EAR Ch 27

“One bottled water, please.”

“I’ll have a cider.”

“Don’t you think cider’s too sweet to have with a meal?”

“Kimbap and cider are a perfect match. I need my carbonation.”

The two, who had been eagerly awaiting lunch, grumbled as they chose their drinks at the cafeteria. Jaemin opted for water, while Seungpyo chose cider.

Since everyone had rushed off to the cafeteria for lunch, the school grounds, including the store, were deserted. Only a few students, grabbing a quick bite instead of a full meal, were browsing the snacks.

As noon approached, the sun grew stronger than in the morning, making the walkway to the gym quite warm. Jaemin muttered anxiously, “I think it’s going to be too hot.”

“It’s not hot there, I told you. The gym is cool inside.”

As expected, the gym was empty. He had never thought of it as particularly spacious, as it was usually bustling with students during PE class or packed with the entire student body during school events. But empty, with its high ceiling, it felt vast.

It was a familiar place, yet it felt strange, as if he were visiting for the first time. As Jaemin looked around, Seungpyo called out, already climbing the stairs, “What are you doing? Come on.”

The stairs at the side of the gym led to a second-floor balcony with spectator seats. Jaemin had sat in the balcony seats before, but he hadn’t known about the outside area until today.

Seungpyo strode past the rows of seats. Following him, Jaemin looked for a door, but there was no visible exit. Seungpyo finally stopped in front of a row of windows at the back of the seating area.

“The windows on the second floor of the gym are usually locked, but this one’s broken.”

“What?”

Before a surprised Jaemin, Seungpyo fiddled with the lock like a safecracker and turned the handle. The balcony window, which Jaemin had assumed would be locked, swung open easily. Jaemin asked with a sigh, “You were planning to climb out the window?”

“If the door was open, everyone would know. No one knows about the window.”

Seungpyo stepped onto the windowsill and quickly slipped outside. As Jaemin followed suit, Seungpyo reached out a hand.

“I don’t need your help.”

Jaemin scoffed and jumped down. Seungpyo retracted his hand and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

“It’s called manners.”

“Since when did you care about manners?”

“Come on. I prepared things since you said you were bringing a packed lunch.”

Seungpyo boasted, showing off the long sports bag he was carrying. Jaemin had been curious about why he’d brought such a large bag for just a lunchbox.

Oh Seungpyo unzipped the bag and rummaged inside. Jaemin stood beside him, watching intently.

Seungpyo pulled out two small folding chairs and a tiny folding table. Jaemin knew these portable items were trendy, but he had never imagined using them at school.

It was too elaborate for just a lunch break. As Jaemin watched in bewilderment, forgetting to ask where he got them, Seungpyo explained, “My brother is into camping these days. He’s always going out with his friends with this stuff.”

“You got his permission, right?”

“I left him a note.”

“You said your brother is scary. What if he gets mad?”

“Oh Seungyeon isn’t scary. I can beat him in a fight. He just goes easy on me because he’s my older brother.”

Seungpyo chuckled and plopped down on one of the chairs. The small chair, which looked like it might collapse, was sturdier than it appeared, supporting Seungpyo’s large frame without buckling. He gestured, “What are you doing, sit down. I’m hungry.”

Jaemin looked around. The outdoor balcony of the gym was surprisingly clean and well-maintained. The spacious area was covered with artificial turf and surrounded by a railing.

The gym itself had high ceilings, so even though it was only the second floor, the view from outside felt like it was at least three stories high. The view below wasn’t of the school, but of the quiet neighborhood outside the school gates, making it feel like they were at a rooftop cafe. Oh Seungpyo was right about the nice view.

The tall gym building cast a shadow, so it wasn’t hot as Seungpyo had said. The breeze was pleasantly cool. Jaemin murmured involuntarily, “There was a place like this in school?”

“Not many people know about it. If word gets out, it’ll get crowded and they’ll fix the window, so I haven’t told anyone.”

Jaemin cautiously sat down. The chair was just big enough for his bottom, but it surprisingly supported his back, making it much more comfortable than he expected. Seungpyo urged, “Let’s eat.”

“Wait a second.”

Jaemin opened his backpack and took out his hidden lunchbox. As expected of his housekeeper, who spared no effort in his meals, it contained not only the promised kimbap but also fruit for dessert. As he opened the lid, Seungpyo let out a gasp of admiration.

“Wow. The color is completely different from store-bought kimbap. It’s like going from low-resolution to high-resolution kimbap.”

“Stop staring and eat. Stop whining about being hungry.”

“You eat first. You brought it.”

So you want me to test it for poison first? Jaemin grinned. Since he had actually considered adding laxatives to the kimbap, he couldn’t criticize Oh Seungpyo for being suspicious.

