# Chapter 24
On my way home with my body in a complete mess. Despite the sigh that naturally escaped from my exhausted body, I took comfort in the fact that tomorrow would begin the weekend.
I’ll go straight home, take a shower, and do absolutely nothing afterward.
Actually, until I went to take out the trash, I had been wondering what to do over the weekend. It was also a problem that there were more than a few awkward situations to deal with. But since I didn’t know exactly what the original Yoon Taeho used to do, I couldn’t just ask anyone out of the blue, and since randomly taking action wouldn’t solve anything either, this was perplexing.
“Solving problems… let’s just go home, wash up and rest.”
That’s when I arrived at the front of my house. I looked at my phone as it vibrated, wondering who it was. Three characters appeared in the middle of the black screen.
[Son Gyucheon]
“…”
I stood frozen for a long time at the name on the screen. This day was really special. Even this bastard’s number was saved in my phone… While I was debating whether to answer or not, the call ended.
Just as I was starting to feel relieved, my phone vibrated again with another call. I considered ignoring this one too, but since he was someone I’d have to face eventually, I decided to answer.
As soon as I pressed the call button and put it to my ear, I heard a voice filled with displeasure.
—Why the fuck did you take so long to answer? Hey, I hear you’re getting famous these days.
The flippant tone made me regret answering a little, but I adjusted my awkwardly held phone. Then, recalling the guy who had picked a fight during lunch break, I asked.
“Why did you call?”
Wondering what business he had since classes were already over, I asked this, and a loud laugh assaulted my ears. He spoke with a tone that sounded vaguely incredulous.
—What do you mean why did I call? Are you joking? You didn’t really forget that it’s today, did you?
It seemed the earlier confrontation wasn’t just a random provocation. I pressed my throbbing temples, unsure of what to say, and remained silent for a moment. As I failed to respond immediately, Son Gyucheon seemed to get angry, lowering his voice as he spoke.
—You said you’d send Moon Seoheon to the garbage area. But shit, Moon Seoheon didn’t show up, and they said they only saw you. Did you seriously forget?
With his angry tone ranting like a recitation, I decided to say only what was necessary, figuring that no matter what I said, this wouldn’t end well. It was better to cut things off cleanly rather than ramble on with guys like him.
“I’m sorry, but… I’m not doing that anymore.”
—What?
I didn’t know exactly how the plan was structured, whether you ordered it or we planned it together, but I meant that I wouldn’t do it. But my words must have been vague because Son Gyucheon misunderstood.
—What do you mean you’re not doing it? Are you saying you want to postpone again? The storage room isn’t empty every day, how long do you expect me to wait! My body is already feeling gross, for fuck’s sake, are you kidding me?
My face wrinkled at his sharply raised voice. Ko Kyungsu had called him trash and all that—this guy’s personality really is disgusting. I pressed the bridge of my nose to ease my throbbing headache and said.
“That’s not what I mean. I’m saying I won’t do that anymore.”
—…What are you talking about?
Before he could say anything more after his confused mumble, I decided to state my point first.
“I’m not going to do anything that harms Moon Seoheon anymore. So I won’t be helping you either. I don’t care what you do, but I don’t want to be involved in that business. So don’t call me again.”
There was silence on the other end after my words. As I checked my phone to see if the call had been disconnected, I soon heard a choked sound, as if he was trying to hold back laughter.
—Ha, this is fucking hilarious. I heard you apologized to Moon Seoheon and whatnot. I was wondering what the hell was going on, but have you really lost your mind?
I clicked my tongue and pulled the phone away from my ear.
“I’ve said what I needed to say. I’m hanging up.”
—What? Hey, wait! Shit, you’re dead if you hang up. I’ll beat you up first before Moon Seoheon or whoever!
Sensing that I was really about to hang up, Son Gyucheon shouted and cursed. I was going to ignore him and hang up since it seemed like we couldn’t have a rational conversation, but his threatening words made me fear immediate retaliation, so I continued the call for now.
“No matter what you say, I really won’t cause any trouble. I just want to live quietly.”
—Wow, this bastard has really gone crazy. You piece of shit, you’re the one who asked for help because you wanted to mess with Moon Seoheon.
I wiped my mouth, feeling like a deep sigh was about to escape. I was a bit taken aback to learn that Yoon Taeho had actually approached him first to ask for this favor.
Considering the early stage of the story we’re currently in, Yoon Taeho’s desire to mess with Moon Seoheon should be viewed as a mistake that any student might make. Of course, that’s not to say it’s okay. But Yoon Taeho’s behavior, which could clearly be considered assault, was still within the range where he could show some remorse.
That’s why I had been relieved that he still had three stars.
Decisively, the reason he was demoted after being caught by the main characters was because his jealousy toward Moon Seoheon had built up until it finally festered and burst. When I was watching the animation, I simply dismissed it, thinking that just another childish minor villain was finally being dealt with. But now that I’m in this position, I’m burning inside.
It’s disconcerting enough to have entered someone else’s body, but to learn that the original owner had not only made minor mistakes but had already laid the groundwork… Yoon Taeho, you bastard, why did you have to cause problems and make me suffer?
Angry to the tips of my hair, I took a deep breath, switched the phone to my other hand, and once again expressed my opinion. This time, I deliberately lowered my voice and spoke seriously to make it sound more sincere.
