I Wish They’d Just Leave Me Alone 69

Chapter 69

I thought I was being quite firm.

My conclusion was that I didn’t want to give Ye Han-seo any false hope and make things difficult for him.

I didn’t want to say things like I wasn’t sure about my feelings yet or ask him to wait for me.

My perception of him was less about attraction and more like seeing him as a classmate’s younger brother or just Ji Yeohoon’s classmate.

I didn’t think it was my place to say things might change as we get to know each other or that the future is uncertain.

“So I can’t be part of your future, hyung?”

As long as he was Ye Han-dam’s brother and an Esper belonging to the Chaehwa Guild, there was a high probability we’d keep running into each other and talking.

“In the future, sure. Since we know each other.”

“Are you saying it’s just not possible right now…?”

“That’s not what I mean. You’re with Chaehwa, so Association Guides like these guys will probably meet with you quite often. I’m always with them anyway.”

I approached the confused kid.

Even if he existed in the future I was talking about, there was no chance that future would be rosy.

I patted his shoulder and opened my mouth.

“Fall for someone better. I don’t know what you see in me, but it’s not me.”

“What’s wrong with you, hyung?”

“Exactly.”

“Will you two be quiet?”

If I’d known Ye Han-seo would confess to me so bluntly, I would have seriously left these guys behind.

There was no reason for him to like me, and even if there was, I had no reason to accept him.

I removed my hand as I looked at the dejected Ye Han-seo.

“I don’t know what action of mine confused you. But I’d like you to think about this a lot more.”

I had no intention of telling him to give up on his feelings after he’d confessed.

That’s his freedom, and saying such things wouldn’t make his feelings disappear anyway.

But if I could at least help him move on from those feelings, I was willing to do that.

I could do whatever was necessary, whether it meant being firm or even cruel.

“I will never like you. Not now, not later. I don’t have the capacity, just as you expected.”

Ye Han-seo didn’t respond. He just stared at me with tightly sealed lips.

I left a brief goodbye: I’m going in first.

Although Ye Han-seo looked completely unconvinced, I turned away.

I glanced once at Yoon Cheong and Ji Yeohoon, then turned around and walked into the building.

The two who had been watching me briefly looked at Ye Han-seo before following me.

“Let me know if you change your mind later!”

“What?”

I turned my head in shock at the voice from behind.

“I’ll be waiting!”

Oh come on, you shouldn’t say things like that.

That’s pressure, man.

12.

“Did you forget anything?”

“No. If anything’s missing, I can just buy it again.”

True, considering how much money piles up in their accounts after entering a Gate once, whether it’s this kid or Yoon Cheong.

Because I used to be a salaried worker at the Association, I’m sometimes shocked by the amounts these kids spend on things.

Me too, I have over 30 million won in my account, wow, what an impressive high schooler, huh?

After returning to school from the ski resort, they said the third-year middle school students could now move to the high school dormitory.

It was something Ji Yeohoon had been waiting for, and his classmates had been looking forward to as well.

As long as they moved before the semester started, it was fine, but Ji Yeohoon quickly packed his things and moved into the high school dormitory.

I went into Ji Yeohoon’s new room and checked around.

Usually, after the previous student leaves, they clean the room and leave it empty for a few days, so it should feel newly furnished, but since Ji Yeohoon moved in urgently, the smell in the room was different.

“The previous senior must have been…”

“Don’t you be like that. I really hate this smell.”

“I absolutely won’t.”

The previous occupant seemed to have been a smoker.

Even though third-year students with abilities are recognized as adults in many ways, smoking so boldly in a school dormitory?

It seemed like the dormitory cleaning staff had worked hard to clean, ventilate, and organize the room, but a faint tobacco smell still lingered.

“They said it’ll take about a week to repaper the walls and replace the furniture. They’re checking other rooms to see which ones need changing too…”

Rooms with furniture problems are replaced simultaneously after checking all dormitories, so it takes time until the replacement is complete.

I worked so hard to raise these kids properly.

The thought of leaving Ji Yeohoon alone in a room with lingering smoke smell for a week made me uncomfortable.

“Do you want to stay in my room until they change it?”

Yoon Cheong and Ji Yeohoon, who were connecting Ji Yeohoon’s computer, both looked at me simultaneously.

Their strange expressions made me feel a bit embarrassed.

I mean… isn’t it better than this room?

“I want to, I really want to. I’d like that.”

“No.”

