Exam Afterparty (2)
As Seo Joo-hwan was cleaning up the broken glasses, a part-timer rushed over and stopped him. They said it was bad if a customer got hurt while trying to clean.
"I'll take care of it. How many glasses broke?"
"Two. Sorry for the hassle."
"No worries. More importantly..."
The part-timer glanced around the table, clearly having something to say.
"Sir, sorry, but could you keep it down a bit? There are other customers at nearby tables, and they've complained about the noise."
"Ah, sure. I'll quiet them down."
"Thank you."
"No, no—we're the ones who were too loud. Sorry about that."
Seo Joo-hwan scratched the corner of his eye awkwardly. He'd thought they'd rented out the entire basement floor, but on closer look, there were a few other patrons. Even for a pocha, they'd been way too rowdy.
He scanned the department students at the table and spoke up.
"Hey, guys, lower your voices a bit. There are other customers here. It's kinda rude."
"Yeees~!"
"Got it, hyung!"
Thankfully, they responded well. Still worried, Seo Joo-hwan added one more thing.
"Don't force drinks on anyone who's already wasted. The sober ones, look after the others. Deok-hoon, no more for you."
"Hyung-nim, I'm fine."
"You get hit hard out of nowhere—pace yourself, man."
"Yes, sir..."
Jang Deok-hoon replied glumly, but there was no helping it. He seemed fine until suddenly he wasn't, so he needed watching. If it were at Seo Joo-hwan's place, maybe, but in front of all these department kids, one drink over the limit and he'd go from otaku to total creep in seconds.
Seo Joo-hwan pointed at one more person who looked risky—the one who'd kicked off the drinking game big-time, Park Do-hee.
"Do-hee, you stop too."
"Oppa, I'm not drunk~? Look, I'm fiiine!"
Park Do-hee stood up and struck a one-legged spin pose. She wobbled, lost her balance, and started to topple—Seo Joo-hwan grabbed her just in time.
She rubbed her face against him in his arms and looked up.
"Hehe. Thanks, oppa. See? Not drunk at all~?"
"Got it—now stand up."
"Tch."
Park Do-hee puffed her cheeks and flailed her arms to get up. Why's she groping around like that? Seo Joo-hwan frowned, sat her back down, and said,
"Guys, take her glass away—one on each side."
"Yessir, department head!"
"Whyy! Joo-hwan oppa's such a babysitter. Overprotective much?!"
"Joo-hwan, I'll handle her. Do-hee, stay put."
"Yeees~ unnie."
Jeong Ha-yeon sat Park Do-hee down and took over. Seo Joo-hwan shook his head at the sight and headed up the stairs.
In his book, one of the most annoying types when drinking was someone like Park Do-hee—wasted but insisting they weren't, whining loudly.
It's not overprotective; it's 'cause dealing with the aftermath sucks.
She was the one who'd smashed the glasses too. Her face was flushed, head bobbing—any more and she'd be in trouble.
What's the point of a pretty face if you act like a nightmare?
Park Do-hee was cute enough, but starting the drinking game and bugging him all night killed any interest. Plus, his standards had shot up lately anyway.
"Finally out?"
Stepping outside, Lee Seok-chan raised a hand from where he was smoking. A bit away, Yoo So-jeong was pinching her nose against the smoke smell, and right beside him was another girl smoking. Face familiar, name... not so much.
Seo Joo-hwan greeted Yoo So-jeong first.
"So-jeong, why'd you come out if you don't smoke?"
"Needed some air. And it was too loud."
"Just toned them down and came up."
"Our department head—solid."
Yoo So-jeong gave him dual thumbs-up. Seo Joo-hwan chuckled and lit his own cig. She recoiled in disgust.
"Eww, cig smell."
"Hate it that much? Wind's blowing your way—go the other side."
"It's not that I hate the smell."
"Then why?"
"Kinda quitting... hehe."
Seo Joo-hwan let out a dry laugh. Twenty and quitting? How young did she start? Come to think of it, most smokers picked it up before adulthood.
Then the girl next to Lee Seok-chan spoke up.
"Joo-hwan oppa, pay some attention to me too. Ignoring me?"
"Huh? Nah, not ignoring. Uh, we're going to the pension together, right? Let's have fun."
"Why so awkward?"
"Puhaha! Joo-hwan, you don't even know her name, do ya?"
