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I gave the chair next to me to my classmate. The empty seat was filled. Woogyun ended up sitting across from me. The cozy time for just the two of us went out the window, but still, I thought this was something. On the other hand, now with several people seemed better. I was less nervous than when we talked alone earlier.
“Let’s go watch the performance later. I set an alarm.”
“Who’s coming today?”
“That band. Ah, what was the name?”
We conversed without awkwardness while filling each other’s glasses. The glasses clinked cheerfully, and the table quickly became lively. Since I only get shy around people I like, I opened my mouth quite well too. I even said a word or two to Woogyun with the help of alcohol.
The atmosphere was good. Blending into it without difficulty, I put on the denim jacket I’d forgotten was placed on my lap.
It was warm. I didn’t know, but I must have been cold.
* * *
During his school days, Woogyun moved frequently because of his father’s job. He lived in various places like a large city near the beach, a small town surrounded by mountains, and the outskirts of Seoul. He only settled down after entering high school, and his good social skills are thanks to the environment of frequently transferring schools.
Woogyun enjoys watching romance movies. He also likes drama genre movies and doesn’t particularly like hero action movies. But sometimes when he doesn’t want to think about anything, he goes to the theater to watch action movies.
Woogyun’s hobby is drawing. Even though he’s never properly learned, he’s been able to hold a brush easily since childhood. He devoted his holidays to drawing and mainly drew landscapes. He especially likes the sky.
What else was there besides this? I made meaningless scribbles with my pen while trying to recall in detail the information about Woogyun I’d obtained at the last drinking gathering. I was sorry to the professor passionately speaking in front, but my ears were firmly closed. Of course, my eyes were on Woogyun’s handsome back of the head.
Is it okay for class time to be this enjoyable? I smiled a little inside while thinking something ridiculous. Then, the back door opened quietly.
Someone sat in the seat in front of me that was empty. It was Cha Geonhyeok, whom I could identify just by looking at his back. I poked the back of his neck with the pen cap. He turned his head to glare at me and secretly gave me the middle finger behind the professor’s back.
I turned a page in my notebook. I wrote in the corner of the blank page.
[Gyun’s hobby is drawing. Would it be weird if I said I also decided to take up drawing as a hobby and started talking to him?]
I firmly dotted the question mark and carefully tore out the page. I folded it once and tapped Cha Geonhyeok’s arm. Cha Geonhyeok, who lowered his face diagonally, took the note. The reply came back quickly.
[ㄴㄴ]
I hit his back once at the half-hearted answer. Whether it didn’t even tickle, Cha Geonhyeok showed no reaction. I looked quietly at his broad back, then brought my finger to his back.
Is something wrong?
I removed my finger and looked at the back of his head. Tap. A small paper ball, too small to call a note, fell on my desk.
[ㄴㄴ]
I thought copy and paste would have more sincerity than this. It was only two characters, but the handwriting was flying away, making it feel even more so. I placed my finger on his back again.
You seem in a bad mood.
I received a note.
[Mind your own business]
Rude bastard… I cursed Cha Geonhyeok internally while slightly lifting my butt from the chair. I brought my lips to his ear while watching the professor.
“What are you doing tonight?”
I spoke in a voice smaller than a breath.
“Why?”
Cha Geonhyeok was the same.
“Want to do it?”
He turned his head slightly. Our faces got close. His eyebrows are thick. Thinking this anew, I sat back down with my butt attached.
I just felt that way. The feeling of wanting to have sex.
A note fell on the desk. It was crumpled more than the previous ones. While trying not to make noise as I unfolded the note, I felt a gaze. When I turned my head, I made eye contact with Kim Hoseong sitting next to me. Why? Instead of asking with words, I widened my eyes. He shrugged his shoulders and withdrew his gaze.
What’s this? Leaving the incomprehensible reaction behind and trying to continue unfolding the note, this time I made eye contact with Gong Minyeong sitting far away by the window. Why…? Just like before, I expressed my question with my expression. Gong Minyeong, who was looking at me with her chin propped up, turned her head. What’s this? I rolled my eyeballs and unfolded the note.
[Coming at 9]
Today was Friday. Since I had no schedule tomorrow, which was the weekend, it was fine to meet late. But, I wish I had one. A schedule.