“Soo-young hyung was the one who suggested it. Yoon Cheong hyung, you don’t have a say in this.”

“No way.”

When I first heard that the room wasn’t fully cleaned and had some lingering smell, I didn’t think it was this bad.

I was going to leave it alone, knowing the room would be fine after a little while, but seeing it in person, it seemed completely unacceptable.

Is it only secondhand smoke when you’re near someone who smokes? Being in a smelly room is secondhand smoke too.

If he keeps staying here, Ji Yeohoon might start smelling like this, and if he gets used to it, who knows.

Yoon Cheong kept objecting, but I just let them argue since I knew he’d come along if Ji Yeohoon did.

“Just grab your toothbrush and let’s go to my room. Besides, Yoon Cheong, you’re going to come too, right?”

“Yes.”

“Why is hyung coming?”

“Just because.”

“If you don’t have a reason, don’t come. I’m going to be alone with Soo-young hyung.”

“That’s why I’m coming.”

Gritting his teeth, Yoon Cheong whispered something in Ji Yeohoon’s ear.

Ji Yeohoon’s face turned bright red as he grabbed Yoon Cheong’s collar.

What is it, what did he say?

“That’s not true!”

“What’s not true?”

“Hyung, don’t listen.”

“Your face is really red, though?”

What is it, tell me, why are you guys talking without me?

Yoon Cheong tried to say something but Ji Yeohoon shouted to stop him, and Yoon Cheong struggled to free his collar from Ji Yeohoon’s grip—it was a mess.

“Hurry and pack up. We’ll bring your stuff to my room later, let’s just head out now.”

“Have your parents arrived?”

“They said they’ll be here in about 20-30 minutes.”

We were going on a family trip.

Since all the families decided to go, we had to move as a large group of 10 people.

Originally, the trip was planned just for the parents, excluding me and these two.

Yesterday, after returning from school, I called home and they said they had rented a pension nearby and asked if we wanted to join.

Since there were hardly any students at school and we’d just be killing time until school reopened in March anyway, I decided we should go on the trip after quickly finishing Ji Yeohoon’s room organization.

“Looks like we’re all set, let’s go.”

Let go of each other’s collars now, you two.

I could hear them bickering behind me, saying things like “Aren’t you the same?” and “Why don’t you do it too, you’re the hyung,” but I decided to ignore it.

They weren’t telling me when I asked anyway, so there was no need to dig deeper, and Ji Yeohoon seemed extremely embarrassed, so I felt I shouldn’t ask.

This trip was short, just one night and two days, so there was no need to pack clothes; we just decided to bring chargers and things to wash and wear.

Seeing both Yoon Cheong and Ji Yeohoon just carrying their chargers without even a bag, I went into my room and packed some snacks into a bag.

“Should I carry the bag?”

“Hyung, let me carry it.”

“I’m not putting your chargers in it. Both of you carry them in your hands.”

“Hyuuung~”

I was about to put the bag on my back and lead the way, but the two of them came close and each grabbed one of my hands.

I naturally infused my Bigar.

The sensation flowing through our connected hands seemed pleasant; the irritation that had been on their faces from bickering disappeared and smiles rose.

A bright face is better than a dark one.

The three of us stood in a row in front of the school gate, waiting for our parents’ car.

Somehow, I feel relaxed and comfortable. I hope the trip will be trouble-free and enjoyable until the end.

The kids’ imprinting is still burdensome, and there are unresolved issues, but sometimes time can solve things.

“Yes, yes, I understand. Soo-young hyung, Mom and Dad are leaving urgently because they detected Gate gauge waves nearby?”

“Sigh…”

Right, it was my fault for thinking we could have a trouble-free time.

I sighed deeply as I watched Ji Yeohoon hang up the phone.

“Only your mom and dad left?”

“They were coming separately in different cars. But suddenly all the nearby Espers and Guides were called in. Apparently only our parents had to turn their car around and head to the assembly point.”

They probably contacted only Ji Yeohoon since they knew the three of us were together.

We’ll be fine since we can ride in my parents’ car, which should arrive soon.

I let go of the two boys’ hands and picked up my phone.

If it’s a gate that opened suddenly, checking with the Association would be faster.

I accessed the Association website and checked the gate information.

“It’s not here…”

“Hyung, I think it’s this one. But the location…”

“This is…”

Yoon Cheong and Ji Yeohoon lost their words as they looked at the phone screen.

“I’m not seeing this wrong, right?”

“I don’t think so.”

“…It’s near the school?”