ETP Ch 29

“Wow.”

A gasp of admiration escaped Bokseung’s small lips.

And for good reason. There were only three people, but the table was laden with enough food for thirty.

It felt like déjà vu, reminding him of the last time he visited Yoohyun’s house.

“Bokseung, you’re not a picky eater, are you?”

“Huh? No.”

“Eat your fill! Oh, right, are you already full from dinner? Should I just ask them to bring out dessert?”

Sunjung said, moving a plate of tteokgalbi (grilled short rib patties) in front of Bokseung. The answer, however, came not from Bokseung, but from Yoohyun.

“He eats well. Just let him eat and order dessert later.”

With that, he pulled a plate of bulgogi (marinated beef barbecue) closer to Bokseung. Sungyeon, who somehow ended up being waited on by both of them, gave an awkward laugh and put the dishes back in their original places.

“Really? All that fits in that tiny stomach of yours, Bokseung?”

“Yes, I eat well. Sunbae-nim, thank you, I’ll enjoy it.”

Sungyeon didn’t hold back and ate to his heart’s content. When would he ever get to eat such a feast again? He’d wondered why they hadn’t asked him what he wanted, but it seemed they intended to bring out everything they had.

Despite his initial worries about finishing it all, the plates emptied quickly.

Sungyeon, as well as Yoohyun and Sunjung, seemed to be serious when it came to eating.

“Wow, I’m full.”

Sunjung only leaned back after completely finishing her persimmon sherbet dessert.

Seeing her resemble a well-fed bear, Sungyeon’s lips curved into a smile. The natural sweetness of the persimmon, not an artificial flavor, also brightened his mood.

“So, exams start next week?”

Sunjung, patting her stomach, tilted her head. She hadn’t seen any sign of studying at Yoohyun’s place.

Sungyeon nodded.

In fact, those exams were making his head spin, leaving him feeling completely lost. He was studying using his pad and everything else he could, but it was still difficult.

Seeing the worry etched on Bokseung’s face, Sunjung nudged Yoohyun, who was sitting next to her.

“Hey, hey, give your junior some past exam papers. Can’t you see his face is all drawn from studying?”

His face was gleaming from being stuffed with food up to his throat, so Sungyeon wasn’t sure what she meant by “drawn.”

Despite Sunjung speaking up for him, Sungyeon felt uneasy. Given her exaggeration, it was natural for Yoohyun, who was right in front of Bokseung’s round face, to scoff at her words.

One corner of Yoohyun’s mouth lifted in a smirk. Sunjung Sunbae-nim was the one being dramatic, so why was he the one feeling embarrassed?

“We have to have overlapping courses for me to give him any.”

“Why? Aren’t you both in the humanities department?”

Hearing his friend’s reply, Yoohyun gave Sunjung a look of disdain. He didn’t even know where to begin explaining.

“I’ve already received past papers from my friends. Now I just need to study hard!”

Sungyeon clenched his fist.

Even if he didn’t get a scholarship, he couldn’t fail his major courses! The pressure was immense. And it was all because our Bokseung was so smart that he even received a scholarship for his first semester grades…!

He couldn’t let his friends find out about his grades this time. Not just his friends, but anyone!

“Stop with the useless chatter and let’s go. He said he came out to study.”

At Yoohyun’s words, Sunjung grumbled and got up. She shuddered at Hwang Yoohyun’s overbearing, parent-like attitude.

🍑‧₊ ⋆˙

As the car neared his house, Sungyeon, his stomach pleasantly full of high-quality food, desperately fought to keep his eyelids open.

If he had stayed in the car a little longer, he would have fallen into a deep sleep.

Barely managing to pull himself together, Sungyeon stepped out of the brightly colored car and bowed his head. It was an incredibly lavish dinner, considering it was a last-minute invitation.

“Uh, since we’re here, can I come up and see your place?”

Sunjung said, looking up at the villa.

Now that she mentioned it, after being treated to such an expensive meal, the least he could do was offer a cup of coffee, even if it wasn’t a fancy dessert.

After a brief pause, Sungyeon was about to agree when a large hand covered his mouth.

He felt a solid body behind him, accompanied by a captivating scent. Sungyeon only rolled his eyes to look back.

Yoohyun, with an indifferent expression, answered for Bokseung.

“Go where? Are you crazy?”

“……??”

“……??”

Yoohyun’s reply widened the eyes of the other two. They couldn’t understand why it would be crazy to look around his house.

Yoohyun, seeing their bewildered expressions, sighed briefly.

“No.”

But, why?

“Is it your house? Kim Bokseung’s the one inviting us, why are you saying no like that?”

Nod, nod.

Sungyeon nodded in agreement with Sunjung. Lips pressed against his palm moved along with the nod.

