Chapter 102: Exams Over
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 102: Exams Over
A silent classroom.
Despite the crowd of people gathered, the only sounds were the ticking of the clock, as if hurrying everyone along, and the scratching of pens moving in sync with it.
When things were so overwhelming they felt unbearable, time seemed like it would never end. But now, realizing the finish line was right before my eyes, a surge of emotion welled up inside me.
“…….”
Clack.
I set my pen down.
The saying that hard work never betrays you resonated deep in my chest today of all days.
It’s over.
After writing the answer to the final question, I pressed down on my eyelids and took a steadying breath. Reality finally began to sink in.
The last exam of the finals.
A thrill of liberation surged through my body at the thought that I wouldn’t have to come to school starting tomorrow.
Of course, I’d be heading to the Gold One Hotel to work in about a week, but the fact that I could rest until then made me feel great.
I’m going to binge all the dramas and movies I’ve missed, play some games…
Though the exam was already finished, I spent a moment mentally mapping out my future plans.
Then, with a satisfied smile on my face, I stood up from my seat.
Exams were over.
* * *
Everyone finished their exams at different times, and some weren't even done yet, but I figured we were all sharing similar sentiments.
I took a quick peek at the Bamboo Forest and left a notice with a smile.
Even if it was a bit dry, notices aren't meant to be long anyway. I was humming to myself, getting ready to head home, when a message arrived immediately.
Seeing as it was Yoo Ah-rin, she must have seen my notice and messaged me right away. I had just been on the Bamboo Forest, after all.
“…K?”
Since there was no follow-up, it meant that was all she wanted. It could be seen as a lack of interest, but on the other hand, it could be interpreted as that being enough info for her.
Just in case, I sent a quick message, and a reply came back a moment later.
“Ahem.”
Maybe I was being too sensitive.
Lately, it felt like Yoo Ah-rin had been dropping by strangely often, so I said it just in case, but maybe I overdid it.
I apologized for jumping to conclusions, and the reply was instant.
What is wrong with this girl?
I didn't reply and hurried home. I felt like I might get caught if I lingered.
After getting home and taking a quick shower...
Thump, thump, thump!
“Open up, Kim Woo-jin!”
“You crazy bitch, you said you weren't coming!”
“Ugh, I don’t know!”
What do you mean you don't know?
I hated myself for sighing while opening the door anyway.
Creeak.
When I opened the door, Yoo Ah-rin and Jeong Chan-woo walked in. The two of them were carrying loads of beer, grinning as they entered.
“Hey, Woo-jin.”
“We decided to keep you company since you’re so lonely!”
“Chan-woo, you came too? That’s great!”
“What the hell? Why are you only happy to see Jeong Chan-woo?”
Yoo Ah-rin pouted as she held out a plastic bag full of beer. She seemed annoyed that I appeared closer to Jeong Chan-woo than to her.
“I have something to give Chan-woo.”
I immediately pointed to the ugly statue Yoo Ah-rin had made and left behind last time.
“It’s yours. Take it.”
“Wh-what is that?”
“It’s a monstrosity Yoo Ah-rin left here. She even gave it a name last time… what was it again?”
Yoo Ah-rin, who was putting the beer in the fridge as if it were her own house, answered nonchalantly.
“Woo-jin and Chan-woo.”
“That wasn't the name.”
“The dildo part is Woo-jin, and the one getting it is Chan-woo.”
“Now that I think about it, who told Ah-rin about the incident with that middle-aged guy last time?”
It’s not a good habit to ask a question when you already know the culprit.
In that sense, I was going to give Chan-woo some advice, but his icy gaze was already fixed on me.
“I just mentioned it in passing… are you still in touch with that guy?”
“Of course not!”
Is that something to get so worked up about? He seemed like a decent person, though.
Chan-woo huffed and went into the bathroom, while Yoo Ah-rin hummed, her shoulders bouncing as she started setting things up.
“What are you guys even here for?”
“To play. Your exams are over too.”
“That’s true.”
“And since we’re all going to Gold One together, it’s good to build some camaraderie and talk about what we’re going to do there.”
“That’s also true… wait, what?”
Did I hear that right?
I stared blankly at Yoo Ah-rin, and she put a hand to her mouth, made a V-sign, and gave a sly smile.
“Let’s work hard there, okay?”
“You’re going too?”
“All of our high school friends are. I mentioned it to Senior Ju-hee, and she introduced us right away. Thanks to her, I found a sweet part-time job for the winter break.”
“……Well, I guess that’s for the best.”
It would be more comfortable to have familiar faces around. We’d be staying in provided accommodations with a few people per room, so I might end up staying with Chan-woo.
“What should we eat for snacks? Did you order?”
“The host should be the one ordering. We bought the booze.”