"No way—really?"
The girl squinted up at him. Shorter than Jeong Ha-yeon but tall for a girl. Up close, a mole under her lip gave her a sultry vibe.
Seo Joo-hwan smiled awkwardly and apologized.
"Sorry. I don't know the B-class kids well."
"Wow, for real? You hurt my feelings. Seok-chan oppa, I'm not going to the pension!"
"Hey, sorry! What's your name again?"
"Kim Mi-jeong."
"Ah, Mi-jeong! Now I remember."
"Actually, it's Su-jeong?"
"...Which is real?"
"Im Su-jeong. Mi-jeong's one of the friends coming along. Pfft."
"Hahahaha!"
Lee Seok-chan burst out laughing. Asshole—why not warn me? Seo Joo-hwan glared; Lee Seok-chan flipped him off.
Gonna snap that finger.
"Ah, Su-jeong—you danced with Seok-chan at MT, right?"
"Remember now?"
"Sexy dance was on point."
"Pft. Wanna try a song, oppa?"
Seo Joo-hwan smiled inwardly, impressed. Check that provocation. Everyone had an aura, and Im Su-jeong pulled eyes despite average looks—something seductive about her.
Magic? Curious, he checked the window—odd talent. Potential A-rank, but current F+. Probably had it but no interest.
Magic'd be great for picking up girls later.
He hoped to snag magic from Im Su-jeong. Nothing else exciting.
No fetish either. Not like every one needs collecting anyway.
Rarer fetishes were harder to get. Sometimes none was better than something too extreme or high-rank.
Then Yoo So-jeong poked his arm.
"Oppa, listening?"
"Huh? Sorry, what'd you say?"
"This guy's always spacing out. I said I know who spread Ha-yeon unnie's rumors from behind."
"What? Who?"
Seo Joo-hwan's eyes widened. Yoo So-jeong smirked.
"Park Do-hee."
"Park Do-hee? You mean..."
His gaze drifted inside. Yoo So-jeong nodded.
"Yup, her."
"For real? Earlier she was all buddy-buddy with Ha-yeon."
Not just tonight—Park Do-hee always chatted her up first, shared snacks, acted close.
Yoo So-jeong looked baffled too.
"Right? But she definitely spread them."
"So-jeong, spot on. Fake-nice up front, trash-talks behind. What's weird? Happens all the time."
Im Su-jeong chimed in. Yoo So-jeong shook her head.
"Think I can't tell? She legit follows Ha-yeon unnie around gushing. If it's acting, wrong major."
"Maybe you misunderstood? Or it wasn't her?"
"No, Seok-chan oppa—it's her. And get this: lately she's been badmouthing Joo-hwan oppa too."
"Me? Why?"
Seo Joo-hwan pointed at himself, confused. Why trash him after Ha-yeon?
Yoo So-jeong shook her head.
"Dunno. Anyway, she's weird. Started with unnie, then oppa's the problem—story keeps flipping, so even her gossip buddies distanced. That's how I found out."
Made no sense, per Yoo So-jeong. Motives unclear, target switch baffling.
Lee Seok-chan shrugged.
"Anyway, no need to care? She shot herself in the foot."
"Yeah. Social enough to skate by now, but another baseless rumor and she's isolated."
"Hm. Let's head back, ignore it."
Not fully resolved, but key was no more worry. The group headed downstairs.
*
Descending, Seo Joo-hwan caught a weird scene. Jeong Ha-yeon gripped some guy's hand; he screamed in agony, writhing.
"Aaaagh! Hand—wrist! F-fuck, you bitch—my wrist!"
Jeong Ha-yeon scoffed.
"Didn't you wanna hold my hand? Here, holding it. Feel good?"
"Aaaagh!"
The guy just screamed; Jang Deok-hoon, standing like a pole nearby, answered.
"Noona, that's not holding—it's twisting."
"Deok-hoon?"
"Yes."
"Don't butt in cluelessly—shut it."
"Yes, noona."
Seo Joo-hwan chuckled dryly and approached. No need to intervene—whatever happened. The guy's friends stood abruptly from the table but hesitated against Jang Deok-hoon's bulk.
The sporty-haired guy muttered curses, clutching his head—headache city.
"Crazy asshole. Told him to drink moderately."
"What happened?"
