Chapter 148: Around Kim Woo-jin
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 148: Around Kim Woo-jin
It was sudden, but having Choi I-seo there was a huge relief.
For one, it meant an extra pair of hands, and I-seo had great stamina.
But more than anything, I was grateful she had come to find me herself—so much so that I felt foolish for having kept my distance because of Oh Yun-ji.
With a refreshing smile, Choi I-seo helped me move my belongings.
"At least it’s nice you get a room to yourself."
I-seo walked into the room carrying a box of clothes.
"Is that the last one?"
"Yeah, this is it."
I took the final box from her as I continued organizing inside.
"Seriously, thanks. It went way faster because of you."
In the other rooms, people were still in the middle of moving their stuff, but I was already finished.
"It’s because you don't have much. You really need to buy some more clothes."
I shrugged as I began hanging the clothes from the box.
"Where would I get the money for clothes? I only moved in here because I’m broke."
"…That’s a worry that doesn't sound like a crisis at all."
Since I-seo knew about my family situation, it probably just sounded like idle complaining to her.
"What do you want for dinner? Since you helped me today, it’s on me."
The closet didn't take long to organize.
Maybe it was because of what I-seo just said, but I couldn't help but think it finished quickly because I really didn't have many clothes.
Now, I started unpacking the rest of my things.
"Hmm, then can I pick the menu?"
"We have to play Rock-paper-scissors for that."
"You never change, do you?"
It reminded me of the old days when we’d play Rock-paper-scissors to decide what to eat every time we had a meal together.
Back then, I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I’d end up in this kind of relationship with Choi I-seo.
"I guess I won't be able to drop by as often now. Outsiders aren't allowed in the dorms."
"Who says? You can just come over. I heard from Dae-sang Hyung that people just keep it on the down-low."
"You've only just moved in and you're already learning the wrong things."
Despite her words, the slight smile on her face made it clear she fully intended to visit later.
"Is this going to take long? Want some help?"
As I pulled things out to organize them, I-seo drifted closer, but I waved her off.
"Just rest. I’ll have this sorted in no time."
"Really? Then…"
I-seo flopped down onto the bed I’d be using. I had thrown out the mattress, but the blanket and pillow were the ones I’d been using, so they seemed familiar to her.
"Don't fall asleep."
"Mmph."
"Don't talk with your face buried in the pillow."
"I know, I’m not sleeping."
I-seo lay there with her back to me. Leaving her be, I continued tidying the room.
"But Woo-jin."
I-seo, who had been so quiet I was worried she’d actually fallen asleep, called my name softly.
"Yeah? You want me to pay you a daily wage or something?"
I’d teased her earlier, but I was already resolving to buy her something expensive and delicious since she’d come to help of her own accord.
"Where did the condoms I bought last time go?"
"……."
My body froze as I was opening the next box.
Feeling a stinging gaze on the back of my head, I stole a glance. I-seo had turned her head slightly and was staring intently at me.
I couldn't tell what emotions were hidden in those low-set eyes, but it felt like a silent protest, warning me that excuses were futile.
Gulp.
The way my Adam's apple bobbed as I swallowed felt like it was betraying my nerves.
'I definitely...'
I remembered throwing them away just in case when Oh Yun-ji came over.
Since she had arrived right after Choi I-seo left.
I didn't know if I-seo had seen Oh Yun-ji, but I knew she wouldn't be particularly happy if I brought her up.
It could lead to some weird misunderstandings.
"Those? I think I lost them somewhere."
I shrugged and replied as naturally as possible, returning to my task.
'That was damn smooth.'
It was a performance so stellar that even Seo Ye-rin might have clapped and said, "You have a talent for acting."
"Where are they?"
But why?
How did Choi I-seo see through my lie so easily?
She got up from the bed, walked over with deliberate steps, and crossed her arms, glaring at me overtly.
"Kim Woo-jin lost condoms? I think condoms would have been pretty high on your priority list when moving."
"……."
She wasn't wrong.
"Right? You have so many 'sudden emergencies,' after all. I’m sure you would've made sure to pack them."
She wasn't wrong about that either.
For example, if I-seo suddenly said she wanted to do it right now, I did have condoms I could pull out immediately.
Yes, I was prepared.
But the problem was that they were a different brand from the ones Choi I-seo had bought.
I-seo wasn't an idiot; if I pulled out a different brand, she’d obviously be suspicious.
'Stay calm.'
I-seo continued to glare.
As I slowly stood up from organizing, her gaze followed mine upward.
This was the moment to use the techniques I’d learned from having an ex-girlfriend.
"I-seo, what should we have for dinner?"
"You want to die?"
"……."
That didn't work.
"Who did you use them with? Ye-rin? Or Ah-rin?"
She was acting casual, but one thing was certain: the moment I mentioned a name, I’d be in deep trouble.
'It’s a trap.'
I’d fallen for this a few times with Oh Yun-ji.
They tell you it’s okay to speak, but if you actually do, you’re dead meat that day.
'I really don't want to bring up Oh Yun-ji, though.'
The mood was good, and I didn't want to kill it by mentioning her.
I was afraid I-seo might start walking on eggshells around me or try to distance herself again.
So.
Thinking of a more persuasive argument, I placed my hands on her shoulders and answered seriously.
"I-seo, I’m not officially dating anyone yet."
"……Right?"
I-seo nodded with a hesitant expression, caught off guard by my sudden seriousness.