At Yoo Ah-rin’s nonsense, I opened the delivery app on my phone.
“I’m ordering Dakgalbi.”
“Ugh, who eats Dakgalbi with beer? Order chicken or something.”
“I’m ordering Dakgalbi with extra rice.”
I’m the host.
Watching my firm stance, Yoo Ah-rin grumbled but attempted one final act of resistance.
“Then let’s get Cheese Dakgalbi!”
“Bullshit! You don't put cheese on Dakgalbi!”
Dakgalbi is meant to be eaten plain to appreciate the true flavor.
“Jeong Chan-woo, come out here! Regular Dakgalbi or Cheese Dakgalbi?!”
“M-my stomach hurts a bit!”
That bastard, he starts shitting the moment he enters someone else’s house. If he weren't so handsome, I would have kicked him out.
It felt gross because I imagined even his pooping posture would be sexy.
“He’s useless when you actually need him.”
“Ugh!”
Did he hear me?
It was a comment that probably hurt Chan-woo’s feelings, but Yoo Ah-rin didn't stop and lunged straight at me.
“Cheese Dakgalbi! Order it! Let’s at least have that! Add some sari!”
“Augh! What sari! We have to add fried rice!”
Since I was taller, I held my phone high above my head, and Yoo Ah-rin couldn't reach it.
She hopped up and down a couple of times, trying to snatch it. If it had been Seo Ye-rin, she would have looked like she was about to cry and gotten annoyed, but Yoo Ah-rin was different.
“You little…!”
She suddenly climbed onto me as if I were a tree.
“Gah!”
The suddenness of it almost made me lose my balance, but who was I? I was Kim Woo-jin, the man who never missed a day of home training, even during finals.
……I don’t know why home training was so much fun during exam week, though.
Anyway, standing firm like a sturdy old tree, I pulled my hand back so Yoo Ah-rin couldn't grab the phone.
Panting from the struggle, Yoo Ah-rin had her arms wrapped around my neck and her legs hooked around my waist.
As we both squirmed, our breathing grew heavy and we broke a light sweat. Our cheeks brushed against each other, creating a strange sensation.
“…….”
Yoo Ah-rin hung there, her mouth shut tight.
“What are you doing?”
I asked, dumbfounded, and she whispered softly as if grumbling.
“I don’t know.”
“Get down. Chan-woo’s coming out.”
“No. I’m eating Cheese Dakgalbi.”
“…….”
“Otherwise, I’m not getting down.”
“Why would you put that Westerner stuff on top of a perfectly spicy sauce?!”
“Cheese Dakgalbi.”
“Ugh, it’s delicious just as it is.”
“Cheese Dakgalbi.”
I heard the toilet flush. Panicking and thinking I had to get Yoo Ah-rin off me immediately, I grabbed her waist with both hands and tried to push her away.
“Hnghh!”
But all I got was a strange moan, and I couldn't pry her off. If anything, Yoo Ah-rin used more strength to press herself completely against me.
“A-alright! Cheese Dakgalbi!”
I finally had to surrender, but Yoo Ah-rin still didn't get down.
“Add sari.”
“This girl is really….”
“Add sari!”
“Fine! Add sari!”
“……And a drink.”
“You’re enjoying this because it’s fun, aren't you?!”
“Hehehe!”
I was right. Yoo Ah-rin finally climbed down. Panting, I managed to distance myself from her, and she took my phone and started placing the order.
Then Chan-woo came out.
“Hey, you poop-machine. Because of you, we’re stuck eating Cheese Dakgalbi!”
When I complained about how he could think of taking a dump the moment he entered someone’s house, Chan-woo scratched the back of his head and shrugged.
“Sorry, my stomach wasn't feeling great.”
Then, he glanced at us and the atmosphere in the room, flashing an awkward smile.
“Should I go home?”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“Just… because it looks like you guys are having a good time?”
Chan-woo let out a cryptic remark as if he’d noticed something.
Ignoring him, Yoo Ah-rin was already ordering side dishes.
“……I’m going to the bathroom too.”
To clear the strange atmosphere, I headed to the bathroom. I needed to wash my face.
Thud.
As I entered the bathroom, a strange feeling hit me. Normally, the bathroom should have been a bit stuffy, but it was still fresh.
I wondered if handsome guys didn't even have a smell, but that wasn't it.
Wait, there’s no toilet paper?
Now that I thought about it, the toilet paper was in the living room. Don't ask me why.
Anyway, if there was no toilet paper, how did Jeong Chan-woo finish his business?
There was no smell, and no way to clean up. But since he flushed the water, the only logical conclusion was that he hadn't actually used the toilet.
“…….”
The moment I realized Jeong Chan-woo had intentionally left the room so Yoo Ah-rin and I could be alone.
I had a feeling.
This was going to be a very complicated drinking session.