LCL 15

Jung Ji-pil: [What are you doing tomorrow? Let’s have dinner]

Jung Ji-pil: [You can bring your boyfriend too]

Why does he have to say “your boyfriend” instead of just saying Lim Dae-han?

Jung Ji-pil, who had been making a fuss about retaking the entrance exam but hadn’t actually started studying, contacted me. I asked what time we should meet as I walked.

The textbooks I was holding felt heavy. I climbed the stairs to attend a major class with my classmates. The elevators to the four floors were always crowded.

It was such a tall building that people had to line up to use them. In contrast, our classroom was on the third floor, so it was manageable to walk. It was also a form of exercise since I don’t work out separately.

As I reached the third floor and was about to enter the classroom, one of my classmates raised their voice.

“Oh. Look over there.”

Everyone’s gaze followed the finger pointing. A promotional poster for the MT schedule was posted on the department bulletin board.

20□□ Economics Department M.T

Dear Economics students, the flower of college life, MT, has returned.

For freshmen, we’ve prepared a program for bonding with professors and seniors, and for current students, a 3-day program packed with stress-relieving activities. We look forward to your participation. ^ㅇ^

· Location: Gapyeong △△ Pension

· Period: April 10 (Wed) ~ 12 (Fri)

· Cost: Freshmen 10,000 won, Current students 30,000 won

Our school had a 2-night 3-day MT instead of a one-day freshman welcome party. They say it’s to focus more on department life.

We gathered around the poster and scanned the content. It was information we had already received once in the department group chat.

“You all said you’re attending, right? No one among us is skipping, right?”

“We have to go. What kind of freshman skips MT?”

With over 70 freshmen, there would likely be quite a few who wouldn’t attend, but at least among the classmates I hang out with, no one said they weren’t going.

Despite all the talk, everyone liked to have fun. I hadn’t discussed it separately with Dae-han, but he would probably go. Probably…, right?

I sensed a presence from afar. I turned my gaze from the promotional poster I had been scanning absent-mindedly. Speak of the devil, Dae-han was coming up the stairs.

Senior Hyuna and Senior Seong-hong were with him on either side. All the classmates bowed in greeting. Senior Seong-hong and Senior Hyuna, who were in charge of the executive committee, gathered the classmates and said,

“This MT is going to be really fun. You’re all going, right?”

My eyes met Dae-han’s. Even if we didn’t acknowledge each other openly, we always exchanged eye greetings when we met. We met secretly and parted secretly.

Among the students responding with “Yes,” I belatedly chimed in. After Dae-han, my eyes met Senior Hyuna’s. I quietly averted my gaze. It was uncomfortable.

“Lim Dae-han, this bastard is making a fuss about not wanting to go, so we’re trying to persuade him.”

Senior Seong-hong, who looked about 20 centimeters shorter than Dae-han, put his arm around Dae-han’s shoulder. Dae-han frowned, seemingly uncomfortable with the posture.

Anyone looking would think he was a current student. He was clearly twenty years old, but for some reason, he gave off the feeling of a returning student. Even now, seeing him standing with one leg crossed next to the seniors made it seem more so. Park In-gong asked Dae-han.

“You’re not going to the MT?”

“It’s bothersome. Maybe if it was just one night and two days.”

“Come on. We’ll let you off easy! Just come with your body!”

Senior Seong-hong tried to coax Dae-han gently. Even if he acts so pitifully, Dae-han will genuinely find Senior Seong-hong annoying. He really doesn’t like that type of person…

By the way, why is Park In-gong suddenly looking out for Dae-han? He used to openly show his jealousy towards Dae-han, grinding his teeth.

“Yeah, don’t go. What’s the point of going?”

Ah, that wasn’t it. Park In-gong was excited that Dae-han said he wasn’t going. He really can’t read the atmosphere. Senior Seong-hong looked at Park In-gong with disapproval.

“Hey, In-gong, if your classmate says he’s not going, shouldn’t you try to persuade him to go? What are you doing? Instead of saying let’s go together, you’re excited that he’s not going, aren’t you?”

Senior Seong-hong’s rebuke had a bite to it. Normally, Park In-gong would have cowered, but today he talked back more. Whether he was trying to look cool in front of his classmates or was upset, he argued with an aggrieved voice. He’s going to get scolded at this rate.

