Chapter 135
Chapter 135
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 135
Chapter Title: The Trigger is Always Something Trivial
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The trigger is always something trivial.
"Excuse me, aren't you going to ask for my opinion, the most important one?"
"...You really hate the idea of me being your husband that much?"
"Totally."
"Why?!"
"Do you... really want to hear the reason?"
"Yeah!"
"Baek Eun-ju, Yang Da-jeong, Kim Hae-in..."
Kang Da-hye raised her hand solemnly and recited the names of girls that Eun-seong didn't know. The annoying jerk reacted immediately.
"That was ages ago! Isn't it time to forget about all that? Huh? Da-hye?"
Da-hye? Why are you calling Kang Da-hye so casually? Who do you think you are?
"Those who forget history have no future."
"I don't even talk to them anymore. I've cut off contact with those old friends, and I have no idea what they're up to these days. They all dropped out of school anyway, so they're not even around us anymore. It's basically like they don't exist, right?"
"I may perish, but history cannot."
"No, I'm not saying I'm going to erase history. I'm saying I'll reflect on it and take a step forward."
I'm never going to repeat the same mistake again, okay? The annoying jerk drooped his shoulders and gently shook Kang Da-hye's arm, putting on an act cute.
"Huh? Huh? For real..."
Ugh!!!!!
Eun-seong nearly dry-heaved inwardly. Then he overheard Kang Da-hye's friends whispering.
"I can't believe I just saw Seo Jae-kyeom acting cute."
"Good thing I'm still alive."
"......"
Kang Da-hye's friends seemed to like the annoying jerk.
Kang Da-hye cherished her friends. But what if they liked him more than me?
"......"
Eun-seong reflected on his own behavior so far.
He always got her name wrong, barely talked to her... He had no grounds to confidently say he'd won more favor than the annoying jerk.
A chill ran down his spine.
"So, even if they were girls I dated because I liked them once, why don't you know anything about what they're up to now?"
"Isn't it better not to know?"
"From what I see... it's because that's exactly how much heart you put into liking someone."
"No... that's really not true."
"It is."
While Eun-seong was gripped by terror, Kang Da-hye and the annoying jerk continued their cheerful conversation about things he didn't know.
To Eun-seong, their dialogue sounded excessively affectionate.
Kang Da-hye... are you actually Yang Da-jeong or something...?
Were the two always that close?
"Seo Jae-kyeom, you're going to regret this 100% later. I'm helping you so your black history doesn't get any longer."
Right. They had always been close.
Kang Da-hye and the annoying jerk. There was a history between them that Eun-seong didn't know.
He'd first met Kang Da-hye this March, but they said they'd gone to the same middle school.
At least five years between those two. Maybe even more.
...You can't catch up to time that's already passed.
In 10 years, if I've known Kang Da-hye for 10 years, the jerk will have known her for 15. In 20 years, I'll have 20, he'll have 25.
Just like Kang Da-hye said, history can't be erased or whatever...
There was time between those two that Eun-seong didn't know, and no matter what he did, he couldn't overcome it. Unless he regressed to being a fetus and sent a Morse code message from his mom's womb asking her to give birth in the same hospital as Kang Da-hye.
While Eun-seong was lost in that ridiculous fantasy, Kang Da-hye and the annoying jerk continued their affectionate exchange.
"Yesterday, you snapped at the cat for coming late, asking if it didn't have a watch."
"Cats don't keep time."
There was even a cat between them?!
"......"
The annoying jerk was in Class A for both English and math. Eun-seong was now in Math B. What rank was he school-wide again? Anyway, he was smart. He could have real conversations with knowledgeable Kang Da-hye.
His family was rich too. Compared to me...
"......"
A boyfriend had to treat her better than her friends.
The spot next to Kang Da-hye, who deserved someone who'd make her the happiest person in the world or nothing at all.
What if even if I gave everything I had, I still couldn't measure up to the annoying jerk?
