Chapter 57
After their trip to the aquarium together, they had loosened the reins a bit, spending a few days going in and out of PC cafés instead of the library, but today was Friday so they had promised to go to the library without fail. Ji-won, half-dead from morning classes, was getting dressed when he received a phone call from a friend.
“Hello.”
“Can I stay at your place just for tonight from 5 PM? My mom says she’s coming up to Seoul briefly and will be staying at my place.”
“Have a good time with your mother.”
“You really won’t let me stay even once. How cold-hearted.”
Despite the pitiful voice, Ji-won didn’t even blink. While his place wasn’t particularly messy, he had never allowed anyone to stay overnight, though short visits were fine.
Besides, today he planned to be at the library until evening, so it was impossible to lend his place at 5 PM. Though this friend was one of about five peers who knew his house password, he had decided not to share it with anyone after changing it on Kwon-ju’s firm advice, so he couldn’t just tell him to let himself in.
“Sorry for being cold-hearted. I’m hanging up.”
“Hey-y-y!”
Ji-won pressed the end call button in the middle of hearing the whiny protest and properly put on the clothes he had half-dressed. Before I knew it, it’s May. As it was getting warmer and even hot, thin clothes were gradually emerging from his closet. At this rate, it’ll be summer in the blink of an eye.
After attending an early morning lecture, coming home for a short nap, and then heading out for afternoon classes, Ji-won felt a bit dazed. His class ended a little earlier than Kwon-ju’s, so he planned to go to the library first, but a thought occurred to him and he headed to the campus café instead. Though it was a bit far from the Business School building, it was known among students for its delicious non-coffee beverages.
“What would you like to order?”
“Um, one mango juice and… one strawberry juice, please.”
Remembering what Kwon-ju used to drink, he ordered strawberry juice for him. I should give him something sweet and refreshing before going into the library. With one drink in each hand and his phone in his pocket, Ji-won was walking toward the central library when he spotted a woman dressed all in black lazily waving her hand in the distance.
“Yo.”
It was quite amazing to run into people so often on such a large campus. Didn’t she say she was super busy because she absolutely had to graduate this year? Pushing her face forward with a bright smile, Suhyeon raised her right hand and showed interest in the drinks Ji-won was carrying.
“What’s with the juice?”
“Going to drink something sweet before studying.”
“But why two? Is one for me?”
“No, it’s for Kwon-ju.”
Ji-won firmly shook his head at Suhyeon’s cheerful question. He seemed to have clearly conveyed that there was nothing for her, but seeing her stare intently at the contents as if she really wanted to drink it, Ji-won momentarily hesitated. Should I just give her mine? But contrary to Ji-won’s expectation, Suhyeon pointed at the cups with a confused expression and said:
“Huh? Isn’t this fruit juice?”
“Yes. One is strawberry and one is mango.”
“But didn’t he say he doesn’t eat things with fruit in them?”
“What?”
But just a few days ago at the aquarium, they drank together. He even gulped it down without taking a breath, as if it was delicious. It’s too vivid to have been a mistake—the way the drink level quickly dropped through the straw.
“That can’t be right. Kwon-ju?”
“I asked him at a café not long ago, so he wouldn’t have forgotten already. He said he doesn’t eat things with fruit in them?”
He lied? But why? With a confused frown, Ji-won thought for a moment, then handed both drinks—his own and Kwon-ju’s—to Suhyeon.
“What’s this?”
Suhyeon, who had reflexively opened her palms to receive them, looked up with a puzzled expression. What, what do you want me to do? Reading the words written in her eyes, Ji-won made a request.
“Could you take this to Kwon-ju? And you can drink this one.”
“That’s a win for me. Where is he?”
“In front of the central library.”
Since Suhyeon happened to be free, she easily accepted the proposal. It only took about three minutes at a brisk pace from here to the central library. Pretty cheap for the price of a juice. After walking alongside Suhyeon all the way until they could see Kwon-ju in the distance, Ji-won stopped and gave specific instructions.
“Don’t tell him I gave it to you.”
“Okay.”
Having received her mission, Suhyeon began walking toward the target who was sitting far away. Kwon-ju, who had been staring at his phone screen while sitting on a bench, looked up when he noticed a pair of sneakers stop in front of him. Those aren’t Ji-won hyung’s shoes. As expected, instead of Ji-won, there was Suhyeon smiling good-naturedly.
