Ji-min, who seemed more relaxed than before, nodded with a smiling face. After all, it was the cat that played the role of messenger.

“Then, let’s go with Magpie.”

“Now that I think about it, it would be easier to call it something that sticks to my mouth.”

Woo Ji-min laughed out loud without any hesitation. I nodded and stared intently at him buried within the cat. When Tae Seong-je asked me why I loved him, he probably wanted to ask me at the same time whether I hated him. He deceived me. But I did the same. People hate and despise others through situations and reasons. There are no emotions without a reason. I understood him, so I didn’t feel hateful toward him.

That would be the same for Woo Ji-min.

“I’ll buy you a drink. Sit on the terrace.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

There wasn’t much time until the second semester began. I need to actively disrupt the relationship between Woo Ji-min and Kang Moo-hyun. The first problem was that Woo Ji-min would be in the fourth year starting next year and would be working as an intern at Kang Moo-hyun’s company. Should I suggest another company? However, it might not sit well with him.

I slowly blinked my eyelids. I needed to be on guard if I wanted to go to Woo Ji-min’s wedding and give a congratulatory speech. But I feel drowsy again…

“Seo Seung-won? Hey? What are you doing when I just went out for a moment?”

Huh. Hasn’t it just been a second? When I’m in this situation, time passes so quickly and my thoughts stop flowing so abruptly that it drives me insane.

“Did you have a daytime drink before meeting me? What is it, why are you so out of your mind?”

“It’s just because of the medicine. I’ll be like this for a while, so don’t worry about it.”

“Ah, medicine… right, take this.”

I thought he was referring to a drink, so I reached for it and stopped. There was something else more than a drink.

“What’s this?”

“Summary sheet.”

“Summary sheet? Are you giving this to me?”

“Yeah. Take it.”

Woo Ji-min’s summary sheet, who has never missed class except once. Moreover, even the textbooks. It was meticulously compiled material, including the tendencies of exams and assignments for both major and general professors. The file was thick and heavy, containing every exam paper without discarding any. It was a resource that was carefully prepared enough to fetch a considerable amount of money if sold.

“I’ll pay for this. I can’t just accept it for free.”

“It’s okay.”

A relaxed expression spread across his face as he lightly smiled. The sunlight pouring in from the window glistened off his smiling face. I wondered if he’d ever been this pretty before. My eyelids blinked slowly at the change in my first impression.

The noise in the quiet café terrace, with the start of the new semester still ahead, felt like it was gradually fading away. He didn’t seem to be trapped in unhappiness anymore. Suddenly, I had that thought. It was a good decision to give up on going back.

“Do you know that the feeling when you smile and when you don’t is completely different?”

“Really?”

Tae Seong-je also said that. I wonder what he’s doing now.

“So, I almost misunderstood it since you smiled only at me. Even though delusions are free.”

“…Uh. You don’t like that kind of thing, Sunbae.”

“Yeah. It makes me feel uncomfortable. But you should’ve said something… I thought I became homophobic since I was constantly harassed by men. I was a little shaken because for the first time in my life, someone treated me well, even if it was a man.”

Woo Ji-min’s relaxed smile was a little unfamiliar, so I missed the right time to chime in.

“But now that you actually have someone, I don’t feel disappointed. I guess it was just nice to have a younger brother.”

I was the only one who was close to Woo Ji-min, regardless of gender. But how did he know I had a lover? I was holding my breath. Is he talking about me? Am I misunderstanding again? Maybe, probably… The best way to find out for sure is to ask, but for some reason my lips didn’t move.

When my fingers moved from the back of my hand to the wrist and then to the forearm, Woo Ji-min suddenly spoke.

“Seo Seung-won, your hand.”

Surprised, I straightened my bent fingers. Woo Ji-min looked at my forearm with a slightly complicated expression. Even though I was wearing 7/8 sleeves or shirts as the weather warmed up, I decided to wear only a short-sleeved shirt for the first time, making my outfit feel very light. There was a light scar that wasn’t visible unless you looked closely.

