# Chapter 88
After class ended, lunch time approached. I placed my interlocked fingers on the desk with my elbows propped up, feeling the unsettled feeling that had been with me since fourth period resurging.
I needed to go eat, but I was conflicted about whether to go with Ye Abin’s group. It was obviously going to be uncomfortable, and I didn’t want to eat with them.
I wondered if I was being oversensitive about just eating a meal, but I couldn’t waste my precious lunch time on something unpleasant.
I also thought about eating quickly and coming back to take a quick nap during the remaining time, since I was tired from not sleeping well. But as lunch time drew near, I wasn’t sure how I should act.
I rolled my eyes slightly to observe Jo Youngmin, but he left through the door without giving me a single glance. He had been acting distant for the past few days as if we were in a cold war, so this wasn’t surprising.
I had no idea why he had turned hostile toward me, but I didn’t particularly want to improve this relationship.
Still, it was awkward, and I wondered if I should follow Jo Youngmin or not. Then, thinking about Ye Abin possibly picking a fight again, I decided it would be better to just stay put.
Those guys wouldn’t come looking for me if I didn’t show up, so I should just get up and go at the right time.
“So is this the end then?”
“What?”
I guess what I thought I was saying internally came out. Even though I muttered quietly, Moon Seoheon looked at me, having heard it.
“Nothing. Aren’t you going to eat?”
Moon Seoheon was unusually slow today, still sitting at his desk without getting up. Though he was never particularly quick to leave, I was curious why he showed no sign of getting up.
“Sunbae Junhee said he couldn’t eat lunch together today.”
“Sunbae Kwak Junhee? Why?”
“He seems busy with student council work. With the sports festival next week, and being a senior, he must have a lot to worry about.”
Well, being a high school senior would be busy enough with just studying, but having responsibilities would leave him no time to rest. More than that, the sports festival is already next week? Will I be able to relax a bit once it’s over?
Since Yoon Taeho’s role would end there. Whatever way the relationship between Moon Seoheon and The Four develops, I would just quietly observe as a bystander.
After that, I could focus on school life and get by well. That alone was already giving me a headache, but I had to consider getting past the major hurdle of not falling out with Moon Seoheon a success. Things were still rocky with The Four, but we were on speaking terms when we met, so it was fine. Though I wasn’t sure if I should see that as a good thing.
“But why does that matter if Sunbae can’t eat with you?”
It’s not like he can’t eat just because Kwak Junhee can’t join, right? He could eat with the other guys.
“Just… when Sunbae said he couldn’t eat, I lost my appetite too. Too bad.”
I fidgeted with my lips to prevent them from parting in shock. His words were more meaningful than expected, making it hard to just let it go.
Until now, I hadn’t thought their relationship had progressed much, as they didn’t seem to have any particular connection. But was I wrong? Perhaps he and Kwak Junhee had already developed a deeper affection. I kept turning over what Moon Seoheon had said, trying to understand it.
Maybe the subtle distance I felt with Maeng Moa was because things were going well with Kwak Junhee.
What he said to me must have been nonsense. They must be gradually building a romance, which would explain why his actions and words felt so flirtatious. Perhaps it had already begun.
Of course it should. He was the protagonist after all, and needed to progress his relationships with The Four. I smiled slightly, feeling proud rather than embarrassed about my misunderstanding.
“Seems like you’re disappointed you can’t eat with Sunbae Junhee?”
When I probed him lightly, Moon Seoheon sharply narrowed his brows. His twisted lips were slightly turned up. His expression seemed to say, “What nonsense is that?”
“Huh? …No?”
“Why would I be disappointed about not eating with Sunbae? Though Sunbae might be disappointed.”
“……”
What was that? Is he bragging about himself now? Unable to contain my surprise, I stared at Moon Seoheon with an astonished face as he made such narcissistic comments. Seeing my expression, Moon Seoheon raised his eyebrows.
“What’s there to be surprised about?”
“…I’m just surprised that you’re aware of how popular you are?”
When I answered glumly, he opened his eyes wide and then chuckled.
“Oh, that. That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what do you mean?”
I thought he was saying he was disappointed about not being able to eat with Kwak Junhee, but he was actually referring to Kwak Junhee, not himself. But if that’s not it either, I wasn’t sure what he was trying to say, and I felt confused.
“There’s a parking lot behind the mountain, right? I heard he couldn’t even eat because he’s busy organizing traffic for the sports festival, so I said it must be disappointing for him.”
“Ah……”
So it was all my misunderstanding. A deflated sigh escaped me unconsciously. Then I suddenly became curious about how much affection these guys had for each other.
Come to think of it, I hadn’t had the chance to examine how Moon Seoheon felt about those guys. I just thought things would work out on their own.
“Moon Seoheon, how do you feel about Sunbae Junhee and the others?”
“…Good friends?”
“That’s it?”
“Yeah.”
“No feelings like… beyond friendship?”
“I’m grateful to them in many ways.”
