Chapter 182: Son Byeong-ho Game
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 182: Son Byeong-ho Game
“What are you going to do? You’re so late.”
I asked cautiously as we walked hand in hand.
She needed to be back by 11:00 PM at the latest, but it was already thirty minutes past that. I felt guilty because I knew we were late because I’d asked to stay out a little longer at the end.
“It doesn’t really matter.”
Seo Ye-rin, whose lips had been curled into a smile for a while now, answered nonchalantly.
“I’m twenty-one now. I’m not at an age where I have to live walking on eggshells around my mom.”
Technically, at twenty-one, you’re still very much under your parents' wing... but I suppose I’m not one to talk, considering I practically bolted from my own family home.
Still, I couldn't help but worry. Especially since Seo Ye-rin’s mother was likely on high alert right now.
“Phew. If things get really bad—just tell them whose son I am.”
Using my father’s influence always felt uncomfortable, but its sheer, overwhelming utility made it hard to ignore. I figured her parents might soften up a bit if they knew their daughter was dating the youngest son of a major conglomerate chairman.
“Hmm, I don’t think that’ll help much.”
Ye-rin gave a vague response, scratching her cheek.
Regardless, I walked her to the vicinity of her house. She whined about not wanting to go, refusing to let go of my hand, and even suggested I sneak into her room, but I turned her down. If I truly cared about her, the right thing to do was to resist the temptation here.
“Oh, right. There’s an after-party tomorrow. You’re coming, right?”
“...What after-party?”
When I asked because I genuinely didn't know, Ye-rin tapped on her phone.
“The MT after-party. Didn't you use that as an excuse on purpose because you knew about it?”
“No?”
I really didn't know there was one.
“Hyun-ho posted the announcement. Apparently, it’s actually for the kids who couldn't make it to the MT.”
“Just how much alcohol are they planning to drink?”
“Anyway, make sure you come, okay? I’m not really feeling it either, but I promised to go.”
“...”
I wanted to ask if the others were coming. How would Choi I-seo and Yoo Ah-rin react if they saw me there? I was a little scared.
“I’ll think about it.”
“It’ll be better to meet I-seo or Ah-rin there. They won't be able to hit you in front of everyone.”
So they are coming.
“That’s true.”
It did seem safer than meeting them privately.
“You’re coming tomorrow, right? Promise? It’ll be boring without you.”
“...Alright.”
After one last brief kiss, I saw her off.
An after-party tomorrow, huh.
I felt like we’d already hashed everything out at the MT, so I wasn't sure what else there was to settle, but it seemed best to go.
Wait a minute.
But will Ye-rin even be able to come tomorrow?
She got home late today; wouldn't her parents ground her?
* * *
Just as I feared.
Seo Ye-rin couldn't make it to the MT after-party. Sending crying emojis over text was the only resistance she could muster.
The venue for the after-party was a Dakgalbi restaurant. Since we’d eaten enough pork at the MT to last a lifetime, it seemed they’d pivoted to chicken.
At the smoking area outside the restaurant, I watched the kids eating Dakgalbi through the window. Whether it was because the professors weren't there or because they’d bonded during the MT, the atmosphere was much more relaxed than before.
“Woo-jin, Gyu-a asked me to go out with her. What do you honestly think?”
Ahn Hyun-ho’s voice drifted into my ear, seeking relationship advice. He’d practically dragged me out to the smoking area just for this. He’d been confessed to by Gyu-a and wanted to consult me.
I openly covered my nose and replied with annoyance.
“Just date her. You said you liked her. What’s the problem?”
“You said some weird stuff before, and it’s been bothering me. I wanted to hear why you told me not to date her before I give her an answer.”
“Hmm.”
I shifted my gaze slightly, looking toward Gyu-a through the window. She seemed to have realized something after seeing my relationship with the other girls last time, but...
“I saw her boyfriend.”
Between Gyu-a and Ahn Hyun-ho, if you asked me who I valued more, it was Hyun-ho. Actually, it wasn't so much that Hyun-ho was "heavy," but that Gyu-a was too "light."
“She had a boyfriend?”
“Yeah. From what I heard, she was three-timing.”
“Holy crap!”
The guy slapped his forehead, his face falling. The despair of finding out the girl you liked was a player was real.
“Ah, seriously, don't joke around. It’s not funny, Kim Woo-jin.”
He was already accepting it as the truth, so what was the point of telling me not to lie?
“So give it up. You’re not exactly a saint, but Gyu-a is definitely not the one.”
“Wow, Kim Gyu-a is unbelievable. She said that to me while doing all that?”
Watching him vent his anger while looking genuinely hurt made me feel a bit strange. As I was patting Hyun-ho on the back, a familiar face approached us.
“Hey, guys. What’s up?”
Completely out of the blue, Senior Han-gang had shown up at the after-party. The question of why this man was here almost jumped out of my mouth.
“I called him.”
