If You're Drunk, Go Crash and Sleep (2)
For safety reasons, every room except the sleeping quarters had its door wide open. The sharp shout echoing through the hallway between those open doors was more than enough to carry.
"If you're drunk, go crash somewhere and sleep!"
"Ha-yeon?"
Seo Joo-hwan immediately recognized the voice. Instinct told him something was wrong, so he bolted down the hallway without a second thought. In an instant, he was at the door to Group 7's room.
"You crazy bitch! What the hell did I do to deserve this shit?!"
"You asking 'cause you don't know? If you're drunk, shut up and sleep—why the fuck are you causing a scene? You pervert bastard!"
Peeking inside, he saw Jeong Ha-yeon and Baek Jeong-gi facing off, hurling curses at each other. Jeong Ha-yeon glared at him ferociously, while he trembled in panic, jabbing a finger at her. Baek Jeong-gi's face was flushed red—whether from rage or booze, it was hard to tell.
"You, you! Hah, fuck. Talking shit to your senior!?"
"Bullshit. You started the cursing first. And being a senior means you can grope a junior however you want?"
Jeong Ha-yeon was properly pissed now, dropping all pretense and firing back in her sharp, natural tone. The cold fury in her eyes made it clear she wasn't messing around.
Meanwhile, hearing her words, Seo Joo-hwan spat out his own curse.
"Groped her? That crazy fucker!"
He'd given the guy booze specifically so he'd go pass out somewhere, but the drunk idiot had lost all sense and tried his luck anyway. Seo Joo-hwan kicked off his shoes like they were trash and stormed into the room.
He bellowed roughly, "Baek Jeong-gi!"
That was when it happened.
"You crazy bitch!"
Just as Seo Joo-hwan stepped in, Baek Jeong-gi—his face beet red like it might explode—swung at Jeong Ha-yeon. Seo Joo-hwan reached out in shock, but he was too far to block it. The hand flew straight toward her face.
Thwack, thud!
Crash! Clatter!
A loud commotion followed as someone tumbled backward, landing flat on their ass. But it wasn't Jeong Ha-yeon—it was Baek Jeong-gi.
Seo Joo-hwan froze mid-leap, blinking in surprise. He rubbed his eyes, doubting what he'd just seen. A hollow chuckle escaped his lips.
Damn, that was badass.
It was the first time he'd ever thought a woman looked cool like that—Jeong So-ra aside, anyway. Baek Jeong-gi's hand had been coming right for her, but she'd smacked it away with a sharp thwack and shoved him hard with both hands. Hit square in the chest, he'd gone flying to the floor amid the crashing bottles and glasses.
"You fucking bitch!"
Baek Jeong-gi roared, scrambling to get up. But he was so wasted he staggered and ass-planted again.
"Hah. What a pathetic loser."
The guy was embarrassing himself without Seo Joo-hwan even needing to lift a finger.
"Pfft."
Someone stifled a laugh at the ridiculous sight. Baek Jeong-gi's flushed face twisted in fury.
"Who's laughing! Fuck, you think it's funny your senior fell? You first-years!"
He lurched to his feet, scanning the room and glaring daggers at Jeong Ha-yeon. He stomped toward her, cocking his fist again.
But Seo Joo-hwan, already inside, wasn't about to let that slide. He stepped in front of her and snatched Baek Jeong-gi's wrist with a sharp thwack.
Glaring at the panicked Baek Jeong-gi, he growled, "Swinging fists now, you piece of shit? Cut it out and go crash if you're drunk. We'll talk tomorrow."
Seo Joo-hwan was trying to keep it civil, reining in his temper. But Baek Jeong-gi had no intention of backing down. Blinded by booze and rage, his eyes rolled back as he yelled.
"You fuck, you're class of '13, right? Think you're hot shit 'cause your number's higher? I'm twenty-three, asshole. You think I'm a joke?"
"Yeah. Pretty fucking hilarious."
Seo Joo-hwan sneered dismissively. Truth be told, the guy looked comical—sprawled out, covered in spilled booze, cola, and Fanta. And pulling the age card after bragging about seniority first? How childish.
Seeing the smirk, Baek Jeong-gi turned his death glare on Seo Joo-hwan.
"Hah. I gave you some slack 'cause you're a senior, and this is how you repay it? Oh, I get it. Trying to show off in front of your girlfriend? You slutty fuckers."
"What?"
Seo Joo-hwan blurted out in baffled disbelief. Where the hell did "girlfriend" and "slut" come from?
Misreading his expression, Baek Jeong-gi grinned like he'd struck gold.
"You fuck. I saw you coming out of this bitch's place the other day. Hooked up after just a week of school? You sluts!"
"What the fuck are you—"
Seo Joo-hwan's words cut off. The other day meant Friday, when he'd walked Jeong Ha-yeon home. Somehow, Baek Jeong-gi had seen it. They'd only gone as far as the front, not inside, but from a distance, it could look suspicious.
That's not the point.
Dragging this out with excuses would only make things awkward for Jeong Ha-yeon, not him. Seo Joo-hwan tightened his grip on Baek Jeong-gi's wrist without another word.
Crack!
"Aaaagh!"
The sickening grind of bone and a scream erupted as he squeezed. Baek Jeong-gi yanked back reflexively, swinging his fist. Seo Joo-hwan stayed calm, murmuring inwardly.
Focus.
Seo Joo-hwan's eyes widened. He stared clearly at the fist hurtling toward his face. In his focused state, it moved sluggishly compared to normal.
