The sulky tone in his voice was lifeless, as if his soul had already drifted away.
Ji-hyang, unsure what to say, quickly snatched up the bottle that had just arrived and cracked it open. How could she cheer him on when he’d just admitted the other person didn’t even like him?
“Drink.”
The moment Jae-ha’s glass was filled to the rim, he grabbed it and downed it in one shot. His mind felt so dulled that alcohol and water barely tasted any different anymore.
Honestly, Jae-ha didn’t believe for a second that Hae-hyun didn’t like him. It wasn’t pride talking. It was just that there were too many things that didn’t make sense if he accepted that at face value. The unusual attention Hae-hyun gave him was far too obvious to ignore. That was why he’d been so confused even when he thought Hae-hyun liked that girl, “1.”
But that wasn’t the issue. What really mattered was that Hae-hyun had no intention whatsoever of admitting it.
The way he acted suggested only two possibilities: either he was pretending not to know for some reason, or he was such an idiot he genuinely didn’t realize.
“……”
Neither was a pleasant thought. And Jae-ha had blurted things out far too bluntly to walk them back. He’d just let his emotions explode.
There’s a limit to reckless outbursts—and “You like me, don’t you?” definitely crossed it….
Jae-ha sighed without meaning to. Watching his friend’s complicated expression, Ji-hyang fidgeted and hovered nervously, pushing food toward him while he kept tossing back soju.
He filled up more on liquor than on meat. After settling the bill, they trudged out of the barbecue joint. Behind him, Ji-hyang’s voice rose as she answered her phone.
“I told you, I’ll be late. Something came up. No, seriously, it’s important. …Ugh, whatever. How old do you think I am, still nagging me like that? I’ll get home when I get home.”
She tried whispering, sneaking glances at him, but he still caught bits and pieces. Guess I should let her go. Jae-ha turned his gaze to the street, pretending not to notice.
After all, he’d dragged her out of the library on a whim, and she’d come running right away. That alone was enough to be grateful for. He wasn’t shameless enough to hold onto her when she clearly had things to deal with.
A moment later, Ji-hyang returned, her voice light and teasing.
“Seo Jae, where should we go for round two?”
She really is too nice. Jae-ha answered flatly,
“Look at the time. Just go home.”
“…So you did hear.”
She looked guilty at once. Jae-ha shrugged and patted her shoulder.
“I was only planning on dinner anyway. Let’s go.”
“Sorry. Next time we’ll drink properly.”
“Yeah, next time.”
He turned to walk her to the station, but she stopped.
“Oh, wait. I need to swing by campus. I left my bag in the library.”
“Yeah?”
Then we’ll just swing by together. Jae-ha nodded and followed without a second thought.
The campus at night was the complete opposite of the neon-soaked streets outside—dim and unsettling. Only a few scattered lamps lit the grass, and the occasional glow leaked from the upper windows of buildings. The place felt eerie, almost cold.
Thankfully, the twenty-four-hour central library was brighter. Near midnight, it was nearly empty. Walking through the deserted halls felt like they had the whole building to themselves. Now Jae-ha understood why Ji-hyang always said leaving the reading room last made her feel rich.
“Wait here.”
At the reading room entrance, Ji-hyang slipped inside. Left alone in the lobby, Jae-ha fidgeted with his phone.
As always, unread messages piled up—but not a single one from Hae-hyun. …It had been hours since he stormed out, and still nothing. That stung, equal parts annoying and disappointing.
With a bitter sigh, he locked the screen—then froze.
Someone was there.
A small, wiry figure stood down the hall, hunched awkwardly as if caught mid-crime, staring at him. Surprise flickered over the man’s face, followed quickly by fluster.
“Im Su-min?”
Though barely a mutter, the library’s silence carried it. Su-min stiffened like he’d been shocked awake, then hurried over.
“What are you doing here this late…?”
“Well, uh… my friend was studying here.”
Jae-ha’s awkward answer was followed by silence. Su-min wasn’t exactly outgoing to begin with, but right now he looked especially rattled, like he couldn’t even hold a conversation. Was he stealing books or something? Jae-ha wondered before trying again.
“You studying too?”
“No, I just… woke up suddenly, and felt something, so….”
What the hell does that mean? Jae-ha was about to ask more when the reading room doors opened and Ji-hyang emerged, a massive backpack over her shoulders.
“Seo Jae. Let’s—huh?”
Her eyes widened at the sight of Su-min beside him, full of questions. Jae-ha introduced him simply.
“He’s a junior from one of my electives. Looks like he’s camped out here too. Su-min, this is my classmate.”
“Ah, hello….”
“Well, we’ll get going. Study hard. See you in class.”
Jae-ha had just turned away when a tense voice called after him.
“Uh, hyung.”
“Yeah?”
“I didn’t come here to study….”
Jae-ha blinked. Before he could process it, Ji-hyang gave him the shove he didn’t know he was waiting for—literally.
“Perfect. Now you’ve got a drinking buddy.”
“…Huh?”
“I really need to head home, so could you keep him company? He didn’t want to go back because he’s in a bad mood today.”
“Hey, Yoo Ji-hyang—”
What the hell— Before he could finish, Su-min cut in, almost eagerly.
“Shall I?”
“What?”
“…You don’t mind, do you?”
He peeked at Jae-ha like a guilty cat testing boundaries. Flustered, Jae-ha shook his head. Well, it wasn’t that he minded. It was just sudden. And honestly, he didn’t really want to go home yet. Still, he checked.
“It’s late. You sure?”
“I don’t mind.”
He nodded firmly, surprisingly resolute.
With that, Ji-hyang smiled and slapped Jae-ha’s shoulder, visibly relieved to leave him in company.
“Perfect! Then I’m off.”
“Hey, I said I’d walk you to the station.”
“It’s right there. Just hang out with your junior.”
Brushing off his protests, she hummed a tune as she strolled away—true to her reputation as one half of the “business department’s dynamic duo” (the other being Cheong-hee). Left standing awkwardly with Su-min, Jae-ha finally turned.
“Shall we go too?”
As they stepped out of the library, the night’s chill pressed in again. The weather felt colder than usual.
“So, what do you feel like eating?”
They strolled across campus casually. Su-min glanced around, scanning the area. We’re still on school grounds—what’s he even looking for? Jae-ha wondered, until Su-min pointed decisively.
“That.”
Jae-ha followed his finger—then stopped.
“…The convenience store?”
The bright campus store sign glowed ahead. Not at all what he expected—he’d assumed they’d hit a bar.
“Yeah. They’ve got a lot of tasty stuff.”
“Really? Like what?”
“Kimbap.”
A first—someone choosing convenience store kimbap for drinking food.
“Not ramen? Most people go for ramen.”
“You can eat ramen at a convenience store?”
“…You’ve never tried?”
That wasn’t just unusual—it was practically unheard of. Jae-ha stared in disbelief, while Su-min only nodded innocently, as if nothing was strange.
Well… that kind of guileless sincerity was just like him. Jae-ha gave his back a light pat, half-pushing him forward.
“I’ll get you that too.”
Most of the campus buildings were dark by now, but the streets outside were still lively with students drinking, hanging out, or passing out in clubs. That was why the campus convenience store stayed open twenty-four hours.
Fortunately, both outdoor tables were empty. Jae-ha set down steaming cup noodles, kimbap, and a few cans of beer before dropping into a chair. Su-min sat across from him.
“Do you drink much?”
“I don’t drink at all.”
“…Huh?”
Jae-ha blinked at the reply, glancing at the table where the only drinks were beer. He’d just assumed Su-min would drink with him. Without a word, he stood.
“I’ll go grab you something else.”
