Chapter 98
The three of them had been in the same club activities during the same period. So it wasn’t too strange that a photo featuring Cha Yoon’s face appeared. Nevertheless, they couldn’t take their eyes off it, as if caught off guard.
The photo showed various club members gathered together, smiling at the camera. When was this photo taken? Seo-jung’s gaze quietly wandered around the photo.
The people’s light clothing and the large and small rocks decorating the edges of the photo indicated it was the height of summer. Following the hints in the photo, he finally remembered. It was a photo taken when the club members went on an MT to a valley during summer vacation.
In the square photo, what particularly caught the eye was Cha Yoon’s sulky expression, unlike the others.
“…Ah, this time.”
Seeing that expression, the situation at the time vaguely came to mind.
It was the day of the MT. As soon as they arrived at the MT location, the club members put down their luggage and immediately jumped into the valley stream. They were all in the middle of enjoying water play when it happened.
Seo-jung, who had come out of the water for a brief rest, staggered and turned around as he felt someone pulling his arm from behind. The person he saw as soon as he turned around was Cha Yoon with a disgruntled face.
‘Where did you sell your clothes?’
That’s what he said after suddenly grabbing his arm. It was an abrupt question, but Seo-jung, who had already experienced Cha Yoon for about three months, calmly responded without being flustered.
‘What are you suddenly talking about?’
‘The shirt. You were wearing a shirt over your short-sleeved top when we came. Can’t you even remember what you wore today?’
Finally, Seo-jung grasped what Cha Yoon was talking about. Ah, that… Seo-jung replied nonchalantly.
‘I gave it to Da-bin to wear because the sun was so hot.’
Noticing Da-bin wearing nothing but a black string tank top under the unusually strong sunlight, Seo-jung naturally handed her the shirt he was wearing. There was no other intention. He just thought it was more appropriate for Da-bin, a woman, to wear it than himself, a man. That was all.
Even after hearing the answer to his question, Cha Yoon’s brow furrowed even more instead of relaxing.
‘I told you to fix that angel syndrome.’
‘Cha Yoon, won’t you speak nicely?’
‘Do I look like I can speak nicely right now? Do you even know what state your body is in? Your arms are all red and sunburnt. And now you’re…’
I really don’t understand, seriously. He even let out a mocking laugh, causing Seo-jung to frown as well.
What’s he going on about? With a disgruntled face, Seo-jung turned his gaze and soon discovered the state of his arms. Seo-jung’s arms, in his sleeveless outfit, were all red and inflamed except for the parts covered by fabric. As he noticed the state of his arms, he finally felt the stinging and slight burning sensation.
At the same time, he thought it was fortunate. If it had been Da-bin instead of him, her condition would have been even more serious. And Seo-jung spoke his thoughts without hesitation. At the suggestion that it was rather fortunate, Cha Yoon’s face crumpled mercilessly.
‘…Fortunate my ass.’
‘What?’
‘I’m saying I’m so fucking grateful to Shin Da-bin sunbae that I could cry.’
With those final words, Cha Yoon turned around and left as if he had nothing more to say. Watching Cha Yoon’s back as he walked away with large strides, Seo-jung smiled in bewilderment.
After that, until the water play ended and late lunch began, Cha Yoon didn’t show himself. Seo-jung unconsciously looked around for Cha Yoon, but for some reason, he couldn’t find him.
Where’s Cha Yoon? Don’t know. Wasn’t he with Seo-jung hyung? Hyung was with Da-bin noona though? It’s not like it’s the first or second time Cha Yoon’s gone solo, just leave him be. He vaguely heard people talking about Cha Yoon from the opposite table. Seo-jung unconsciously focused his attention on where Cha Yoon was being discussed.
‘…since there’s none, for today, let’s just use cold water…’
‘…’
‘Ki Seo-jung?’
Brought back to his senses by a touch on his body, Seo-jung turned his attention back to Da-bin.
‘Ah, yes. Da-bin.’
‘What were you thinking so deeply about?’
‘Nothing. What did you just say? I didn’t hear it well.’
‘I said let’s cool down the heat with cold water for now, and if we find an open pharmacy tomorrow, we’ll buy some ointment to apply.’
‘Okay, I’ll do that. Thanks for worrying, Da-bin.’
‘Don’t mention it, this happened because of me. If anything, I should be thankful and sorry. Instead, when we get back to Seoul, I’ll treat you to something delicious.’
‘I’ll just accept your sentiment.’
‘Tsk, don’t refuse and just quickly accept when your noona offers to buy you something.’
Seeing Da-bin frowning as if threatening him, Seo-jung let out a soft laugh. Alright, then let’s eat. Seo-jung lightly replied as he picked up his spoon. Even so, his gaze kept turning towards the front door.
It was quite some time later when Cha Yoon finally made an appearance.
The people who had gone into the valley stream, saying they needed to aid digestion, came out of the water with their bodies swaying as the sunset approached.
‘We’ll be drinking soon, so we should take a picture while we’re still sober. Everyone gather around.’
At the voice of Young-oh, the club vice president, the members gathered one by one. Seo-jung stood next to Da-bin at her beckoning gesture. Although Da-bin continued talking to Seo-jung, he couldn’t really focus.
