LCL 17

The woman drew out an “Ah” sound. I felt a bit sorry since she had come all this way. Imagining her awkward retreat made me feel embarrassed too. But the seat opposite us didn’t empty.

I thought she would stand up right away, but surprisingly, she kept her seat. Well, considering she proposed joining tables in this kind of bar, she probably didn’t come with an ordinary mindset.

“It’s not with any strange intentions, can’t we just hang out as friends?”

“No, because they have a nasty personality. If I get caught, they’ll scratch my face up.”

Dae-han finished speaking and grinned. Only I narrowed my eyes. Who has a nasty personality? Ridiculous. The woman, rejected even for friendly company, finally returned to her group.

If I wasn’t dating Dae-han, would I have naturally accepted such a proposal to join tables? I suddenly wondered. Though it’s not like that would ever happen anyway.

Anyway. I nudged Dae-han’s arm with my elbow.

“Ouch.”

Dae-han feigned pain even though it didn’t hurt. I glared at him, narrowing my eyes. It was infuriating how he pretended not to know.

“Who has a nasty personality?”

“I was talking about my girlfriend, are you my girlfriend?”

“…Ugh.”

“Not girlfriend. Boyfriend.”

Put that way, I had nothing to say. Ha- I sighed and tore apart a jeon. Ji-pil, who said he was going to the bathroom, finally returned staggering after quite a while. He seemed to have drunk a lot, and was now completely drunk.

It was time to go home. Dae-han and I made eye contact at the same time. So annoying… We probably had the same thought.

Even though it was grape-flavored makgeolli, alcohol was still alcohol, and only Ji-pil and I were drunk. Despite being completely intoxicated, Ji-pil shouted the name of another bar, insisting on a second round, but Dae-han opposed.

“No way. What are you trying to do when you’re so wasted?”

“Come on. Let’s go just once. Huh? Just once. Do you know how many months it’s been since we met like this?”

Dae-han finally cursed at Ji-pil, who was pleading persistently.

“Hey, you crazy bastard. That place is a hunting bar.”

Hunting bae. Standing on the street, I turned my head. I don’t feel anything even looking at Ji-pil barely leaning on Dae-han. Really. Even if Ji-pil deliberately tried to seduce Dae-han, I wouldn’t think much of it.

I was more concerned about Dae-han knowing about that place than Ji-pil suggesting we go to a hunting bar. Even though he goes out and has fun with classmates, he’s never been to a hunting bar.

That place is more for meeting the opposite sex than for drinking. Some people have been there, but I didn’t particularly want to go. Because I have Dae-han.

Ji-pil fretted alone. He seemed more drunk than expected, swaying and wailing.

“Can’t we just go once? It’s not like I’m going to join tables or do anything. I’ll just win some coins, play some games, that’s all. And it’s not like I’m taking Young-hyun separately… Uuuuh!”

“Shut up. Just stop.”

Dae-han covered Ji-pil’s mouth. Seeing them argue, I thought it would be better to send Ji-pil off, so I stood on the roadside and waved.

Does Ji-pil even know who he’s leaning on? I wanted to hit that endlessly babbling mouth. He was still disoriented and swaying. Thanks to that, I was starting to sober up.

“Young-hyun, hic…, let’s go to the hunting bar. Let’s also go to clubs, and places like gamju…. We’re twenty years old.”

What’s gamju? Just hearing the name makes me not want to go.

“Stop talking nonsense, seriously.”

Unlike me, Dae-han reacted sensitively. Ji-pil would shut his lips when cursed at by Dae-han, but not even a minute later, he would seek me out again.

“Let’s have some fun too, we’re twenty years old…”

“Hey.”

Finally unable to bear it, Dae-han yanked Ji-pil. Instead of whispering to me, he whispered something from a distance. He’s probably just cursing.

Anyway, Ji-pil finally shut up. He straightened his swaying body and stood up straight.

Only after waving my hand several times did a taxi stop. When I opened the back door, Ji-pil got in smoothly. Was he pretending to be drunk?

I looked at him suddenly becoming docile. Ji-pil, crammed into the corner of the taxi, sniffled and crossed his arms, getting ready to sleep. Dae-han took out his wallet and handed Ji-pil a 50,000 won bill.

