EAR Ch 41

―I hope there’s no misunderstanding, but nothing particularly bad happened at home. You’re also preparing for the college entrance exam, so you’ll understand, but the better a student is, the more stress they have.

“Yes, I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I’m second in the entire school after Jaemin. So I understand a little.”

The atmosphere became more relaxed as he added a touch of humor, deciding to counter pretense with pretense. The more rigid people are, the more vulnerable they are to easygoingness.

“Anyway, I’ll take Ryu Jaemin home. But I’d appreciate it if you could come out to meet us. It would be troublesome if Jaemin went somewhere else after parting ways with me.”

―Yes, of course, I’ll come out. Where are you now?

“Near Donghae. I brought him to the beach for some fresh air. We’re about to leave the terminal, but it will take at least four hours to get there.”

Jaemin was staring intently at Seungpyo with an intrigued expression, like a spectator at a farce. Seungpyo grinned, making a circle with his thumb and index finger.

“No, you don’t have to come all the way to the terminal. That would be burdensome for both of us. I’ll call you again when we’re near your home.”

End of play. Jaemin laughed in disbelief at Seungpyo, who hung up and showed him his phone.

“You sounded like a really nice kid on the phone just now.”

“I am a nice kid.”

When Seungpyo sat close beside him and nudged his head towards him, Jaemin chuckled and patted the back of his head.

“My mother likes you, and now my father will too.”

“The image of me taking care of you has to be firmly planted in their minds so they won’t interfere with us until graduation.”

Even if the other party was his son’s friend and a student, they wouldn’t want their family matters to be revealed. He had pretended to be calm throughout the short call, but Ryu Jaemin’s father’s insides must be boiling like lava right now. He couldn’t trust someone like that and send Jaemin home alone.

When their model student child suddenly acts out, many parents choose the most convenient coping mechanism. Blaming everything on the influence of a recently close friend. Seungpyo had met a few friends’ parents who blamed him for their child’s changes during puberty.

It was a situation he had to preemptively avoid. As high school students, their freedom was limited anyway, so being labeled as a “bad friend” by a guardian would only make their remaining high school life more difficult.

“Your parents will now want me to look after you. Without even knowing I’m an accomplice.”

Jaemin agreed by smiling and nodding slightly. The two bought drinks and snacks at the terminal convenience store and boarded the bus.

While the bus slowly turned and started towards Seoul, Jaemin stared out the window without saying a word. He pretended to be calm, but he couldn’t help but feel anxious about returning to the tiger’s den he had escaped from. Seungpyo placed his hand on top of Jaemin’s hand on the armrest.

“If anything seems off, run straight to my house.”

“Don’t worry.”

“Remember that I can live with you right now if I want to.”

“Okay.”

Outside the window, as they left the city, a panorama of green mountains and trees, blue sky and white clouds repeatedly flashed by.

Just like when they watched the sunrise at the sea, looking at the bright and cozy summer sky, he didn’t feel like anything would go wrong. Watching Jaemin, who had fallen asleep with their hands clasped together, perhaps truly at ease, Seungpyo could finally relax his shoulders.

“Jaemin!”

The meeting place with Jaemin’s family was a franchise cafe in front of the apartment complex.

Seungpyo and Jaemin, who were quietly talking after ordering iced Americanos, simultaneously turned their heads towards the voice.

Jaemin’s mother was approaching quickly. He had only met her once, but even Seungpyo could sense her anxiety, as if she had abandoned all of her usual elegance and composure.

And he saw a man walking behind her. A thin, upright man with a stern impression. Even without an explanation, it was obvious who he was.

He definitely can’t beat Ryu Jaemin physically. Seungpyo scoffed inwardly and stood up.

“You, how could you…”

Jaemin’s mother, lowering her voice so as not to disturb Seungpyo and the other customers, bit her lip, unable to finish her sentence.

“Hello.”

Seungpyo greeted her first, in place of Jaemin, who was sitting silently. Jaemin’s mother seemed to finally notice Seungpyo’s presence. She smiled palely.

“It’s nice to see you again, Seungpyo. I heard everything. Thank you so much.”

“It’s nothing. Think of it as a one-night trip.”

Finally, Jaemin’s father came and stood next to the table. He looked down at Jaemin silently, then turned his gaze to Seungpyo.

Seungpyo met his gaze, clenching his fist tightly out of sight. He felt like he needed to grab the man by the collar, father or not, to relieve his frustration, but he had to suppress even his increasingly fierce gaze. Playing the unexpected adult role wasn’t easy.

As he was about to greet him again, Jaemin’s father spoke first.

“I’m sorry for the trouble.”

“It’s nothing. Thanks to this, I got to visit the beach after a long time. I just think of it as a trip.”

“Come to think of it, it must have cost quite a bit. Give me your account number and I’ll pay you back generously. Send it to the number you called earlier.”

“No! We went on a trip together, it’s fine.”

Jaemin’s father turned his gaze to Jaemin. He was a man whose expression was hard to read. Seungpyo erased his smile and watched the two.

“Get up. Let’s go home.”

Jaemin silently stood up. Seungpyo approached him and spoke.

