# Chapter 101
Something was definitely odd. Moon Seoheon had been acting so strange lately that I hadn’t had time to pay attention to what the other guys were doing, but I could feel that something was off.
It wasn’t just based on how The Four were treating me. The atmosphere surrounding these guys, who were sitting in a circle quietly moving only their mouths, was completely different from usual.
I put a spoon in my mouth and glanced at them, rolling my eyes slightly. Every single one of their expressions was impassive.
On the surface, they appeared to be focused only on eating, but each seemed lost in different thoughts, not really eating properly. Though I could hear the sound of chewing food, so they weren’t completely abstaining.
The awkward atmosphere I had felt during the previous lunch time killed my appetite completely. I wondered what there was to talk about during a meal, but the silence was making me self-conscious.
They seemed to be enjoying themselves when we were splashing around in the pool, but now their subdued appearances made me feel like it was all my fault, and it bothered me.
Especially Kwak Junhee, who had caused me to fall into the water, was wearing a dark expression, which made it worse. Maeng Moa was the same, but seeing him fidgeting with his food using his fork made it seem like I didn’t need to think too deeply about it.
When I was carried back to my room in Moon Seoheon’s arms, they all looked gloomy, but I couldn’t figure out what they were thinking, so I couldn’t say anything.
My soaked clothes were now completely dry, so there was no reason to feel uncomfortable, but I still didn’t feel refreshed at all.
Finally, when I finished eating and stood up, their gazes turned to me. I organized the dishes I had used without giving them a glance, to make way for them.
“Thank you for the meal.”
It felt awkward to just leave, so I muttered that and quickly turned away. When I went upstairs and entered my room, my body slumped. I sat on the bed and stared at the door for a while, but contrary to my expectations, no one followed me.
I came here at Jung Hyoin’s request, but I felt like I was just causing unnecessary trouble instead of drawing. Although there was still time left, Jung Hyoin hadn’t said anything specific, so I was reluctant to take the initiative. Since I came here to rest anyway, I was thinking of just killing time and going back.
Maybe it was because I slept so well in the morning? I wasn’t feeling sleepy, so I just stared at my phone, browsing through various things for a long time until the door to my room opened.
Didn’t I lock the door when I came in? They probably had a master key, so if the guys decided to come in, they could freely enter and leave, but the door opened very smoothly.
I had confirmed there were no other guests besides us, so it was obvious who was coming in. Though I was surprised, I didn’t panic and just stared blankly at the person. Kwak Junhee, whose eyes met mine, smiled slightly.
“You didn’t seem to eat much. Aren’t you hungry?”
“I’m fine. If anything, Sunbae, you seemed to eat less than me.”
I put down my phone and straightened my slouched posture. The fact that he came all the way to my room probably meant he had something he wanted to talk about. I had questions too, so I adjusted my position. Seeing me like that, Kwak Junhee chuckled and pointed at the bed.
“Can I sit next to you?”
“Of course.”
As I patted the space next to me, indicating for him to sit, Kwak Junhee came over and sat down. Feeling the bed bounce slightly, I looked straight ahead. Kwak Junhee also looked forward while taking a low breath, assuming a comfortable posture.
I stayed quiet, implying that he should speak first if he had something to say. After a moment of silence, Kwak Junhee spoke in an awkward tone.
“I’m sorry about making you fall into the water earlier. If I had known you were afraid of water, I wouldn’t have done it.”
“…Well, since you didn’t know, it’s okay.”
I did feel upset for a moment, but I wasn’t seriously injured, and as time passed, I only felt a bit embarrassed. Rather, remembering the strange atmosphere I felt when I left, I unconsciously touched the nape of my neck.
Recalling the awkward atmosphere both at the pool and during mealtime, as if they had been arguing with each other when I wasn’t around, I awkwardly asked.
“Did something happen with the guys?”
“Hmm, what do you mean by ‘something’?”
Kwak Junhee tilted his head and looked at me. His expression seemed more like he was trying to figure out why I was asking rather than finding my question strange. I rolled my eyes sideways to organize my thoughts a bit more.
“Just… you all seemed distant with each other. If it’s because of what happened at the pool earlier, you don’t need to worry about it.”
Especially remembering the power struggle with Moon Seoheon, I swallowed involuntarily. I wasn’t sure if “power struggle” was the right term, but since they were definitely giving off a strange vibe toward each other, I didn’t have much to say. If they had fought, they could just make up, but I wondered if I was meddling unnecessarily, so I deliberately spoke lightly.
“You and Moon Seoheon were fine just yesterday, right? Oh, thanks for your help yesterday. I was going to mention it when we met, but I missed the timing.”
I knew that to check the CCTV footage installed at school, one had to file a request with the student council, and I understood that Moon Seoheon had personally stepped up. It could be said that things went more smoothly than usual because he had asked Kwak Junhee.
