Chapter 56
Even though Seo-jung knew there was a camera in the room, he failed to control his expression. He was dumbfounded. Why should I tell him that? What does he want to know about someone else’s schedule for? Isn’t sharing schedules something only couples do? No matter how positively he tried to think about it, Cha Yoon’s demand made no sense.
“Why should I tell you that?”
“Isn’t it obvious that you should?”
Seo-jung thought he had put on a stern expression, but it seemed ineffective on Cha Yoon. Instead, Cha Yoon sat on the sofa next to Seo-jung’s bed, bringing himself to eye level with Seo-jung.
“We’re roommates. Don’t you think it would be frustrating for the person waiting if they don’t know when their roommate is coming back? Think about it. It’s rude to make the person you’re living with worry.”
No matter how Seo-jung looked at it, Cha Yoon’s face seemed shameless as he spoke words that Seo-jung couldn’t agree with. But Seo-jung wasn’t about to give in on something like this. He shook his head firmly.
“Just don’t worry about it.”
“What? What do you mean, don’t worry about it!”
Cha Yoon started to fume, even stuttering his words.
“How can I not worry! When you come in late, I wake up from my sleep, and then I think, ‘Oh, Ki Seo-jung is back, I should go to sleep,’ so I end up sleeping late. That affects my sleep quality and ruins my condition for the next day! I can’t help but worry even if I try not to.”
Ki Seo-jung’s lips tightened. It felt like he was being bombarded with illogical bullets. As he stared silently at Cha Yoon, whether out of breath or having said all he wanted to say, Cha Yoon’s voice subsided. Only then did Seo-jung open his mouth.
“I’ll come in quietly so you won’t be disturbed. Don’t worry.”
“I’m sensitive, so I’ll wake up no matter how quietly you come in.”
“Then I’ll sleep on the sofa on the second floor. Happy now?”
What the hell is there to be happy about? And why sleep on the sofa when there’s a perfectly good room? Haven’t you heard that roommates should never use separate rooms no matter how much they fight?
“Sh-just tell me your schedule.”
“No.”
“Why not? I don’t understand. Is it that hard to tell me? What, are you lying about your schedule or something?”
This isn’t going anywhere. Instead of answering, Seo-jung got up from the bed. Let’s escape quickly and quietly. As soon as he made up his mind, Seo-jung started to move swiftly. Surely Cha Yoon wouldn’t pester him like this in front of others. That was as far as Ki Seo-jung’s thoughts went.
Unfortunately, the X House was unusually quiet today. As Seo-jung fled through the second-floor living room, dining room, and hallway, the only person around was Cha Yoon following behind him.
“Where are you going? I’m not done talking yet.”
“…”
“Hey, Ki Seo-jung!”
What kind of sudden game of tag was this? Shouldn’t he stop chasing by now?
Time had made Ki Seo-jung temporarily forget something: the fact that Cha Yoon was incredibly persistent. After circling the second floor, Seo-jung spotted the stairs leading to the first floor. He began to descend the stairs almost at a run.
“Ki Seo-jung, can’t you hear me? I said tell me!”
As soon as he reached the first floor, Seo-jung’s expression brightened slightly upon seeing Jung Soo-ho. Soo-ho’s eyes sparkled as he sat on the living room sofa.
“Oh? Seo-jung and Cha Yoon, you’re not asleep yet?”
“No, why are you here alone, Soo-ho?”
Seo-jung, secretly breathing a sigh of relief, addressed Jung Soo-ho. Although it was just light small talk, Soo-ho immediately perked up and approached the two.
It’s that guy again. This time, it was Cha Yoon’s face that crumpled as he stood close behind Ki Seo-jung.
“Do you have nothing better to do? Why are you always out here?”
Cha Yoon, naturally blocking the space between Ki Seo-jung and Jung Soo-ho, let out a sharp remark.
“Oh, well, I wanted to use my phone, but Min-wook said he was tired and wanted to get some sleep! So I came out to the living room for a bit. I didn’t want to keep Min-wook from sleeping because of me!”
Soo-ho, oblivious to social cues, grinned widely, ignoring Cha Yoon’s obvious display of annoyance. Proud of his considerate act, he even remembered to rub his nose unnecessarily.
From Cha Yoon’s perspective, this was increasingly irritating. Was he supposed to have his alone time with Ki Seo-jung interrupted for such a trivial reason?
