Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Uncomfortable Situation
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The air in the narrow bathroom froze solid for an instant at the sound of Hyunsu's voice echoing off the tile walls.
"...What?"
Juwon was the first to react.
He'd just rinsed off the soap suds and was shaking water from his hands when he froze, furrowing his brow and instinctively checking Siwoo's expression in the mirror.
But Siwoo's face looked perfectly fine.
Park Geon, clearly not grasping the situation, blinked his big eyes a few times before opening his mouth in bewilderment.
"Suddenly? What kinda bullshit is this out of nowhere? Last time you said Han Jiyoon was pretty."
"Nah, she's just got a pretty face. Iseol's different."
Hyunsu rubbed his nose sheepishly, but his eyes burned with strange conviction.
"Honestly, who in our school comes close to Baek Iseol? She might seem kinda bitchy, but she gets shit done sharp and clean. She's gorgeous, got that vibe. And there's something about her that just draws you in."
Juwon let out a scoffing laugh at Hyunsu's brazen, casual confession.
"Hey, Im Hyunsu. Wake up. You think Iseol's blind? Would she go for a lightweight like you?"
"That's why I called you guys."
Hyunsu grinned slyly, making eye contact one by one with his friends in the mirror.
"Just help me out a bit. Geon and Juwon, you've known Baek Iseol forever."
And finally, Hyunsu sidled up to Siwoo, slinging a heavy arm around his shoulder like they were tight.
"And you, I've seen you messaging our Iseol privately about studying lately?"
"Huh? Just asking about stuff I don't get..."
"Yeah, that's plenty. Chat a bit, and you'll pick up her tastes. What she likes, what she does on weekends. Slip me some info like that."
Hyunsu kneaded Siwoo's shoulder hard, like he was doing him a favor.
"Help me out, man. If things go well with her, I'll hook you up with a cute girl~"
The moment Juwon couldn't hold back and tried to butt in, Siwoo urgently grabbed his collar to stop him.
"Sorry. We're not that close... I don't think I can help. I'll just cheer from the sidelines."
Hyunsu, whom Siwoo expected to blow up in rage at the refusal, surprisingly brushed it off like nothing.
"Hm... Okay. That's fine."
Only then did Hyunsu pat Siwoo's back satisfactorily.
"So, you guys are gonna push for me and help out, right?"
Hyunsu hummed a tune as he left the bathroom, and Park Geon followed with, "Ooh~ Im Hyunsu~ Such a romantic~"
Clunk. The door shut.
Juwon and Siwoo were left alone in the bathroom.
Juwon finally exhaled the breath he'd been holding, running a rough hand through his sweat-dampened bangs with a heavy sigh.
"Ha... That crazy bastard. Hey, Siwoo, you really gonna help him?"
"...I told you. Just watching from the side is fine. If Iseol doesn't like him, she'll turn him down."
Siwoo weakly turned on the faucet at the sink.
He dipped his hands in the gushing cold water, but his flushed face didn't cool down.
"You... are you seriously an idiot?"
Juwon stared at him in frustration, but Siwoo forced a smile.
"Hey! Where'd you go? The meat's all cold now!"
As the guys returned to the table, Dasom scolded them.
Hyunsu plopped down brazenly, sneaking a glance at Iseol.
"Sorry, sorry. Guys' talk took a sec. Iseol, you eat plenty of meat?"
Hyunsu's voice softened noticeably.
But Iseol, chin propped on her hand, ignored his question entirely and looked at Siwoo.
"You okay? Your face looks pale."
Siwoo's heart dropped at her casual concern.
At the same time, Hyunsu's gaze sharpened in an instant, stabbing fiercely at Siwoo.
Siwoo hurriedly shook his head and picked up his chopsticks.
"Nah, the bathroom was hot... I'm fine. Let's keep eating."
Siwoo shoved a piece of meat into his mouth that suddenly tasted and felt like nothing.
Across from him, Iseol tilted her head suspiciously, but Siwoo couldn't meet her eyes.
After a satisfying meal, the group of eight left the barbecue joint and settled around a pavilion in the nearby park.
"Ah~ So full. Feels good for once."
"Ugh, scarfing down that much meat solo—how could your stomach not burst."
Chaerin grimaced in disgust as she watched Park Geon pat his belly.
"So, anyone up for cool ice cream for dessert?"
