I Decided to Stop Being Her Fake Boyfriend (4)
Choi Seoa had been my friend since middle school third year.
After I started seeing Yuna, I started hanging out less with other girls, but with Seoa, we still got along well.
We were close enough to tease each other without hesitation when we met and occasionally exchange messages.
'But getting a message at this hour is a bit unexpected.'
Choi Seoa: Hey.
Choi Seoa: Why did you delete your profile picture?
"……."
I wonder how long it's been since he changed it, and she already saw it.
Me: Just.
By the time I sent the reply, the number 1 disappeared as if she was waiting.
Choi Seoa: What do you mean 'just'?
Choi Seoa: The background is gone too.
While I was trying to figure out what to reply, another message popped up.
Choi Seoa: Hey, no way?
Choi Seoa: Did you fight with Han Yuna?
I kept typing a few words then deleting them.
'What to say is ambiguous.'
'Should I say we fought?'
It wasn't wrong, but it didn't quite feel right to just say we fought.
After thinking for a long time, I sent a short reply.
Me: It's similar.
Choi Seoa: What do you mean by that?
Me: Just, something happened.
After saying that, the conversation paused for a bit.
No messages appeared on the chat window.
After a short while, Seoa sent a short question.
Choi Seoa: Did you break up?
"……."
Break up.
It might be the most appropriate expression from others' perspective.
But since we never actually dated, the word 'break up' doesn't apply.
Still, I didn't want to explain that to her.
Me: I don't know.
Choi Seoa: What do you not know lolol
Choi Seoa: It's your business.
Me: I'm tired too.
This time, no reply came immediately.
If it was usual, she would have teased a bit more or asked what was wrong.
After a while of silence, a message finally appeared.
Choi Seoa: Are you okay?
"……."
It was a short sentence without any teasing.
Probably she noticed something was up because I didn't brush it off like usual.
As I recalled what happened today, my fingers paused for a moment, but I didn't want to worry Seoa about it.
I sent a short reply as if nothing was wrong.
Me: I'm fine.
By the time I sent it, the number 1 disappeared.
Immediately after, the next reply came.
Choi Seoa: Bullshit.
"What?"
A chuckle escaped me.
Me: I really am fine.
Choi Seoa: If you suddenly delete your profile pic and say you're fine, who would believe it?
Me: Then don't believe it.
Choi Seoa: Okay, I won't believe it.
"……Sigh."
Even as I said that, I let out a fake laugh.
After a short while, Seoa sent another message.
Choi Seoa: Are you coming to school tomorrow?
Me: Of course.
Choi Seoa: Just in case you don't.
Me: Why wouldn't I go?
Choi Seoa: I don't know. Guys who get stood up don't come to school.
I wonder if she's worrying or picking a fight.
Me: Who said I got stood up?
Choi Seoa: Or not lol
"Crazy guy."
I muttered under my breath, but my mood was definitely better than before.
Choi Seoa: Anyway, see you tomorrow.
Me: Yeah.
Choi Seoa: And don't stay up too late.
Me: Mom?
Choi Seoa: Nuna.
Me: Get lost.
Choi Seoa: Lolol Sleep well.
With that, the conversation ended.
Even usually, exchanging such trivial messages with Seoa was common, but today it felt oddly a bit more comforting than usual.
She didn't ask what happened, and she didn't brush it off as if nothing was wrong.
It was just like Seoa.
I stared at the chat window with the last message for a while, then placed my phone on the bedside.
It was just a few meaningless words exchanged.
The thoughts that had been filling my mind since I deleted the couple photo a little while ago had calmed down a bit.
"……."
Suddenly, the jelly on the desk caught my eye.
It was the one my nuna had forced on me earlier.
I didn't particularly feel like eating it, but I reached out and tore open the bag anyway.
I put one in my mouth and chewed it while leaning back on the bed again.
Today was an unusually long day.
Until morning, I was stuck to Yuna as usual.
At lunch, we talked about the movie to watch on the weekend.
In just a few hours, everything had changed.
Still, it wasn't as suffocating as before.
Exchanging meaningless words with Seoa and chewing the jelly from nuna made me feel a bit like myself again.
Even if it was just for a moment.
I ate another jelly and leaned my head on the pillow.
'Tomorrow...'