Ahn Hyun-ho confessed gloomily, his shoulders slumped.
“The senior said he wanted to meet the new freshmen.”
“My military service got pushed back, so I’m a free man now,” Han-gang said with a wink.
I wondered when this guy would ever grow up. If he had the guts to come all the way here to hit on freshmen while on a leave of absence, I figured he could probably achieve anything he set his mind to.
“Senior, don't do anything stupid. Just go to the military quietly.”
I told him to grow up, but Han-gang immediately responded by flipping me the bird.
“Shut it. I’ve been hanging out with only Jin-ho lately; I can't even remember what a girl smells like. Today, I’m definitely taking one—”
Just then, Senior Ju-hee stepped outside with a cigarette in her mouth and came face-to-face with Han-gang.
“O-Oh. Ju-hee. Long time no see.”
Han-gang greeted her nervously, but Ju-hee didn't bother responding as she lit her cigarette.
Sssss.
A long trail of smoke escaped her lips.
“What are you doing here?”
Ju-hee asked warily, her hands shoved in her jacket pockets. Han-gang scratched the back of his head and replied.
“I, uh, was just passing by and decided to stop in. I wanted to see you guys after so long.”
“He’s here to pick up freshman girls,” I added from right behind him. Han-gang’s face went pale.
Ju-hee nodded, looking annoyed as if she’d expected as much.
“Just go to the military quietly. Don't go ruining the freshmen’s social lives.”
“...Ju-hee, that’s a bit much.”
Oh. Look at him getting serious with Senior Ju-hee.
“I know I’ve made mistakes. But having you restrict who I meet and date is—”
“What?”
The moment Ju-hee glared at him, telling him to say that again, all three of us flinched. This was the woman who had taken down a mob boss by herself. If he didn't bow his head here, Han-gang might end up at the bottom of the Han River.
“...Can I at least stay for a few drinks?” Han-gang asked cautiously.
Seeing him tuck his tail at a single look was both hilarious and pathetic.
“Fine. Hang out at the junior/senior table. Don't go near the first or second years.”
“Yes, ma'am...”
Ju-hee then looked at us and clicked her tongue.
“Don't hang out with him. He’s a bad influence.”
“Yes, of course.”
“Ugh, you piece of trash. You’re obsessed with women!”
Ahn Hyun-ho immediately cut ties. I joined in on the insults and distanced myself from him.
“...”
Ju-hee stared at me as if I were absurd, but I just pretended not to notice. I hurried inside with Ahn Hyun-ho.
When we returned to our table, the seating had changed significantly. Men and women were now sitting together. While we were outside, the kids had already started gathering people for drinking games.
Ugh, I hate this kind of stuff.
I usually preferred just drinking over playing games, so I was going to opt out, but then I saw Yoo Ah-rin and Choi I-seo joined in. I had no choice but to use Ahn Hyun-ho as an excuse to squeeze in.
“You’re playing?”
Choi I-seo asked softly as I took the seat next to her. The murderous intent dripping from her voice was enough to send chills down my spine, but I nodded.
“I have to.”
Choi I-seo stared at me blankly for a moment before sighing.
“You hate this stuff. Don't force yourself.”
“You don't like it much either.”
“...”
Choi I-seo fell silent, unable to argue. On the other hand, Yoo Ah-rin, sitting across from us, was laughing with the others while setting up the drinks, saying it looked fun.
“Since it’s a bit loud to start with something crazy, should we do something simple?”
Ahn Hyun-ho, who had been with me just a moment ago, was suddenly acting as the moderator.
“Oh, look at the MC!”
“The English Department’s National MC, Ahn Hyun-ho!”
He’d hosted the talent show at the MT, so I figured he’d be good at it. As the kids pulled up chairs to gather around, Senior Ju-hee and Han-gang came back in after their smoke break. They naturally joined the circle.
The game they started was the Son Byeong-ho Game.
“What kind of game is this?”
When I asked because I genuinely didn't know, Choi I-seo whispered the answer in my ear.
“You start with your hand open. If something someone says applies to you, you fold a finger.”
“So if they say 'men fold,' I fold one?”
“Yeah. If you fold all of them, you drink.”
Hmm.
“Is this fun?”
I asked honestly because I didn't see the appeal. Choi I-seo replied, looking a bit embarrassed.
“Well, when you’re drinking, you just get into the mood. It’s like that. It livens up the atmosphere.”
“You know a lot about this, surprisingly.”
“...Try being the Class Rep. You learn whether you want to or not.”
Choi I-seo lamented that her alcohol tolerance had gone up because of it. As we began to talk normally, a smile spread across my face; it felt like old times.
“Don't smile.”
Choi I-seo snapped at me grumpily, but even that looked cute.
And so, the game—which I still didn't quite find fun—began.
Han-gang started it off with a grin.
“Fold a finger if you’ve ever liked me.”
“Whoa, damn. This is getting interesting.”