As he split his wooden chopsticks and reached for a piece of kimbap, Seungpyo’s chopsticks snatched one first. I thought you told me to eat first? As Jaemin looked at him questioningly, Seungpyo grinned mischievously, lifting the kimbap.

“Why do you think I wanted to bring packed lunches and eat alone with you?”

“…Because we’re dating.”

“You know it. If we were just going to fill our stomachs, we would have gone to the cafeteria.”

Seungpyo suddenly held the kimbap to Jaemin’s lips. Not understanding what he wanted, Jaemin stared back and forth between the kimbap and Seungpyo. Seungpyo chuckled, holding out the chopsticks.

“What are you doing? Open your mouth.”

Finally realizing what Seungpyo wanted, Jaemin frowned, his cheeks flushing. He turned his head and pushed Seungpyo’s hand away.

“Are you a child? Get that away.”

“If you’re not going to do this, why did we even come all the way here to eat together?”

“I thought we came here to eat in peace.”

“This is how couples eat.”

“You’ve never even had a girlfriend, how would you know?”

“Hey, even people who are just seeing each other do this.”

At those words, Jaemin turned back. Looking directly at Seungpyo, he asked, “So you’re saying you’ve done this with other girls?”

“Huh? No, that’s not what I meant.”

“You’re so full of it.”

Jaemin grumbled and then, in a sudden motion, opened his mouth wide and snatched the kimbap from Seungpyo’s chopsticks. It was delicious, as expected from his housekeeper.

Seungpyo watched him chew with a horrified expression.

“Why are you eating so aggressively?”

“Do I have to eat prettily for you?”

“Why are you getting mad? I came all the way here to have a nice lunch with you.”

The melancholic tone pricked at Jaemin’s conscience.

Come to think of it, Oh Seungpyo was just trying to feed him kindly… It was Jaemin’s fault for not acting any differently despite agreeing to the confession and the relationship. Unfortunately, Ryu Jaemin was too conscientious to shamelessly pretend to be in love like Oh Seungpyo.

But Jaemin also had something to say. He was pretending to be a naive guy who had never had a girlfriend, and now he’s saying even people who are just seeing each other do this.

It meant he wasn’t the only one who had been offered food with a flirty smile. Just like him claiming that anything other than penetration wasn’t sex.

Even if his confession wasn’t real, they had agreed to date, at least outwardly. He wouldn’t bring up past dates with other people unless he was looking down on Jaemin.

“You made me mad.”

“What did I do? Is feeding your boyfriend such a big deal?”

“Think about what you said. Saying ‘even people who are just seeing each other do this’ means you’ve done this with other girls. Is that what ‘seeing each other’ means?”

“Hey, that’s not what I meant! I was saying that people who are seeing each other usually feed each other, not that I did it.”

Seungpyo’s bewildered expression didn’t last long. He scoffed, as if amused, and then, with a grin, leaned closer to Jaemin, nudging him with his shoulder.

“Are you jealous? Worried I did this with other girls?”

“Think whatever you want.”

“It’s okay. I knew you were the jealous type. You were sulking when you heard I went out with Jung Suhyun. Even though you pretended you weren’t.”

“Who was sulking? I told you then, I was mad because you were blackmailing and sexually harassing people again.”

“See? You’ve never even met her, but just hearing her name makes you remember our conversation from back then? You would have forgotten it if it wasn’t a big deal.”

Oh Seungpyo seemed to have become surprisingly sharp lately. As Jaemin hesitated, speechless, Seungpyo leaned in further with a carefree expression.

“Just feed me. I haven’t even tasted it yet.”

He opened his mouth wide in front of Jaemin. Unable to misunderstand what he wanted, Jaemin clenched his teeth.

He wanted to smack Seungpyo with his chopsticks instead of feeding him, but dragging this out would only lend credence to the absurd theory that Ryu Jaemin was jealous of Oh Seungpyo’s supposed flings.

The lunchbox, carefully packed by his housekeeper to be shared with a friend, was innocent. The kimbap, even if destined for Oh Seungpyo’s annoying mouth, was still precious. Jaemin carefully picked up a piece and placed it in Seungpyo’s shamelessly open mouth. Seungpyo, his cheek bulging, exclaimed, “So good.”

“Of course it is.”

Jaemin puffed out his chest, as if he had made the kimbap himself.

“Ryu Jaemin, ah.”

Seungpyo held up another piece of kimbap. Jaemin forced a smile, feeling a shiver down his spine. We are dating, dating. If he backed down here, he’d lose to Oh Seungpyo. Repeating this to himself, he opened his mouth. Seungpyo grinned and placed the kimbap inside.

It took a while to get to the point of feeding each other kimbap after their bickering. But after the argument, they became comfortable exchanging food.

