Chapter 141
So fresh and innocent. No matter how fast Yoo Seol-ah ran ahead, her destination was set, so we didn't bother picking up the pace. Sure enough, she glanced back over her shoulder and gradually slowed down. Park Harin, who was up ahead, turned her head slightly and said,
"Yoo Seol-ah's always been super guarded since she was little. Bet she has way more oversized clothes than anything that fits, right?"
"Yeah, for real."
She dresses so well that she clearly knows exactly how to hide her figure. Compared to the baggy T-shirts and dolphin pants she always lounges around in at home, her chest doesn't stand out as much right now. I'm not sure if I'm the possessive type, but knowing her guard drops only around me makes me feel inexplicably good.
"Oh yeah, you're moving soon, right?"
"Yeah. We're starting to pack up and settle into the new place."
She'll probably keep a portal open to move stuff, so with no real prep needed, it should be done in a day. Park Harin, not having heard the details, asked me,
"Where to? An apartment?"
"The Shine—it's nearby."
"Isn't that the newest one around here?"
It's pretty famous locally, so she recognized the name right away. I naturally shifted my gaze toward Lee Seo-yeon.
"...I manage one of the lines there. And I've been tending the rooftop garden, so it worked out perfectly."
It felt like she threw in the garden bit to distract, but Park Harin wasn't one to let it slide.
"...So today's cafeteria food is like a real commoner experience for you, huh?"
"No, I legit love convenience store kimbap and cup ramen... And I go to Konos too, and all sorts of places, okay?"
Lee Seo-yeon looked desperate, making Park Harin chuckle lightly before her tone turned a bit more serious.
"...You guys are just so weird."
Her voice was calm, but packed with emotion. I bet the biggest thing occupying space in Park Harin's head was curiosity—about our exact relationships. Stories about the four of us always glossed over just enough. I'd always pegged her as the deep-thinking type, not some "whatever, good is good" vibe. She was probably wondering if even a chaebol heir could just hand over an apartment like that.
Locking eyes with Park Harin for a moment, Lee Seo-yeon added,
"...Like a benefactor, I guess."
Truth is, we all see each other as lifesavers. All four of us made it back to Earth in one piece because we looked out for each other like our own lives depended on it. Park Harin nodded with a soft smile at Lee Seo-yeon's slightly earnest tone—no further prying. That maturity was pure Park Harin.
As the distance to Yoo Seol-ah shrank, we were almost at the school cafeteria. Yoo Seol-ah sidled up beside me with an awkward expression, and Lee Seo-yeon immediately started poking at her.
"What, suddenly wanna sprint?"
Yoo Seol-ah's face twisted in disbelief at first, but she forced a smile, probably figuring resistance would bring back the questions she'd dodged earlier.
"...Weather's nice and cool... Feels good running in the morning..."
Lee Seo-yeon chuckled and let it go. Yoo Seol-ah looked annoyed but stayed quiet, knowing she was at a disadvantage for now.
Inside the cafeteria, there was a decent variety of student meals.
"Nothing here's amazing, but it's all edible, y'know?"
Park Harin seemed familiar with the place. Options ranged from street food snacks, veggie sets, pork cutlets, to pho. Felt like a stripped-down version of a department store food court.
"Whatcha getting?"
The yummy smells had Yoo Seol-ah's eyes sparkling in no time. She's always got that cat vibe, but right now she looks like a puppy. I'm not picky, so with her looking starving, I let her choose.
Not that she'd pick the veggie set anyway.
"Pick two, and we'll split 'em."
"...For real?"
Her voice mixed guilt and excitement—I couldn't help but smirk. If that tail from last time was still there, it'd be wagging like crazy.
"Yeah. Go wild. I'll eat anything here."
"...Okay."
Then whispers erupted from the two girls nearby.
"...Ugh, what are those two...?"
"Are they dating or what...!"
Their sly tones made Yoo Seol-ah blush and bolt to the kiosk. Lee Seo-yeon aside, seeing cool-as-ice Park Harin talk like that had my face heating up too. To cool off, I followed Yoo Seol-ah slowly and saw her pondering after picking chicken curry.
She finally turned to me, unable to decide.
"Curry for one... Tteokbokki or loin katsu—which ya like?"
"Hmm... Pork cutlet then. Goes better with curry."
"That it is."
Too lazy for her card, she paid with her phone. We grabbed a table, and soon the other two joined.
