Chapter 95
The incident with Joo Kwon-oh’s injury, which seemed both long and short, finally came to an end.
Our life after returning to Seoul wasn’t different from before. I went back to my part-time job while pondering over Kwon-oh’s upcoming birthday gift, and Kwon-oh participated in his usual study groups, department activities, and gatherings during that time. Just like today.
“Are you coming home late tonight?”
I asked, watching Kwon-oh deftly fasten a belt to his pants with one hand as he took it out of the closet.
Come to think of it, despite it being Kwon-oh’s closet, quite a lot of space was occupied by my clothes. Since we’ve been practically living together during the break, our belongings have piled up in each other’s homes to the point of cohabitation.
“No. I should leave before your part-time job ends. I’ll come pick you up in front of the store at closing time.”
“Why bother when your arm is still inconvenient? Let’s just meet at home.”
“We’ll see.”
Kwon-oh bent down and kissed my cheek as I lay sprawled on the bed, smiling.
We’ll see, huh. It’s obvious he’ll come to pick me up when my job ends.
He doesn’t need to go that far. No matter how much I’ve tried to persuade him, Kwon-oh would just say he understood but inevitably come and wait nearby as closing time approached.
“Is this the final acceptance?”
I asked Kwon-oh, noticing the window open on the laptop on the desk while watching him prepare to leave first. It was an application for a job fair staff position.
I think I heard he passed a while ago. I was curious why he had this open again.
“I passed the document screening, only the final interview is left. They want me to submit something else before that.”
“Ugh. It’s really competitive.”
“This is nothing. There are plenty of companies that have up to three rounds of interviews.”
“Still, since you passed the document screening, won’t the interview just be a formality?”
“I don’t think it’s that easy. I wanted to ask something about the interview, but Sung-rok sunbae hasn’t been responding lately.”
Kwon-oh muttered as if talking to himself.
“Is he not answering his phone? Maybe he changed phones and transferred the number incorrectly?”
“Who knows. Anyway, sunbae is supposed to come today too, so I’ll see him later.”
“I see. Are you drinking today too?”
“Yeah.”
As soon as he answered, Kwon-oh quickly added with a guilty expression.
“Ah. This was a promise made before the break.”
“I understand.”
“I won’t drink much.”
“Okay.”
“Besides, with my arm like this, I can’t drink much anyway.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Should I not go?”
Having already dressed, Kwon-oh now glances at me, probably thinking I disapprove. I shook my head and smiled.
“No, if you made a promise, you should go. I’m going to work anyway.”
“Do you want to come later, Jeong-ha?”
“I’m uncomfortable in those situations… And I’ll be tired after work.”
“True. There’s nothing good about coming. They’re all dark guys. It’s better not to come, in case those bastards set their eyes on you.”
I tilted my head with an exasperated expression at those words.
“Who on earth would set their eyes on me? Another man?”
“Did I know I’d be crazy about Ryu Jeong-ha? Other guys have plenty of potential too.”
At first, I thought he was joking when he said things like this, but it seems he’s always been serious about such thoughts. I’m grateful that he sees me as so attractive, but it’s a very exaggerated opinion.
“Come on. By the way, are there women coming to the gathering too?”
“Huh? Yeah.”
I, who had been lying down wiggling my feet, suddenly paused. Kwon-oh, who was gathering his phone, also abruptly stopped his actions.
“Did I not mention that?”
“No…”
“Ah, geez. Why didn’t I? Maybe I shouldn’t go after all.”
“It’s fine. Just don’t give out your number if anyone asks.”
I’m not happy about Kwon-oh going to a drinking gathering with women, but I can’t control all of his school life. I decided to compromise, considering this an unavoidable part.
“Of course. Why would I give my number to anyone else when I have my peach? Am I crazy?”
“You say all the right things. If you’re going, go quickly.”
Only after confirming that I was smiling did Kwon-oh start walking towards the entrance.
“Alright. Let me know when you arrive at work.”
“Okay.”
“Make sure to eat before you go.”
“I will.”
“Call me if anything happens.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“I’ll send a proof shot when I arrive.”
“I got it. Go now.”
I followed him to the entrance, poking his side and urging him to leave quickly. Only then did Kwon-oh leave the apartment.
That day, unexpectedly, the part-time job ended an hour earlier than the usual closing time. This was because the owner suddenly declared he couldn’t work anymore today and would close the store.
The reason was heartbreak. From the atmosphere, it seemed like he had been harshly dumped by his girlfriend. He abruptly said he was going home, turned off all the lights in the store while sobbing, so I had to leave the store an hour early, almost as if being chased out.