Jaemin readily accepted and swallowed the kimbap Seungpyo offered, then picked up another piece and placed it in Seungpyo’s mouth. It was more like tossing it in than gently feeding him, but he maintained a gentle smile, so Seungpyo didn’t mind, happily munching away.

“I thought there was only beef kimbap, but this one has cheese.”

“She must have packed different kinds.”

Sharing delicious food gradually softened their animosity. The housekeeper had packed a generous amount of kimbap, enough to satisfy even the big-eater Seungpyo. After emptying the lunchbox and sharing the cherry tomatoes, they leaned back in their chairs. Seungpyo stretched languidly.

“I don’t think I’ve ever eaten this much kimbap.”

“Your housekeeper packed a lot because she knows you eat a lot.”

“Tell her it was absolutely delicious.”

“Okay.”

After finishing his meal, Jaemin leaned back in his chair, almost lying down. The neighborhood view through the railing and the wide-open sky were peaceful.

The clouds scattered across the blue sky drifted slowly, like paper boats on a stream. He felt as if he had forgotten the basic fact that clouds move, something he had known since childhood, despite diligently studying.

It felt like ages since he had spent time gazing at the sky like this. When he was younger, he could spend minutes just looking at the shapes of clouds and imagining them as animals or objects.

“I’ll put this away.”

“What?”

As Jaemin silently observed the clouds, Seungpyo got up and started folding the small table between them.

Was it already time to go back to the classroom? He checked the time, surprised by Seungpyo’s haste, but there was still plenty of lunch break left. As Jaemin tilted his head in confusion, Seungpyo, having quickly cleared the table, dragged his chair closer to Jaemin and sat down.

“We don’t need the table anymore.”

The distance between them closed, their shoulders almost touching. He wanted to tell him to move away, but he was tired of pointless arguments. Ignoring the lukewarm feeling of Seungpyo’s shoulder against his, Jaemin stared at the clouds.

When he lived alone in college, he wanted a house with a large window like this, with a view of the sky. He’d place a comfortable chair by the window, where he could lounge without being bothered by anyone.

“What are you thinking about?”

Seungpyo asked, seeing Jaemin lost in thought. Jaemin answered honestly, “I was thinking about how I want to live alone when I go to college.”

“Why? Your house is nice.”

“I still want to live alone.”

“We’re both applying to Korea University. If we both get in, we could live together.”

It was a delusional statement, bordering on fantasy. He was too tired to even deny it. Would he even be able to stand being around Oh Seungpyo like this until then?

Jaemin gave a wry chuckle. Sensing that his laughter wasn’t a positive response, Seungpyo added, “Have you even thought about how you’ll cook, do laundry, or clean when you live alone? You probably don’t know how to do any chores because you have a housekeeper… You’ll benefit from living with me.”

“That makes me even more sure I should never live with you.”

“Why? I’ll do everything, you can just relax.”

“Would I be relaxed living with someone who brings up chores when I say I want to live alone? I told you before, I like being with people who make me feel comfortable.”

As if struck by a nerve, Seungpyo fell silent. Jaemin leaned back more comfortably in his chair. He felt a pleasant sense of victory after successfully putting Oh Seungpyo in his place. With a full stomach and the gentle early summer breeze, he felt drowsy.

He should go back to the classroom, but he didn’t want to move. As he quietly followed the slowly drifting clouds, Jaemin’s eyelids grew heavy.

“…Ryu Jaemin?”

When Seungpyo turned to look at him, Jaemin had fallen asleep, his head resting lightly on Seungpyo’s shoulder.

His long eyelashes fanned out beneath his closed eyelids. Seungpyo gazed at Jaemin’s sleeping face, a quiet smile gracing his lips. He whispered, as if to himself, “You’re comfortable with me.”

Jaemin didn’t stir, as if he wasn’t faking sleep. Seungpyo hesitated, as if about to kiss Jaemin’s forehead, but then slowly lifted his head and, instead of kissing Jaemin, started counting the clouds.

📚

Jaemin was woken by a voice urgently shaking him.

Waking up without realizing he had fallen asleep, Jaemin looked around in confusion. Seungpyo, who had been lounging next to him, was now busily folding the chairs.

“Ryu Jaemin, wake up. It’s raining.”

“Huh?”

Jaemin came to his senses and looked up. Rain was indeed falling from the now cloudy sky. Just moments ago, the sky had been clear blue. He was dumbfounded.

“Did I fall asleep?”

“Yeah, for about 20 minutes. You must have been tired.”

“The weather changed this much in 20 minutes…?”

“It’s the rainy season.”

Jaemin tried to quickly pack his chair, but there was no time. Seungpyo, having already stowed his own chair in his bag, quickly folded Jaemin’s and stuffed it into his long sports bag.

“You take care of the lunchbox. Let’s get back to the classroom before it rains harder.”

