Chapter 140: Busan (10)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 140: Busan (10)
Yu Ha-neul remained silent for a long time.
She just stood there, frozen in a daze.
It was only after a significant silence that her lips finally began to move.
“…No, I mean…”
I couldn't tell what she was trying to say.
Her mouth opened and closed repeatedly, struggling to form words that never came.
In the end, I never learned what she was fighting to express.
— “----------”
A high-pitched ringing drowned out the surrounding noise.
The Mini-Me had long since ceased to function properly.
“Ah, ugh…”
Moisture welled up in Yu Ha-neul’s eyes. It looked as though a single touch would send the tears cascading down her cheeks.
“…….”
Watching her expression left me with a complicated knot of emotions.
It wasn't exactly pity.
But it certainly wasn't pleasant, either.
Is this what affection always looks like?
The realization that her feelings for me were so extreme didn't sit well with me. The sheer weight of that emotion felt stifling.
“If you’re done talking—”
“…W-wait.”
Yu Ha-neul grabbed my wrist as I turned to leave. Her fingers felt slender and fragile.
Her grip was weak—so weak that I could have easily shaken her off if I wanted to.
“…S-Seung-ho. Just wait a second.”
Her trembling hand clutched at my skin.
“…I… I’m not finished yet.”
She tried to speak calmly, but her voice was thick with suppressed sobs.
“Hic, ugh…”
She fought desperately to hold back the tears, but she couldn't stop her voice from catching in her throat.
“…….”
Watching her only made my emotions more tangled. I slowly pried her hand off my wrist.
“…Fine. If you have something to say, say it all now.”
Because this would likely be our last conversation.
“…….”
Yu Ha-neul wiped beneath her eyes with the back of her hand. She remained silent for a moment, as if searching for the right words. Or perhaps she was just stalling for time.
After a long silence, she finally spoke.
“…Seung-ho. Can’t we at least be friends?”
That was her question.
“…….”
I didn't answer.
But silence was an answer in itself.
It was too late for that; we had come too far. There was a fundamental rift between us that could never be bridged.
“…Then.”
Yu Ha-neul’s eyes wavered.
“…Is there someone else? Someone other than me?”
“…….”
At that question, certain faces naturally drifted into my mind.
“I see….”
Yu Ha-neul let out a hollow laugh. She looked despondent, yet somehow strangely detached. After a brief silence, she lifted her head.
“…Is it the girl with gray hair? Or the one with black hair? Or maybe the one with the brown bob?”
My expression hardened as she listed the descriptions.
“…You.”
How did she know about them? My mind raced, trying to piece the puzzle together.
Ignoring my reaction, Yu Ha-neul continued.
“Seung-ho, which one of them do you like the most?”
“…….”
I didn't bother answering. I saw no reason to, and I couldn't tell what her motive was for asking—
“…I see.”
Yu Ha-neul nodded as if she understood.
“You couldn't pick just one.”
That was the conclusion she reached. She looked relieved, her expression noticeably softer than it had been moments ago.
“Yeah, I had a feeling. After all…”
Yu Ha-neul stared intently at me.
“Seung-ho, you have a pathological hatred of being disliked by others.”
“…….”
I caught my breath. I tried to brush it off, but I could feel my own eyes wavering.
“Don’t worry. No matter how harshly you treat me, I’ll never hate you.”
“…….”
“I’m sorry for showing up out of the blue. But everything I said was the truth.”
Yu Ha-neul raised her hand slightly in a small wave, offering her final parting words.
“…I hope we see each other again.”
— “See you again, Seung-ho.”
The Mini-Me’s voice wavered.
“…….”
Without responding, I turned my back on her. Yu Ha-neul didn't try to stop me again.
I caught my breath and moved my feet mechanically.
Step.
As I headed back toward the others, I paused for a moment.
“…….”
Just a while ago, I had been so hungry I felt like my stomach was collapsing. Strangely, I had no appetite now.
“Sigh…”
A heavy sigh escaped me. If I went back like this, the others would worry and ask what happened. I should probably clear my head here for a bit before going back.
Shin A-young was sharp; she’d probably notice immediately. And I didn't think I could pull off acting like everything was fine right now.
I sent a quick text to the group chat.
*
In front of the event venue, at the parking lot where the food trucks were gathered.
“Here you go. Enjoy your meal.”
“Thank you.”
Ha Seo-rim took the disposable containers from the food truck. Feeling the warmth radiating from the steak bowls, she arrived at the standing table where the rest of the group was waiting.
“I’m back.”
Ha Seo-rim set the two containers down on the table.
“…….”