Aside from being flustered, I found it interesting that even adults much older than me cry because of their lovers.
[Me: What are you doing?]
[Me: Today the boss closed 1 hour early because he’s sad his girlfriend dumped him haha. I’m done now]
I immediately sent a KakaoTalk message to Kwon-oh while heading to the subway station.
It’s unfortunate for the owner, but I was in a good mood because I got to finish work early while still receiving the full hourly wage.
[Joo Kwon-oh: Wow lol]
[Joo Kwon-oh: The boss had a girlfriend]
[Joo Kwon-oh: ?]
[Joo Kwon-oh: That’s unexpected lol]
[Me: I just found out today too haha]
[Joo Kwon-oh: I was about to leave to pick you up on time ㅜ]
[Joo Kwon-oh: I was just getting ready to go out]
[Me: It’s okay, I’m already on the subway]
[Joo Kwon-oh: Ah you should have told me earlier]
[Me: Where are you drinking?]
[Joo Kwon-oh: 3rd floor of the Starbucks building at the intersection near the school main gate]
[Joo Kwon-oh: I’ll come pick you up at the station now]
[Me: It’s okay, don’t. I’ll come pick you up, just wait a bit]
[Joo Kwon-oh: Why would Jeong-ha come all the way here]
[Me: Because I’m your boyfriend]
[Joo Kwon-oh: Boyfriend lololol]
[Me: The boyfriend should pick up his partner who’s been drinking haha]
[Joo Kwon-oh: Hahahahaha]
[Joo Kwon-oh: Okay, honey]
[Joo Kwon-oh: I’m drunk so come quickly]
He must have liked that I said I’d pick him up. He’s not insisting on coming out to meet me anymore.
After leaving the subway station, I headed towards the bar Kwon-oh mentioned. Unlike the hot sunlight during the day, the weather was quite cool at night, and I could see some bars and cafes with their terrace windows open.
The bustling night streets looked lively and nice.
[Me: Your boyfriend is here haha. Come down]
I was about to type that and press send when I ran into a familiar face in front of the bar building.
Lee Sung-rok. He was smoking a cigarette while talking on the phone in front of the building. He didn’t seem to have noticed me yet.
I was debating whether to greet him first or move to another side.
But in the meantime, Sung-rok sunbae, who had finished his call, spotted me.
“Ah, hello.”
As our eyes met, I had no choice but to bow my head in greeting. He stared at me intently for a few seconds before belatedly nodding.
“Ah. It’s you.”
What’s with this tone…
“Yeah, hi.”
Just as I was thinking his reaction was strangely different from his previous attitude, Sung-rok sunbae greeted me. Like usual.
That’s a relief. It must have been my imagination.
Come to think of it, didn’t Kwon-oh say he wasn’t able to contact this sunbae well? I wonder if they talked about the interview since they met today. I should ask Kwon-oh when he comes down later.
I awkwardly glanced at Sung-rok sunbae, hesitating whether I should narrow or widen the distance between us.
“By the way, were you supposed to come to the gathering today too?”
“Pardon?”
“I don’t think I heard anything about someone from another department coming.”
“Ah, no. I… I just came for a moment because I had something to talk about with Kwon-oh.”
“Ah, I see. With Kwon-oh.”
He nodded. Why do I sense dissatisfaction in his gaze?
The atmosphere today was definitely different from before. Is he in a bad mood? Or did I do something wrong…
“Kwon-oh’s taste is quite… peculiar.”
“…Pardon?”
“Well, take care on your way back.”
Sung-rok sunbae didn’t answer my reflexive question and instead put out his cigarette before entering the bar building.
Left alone, I stood there for a while, mulling over what I had just heard.
“……”
At first, I thought I had misheard because his voice was so low. Although it was close to a mutter, sunbae clearly said…
‘Kwon-oh’s taste is quite… peculiar.’
I felt my stomach churn as I blankly stared at the stairs Sung-rok sunbae had climbed.
What did he mean by that? Is he unhappy that I’m close to Kwon-oh?
The seemingly cold feeling I got when we first met wasn’t my imagination after all.
But he was friendly last time. If he’s displeased with me hanging out with Kwon-oh, why was he kind then?
Did I make some mistake in the meantime? Or…
“Jeong-ha! Why didn’t you contact me if you were here?”
At that moment, Kwon-oh called my name as he ran out of the building.
“Ah, Kwon-oh.”
Only then did I come to my senses and look at Kwon-oh.
