Bae Jung-yoon blinked, as if just now grasping what had been said. Then, without warning, he let out a quiet chuckle.
Why is he laughing all of a sudden? Go Hoon raised an eyebrow in irritation. Bae Jung-yoon simply looked back at him, a lazy smile tugging at his lips.
“We’re not dating.”
But Go Hoon couldn’t bring himself to ask why Kang Soo-yeon had been at his place. What would be the point of that? A guy and a girl alone in the same house—what else was there to assume?
So no, he didn’t believe the denial. There were plenty of campus couples secretly dating without making it public.
It was just a feeling. Go Hoon had thought that maybe—just maybe—Bae Jung-yoon wouldn’t hide things from him. They’d shared secrets before, and with how often people commented on how close they seemed, it had started to fool even him. Maybe he really was someone special to Bae Jung-yoon.
But the answer he got was a flat-out no.
Guess I shouldn’t have asked. Go Hoon gave a noncommittal nod, ready to brush it off—until Bae Jung-yoon suddenly turned it around.
“What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Are you dating Kim Yeo-jin?”
“…What?”
The question completely blindsided him. Go Hoon instinctively looked around. Thankfully, the lecture hall was still empty except for the two of them.
Why is Kim Yeo-jin even coming up right now? Where is this question coming from? He’d done this before too—asking if something was going on between them. Was he seriously suspicious? But why?
As if reading his baffled expression, Bae Jung-yoon explained.
“Lately, something about you two feels different.”
“Me and Kim Yeo-jin?”
Go Hoon kept his voice low, wary of anyone overhearing. Bae Jung-yoon nodded.
Go Hoon couldn’t accept it. There was no “vibe” to speak of. He barely even talked to Kim Yeo-jin. Aside from that brief conversation when she handed him a drink in front of the lecture hall—that was it.
Just that, and yet he was jumping to conclusions?
“It’s not like that.”
Go Hoon shot the idea down immediately, but Bae Jung-yoon kept pressing.
“Then what is it?”
“She’s just a junior I know…”
Go Hoon was about to add that he didn’t feel anything for her—but stopped. Why the hell did he even need to explain himself to Bae Jung-yoon?
But he couldn’t blame him, either. He’d brought up the topic first.
“For someone who’s just a junior, you seem to care an awful lot.”
While Go Hoon hesitated, Bae Jung-yoon’s gaze sharpened. Those black eyes were focused and unrelenting. And even though he was wearing his usual faint smile, something about him felt cold.
“That’s… just because she went through something rough before. I’m just looking out for her.”
It felt ridiculous having to explain himself like this, but he figured if anything, he needed to be clear.
Bae Jung-yoon stared at him for a long moment, then leaned in slightly.
“Hoon.”
He called his name softly, voice stripped of all warmth.
“If you’re not planning to date her, don’t be too nice to Yeo-jin.”
Go Hoon’s brows furrowed. That pissed him off. Being told what to do like that. And honestly, it annoyed him even more coming from Bae Jung-yoon. Someone who went around dripping affection everywhere he went.
The one hiding his true feelings while acting overly kind to everyone—that was Bae Jung-yoon. Just a glance or a few soft words from him could make people laugh or cry.
“Why the hell do you care?”
The words came out sharper than he’d intended. It felt like the roles had reversed. But Bae Jung-yoon didn’t flinch.
“Because I think Yeo-jin has feelings for you.”
“That’s just your imagination.”
“No. I’m certain.”
Go Hoon looked at him—at how serious he seemed—and felt genuinely confused. Kim Yeo-jin liked him?
Images flashed through his mind: her shyly offering him a drink, her clenching her fists and shouting a cheerful fighting!
But that was it. He didn’t want to jump to conclusions about her feelings.
He slowly shook his head.
“Whatever Yeo-jin feels, it’s not something you need to be worrying about, Bae Jung-yoon.”
“You’re right.”
Bae Jung-yoon nodded without resistance, as if conceding the point.
So Go Hoon thought he was about to apologize. Sorry if I crossed a line, like he had before. But what came next caught him completely off guard.
“You’re right—it’s none of my business. So why the hell do I care so much?”
He tapped the desk with his long fingers, then lifted the corner of his mouth in a crooked smile.
