Realizing My Two-Timing Heart
"Ah......"
On the subway ride home, Kim Seo-yeon stared blankly ahead amid the rhythmic clacking of the wheels. The pitch-black night sky filled with the lights of buildings. They reflected like stars twinkling in the heavens. The Han River shimmered with rippling clusters of light. And then—
Thump. The pounding of her heart echoed in her eardrums. It felt like she'd knocked back a few drinks. Her temples throbbed in time with each beat.
"Lee Jun-woo......"
One of her closest guy friends. He was decent-looking enough. Playful by nature, always teasing. He'd bring over delicious homemade cookies and occasionally look after the little things with surprising thoughtfulness. And above all, he was Kang Min-jun's childhood friend.
Kang Min-jun. In the first semester, it had started as simple curiosity. By the second, that curiosity had quietly bloomed into affection. His handsome face never got old, no matter how many times she looked. His lively personality and effortless charm drew people in like a human capybara. And whenever trouble arose, he was there to help without fail.
As much as it pained her to admit it, he was like an upgraded version of Lee Jun-woo. The only downside? A swarm of girls circling him. Min-jun was oblivious, but plenty of "friends" were secretly gunning for him. Lee Soo-min and Han Ji-soo. Both stunning in looks and personality—no contest there. It wasn't about who was better; it was just a matter of taste.
To get a leg up on rivals like them, Kim Seo-yeon had deliberately cozied up to Lee Jun-woo. To learn more about Min-jun, to create more chances to cross paths. A tactic neither the introverted Soo-min nor Ji-soo from another department could pull off. So far, it seemed to be working like a charm.
"How...... That guy."
Lee Jun-woo, whom she'd seen as nothing more than a stepping stone to Min-jun. She'd approached him on purpose to impress Min-jun. Picking fights just to bicker. Arranging to take the same classes. Devouring his cookies with exaggerated delight. Even going on one-on-one "dates."
Like a frog slowly boiling in warming water, Jun-woo had slipped into her heart before she knew it.
Today had been the same. That musical she'd suddenly asked him to see together last time. Knowing roughly how pricey those tickets were, she couldn't just let it slide without a word. She hated owing people. Lately, he'd seemed interested in fashion, so she'd booked an exhibition near Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Exhibition → shopping → drinks. A simple itinerary.
But the accident at the exhibition derailed everything that followed. Especially the drinks—she hadn't touched a drop. In her state, booze might've led her to do something irreversible. She'd had no choice but to make an excuse about Jun-woo having an emergency.
"Am I crazy?"
She'd developed feelings for Lee Jun-woo. Kim Seo-yeon wasn't so dense she wouldn't notice. She'd clocked her crush on Min-jun fast enough. She just didn't want to admit it.
Sure, she had a bit of a "love-at-first-sight" streak. But liking two guys at once? She wasn't some cheater playing both sides. Especially not two childhood friends.
But now, denial was impossible. Just seeing his face. Hearing him sing. Being near him. She'd start sweating for no reason. Get all tense. Her heart would race out of nowhere.
Bzzz.
"!!!"
Like right now.
Her heart pounded louder again. Kim Seo-yeon stared at that short message for a long while.
"Jun-woo! Check that side."
"Got it."
Friday night after finals. The back alleys packed with bars were teeming with people. Min-jun and I weaved through the crowd, running as fast as we could. We needed a table for five.
"Table for five?"
"Yeah, we've got one spot open right now. Come on in."
The sixth shop down, tucked in a corner. We usually skipped it because the side dishes sucked. But tonight, beggars couldn't be choosers.
"Whew......"
I shot a quick message to the group chat saying we'd found a place, then plopped down at the assigned table to catch my breath.
The heat was building bit by bit. I ditched my jacket under the chair and flapped my inner t-shirt for air.
"Yoo-hoo, Lee Jun-woo~."
Kim Seo-yeon burst in, thumbs-up flying. She slid into her seat and chugged water like her life depended on it. Must've been parched from all the running around. She was breathing hard.
"Where're the others?"
"No idea? They'll show soon."
"Order some booze first?"
"Sounds good. Let's do it."
Side dishes varied by taste, but when we all drank together, the booze was set in stone. Start with soju. Then mixers for those who wanted, straight for the purists.
"Two bottles of 'Like the Last,' please."
"Eek? You're getting that?"
"Craving it tonight. It's not bad once in a while."
"Ughhh......"
