Side Story: Yoo Ji-kyeong - The Only Friend
"Oppa, you grill meat pretty well, huh?"
"Yeah? Good to know."
The man smiled faintly as he grilled the meat. Yoo Ji-kyeong propped her chin on her hand and watched him.
I never thought I'd end up getting close to this guy.
He wasn't the type who stood out. His looks were average, and he didn't do anything flashy. Their only connection was being in the same department and class.
Their conversation started at the smoking area.
Back then, as a fourth-year, Yoo Ji-kyeong had become the department outcast. During winter break, she'd interned at a company and ended up stealing a classmate's boyfriend—or so the rumor went.
Every whisper in the department spread like wildfire, and naturally, she started hanging out alone.
Yoo Ji-kyeong didn't care about the rumors swirling around campus. She brushed off the sideways glances and murmurs with ease. If anything, she carried herself even more boldly. She had no interest in calling people friends who ditched her without checking the facts over some stupid gossip, and with graduation just a year away, why bother worrying about her reputation now?
So she started smoking openly, no more hiding it for the sake of her image.
And that's where she met him—in the smoking area. The guy who always wandered alone. The one with the weird rumor that bad luck rubbed off if you got too close.
She didn't pay much mind to the gossip, but curiosity got the better of her, and she glanced his way.
Maybe he felt her stare. He spotted her, looked flustered, and greeted her first.
"Ah, hello."
"...Why the formal talk? You're my sunbae and older than me."
"Haha. It's just more comfortable this way..."
He gave an awkward, innocent smile. Either he hadn't heard the rumors, or he wasn't avoiding her like everyone else.
Yoo Ji-kyeong chuckled.
"Mind lending me a cig? I wanna smoke something stronger, but all I got are milds."
"Oh, sure. No problem. Here's a lighter too."
"Pfft. Thanks."
After that, they occasionally shared smokes in the smoking area. She was always the one approaching him first. Eventually, they even ate cafeteria food together—again, her spotting him and dragging him over.
He looked a bit troubled but never ran off. Does he still not know the rumors?
Contrary to her expectations, he knew all along.
"You knew? Since when?"
"Well... from the start?"
"...Then why didn't you avoid me? Hanging with me starts bad rumors."
"Uh, well. I don't like rumors anyway, so it's fine. And..."
He gave a wry smile.
"Being alone gets lonely. Tough."
"......"
That was when Yoo Ji-kyeong finally got it. I've been lonely and hurting too. She'd thought she was fine solo, but pretending not to notice the whispers hurt anyone.
Stress had built up without her realizing.
As she fell silent with a complicated expression, he panicked and added,
"A-and rumors are usually blown out of proportion anyway. Ah, mine are mostly true, though..."
"Oppa."
"Y-yeah?"
"Can I call you Oppa? And drop the formal speech."
"Uh? Sure, that's fine."
"You drop it too. Just call me by name."
"......"
No reply came, but from that day, Yoo Ji-kyeong texted him more, got closer. Getting his number was a battle. Surprisingly standoffish guy.
He never initiated contact, never hung out privately. Not because of her rumors—they still smoked and ate together at school.
He even helped with her resume for job apps. She figured he was just shy.
Their first drinks were on graduation day—today. After countless invites, he finally said yes.
Right after the ceremony, she dragged him everywhere: movies, bowling. Now they sat across a soju table.
He said, "Ji-kyeong, how'd the job hunt go? You mentioned applying last time."
"Oh, that. Sorry! You even helped with my resume... but I bombed the interview."
"...Really?"
"Yeah. Eh, next one's the charm. Only my second try."
"What about the profs? Your grades are solid; they could recommend you."
"Mm. They probably heard the rumors too. Some offered, but not my top picks, so I passed."
"...You'll get it next time."
"Pfft. Trying to cheer me up? Thanks, Oppa."
"Haha. Cheers."
Yoo Ji-kyeong clinked her glass with his. She downed the shot and shook out the last drops.
"Huu~ Feels good. Been forever since I drank with someone."
"Don't overdo it."
Despite his words, she knocked them back fast. Long time no booze—it went down like water.
"You seem drunk..."
"Nah, this is nothing. You're the one pounding them."
"Me? I solo-drink a lot."
"Ooh, you hold it better than you look."
Bottles piled up. He was a surprisingly strong drinker, grilling meat steadily even flushed.
Yoo Ji-kyeong, rusty from abstinence, overshot her limit. That must've loosened her tongue.
"Fuuuck. My fault? Bad sex?"
"J-Ji-kyeong, calm down."
"How can I? You heard too, right? How was I supposed to know that asshole was her boyfriend!"
The "asshole" was the company guy from her internship.
"No, isn't it his fault for cheating with another girl? Why's she bitching at me instead of him? Makes no sense."
The intern coworker was her classmate's boyfriend. Yoo Ji-kyeong hadn't known; he'd approached first. That was it.
But campus blew it up.
"I didn't even know he had a girlfriend! So who's wrong? Him, right? Right, Oppa?"
"Y-yeah. You're not at fault, Ji-kyeong."
"Exactly! So why come at me? Fuuuck. Assholes. Bitches. If not for them, I'd be employed by now. Gotta make money fast... fuuuck."
Spilling it made her seethe. Tears welled from the injustice.
"...Ji-kyeong, it'll be okay."
He patted her back gently.
That's where her memory cut off. Way past her limit, she faceplanted on the table. He freaked, eventually piggybacking her out.
Next morning, she woke in bed. Eyes snapping open to hangover hell and pounding head.
