Ahn Jaeon emphasized the end of his sentence. Strength rushed into Baek Iseon’s hand holding the bag. He remembered a few days ago, when Jang Juwon had suddenly come to his house and begged to be held. He remembered him shivering without a coat, reeking of alcohol. That day, Baek Iseon hadn’t asked him anything, but now he could understand the reason.
Right, he could have had some drinks. They said they were close. Yeah, he could force himself to accept that much.
But he absolutely couldn’t accept the tears Jang Juwon had shown that day. It was really strange. Enough to regret not asking then. Wait until he tells you? What arrogant words those were. He could only say that because he didn’t know anything. Stupidly.
Baek Iseon shoved the paper bag he was holding straight into the trash can.
* * *
Jang Juwon’s phone on the table vibrated. When he turned his head and glanced at the screen, a welcome name appeared on the display. Jang Juwon immediately put down the pen he was holding and quickly answered the phone.
“Sunbae?”
– Jang Juwon, what are you doing?
“I’m at a cafe with Choi Yeonho doing an assignment.”
– What subject.
“Thermo.”
– Should I help?
“……I’m losing entropy right now.”
– Ahaha, got it. I’ll be right there.
The call ended with laughter. Jang Juwon also put down his phone. Feeling a sudden gaze, he looked up to find Choi Yeonho, who had already put down his pen, propping his chin on the table with his lips jutted out, staring at Jang Juwon.
“……Choi Yeonho?”
He raised one eyebrow. In response, the corners of Jang Juwon’s mouth also drooped down.
“Speak, Jang Juwon……”
“Baek Iseon sunbae is coming, is that okay?”
“……Why?”
“Why? To increase the exergy, obviously. You know that, right?”
It was nothing new. Of course it was to help with the assignment. There was no way Choi Yeonho didn’t know that. Jang Juwon was a bit flustered. Didn’t Choi Yeonho usually like this kind of situation? Like the study guides he’d used so well in the first semester, when Hyun Youngjae helped, and when he mooched food off Ahn Jaeon.
But right now, Choi Yeonho was looking at him with unusually sharp eyes.
“Jang Juwon. That’s not what I meant when I said to speak.”
“What……”
No way. He had an ominous feeling. No, that couldn’t be. The other person was Choi Yeonho. Choi Yeonho, who would be offended if you said anyone was second to him in cluelessness. But sometimes, even that Choi Yeonho couldn’t help but know certain facts.
“Are you dating Baek Iseon?”
“……What?”
“……”
“……”
Jang Juwon shut his mouth tight. And he also knew that would be seen as affirmation. Silence fell over the table. Only Choi Yeonho could break that silence.
“Since when? Before you came to my house?”
“……No, right before the second semester started……”
“I see……”
Choi Yeonho drooped his shoulders and let out a deep sigh. Jang Juwon asked him carefully.
“How did you know?”
“How could I not know when you’re being so obvious about it.”
“I, I, I, I was being obvious?”
He thought he’d been careful. If even the clueless Choi Yeonho noticed, that meant it was serious.
“You’re one thing, but the way that sunbae looks at you is anything but normal. How could I not know?”
“……What was it like?”
“Like he’s dying from how adorable you are…… I don’t know, fuck! I’m going to throw up just saying it. Don’t ask me!”
“……I see.”
Choi Yeonho made a show of getting goosebumps and scratched his arm. Jang Juwon lowered his head slightly and grinned. Even though he knew it wasn’t an appropriate time to be thinking this, he couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from rising. Sunbae was looking at me like that. I see.
“Hey, Jang Juwon.”
“Huh?”
He finally came to his senses at the sound of his name being called. When he suddenly raised his head, Choi Yeonho was squinting and glaring at him. That look stung. Feeling slightly embarrassed, Jang Juwon sheepishly lifted the corners of his mouth.
“I’m really hurt.”
“Yeah…… Sorry I couldn’t tell you.”
“Forget it.”
“Are you sulking?”
“I don’t know!”
“Hey, but I showed you the study guides too. You know who gave me those, right?”
“……That’s true. I’ll forgive all your wrongdoings.”
Finally, a faint smile appeared on Choi Yeonho’s lips. Jang Juwon also smiled brightly following him.
“Of course, I’m counting on you for second semester too.”
“Yeah…… Well, thank you so much.”
“Then I’m leaving first.”
Suddenly, Choi Yeonho closed his notebook and started hurriedly gathering his things. Jang Juwon asked with wide eyes in confusion.
“Huh? What, why? Are you still sulking? You said you’d forgive me!”
“It’s not that. I’ll show you the assignment tomorrow.”
“Then why are you doing this?”
Having shoved his things into his bag haphazardly, Choi Yeonho slung the bag over his shoulder and said.
“I’m uncomfortable with that sunbae.”
“What? Why? Did sunbae do something to you?”
“No, it’s not that…… Just……”
Choi Yeonho mumbled and then just shut his mouth. It was hard to express in words. He’d never done anything that would harm him, but how should he put it, he felt a sense of distance.
The subtle way he looked at him, and his tone that was certainly polite but twisted somewhere, bothered him. It didn’t seem like he disliked him. Rather the opposite, like looking at an obstacle not even worth the emotion of dislike…… As if he wished no one would remain by his friend’s side, he’d gotten that absurd feeling.
‘That can’t be…… possible though.’
Choi Yeonho thought. It was probably his imagination. Really, where would there be a crazy person who wants to sabotage all their lover’s relationships? Still, there was no need to run into him. Choi Yeonho got up from his seat.
“Just what?”
“See you tomorrow, Jang Juwon.”
“Hey, Choi Yeonho!”
You should finish what you’re saying! Jang Juwon shouted at the back of Choi Yeonho’s head as he left without regrets. But he didn’t turn around. Instead, he just waved his hand half-heartedly.
Jang Juwon sat still in his seat, just blinking. He wanted to follow him and ask what was wrong, but he couldn’t leave. Because there was someone he had to wait for.
Instead, he mulled over Choi Yeonho’s words. No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t understand why Choi Yeonho felt uncomfortable with Baek Iseon, and it bothered him. But if he’d read something from Baek Iseon, then that was probably right. Choi Yeonho wasn’t the type to feel uncomfortable with people for no reason. Rather, the problem was, if anything, that he couldn’t distinguish that well. For him to feel uncomfortable to that degree, something must have definitely happened. And it was highly likely that Baek Iseon was the cause, not Choi Yeonho. He liked him, but he already knew from personal experience that he wasn’t someone with such a kind disposition.
Shortly after, Baek Iseon arrived. Upon finding Jang Juwon sitting alone, he put a pleased smile on his face.
“Jang Juwon.”
“Ah, you’re here?”
“Where’s your friend?”
“He left first.”
“Really? That’s great.”
That’s great. Conviction was in those words. That Baek Iseon might have done something to Choi Yeonho.
“Sunbae, did you say something to Choi Yeonho?”
“What are you suddenly talking about?”
“He…… Never mind.”
Jang Juwon shut his mouth. If he said “He says you make him uncomfortable,” unnecessary trouble might fall on Choi Yeonho.
“What’s wrong, tell me. Hm?”
Baek Iseon sat down next to him and smiled gently. Jang Juwon glanced at him from the corner of his eye. As expected, he was someone affectionate only to him. In the end, after brief contemplation, he opened his mouth.
“He just seems a bit uncomfortable with you, sunbae.”
“Really? So that’s what it is……”
“You really didn’t do anything, right?”