The momentum had shifted to me.
I-seo was an extremely rational and logical person, so I just had to win her over with logic.
"It’s not right to have sex with someone who isn't your girlfriend."
"You bastard, what the hell did you do then?!"
I-seo immediately grabbed my collar and swept my leg, tripping me.
I didn't know where she’d learned that technique, but it was incredibly clean.
"I fought back with a logical and common-sense statement!"
I cried out in protest, but I-seo just let out an exasperated sigh.
"It’s because a walking contradiction is trying to speak logically."
"Tsk, Seo Ye-rin would have fallen for that."
"You're looking down on her too much."
Releasing my collar, I-seo climbed on top of me. She looked down at me with a clear pout.
"Hurry up and tell me. Who did you use them with?"
Did I really have to say it?
"I didn't use them with anyone. I just threw them out the window."
"You threw them out?"
"Well, you see—"
Just then, the voices of three people drifted in from outside.
"Senior! Are you there?"
"Senior! It’s Cheol-su, the one you met at the drinks the other day!"
"Ugh, seriously."
It was Cheol-su and Young-hee from the English Department, whom I’d met at the dorm gathering, along with Senior Ju-hee.
For some reason, Senior Ju-hee opened the door and barged in as if she were irritated.
"……."
"……."
An awkward situation unfolded.
Cheol-su and Young-hee, seeing Choi I-seo on top of me, wore blank expressions.
"S-Sorry!"
"We’re so sorry for the intrusion!"
They fled outside in embarrassment, while Senior Ju-hee stood there with her mouth agape, staring blankly.
"S-So-Sorry."
Her face turned bright red, and she backed away, closing the door for us.
"What do we do about this?"
The situation had escalated instantly.
I looked up at I-seo; she seemed just as flustered, her body frozen, unable to react.
"I-It’s actually for the best!"
I didn't know what was 'for the best,' but her voice cracked.
* * *
"Wasn't that senior dating Senior Ye-rin?"
"I know, right? Wow... isn't that person the 2nd Year Class Representative?"
Cheol-su and Young-hee were whispering in the lounge on the first floor of the dormitory.
The two had attended the same schools since elementary school; they had known each other for fifteen years and had been dating for five.
They were practically like an old married couple, and now they were whispering back and forth, processing the shocking scene they had just witnessed.
"I heard the rumors about Senior Woo-jin were really bad."
"Aren't the rumors bad because his relationships with women are complicated? Isn't that why he fought with the seniors too?"
"……."
Min Ju-hee sat on the sofa, staring blankly at the floor, ignoring the two kids chatting beside her.
'I had a feeling, but...'
She knew Choi I-seo had come.
Originally, she had intended to help Kim Woo-jin herself, but she had stepped back after seeing I-seo helping him.
But when they didn't come out of the room, Min Ju-hee grew strangely anxious and deliberately instructed Cheol-su and Young-hee to go greet Kim Woo-jin.
'Don't tell me even I-seo...!'
This was the result.
Not only was he fooling around with Seo Ye-rin and Yoo Ah-rin, but he was even in that kind of atmosphere with Choi I-seo.
Furthermore, the dorm walls weren't exactly soundproof, and she had clearly heard the word 'condom' from outside.
That anxiety had driven Min Ju-hee to burst through the door without thinking.
'Whew.'
Min Ju-hee let out a long sigh and bit her lip.
'This isn't like me.'
Yes, she had been acting out of character lately.
Who was Min Ju-hee?
She was a woman who had survived high school with her fists and tools, and in university, she was a dedicated student striving for scholarships.
'I must have been possessed by something weird.'
Taking a breath, Min Ju-hee calmly closed her eyes.
Her face, which had been as red as a carrot from embarrassment just moments ago, regained its composure, and her sharp gaze turned toward the kids chatting next to her.
"You two, don't go spreading weird rumors."
It was a blatant warning to Cheol-su and Young-hee, who were already starting to inflate the gossip.
"Y-Yes, ma'am!"
"Of course, Senior!"
The two replied instantly, looking terrified, and hurried away.
Since other dorm residents had seen Choi I-seo moving boxes, rumors were bound to spread, but...
'That’s his own karma.'
Whew, fine.
She decided to stop worrying about Kim Woo-jin.
He was a good junior, and he still is.
He might have a bit of a playboy streak, but the women involved seemed to know that already.
'Let's not care.'
Vowing to forget the events of that night, Min Ju-hee shoved her hands deep into her jacket pockets.
She decided she’d go see a movie tomorrow to clear her head.
* * *
"……."
The next day.
Min Ju-hee, who had come to the downtown cinema to watch a movie, stared with a look of disbelief at two people waiting for the same film.
They didn't seem to have noticed her yet, so she pulled her hat down lower.
"Hey, why do you have zero sense? You should've bought caramel popcorn."
Kim Woo-jin was grumbling.
"Shut up. Salt is the only way to go."
Yoo Ah-rin was irritably stuffing popcorn into his mouth. Ju-hee couldn't take her eyes off them.
"I mean, who eats salted popcorn? If you're going that route, why isn't there a pepper flavor?"
"Just shut up and eat it since it's good."
"As if it'll be— wait, mmm? Umai!"
"Hah, this crazy bastard!"
"Whoa, this is delicious?"
"Don't bury your face in the popcorn! I'll feed you, so just open your mouth!"
Listening to her juniors' conversation...
Min Ju-hee felt a throbbing headache coming on.