─Are you sure about that?
“Of course, of course. Is there any doubt?”
─How can I trust you?
“Come on, just trust me!”
Cha Jae-woo allowed Lim Haeyul to contact Kim Sol. Thanks to this, Lim Haeyul could talk to Kim Sol on his phone.
─Haeyul, you’re a bit dumb, so I’m worried.
“Wow, that’s too much. Are you openly calling me dumb?”
─Is that something you should say? Just a few days ago, I was speechless because it was so ridiculous. What? You like Cha Jae-woo? Are you jealous?
“Let’s not talk about the past. It’s embarrassing for me too, brother.”
Thanks to this, Lim Haeyul felt at ease. If he had any questions while guiding, he could ask Kim Sol, which gave him a sense of stability.
Of course, Cha Jae-woo still told him to keep quiet about the guiding methods. As long as he did that, he could talk to Kim Sol.
A few days ago, when the gate opened, Lim Haeyul didn’t know what conversation took place between the two, but he was willing to accept any conditions. He quickly nodded his head. Although the current conversation topic was not pleasant.
“I know it’s a side effect, right? If I stop guiding, all these emotions will disappear. I remember that.”
Lim Haeyul repeated what he had said several times that day. However, Kim Sol acknowledged it but still looked concerned.
─Yes, remember it well. Otherwise, you’ll be the one getting hurt.
“Come on, you’re worrying too much.”
What is there to be hurt about? He knew it was a fake emotion, so it was really unnecessary worry.
“I have to go to class now, hyung.”
─Alright. Call me if you need anything.
“You too!”
As soon as Cha Jae-woo gave his permission, Lim Haeyul hung up the phone. Actually, he thought Kim Sol would ask why he hadn’t called or if something had happened, but he didn’t, which was strange.
‘Well, maybe the Guide Association President would do that. But I didn’t see him.’
The Guide Association President wasn’t at the gate that day. Of course, there’s no reason for him to be at every gate, but it still felt weird.
Come to think of it, isn’t it too quiet? After visiting Cha Jae-woo’s house once, he hasn’t done anything significant. He must have thought something was strange, but maybe he didn’t think it was important? So, he decided not to care?
“I don’t know.”
Out of sight, out of mind. It’s a face he doesn’t want to see anyway.
“Tto-yul.”
As he was about to enter the lecture hall, he heard someone calling him. He turned around and saw Kim Geon-ung, who was still a bit awkward with him, chatting with some freshmen.
“What?”
Lim Haeyul replied indifferently and just walked into the lecture hall. He felt Kim Geon-ung hurriedly following him after a quick greeting, but he ignored him.
If he had hesitated any longer, he would have had to greet the freshmen and stand there awkwardly, something he had already experienced.
“I have a question.”
Kim Geon-ung didn’t seem to mind. He put his bag down next to where Lim Haeyul was sitting and leaned in close. His eyes were sparkling with curiosity, so Lim Haeyul glared at him warily. Kim Geon-ung just grinned.
“Did you make any progress with Cha yesterday?”
“Oh, come on.”
As expected, a ridiculous question came out of his mouth. Lim Haeyul immediately frowned.
Ever since the day he followed him to the gate, Kim Geon-ung had been asking these kinds of questions. He started teasing him after finding out that Lim Haeyul liked Cha Jae-woo as a side effect of guiding.
“Do you really want to die?”
Unlike Kim Sol, who was worried that Lim Haeyul might get hurt by these emotions, Kim Geon-ung found joy in teasing him about it. Even though Lim Haeyul explained that the feelings would eventually disappear, Kim Geon-ung kept asking if there had been any progress or if there was any chance of success, which annoyed Lim Haeyul every time.
“Come on, you’re curious, right?”
“Why would you be curious about that?”
“Maybe this will be the first love of Lim Haeyul’s life… Ouch!”
Lim Haeyul immediately smacked Kim Geon-ung for his nonsense. The sound of the slap was loud, and Kim Geon-ung twisted his body, grimacing in pain.
“Do you want to keep talking nonsense?”
“Ow! That stings!”
“Get a grip. Cha Jae-woo is a man. I’m a man, and Cha Jae-woo is a man.”
Did he really need to explain this obvious fact? Lim Haeyul emphasized it several times, but Kim Geon-ung just started giggling again, showing no signs of stopping.
“So what? If you like someone, who cares if they’re a man or a woman?”
“What are you talking about?”