“No, Sunbae. Why do you always discriminate in favor of Lim Dae-han? We’re all fresh, green freshmen, bright twenty-year-olds. Noona, I’m sorry. Noona, since you took a gap year…”

“This guy, really.”

Park In-gong had dug himself into a hole with his words. He should have just stopped at talking about freshmen, but why did he have to mention being twenty and bring up the noona who took a gap year, only to end up getting a punch on the shoulder?

Anyway, just as Dae-han found Senior Seong-hong annoying, Senior Seong-hong found Park In-gong quite annoying. The senior who acted like a tail-wagging puppy towards Dae-han immediately hardened his expression when Park In-gong spoke.

“Hey. What discrimination? Watch your mouth.”

The senior who always treated them lightly lowered his voice significantly. There was no way not to notice. The atmosphere instantly turned cold.

In fact, anyone could see that the treatment was close to discrimination, but it seems unpleasant when such words come from a freshman’s mouth.

Dae-han must have felt the senior’s favoritism, which was close to blind loyalty, but he accepted it as normal. Even now, in this situation where Park In-gong was getting scolded, he nonchalantly moved past the situation. He seemed annoyed at getting involved in unnecessary arguments.

“I’m going up.”

“Hey, come on, let’s go together.”

Senior Seong-hong followed after Dae-han. Senior Hyuna, who remained behind, tried to comfort Park In-gong.

“In-gong, every year has one of those kids. It can’t be helped even if you feel hurt. Try to work it out at the MT this time. You have a good personality, so everyone will like you.”

At those words, Park In-gong beamed as if he had never been dejected. Despite having had a campus couple even before admission, he was now drooling over Senior Hyuna, saying he liked her. It must be nice to be so simple-minded.

I shook my head with a sigh. Then, a message came from Jung Ji-pil. Although he had said we should decide on a meeting place, he just threw a link, apparently already having a place in mind. Looking at the photos, it seemed like a pretty nice place. I replied saying it was good.

* * *

Even if Senior Seong-hong claimed there was no favoritism or discrimination, everyone was convinced the moment the MT groups were announced. Dae-han was in Senior Seong-hong’s group. And that group also included Park In-gong and one other classmate.

Park In-gong wailed as soon as he checked the groups. Everyone must be thinking the same thing, even if they don’t say it out loud. Park In-gong is going to have quite a difficult MT…

It couldn’t be more unfortunate. Of course, it’s probably the price for running his mouth carelessly.

“What are you doing?”

As I was looking at the MT groups posted in the department group chat, Dae-han approached. He was fiddling with his phone to call a taxi, ready to go out.

I showed him the list of groups posted in the group chat. Dae-han tilted his head without much reaction. He zoomed in on the image with his thumb and index finger to check the group members.

“Ah.”

He let out a sigh when he saw that Senior Seong-hong and Park In-gong were together. Of course, while it would be tough for Park In-gong, it would be the same for Dae-han. They weren’t compatible with each other.

He moved his fingers again. He accurately found my name and checked my group members. Despite his rough gestures, his accuracy was high.

“You’re in the same group as Ji-yoon and Senior Hyuna.”

“Oh, yeah. That’s right.”

I was in the same group as Senior Hyuna. Also, there was Ji-yoon, a close classmate, and other classmates from different classes that I only exchanged greetings with. It was certainly a good group.

Everyone’s personality was moderate, so it wasn’t bad. Of course, there was one presence that bothered me. It was Senior Hyuna. But I didn’t show it.

I want to believe it’s not the case. That just as Ji-yoon and Dae-han are close friends, Senior Hyuna also sees Dae-han as a good junior. Senior Hyuna might also be hanging out with Dae-han with the same feelings as Senior Seong-hong.

That would be better than being wary of someone unnecessarily. No matter how good a partner Dae-han is as a lover, why would Senior Hyuna be interested in a freshman?

Yeah, let’s think it’s a misunderstanding. I should use this opportunity to become close with Senior Hyuna. So I can clearly confirm that this uneasy feeling is a misunderstanding.

“Your group is good. Should I ask to switch too?”

“Senior Seong-hong definitely won’t allow that.”

Dae-han, who had been leaning towards me to check the group members, buried his nose in my shoulder. He inhaled slightly. He gave a kiss on my shoulder, so I turned my head.

He moved from my shoulder down my arm, grabbed my wrist and pulled it towards him. He put his lower jaw on my wrist and smelled it.

