IPSTDS Chapter 83

Chapter 83

Yoon Noah really disliked that sly side of Park Sangcheol.

If the boy had been just a little dumber, he would have already been expelled and no longer able to bother him. It was a shame.

“Enough, get lost. You reek of smoke.”

Yoon Noah glared sharply at Park Sangcheol. Ever since the other found out his true feelings, he had stopped treating him warmly.

‘You don’t even think of me as a friend. Did you think I wouldn’t know you only stuck around because of Seo Dowoong? Did you really think I was that pathetic?’

After hearing such words from Park Sangcheol, Noah had only half-heartedly entertained his chatter.

That didn’t mean he had ever begged Seo Dowoong to reconnect and be friends again.

‘I only stuck with you because it was funny and pitiful, the way you tried for Seo Dowoong even while knowing. But if I figured it out, don’t you think Seo Dowoong would have too?’

And just as Park Sangcheol said, what weighed on his heart most was that Seo Dowoong knew everything and still chose to completely turn his back on him.

Seo Dowoong ignored him for as long as two whole seasons passed, as if he had already forgotten every memory they once shared.

Noah felt resentful, and at the same time, sad. He realized he had been the only one to think of Seo Dowoong as more than a friend—someone like family.

And what angered him even more was this: the one who understood his confusion and bitterness best was none other than Park Sangcheol.

Park Sangcheol was like a demon in human skin, constantly stabbing at Noah’s weakened heart. And he was doing it again now.

“So, are you still thinking about that offer I made?”

When summer had turned to autumn, Park Sangcheol had suggested that they team up to mess with Seo Dowoong. Noah had let himself be half-swayed into at least listening to the plan.

The scheme was simple and violent. Twisted with tricks to cleverly escape responsibility—it was exactly the kind of plan one would expect from Park Sangcheol.

Of course, Noah had no intention of joining in.

Even if he resented Seo Dowoong, he had never wanted to hurt him physically.

“I told you already, I’m not doing it.”

“No, you’ll end up doing it.”

“And why do you think that?”

Park Sangcheol smirked arrogantly as if flaunting himself.

“Because you were watching Seo Dowoong again today.”

“…”

“You’re overflowing with regrets.”

“You saw wrong.”

“How do you think you’ll feel when Seo Dowoong hurts you even more?”

“Hey, we’re not even speaking to each other right now. What more could he possibly do to hurt me?”

And really, after the wounds Seo Dowoong had already dealt him, what could hurt more than that?

“We’ll see.”

Yoon Noah gave a bitter laugh, mocking him.

And right at that moment, Seo Dowoong appeared, opening the front door of the classroom. No one knew when he had come upstairs.

During the break after lunch, the noisy chatter of the students died in an instant. All of them turned toward Seo Dowoong as though drawn by a magnet.

Yoon Noah was among them.

Their eyes met. The instant their gazes crossed, Seo Dowoong frowned faintly and turned his head away.

“…”

He had said there was nothing left that could hurt him. But this direct rejection pierced his chest painfully.

And with that, the dream ended.

“…”

Nahyuk opened his eyes, releasing shallow, uneven breaths. There was no reason for him to be out of breath, yet his breathing was quick, and even his heart pounded wildly.

It wasn’t from excitement. The rapid beat carried a dangerous edge, reminding him that the rare disease he suffered from stemmed from his heart.

He couldn’t move a muscle, only gasping dryly for air.

It’s fine. I’ll be fine. I’m not going to die like this.

Repeating that truth over and over, his heartbeat finally slowed back to normal. Only then did Nahyuk open his eyes wide and let out a long sigh of relief.

When he finally looked around, he realized he was lying on his own bed—and that it wasn’t Lee Kangil but Kim Daon whose hand rested lightly on his waist.

Outside the window, the sky was still dark.

He remembered falling asleep in Daon’s arms. Perhaps Daon had carried him back to bed.

Thinking back that far made him recall the inexplicable kiss, and his face warmed. Nahyuk stared quietly at Daon’s sleeping face.

I’m thirsty…

Remembering that kiss left him with a strange thirst. He carefully slipped out of bed so as not to wake him.

Kangil, still fast asleep like he had collapsed, showed no sign of waking. Daon too stayed asleep this time.

Nahyuk grabbed only his phone and slipped out of the room again.

He went down to the first floor and drank a cool glass of water in one go. As his drowsy mind cleared, he suddenly remembered something he hadn’t checked while he’d been with Daon.

Since I’m alone now, I should read chapter 78.

He sat at the dining table and lit up his phone screen.

Opening the serial page invisible to anyone else, the content of chapter 78 unfolded before him.

The beginning of chapter 78 picked up right where 77 had left off—Yoon Noah in the hospital, begging Lee Kangil to hold him.

「Lee Kangil stared straight at Yoon Noah, who had not only asked, but pleaded to be held.

Like a clueless pup that didn’t know the dangers of the world, he looked pitiful today.

Was it because he was sick? Or was it because the loneliness Yoon Noah felt was somehow being passed on to him?

Noah’s arm was only half-extended, and tears kept streaming down his face.

His flushed cheeks, reddened eyes, and the faint trembling of his thin shoulders—all of it was striking.

Though Kangil felt pity for him, he was also drawn to that sight. He had only ever thought of Noah as a stimulant, someone who provided dopamine, but now he was seeing another side of him.

“Yoon Noah. Is all you want before you die just to be held?”

“….”

Noah didn’t answer, only gave the slightest nod. He looked as though he might vanish from the world at any moment.

Kangil frowned at the sight. Why was someone who seemed like he would claw tooth and nail to survive now so broken?

Though he acted reckless, chasing after whatever amused him, Kangil was in truth soft-hearted.

Not that he was kind to everyone.

He didn’t know what his own standard was, but when someone naturally stirred his heart, he couldn’t look away.

To those he wanted to help, he showed weakness.

And now, Yoon Noah, right before his eyes, was stirring his heart.

Like a rain-soaked kitten, Noah was impossible to ignore. That plea—to be held—struck him right in the chest.

At last, Kangil strode over with his long legs and climbed onto the bed.

He wrapped Noah tightly in his arms. He could hear Noah’s quiet sobs, feel his shirt slowly dampening with tears.

“…I don’t usually say things I’d have to take responsibility for.”

The words slipped out before he realized.

Kangil continued.

“But I’ll make sure you live.”

He hated making promises that bound him. But Yoon Noah was different—he wanted to save him, wanted to see him swagger and boast again.

At that moment, Noah finally spoke.

“You bastard… keep your promise.”

Held him when asked, promised to save him… yet he still called him a bastard.

Strangely, it didn’t feel bad. Kangil only let out a dry laugh like someone with a loose screw.

“I’ll keep the promise, but on one condition.”

“What is it?”

“I don’t like helping someone wholeheartedly, only for them to be in love with someone else. From today on, I want you to give up on Seo Dowoong.”

Kangil couldn’t guess how Noah would respond.

Surely, his desire to live was desperate. But his feelings for Seo Dowoong were just as strong.

Everyone around their age with money knew how much Yoon Noah liked Seo Dowoong. Kangil was no exception.

Noah hadn’t even cared about coming out—he made no effort to hide his feelings. Because of that, some men even approached him deliberately.

But Kangil had never once heard rumors of Noah being with anyone but Seo Dowoong.

Despite his cocky appearance and harsh words, Noah had held a pure, steadfast love.

How would he answer?

If Noah said he couldn’t give up Seo Dowoong, would Kangil still have to save him?

He decided he would think about that later—after hearing Noah’s reply.

At that moment, Noah, still in his arms, pushed against his chest.