The rain was getting heavier. It seemed like a passing shower, but class would start soon, so they couldn’t wait here indefinitely. Jaemin picked up his bag and muttered, “We’re going to get soaked.”

“Ryu Jaemin, look at this.”

Jaemin turned his head at the confident voice, his eyes widening. Oh Seungpyo was holding a red umbrella. Jaemin asked in genuine surprise, “You even brought an umbrella? Did you know it was going to rain?”

“I’ve decided to always carry an umbrella from now on.”

“Why?”

“…Because it’s the rainy season.”

Considering how drenched he had gotten last time, it made sense that he would start carrying an umbrella. As Jaemin nodded in understanding, Seungpyo opened the window. He jumped over the windowsill and gestured, “Come on.”

“Okay.”

Jaemin followed him back into the gym. The gym, which had been bright when they entered, was now dim.

In the short time they had been outside, the rain had intensified. The outside scenery was blurred by the downpour.

The playground, usually filled with students, was deserted and drenched. Seungpyo opened a large umbrella, as big as a parasol, matching the size of his bag. It was so large and red that it looked like a lone red dot floating in the gloomy weather, visible even from the classroom. Jaemin asked, “Why red?”

“It’s the only big umbrella we have at home. Just use it.”

There was no other choice. Sharing a red umbrella with Oh Seungpyo was a hundred times better than walking into class soaked. Jaemin quickly ducked under the umbrella.

Standing close together, they stepped out from under the awning. The sound of rain drumming against the umbrella was deafening. Seungpyo put his arm around Jaemin’s shoulders and pulled him close.

“Come closer, so you don’t get wet.”

“I’m fine.”

The rain was coming down hard, forcing them to raise their voices even for this short exchange. They fell silent, focusing on crossing the rain-swept schoolyard. After a while, Seungpyo suddenly spoke.

“There’s really no one around.”

“Who would be outside in this downpour?”

He’d started a pointless conversation, but it seemed like he had something else he wanted to say. Seungpyo nervously bit his lip. After a few more steps, he abruptly changed the subject.

“From now on, when it rains, don’t ask anyone else. Ask me first if I have an umbrella.”

“What?”

“I’ll always have one.”

Jaemin hesitated, searching for a response to this unexpected declaration. Seungpyo lowered the umbrella further, completely obscuring them from outside view.

Then, he stopped. Since the umbrella holder had stopped, Jaemin, walking beside him, had no choice but to stop as well.

Before Jaemin could ask what was wrong, Seungpyo leaned in. It only took a brief moment for his warm lips to press against Jaemin’s forehead and pull away.

The short moment passed, leaving Jaemin staring at Seungpyo in a daze. Only the sound of the rain filled the air; the surroundings remained silent. The red umbrella cast a reddish glow on Seungpyo’s face. He glanced around, then gave an awkward smile.

“I’ve always wanted to do that.”

After a beat, Jaemin scolded him.

“…What if someone saw us? Are you crazy?”

“Sorry. But there’s no one around.”

“You’re always picking up weird things.”

Despite his sharp tone, Jaemin’s voice lacked force. He chewed on the inside of his cheek before tugging on Seungpyo’s clothes.

“Just go, already.”

They quickened their pace. Jaemin stared at his feet as he walked, like someone sulking.

The pouring rain must have lowered the temperature, yet he felt much hotter than when he’d been sitting in the gym watching the clouds. He’d been more surprised by the sudden kiss than he’d thought, his heart pounding loudly in his chest. The deafening rain now seemed to be coming from far away.

By the time they reached the building entrance, his pants were slightly damp, but his shoulders were relatively dry. The large, parasol-like umbrella had done a decent job of shielding the two boys.

With such a large umbrella hiding their faces, surely no one could have seen them. Jaemin felt a little relieved as he watched Seungpyo shake the water off the umbrella. But he didn’t forget to give a warning.

“Try that again, and you’re dead.”

“Okay, I’m sorry.”

Seungpyo apologized readily this time, acknowledging his recklessness. But he seemed determined to get a response to what he’d said under the umbrella.

“But you have to remember what I said earlier.”

“I get it, just drop it.”

Jaemin cut him off and hurried Seungpyo back to the classroom.

They had kissed countless times, and even done things close to sex. It wasn’t the first time they’d kissed on the cheek or forehead, but perhaps because of the surprise, the fluttering in Jaemin’s chest wouldn’t subside. Even after sitting down, his throat felt parched, so he drained the rest of his water bottle.

He eventually went down to the store to buy another bottle of water. As he walked down the hallway, he looked out the window. He could almost see the scene from a moment ago playing out before his eyes: the red umbrella standing still in the hazy, rain-soaked schoolyard.