Kim Geon-ung seemed so open-minded that Lim Haeyul almost wanted to compliment him. However, he knew that Kim Geon-ung was only interested in teasing him because he found it amusing that Lim Haeyul liked a man, especially Cha Jae-woo.
“Stop it, just stop.”
“Nah, I don’t wanna.”
“If you’re bored, go outside and play. Stop bothering me.”
Lim Haeyul turned his head away to ignore Kim Geon-ung’s gleeful face. But he could still hear his voice.
“What’s so attractive about him? Is it his face? His wealth?”
“…….”
“Or does he treat you well? Is he surprisingly kind at home?”
“…….”
“Or maybe—”
“Oh, come on!”
Eventually, Lim Haeyul turned back to face him. Kim Geon-ung was being unusually persistent today. Why was he asking about Cha Jae-woo’s attractive qualities if it was just a side effect of guiding?
Lim Haeyul was about to tell him to stop but paused. He realized that everything Kim Geon-ung mentioned actually applied to Cha Jae-woo.
Cha Jae-woo was undeniably handsome, incredibly wealthy, and surprisingly kind. Lim Haeyul found himself smiling at the thought of Cha Jae-woo. He replied to Kim Geon-ung, “You’re right about everything. That’s why I like him. So what?”
If he hadn’t known it was a side effect, he would have been convinced that his feelings for Cha Jae-woo were genuine.
“Really?”
Kim Geon-ung responded in a strangely bitter tone. He had been laughing just a moment ago, but now he was quiet. Lim Haeyul looked at him, puzzled. Kim Geon-ung noticed his gaze and looked up, his playful expression returning.
“So, why not give it a shot? Try dating him.”
For a moment, the atmosphere felt strange. Kim Geon-ung was saying ridiculous things again. Lim Haeyul shook his head.
“Even if it’s a side effect, how can I date a man? It’s absurd.”
Kim Geon-ung shrugged. “Yeah, you’re right.”
Something seemed off about Kim Geon-ung today. He usually didn’t seem to think much, but today his expressions were strange.
‘What’s wrong with him?’ Lim Haeyul wondered but decided not to ask. He didn’t want to start the same conversation again.
It was indeed absurd. Now he understood why Kim Sol had warned him to be careful. He had never imagined he could like a man, but here he was, drawn to Cha Jae-woo so easily.
Every word and action of Cha Jae-woo affected him. It was a new feeling, and he often found it fascinating. He wondered if this was how he would feel when he genuinely liked someone in the future.
“…….”
The thought of liking someone other than Cha Jae-woo made him feel a strong sense of rejection. He shuddered at the idea.
“Ugh…….”
He decided not to think about it. After all, he was currently infatuated with Cha Jae-woo, so naturally, the idea of liking someone else felt wrong.
It was unfortunate that his first experience of love was a side effect. If only he had experienced liking someone before this, he would have known how it felt.
And he felt a bit sorry for his future first love. Because of the guiding side effect, he had already given his first feelings to Cha Jae-woo.
“Hey.”
I called Kim Geon-ung with a sigh mixed in my voice. Just as I thought the silence was unusual, he was already playing a game on his phone.
“Hey.”
Seeing his focused expression, I let out a small sigh.
“You have to keep it a secret that I like Cha Jae-woo until the day I die.”
I whispered to him seriously. Kim Geon-ung gave me a look as if to say, “What are you talking about?” But I didn’t care since it wasn’t the first time I’d seen that expression.
“Don’t tell anyone, ever, anywhere.”
I didn’t want Kim Geon-ung to blab to anyone I might meet in the future that I had actually liked Cha Jae-woo. It was necessary to make sure he kept his mouth shut.
“Why?”
“……It’s confidential.”
I didn’t want to admit that I felt bad for my future partner, so I made up an excuse.
“…….”
“……Whatever.”
“No, uh, okay.”
His probing gaze soon lost interest. He quickly went back to his phone game, and I swallowed a sigh of relief.
Whoever it may be, I have to treat the person I truly like well when they appear.
This current feeling is just a rehearsal. Like a practice test. It’s preparation so I don’t make mistakes and can do well when the real thing comes along!
“…….”
So, it’s okay if Cha Jae-woo’s face is filling my mind right now. I don’t need to feel too guilty about it when my first love finally appears.
Satisfied with this conclusion, I smirked. I didn’t need to feel guilty about recalling Cha Jae-woo this morning, fresh out of the shower, his body glistening with water.
‘He’s really got a great body… I’d love to touch it just once.’
Lost in thought, I giggled. Luckily, the professor entered the classroom a bit early, preventing any embarrassing drooling incidents.
