LCL Ch 4

No way.  There couldn’t be a hundred people like my hyung, right? I think it would be very difficult if there were 100 people nagging about having a boyfriend… Come to think of it, I’ve only met good people. Even if we date, they’re the type to say, ‘Is that so? Be good together.'”

“Then what should I do?”

Jung Ji-pil sucked on his iced americano through a straw, making a loud slurping noise with every sip. The smell of coffee wafted from his mouth every time he spoke. I don’t like the strong smell of coffee.

Jung Ji-pil sucked on his iced americano through a straw, making a loud slurping noise with every sip. The smell of coffee wafted from his mouth every time he spoke. I don’t like the strong smell of coffee.

To me, it just smells like a diluted scent in an air freshener, so I don’t understand why he drinks it. Jung Ji-pil raised his index finger confidently and made a suggestion.

“How?”

“They pretend not to know each other. They hide their friendship completely, whether they meet secretly or do anything together. You should do the same. Act like you barely know Lim Dae-han. Say you’re not close just because you both went to the same high school. Well, it doesn’t seem like you two were friends anyway.”

It didn’t seem like we were friends. It was hard to grasp the meaning of his words.

“What do you mean?”

“Well… I mean… Limm Dae-han looks like he’s good at having fun, and you…”

“Don’t say it.”

Is this guy really my friend? When I glared at Jung Ji-pil, who was calling me a nerd and a loser, he subtly avoided my gaze. There’s one fact Jung Ji-pil was overlooking.

He spent high school with me. He’s my friend too. We were the same.

“Well, well… Is my idea not okay?”

Jung Ji-pil quickly changed the subject, and I sighed sympathetically. Come to think of it, he might be right. High school and college are different.

Besides, we’ve grown up somewhat, so there’s no reason to go all in on relationships…

“You got a call.”

Jung Ji-pil pointed to the phone lying on the table. I checked the phone I hadn’t noticed before because I had it on silent mode. Instead of a name, there was a heart.

It was Lim Dae-han. Jung Ji-pil clicked his tongue and shook his head.

“You shouldn’t make it so obvious, you idiot. Think about it. When your seniors told you to contact Lim Dae-han, and they saw the heart emoticon, wouldn’t it look strange?”

“Let me make the call first.”

Ignoring Jung Ji-pil’s nagging, I pulled on my knit sleeve and picked up my phone. I answered before the call ended. A rough voice came through as if grumbling.

– I’m finishing up here and heading your way.

“I’m with Ji-pil right now. What about you?”

– I’m nearby. Should I come to see him too?

“Let’s meet now… just to see each other’s faces.”

– Haa…

When I heard Lim Dae-han’s sigh, I couldn’t help but laugh. There was no particular reason. It was just funny.

Lim Dae-han and Jung Ji-pil were polar opposites. Jung Ji-pil was incessantly chatty, while Lim Dae-han only spoke when necessary. Jung Ji-pil deliberately provoked Lim Dae-han, and Lim Dae-han effortlessly countered Jung Ji-pil’s antics.

Lim Dae-han didn’t need to say much. Most people adapted to him. The atmosphere shifted just by his presence, even without him saying a word.

However, Jung Ji-pil was the type of person who always had a retort ready, speaking loudly and confidently. I didn’t know if he was perceptive or clueless. Between us, he may have had a hard time, but we also had a hard time.

‘Ha ha ha! My dear friends.’

Whenever Lim Dae-han and I were next to each other, he would come over to us, squeeze in between us, and put his arm around our shoulders. It seemed like he didn’t realize how awkward it was. The same was true even in situations where there was no need to do so.

If I took a bite of ice cream, he’d suddenly appear from somewhere and snatch a bite. He even insisted on taking one despite Lim Dae-han already giving me some. There was always a reason why Lim Dae-han found him annoying.

Come to think of it… he’s really the worst, isn’t he?

‘Ah, tell Lim Dae-han not to come.’

Jung Ji-pil spoke with his mouth. It wasn’t just Lim Dae-han finding him annoying; Jung Ji-pil was uncomfortable too. What’s unfortunate is that while Lim Dae-han finds him irritating, Jung Ji-pil feels uneasy. It’s because Lim Dae-han effortlessly gets under Jung Ji-pil’s skin with his snide remarks.

“Sorry.”

I took my phone away from my ear and offered an apology to Jung Ji-pil. Honestly, I’m not sure why I had to apologize, but I just wanted to ease the tension for now. Looking back, it’s absurd.

Lim Dae-han said he would come, but why should I suddenly tell him not to come? Jung Ji-pil started grumbling.