Like a small raindrop, the warmth of Seungpyo’s lips that had briefly lingered on his forehead refused to fade, growing hotter instead. Jaemin rubbed his forehead with the back of his hand. Thump-thump-thump. His accelerated heartbeat persisted. He looked out at the empty schoolyard with an anxious gaze, as if staring at a ghost only he could see.

Seungpyo’s red umbrella spun in the gray-tinged schoolyard, slowly changing shape. Jaemin felt the slowly swirling umbrella transform into a red flower, blooming within him.

It was a large, beautiful flower he’d never seen before, a flower whose name he didn’t know, a flower that couldn’t possibly exist in reality.

‘I like someone I’m comfortable with.’

Jaemin had always given the same answer to Seungpyo’s question about what kind of person he liked. He liked someone he was comfortable with. Although that was his answer, Jaemin didn’t really know what kind of person he meant by “comfortable.”

What did it mean to be comfortable with someone? For starters, it should be someone he didn’t have to rack his brain to talk to. Someone with similar tastes, someone he could converse with easily, someone he wouldn’t feel awkward or bored with.

Someone who laughed with him when he was happy, got angry with him when he was upset, and cried with him when he was sad, almost like another part of himself. Someone who could quickly apologize and make up even after saying something hurtful. No, someone he wouldn’t even need to argue or say anything hurtful to because they understood each other so well…

That was the vague image of a “comfortable person” Jaemin had in mind. He hadn’t met anyone like that yet, but he’d always held a vague expectation that the person he fell in love with would be like that.

And there wasn’t even a sliver of overlap between Jaemin’s idea of a comfortable person and Oh Seungpyo.

“Exam season is so weird. Time feels like it’s flying by, but also dragging on forever. I just want it to be over already.”

When Jaemin returned to the classroom, feeling like he’d seen a ghost, Seungpyo’s usual group of friends were gathered around his desk, chatting. Anxious about the approaching final exams, one of them grumbled, expressing his feelings.

“When you feel that way, don’t think about the exams. Think about what you’ll do after they’re over.”

That was Oh Seungpyo’s reply. Jaemin stood near the back door, watching them, or rather, watching Oh Seungpyo, just as he always did.

“Nothing special happens after exams.”

“What are you talking about? Summer vacation is right around the corner after finals.”

“Oh, right. Vacation.”

“You said you can’t go to the PC room until the exams are over. Just think about playing games afterward and hold on.”

“True. Seungpyo, what are you going to do after these exams?”

Seungpyo, who had been looking at his textbook while talking to his friends, finally looked up. He glanced towards Jaemin’s seat, and seeing it empty, casually looked around. His eyes met Jaemin’s, who was standing by the back door.

A faint smile, one only Jaemin would recognize, spread across Seungpyo’s face.

“I haven’t decided yet. But I’m going to do something fun after the exams.”

Jaemin turned away, pretending the words had nothing to do with him, and finally walked to his seat. What, if there’s something fun, let us join too. He heard the complaints of the kids surrounding Seungpyo from behind. He also heard Seungpyo casually dismissing their whining and changing the subject.

Sitting at his desk, Jaemin stared blankly at the desktop for a long time, unable to do anything. Even though Oh Seungpyo was probably no longer looking at him, busy talking with his other friends, Jaemin felt as though his gaze was fixed on the back of his head and his back. Even though he knew it was an illusion, he felt a burning sensation all over his body.

He tightened his lips. Even though he’d never liked anyone romantically before, Jaemin wasn’t a fool. He couldn’t ignore the reason why his face flushed and all his senses were drawn towards Seungpyo like a magnet just from being aware of his gaze.

But he didn’t want to accept it. Because the “feelings of liking someone” he’d imagined weren’t like this.

If liking someone was a flower, he’d wanted to fall in love with a wildflower he could lie down with in a field, feeling the breeze together, rather than a large, red flower that bloomed ostentatiously, catching everyone’s eye.

Not someone uncomfortable and conspicuous like Oh Seungpyo, someone he constantly clashed with.

Let’s go out and eat lunch together again

If it doesn’t have to be a homemade lunch, I can buy it on the way

I can’t keep asking my mom to make it

Oblivious to Jaemin’s turmoil, Oh Seungpyo continued to send carefree messages.

You don’t have an umbrella, right?

Later, when you go to academy, share my umbrella

Absolutely not with anyone else

The phrase “absolutely not with anyone else” arrived with an emoticon of crossed arms forming an X. He wasn’t in the mood to respond to such lighthearted remarks, but he needed to sort out the situation quickly.

Even before the fifth period started, Jaemin looked exhausted, as if he’d already gone through a whole day. He silently typed on his phone keypad.