Realizing it was a motel—not home—she inwardly screamed.
Shit. Did I sleep with Oppa?
Last memory: table slam. He'd carried her here. Motel meant... yeah.
Her face burned.
...But why no memory?
She wasn't hung up on virginity; she liked sex. And with him... it'd be fine.
Just frustrating no recollection.
But soon she knew better. A note on the bedside table—his.
- Got you some milk. Drink up and ease that hangover. Chin up. It'll all work out.
Yoo Ji-kyeong laughed hollowly.
"This shy guy's unreal. How do you leave a girl sleeping without laying a hand on her..."
Her clothes were on. Untouched, for real.
Now she wondered if she lacked appeal.
She called him right away.
Riiing— Riiing—
"Sleeping?"
Made sense. He'd drunk plenty too.
Then it hit—last night's blackout flashes.
She clutched her head, screaming.
"Kyaaah! What do I do! Crazy! You idiot! Yoo Ji-kyeong, you fucking moron!"
Black history flooded back; she cursed herself to cope.
Bad sex?!
How was I supposed to know he was her boyfriend!
Her boyfriend cheats, that's the crime! Why bitch at me?
Even hammered past limit, how could she spew that to him?
What must he think? Worry gnawed.
She gnawed her nails, forcing happy delusions.
"No, he might not care. He knew worse rumors and stuck around... No! Hearing a girl say 'fuck' and 'sex' is different! Idiot!"
She yanked her hair again.
Thrashing awhile, realization dawned.
"...Fuck. I like him."
Started as needing company; now she liked him.
She loved his rumor immunity. Comfortable togetherness, patient listening, matching her unfiltered self. Clueless yet caring, timid yet opinionated.
She'd started spotting charms in his unremarkable traits.
She hurled a pillow, yelling.
"Argh, seriously! Why leave! Pounce already!"
Self-aware now, more aggrieved. Leaving a drunk, defenseless girl untouched? Real man?
She sighed, grabbing the chocolate milk. Straw ready too.
Sipping, she grumbled.
"Next time'll do..."
Time till job hunt anyway. She'd seize the chance.
...But no chance came.
Contact cut post-that night. Calls ignored, texts unread. Even house visit: silence.
"This guy's something! Let's see who wins!"
Now spite-fueled persistence.
Weeks later, freshly employed at dream company, she showed up weekends with chicken and beer. She'd texted the news days prior.
"Hey! Open up! Face me, don't ghost!"
Bang bang bang!
No answer. Neighbor emerged instead.
Guilty, she flinched, eyeing them.
Hic... stupid pretty.
Unreal beauty, dark circles and all.
Damn, Jeong Ha-yeon's level.
Forgot to apologize, just stared.
The woman called, "Excuse me."
"Ah, sorry! Too loud, right."
"That's fine. The guy who lived there moved out."
"Pardon?"
"Saw him pack a few days ago. Thought you should know."
"...Thanks."
Dazed, she greeted and left. Taxi home, dumped food, flopped on bed.
Staring blankly, KakaoTalk pinged—his custom tone.
"...Oppa?"
She bolted up, checked.
Her face twisted viciously.
"...The hell!"
She raised her phone to smash, then set it down carefully. Rage boiled, no outlet.
"If you don't like me, say it to my face!"
Why this text? She bit her lip, grabbed a beer. Needed a drink.
*
Unlike hearts, time marches on. Buds sprout, flowers bloom and wither, seasons cycle.
Soon, Yoo Ji-kyeong turned 29. From newbie to capable editor. Job hops boosted pay; debts cleared. Now at a hot publishing management firm.
"Ji-kyeong, how's that going?"
"Ah, Mi-hwa unnie."
"Seriously. Call me boss. Or team lead."
"Hehe. Sorry. All done. Consulted the author, sorted files to your email. Oh, on illustrations—the author wants someone specific..."
"Ah, sorry. I'll silence it."
"No, take the call. Might be the author."
"Got it."
Yoo Ji-kyeong pulled her smartphone. Screen check—eyes widened.
"Unnie..."
"Call me team lead... Ji-kyeong, you okay?"
"Sorry, quick call outside."
Ignoring reply, she answered, stepping to the hall.
Unfamiliar voice from the phone.
"...Are you a friend of Oppa's?"
Nothing like expected—a woman's voice.
Flustered, "Yeah, but... who is this?"
"...I'm his little sister."
"Little sister...? Uh, girlfriend?"
"Ah, no! Blood sister."
"Ahh, blood sister. But why's she...?"
She never knew he had one. Why call her?
"Oppa passed away recently..."
Nearly dropped the phone. Expression vanished.
Coldly, "Hello. Fun playing with people?"
"Pardon?"
"Why the prank call! You little shit, where's your—"
"N-no! I'm calling because you're his only friend."
"What?"
"Only one in his contacts under friends: Yoo Ji-kyeong."
"......"
"Had to inform his friend. You weren't checking texts..."
"...Sorry for what I said."
"No, thanks for yelling. Means he had at least one friend... If you have time, please come."
"Got it." Hung up.
Checked texts—earlier one.
Son of Seo Jae-pil and Seo Ae-ra, the late Seo Joo-hwan has passed away. We hereby inform you.
(Mourners): Seo Jae-pil, Seo Ae-ra, Seo Joo-hee.
(Funeral Details): ......
She bowed her head silently. No way such an elaborate prank.
Wished it was malicious instead.
"Asshole. Won't even contact till the end."
Thought she'd forgotten years ago. Nope.
Chest tightened.
"Said you deleted the number..."
Tears blurred her vision.