"Just buy Romantic Cat a phone or something."
"Should I?"
"......"
That was definitely what Eun-seong had thought.
That someday, when someone worthy of Kang Da-hye's heart appeared, he'd step aside from this spot.
Cancel that.
He didn't want to give it up. He wanted to be there himself. It might not work just because he wanted it, but anyway, Eun-seong wanted to be the one chosen.
Me! Me! Choose me! Please!
💖 Unrequited Love Playlist 💖 -Even if you meet someone else, I'm okay, even if I'm your second choice... -My head is so empty, you're the only one I know...☆ -Go confess! Tell her you like her! Say you'll do anything if she accepts! Even if it makes you seem crazy! -Until the right person for you appears, I'll just watch over her for a while. Whenever you need me, use me freely—I'll always be within reach...♧ -Juliet, I offer you my soul To do that, he had to...
Become a choice she'd willingly pick.
How?
By debuting.
Finally, Kang Da-hye's gaze turned to Eun-seong. Their eyes met, and he reflexively lifted the corners of his mouth into a pretty smile. But inside, Eun-seong was already anxious.
Kang Da-hye narrowed her eyes at his smile and spoke.
"Jeong Eun-seong, you just called me your wife? Friends are like one body, right?"
"Yeah? Yeah."
"He says he's Kang Da-hye's husband. Want to take him off my hands?"
She even clapped excitedly, as if she'd found the perfect solution to end this crazy conversation.
...If Kang Da-hye links me with that jerk one more time... I'll kneel before her, beg her to stop, press my forehead to the back of her hand, and sob.
The annoyed jerk frowned and retorted.
"What marriage for an idol? They can't even date."
It was probably just an offhand remark born of irritation, but it struck Eun-seong's greatest weakness.
...He's right.
The jerk didn't need to debut. No need at all.
Smart and rich.
Whereas I...
To become the best choice, I have to debut. But to debut, I can't date. Even after debuting, I can't date.
Then what about me?
If even giving everything I have isn't enough for you.
"What is this mess first thing in the morning... Kids, if a stranger comes into the classroom like that, you have to tell the teacher right away!"
The conversation ended there when the homeroom teacher returned after handling Do Hye-jun's mom who'd been dragged out.
The talk was over, but Eun-seong's worries weren't.
The trigger is always something trivial.
But that triviality was a storm shaking heaven and earth in Eun-seong's heart.
Eun-seong grew anxious.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "So, about this part..."
"......"
"...Eun-seong."
"......"
"...Jeong Eun-seong!"
Han Ji-su suddenly grabbed Eun-seong's hand. He snapped out of his daze, having been blankly staring at Kang Da-hye in the classroom.
She glanced in the direction of his gaze and teased him with a smile.
"You weren't listening to me."
"......"
Right. He hadn't heard a word.
There was no need to.
He still hadn't memorized the script fully, so why did she keep calling him out during every break?
For something this minor, KakaoTalk would've been easier for both. But no, she came all the way to the classroom. Like she wanted everyone to see.
It didn't feel like she was calling him out to talk about the play. More like the goal was to summon him in front of everyone.
"Kang Da-hye bothering you that much?"
Eun-seong ignored Han Ji-su's knowing question and rubbed the back of his neck.
His gaze finally sharpened on her. He asked.
"Why are you talking to me?"
"...Huh?"
"We only get along because of Kang Da-hye, but you're not close to her anymore. So why are you still trying to act friendly with me?"
"......"
"You told me before. That Kang Da-hye's mentally fragile deep down. If that's true like you said, she's probably hurting because things are strained between you two right now."
"......"
"No time to call that friend out and talk, but plenty of time for pointless chit-chat with me?"
With that, Eun-seong turned and walked away without waiting for a reply. He headed straight back to the classroom. Or he started to, then paused and stood there blankly.
Whatever.
Left alone, Han Ji-su thought.
So cocky. For an orphan who'll be scrambling for odd jobs everywhere right after graduation.