I was thinking of preparing a line. Woogyun said he didn’t have anything special to do on weekends. Since it’s not strange to talk using drawing as an excuse, how about if I cautiously broach the subject to him and suggest we go to an art supply store together? Buying brushes and paint while conversing seemed like we’d naturally become closer. After buying everything, I’d buy him a meal as thanks, and if Woogyun was okay with it, it would be nice to drink coffee together for dessert. Ah, is that too greedy… No, first I needed to muster courage.
“Let’s stop here for today. Have a good weekend.”
The professor, who used semi-formal speech to students, gathered her books and files. I expressed bitter gratitude to my ears that were brilliant at only catching such lines while watching her leave the lecture hall.
“Yunhae, let’s stop by the school store before the next class.”
Kim Hoseong spoke to me. I answered “Okay” while gathering the notes Cha Geonhyeok threw me and putting them in my bag. The lecture hall was chaotic with students packing up and leaving.
“What are you doing after class today?”
In that atmosphere, Gong Minyeong poured not cold water but lukewarm water. While perching on Kim Hoseong’s desk. I could see Kim Hoseong’s Adam’s apple moving greatly.
“Why?”
The question was for Cha Geonhyeok. He briefly gave Gong Minyeong a glance and asked back while getting up from his seat. Gong Minyeong, who leisurely crossed her arms, smiled on her gorgeous face.
“I was thinking we could have a drink together. Other kids will come too. Not many, about five people including you? If you’re uncomfortable, you can drink with just me.”
It was a commanding tone, but there was consideration in the content. But whether the party involved, Cha Geonhyeok, noticed that intention was uncertain. His expression was hard to read.
“Sorry, but I’m not interested.”
Ah. He’s not interested at all.
“Why?”
Gong Minyeong asked confidently without showing she was offended. Cha Geonhyeok snorted.
“Come out with me.”
He tilted his head toward the back door while speaking and left the lecture hall first. Gong Minyeong slowly got up from where she was perched. She walked unhurriedly and followed Cha Geonhyeok out. The lukewarm water remaining here and there raised the temperature.
“…So fucking cool.”
Classmate 1, who went on a group date together before, stopped near me and muttered. Another classmate standing beside him nodded in agreement. Ha. Kim Hoseong, who let out a low sigh, packed his stuff with rough movements. It was like watching the turbulent animal kingdom.
“With that level of physique, you have to casually throw out lines like that to go on a date with Gong Minyeong?”
Classmate 2 chimed in. Girls passing by clicked their tongues while looking at them.
“Ask her on a date first before talking, you idiots. Don’t just stand there saying such things behind her back insidiously.”
Poke. I was unnecessarily pricked. I pressed my lips firmly together and picked up my packed bag. As expected, I shouldn’t just think about it but muster courage to ask Woogyun if we can meet on the weekend. Having decided, I put strength in my legs to get up from my seat. But I couldn’t leave. It was because my classmates were gathered closely near my desk.
“Guys, let me…”
“What they’re saying makes sense, but you can’t help not having confidence. And whether it’s an inferiority complex or whatever, if Gong Minyeong is interested in Cha Geonhyeok, isn’t that just the end?”
“Right. If the opponent is Cha Geonhyeok, there’s even less to say. He seems kind of… tough.”
“But they also say he’s cute. We had that group date with the English department before. Those noonas said Cha Geonhyeok was cute.”
“Guys…?”
Cute or whatever, I wanted to leave.
“I don’t know about cute… Is he cute? No, but first of all, his body is good.”
“He’s also tall. His skin is also on the darker side. A lot of people like that.”
“Let me…”
“Hey, move aside. You guys are blocking Yunhae from getting out.”
Kim Hoseong said loudly to the classmates. There was subtle irritation in his voice. I thought it might be because of the tall, good-bodied, cute Cha Geonhyeok who stole Gong Minyeong’s heart. Anyway, I safely escaped the lecture hall with Kim Hoseong’s help.
[After hearing what you said, I thought it would be good for me to have a hobby too. I don’t know the ‘g’ in drawing, but I’m thinking of trying to draw. So, I was wondering if you’d go to an art supply store with me…]
Ha… I let out a sigh and put down the ballpoint pen.
I was organizing a message to send Woogyun in my notebook with a low table spread out in front of the mattress in my studio apartment. But it wasn’t going as well as I thought. Click, click. I rolled my head while making sounds with the pen.
The sentence I created after agonizing for a whole hour was stiff somewhere. Friends don’t usually send such formal messages to each other. It seemed better to just speak lightly, with a casual feeling. But how do you do that?
