“What do you think you’re doing, hoobae-nim?”
Baek Iseon looked steadily at Lee Donghyuk as he spoke. His tone was gentle, but there was an inexplicable sense of intimidation.
“Let……. go.”
“Sure, why not.”
As soon as Baek Iseon released the strength from his hand, Lee Donghyuk roughly yanked his arm back. His wrist where he’d been grabbed ached. Lee Donghyuk tried not to show he was in pain as he glared at Shin Jisu and muttered.
“Fuck, Shin Jisu……. Did you already wag your tail at another guy?”
“You’re the one wagging your tail at me.”
A few people who knew the ins and outs between the two snickered. Lee Donghyuk’s face instantly turned red.
“Let’s go.”
Shin Jisu naturally linked arms with Baek Iseon and led him toward the door. Baek Iseon decided to willingly go along with this amusing game, at least for now. When he deliberately looked down at Shin Jisu with an intimate gaze, she grinned.
As soon as they exited the lecture room, Shin Jisu unlinked their arms. Baek Iseon’s gaze as he looked at Shin Jisu had also returned to being dry and indifferent. He even seemed somewhat anxious.
“So where’s Jang Juwon?”
“I’ll explain as we go.”
Shin Jisu started walking ahead first. Baek Iseon followed behind her.
* * *
On the way, Shin Jisu explained the situation to Baek Iseon. That he had suddenly collapsed during class, and Choi Yeonho had carried him out. She had received the hospital address by text, so they should go together. After hearing Shin Jisu’s story, Baek Iseon had one question. Why had this girl contacted him? No matter that she had Jang Juwon’s phone, normally people didn’t just suddenly contact a sunbae they’d never met before like this. Plus, her strangely relaxed attitude……. In the end, Baek Iseon had no choice but to ask Shin Jisu.
“Hey, hoobae-nim.”
“Yes. Go ahead.”
“Why…… are you taking me along?”
It was a blunt probing question. How much did she know about his relationship with Jang Juwon?
“Because I need a driver.”
“Hahahaha!”
Baek Iseon laughed loudly. It wasn’t because he found her answer amusing. He laughed because he was dumbfounded by her brazenly irritating attitude that didn’t know how to read the room at all. Baek Iseon didn’t like this girl. And he had to admit, to his great displeasure, that this was a form of self-loathing. She was the same type of person as him. Just more shameless and more selfish.
* * *
When Jang Juwon opened his eyes again, he was in a hospital room. Choi Yeonho was looking down at him from his side with a worried face. Though he didn’t usually like hospitals, at this moment everything surrounding him felt incredibly comfortable. At least here, there was nothing that could threaten him. The strangers in the hospital room didn’t know him. Nothing put Jang Juwon’s mind at ease more than that.
As Jang Juwon slowly blinked and came to his senses, Choi Yeonho smiled and spoke to him.
“Hey, you really scared me.”
“Sorry, thanks.”
“It’s fine.”
Choi Yeonho tapped Jang Juwon’s arm.
“Shin Jisu said she’s on her way too.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than Shin Jisu could be seen walking into the hospital room.
“Oh, she’s here!”
“Shin Ji……!”
Jang Juwon, who had discovered Shin Jisu, tried to happily call out her name, but soon found himself at a loss for words. Right behind her, that person he shouldn’t encounter was following her inside.
When their eyes met, he smiled with his eyes as usual and acknowledged him. His heart felt like it sank. His heart, which had barely stabilized, started pounding again.
“Uh…… hello?”
Choi Yeonho awkwardly greeted Baek Iseon. He’d heard the name often, but this was only the second time he’d actually seen him. Seeing him up close, he was far more handsome than what he’d glimpsed before.
“Yeah, hi. You’re the one who brought our Juwon to the hospital?”
“Ah, yes, well……. He’s my friend……. so?”
“Thanks.”
Baek Iseon firmly gripped Choi Yeonho’s shoulder. Our Juwon? Goosebumps spread all over Choi Yeonho’s skin.
As soon as Shin Jisu entered the hospital room, she suddenly kicked Choi Yeonho’s shin and said.
“Hey, Choi Yeonho. Buy me a drink.”
“What?”
“Hurry up.”
“What, all of a sudden?”
“I’m dying of thirst.”
“Ah, fine.”
Shin Jisu grabbed Choi Yeonho’s arm and dragged him along. She deliberately brushed lightly against Baek Iseon’s shoulder, then giggled quietly and whispered.
“Does this make us even?”
“Sure.”
Baek Iseon bit down hard and smiled. It seemed like she was referring to when she had helped him earlier when dealing with Lee Donghyuk.
Clever, wasn’t she? She really was a kid he didn’t like in many ways. But she was definitely helpful too. Once the obstacles had disappeared, Baek Iseon approached Jang Juwon as he usually did and affectionately called his name.
“Jang Juwon.”
* * *
When Shin Jisu and Choi Yeonho suddenly left the hospital room, Jang Juwon was left alone with Baek Iseon. He wanted to turn his head to look at his face, but he couldn’t.
“Jang Juwon.”
His voice was quite affectionate. That made things even harder for Jang Juwon.
“Why did you come?”
“Why did I come? Is that what you have to say? I came along while dropping off your friend.”
Despite the curt reply, there was laughter mixed in his voice.
“Friend?”
“Yeah. The pretty-looking girl.”
“……I see.”
He didn’t know how it happened, but Shin Jisu had clearly brought him here. Then taking Choi Yeonho away must have also been an intentional act. Whatever Shin Jisu was thinking when she did this, Jang Juwon knew it was an action done for his sake. But this time, Shin Jisu was wrong. He shouldn’t have met with him.
“Is that all?”
Baek Iseon smiled faintly, pretending to be disappointed. Jang Juwon gripped the bed sheet tightly. And instead of saying thank you for coming, he decided to say what he needed to say.
“No. Please go back.”
“What?”
His voice, which had been playful the whole time, instantly hardened. Jang Juwon wasn’t looking at his face, but he could imagine what expression he was making. Perhaps a little angry.
“Please leave.”
“What’s wrong? Are you feeling sick?”
Baek Iseon raised his hand to touch Jang Juwon’s forehead. Jang Juwon turned his head to avoid his hand. Baek Iseon’s hand, unable to touch anything, was withdrawn.
“I just…… I don’t want to see you anymore.”
“Jang Juwon?”
“I’m going to try living my school life without sunbae’s help now. I think that’s right.”
“Who decided that?”
This time he could clearly feel the anger.
“Me, obviously. Originally…… that’s the kind of relationship it was, right?”
“…….”
“Seeing each other out of mutual need.”
“Do you really think that was all there was?”
At that question, Jang Juwon felt his heart sink. He wanted to ask why he would say such a thing, but the answer he wanted wouldn’t come back. Even if it did, it would only make things harder for Jang Juwon.
“……Yes.”
“Jang Juwon, look at me.”
“…….”
He murmured lowly. He wanted to turn his head as he said and look at that face, which might be the last time. But he absolutely wouldn’t look.
“Jang Juwon!”
“……Thank you for everything.”
“For everything? I guess you don’t need me anymore?”
“……Yes.”
“I guess there’s someone with a bigger dick who fucks you better than me?”
