Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Taking Her Home
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#49
"So, did you have fun?"
As soon as the eternally long final class ended, I spotted those two damn idiots shuffling over with sleazy grins plastered on their faces.
"...What about?"
"This guy's playing dumb?"
"Come on, buddy. If you keep this up, we're gonna have to turn into devils."
Seeing those two babbling on like they were demanding a full confession, I let out a deep sigh of exasperation and answered.
"No, you idiots. Seriously. Nothing happened."
The moment the words left my mouth, an image flashed through my mind—Han Seo-ah rubbing her head against my hand like a purring cat, clearly delighted—and my conscience twinged. But I kept a straight face.
"You were gripping Han Seo-ah's hand so tight with that super serious look on your face as you left, and nothing happened?"
"I thought Lee Jun-woo was heading off to war or something from that expression."
—Ugh, why did it have to be these two?
"Han Seo-ah just seemed a bit shaken up, so I calmed her down before I left, you morons."
It wasn't a lie.
"What? Lame."
"Boo. Beta male Lee Jun-woo."
Watching Kim Seung-hyun and Park Jae-hwan thumbs-down me like they were genuinely disappointed had me floored.
They were staring at me, radiating utter disbelief, when Kim Seung-hyun put on that know-it-all face and spoke up.
"Kidding aside, we heard from the others. Some crazy bastard barged into the class earlier and picked a fight with Han Seo-ah, right?"
"Of all times, it had to happen when all three of us were out. Talk about stepping in shit."
Figuring they already knew, I listened quietly. But something nagged at me, so I mulled it over.
What was it? Did I hear wrong?
"Hey, get it straight. It wasn't Han Seo-ah picking a fight—it was that crazy bastard picking on her."
Having pinpointed the irritation, I called them out. Kim Seung-hyun threw up his hands in surrender with an exasperated look.
"Whoa, sorry, my bad. I said it wrong, so ease up on the death glare."
"Whoa, look how scary his face got just from mentioning Han Seo-ah."
My face was scary?
For a second, I wondered if I'd overreacted, feeling a bit sheepish.
"...Sorry. I guess I got a little sensitive."
"Nah, it's cool. I'd be pissed too if some random psycho messed with my girlfriend."
"Agreed. Holding back would make you a pushover."
Seeing them side with me like that, I was reminded that friends are friends, after all.
"Anyway, you hitting up the PC bang today? Yesterday without you, Park Jae-hwan and I got stomped in a row."
"You were the one who shit the bed."
"What? You psycho. You begged to go top Yumi and then did it, dumbass."
Your fault we lost, no, your shit play.
Watching them bicker brought back that itch for the PC bang after so long.
Wait, hold up. What? Yumi top? Yumi top is crossing the line, you maniacs.
Torn between shock at that bombshell and the pull of the PC bang, an image suddenly popped into my head: Han Seo-ah heading home all alone, looking lonely.
—Yeah... I don't like that.
"You guys go ahead to the PC bang without me."
"Why? Got something to do?"
It took more courage than I expected to say the next part to those two.
"I'll walk Han Seo-ah home first."
The silence that followed was chilling.
Not daring to look at their faces, I whipped my head toward Han Seo-ah's seat.
And then,
"Whoa, holy shit..."
"Did I just hear what I think I heard?"
Their voices dripped with genuine goosebumps. I couldn't bring myself to turn around.
"...Yeah, that's it. See you later."
Ignoring the awe-mixed curses from behind, I gritted my teeth, turned, and headed for Han Seo-ah—who was chatting and laughing with the girls around her like nothing happened.
#50
"No way, so then that guy at the time..."
Chatter chatter.
I couldn't help but admire it.
With four girls huddled together, the conversation never stopped. No clue when to butt in.
Didn't feel right dragging her out from a group having fun, so I pulled out my phone and texted.
[To Han Seo-ah]
-Hey (puppy knocking on the door emoticon)
Bzzz—
She checked her phone right away.
Spotting my message, she glanced around, our eyes met, and her round ones went wide.
