Jaeyoon was standing at a crossroads in his life. Beads of sweat rolled down his temple as he looked back and forth between the two people with his blue eyes. His fingers, which had been tapping the desk anxiously at a steady rhythm, stopped.
“Sunbae, do you trust me?”
“Yes, whatever choice you make, I trust you.”
Jaeyoon smiled at the look of trust in Jung Jinhoo’s eyes.
“I’ve decided.”
His blue eyes shone with determination. Jaeyoon’s lips parted…
“I choose Snow White!”
“What?! Why?!”
“Yes! Yesss-.”
Following Jaeyoon’s decision, Cinderella was frustrated, while Snow White shouted in jubilation.
“Hahaha…”
As Jaeyoon laughed awkwardly, the male student dressed as Snow White winked and blew him a kiss.
“I’m sooo happy you chose me~. This is your reward for getting the right answer!”
Snow White handed Jaeyoon a small accessory box. Inside was a pretty necklace with a blue heart-shaped pendant.
Is this for women? As Jaeyoon was about to express his thanks, thud. Cinderella collapsed on the classroom floor in a delicate pose like a tragic heroine.
“Why, why did you choose that pale-faced nobody instead of me…!”
“Huh!? I don’t want to hear that from someone who cheated using magic?”
“To think I’m worse than that guy…!”
“Don’t forget, the loser has to buy tteokbokki.”
“Aaaaargh!”
Leaving Cinderella behind, who was pounding the floor in regret, Jaeyoon and Jung Jinhoo left the classroom.
‘I only chose Snow White because Sunbae Jinhoo was next to me…’
Jung Jinhoo looked at Jaeyoon, his snow-white silver hair fluttering gently.
“The last question was the most difficult.”
“Hahaha. It really was.”
They had gone in to solve a quiz, but somehow ended up with someone who would be treating them to tteokbokki. At first, there were certainly questions about world capitals, or at the very least, questions like “What’s the name of the unfortunate man in Dooly whose record was broken, head was shaved, and house was invaded by animals?” But they never expected there would be a trap at the end.
Snow White and Cinderella. Which one looks more like a princess?! Between them… it was hard enough trying not to laugh at the sight of two male students awkwardly dressed up.
“But what should I do with this?”
The blue heart sparkled as it caught the light. Unfortunately, the school that served as the setting for this BL game was an all-boys school. Therefore, there was no one to wear a women’s necklace, nor anyone to give it to as a gift.
“I think it would suit you well.”
“Me…?”
Certainly, Lee Jaeyoon did have pretty features.
“Hmm-.”
As Jaeyoon was examining the necklace from different angles, he subtly rolled his eyes to gaze at Jung Jinhoo. It would suit him, wouldn’t it? As Jaeyoon was imagining the blue heart necklace against Jung Jinhoo’s snow-white skin, he quickly put the necklace in his pocket when Jung Jinhoo’s golden eyes turned toward him.
“Everyone’s really preparing seriously.”
“They are.”
“We need to be tense about being first in sales, don’t we?”
Jung Jinhoo smiled at the humorous tone in Jaeyoon’s voice.
“We’ve only been to three places, but I’m quite tired already.”
He massaged his shoulders, slightly blaming Jaeyoon’s fragile body. Jaeyoon missed his original body, which wouldn’t have flinched even after drinking with friends until dawn.
“Shall we go outside? It’s getting crowded…”
Jung Jinhoo said, looking at the people bustling in the hallway. As Jaeyoon nodded, he narrowed his eyes at the swarm of people visible through the window. It probably wouldn’t be much different outside…
As Jaeyoon was searching for a place to rest for a while, he remembered the annex building that wasn’t used during the festival. Although it was near the gymnasium, it was a place where only students, not the general public, could enter.
“Let’s go to the annex.”
Jung Jinhoo nodded at Jaeyoon’s suggestion. On their way to the annex, they also bought various snacks. Steamed potatoes, sweet potato snacks, sausages, and chicken skewers. Jaeyoon, who had arrived at the annex in a good mood with his arms full of food, immediately crumpled his happy expression.
“Ugh-…”
A sound of disgust involuntarily escaped his lips. The boy who had been embracing and showing affection under the tree raised his head, perhaps sensing their presence.
When his eyes met Jaeyoon’s, his dark green eyes widened to their limit. Ah, at the sight of Lee Minho who let out an exclamation without realizing it, Jaeyoon sighed heavily.
‘Let’s be a bit more careful during the festival.’
Jaeyoon put his hand to his forehead. The festival was certainly an important event that couldn’t be left out of a BL game, but they were being far too careless. Well, they were always careless, but still.