Though as student council president he could take the initiative on internal school issues, seeing that he had personally secured the CCTV footage, it seemed like he had put in considerable effort.
And I believed it was possible to process it quickly because it was Moon Seoheon’s request. Since Kwak Junhee cared for Moon Seoheon and continued to like him, it made sense.
Even yesterday, I couldn’t detect anything unusual from Kwak Junhee when he was with Moon Seoheon. Of course, we only briefly met, so there wasn’t much opportunity to think about them as strange.
Anyway, it was true that I had received help, so clearing my thoughts, I looked directly at Kwak Junhee.
In response to my somewhat flat expression of gratitude, Kwak Junhee smiled brightly. He reached out and patted my head, which made me flinch, but I stayed still.
In reality, it should have been awkward to have someone younger than me patting my head, but it had been so long since I’d been treated like this by anyone that it felt strange. Still, since he recognized me as his senior, it didn’t feel particularly bad.
“I’m glad it was helpful. When I heard from Seoheon, I was worried something had happened. But if you say it’s nothing, then that’s good.”
“…Yes.”
Is that all he has to say? I appreciate his concern, but I’m curious about what’s going on with Moon Seoheon. I was already anxious because Moon Seoheon didn’t seem to have any positive feelings toward the main characters.
Suddenly, I remembered Moon Seoheon’s answer when I asked if he liked me. Putting that thought aside, I examined Kwak Junhee who was staring at me intently.
While Moon Seoheon’s feelings were important, the other guys mattered just as much. I could be at ease if these guys would properly appeal to him or confess, but there were no noticeable relationships, and I had no idea what they were doing with each other, which was frustrating.
“Come up later if you want to play. Since you’re already here, it would be nice to have fun before you leave.”
“Sure. Though I won’t be able to swim.”
At my words, Kwak Junhee laughed softly and stood up. His gesture of stretching his arms wide seemed as smooth and slick as usual.
“You can still play in the water lightly, right? This time, I’ll be careful not to make Seoheon angry.”
“…Moon Seoheon got angry?”
Was that anger? Thinking about his stern expression, it did seem like it. So, should I assume he was sharp with Kwak Junhee who made me fall into the water instead of me? My mind was in chaos. Was Kwak Junhee feeling down because Moon Seoheon got angry at him?
Seeing my expression with wide eyes, Kwak Junhee nodded lightly. Without giving me time to be surprised that my thoughts were correct, Kwak Junhee added.
“He got angry last time too, when Taeho collapsed. Remember when we were bickering while holding onto you when you were sick, and he shouted?”
As if he had never seen such behavior before, Kwak Junhee shrugged his shoulders and wrinkled his nose. It sounded exactly like tattling, and his attitude was also playful. Realizing he wasn’t being serious, I closed my lips that had parted in surprise.
Silence fell for a moment. After looking at my awkward face, neither smiling nor frowning, Kwak Junhee waved his hand and turned around. I quickly stood up and called out to Kwak Junhee who was about to open the door and leave.
“Sunbae! You do like Moon Seoheon, right?”
Kwak Junhee removed his hand from the doorknob and only turned his head toward me. Seeing him blinking, it seemed like he was wondering what I was talking about.
I tried to show a serious expression without any playfulness.
Whatever feelings Moon Seoheon had, that was his business and not my concern. No matter who he liked, I had decided to just observe. If the main characters were serious about making a move, I could cheer them on too.
I didn’t know how long I would remain here as Yoon Taeho. But this space belonged to the main characters, not to a mere supporting character like me, so if things were to be concluded, something would change. Even if I ended up living here for the rest of my life, I had no intention of interfering with their love lives. I still wasn’t keen on being suffocatingly caught between these guys.
So, for me, the feelings of Kwak Junhee and the others were important. If his feelings for Moon Seoheon were certain, I hoped he would maintain them throughout.
“That’s right.”
Kwak Junhee answered with a bland smile. Just as I felt a strange sense of relief at those words, he, who seemed to be contemplating something as his lips moved slightly, spoke quietly.
“I’ve cared for him since way back, so of course. But Taeho, I like you too.”
With a grimace as if he had said something embarrassing, Kwak Junhee soon chuckled and left. I could only stand there blankly, trying to figure out how to take Kwak Junhee’s answer.
Soon my body lost its strength and I sat down on the bed with a thump, as if collapsing. Taking a deep breath and then exhaling to clear my confused mind, my rapidly beating heart soon calmed down as my inner thoughts settled.
He said he cared for Moon Seoheon. He confirmed that he liked him, so that was good. I should also be grateful that he thinks well of me. His words to me were probably just spoken as an older brother would to a younger brother he cares about.
Feeling like the confusing sensation was still lingering, I rubbed my face vigorously and then stared blankly at the spot where Kwak Junhee had been, though he had already gone and was no longer visible.
