“Well, just, somehow it happened…”
When he mumbled vaguely, Park Hyeonji urged him to explain in detail. The sense of déjà vu from those interested eyes probably wasn’t his imagination. Gu Haebin, who had somehow recently become acquainted with Yeonjun, lingered hazily in his mind. Going further, how his friends had come to be grouped together as well.
When it was just him and Gu Haebin, Park Hyeonji was the first to join in, and next Kim Sunwoo and Im Sujin joined in order. And the only connection that linked them was Eunha alone. These people who had developed some kind of pioneering desire toward the quite introverted Eunha wanted to become friends with him and followed the process of becoming friends with the friends beside him.
Of course, those four weren’t the only ones who had approached Eunha. But the reason why those four in particular ended up sticking together was because they had their own criteria. First, their personalities had to mesh well, and they couldn’t have fatal character flaws such as being involved in crime, even minor ones, or being violent. And their standard of living had to be similar. To summarize, it could become very brief. Birds of a feather had to apply. That was a standard Eunha agreed with too. From his experience so far, most conflicts between friends occurred when that went awry.
In that sense, Yeonjun was exactly the kind of person his friends would like. You could tell just by seeing how Gu Haebin liked Yeonjun. Of course, that guy’s feelings were nothing more than hoping for Eunha’s normal romance.
Anyway, Eunha didn’t want Yeonjun to catch his friends’ eyes more than necessary. So instead of revealing information about Yeonjun, he chose to change the subject. Asking how the person she met today was.
Park Hyeonji shot Eunha a slight glare before soon making a generous expression as if letting it go.
“He seemed okay? He looked enthusiastic.”
“…Really?”
“Yeah. He said he was the one who first told Jungyu—ah, my classmate who works as a teaching assistant—that he wanted to do it.”
A bitter taste spread on the tip of his tongue. It wasn’t difficult to picture Yeongmin presenting the appearance of a reasonably zealous college student in front of Park Hyeonji, which made him feel bitter. What era does he think this is, going after innocent freshmen like a pathetic human… As someone who knew that Yeonjun was unreasonably entangled in that lowlife’s behavior, Eunha’s desire to sabotage it was burning.
He thought it might be somewhat immature conduct, unnecessary meddling, but setting all that aside, he also didn’t want his friend to give any kind of opportunity to a person whose character seemed quite rotten. If she knew the truth, Park Hyeonji probably wouldn’t want it either.
So Eunha opened his mouth. Without mentioning Yeonjun. Saying he heard somewhere that person seemed to go after juniors rather maliciously. That he’d like it if she didn’t work with such a person. That level of explanation and request would be enough. Park Hyeonji was someone who had been on the last train of hazing that remained in the department until then when she was a freshman, and Park Hyeonji herself also hated things that weren’t ethical.
Most of all, his friends including Park Hyeonji were always happy when Eunha asked them for something. For some unknown reason, they were sometimes even thrilled by it. As expected, the response that came back didn’t deviate much from his expectations. After being stunned for a moment, she easily accepted Eunha’s opinion without much suspicion. Saying there must be a reason why he said that.
Following that, light grumbling toward her teaching assistant classmate continued. Asking if that guy didn’t even know how the department operated and tried to connect her with such a person.
Eunha quietly gloated inside. Saying he had succeeded in revenge, even if it was trivial. Though he didn’t know why he was sitting here taking revenge that Yeonjun hadn’t even asked for on his behalf.
* * *
And so it was finally the last day of the semester. Yeonjun finished his grueling final exams with a critique that started at 9 AM. Eunha, like usual, hadn’t slept properly the night before either. Because it had been like that for several days, fatigue had accumulated to the limit and he collapsed as soon as he returned home after going to work. When he tiredly woke up from a light sleep with his consciousness faintly remaining, it was 3 PM. He had only slept for a mere two hours.
Eunha, who unconsciously checked his phone first, could see that there was a message from Yeonjun.
Baek Yeonjun
I finished my exam
Hyung
I came to the cafe but you already left work
Are you home?
Woong homeoㅇya
ㅈㅎㄹtryingsa
When did I send a message like this? Eunha frowned at the messy reply that he had no memory of at all. The typo of “woong” that seemed like he was trying to act cute especially grated on his nerves. Below that, Yeonjun’s replies that had arrived at 1-minute intervals continued.
Baek Yeonjun
I see
Sleep well
(emoticon)
Can you contact me when you wake up?