Even though the annex had few visitors, there was a gymnasium nearby where festival events were taking place. Someone could get lost and accidentally enter the annex, or like Jaeyoon, come looking for a place with fewer people. After all, it wasn’t a restricted area.
Jaeyoon shook his head from side to side. After glancing briefly at Lee Minho, he grabbed Jung Jinhoo’s sleeve and led him away. Let’s go eat somewhere else.
As Jung Jinhoo watched Jaeyoon turning his back, his gaze shifted to Lee Minho. Jung Jinhoo seemed lost in thought for a moment, lowering his eyes, before turning his head away.
“Ah…”
Lee Minho stared helplessly at his brother’s retreating figure before covering his eyes with his hand. Why, of all times…
“Sunbae Minho…?”
Kim Yeonwoo called out anxiously as Lee Minho bit his lip hard. Although Lee Minho tried to smile at Kim Yeonwoo, his mind was in complete disarray.
Kim Yeonwoo, who had been quietly observing Lee Minho’s dark expression, suddenly wrapped his arms around Minho’s waist. Lee Minho’s dark green eyes widened in surprise.
“Hold me.”
Lee Minho’s hand trembled slightly. His hand, which had been wandering in the air for a moment, touched Kim Yeonwoo’s shoulder. Kim Yeonwoo smiled as he felt the warmth from the large hand.
Lee Minho smiled gently at Kim Yeonwoo’s brown eyes looking up at him. Don’t worry about others. At Kim Yeonwoo’s words, Lee Minho’s eyes lowered, but Kim Yeonwoo didn’t notice.
“Kiss me, Sunbae Minho.”
The dark green eyes briefly turned toward where Jaeyoon had been standing. After biting the soft flesh inside his mouth hard, Lee Minho lowered his head toward Kim Yeonwoo, who was waiting for him.
***
“Is orange juice okay?”
“Yes, if there isn’t any, anything else is fine.”
Jung Jinhoo nodded at Jaeyoon’s bright smile. Sitting on the bench, Jaeyoon stared blankly at Jung Jinhoo’s back as he went to buy juice, then let out a small sigh.
I’m tired.
Jaeyoon rubbed his face with both hands. He couldn’t understand why he had to care about this instead of the people who were dating. In invisible places! In places without people! Please stop doing this…
Jaeyoon was beginning to understand Lee Jaeyoon, who had become the villain. Lee Jaeyoon’s situation was terrible. His surroundings also backed him into a corner, and no one was on his side.
In such a lonely situation, it would have taken just one moment for Lee Jaeyoon to crumble when he had been holding on solely for the sake of his unrequited love.
‘In the game, Lee Jaeyoon appears until the summer campfire…’
So, what happened to Lee Jaeyoon after that?
After Lee Jaeyoon disappeared, a new villain, Jung Jinhoo, appeared, so no one was curious about Lee Jaeyoon’s whereabouts. Of course, there was no explanation about Lee Jaeyoon in the game story either.
The romance-able characters were already struggling enough dealing with the new villain, Jung Jinhoo, and they didn’t even think about Lee Jaeyoon who used to dislike them.
‘…Shouldn’t Lee Minho appear at least in flashbacks?’
They were brothers, after all.
Wasn’t he curious about what happened to his brother?
Jaeyoon remembered Lee Minho coming to visit him at night out of concern.
Lee Minho who abandoned his brother for love, Lee Minho who worried about and cherished his brother. Which was the real Lee Minho?
He sighed, recalling Lee Minho’s confused face when he saw him earlier.
“It’s none of my business…”
Jaeyoon shook his throbbing head from side to side. Feeling sympathy for Lee Jaeyoon was meaningless. Even as he kept telling himself not to worry about it, Jaeyoon lowered his eyes at the heavy feeling weighing down one corner of his heart.
“What are you doing?”
Jaeyoon’s brow furrowed. Why, of all people, this face I don’t want to see right now… Jaeyoon swallowed the sigh that was about to burst out as he raised his head and met the red eyes.
After rolling his eyes to examine the snacks placed next to Jaeyoon, Han Doyoon chuckled softly.
“Can you eat all of that by yourself?”
You sure have a big appetite. At the sarcastic tone, Jaeyoon turned away.
‘Sunbae Jinhoo, when are you coming?’
Seeing Jaeyoon thinking of something else, Han Doyoon bent down to bring his face closer. Ah, you startled me. Jaeyoon’s brow furrowed.
“What is it…?”
“Thinking of someone else in front of me, how rude.”