“Ah, sh1t. Lim Dae-han. Did he lose his mind? Why did he say he’s coming and cause a fuss?”

“Hey.”

In the end, I scolded him. If Lim Dae-han had come without any notice… I understand Jung Ji-pil’s frustration, but since Limm Dae-han is my lover, I hope he doesn’t curse at him.

I told Lim Dae-han the location of the cafe and ended the call. Jung Ji-pil stuck out his lips.

“Ah, if that guy comes…”

“You’re meeting him soon. Just greet him since it’s been a while.”

“Yeah, we’re meeting, but… Ah, man…”

What’s with all the dissatisfaction? It’s not like we made plans a few days ago; he suddenly suggested meeting just two hours ago. And to make matters worse, my plans with Lim Dae-han were set first.

“We’re planning to go to the club with the guys today.”

“Don’t drink too much.”

“I’ve got all the ladies’ numbers.”

“Does that even make sense?”

“I’m popular with the older ladies. You wouldn’t understand. When I was in high school, I was just a kid to them, so I couldn’t show my true worth…”

Should I keep hearing stories like this? After dozens of minutes of meaningless conversation, the cafe door opened.

The bell chimed, refreshing the atmosphere. Amidst the gentle background music, all heads turned towards the entrance.

Lim Dae-han stepped in. The gaze of everyone in the café fixated on him. He certainly stood out with his tall stature. And his outfit was impeccable.

He used to mostly wear tracksuits, but today he dressed up a bit. He somehow looked cool wearing a flowing coat and a jet-black turtleneck. I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

“Wow….”

When I looked at the admiring Jung Ji-pil in bewilderment, he quickly turned his head and started grumbling.

“At his age, what’s with the coat…”

Was that really necessary to say? I chuckled incredulously. He himself came out wearing a peacock-like coat.

In all my years, I’ve never seen an ordinary person wear such a flamboyant coat that sheds fur with every step, spreading in the air. And it’s a coat, worn by a man, no less. Still, he had the audacity to criticize Lim Dae-han for wearing the coat.

“Why are you grumbling so much, you bastard?”

Lim Dae-han, who was approaching me, changed direction. He went to Jung Ji-pil, who was on the opposite side, grabbed his head firmly with his hand. The guy with a beanie as pointed as a squid’s end wriggled his head in protest.

“Ah! Ah! Stop it! Ah!”

“Be quiet.”

Lim Dae-han grabbed Jung Ji-pil’s neck and pressed it. Jung Ji-pil resisted by twisting his body but was easily subdued. Lim Dae-han snorted when he saw the coat that had been placed next to Ji-pil Jung.

“Did you also bring a pet leopard from home?”

“Hey, do you even know how much this cost?”

“What do you want to eat? You didn’t have lunch.”

Ignoring the defiant Jung Ji-pil, Lim Dae-han turned to me and asked. Ignoring him is routine.

“No, I’m fine… If you’re going to drink, I can…”

As I tried to take out my wallet, Lim Dae-han flashed his wallet from inside his coat. His smug grin was irritating. He’s really something, isn’t he?

Is he measuring himself by how much money he has? I use cards now too. Although they were given by my dad.

Watching him go order drinks, I shifted my gaze towards Jung Ji-pil. He was still whining as he grabbed the back of the neck that had been grabbed by Lim Dae-han.

“Sh1t, you thug… This is real violence. Damn gangsters, geez…”

“Hey, you did it first….”

“What’s the point of going to a good university? You become less human, that’s what.”

“You’re dressed like a peacock.”

“Is that the same as this? Are you siding with him because he’s your lover?!”

Then whose side should I take, if it’s not my lover…

Lim Dae-han, who received the drinks, had a tray of pastries and cakes sold at the café. We hadn’t ordered because we planned to eat separately for dinner anyway.

The drinks were clearly of a tangy and sweet variety. I didn’t plan on eating, but I was curious.

“What did you order?”

“Just try it.”

Lim Dae-han brought the drink to my lips. I sipped through the straw and swallowed the contents. A refreshing sensation spread in my mouth. I pondered the taste while swirling it around with my tongue.

“Strawberryade?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh, it’s good.”

“Drink up.”

Jung Ji-pil watched us quietly for a moment, then reached for a piece of cake. He started eating without a word of thanks. He shoved dessert into his mouth, cheeks bulging. He continued the lecture he started earlier without properly chewing.

“You two shouldn’t be like this.”

“What do you mean?”

Lim Dae-han, who had no way of knowing the situation, asked back.

“Earlier, Ji-pil said we shouldn’t act like this when we go to college.”

“What are you two thinking about again?”