“Hey, add this to the taxi fare.”

The door closed roughly before we could exchange goodbyes. Bang! Ji-pil tried to lower the window to say goodbye, but the taxi smoothly departed. It felt like telling us to give up on the drinking party.

It was a shame not to say goodbye, but I felt relieved. Let’s meet sober next time. Dae-han lightly kicked a piece of stone on the ground.

“Ah, such an annoying bastard. I want to beat him up.”

I pretended not to hear his fierce muttering. Surely Dae-han wouldn’t… to my friend. He wouldn’t have said that. Probably…

“Ki Young-hyun.”

“Yeah.”

“You don’t want to go to those places, right? The twenty-year-old life you talked about doesn’t include those things.”

“Where?”

Dae-han came closer. He raised his fingers to fix my messy hair.

“Well, places like hunting bars or clubs.”

“I’m not going to those places.”

“Why? You might want to go.”

“Why would I go when I have you…”

I just stated the fact, but his hand paused. I raised my head a beat late. Why? When I asked back, Dae-han grinned.

“Let’s kiss once before we go.”

He seems to like it. I looked around and pointed to an empty alley. Dae-han grabbed my wrist and led me without hesitation. Check-in will be a bit delayed, it seems.

We didn’t need to go back to the main street. We delved from alley to alley. Soon, we’ll reach the entertainment district lined with motels. Dae-han, who was walking while holding my wrist, asked while looking straight ahead.

“You’re not more drunk, are you?”

“I’ve sobered up a lot. You know that.”

How could he not know after rubbing lips like that in the alley? Dae-han muttered quietly.

“That’s a shame.”

“What is?”

“Never mind.”

The hand that was gripping my wrist finally relaxed. The skin that had been covered by his warm body temperature cooled. I hurried my steps to stand close to him.

“What’s a shame? Do you want to drink more?”

“…”

Even though I urged him like a child, Dae-han became more reticent. As I walked watching him not answering, my steps suddenly stopped. I belatedly remembered.

‘Let’s… have sex after drinking.’

Could it be because of this?

I’m sure Dae-han was shocked and disgusted at that time. Seeing how he hurriedly searched for a hotel at the bar and tried to send Ji-pil away somehow… Was he regretting it now?

I hurried my steps and pulled on his sleeve. Dae-han, who had been walking ahead, belatedly stopped and turned around. It happened to be in front of a 24-hour convenience store brightly lit. I met Dae-han’s eyes and then turned towards the convenience store.

“Let’s buy some alcohol. I want to drink more when we get there.”

“But you were already drunk.”

“…I want to get more drunk.”

I hope Dae-han catches on that my words are a signal. Dae-han quietly read the situation. So did I.

There was a long silence. The dark alley and the convenience store contrasted with our younger selves. When we were eighteen, we would go to the convenience store to buy popsicles or snacks, but now there was no one to scold us whether we drank a lot or not.

Dae-han puffed up his chest firmly. Then he nodded.

* * *

The motel with “hotel” in its name was clean and luxurious thanks to its above-average price. From the first-floor lobby, there was a staff member dressed in a suit. The room was even in a suite style with a separate living room.

Dae-han put down the things we bought at the convenience store on the table. Then, feeling uncomfortable, he naturally took off the t-shirt he was wearing and threw it aside.

It’s not like he’s showing off his good body. Well, I often strip off carelessly too, so I couldn’t say anything.

“I’m going to take a shower.”

“I’ll… shower later.”

“Want to shower together?”

“What?!”

Why does he keep asking to shower together so often? When I asked back in surprise, he looked at me as if wondering why I was so shocked. Right. We’ve showered together many times…

I wonder if it doesn’t matter. But given the nature of the motel, it was natural to feel nervous. Because there’s a purpose. What if while showering… No. I shook my head quickly.

“Go shower first. I’ll shower right after.”

Whether it was a joke or not, Dae-han didn’t suggest further and went into the bathroom. Meanwhile, I took out some dry snacks and beer and put them on the table. Chik- I opened the can, and the compressed carbonation spread out.