Tap. Tap. Tap…
Lee Sol was tapping the lid of a closed lunch box with a plastic spoon.
“Seung-ho is late….”
At Lee Sol’s muttering, Ha Seo-rim’s shoulders flinched involuntarily. She quickly offered an excuse.
“…The, uh… there were a lot of people at the restroom.”
She had told the other three that Lee Seung-ho was running late because he’d gone to the bathroom. She felt awkward telling them the truth. It was a white lie.
“Ah. There were a lot of people at the restroom. There was even a line.”
Ji Nuri nodded, a fork in her mouth.
“Even so… he’s taking a really long time.”
Lee Sol still didn't seem convinced. She tilted her head, crossing her arms.
“…Do you think he can’t find us? It’s so crowded and big here.”
“He would’ve called by now if that were the case,” Shin A-young countered. “…I’ll send him a text just in case, though.”
Despite her words, she seemed concerned as she tapped away at her screen.
“…….”
Lee Sol tapped her foot impatiently before setting her spoon down on the lunch box. Shin A-young looked at her, puzzled.
“Where are you going?”
“…To find Seung-ho. The food’s going to get cold at this rate.”
Ha Seo-rim’s shoulders jolted again. That was not good. If Lee Sol saw the two of them talking, her lie would be exposed instantly.
“Please, start eating. I’ll go get him.”
She had no choice. Ha Seo-rim quickly beat her to the punch.
“You?”
Lee Sol tilted her head. Her gaze seemed to ask if they were even close enough for her to do that.
“Uh….”
Ha Seo-rim’s eyes darted around.
“…I really need to use the restroom too.”
Her tone was surprisingly firm.
“I’ll check on him on my way.”
“Oh, um… okay, then.”
Lee Sol nodded, looking a bit taken aback. She must have thought Seo-rim was in a real hurry.
Ha Seo-rim hurried away. She thought she heard someone calling out from behind her, but she just walked faster.
“Phew…”
Once she was a safe distance away, Ha Seo-rim let out a sigh of relief. Because of those two, her lies were starting to pile up.
‘…I hope he’s okay.’
Ha Seo-rim thought of the two of them. She wondered if they were having a proper conversation.
‘Why is she…?’
She couldn't understand why Ha-neul was trying so hard to talk to Lee Seung-ho. Didn't she hate him? Was it some kind of love-hate relationship?
Ha Seo-rim walked toward the spot where she had last seen them.
“Ah.”
Found him.
Lee Seung-ho wasn't hard to spot. He stood out immediately, sitting all alone on a deserted bench.
“…What are you doing here?”
Ha Seo-rim walked over to him.
“…Oh.”
Lee Seung-ho looked up at her, a slightly flustered expression on his face.
“Why are you here? You should’ve started eating.”
Ha Seo-rim furrowed her brows at his blunt remark.
“I came to find you because you weren't coming back. Sol-unni was going to come, but I stopped her and came instead.”
“No, I… didn't you see the text I sent?”
“A text?”
Ha Seo-rim immediately pulled out her phone.
[Go ahead and eat first.]
[I think I’ll be a bit longer.]
A message sat at the top of her screen.
“Ah.”
Ha Seo-rim checked the time it was sent. It had been sent right around the time she left the table. Talk about bad timing.
“…Where’s Ha-neul-unni?”
After glancing around, Ha Seo-rim cautiously asked about her whereabouts.
“…….”
Lee Seung-ho silently averted his gaze. It didn't look like the conversation had gone particularly well. It felt wrong to see Lee Seung-ho looking uncharacteristically gloomy.
“Um….”
Ha Seo-rim watched his reaction before asking.
“…Can I ask what happened?”
She wasn't exactly an outsider to the situation, so she figured she could at least ask that much.
“Nothing much happened,” Lee Seung-ho said nonchalantly.
It was a firm answer, but his expression said otherwise. He was being incredibly stubborn.
Ha Seo-rim’s face fell into a pout.
“What was it?”
“…….”
“You have to tell me for me to know.”
If he didn't speak, she wouldn't know. Only then could she decide whether to comfort him or leave him alone.
Lee Seung-ho scratched the back of his head.
“…It feels like I’m just badmouthing her.”
“Badmouthing Ha-neul-unni?”
“Yeah.”
“…….”
Since they had ended on bad terms to begin with, it was unlikely there were any good feelings left between them.
“It’s fine. Just tell me.”
Ha Seo-rim sat down next to Lee Seung-ho. Sometimes, you just need to vent to feel better.
“Besides, it's not like Ha-neul-unni hasn't said her fair share of things about you….”
So, that made them even.
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