Eunha looked at the emoticon of a white puppy cozily covering itself with a blanket and falling asleep, then replied simply. I’m awake. After that, in less than even 10 seconds, the unread indicator disappeared. This kid… Did he set my message notification to something like a siren sound? It was the moment a quite reasonable suspicion popped up.
Baek Yeonjun
Can I come over to your place to hang out now?
The immediate reply seemed to show a sparkling effect. Eunha was weak to that side of Yeonjun. To him looking at something with bright, eager eyes. To transparent and vivid emotions.
What was different about him from other people? Eunha had pondered that question for several days and had now come to a certain answer. So, probably.
‘You pay attention to him for that reason in the first place.’
‘Because he’s fucking like you.’
Gu Haebin’s insight must have been accurate. It was a fact that was hard to deny. When Eunha looked at Yeonjun, he often seemed like his past self, and each time other distracting thoughts disappeared and only the sensation of being unable to refuse remained. Because his own past that overlapped with him still remained vividly.
Even as he wondered if it could be that good, he came to nod his head that it would be that good. It was a feeling that was both projection and empathy. He felt it would be natural, he felt what could he do, and it seemed pitiful yet at the same time somewhat cute.
Right. It was all because of that. Projection and empathy.
There wouldn’t be even a little bit of any other feeling toward you in that.
Coming over to hang out, huh.
Eunha hesitated with his spirit immersed in fatigue, then finally sent a message. Come if you’re going to go on a date. Yeonjun asked. A date? Eunha replied immediately. There are dates you do at home too. If not that, he meant he wouldn’t bother doing something like the two of them hanging out at home.
Eunha now wanted to settle the remaining count as soon as possible.
The “composing” indicator appeared and disappeared several times in the chat window, then soon a positive answer came back from Yeonjun. I understand for now, he said. If it’s like that then it’s like that, but what’s with the “for now”? Eunha thought coldly as he counted inwardly. Then five times now.
The doorbell rang in the brief time he came out after washing his face. He came quickly. Eunha, thinking indifferently as he opened the door, was immediately unable to do anything about the wide shadow cast over him and had to collapse into Yeonjun’s arms just like that. While Eunha was dumbfounded at the act that was as natural as if it were obvious and snorted, Yeonjun put his weight on him and buried his deeply bent head in Eunha’s shoulder. No impure intentions could be felt, and it was just a gesture close to pouring out listlessly. As if asking him to understand his hardship.
“Did you finish all your exams?”
“Yes.”
“You must be happy. Congratulations.”
At the bland words, Yeonjun obediently giggled.
“I’m really happy. Now I just have to stick with you, hyung…”
Eunha let out a small hollow laugh at the ambitious resolution. Who said they’d allow such a thing? He had no idea what kind of aspirations he harbored.
Then he became dismayed. Yeonjun had a good physique and a wide embrace. The sensation of being buried snugly like a fitting puzzle inside it was quite cozy and warm. I had absolutely no intention of getting used to this kind of thing with you.
Actually, among skinship, Eunha liked hugging the most. He liked it to a terrible degree, so much so that it was the worst act that made him shudder because he hated himself for liking it so much…
In recent years, he had generally felt that kind of feeling when having sex. Other than when sleeping together, he hadn’t particularly hugged anyone. It meant that hugs without sex were even worse. The worst of the worst…
His current feeling was exactly like that. But even in the midst of that, Eunha inevitably felt comfort and conversely also felt good. To the point of wanting to stay in here forever.
It was an insane thought. Eunha, who felt even more terrible, barely pushed Yeonjun away. Then the haggard, gaunt art student from the past few days was nowhere to be seen and a cleanly refreshed face could be seen. It even seemed to have a glow to it at a glance.
Those lively eyes scanned Eunha, then slowly took on a smile. Eunha narrowed his eyes at what was somehow a suspicious gaze.
“What.”
“…Well.”
“What.”
“Your pajamas are so cute.”
Eunha looked down at his appearance. They were microfiber pajamas he had bought because they were supposed to help with sleep. The pajamas he loved to wear because the texture against his skin felt good were navy blue with a yellow duck character pattern plastered all over them. There were other patterns, and there were many basic options, but he had chosen and bought these. Purely because he liked them…
“Did you buy them yourself, hyung?”
“…Are you going to stand here forever? Just come in already.”
He turned around quickly out of embarrassment. It hadn’t been long since he woke up, so he hadn’t paid attention to it. Laughter that couldn’t be completely swallowed burst out in spurts from behind him. Eunha stomped his feet hard, getting annoyed for no reason.