Yoohyun, momentarily startled by the ticklish sensation, coughed briefly before continuing.

“He lives alone. It’s dangerous.”

“Huh? What?! Hey! This bastard, really!”

Sunjung, finally understanding Yoohyun’s implication, fumed. Did this bastard just treat me like some kind of thug?!

“Fuck, you come here.”

Sunjung pulled Yoohyun away from Bokseung and into a corner.

“Hey! Are you dating Kim Bokseung? Huh? What’s going on?”

“What.”

If this went on any longer, flames would erupt from Sunjung’s mouth. However, despite his friend’s rage, Yoohyun indifferently turned his head, his gaze fixed on Bokseung, who was left alone.

“This crazy bastard.”

Sunjung turned Yoohyun’s head back.

“You know you’re totally overreacting, right? Even if you and Bokseung were dating, which you’re not, why are you interfering like this?”

“…….”

“Fuck, who’s treating who like a horny beast right now! Ugh!”

If I were just a little bit stronger, I’d hit him! Sunjung stamped her foot in frustration.

Yoohyun remained indifferent, his attention solely focused on one thing: the anxiety that Sunjung might somehow discover Kim Bokseung’s pheromones.

This was the reason why he kept the pheromone issue a secret, even from his best friend.

The selfish desire to not share even a moment of that scent with anyone.

Therefore, Yoohyun couldn’t give in, no matter how much Sunjung cursed and raged beside him.

“I’m just not going to say anything anymore!”

After glaring at Yoohyun one last time, who still hadn’t reacted, Sunjung turned around. Looking at Bokseung, who was still clueless, Sunjung sighed deeply.

It seemed the kid had no idea who he was dealing with. Or maybe it was better for him not to know?

After much internal debate, Sunjung decided to play dumb. There was no telling when Hwang Yoohyun would have another mood swing. The thought of being caught in the crossfire if she tipped Bokseung off sent shivers down her spine.

“Bokseung, I’ll be going now. I don’t know what switch flipped in Hwang Yoohyun’s head to make him act like that.”

“Okay, then I’ll buy you something delicious next time.”

Sunjung laughed heartily at Bokseung’s reply.

“Alright! I’ll look forward to it.”

“Yes, thank you so much today. Drive safely!”

Sunjung waved and got into the car.

Just then, Yoohyun, who seemed like he would head straight for the passenger seat, walked towards Bokseung instead.

“Kim Bokseung.”

“Yes?”

Sungyeon looked up at Yoohyun standing before him.

A small crease formed between Yoohyun’s brows, as if something was bothering him.

“Don’t let just anyone into your house. It’s dangerous.”

I guess that “anyone” doesn’t include Sunbae-nim.

A crease formed between Bokseung’s brows as he thought of Yoohyun, who would barge into his house at any given moment with the excuse of coffee.

Yoohyun rubbed the crease between Bokseung’s brows with his index finger. Such a fierce expression didn’t suit him.

“Isn’t Sunbae-nim just anyone?”

“Me?”

“Yes! Why is it okay for Sunbae-nim but not others?”

“I’m not just anyone.”

Huh?

Bokseung’s round face tilted to the side.

“I even have a Kim Bokseung usage coupon.”

Yoohyun smirked, omitting the word “wallet” in the middle of his sentence, which Sungyeon failed to notice.

Instead, Sungyeon quietly lowered his eyes, which had been sharply raised. Now that he thought about it, he had been a bit wrong to Sunbae-nim.

Yoohyun ruffled Bokseung’s hair, which had quickly become docile. The fluffy hair puffed up before gently settling back down.

“Anyway, don’t let anyone in your house unless they’re close enough to get a coupon from you, like me.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll be careful with people.”

“Good.”

Is he seriously distrustful of people? Why can’t he even trust his best friend?

Sungyeon was displeased, but because of his guilt, he couldn’t say anything.

Yoohyun, seemingly satisfied with Bokseung’s answer, let out a small chuckle.

Bokseung’s cheeks flushed at the lovely smile accompanied by the influx of pheromones. It was a natural reaction, like a cat becoming weak in the presence of catnip.

Oh dear, he’s totally bewitching.

Sungyeon rubbed his hot cheeks.

“Don’t just lie down because you’re full. You’ll get indigestion.”

“Of, of course not! I wouldn’t lie down. I have to study hard!”

He was so tired he’d planned to lie down for just 30 minutes.

Feeling a pang of guilt, Sungyeon widened his eyes and put on a determined expression. Judging by his expression alone, he looked resolute enough to earn a scholarship.

“Alright, I’m going.”

Yoohyun said goodbye briefly and turned around.

Compared to the past, when he would disappear without a word, this was a huge improvement.