“Did you put on perfume?”

“Yeah, just something that was in the room.”

“It smells nice.”

“It’s what my brother used to use.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Dae-han frowned. Seeing him slightly narrow his brows, I felt mischievous.

“Do you like the perfume my brother uses?”

Dae-han snorted and replied.

“Then it’s yours now.”

My brother, Ki Young-han, who everyone, even his own lover, acknowledges as “a rude bastard,” seemed like he would get along with Lim Dae-han, but they didn’t quite match.

In my opinion, it seemed that way because unlike my brother’s tumultuous love life, we were meeting very peacefully. Still, he had enough conscience not to be as mean to Dae-han as he was to me.

Actually, maybe there’s not much difference… Anyway, Dae-han treated my brother respectfully, and my brother… I’m not sure.

He seemed to treat him well but also nagged a lot. Don’t use force on the kid unnecessarily, don’t scare him, don’t do weird things, etc. It was the kind of nagging even parents wouldn’t do.

Does my brother think Dae-han might hit me or something? He was definitely a strange person.

Still, it was fortunate that he didn’t make a big fuss about me sneaking one bottle of perfume. Actually, since it was left at home, he might not even know it’s gone. Stupid Young-han.

Dae-han buried his face in my wrist and neck and inhaled. It was a scent that was mild enough for a man to wear but with a slightly sweet note mixed in. It was good to wear anytime, regardless of the season.

The skin that touched the tip of his nose feels ticklish. With a strange feeling, I tried to pull away my captured wrist, but my palm was caught. A low breath touched my lips. It was dangerously close, almost touching.

“…Why?”

When I asked cautiously, he interlocked our fingers. His soft lips pressed like a stamp and then retreated.

“Do we really have to see him today?”

“Ji-pil?”

“Yeah.”

“Mmm…”

I bit my lip and met his eyes. I let out a sigh mixed with hesitation. I thought he wouldn’t react this way just from smelling a bit of perfume, but I did. Seeing Dae-han all dressed up made my heart race.

I’m not sure if I should say this, but I want to rip off the t-shirt he’s wearing. I mean, not necessarily going all the way, but just some playful touching… Ah, what am I thinking?

Instead of answering, I just rolled my eyes. On Dae-han’s phone that he was holding in his other hand, the taxi app was open. The address was entered but he hadn’t called yet.

I dragged my voice and opened the chat with Jung Ji-pil. This won’t do. I felt the same as Dae-han.

Ji-pil was so fickle that there was a high chance he would suddenly cancel the appointment. Saying his hair wasn’t cooperating, or he had nothing to wear, etc. The reasons were different every time.

There was a message from Ji-pil. He always sent several short messages. I read the letters like opening a gift box.

Oh no.

“…Ji-pil says he’s already left.”

When I showed him the chat, Dae-han lowered his head deeply. I whispered in his ear that I was just as disappointed.

“Let’s… have s3x after drinking.”

“What?”

Dae-han raised his head with a dumbfounded face. He opened his eyes wide at the unexpected response. It feels good when we do it after drinking… We could become a bit more aggressive and daring than usual.

When I drink, I become languid. Probably the same for Dae-han. He had less control over his strength than usual. He usually had some difficulty with it, but it was worse when drinking. I caressed my flushed cheeks. Dae-han finally frowned.

I quietly read his expression.

Does he not like it? Was I the only one who enjoyed it after drinking?

Judging by his expression, it seems it was just me. Dae-han might not like it. He might prefer making love sober.

Feeling awkward under his gaze that seemed to say ‘are you serious?’ I slightly avoided his eyes. I rubbed under my nose, and Lim Dae-han finally let out a chuckle mixed with a smirk.

“What are you going to do, being so horny?”

He’s an expert at embarrassing people. Yeah, I’m the only weird one here. What can I do? Feeling awkward, I deliberately turned my gaze away.

I pretended to be urgently fiddling with my phone. I replied to Jung Ji-pil, who had just gotten on the subway, saying we were about to leave by taxi too. As I was choosing an emoji to send along, Dae-han cupped my cheek with his large hand.

“I asked what you’re going to do, being so horny, Ki Young-hyun.”

“What do you mean what…”

I couldn’t answer. Dae-han, who seemed to be in a good mood for some reason, devoured my lips right then and there. He’s a true predator.