“I was truly out of my mind back then. Now I’ve come to my senses, and I won’t do that kind of thing again. Really. I absolutely won’t do anything to harm Moon Seoheon.”
—…Don’t tell me you actually like Moon Seoheon?
Despite the random question leaving me dumbfounded, I saw it as an opportunity and responded affirmatively.
“Yes. So… no matter what you say, I can’t do it. If I’ve caused you trouble unnecessarily, I sincerely apologize for that.”
Judging by this guy’s personality, I didn’t think he’d just let it go. But I thought that if I humbled myself and apologized, he might not harm me too severely. Even the worst bastards wouldn’t just beat up someone who’s begging for forgiveness, right?
But contrary to my expectations, Son Gyucheon turned out to be worse than the worst bastard. After letting out a hollow laugh, he soon added that I should stop making excuses and just lure Moon Seoheon to the storage room alone.
“Didn’t you hear me say I won’t do that kind of thing ever again?”
—Yeah, yeah. Just don’t do it next time, but do it this once.
I was dumbfounded by his flippant, giggling tone. This bastard, really… Does he think I’m joking right now?
“No. I don’t want to cause problems.”
My patience was wearing thin, but I held back the curses I was about to spew and just repeated the same thing like a parrot. This seemed to irritate him too, as he suddenly yelled.
—Hey! I get that you’re a coward, so I’ll make sure you don’t get hurt, just send Moon Seoheon alone! You bastard!
His mouth is really foul. And his high-pitched voice makes it even more irritating. With the conversation seemingly endless, I finally pulled out my trump card.
“Byeon Seungha was asking me about you.”
—What?!
“Seems like he’s caught on to something, so be careful. If you get caught doing something to Moon Seoheon, you’re finished too.”
Unlike a moment ago, Son Gyucheon became subdued at my words and remained silent for a long time without even making an incredulous laugh. Then after exhaling a short sigh, he continued.
—Ah, shit. If that was the case, you should have said so earlier.
With that, the call ended, and I stared at my phone with an expression of disbelief. Damn, if I had known it would be like this, I should have mentioned Byeon Seungha from the beginning. I hadn’t brought it up because it felt uncomfortable using him as an excuse to avoid the situation.
Looking at the phone screen that had turned black, I swallowed my curses and headed home with an empty feeling. I should be grateful that it ended relatively smoothly, right? Unless he’s a complete idiot, he won’t act up right after this.
And what kind of half-assed plan was that anyway? Luring Moon Seoheon alone to the storage room, and then what? Did he think he could perfectly conceal the crime afterward? Moon Seoheon isn’t stupid.
Then the image of Moon Seoheon, who seemed like he would do whatever was asked of him, flashed in my mind, and I shook my head as if to erase those thoughts.
* * *
After changing clothes and sitting on the sofa for a while, I heard the sound of the door lock being released, and Yoon Taean came in.
“You’re home early.”
“Yeah.”
I thought he might be staying late to study today. He went into his room and soon came out with clothes, heading to the bathroom to shower. With nothing to do, I just turned on the TV and stared blankly at the screen.
Soon, I called out to Yoon Taean as he was about to go to his room after showering. He looked at me with an expression that seemed to ask what I wanted.
“Have I… been acting strange lately or behaving differently than usual?”
Yoon Taean stared at me blankly with his brow slightly furrowed and then spoke.
“You have definitely been a bit strange recently.”
I opened my eyes wide and asked when that was.
“Right now.”
“Huh?”
“Both now and during the last Social Club meeting, you were strange.”
No, not that. I parted my lips, but then composed my expression as if to say never mind, and turned my head back to the TV. Forget it, seriously. Yoon Taean looked at me strangely before going into his room.
Soon it was dinnertime, and I ate with Yoon Taean. It was our first meal together since I came here, and we both ate without saying a word. I wasn’t sure if we normally didn’t talk much to each other, but Yoon Taean just glanced at my face a few times.
After the meal, I cleared the dishes and was washing them when Yoon Taean stared intently at my back.
“You know, you really have been acting strange lately.”
“…What do you mean?”
Wondering if he was repeating what he had said earlier, I asked, and he just stared at me washing the dishes with suspicious eyes. Well, since I wasn’t actually his brother, it made sense that he would find me strange. Still, I tried to play it off, not wanting to blurt out something as far-fetched as a soul swap—even I wouldn’t believe it. Then Yoon Taean, with an expressionless face, opened his mouth.
“…It’s good that you’re eating well, but you’re eating too well. You used to only eat salads or sweet potatoes, but why are you suddenly eating a balanced diet today?”
Was that considered a balanced diet? I just put some vegetable side dishes on my rice. Of course, it was a healthy meal with mixed grain rice and vegetables like bean sprouts and mushrooms, but I just ate a normal home-cooked meal in moderation. Though I did miss the kimchi. Ah, I’m craving some fresh kimchi.
I had heard he dieted severely, but he really didn’t eat. How could he survive just on salads and sweet potatoes? And he doesn’t even have any weight to lose.
Shocked by his words, I just scrubbed the dishes with the sponge, and Yoon Taean, apparently not really expecting an answer, soon went to his room.
Before closing the door, he looked at me and said one thing.
“Since I did it yesterday, I’ll do the dishes tomorrow.”
When I turned my head, the door was already closed. Looking at the firmly shut door, I couldn’t help but smile. He has his cute side too.