Kim Seo-yeon wrinkled her nose in protest. I just shrugged. First to arrive picks the soju brand—that was our rule. We had our usual go-tos, but I wasn't picky. Went by mood.
Meaning the rest had no clue what I'd ordered. Min-jun hated this brand as much as she did. I couldn't wait to see his face.
These little things kept it fun.
"If you're mad, show up earlier next time."
"I won't be late next time. Promise."
She clenched her fists in determination. Yeah, right. She'd only picked the brand once before.
"Jun-woo. Waiting—urgh."
The rest piled in. Min-jun, mid-greeting, spotted the bottles and fake-gagged.
"Great Jun-woo-nim. No thoughts on another brand?"
"We finish what I ordered first. Then you pick."
"Ugh......"
Min-jun's face twisted in horror. Seeing I wasn't budging, he shook his head and sat. His reactions were gold. Scowling like that, but still handsome—not forced at all. Like watching a drama.
"Before sides, cheers first?"
"Hell yeah."
Glasses brimmed with soju, fresh from the fridge and ice-cold. Clink. We tapped carefully, no spills, and downed them.
Sweet-bitter warmth spread fast. Sweeter than usual today.
That's when I noticed Seo-yeon's glass. Half full, sloshing. Weird.
My eyes went wide. Not with some senior, just friends. I wasn't gonna nag about shots like a boomer—that phase ended last semester.
But sipping? First time. She always one-shot soju, no matter how drunk.
"You sip now?"
"Not feeling great today."
"You good to drink?"
"Not skipping out on this day."
She glanced away. I didn't pry. She'd handle herself. Honestly, relieved.
Drinking was fun, but pounding it wrecked your liver.
"...Why're you staring?"
"Me? What?"
"......"
Got lost in old memories, ended up with an "indulgent uncle" look. I dropped the act under her glare.
"Finals over—wanna go somewhere?"
"Trip? Where?"
"Dunno. Pick now."
Min-jun, chatting with Soo-min and Ji-soo noona, tossed out the idea. Intriguing. Post-finals limbo, no festivals. Wasted just lounging.
"If we're going, make it epic. Far away?"
"Gangwon-do?"
"Busan's nice."
"Jeju straight-up?"
Suggestions flew. But scattered—no consensus. Everyone had deal-breakers.
Mine: autumn leaves. Craving vibrant foliage pics. ...Yeah, dad vibes. But my mental age matched.
Hiking? Instant no from four. Needed another way. Spot for leaves and group fun.
Then it hit me.
"How 'bout camping?"
"Huh?"
"Sounds good."
"BBQ."
"Fire-gazing."
All in. Talk shifted to camping plans.
"Camping's tough, right? Tents and all......"
"True......"
Ji-soo noona voiced concerns; Soo-min nodded. Mood soured toward "too hard."
Couldn't lose my leaf pics. I whipped out my phone.
"Glam camping or caravans? Reviews say just buy meat on-site."
"Lemme see. Hmm...... Yeah, doable."
Min-jun scrolled, nodded.
"Glam camping it is?"
"When?"
"Who books?"
"I suggested, so I'll scout and group chat it."
Plan locked in seconds. Solid.
"Ugh...... Stomach's killing me."
Felt like indigestion, nausea right under her chin. Kim Seo-yeon forced herself up.
Han Ji-soo and Kang Min-jun chatted soccer. Lee Jun-woo and Lee Soo-min had gone for hangover cures. Alone, she figured a walk for fresh air might help.
Streets full of staggering drunks blocking paths. She ducked into a quiet alley lit by one streetlamp.
Buzzing with booze, random thoughts bubbled up. Exam results? Fun camping? Beating rivals for Min-jun? What about Jun-woo?
Like foam on water—pop, pop, gone.
"Too close......"
"Promise......"
"How......"
She walked slowly. Faint voices from somewhere. A guy and girl talking.
Empty alley at peak drunk hour. Ears perked.
"You promised......"
"Got it. I said okay. But right now, too......"
"Answer......"
Voices sharpened as she neared. Familiar.
That's Jun-woo and Soo-min. But...
They'd gone for meds. Kim Seo-yeon crept toward the sound.
Gulp.
Mouth dry from tension, she swallowed. Reached the alley corner, peeked.
"Hngh?!"
She clamped her mouth shut.
In the narrow alley, they stood pressed close. Lee Soo-min pinning Lee Jun-woo against the wall.