"Huh? Who're you?"
"With your group. Debating report or talk it out."
The guy's face twisted then smoothed. He gestured wildly, explaining.
"Sorry. He's my sunbae—drunk mistake. Tried getting her number, liked her."
"Mistake?"
"Touched her shoulder, sorta arm-around... not groping."
"Aha. Sexual harassment?"
His face paled.
"Well, could see it that way, but just a quick touch... Sigh. Why am I defending him? Yeah, that fucker's a harassment creep."
The sporty guy grabbed his head, done talking. Approached fearing a fight, but now pitiful. Not close friends, apparently.
Meanwhile, Jeong Ha-yeon dusted off the guy's twisted hand. Thud-crash! He collapsed messily.
Reminded him of someone from MT. The fallen guy pointed.
"You—you fucking bitch! Sue for assault—"
Sporty guy dashed, clamping his sunbae's mouth.
"Jun-ki sunbae! Apologize and go!"
"Why me?! He hit me!"
"Wanna get sued for harassment? Witnesses everywhere. Or fight?"
"Yeah, fight!"
"You insane fuck—head screwed on? Shut up and apologize, sunbae."
"Wha— to your sunbae?!"
Sporty guy ignored him, stood, and bowed.
"Sorry! Sorry! Not my fault, don't wanna be tangled, but as hoobae—sorry!"
"Huh? N-no. Why're you sorry?"
"Aigoo, pretty face and big heart. Sorry to you students too! Forgive once, I'll make sure he never—nah, cutting ties. Don't wanna deal, so spare us?"
"Uh... wasn't gonna sue."
"Haha. Just being there could bite me... So, forgiven?"
Jeong Ha-yeon nodded, stunned. He bolted before she changed mind. Seo Joo-hwan spotted Lee Seok-chan following up the stairs.
He glanced stairs-ward, then around. Everyone looked dazed from the commotion.
Seo Joo-hwan saw silver lining.
"Guys, mood's killed—let's wrap and head out."
*
Outside the pocha, Seo Joo-hwan asked Lee Seok-chan quietly.
"What'd you do following him?"
"What, follow?"
Lee Seok-chan shrugged, grinned.
"Just got name and department. Same uni—Film 3rd year Kim Bong-seok. Sporty hair's 2nd year Bae Joon-ho."
They'd drunk two hours inside; over half the group had gone home. Ten-ish left, mostly girls excluding Seo Joo-hwan's crew.
Girls swarmed Jeong Ha-yeon, chattering.
"Unnie, that was so cool!"
"How'd you do that? Grabbed and twist—boom!"
"Ha-yeon unnie, you train? MT too, total girl crush!"
Her quiet, sweet image flipping thrilled them. They brought up MT, flocking, chirping.
"Unnie, 2nd round with us!"
"Noraebang!"
"Drinking spot!"
"Uh, guys, I'm..."
"Unnie, hurry! No one else?"
Jeong Ha-yeon got dragged by five-six girls. She glanced back desperately, but Seo Joo-hwan, Lee Seok-chan, and Jang Deok-hoon ignored.
Yoo Ji-kyeong hesitated, but distant Jeong Ha-yeon wailed.
"Ji-kyeong! Jii-kyeong!"
Yoo Ji-kyeong sighed, switched sides, scolding them.
"Ugh. Oppa-deul really not going? Leave me alone? For real? Deok-hoon too? Wow, meanies!"
"Go babysit, raccoon."
"What?! Gonna bite you!"
She bared fangs like she meant it. But Jeong Ha-yeon's cry hit; she sighed and ran.
"Hey you guys! Bitches! Unnie said no!"
Yoo Ji-kyeong gone, Jang Deok-hoon said,
"Hyung-nims, feeling dizzy—heading out."
"Aight. No escort needed?"
"Of course-da."
Jang Deok-hoon wobbled off. His walk worried, but no one'd mess with that build.
"Then Joo-hwan oppa, see ya. I'll go with Seok-chan oppa."
"Safe trip. I'm out."
"Yeah, go."
Lee Seok-chan walked with Im Su-jeong. Obvious what they'd do—already groping her ass, getting swatted.
So, who's left...
Seo Joo-hwan glanced back. A girl leaned against the wall, staring. Eyes met; she staggered over.
"Hehe. Oppa, can't walk. Take me home?"