Jaeyoon narrowed his eyes at Han Doyoon’s words. How can someone have such high confidence and self-esteem? Jaeyoon shook his head from side to side.
With a thud, Han Doyoon suddenly sat down next to Jaeyoon. There’s a seat over there. But it’s not there now, is it? Seeing Han Doyoon’s bright smile, Jaeyoon felt his temple throb.
‘This guy really doesn’t listen.’
Just as he was thinking it would be much easier to deal with Im Hangyeol, Han Doyoon arbitrarily picked up the sweet potato snacks on the bench and ate them.
“…What are you doing?”
“I haven’t eaten a single meal.”
“So?”
“I’ll enjoy this.”
Sigh…
Jaeyoon rubbed his temple. Whatever he said, Han Doyoon wouldn’t listen anyway. So he decided to ignore him instead. It was a waste of money, but he’d have to buy more…
‘But wait, he hasn’t eaten a single meal?’
Jaeyoon thought of Han Doyoon’s mansion. It didn’t seem like the experienced butler wouldn’t have prepared Han Doyoon’s breakfast. Maybe he just didn’t eat it, or maybe he was pretending he hadn’t eaten when he actually had…
Either way, it’s annoying.
He massaged his stiff neck. He missed Jung Jinhoo so much. Just thinking about Jung Jinhoo made his mood calm. It was similar to thinking about small animals, but somehow a little different.
Jaeyoon’s head tilted slightly to the side. What is it? Because he’s a person…?
“What are you thinking about so deeply?”
“Nothing.”
“Hmm-.”
After eating the last sweet potato snack, Han Doyoon crumpled the empty paper bag and threw it into the trash can. The paper bag flew in an arc through the air and went straight into the trash can. Han Doyoon smiled at Jaeyoon. What’s this? Does he want praise?
“You’d be good at basketball.”
“Yes, I am.”
I see. Jaeyoon’s eyes showed a bland expression. I’d like to learn from this confidence in some way.
Sunbae is late, and I’m hungry. As Jaeyoon was staring blankly in the direction Jung Jinhoo had gone to buy juice, his phone vibrated. What is it? My classmates? Wondering, he checked the message and jumped up from his seat. Han Doyoon stared at the suddenly risen Jaeyoon with round eyes.
“Something urgent came up, so I have to go. You can eat those, Student Council President!”
“What? Wait…!”
Before he could grab him, Jaeyoon quickly disappeared, leaving Han Doyoon alone on the bench, blinking blankly.
“Ha-.”
Han Doyoon laughed as if in disbelief. Looking at the snacks piled on the bench, he crossed his legs and muttered.
“I was going to ask him on a date… but he ran away.”
The corners of Han Doyoon’s mouth turned up as if he found it amusing.
***
“Sunbae!”
Jaeyoon, who had been running around calling for Jung Jinhoo, smiled when he spotted the snow-white silver hair in the distance. His footsteps, which had been running toward Jung Jinhoo, stopped. Ah, an exclamation escaped his lips.
‘So that’s why he sent a message asking for help.’
Jaeyoon laughed bitterly as he saw Jung Jinhoo surrounded by numerous female students. Jung Jinhoo was unable to do anything about the female students surrounding him. If they had been male, he could have dealt with them right away, but he couldn’t treat women carelessly. One of the reasons was his family’s teachings.
‘A man who treats women carelessly, ugh-…’
The expression his family had shown him substituted for many words.
Jung Jinhoo let out a sigh that was about to burst forth. His complexion was growing darker as time passed. Droplets of water dripped from the drink in his hand. It shouldn’t get lukewarm. Jung Jinhoo’s brow narrowed. And Jaeyoon, who was watching him from afar, trembled with suppressed laughter.
‘He’s cute.’
Even though he could have gotten rid of Im Hangyeol and Kim Doha… Jaeyoon tried hard to contain his laughter. Sunbae’s complexion is getting worse, I should rescue him soon…
“Sun…!”
“Darling!”
Just as Jaeyoon was about to call out to Jung Jinhoo, a loud voice was heard. It was such a clear and distinct voice that the attention of everyone nearby focused on one spot.
Bright platinum blonde hair, snow-white skin. The large mint-green eyes were full of confidence. The girl, who looked like a real princess from a fairy tale compared to the male students awkwardly dressed as princesses, walked with purposeful strides. People’s gazes naturally followed the girl.
The girl’s footsteps stopped abruptly in front of Jung Jinhoo. Jung Jinhoo’s pupils shook rapidly. At this sight, the girl drew an arc with her red lips and smiled brightly.
“Darling~”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