But instead of dodging, he met it with his forehead.
Thud!
A dull impact rang out, followed by a stifled groan.
"Urk!"
Not from Seo Joo-hwan—from Baek Jeong-gi. Glaring at him, Seo Joo-hwan growled low.
"...Hey, you swung first?"
"You, you fucking bastard. Let go!"
"Fine. Here."
Seo Joo-hwan twisted the gripped wrist, flinging Baek Jeong-gi like a ragdoll.
Crash!
"Kyaaak!"
Clink—shatter!
Screams erupted from the students in the room. Baek Jeong-gi rolled grotesquely, shattering glasses and spilling drinks everywhere.
Tsking his tongue, Seo Joo-hwan turned to Jang Deok-hoon.
"Deok-hoon, keep the kids back. Glass is dangerous."
"Yes, bro!"
In the tense atmosphere, the giant Jang Deok-hoon bowing his head felt surreal—like Seo Joo-hwan was some mob boss. He glanced around at the frozen crowd and sighed. They were supposed to be making memories on a fun night, but now it was a total mess.
He turned to Jeong Ha-yeon behind him.
"Ha-yeon, you okay? Hurt anywhere?"
"Nah. That guy's all bark—no bite. Total wimp."
"...Whew. Lucky break, huh."
He'd rushed over in a panic, but from her tone, she hadn't even needed help. She'd probably have handled Baek Jeong-gi solo even if he'd taken his time. Her casual scoff was straight out of a badass heroine flick.
Then he noticed it—a pale hand entering his view. Jeong Ha-yeon's fingertips trembled faintly.
She's just pretending to be fine.
Seo Joo-hwan's face hardened menacingly. He regretted his earlier thought. Tough as she was, who wouldn't be scared of a big guy charging at them?
Realizing that ignited fresh rage toward Baek Jeong-gi.
"Grk..."
A muffled groan came from the heap on the floor. He sounded half-dead just from rolling around. Not that it mattered—Seo Joo-hwan had no mercy left.
Hauling Baek Jeong-gi up, he said, "Quit whining. You started this."
Then he swung. His oversized fist slammed into the guy's gut.
Thud!
"Guhk!"
A choked gasp burst out with the impact.
"Urgh..."
Thud.
Baek Jeong-gi coughed and collapsed, hacking. Seo Joo-hwan looked down pitifully.
No durability at all.
His unlucky life had taught him to avoid fights, but he'd scrapped a few times in school against bullies picking on him for being jinxed. He usually got one-sided beatings from groups, but he'd learned one trick: hit where it hurts without obvious marks.
Seo Joo-hwan raised his fist again. Once you started, you finished it clean—guys like this would try again if you let them think you were soft. Any settlement later? He could pay it.
Then a hand gripped his shoulder.
"Joo-hwan, enough."
Lee Seok-chan. Seo Joo-hwan eyed the hand blankly.
"...You done shitting?"
"Yup. Nice smooth one. But looks like there's more shit here. You drop it?"
"Dirty bastard..."
"Puhaha. Anyway, stop. He's already smashed—what's the point? You'll look like the bad guy."
Seo Joo-hwan glanced around. The room and hallway were packed with people drawn by the noise—some watching with interest, others in fear. Especially the girls, unused to violence; they eyed him warily. He wasn't the villain, but witnessing brutality up close was rare and terrifying.
"...Yeah. Let's call it."
He nodded, head throbbing from the hassle. Rubbing his eyes with a sigh, he switched gears.
"Guys, sorry, but let's clean up first? Deok-hoon, you and me on the glass."
"Yes, bro!"
The 187cm giant's booming reply made latecomers flinch, oblivious to the context. Seo Joo-hwan panicked.
"Hey, just call me bro! You making me sound like a gangster?"
"Puhaha! Jang Deok-hoon is killing me!"
Lee Seok-chan doubled over laughing.
"...?"
Jang Deok-hoon, clueless why he was the butt of the joke, just stood there. Seo Joo-hwan shook his head.
At least the mood lightened—chuckles rippled around.
Someone piped up: "What about that guy? Just lying there?"
"That" was Baek Jeong-gi. Lee Seok-chan volunteered to drag him off. Hoisting him over his shoulder, he freaked.
"Ugh! This fucker puked!"
He shot Seo Joo-hwan a desperate look.
"Joo-hwan, you deal! You made him!"
Eyes on the puke soaking Lee Seok-chan's shoulder, Seo Joo-hwan backed away.
"Hell no! You said you'd handle it!"
"Then Kyung-jun!"
"I-I'll do glass!"
"Ha-yeon!"
"You're crossing the line, asshole?! Scram!"
"Deok-hoon, my bro!"
"Urk! Sorry, bro. My foot hurts..."
Jang Deok-hoon clutched his bandaged ankle. Quick on the uptake when it suited him.
"Cough! Urk!"
Baek Jeong-gi's throat gurgled against Lee Seok-chan's shoulder. Excess puke dribbled down.
"Ah, fuck...!"
Lee Seok-chan wailed, regretting not beating the guy senseless.
*
After the chaos settled, Lee Seok-chan said, "Let's get our story straight first. Who's the victim, who's the perp."
Obviously, Jeong Ha-yeon was the victim, Baek Jeong-gi the perp. The racket had woken everyone but the deepest sleepers. Still, not everyone saw the whole thing from the start, so they needed to clarify the sequence.
"Anyone who only saw the middle, sit tight. Ha-yeon, as the main party, and anyone with her from the beginning—mind filling us in?"