Moon Seoheon raised one eyebrow as if questioning why I was asking such things, and shrugged as he spoke. His tone and expressions when referring to the main characters were all plainly matter-of-fact, with no sign of romance or even a hint of it.
This isn’t right? My lips dried up with growing anxiety.
While I was spacing out, Moon Seoheon stood up from his seat and looked at the clock. He looked down at me sitting still and asked.
“Aren’t you going to eat?”
“Ah… yes, I should.”
As I awkwardly rose from my seat, my eyes met Moon Seoheon’s. His body seemed stiff from sitting for so long, and he massaged his shoulders and stretched his neck while glancing at the front door.
“Looks like you won’t be eating with Jo Youngmin’s group?”
He asks as if he saw Jo Youngmin leave first. It seems he noticed the awkward atmosphere between Jo Youngmin and me. I had nothing to hide, so I spoke, though I couldn’t help feeling embarrassed.
“Well, that’s right.”
“Then let’s eat together.”
“Huh? With you?”
Moon Seoheon nodded. He walked ahead to leave his seat and turned to look at me as if saying, “Let’s go.”
His attitude suggested he assumed I would obviously follow him, so I grabbed Moon Seoheon’s arm. I felt him flinch for a moment, but ignoring that, I asked.
“Didn’t you say you weren’t interested? Besides, you have people you usually eat with.”
I didn’t want to intrude among the main characters when he went to eat. After avoiding Jo Youngmin’s group, was I facing even worse guys? It was obviously going to be uncomfortable to eat while facing them.
“I was thinking of just grabbing something at the school store, but I think it would be better to go eat with you.”
“Hmm.”
I unconsciously let out a hum, but quickly collected myself.
“If you’re uncomfortable eating with the others, we can go just the two of us.”
“No! If we’re going to eat, let’s all eat together.”
I was inwardly surprised that he was excluding the main characters. Still, I hastily replied, thinking it might be better than eating alone with Moon Seoheon. Moon Seoheon’s shoulders trembled slightly as if he was holding back laughter.
Then, as if saying let’s go, he carefully took my wrist. His touch was very natural, as if he was unconsciously rubbing it gently. I almost let out a sigh at the gesture that seemed to be consoling me.
I think there was a similar incident before. I was a little afraid I might get used to this.
* * *
I couldn’t tell if the food was going down through my nose or mouth.
The gazes coming from all directions were numerous. They were all from students sitting around us, but what was disheartening was that it wasn’t the guys eating with us who were giving us looks, but other students.
Unlike what I had expected, lunch with the three members of the group (minus Kwak Junhee) was actually pretty decent. The guys we encountered in the hallway looked surprised to see me being dragged along by Moon Seoheon, but they didn’t make a fuss.
Byeon Seungha’s face just stiffened a bit, but he didn’t tell me to get lost. It was good that I followed them to the cafeteria, but it was uncomfortably quiet.
My chopsticks faltered as I picked up some dried squid. I put it in my mouth and chewed as if nothing was wrong, but I couldn’t taste it properly.
Seeing me merely chewing for easy digestion, Maeng Moa twitched his eyebrows.
“No appetite? Why are you chewing for so long?”
“…I like to chew thoroughly.”
I responded pleasantly, having no energy to argue, and Maeng Moa snorted softly. He pouted and then slowly started to chew after taking a spoonful of rice.
I thought he had taken it badly, but his jaw was moving slowly as if he was trying to follow what I said. Should I find that cute?
Instead of laughing it off, I was about to pick up another side dish when someone blocked my chopstick movement. The metal chopsticks stopped in mid-air with a clang. When I turned my gaze from Maeng Moa, I saw that my chopsticks were interlocked with someone else’s.
I looked at Jung Hyoin with an incredulous expression. He withdrew his arm that had been stretched toward me and blinked while looking at me.
“What?”
“There’s carrot in that.”
“Huh?”
I bent my head and stared intently at the side dish I was about to pick up. It was hamburger steak, round and appetizingly grilled. I could roughly tell what ingredients were in it from the scattered green bits, but I couldn’t see any carrots.
I closed my mouth and put down my chopsticks, feeling empty. Still, I looked at Jung Hyoin with a surprised expression, wondering how he knew to stop me. I was just bewildered by the action of the guy who hadn’t said a word until now.
“Well… thanks.”
After expressing my gratitude, setting aside my surprise, Jung Hyoin raised the corners of his mouth. It was the first time I had seen him smile like that.
“Fuck.”
My eyes widened at the sound of someone cursing under their breath. Glancing at Byeon Seungha, I saw a cold aura emanating from him. What was that bastard’s problem now?
Maybe eating together wasn’t a good idea after all? As I picked up my spoon, thinking I should finish quickly and leave, Moon Seoheon, who hadn’t been eating properly, handed me his side dish.
“In case you don’t have enough side dishes.”
I just smiled awkwardly at his added comment. I couldn’t gather my thoughts.
