Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: A Steamy Dream and Narrow Escapes
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#34 I Lived a Trash-Like Life — Lee Jun-woo
... The worst.
The reason I couldn't drag myself out of bed this morning, lying there replaying lines from No Longer Human, was that dream.
A dream where Han Seo-ah showed up... and we did that.
The wave of self-loathing crashing over me from having that kind of dream about her was no joke.
Did it happen because I skipped watching those clips of her on my screen last night and just crashed?
I'd spent thirteen years around Han Seo-ah without ever having a dream like that about her.
The fact that it happened today was just unbelievable.
— Ah, strawberry scent.
As I writhed in guilt, unable to get up, the faint lingering trace of Han Seo-ah hit me.
Suddenly, it clicked why I'd had that dream.
At the same time, thinking back to yesterday's Lucky Week, I glanced down at my precious partner, my right hand.
That kind of dream? I earned it.
Everything made sense in an instant.
It all clicked into place.
Honestly, it would've been weirder if I hadn't dreamed it.
I'm not at fault, I told myself, my mind clearing up refreshingly.
I sprang out of bed, stretched, and thought, I'm a coward, but I'm no fool who lets opportunities slip away.
I don't know why, but Han Seo-ah's attitude yesterday was definitely different from usual.
I couldn't miss it.
I've watched over her for thirteen years.
I don't fully get what's causing this change in her heart yet, but if you're the one wanting to change our relationship, and if you're different again today...
I had zero intention of letting that chance pass by—not even a speck.
Childhood friend.
It's a nice word, one that's described and connected us all this time.
But at some point, I've wanted more than that.
#35 Deep Breaths Before the Call — Lee Jun-woo
Before dialing, I took a deep breath.
I'd resolved to change things, but with our history, I had no clue how to go about it.
If I suddenly got too close... wouldn't that freak her out?
'What's with you all of a sudden?'
'Jun-woo, you're making me uncomfortable.'
'So you're just like those other guys.'
'Jun-woo, you've been looking at me like that?'
"Hngh...!"
Imagining Han Seo-ah with a cold expression, pushing me away with every line—it hit me hard.
This won't work.
Isn't it enough to just stay happy as childhood friends...?
♪♬♪♬♪♬
With my phone in hand, instead of making the call, I was brainstorming 64 ways to seduce Han Seo-ah when it suddenly rang.
[Han Seo-ah]
Already ten minutes past?
I was supposed to wake her at 7, but a quick think turned into ten minutes.
— Great start to the day.
I sighed and picked up.
"Hello?"
"Uuuun... J-Jun... woo... Why didn't you caaaalll meee..."
Her sleepy slur and whiny tone were so cute, I couldn't help but chuckle.
— I'm losing it.
Imagining her calling me first thing upon waking made my heart go all fuzzy.
It felt good.
I wanted her to show this side only to me, forever.
"Sorry. I got up a bit ago, but I was handling something."
"No need to sorrrry... What were you doooing...?"
It was nothing big.
But even half-asleep, you listened closely, showing interest in what I said.
"I'll tell you on the way to school. More importantly, no crying today? Slept well?"
"..."
"Han Seo-ah?"
I heard her soft breathing, but no reply.
Worried she'd dozed off again, I quietly called her name.
"Un... I slept well. I was scared before bed... but now I'm okay. Because you're here..."
"What's that about?"
I didn't know why, but her voice cracked like she was holding back tears, making my heart skip.
I teased lightly, not wanting morning sobs, and she perked up, matching my tone.
"Did you sleep well, Jun-woo? You looked tired yesterday."
"..."
Slept great.
Too great.
— You came in my dream and we did that—
Couldn't say it straight.
"Jun-woo?"
"Y-yeah. Slept amazingly. Best ever."
"Best ever...?"
"Yeah, the best."
Top of my life's best dreams, easy.
"What, good dream?"
"Kinda...?"
A naughty dream counts as good, right?
"Hehe... What was it?"
".......... Secret. Can't tell you."
Never, not till I die.
"Aww, what... Can't tell me?"
"Nope. No way. Get up already. Wash up and meet out front."
That damn coquettish whine she pulls when asking for favors—intentional or not—nearly made me cave.