Tae Seong-je and Woo Ji-min, they’ve met.

My heart was beating anxiously. He didn’t start to like Woo Ji-min, right? No. Tae Seong-je was not a very leisurely person and must have called someone on his behalf.

“Let’s go get something to eat. What do you want to eat?”

“…I’ll pay. I also received your summary sheet.”

“No, I’m the one who received something from you, so I should be the one to pay.”

I received the summary sheet, but you said you received something from me? Woo Ji-min rubbed the back of his neck, not even knowing what he had said. I looked at him quietly, and when I met his gaze, he tilted his head.

“What’s wrong? Why so stiff?”

“Sun…bae.”

“Are you crying? …No, you’re not. Why are you lowering your voice? You surprised me. Feeling down? Want to drink a bit? Oh, right, you said you’re on medication. That won’t work, then.”

He didn’t know I was abstaining from alcohol this week. What’s going on? So they didn’t meet after all? My heart, which was pounding frantically, began to calm down. Maybe they met but didn’t mention drinking? Tae Seong-je would probably think I’m determined to keep my promise. On the other hand, Woo Ji-min knows that even if I were about to die, I would find solace in alcohol. The heart that was about to become gloomy with realization began to spread with a rosy hue.

“A bit is fine…”

“Seung-won!”

A cheerful voice rang out down the terrace before I could finish my sentence. It was Kim Young-ji’s friend Lee Ji-eun, or rather, Lee Joo-eun. She was carrying something in her hand, probably luggage to take back to her dorm. There was no greeting for the senior, possibly because she was downstairs and didn’t notice Woo Ji-min.

Woo Ji-min lowered his body awkwardly to hide as if he was uncomfortable. Meanwhile, Lee Joo-eun tilted her head and smiled brightly and refreshingly.

“It’s great to see you. Did you enjoy your break? But why didn’t you answer my calls? I called you three times during the break.”

“Sorry. I don’t answer unknown numbers.”

“…Unknown number? Didn’t you save my number?”

Lee Joo-eun’s face hardened with shock.

“We exchanged numbers at the cafe right after our first class of the semester ended.”

“When? Oh, did we? I was probably distracted at that time, so maybe I forgot to save it.”

I was wondering how everyone knew my number and contacted me, as well as why I had an unknown number, so I think we exchanged contact information back then. I wasn’t interested in anyone other than Woo Ji-min at the time, thinking it was just something to do regardless of what happened, so I forgot about the exchange.

I opened my mouth quickly as I felt the sharp gaze that seemed to pierce, wondering if her mood had soured.

“I’m sorry, but will you give me your number again, Lee Joo-eun?”

“It’s Lee Na-eun.”

“Lee Joo, no, Lee Na-eun. I’m really sorry.”

“Whatever. It’s enough that you apologized.”

Lee Na-eun smiled cheerfully with a calm expression and a nonchalant attitude. Behind Lee Na-eun, Kim Young-ji and the student representative head were seen.  It’s been a while since I’ve seen their faces. The way they looked at me was… what’s up? Why are they looking at me like that? Their gaze was so strange that I absentmindedly rubbed my face.

Like Lee Na-eun, the two people were carrying luggage containing a large box, and the box the student representative was holding had ‘Lee Na-eun’ written in large letters. In the first semester, Kim Young-ji and Lee Na-eun were said to be roommates in the dorm, and it looks like they are sharing the same room this semester as well. So, did the student representative come to help them carry the luggage?

“I was planning to meet you during vacation and talk to you, but since it’s inconvenient to meet and there’s no need to drag it out, I’ll say it now.”

While I was thinking nonsense, Lee Na-eun grinned happily.

“I like you. What do you think? If it’s okay with you, do you want to go out with me? Otherwise, no need to say anything.”