Chapter 178: Landmine
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 178: Landmine
I’ve heard people say that scars are a man’s badge of honor.
But if a scar comes from something like this, it’s more of a badge of shame than honor.
So, while it was a relief that I didn't have any lasting marks, once I stepped out of the hospital, I found myself wishing I were wearing a cast or something.
‘If I run into them, I’m definitely getting beaten up.’
The three of them likely hadn't cooled off yet.
The thought of getting hit was terrifying, but strangely enough, my heart was pounding at the prospect of seeing them.
Does a person really change this much just by becoming honest with themselves?
I suppose you could call it growth in many ways.
Actually, it was more like an evolution.
The only problem was that it was a "Dark Evolution."
“Wait, where even am I?”
As I stepped outside, I was greeted by a landscape I had never seen before. I’d thought the hospital felt unfamiliar, and it turned out they had dropped me off at one near the pension.
‘They really just dumped me here and left?’
Panicking, I hurriedly checked my phone.
None of the three had left a message, but Yun-ji had sent a Tok.
“Ah.”
Now that I thought about it, Yun-ji had mentioned she’d come pick me up after the MT ended.
But I’d just broken up with her yesterday. Contacting her today to ask for a ride felt wrong as a man—and just as a human being in general.
And yet, my fingers were already sending an SOS to Yun-ji.
Hmm.
I guess I really am a shitty human being.
Thinking back on it now, confessing my love to three women at the same time was the height of trashiness.
‘The harem protagonists in manga and novels always seemed to handle it so well.’
Realizing that reality is much harsher, I opened a webtoon app for the time being. I recalled seeing some modern-setting webtoons that successfully navigated the harem route.
‘I’ve made up my mind.’
If I’m going to do this, I should take it seriously.
“Though, I guess applying webtoon logic to reality is a bit much.”
Besides, adult webtoons were tricky because they often involved "subjugating" people through physical means.
Things like hypnosis apps or superpowers were obviously out of the question.
Before I knew it, I was lost in the webtoon simply because it was entertaining.
Honk! Honk!
“Woo-jin!”
Yun-ji, sitting in a red sports car, was calling out to me.
Seeing her face in person was a bit embarrassing, but I hopped into the passenger seat anyway. Yun-ji immediately stepped on the gas.
“I just need to drop you off at the dorms, right?”
“...Yeah, thanks.”
I answered while cautiously gauging her mood.
Yun-ji kept one hand on the steering wheel and rested her chin on the other by the window, focusing on the road.
She didn't say much else.
Did she know why I had been hospitalized?
Anxious, I tentatively opened my mouth.
“Um, aren't you busy? I thought you’d be swamped.”
“I am. But since I’m returning to school for the second semester, I’ve hired some staff. I can make a little time.”
Right.
Back in the first semester of freshman year, we were just classmates on equal footing.
It felt surreal that Yun-ji was now the CEO of a company with employees under her command.
“How’s Popo doing?”
“She’s good. We should all grab a meal sometime. She’s really grateful to you.”
“Sure, let me know when you’re free.”
I breathed a sigh of relief, realizing the three girls hadn't told her about me yet.
Though she had mellowed out a bit after experiencing the hardships of the world, she used to be a real bulldozer.
If that old personality of hers came out, I might not make it out of this car in one piece.
“They say when you’re young, you grow in leaps and bounds even if you don't see each other for a short while.”
“Where is this coming from all of a sudden?”
“I was just wondering. It’s only been half a year, so how did your balls get this big?”
The prelude to a confrontation.
The flow of the conversation turned ominous.
The moment the car stopped at a red light, Yun-ji glanced toward me and asked.
“How did you even think to confess to three women at once?”
Ah, they did tell her.
“And the day after you broke up with me? Is this some kind of 'Transit Love' rebound thing?”
Her voice was rising.
Her old habits were resurfacing.
It meant she was starting to get worked up.
“Strictly speaking, it’s been a while since we actually broke up. Rebound dating is—”
Thump!
Yun-ji slammed her fist against the steering wheel.
Her smoldering eyes stared me down, warning me that I’d better watch my mouth.
“Ah, yes. My apologies.”
I could have sworn that just moments ago, I had vowed to carry myself with the dignity of a big shot and lead everyone.
“Whew... You’re such an idiot. Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to accept it when you said we should break up? You moron.”
The light turned green.
Yun-ji, looking straight ahead, seemed overwhelmed by a surge of emotions. She eventually pulled the car over to the curb and rested her forehead against the steering wheel.
Then, her face suddenly flushed red as she whipped her head around to look at me.
“If this were the old days, I would’ve taken you straight to my place.”
She didn't need to say more for me to understand what she meant.
Back then, we had shared an intimacy that would have put Seo Ye-rin to shame.
It wasn't that we were obsessed with sex; we just loved expressing our affection for each other. The memories of that emotional exchange were still vivid.