I’ve been thinking

Let’s go back to how we were before we started pretending to date, at least until the exams are over

I’m worried about not being able to study according to plan

We agreed to continue the bet, too

The bet had seemingly lost its meaning for Oh Seungpyo since the condition of sex if he won had disappeared, but it was still ongoing.

Jaemin reflected on his miscalculation. If only he’d kept the final condition of the bet, Oh Seungpyo would have been desperately studying to win, and if he’d been busy studying, he wouldn’t have bothered Jaemin with things like eating lunch together or sharing an umbrella, pretending to be in a relationship.

If that had been the case, Ryu Jaemin wouldn’t have had the chance to feel these strange emotions today.

With the bait of sex gone, Oh Seungpyo seemed to have changed his strategy to focus on dragging Jaemin down rather than winning himself. The guy’s intentions, constantly suggesting this and that, were transparent.

Knowing your enemy and knowing yourself guarantees victory, they said, but he knew the enemy’s scheme and still fell into the trap. He’d become a fool caught in his own trickery, so he couldn’t blame anyone else. He didn’t want to read into Oh Seungpyo’s frivolous jokes, but Jaemin genuinely felt that the whole situation was an error.

He thought it would have been less pathetic if he’d been flustered and confused by Oh Seungpyo’s fake confession, losing his focus like in those various fake confession stories online. Pretending to accept a fake confession only to develop real feelings – it was so embarrassing he couldn’t even vent about it online.

‘I don’t want to like you.’

Jaemin gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on his phone. Although he wasn’t sure, since he’d never liked anyone before, he wanted to believe that he could gradually quell these feelings with effort. They weren’t really dating, they were just at a stage where things seemed a little different.

Just as he finished his internal pep talk, Seungpyo replied.

You’re right, it is exam season. I guess I got a little carried away

I’m holding back, you know

Jaemin stared blankly at his phone screen, not at all curious about what would happen if Seungpyo didn’t hold back. More messages popped up.

Okay, then we’ll eat later

Still, use my umbrella

Jaemin instinctively moved his fingers to reply.

I have an umbrella

As soon as he hit send, a reply arrived without a moment’s pause.

Really??

There wasn’t even a forecast for rain today

Did you decide to carry one around because of the rainy season?

Yeah

I’m going to study now, so stop messaging me

Then I guess I’ll bring a smaller umbrella tomorrow lol

That was the end of Seungpyo’s messages. Jaemin turned his phone face down and finally opened his textbook.

“Hey, can’t you see the teacher’s here? Quiet!”

As if to interrupt the murky stream of distracting thoughts, the fifth period began. Jaemin exhaled deeply, as if he’d been holding his breath, and stared at the podium with a more focused expression than usual.

He didn’t want to waste any more time, energy, or mental strength on Oh Seungpyo. The situation had become tangled, and with no one to turn to for help, he had to pull himself together.

📚

The rain, which had seemed like a passing shower, didn’t stop. The downpour continued until the end of school, eliciting groans from the students.

Perhaps because it hadn’t been long since they’d been caught unprepared in the rain, quite a few students had brought umbrellas this time. Those without umbrellas were busy clinging to their more prepared friends, begging to share or at least have their heads covered. Oh Seungpyo, with his parasol-sized umbrella, was naturally a target for many.

“Seungpyo, let me in too. This thing looks big enough to cover a picnic table.”

“Hey, four is too many.”

“Let’s do rock-paper-scissors to eliminate one.”

Seungpyo himself remained silent as the other students squabbled over his large umbrella. He started walking briskly, using the red umbrella like a walking stick.

“Last one to catch up is out.”

“Hey, wait!”

As the long-legged Oh Seungpyo strode off, the bickering students rushed after him. Jaemin blankly watched Seungpyo’s retreating figure, like the Pied Piper from a fairy tale, quickly attracting a tail of followers, and then slowly started packing his bag.

As he dawdled, the classmate who had shared his umbrella with him before asked, “Ryu Jaemin, do you have an umbrella today? If not, you can share mine.”

“Oh, thanks. But I brought one today.”

“Really? Then I’ll go with someone else.”

“See you tomorrow.”

While he dragged out the simple task of packing a few books, the students gradually left, and the classroom became deserted. Finally, the last remaining student, besides Jaemin, asked as he headed out the door, “Ryu Jaemin, aren’t you leaving?”

“I am.”

Unable to stall any longer, Jaemin slung his bag over his shoulder and stepped out. The student who had just left paused, assessing Jaemin, then held out his umbrella.

“Were you waiting because you didn’t have an umbrella? I have one.”

“I do too. I’m waiting for a ride.”

“Oh, really? Then I’ll get going.”

“Thanks.”

Half of it was true, half a lie. It was true that he was getting a ride, but he didn’t need to wait. The car was already at the school gate.

Arrived at the front gate

Jaemin had received the message from the driver ten minutes ago and replied, Be there soon, but he continued to move as slowly as possible, clinging to the faint hope that the rain might stop.