I sipped it. Fruit-flavored beer is indeed delicious. I put both legs up on the chair and scanned the room.

Even though it’s clean like a hotel, a motel is still a motel. There was an ashtray, and I could see delivery menus nearby. I didn’t want to watch TV, so I just flipped through the delivery menu. I wasn’t particularly hungry. The dry snacks were enough for now.

After showering following Dae-han, my body felt languid. Was it because I drank quite a lot? The alcohol was hitting me. Shouldn’t I sober up after showering? But I felt more drunk.

Dae-han was drinking the beer I had left unfinished. I approached and leaned on him. We bought soju in packs too, but I probably won’t be able to drink it.

I mulled over the drinking party from earlier. I was surprised when they asked to join our table. Usually, it’s the men who suggest joining tables first. And I was even more surprised by how smoothly Dae-han refused. Does this mean he’s experienced this before?

“Lim Dae-han.”

“Yeah?”

“Have you ever been asked for your number since coming to college?”

Dae-han pushed the beer towards me. After taking a sip and putting it down, he put some peanuts in my mouth. As I nibbled on them, I looked up.

“It’s not like it never happened.”

“What?”

“What’s with that reaction?”

Dae-han laughed softly. I was so surprised my mouth gaped open, but he seemed unfazed. I felt uneasy. Dae-han didn’t seem to notice.

“How many times?”

“Well…”

“Don’t lie, just tell me. I won’t be shocked.”

“Three times?”

“What?”

I was startled by the unexpectedly high number. Cough, I involuntarily coughed. His rough hand patted my back.

No way. He was asked for his number three times? It’s only been a little over a month since the semester started? That means he was asked at least once every two weeks?

And how… could he not mention it? I was dumbfounded and bewildered. Reading my expression, Dae-han waved his hand.

“It’s just because it’s the beginning of the semester. And I refused, so I didn’t mention it. Why would I? You must have been asked too anyway.”

“…”

I wasn’t. Really, I wasn’t. I mean, I’m human too, so I know my looks aren’t bad. I’ve been told countless times since entering college that I’m cute or asked if I was training to be an idol.

But… I wasn’t… At most, seniors or classmates asked for my contact info to be friends, nothing more.

Dae-han, who had already emptied one can of beer, opened a new one. As always, he held it with one hand and twisted the tab to open it. Pretending not to care, he glanced at me and asked.

“So… how many times were you asked?”

I just swallowed hard. None. Not everyone gets asked for their number like you do.

I silently kept my seat. Should I lie? No, do people normally ask for numbers this easily?

Since Dae-han said he refused anyway, I wasn’t jealous or angry. I was just surprised. I licked my lips. Shaking my head, I confessed my embarrassment.

“I’ve never been asked for my number.”

I could feel Dae-han turning to look at me. He seemed perplexed. I mean, it’s not easy for a guy to be asked for his number, right?

I crumpled the plastic bag that had held the dry snacks. Pretending not to see his expression, I picked at some nuts.

Damn. I shouldn’t have asked. Dae-han criticized me, disguising it as talking to himself.

“Why weren’t you asked? You’re so damn cute.”

That’s what I’d like to know.

“Maybe they just didn’t notice?”

No, that’s not it.

“Are their eyes all crooked? Why didn’t they ask for your number?”

“Stop it!”

I finally raised my voice. When I yelled, Dae-han was startled. I was too embarrassed to live.

I huffed and punctured the soju pack. Then I squeezed the pack hard, soothing my mouth with the pouring soju.

“Hey, Ki Young-hyun.”

Dae-han tried to stop me, but I stubbornly ignored him. I don’t care. Let whatever happens, happen.

I seem to be better at drinking than I thought. Maybe. Or not? I’m not sure.

Honestly, I don’t remember when we collapsed on the bed, but Dae-han and I were tangled up on the bed. With his arm as my pillow, I wrapped my legs around his thick thighs.

Every time Dae-han grabbed my chin and carefully licked, I curled up. His moist tongue delved into my mouth.

After rubbing our tongues together, unable to hold back, I pressed our lips together. Mmm, mmm… it was just a kiss, but strange sounds kept escaping.

“Hug my waist.”