“Ryu Jaemin, go home safely, and I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

The parents, whose son had been silent towards them but spoke only to Seungpyo, had complicated expressions.

But Seungpyo and Jaemin felt the same way. They didn’t want to part, but they had to let go of each other’s hands. They often thought about wanting to become adults quickly, but they had never felt it as keenly as now.

They exchanged glances, promising to see each other tomorrow. As Jaemin turned towards the exit with his parents, Seungpyo lowered his voice and stopped one of them.

“Sir.”

Jaemin’s parents turned around. Seungpyo bowed his head slightly and said,

“There’s something I wanted to talk to you about privately…”

His mother looked anxiously back and forth between her husband and Seungpyo. However, when Jaemin’s father gestured, she took her son and went outside.

“What is it?”

Jaemin’s father came back to the table. Seungpyo lowered his voice and whispered cautiously.

“Actually, there’s something I learned when I was alone with Jaemin… I thought his mother would be shocked if she knew, so I wanted to tell you only.”

“What is it?”

“I think Jaemin was physically punished at the cram school he was attending. His calves were a mess, as if he had been hit. Jaemin isn’t the type to run away from home. I think he left because he was angry about being unjustly assaulted at the cram school.”

“…Is that so? Did Jaemin say that?”

The man’s expression became serious as if genuinely concerned. Disgusting human being. Seungpyo inwardly cursed and put his phone in his pocket.

“No, he didn’t say who hit him, but it’s obvious, isn’t it? I know that some managed cram schools use corporal punishment. But even I thought it was too much. I thought I should document it as evidence, so I took pictures of everything. I also got a medical certificate from the hospital. The doctor said it would be better to get a certificate of injury, but Jaemin didn’t want to, so I just got a regular one for now.”

Seungpyo rummaged through his bag and took out a copy of the medical certificate. He saw Jaemin’s father’s Adam’s apple bob as he took the document and unfolded it. Seungpyo added in an indignant voice.

“You’re going to complain to the cram school, right? If you need anything for legal action, please let me know. I’ll send you the photos right away. I’m Jaemin’s best friend, so I can help you in any way.”

Jaemin’s father stared at Seungpyo silently. This time, Seungpyo met his gaze directly. I don’t know anything, but I’m doing this because I’m worried about my friend. I have all the evidence, and I’m ready to do anything. Your son has such a passionate ally. He wore an innocent and determined expression that conveyed all of that.

“Sir?”

“Ah, yes.”

As if realizing the silence had gone on for too long, the man cleared his throat with a cough and nodded.

“I’m at a loss for words as a parent that you care so much. I’ll be sure to contact you if I need anything.”

“Yes, please go home safely. Oh, and please don’t punish Ryu Jaemin too much. It was the cram school’s fault.”

“Yes. You go home safely too.”

The man’s posture as he turned around was still straight, but perhaps due to his mood, he seemed to stagger slightly. Seungpyo watched him until he left, then sat back down and took a sip of his remaining coffee.

Did today’s scheme work? Ryu Jaemin had returned home, but Seungpyo couldn’t leave. He didn’t even know if it was the right decision.

Ryu Jaemin had gone back bravely, saying he just had to not lose, but would it be that easy for someone who had never properly rebelled in his life to fight his parents? Shouldn’t he have waited a few more days before returning? Until his parents asked him to come back?

Ryu Jaemin are you okay? Reply as soon as you see this if you wait too long I’ll go to your house

He felt like he had made a mistake under the spell of the bright summer dawn. Until he got on the bus, it had felt like everything would be alright, but as he returned to the middle of the city, pessimism slowly gripped his heart.

‘Should I follow him now? I could pretend I left something behind. If they don’t open the door, I’ll call the police.’

As he was anxiously thinking these thoughts, his tightly gripped phone vibrated. Seungpyo hurriedly opened the message window.

I’m okay I’m in my room now and I got my phone back

It’s much calmer than I thought they didn’t say much just told me to rest and I came to my room

Seungpyo breathed a sigh of relief. But he couldn’t let his guard down yet.

But it could explode suddenly be careful

I should’ve just gone to your house

It would’ve been better to wait a few more days and see how things went

They seem shocked that I ran away especially my mother since I disappeared right in front of her

It seems like they fought a lot while I was gone but they’re quiet to me

Don’t worry I’ll go to your house if anything happens

I’m still at the cafe

I’m too anxious to go home

Go quickly

You have to be there first so I can run to your house if anything happens

Seungpyo, staring blankly at the messages, nodded. It made sense.

Okay I’ll go first

Contact me again anytime

After replying, Seungpyo finally got up. He left the cafe and walked for a while, then looked up at the sky.

The sun, which had taken them to a dazzling world at dawn, was now setting in the west, completing its day’s work. If the brilliant golden light scattered everywhere and the endless expanse of the sea had given him hope that everything would be alright, the deep and tranquil vermilion sunset and the silhouettes of the towering buildings seemed to offer comfort, saying, “Good job.”

Seungpyo stood still for a moment, cooling off and bidding farewell to the setting sun, then started walking again.