Moments later, she made that >_< emoticon face, clasping her hands in a sorry prayer gesture.
It was so cute I laughed and waved it off. She looked down at her phone, fingers flying.
[To Han Seo-ah]
-Sorry, Jun-woo ㅠㅠ Did you wait long? I'll be right there. (crying bunny emoticon)
I hadn't even mentioned going home together today.
Seeing her apologize and fluster like she'd broken some unspoken rule filled my head with how lovable she was.
—I'm losing it for real.
Going through these familiar-yet-new feelings with the childhood friend I'd known forever, even her tiniest gestures made me smile.
"Girls, I'm heading out first!"
She'd packed up in a flash and was rushing straight to me.
"Sorry, Jun-woo! Let's go!"
"You could've taken your time."
Feeling bad she'd jumped up because of me, I said so. Han Seo-ah looked up at me from the side like I'd said something ridiculous.
"Why?"
"Weren't you hanging out with them?"
"Nah, it's fine. I like playing with you the most, Jun-woo."
Straight to the heart.
Flustered and fumbling for a response, she giggled like it was hilarious and said,
"Don't you?"
"... ."
A soft eye smile, faint blush on her cheeks.
Our eyes met as she looked up at me, shy but beaming.
Even though she was my childhood friend I'd seen forever, that look I'd never get used to in a lifetime.
So cute, so beautiful right in front of me—no words came to mind, so I just stared.
"Jun-woo?"
You poked my side, urging a reply.
It was something you did all the time, but today it felt special, shaking my heart anew.
"...Me too."
I swallowed hard, forcing my stuck lips open.
"Me too. I like being with you the most."
After spilling my heart with effort, my pulse hammered.
So loud I worried my childhood friend beside me might hear.
"...I said I like playing the most."
Hearing my answer, she dipped her head, avoiding my gaze.
But.
Even with her head down, those cute little ears were already red.
Seemed to speak for her heart right now.
Seeing that, my face burned bright red too.
"...Still."
Embarrassing, but.
I whispered my truth once more.
#51
On the way home.
Still flushed, we couldn't meet each other's eyes.
Shuffling awkwardly out of school, the sun had nearly set, dyeing the streets in sunset glow.
The sunset mercifully hid our shyness.
Normally we'd be chattering away, but today only footsteps echoed.
As the silent walk dragged on, I sneaked a glance sideways.
Han Seo-ah did the same—our eyes locked.
We jolted and whipped our heads away, bursting into laughter from both sides.
"What are we doing?"
The awkward air shattered, words flowing naturally.
"No idea."
Like making up for lost time, the talk kept going.
We never needed topics anyway.
"Oh, Jun-woo."
"Yeah?"
"Can I come over to your room later?"
She never asked before coming—but no reason to say no. Just as I opened my mouth,
Kim Seung-hyun's ugly mug flashed in my mind.
Oh crap, my eyes...!
"I want to, but I'm dropping you home first, then meeting Seung-hyun and Jae-hwan at the PC bang."
Couldn't go yesterday—
Feeling guilty, I added the excuse.
Her sparkling eyes went wide in surprise.
"You're going to the PC bang?"
"Uh... yeah."
"They said meet after going home?"
"Nah... not that. They're already there."
Why ask that? I answered honestly. Her surprised face melted into the cutest, most adoring look.
"Then... why didn't you go right away, Jun-woo?"
"Obviously... ."
About to answer without thinking.
Words caught in my throat.
Finally got why she was making that face.
A wave of embarrassment hit—my face heated beyond the sunset's cover, head dipping on its own.
"Hee... Jun-woo."
"......Why."
Her voice brimmed with laughter.
So full of happiness anyone could've heard it.
"Thanks. Take care of me from now on too?"
"...Sure."
Far from burdened, you welcomed it with joy and gratitude.
Made me feel proud, glad I'd come.
"Today's Jun-woo... 100 points!"
"What? Out of how many?"
Backlit by the sunset, tossing her hair with one hand, gazing at me happily—Han Seo-ah's beaming face.
Seemed flushed red from the glow.