Seeing several girls actually fold their fingers while blushing or giggling, I silently took back what I’d said to Choi I-seo.
“Good grief.”
Choi I-seo shook her head at me. Naturally, she didn't fold a finger.
I mean, if the questions were going to be at this level, it was kind of fun. I just hadn't played many drinking games before.
The turns kept passing. Since no questions as heavy as Han-gang’s came up, I was starting to get bored. But when it was Gyu-a’s turn, she said with a smirk:
“Fold a finger if you confessed to someone at the MT.”
That bitch.
I barely restrained myself from wanting to smash a soju bottle over her head. I bit my lip hard and folded one finger.
“What? Woo-jin confessed at the MT?”
“To who? Wait, who is he dating?”
“Didn't he get rejected?”
“If Gyu-a knows, maybe it was to Gyu-a—”
Since I was the only one who folded, all eyes were on me, but I exercised my right to remain silent. She hadn't said I had to reveal who it was.
Though Choi I-seo and Yoo Ah-rin both clicked their tongues and looked at me like I was trash.
Wait, shouldn't Yoo Ah-rin and Choi I-seo be folding too?
Or not? It was a bit ambiguous.
Next was Yoo Ah-rin’s turn. Her gaze was fixed directly on me, so there was no escaping it.
“Fold a finger if you’re a piece of trash.”
I folded another one.
Now, rumors that I’d confessed to Yoo Ah-rin started flying, and the atmosphere at the table began to heat up even more.
“Senior Han-gang, you have to fold!”
“Yeah, Senior, fold!”
“Shouldn't Ju-hee fold too? I heard she used to beat kids up in high school.”
In the end, Senior Han-gang and Senior Ju-hee folded as well. Ahn Hyun-ho also folded sneakily.
The turn came back around to me. I gritted my teeth and looked at Gyu-a, who had two fingers left.
“Fold a finger if you have more than two lovers.”
You’re dead, bitch.
Everyone looked at me, wondering why I’d ask such a question, but she’d fired the first shot. As I stared Gyu-a down, her face turned bright red until finally...
Slowly.
She folded one.
“Gasp.”
The atmosphere stirred. As the kids started whispering about Gyu-a, she shouted frantically.
“I-In high school! I was young and didn't know any better! That’s when it happened!”
She tried to explain it away, but honestly, it wasn't very effective. Ahn Hyun-ho was already in shock, his fists clenched tight.
“How did you know that?” Choi I-seo whispered. I replied with a grin.
“I saw her fighting with her ex-boyfriend. She asked me to pretend to be her boyfriend, so I just gave her a leg sweep.”
“Should I be praising you for that?”
“Well, was I supposed to pretend to be her boyfriend?”
“...Good job. If that happens again, sweep her again immediately.”
“Roger that.”
The distance between me and I-seo had closed considerably. Our shoulders were now touching. Except for the fact that Yoo Ah-rin was glaring at us, it wasn't bad.
I-seo’s question, being next to me, passed rather tamely, and the game continued. Then, the traumatized Ahn Hyun-ho looked at Gyu-a and asked with a look of disbelief:
“Fold a finger if you’ve ever had a threesome.”
“Hey, that’s going too far!”
Gyu-a protested, flustered. She shouted that while she might have had multiple lovers, she wasn't that promiscuous.
Well, yeah. A 3P is definitely crossing the line.
This is terrifying.
My lips felt parched. It was fine. If I just laughed it off and acted like it was nothing—
“...”
Senior Ju-hee was staring right at me. I looked away and pretended not to see. I reached for some water, but Yoo Ah-rin, sitting across from me, was also staring.
- Don't do it.
I mouthed the words to her. Yoo Ah-rin glanced at Choi I-seo next to me. Ah-rin, who had been watching I-seo and me acting all lovey-dovey with hawk eyes, gave me a look.
- Die.
She smiled and folded one of her two remaining fingers. Even more infuriatingly, the remaining finger was her middle finger, so she was naturally flipping me off.
“Ooooooh?!”
“Whoa, shiiiit!”
“Hollywood! This is Hollywood!”
Exclamations erupted from all sides. As I hung my head under the pressure of Yoo Ah-rin’s gaze, demanding I fold a finger, I felt Choi I-seo’s hand grip my thigh so hard it hurt.
“Woo-jin.”
“Ye-yes?”
I tried to answer in a tiny, crawling voice.
“If you fold that finger, you’re dead.”
She was smiling, but her voice was chilling, and her eyes were dead.
I didn't want to fold it either. But if I didn't, it was obvious Yoo Ah-rin would spill everything.
Slowly.
In the end, I cautiously folded one finger.
The moment everyone’s shocked gazes pinned me down once again...
Scrape!
Choi I-seo pushed her chair back and stood up. Without even looking at me, she said quietly:
“Outside.”
Then she walked out of the Dakgalbi restaurant.
“O-Outside...”
With slumped shoulders and a miserable expression, I had no choice but to follow her.