“Isn't it kind of funny when you think back on it?”
“What is?”
“Whether we did something wrong, or something right, or because you were cute, or because I was annoyed... we always ended up at your place.”
“...”
“It always led to the same result.”
Of course, depending on the mood of the day, one of us would take the lead, but the outcome was always the same.
“I guess so.”
Yun-ji seemed to agree, letting out a hollow chuckle.
“What was that one time? When you scolded me for coming home late?”
“Did that only happen once or twice?”
“The time my phone battery died and I couldn't pick up.”
“Ah.”
Yun-ji turned her head away, seemingly embarrassed by the memory.
“I actually came home on time, but you intentionally turned the clock in your room back so I’d think I was an hour late.”
The memories of the various "shameful plays" I had to endure as an apology came flooding back.
It was dizzying back then, but now it was just a memory I could laugh about.
“...Back then, I guess I just needed a pretext,” Yun-ji muttered softly, a slight smile playing on her lips.
“Just... I just needed a pretext to be with you.”
It was the same for me.
I had made up forced excuses just to spend time with her.
Seeing how we could laugh while reminiscing about the past, I realized my time with Yun-ji was a good memory.
She seemed to feel the same. She slowly gripped the steering wheel again, and we talked about the old days until we reached the dorms.
We arrived in front of the building.
“Woo-jin.”
It was a little past lunch, but Yun-ji was busy and had to leave.
She called out to me while still in the driver’s seat.
“This was nice. Reminded me of the old days.”
Yun-ji wore a satisfied smile.
After a moment’s hesitation, I gave a small nod and headed into the dormitory.
* * *
After parting with Yun-ji, I went inside.
My room was piled with the luggage I’d taken to the MT; the freshmen living in the dorms must have brought it back for me.
I figured I should try contacting one of the three.
I decided to call Seo Ye-rin first.
There was only one reason I chose her.
‘She’s the one whose hits hurt the least.’
Compared to the other two, Ye-rin’s punches were relatively weak.
When I called, she picked up almost immediately.
— Hello?
Her voice was low and heavy.
It was an awkward, obvious bit of acting intended to intimidate me.
“Ahem, hello? What are you doing right now?”
I played along for now.
I wondered if it was okay for an aspiring actress to be this bad at acting.
— What about you?
“I’m at the dorms. Are you home? Can we meet up for a bit?”
— ...
“Why aren't you answering?”
I tilted my head, wondering what was going on.
Then, Seo Ye-rin’s real voice came through the phone.
— Ah, Mom! Why are you answering other people’s phones!
Mom?
Seo Ye-rin’s mother?
‘Oh, shit.’
I remembered talking to her after the festival and saying I’d end things with Ye-rin.
I realized that me calling her now might look very strange to her.
“I asked if we could meet up. The kids who went to the MT are all gathering for an after-party.”
I intentionally pretended not to hear Ye-rin’s voice and pivoted to a natural topic.
— You stay quiet. Based on the voice, this is Woo-jin, right?
Only then did I realize the meaning behind the low voice and awkward acting.
“Ye-yes, Ye-rin’s mother? Hello.”
I decided to act confident.
Actually, I wasn't in a position to be confident, but I needed to fake it.
— Yes, Woo-jin. Do students these days have after-parties for MTs too?
“Ah, yes. The kids love getting together. And Ye-rin is very popular, after all.”
— ...Woo-jin, would it be possible for us to meet separately sometime?
“Huh? So suddenly?”
I wondered what this was about, but her mother was relentless.
— Yes, I have a favor to ask. I’ll send you a text when I have some free time.
“Under...stood.”
* * *
Though unintentional, I ended up in a situation where I had to pretend there was an MT after-party.
I didn't call anyone else; I was just out to provide an alibi for Seo Ye-rin.
‘I wonder what she wants.’
We hadn't set a time yet, so I had some breathing room, but I wanted to know why her mother wanted to see me.
Ye-rin, who was supposed to arrive soon, would probably know.
It was a bit awkward to go for drinks or meat again, so the PC Bang was a decent compromise.
I could have gone inside and taken a seat first, but just in case, I waited outside and continued reading the webtoon from earlier.
‘This is insane.’
It was supposed to be a "realistic harem" work, but it was chilling.
This wasn't romance; it was a soap opera full of affairs and obsession.
It even ended with the woman stabbing the man with a knife.
Normally, I would have scoffed and said he deserved it, but now I was strangely empathizing with him, and a chill ran down my spine.
A Tok arrived.
I smiled slightly and replied immediately.
I did pass out, after all.
Huh?
I’ve heard that life is often stranger than fiction.
“Woo-jin!”
The moment I saw Seo Ye-rin waving as she approached, I immediately turned around and started running.
The cliché that the one who seems the gentlest is actually the biggest landmine was all too real.