I barely held firm and changed the subject.
"Fiiine... Got it. You gotta tell me later?"
"...... I'm going to wash up too. See you soon."
Today's walk to school won't be easy.
#36 Hellish Commute — Lee Jun-woo
"Haaa..."
Exhausted.
Meeting Han Seo-ah out front and walking to school together is pure bliss.
But guarding the secret from her relentless grilling—what was the dream?—the whole way was torture.
Especially when she asked if it was some other girl, her eyes dimming as she stared.
Thought I was done for.
I held out, made it to my seat, and collapsed face-first on the desk, drained.
"You here?"
"Why you like that right off the bat?"
Moments later, the dimwits 1 and 2 approached.
"You wouldn't get it, ugh..."
"Look at this prick, grumpy ass morning."
"Kill him?"
Answered their dumbass questions nicely (didn't), got dumbass replies back.
No wonder I can't be nice to these idiots.
"Don't ask. Thought I was dying on the walk."
"Why? Don't you walk with Han Seo-ah?"
"Lee Jun-woo's got it made. Wanna walk with Park Jae-hwan instead?"
"Why you dragging me, Kim Seung-hyun?"
Watching them bicker—I hate you more, no you—cracked me up.
"Hey, hey, you're both the same. Quit fighting."
"This prick's the worst."
"Is he nuts?"
They punched my shoulders and flopped into the empty seats beside me.
"So, what went down on the walk?"
Hesitated telling these two.
Even they might not buy 'Han Seo-ah was in my dream.'
"Bet Han Seo-ah was in his dream."
"Nah, no way. He goes around saying they're just friends."
Flinch—
Kim Seung-hyun's casual toss made me freeze without a word.
Their eyes lit up like demons.
"Yo, no answer? No way, right?"
"No, wait, that's not—"
"Hey, Han Seo-ah!!! Lee Jun-woo right now—"
"Uwaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!!!"
Crash—
Seeing crazy Park Jae-hwan stand and yell for her, I lunged, clamping his mouth.
"Mmmph!!"
"You bastard, this is too far...! Shut up, please...!"
One squirming excitedly, the other cackling.
Wanted to pound them both to death.
"What's going on? What'd Jun-woo do?"
Han Seo-ah appeared, puzzled.
I thought, Ah, screwed.
#37 Bribing the Idiots — Lee Jun-woo
Finally, promised vending machine snacks as hush money, and they zipped it.
Of course, Han Seo-ah eyed us suspiciously, "Jun-woo, see you later."
Chills down my spine, but with all three denying it, she backed off—for now.
"Evil bastards..."
Watching them snicker and munch made my blood boil.
"Say that again, and my mouth might slip."
"Sorry..."
"Kukuku. C'mon, lay off. If Han Seo-ah's your childhood friend, it happens."
Park Jae-hwan's smugness had me clenching fists, but Kim Seung-hyun's empathy eased it a bit.
"Honestly, thirteen years with Han Seo-ah and just friends? Hard to buy."
"Yeah. Gotta dial back the hotness to stay friends."
"...You idiots wouldn't get it. It's tough for me too."
Maybe my heart's shifting.
I'd always insisted 'just friends' before, but spilling the truth felt...
"Whoa, hear Lee Jun-woo just now? Finally admitting it."
"Ears deceived me. Admit it and it's that much sweeter."
"But real talk, Lee Jun-woo's got a shot. Never seen Han Seo-ah chat with other guys."
"What no? Odds are huge. She's an iron wall. Talks to us 'cause we're your friends. How she treats others? Whew..."
"True. Still kinda intimidating."
Listening quietly as they yapped, my pocket buzzed.
Ignored the still-chattering windbreakers, checked my phone.
[Han Seo-ah]
-Jun-woo, where are you?
-At the vending machine with Seung-hyun and Jae-hwan. Why?
-Oh, vending machine? Can you grab me a banana milk? (rabbit blowing heart emoticon)
Everything she sends is cute.
-Got it.
Pocketed the phone, told the two up front, "You guys head up first."
"Why?"
"Han Seo-ah wants banana milk."
Knew they'd freak, so I bolted without waiting, ignoring their curses behind me.