Hands went up one by one at Park Geon's suggestion.
"Gotta have something sweet after~"
Park Geon glanced at his friends for a moment before proposing.
"Hey, rock-paper-scissors to decide who buys the ice cream. Losers—two of ya!"
All eight thrust out fists at Park Geon's call.
After a few intense rounds, fate left Hyunsu, Siwoo, and Iseol.
That's when Park Geon artfully jumped in.
"Okay! Hey, Siwoo bro, you grilled all that meat already, so special pass for you. Hyunsu and Iseol, you're up!"
"Why me."
Iseol replied indifferently to Park Geon's sudden move, but he didn't back down and tapped her shoulder.
"C'mon! You know Hyunsu'll just grab weird flavors alone. Iseol, help him pick. Siwoo's already grilled and now ice cream too? Poor guy."
The others chimed in with Park Geon's forced nudge: "Yeah, Iseol, go quick~"
Iseol finally gave in to the group's pestering with an annoyed sigh and stood.
"...Let's go."
Hyunsu followed behind her, unable to hide his delight.
Siwoo forced his lips into a smile, but his chest felt tight and clogged.
Park Geon watched the two walk off, clenching his fist triumphantly before approaching Siwoo and Juwon.
"See that? Bro-level assist. Natural hookup, right?"
He lowered his voice so the girls wouldn't hear.
"...Yeah. Impressive."
Siwoo's lips barely moved to reply.
His voice trembled faintly, but luckily, the pumped-up Park Geon didn't notice.
"Hey, Park Geon. Isn't that too obvious? Didn't you see Iseol's face?"
Juwon finally snapped, sitting beside the stiff Siwoo.
Juwon glanced at Siwoo's hardened profile, sighed, and pressed a cold soda can to his cheek.
"Drink. You look choked up."
"Oh? Ah, thanks."
Siwoo leaned into the can's chill, forcing his gaze to the ground.
Then other friends' voices reached his ears.
"Hm... yeah. Hyunsu and Iseol do kinda match."
Dasom chimed in, chin in hand, after something Park Geon said.
"Hyunsu seems flighty, but he really means it with Iseol. He was taking good care of her at the restaurant earlier."
"True. Iseol's usually got walls up, but they've known each other awhile, so she seems comfy with him."
With Chaerin joining in, the mood shifted to talk of Hyunsu and Iseol.
Siwoo couldn't join the chat or storm off.
Juwon eyed Siwoo and playfully shouted to change the vibe.
"Hey, hey! Couple? They're just getting ice cream. You guys are jumping ahead!"
"Psh~ Juwon, no sense? You can feel the vibe~"
The group burst into laughter again at Park Geon's words.
About ten minutes later, silhouettes appeared in the distance, carrying an ice cream bag.
Hyunsu grinned ear-to-ear, chattering nonstop, while Iseol walked with her usual blank face, eyes on her phone.
"Oh! They're back. A couple? Look great together~"
Park Geon clapped and cheered loudly, and Hyunsu waved it off with a pleased expression.
But Iseol ignored the noise, ripping open the bag the moment she reached the bench.
"Pick what you want. Grabbed whatever caught my eye. And."
Iseol rummaged in the bag and dropped something first onto Siwoo's lap in the corner of the bench.
"You eat this."
Siwoo startled and looked down.
It was the strawberry ice cream brand she always enjoyed.
"Huh? Oh... thanks."
"...You always drink the strawberry milk I give you. I like this too."
No sweet words—just an ice cream.
But in the group, her casual act of singling him out made Siwoo's dying heart pound wildly again.
Iseol nodded lightly instead of replying and bit into an identical strawberry ice cream.
Beside her, Hyunsu eyed Siwoo and Iseol alternately with a weird look before forcing a smile and stepping in front of her.
"Iseol, that movie I mentioned on the way to the convenience store. Opens this weekend..."
Hyunsu sidled right up to her again, trying to chat.
Iseol half-assed replies while on her phone, but Hyunsu persisted, asserting his presence.
Watching the tense triangle, Juwon pitifully nudged Siwoo's side.
"Hey, it's melting. Eat up."
Snapping to at Juwon's voice, Siwoo nodded.
The ice cream was already dripping stickily down his fingers.
Behind the sweetness of Iseol's strawberry ice cream lingered Hyunsu's chilling glare, casting a long shadow over the night.