Where on earth did he go that he hasn’t been seen for hours? Since he had thrown a tantrum and disappeared, Seo-jung was even more concerned.
Meanwhile, Young-oh, having confirmed that all the club members around had gathered, attached his phone to a tripod.
‘I’m setting the timer for 5 seconds.’
Just as Seo-jung sighed as if he had no choice at Young-oh’s words, he spotted a figure approaching from far away. Although he couldn’t make out the face, Seo-jung instantly recognized it as Cha Yoon.
‘Young-oh, wait a moment. Cha Yoon is coming over there, let’s take the picture together when Yoon arrives.’
‘Huh? Cha Yoon? Where?’
‘There, he’s coming.’
Seo-jung pointed at the tiny figure. Young-oh, following Seo-jung’s finger with his eyes, tilted his head as if puzzled.
‘You’re saying that’s Cha Yoon? He’s so small I can’t even see his face.’
‘It’s definitely Cha Yoon. So let’s wait a bit. It’s better if we all take the picture together, right?’
Although Young-oh muttered, ‘I don’t think it’s Cha Yoon…’, he waited for the figure to get closer, persuaded by Seo-jung. And the result of the wait proved Seo-jung right.
‘Wow, it really is Cha Yoon. How did you recognize him, Ki Seo-jung? That’s amazing. Is there a reason you two are always sticking together?’
Young-oh, sticking out his tongue, shouted at Cha Yoon to run over quickly. But Cha Yoon wasn’t the type to hurry his steps at such words. He walked at a leisurely pace until the very end. He was holding an out-of-place black plastic bag in one hand.
After being scolded once more by Young-oh, Cha Yoon approached for the group photo. Seo-jung, who had been staring at Cha Yoon all this time, soon made eye contact with him. Cha Yoon looked back and forth between Seo-jung and Da-bin standing side by side, and once again let out a mocking laugh.
What could be so displeasing? Before that thought could finish, Cha Yoon passed right by Seo-jung. Unlike how he had breezed past, after circling around the gathered people, he stood right behind Seo-jung. He could tell without looking back. It was because of the scent of Cha Yoon’s cologne that reached his nose.
‘Okay, now we’re really taking the picture.’
Seo-jung tried to ignore Cha Yoon’s presence and smiled towards the camera.
As soon as the group photo was taken, dinner began immediately. Although Seo-jung was usually in charge of grilling meat, today was an exception. It was all because of Cha Yoon, who was guarding the barbecue grill and refusing to move.
Seo-jung had already approached three times, but each time, Cha Yoon frowned and chased him away from the fire. Although he had been rejected repeatedly and returned, Seo-jung still couldn’t give up. It had already been 2 hours since Cha Yoon stood in front of the hot charcoal fire. Seeing beads of sweat forming on his forehead, Seo-jung couldn’t help but worry.
‘Da-bin, keep eating. I’m going to check on Yoon for a bit.’
Seo-jung finally stood up. As he approached, Cha Yoon immediately stopped him.
‘Why do you keep coming and bothering me?’
‘Give me the tongs. Give them to me and sit down to eat something.’
As Seo-jung reached out his hand, Cha Yoon blocked Seo-jung’s arm from coming close to the fire, saying, ‘Ugh.’
‘I told you I’m fine. How many times do I have to say the same thing?’
‘Cha Yoon, you’re sweating now.’
‘So what, should I be shivering? It’s normal to sweat in summer.’
‘…That’s not what I mean. Just give me the tongs quickly. You didn’t even eat lunch.’
‘Ah, really, stop being so annoying. What are you trying to do in front of the fire with those arms?’
‘…’
‘Just go cool down your temper.’
Cha Yoon turned his head away as if he had nothing more to say. Looking at his profile, Seo-jung sighed. His tightly closed lips showed his determination not to give up the tongs. Just as he was about to turn back without achieving anything,
‘Wait a moment.’
At the sudden call, Seo-jung looked at Cha Yoon.
‘You said you finished eating the meat, right?’
‘Yes, so give me the tongs and you…’
‘Be quiet for a moment. It’s not about that.’
Then Cha Yoon leaned over to the opposite side of the grill. Not long after, as Cha Yoon raised his upper body, there was a black bag in his hand. Cha Yoon handed the black bag to Seo-jung.
‘Take this and go back to the lodging.’
‘…What’s this?’
‘Potatoes and cucumbers.’
It was as Cha Yoon said. When he opened the bag, he saw potatoes and cucumbers with dirt on them. Did he buy them because he wanted to eat them? Should I wash them? Just as he was thinking this,
‘Are you thinking something like, “Is he asking me to wash these and bring them back?” again?’
‘Am I not?’
‘Hell no.’
Cha Yoon frowned as if frustrated. He messed up his hair and then began to explain in a chattering manner. Although his words were long and detailed, the gist was that Seo-jung should thinly slice the potatoes and cucumbers he had given him and apply them to his arms.
Only then did Seo-jung realize why Cha Yoon had been out of sight all day. So Cha Yoon had walked alone to the town to buy these.