Unaware of Cha Yoon’s thoughts, Soo-ho couldn’t hide his curious expression despite Cha Yoon’s furrowed brow.
“But what were you two talking about? I heard Cha Yoon asking Seo-jung to tell him something.”
“None of your business. Please, mind your own business.”
“Come on, I’m just curious. What is it? If it’s something interesting, tell me too. Huh?”
Soo-ho persisted, repeatedly saying “Huh?” while his eyes sparkled. This annoying behavior was becoming too much to tolerate.
“I have no intention of telling you, so stop being nosy and go away.”
“Oh, oh! Wait a second, Cha Yoon!”
“What do you mean, wait a second? Go in. I said go in.”
Cha Yoon, his face completely scrunched up, waved his arm violently as if shooing away an annoying fly. As the thick arm, toned from exercise, moved back and forth in front of him, Soo-ho instinctively backed away.
From Seo-jung’s perspective, watching this entire exchange, Cha Yoon’s words were just laughable. Nosy? Was there anyone more nosy than him, demanding to see a work schedule under the pretext of being roommates? Seo-jung barely managed to swallow a scoff as he shook his head.
By now, Soo-ho had been pushed far back, wearing a pouty expression and sending desperate looks towards Seo-jung. He was still backing away.
This wasn’t the time for such thoughts. Seo-jung needed to step in before poor Soo-ho caught more flak.
Seo-jung pushed himself between the two men locked in intense confrontation. Cha Yoon, startled by Seo-jung’s face suddenly entering his field of vision, jerked his body backward.
“Are you okay?”
Cha Yoon hurriedly examined Seo-jung’s face and body. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to have been hit anywhere. Along with relief, irritation surged. If his reflexes had been even a little slower, Seo-jung could have been hit by the arm he was swinging.
“Are you crazy? Why did you suddenly come between us like that! You could have gotten hurt!”
Cha Yoon expressed his startled feelings by shouting. His thunderous voice reverberated through the living room.
Regardless, Ki Seo-jung ignored Cha Yoon’s angry voice and turned to face Soo-ho. Cha Yoon was naturally left looking at Seo-jung’s back.
Seo-jung repeated to Soo-ho the same words he had heard from Cha Yoon.
“Soo-ho, are you okay? You’re not hurt anywhere, right?”
“Seo-jung…”
Hmm, as expected, only Seo-jung cares about me. Soo-ho lowered his eyebrows and acted somewhat childishly. Seeing this, Cha Yoon gritted his teeth.
Damn it, what are they doing while I’m left standing behind? And who should be worried about right now? Why is he taking care of that guy? Everything from Seo-jung’s actions of caring for Jung Soo-ho to Soo-ho’s words about only having Seo-jung was irritating.
“Who are you to say that only Ki Seo-jung…”
“I’m glad you’re okay.”
Seo-jung cut off the words coming from behind him and showed his usual smile.
“Cha Yoon and I were just talking about what to eat for dinner. I came in late, so I haven’t had dinner yet. Cha Yoon said he hadn’t eaten either.”
“Oh, is that all? I thought you two were having another interesting conversation without me.”
“Yes, it was nothing special. I guess Cha Yoon just wanted to joke around with you, Soo-ho.”
Knowing that telling the truth would only prolong the conversation, Seo-jung covered it up with a suitable explanation. He even went so far as to sugarcoat Cha Yoon’s behavior. Seo-jung quickly turned around. If he didn’t pacify Cha Yoon soon, he was sure to ruin the situation that was about to be resolved by asking what that was all about and denying they were talking about dinner.
As he turned around, sure enough, Cha Yoon had a look on his face that said, “What nonsense is this?” Seo-jung met Cha Yoon’s dark eyes.
“Cha Yoon, I understand.”
“…”
“I’ll do as you want, so please stop now.”
He was referring to the work schedule that Cha Yoon had been going on about. Emphasizing “as you want,” Cha Yoon seemed to understand the meaning as well, and the deep wrinkles between his eyebrows slowly smoothed out.
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“Don’t you dare change your mind later.”
Instead of answering, Seo-jung nodded. At the nod confirming his agreement, Cha Yoon muttered, “You should have done this from the start.”
Having been given what he wanted, his mood seemed to improve noticeably. He looked like he was about to start humming. Who would believe he was twenty-two years old? He showed the simplicity of a twelve-year-old.