“Hello.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Waiting for Ji-won hyung.”
Kwon-ju answered bluntly as if he had no interest and lowered his gaze again. Then, belatedly remembering that Suhyeon was Ji-won’s close friend, he put down his phone and raised his head.
“Do you want to drink this? I bought it because a friend was coming, but they left early so I’ll have to throw it away.”
Kwon-ju shook his head after checking the smell and color of the drink suddenly thrust in front of him. He didn’t generally accept food from others in the first place, but if it contained fruit, there was even less reason to take it.
“I don’t eat things with fruit in them.”
“Oh, right. I forgot. Sorry.”
See, I told you. Suhyeon exchanged glances with Ji-won, who was standing at a distance, and shrugged as she stepped back. Having witnessed this truth-proving scene firsthand, Ji-won was at a loss for words. Why did you eat it when I offered it to you? There was even a regular café nearby.
“Then I’ll be going. Wait well.”
What did she come here for anyway? Kwon-ju watched Suhyeon retreat with noticeably artificial steps, his face bewildered, before turning his attention back to his phone. Thanks to this, Suhyeon easily returned to Ji-won and patted his shoulder.
“Whatever it is, work it out peacefully. What should I do with this?”
“You can have that too…”
“Awesome.”
Ji-won, who had received quite a shock, turned around as soon as Suhyeon disappeared with both drinks. Did I unconsciously pressure him somehow? Did I throw a tantrum saying I wouldn’t go anywhere except this fresh fruit juice place? No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t recall doing that, so why did Kwon-ju silently follow him in and gulp down something he disliked?
After standing in the middle of the path lost in thought for a while, Ji-won came to a conclusion. Perhaps we could talk about it over drinks? He’d never seen anyone lie while drunk. It might be a bit of an underhanded method, but it seemed like the most reliable approach. First, I’ll feed him and then ask why he forced himself to eat that day. He also planned to ask if Kwon-ju was uncomfortable around him.
Now that he had a plan, all that remained was to execute it. Unlike Kwon-ju, who had practiced even a short sentence like “There’s somewhere I want to go, would you come with me” dozens of times, Ji-won had always been good at saying what he wanted. He turned back, strode to the bench, and abruptly stuck his hand between Kwon-ju’s face and phone.
“Ah.”
Kwon-ju hastily turned off his phone screen and greeted Ji-won with an awkward smile. But instead of returning the greeting, Ji-won walked straight into the library as if expecting him to follow. Did something bad happen? Kwon-ju, suddenly serious, had been standing still for quite some time when Ji-won, tired of waiting, came back out and led him into the reading room he had reserved.
And throughout the scheduled study time, Ji-won repeatedly peeked at Kwon-ju through the divider. Lying face down, doodling in his book—he didn’t look at all like someone who had come to study. Ji-won tried to focus on his own work, leaving Kwon-ju be. And it was only when they were leaving the boring, quiet library that he casually asked:
“Do you really dislike alcohol?”
“What? No… I drink occasionally.”
Kwon-ju, slightly checking Ji-won’s reaction, lied. Though he disliked both the distinctive smell and the lingering bitterness on his tongue, there seemed to be only one reason for such a question.
What do you mean you drink occasionally? If you drank even occasionally, you wouldn’t have completely avoided it at the opening ceremony. Noticing that Kwon-ju was lying again, Ji-won pretended not to know and suggested:
“Then let’s have a drink at my place tonight.”
He chose his own home because it would be difficult to deal with someone with unknown alcohol tolerance in public. He could almost hear his friend’s voice whining that he was cold-hearted. Well, I was planning to spend the evening together anyway… It’s not like I’m going to let him stay over.
“Okay.”
Kwon-ju immediately accepted the proposal he had anticipated since being asked if he disliked alcohol. It didn’t matter about the bitter taste when it meant drinking alone with Ji-won at his home.
Though he had seen alcohol when they all gathered together at the same table, there had never been a time when drinks were served when just the two of them ate together. It had never been that kind of menu, and Ji-won knew that he didn’t enjoy drinking. So why is he asking to drink now? Hopefully not because there’s something so difficult he needs the help of alcohol.
In the end, after quietly putting away his worrying thoughts, Kwon-ju made a promise to himself. Whatever reason Ji-won had for asking him to drink together, if he had concerns, he would listen sincerely and diligently.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