"What'd ya get?"
"Chicken mayo rice bowl for me, and Harin got something from Veggie Queen?"
"Salad and sandwich. Pretty good."
Park Harin went for the veggie section.
"...But you need meat to function, not just grass. You got tennis today."
"It's morning, so nothing heavy. I like meat too."
Yoo Seol-ah's definitely team meat over veggies—she never seems to like them much. But Park Harin shut it down effortlessly. Yoo Seol-ah looked a tad embarrassed.
"...Wait, then me ordering curry and katsu first thing... uh..."
No one here doesn't know her eating habits. Lee Seo-yeon chimed in like she was talking to a growing kid.
"Seol-ah needs to eat big to grow tall~ It's fine!"
"...If I exercised and ate like this, I'd be 165 by now...!"
Yoo Seol-ah wailed with grievance. Does she see 165 as ideal? Her parents are decently built, and her big sis Jia's around early 160s, so it's just Yoo Seol-ah who's petite. Destiny, I guess.
While waiting for food amid chit-chat, Yoo Seol-ah clapped to grab attention.
"...So, how'd it go?"
"Huh?"
"You said you met up with oppa yesterday."
I was curious too but waiting; looks like she couldn't hold it in. The teasing earlier probably pushed her.
"What? Romance talk?"
Park Harin perked up—nothing beats someone else's love life for entertainment. Lee Seo-yeon suddenly clammed up, mid-smirk. Spotting it, Park Harin dug in harder.
"Who's the guy? From our school?"
"Our club. Comp sci sophomore."
"Whoa, a senior? Wait, comp sci second-year... Kim Do-yoon sunbae?"
...Hold up, how does Park Harin know? Is he school-famous? Comp sci's huge, but she knew right away, making Lee Seo-yeon look uneasy.
"...How'd you know?"
"Don't know him personally, but he's kinda famous."
If Do-yoon hyung's famous, two reasons come to mind. Nailed it.
"Rumor went around last year about a hot guy enrolling in comp sci. Lots of seniors wanted him for department blind dates."
"......"
Lee Seo-yeon's face darkened. No exes or anything, right? Even if, she's single now—but Yoo Seol-ah's expression turned weird too.
"...And?"
"But he never showed to a single one all year."
...Classic Do-yoon hyung. Probably thought anime at home beat blind dates.
But Park Harin's story continued.
"Then he finally went to one. A senior I know was there and told me..."
She glanced at Lee Seo-yeon before going on.
"...He showed up in a character T-shirt, so they thought he was dragged there against his will. Sounded like Haru-ru."
...Do-yoon hyung just from the description. Guy has zero shame sometimes—or just owns it.
"...How'd you know?"
"Haru-ru? Yoo Seol-ah's always like, 'Just once... one time only,' so I watched. Fun. Gonna rewatch after this season ends."
...Longtime friends, and she's hustling sales hard? Plays normie cosplayer usually.
Yoo Seol-ah suddenly looked embarrassed.
"And he talked well, seemed nice?"
"Super nice."
"Then a senior asked what manga it was, and he said watch it, it's fun—no spoilers, nothing."
Thinking back, was he just promoting? Loves Lupco Yanglip most in the club. Last year was anime announcement time—makes sense.
"After that, zero blind dates, so most famous comp sci second-year."
Had to be. Park Harin wrapped up neatly and turned.
"...So, what happened with that sunbae?"
"...Nah, just drank in front of his place..."
We'd heard that much. The after was the hook. Yoo Seol-ah spoke for me without me saying a word.
"Drank, then after."
"...But it was strong stuff, so I got totally wasted..."
Pretty potent booze, and first time meeting—got hyped? Hesitating, Lee Seo-yeon stared into space.
"The film cut out a bit, and when I woke up... he was carrying me..."
Yoo Seol-ah slapped a hand over her mouth. Her eyes crinkled with glee.
"And?"
"......But I just... kept pretending to sleep."
"...Gasp."
Park Harin, me—even I covered my mouth. Yoo Seol-ah, already hiding hers, started smacking my thigh.
This is why we watch romance stuff? Can't keep straight-faced, laughter bubbling up.
"...Ugh, food's here!..."
Bell rang perfectly—Lee Seo-yeon bolted up. Great timing.
"Haa... so fresh and innocent."
Yoo Seol-ah sighed oddly. Her veteran-lover tone was ridiculous, but I felt the same, so no retort.