Just as I was about to continue thinking.
─Uung.
The vibration rang again.
"What now?"
I thought Seoa might have forgotten to send something and checked the screen.
My hand froze.
[Han Yuna]
"……."
It was the name I hadn't heard from all day today.
After a short while, another message appeared.
Han Yuna: Jun-ah.
Han Yuna: Sleeping?
"……."
As soon as I checked the content, the feeling of being a bit better earlier sank again.
I didn't reply even after reading the message.
I didn't want to talk to Yuna right now.
After saying so much on the rooftop yesterday.
What else would I say?
I pushed the notification away.
─Uung.
Soon after, the phone rang again.
Han Yuna: You deleted your profile too.
"……."
She saw it, huh.
Since Seoa noticed, Yuna couldn't have missed it.
But I didn't reply this time either.
─Uung.
Han Yuna: Is it because of what happened today?
─Uung.
Han Yuna: Jun-ah.
The continuous vibrations scratched at my nerves.
I eventually flipped the phone over and placed it on the bed.
'She'll say let's talk tomorrow.'
Obvious.
Because our emotions were high today.
After sleeping, we'll be fine when we meet again.
She probably still thinks that.
But I didn't want to do that.
Meet again, repeat the same words.
If Yuna holds on, explain again.
Eventually, I get tired first and give in.
Now, I don't want that either.
─Tiring.
This time, it wasn't a short vibration.
The flipped phone shook long on the bed.
'Why is she calling?'
I left it for a moment.
The vibration continued for a while until it stopped.
"……."
And immediately another short vibration.
Without checking the screen, I knew who it was.
Still, I picked up the phone to check only the notification.
Han Yuna: Answer the phone.
Han Yuna: Just for a moment.
"……."
I didn't want to answer.
I checked the message and put the phone down again.
─Tiring.
Then, as if waiting, the call came again.
I ignored it for a long time, but as soon as the notification stopped, the call came again.
─Tiring.
"Ah, really..."
Finally, I couldn't hold back and picked up the phone.
As soon as I pressed the call button, Yuna's voice came immediately.
"Jun-ah."
"If you keep calling, I'll block you."
"……."
There was silence for a moment.
"If you have something to say, say it quickly."
"Why aren't you picking up my calls?"
"Are you calling to talk about that?"
"No, it's not like that..."
Yuna trailed off for a moment.
"You're not picking me up tomorrow morning, right?"
"I said I'm not going."
"...Yeah."
I don't understand why she was confirming what I clearly said on the rooftop.
"Then I'll hang up."
"Wait a second."
I stopped my hand from ending the call.
Yuna continued quickly.
"I'll come tomorrow."
"What?"
"In front of your house."
My brows furrowed.
"Don't come."
"I'm coming."
"Han Yuna."
"Let's talk tomorrow morning."
"I have nothing to say."
"I do."
"……."
Again, that.
Even if I don't want to.
Even if I say it's over.
Yuna will do what she wants.
"And."
Yuna paused for a moment.
"Let's go to school together."
My words stuck.
"...What?"
"I'll go tomorrow morning, so wait."
"Hey, wait—"
─Tuk.
The call ended.
"……."
I stared at the call end screen for a while.
I couldn't even laugh at how absurd it was.
"What is she trying to do, really."
I threw the phone onto the bed and lay back.
'...Tomorrow morning.'
Just thinking about that made my mood feel suffocated.
She rejected my confession.
She said she had no intention of dating seriously.
But now she's saying let's go to school together without any hesitation tomorrow morning.
'Why?'
What more could she say now?
She wasn't going to give the answer I wanted anyway.
Eventually, it would be the same as before, wanting to go back to how we were.
Thinking about that made the feeling that had been resolved earlier with Seoa's conversation seem messy again.
'Maybe I shouldn't meet her.'
I could just leave earlier than usual.
She even said not to come.
I had no reason to wait for Yuna.
Thinking that way, my heart felt a bit lighter.
'Yeah. Let's go early.'
I made the decision and set my phone alarm 30 minutes earlier than usual.
And the next morning.
I finished getting ready earlier than usual and opened the front door.
"……."
As soon as I saw the person standing in front of the door,
My face stiffened without me realizing.
"Jun-ah."
Han Yuna was standing there.