By the time he reached the building entrance, the rain had intensified. Faced with the downpour, Jaemin sighed in resignation. He hadn’t expected it to keep pouring until school was over.

Now, it felt awkward to admit he didn’t have an umbrella and share with someone else. He’d missed his chance to avoid the rain because he was bothered by Oh Seungpyo’s insistence that he ‘absolutely not’ share an umbrella with ‘anyone else’.

The chances of getting caught were slim since Seungpyo had already left school…but if he found out that Jaemin had lied about having an umbrella and gone home with someone else, he’d probably pester him about it.

Jaemin sighed briefly and held his bag over his head. He had no choice but to run to the car. He knew Oh Seungpyo might make a fuss about his wet appearance when he arrived at the academy, but if he waited any longer, he would be late.

Just as he was about to step out, Jaemin stopped. He narrowed his eyes, peering into the distance.

If he wasn’t mistaken, a large, red umbrella was crossing the rain-swept schoolyard. As if captivated by the color, Jaemin stood frozen, unable to move, behind the curtain of rain.

As the figure approached the main building, the owner of the umbrella lifted their head. He seemed to have spotted Jaemin and waved.

“Ryu Jaemin! Why are you just coming out now?”

He called out to Jaemin, raising his voice. Jaemin didn’t reply, just watched as Oh Seungpyo approached. He bounded up the few steps leading from the schoolyard to the building and continued speaking with a carefree smile.

“I met the hyung who picks you up and we were talking.”

“…Why were you talking to him? What about the others you left with?”

“I walked them to the gate, that’s enough. They went to buy umbrellas and take the bus. Since your ride was here, I thought it’d be good to at least say hi to the hyung who drives. But he was worried you weren’t coming out, so I said I’d go see what was up.”

“….”

“Why did it take so long? Did something happen?”

Seungpyo looked Jaemin over, then frowned, sensing something was off.

“Hey, where’s your umbrella?”

Jaemin let out a short, resigned sigh and answered, “I don’t have one.”

“You said you did.”

“I lost it.”

A blatant lie, a hastily made-up excuse.

Jaemin looked down at his feet, silently watching the small, round ripples created by the incessant rain. Sure enough, after a brief silence, Seungpyo hit the nail on the head.

“Did you lie because you didn’t want to share an umbrella with me?”

Still looking down, Jaemin answered without further pretense, “Yeah.”

“Why?”

“Just… You’re kind of annoying.”

Pitter-patter, pitter-patter. The sound of the rain between them seemed particularly loud. Jaemin swallowed nervously in the awkward silence. His legs and shoulders felt heavy, as if suddenly burdened by gravity.

The weight of defeat. He’d wanted to somehow endure until the end of the final exams and maintain the balance of this ridiculous charade, but he’d surrendered after only two days.

Seungpyo sighed. He tilted the umbrella further and said curtly, “Is it because of the kiss at lunchtime?”

“….”

“I said I was sorry. I really won’t do it outside again.”

Jaemin silently looked away. It wasn’t because of what happened at lunchtime, but since Oh Seungpyo had come up with a reason himself, there was no need for further explanation. Jaemin took the opportunity to add, “And I want us to go back to how we were before, until the exams are over.”

“Okay, I’ll tone it down.”

Seungpyo mumbled, looking slightly subdued. Jaemin finally looked up. As their eyes met, the large red umbrella rose above his head.

“Anyway, we have to go to academy now.”

Jaemin forgot to reply and just stared at Seungpyo. Even if he was just pretending to like him, it was a little surprising that he’d come back through the pouring rain to get him.

It made him feel…like he actually cared. As they stared at each other, Seungpyo grinned and added, “Can I get a ride with you? I’ll be late if I take the bus now.”

…No, it wasn’t surprising at all. Oh Seungpyo had always wanted to hitch a ride in the car that picked him up.

Jaemin nodded indifferently.

“Fine. Come on.”

“Yes! A Benz!”

Jaemin reluctantly stood close beside him as the boy grinned like a child. As they walked side-by-side, Jaemin sulking, he eventually let out a chuckle.

To think he’d been so anxious about deceiving Oh Seungpyo, when he could lie so calmly to his parents. He must really be fed up with Seungpyo’s schemes.

Most students had taken other routes, so the schoolyard was almost empty. Seungpyo, splashing through puddles, suddenly asked, as if a thought had just struck him, “Why were you just standing there? You could have borrowed someone else’s umbrella.”

When Jaemin, speechless, didn’t immediately respond, Seungpyo’s eyes widened.

“Don’t tell me it’s because I told you not to share an umbrella with anyone else earlier?”

“Huh?”