At that exact moment, someone entered the lecture hall. As if they’d been waiting for a cue, the conversation between the two of them abruptly ended. Bae Jung-yoon, acting like nothing had happened, pulled a tablet from his bag.
Go Hoon, watching in silence, stared at his laptop screen, eyes slightly unfocused.
Feels fucking awful.
He was pretty sure that’s what Jung-yoon had muttered—but the moment had passed too quickly. He’d missed his chance to confirm if he’d really heard it.
***
Despite Go Hoon’s unsettled state, Bae Jung-yoon’s presentation was flawless. Without a hint of nervousness, he held the mic and spoke with ease, explaining everything smoothly.
All the expected questions came straight from their prepared list, and Jung-yoon’s responses were crisp and confident. Even the professor nodded in approval. That said it all.
“Jung-yoon sunbae’s really good at presenting.”
Kim Yeo-jin whispered as she leaned in close. Go Hoon glanced sideways at her.
“Yeah. He’s good.”
He tried hard not to let Jung-yoon’s earlier words get to him. He treated Kim Yeo-jin the same as always, careful not to read into her actions or reactions.
When all the group presentations were finished and class was over, he quickly left after offering a polite “good work” to the two of them.
A few days later, the weekend arrived.
“My left knee’s been aching since this morning…”
Go Hoon tapped his sore knee with a clenched fist, then looked up at the downpour outside.
So now my body reacts to the weather. A strange bitterness settled in his chest.
April had arrived with a sudden, torrential rain.
Still, he had no intention of skipping his delivery shifts. If anything, the weather was welcome. Bad conditions meant surge pay.
He’d started the day full of energy, eager to rake in some extra cash—but clearly, he’d underestimated the storm.
The rain came down harder than expected.
His phone was safe in a waterproof case, but his body had no such protection. The relentless downpour soaked through everything.
Even with a raincoat, it didn’t make much difference. The sheets of rain pierced straight through. His hoodie, his underwear—everything was drenched.
His sneakers squished with every step, water sloshing inside.
At least his insulated delivery bag was waterproof. He’d spent extra for that feature, just in case of spills. He hadn’t expected to appreciate that decision quite like this.
He figured this would be his last run for the day. The rain had thickened to the point it was hard to see. Surge pay or not, pushing further felt reckless.
Thankfully, he finished the last delivery without a hitch. Feeling lighter with the empty bag on his back, Go Hoon hopped onto his bike with a spring in his step.
Time to go home. First thing I do is wipe down the bike with a dry towel—can’t let it rust. With that in mind, he pedaled hard.
Shhck—
The wet tires let out a slick sound as they rolled. He exited the parking lot connected to the ground floor.
Pushing through the downpour, he moved quickly. There was no bike lane here, so he kept close to the sidewalk, hugging the edge of the road.
He spotted a green light up ahead and picked up speed—but just then, a small child suddenly darted into the street.
“Whoa…!”
Go Hoon slammed on the brakes and swerved to avoid the kid.
SCREECH—!
The bike lost balance and skidded loudly across the wet pavement.
***
“What are you staring at out there?”
The voice came from behind. Bae Jung-yoon turned around.
Kang Soo-yeon walked over, drinks and popcorn in both hands. Standing by the glass doors that led to the outdoor smoking area, Jung-yoon instinctively reached out to help her with what she was carrying.
“It’s just… raining a lot.”
Kang Soo-yeon turned her gaze to the view beyond the theater’s windows.
“Delivery workers must be having a hell of a time in this weather, huh?”
Rain was coming down like the sky had split open. The furious downpour sent droplets bouncing unpredictably as they hit the pavement.
Bae Jung-yoon silently watched the scene, then gave a small nod.
“Yeah.”
A few moments later, Kang Soo-yeon said she was heading to the restroom and left. Slipping away from the crowd, Bae Jung-yoon took out his phone. He opened his messenger app and scrolled through his chat list.
1 | 6:20 PM
[What’re you up to?]
Go Hoon.
The message had been sent an hour ago, but there was still no reply. Jung-yoon let the name linger on his tongue for a moment, tasting the weight of it. Then, he pressed the call button and lifted the phone to his ear.