“Wow, you really…”

Even though Jaemin hadn’t answered, Seungpyo seemed to be moved by his own assumptions, covering his mouth as if speechless. Even without saying anything, Seungpyo managed to come up with a plausible reason on his own. There were some convenient aspects to Seungpyo’s capriciousness.

Seungpyo asked in an exaggeratedly sweet voice, as if coaxing a child, “Were you just going to stand there and get soaked?”

“It’s just to the gate…”

As Jaemin glossed over it without correcting the misunderstanding, Seungpyo nodded, as if he understood the situation perfectly.

“I’ll listen to you from now on, too.”

“…Okay.”

Good. Just let him keep misunderstanding…

Jaemin muttered to himself and walked forward. It was a short distance from the main building to the school gate. As he opened the car door, his older brother, who had been waiting while looking at his phone, looked up.

“Oh, Jaemin. Why are you so late? I was about to call you both, since neither of you were here.”

“He didn’t have an umbrella. Good thing I went to check on him.”

Seungpyo quickly answered from beside him. The driver looked back and forth between the two and asked, “Bringing a friend along today?”

“Yes, we go to the same academy.”

“Alright, get in quickly.”

They squeezed into the back seat. Seungpyo leaned back against the seat and whispered to Jaemin, “These seats are really nice.”

Jaemin couldn’t bring himself to agree. Since he rode in this car all the time, it didn’t impress him, and he hadn’t developed much interest in cars yet, having always been chauffeured around.

But Seungpyo looked around the car, then pressed his face against the headrest of the passenger seat and started asking the driver all sorts of questions.

“Hyung, this car has HUD, right?”

“Yeah, I’m using it right now. You can’t see it from there, though. Interested in cars?”

“My dad said he’ll buy me a car when I get into college.”

“Don’t count on it too much. Lots of parents say that and then don’t follow through.”

“Even if he doesn’t, I’ll get him to. I’m going to get my license right after graduation.”

The driver chuckled, seemingly more friendly with Seungpyo, whom he’d just met, than with Jaemin, whom he saw every day. Jaemin watched them chat, intrigued, then turned to look out the window. Droplets of water clung to the glass, blurring and distorting the usually clear view outside.

Oh Seungpyo was a strange guy. They had absolutely nothing in common. Even just now, Seungpyo had acted like he knew exactly what Jaemin was thinking, making all sorts of assumptions, but the fact that none of them were correct proved otherwise.

Loud and conspicuous, needlessly popular, always surrounded by people, with different thoughts, opinions, interests, and always saying things to annoy him, from the very beginning until recently.

‘Exam season is so weird. Time feels like it’s flying by, but also dragging on forever. I just want it to be over already.’

He remembered a classmate’s grumbling from earlier that day. Oh Seungpyo was like exam season itself. It was strange that it was even possible, but he was incredibly annoying and incredibly comfortable at the same time. That was probably why Jaemin always felt sleepy when he sat next to Oh Seungpyo.

As he leaned his head against the window and quietly dozed off, Seungpyo’s hand reached out and touched his hand, which was resting on the car seat. As if unsure, at first only their fingertips touched lightly, but when Jaemin didn’t react, Seungpyo’s hand gradually covered the back of Jaemin’s hand.

His resolution to tone it down hadn’t even lasted a few minutes. But Jaemin was too drowsy to tell him to move his hand, so he pretended to be asleep.

He really wished the exams were over soon. He wanted to put an end to this confusing time, to burst the bubble of the fake confession they’d made to each other, the fake relationship they were maintaining for its sake, and untangle the tangled mess. Then, the flower that had bloomed within him today might quietly wither away like a daylily, as if it had never bloomed at all.

Jaemin’s brow furrowed slightly, almost imperceptibly, with a touch of sadness. He’d had something he wanted to say to Oh Seungpyo after the final exams, after he won their bet, as a sort of victory reward, but now it seemed like he would never get the chance.

Annoying yet comfortable, with mismatched personalities, hearts, and tastes, yet somehow more enjoyable than not to be around. The only classmate who knew Jaemin’s secret, the one he’d never planned to tell anyone, even though it hadn’t been intentional.

‘I don’t want to like you.’

He’d wanted to correct what he’d said to Oh Seungpyo after the exams, the words that had seemed to upset him so much: that they weren’t friends, that they weren’t anything.

He’d thought that way before, but not anymore. So, let’s be friends from now on.

…But now, he would never be able to be friends with Oh Seungpyo.

“Ryu Jaemin, wake up. We’re here.”

“Huh…”

At Seungpyo’s voice, Jaemin rubbed his eyes drowsily, pretending he’d been fast asleep. Seungpyo got out of the car first and opened the red umbrella wide once more. Jaemin, still looking sleepy and sullen, walked over to his side.

The final exams of the first semester were just around the corner.