Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Eunuch or Asexual
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"Th-that's so unexpected...."
"What is...?"
Uram scratched his flushed cheek and spoke up.
"I thought you two weren't into that kind of stuff as a couple."
"...Why?"
"Hmm~ Even though you haven't been dating long and you came here to study abroad, Yerim, you've known each other for a while, right? Even before that, you must've had feelings for each other, even if you weren't officially together?"
"Well, yeah...?"
"See? Even if we were young back then, with a pretty girl like you following Oppa around all clingy-like, calling him Oppa, and not even a simple kiss? It's gotta be one of two things, one hundred percent."
"...What are those two things?"
"Eunuch or asexual."
"Uram, you wanna get it?"
"Eek.... Gray eyes are out.... Yerim, it's me, your favorite Uram...."
This wouldn't do. I hadn't even tried it yet.
I was a little mad at Uram for suddenly painting someone else's perfectly fine boyfriend as some weirdo.
"My Oppa is totally fine. We were just young back then, and he treasured me so much."
"...Yeah, that makes sense. But how do you know he's fine?"
"...I just know."
Oppa tried his best to hide it, but sometimes when we were close, I'd suddenly notice.
It would brush against me now and then, or even when he tried to hide it, Oppa was just... you know.
He'd suddenly strike an awkward pose or lean his hips back.
At first, I didn't get why Oppa was posing like that—I'd ask if he was hurt and get even closer, leaving him flustered, and I couldn't figure it out.
But once I realized later, I felt a bit sorry thinking how embarrassed he must've been back then.
We just never talked about it because Oppa was shy, and so was I.
But for that Oppa to be a eunuch or asexual? No way.
— I couldn't exactly tell Uram about this....
"...Anyway, it's not that we're not interested. If anything, it's that I can't do it."
I didn't know about Oppa, but that was my case.
I had tons of things I wanted to do with Oppa once I got back to Korea. That stuff Uram mentioned was just one of them.
...And we'd do it someday anyway.
"Hng~"
Uram grinned and looked at me.
"...What?"
"Just~ Even you, Yerim, said that much to me earlier. Makes me wonder what your Oppa, who's waited years with a girlfriend like you, must be thinking~?"
"......"
"Like, demanding something huge on the first night or whatever? Eek...!"
"...Stop it."
Watching Uram squeal and hug himself made me embarrassed too, so I smacked his lips.
...Would he really?
Ignoring my smack, Uram leaned forward with a snort.
"What if your Oppa does that, Yerim?"
"What do you mean, what...?"
I'd have to go along with it... I mumbled, ducking my head, and Uram went "Whoa," then spoke in an admiring tone.
"Yerim, is your Oppa really a eunuch or asexual? Otherwise, he wouldn't leave you alone..."
"Ugh, I said no!"
"Ow! Sorry, that really hurt, Yerim!"
I finally stopped smacking his thigh only after he swore never to accuse (?) Oppa like that again.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
After the long class finally ended, I was packing my bag to head home when Uram spoke up beside me.
"Yerim. You really not going to Chris's party? This one's huge."
"Yeah, I said I'm not."
"Aww, come onnn...."
I'd told him yesterday and the day before too.
Seeing Uram look so disappointed, I felt a little bad—I got that he wanted to go with his close friend.
"You're already in America, so you gotta hit up parties and stuff~!"
"It's not like I haven't gone to any...."
"Not that again. Yerim, a party with just girls isn't a real party!"
Uram was practically foaming at the mouth, insisting it was no different from girls just grabbing coffee together. I gave a wry smile.
"I'm good. Enjoy it for me too."
"Ugh~! Fine, give me your boyfriend's number. I'll bodyguard you like a fortress, so lemme ask if I can drag you along!"
"No way."
I stuck out my tongue with a "bleh," and Uram groaned, trying to snatch my phone.
"See ya~"
But no chance—I laughed and headed out of the classroom to meet Jinhyuk oppa.
From the outside, my actions might look strange.
I was just mimicking what Oppa did.
I'd found out by pure chance that Oppa doesn't go to meetups if there's a girl there.
During dinner, Jinhyuk oppa wasn't eating and was texting back and forth, so I sneaked a peek, thinking maybe he was talking to Sea.
Turned out Yoon Do-hyun was venting to him, begging him to handle some girl situation.
...Of course, after I saw that, I grilled Jinhyuk oppa until he spilled everything.
Oppa, seriously.
I wouldn't mind if he went to places with girls. I trusted Oppa.
But he had his reasons for choosing not to.
And I knew without asking that it was for me. I was grateful for that.
He could've bragged playfully, like "I'm doing all this for you," but no.
Instead, he'd kept it secret even from me.
I thought he was amazing, and how could he be so lovable?
Oppa. How can you do so much just for me...?
I thought I couldn't fall any harder.
But every time, it felt like there was more room, pulling me deeper into him. What was he trying to do to me?
...I had to be able to handle it.
Anyway, I didn't want to take Oppa's consideration for granted.
So I skipped parties too. Wasn't interested anyway.
That time was better spent texting Oppa or taking pics to send him.
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"Any good spots for this weekend?"
On the way home, Jinhyuk oppa brought it up.
Our daily routines were pretty similar.
Weekdays: school, then home for studying or whatever.
Weekends: Since we're in America anyway, we'd go sightseeing together.
Neither of us made friends easily, so this became our routine.
"Nothing in mind... Can't you pick, oppa?"
"...I picked last week and the week before."
"Look up next week's too while you're at it."
"...You've hung out with Sea too much."
"I'll tell Sea you said I'm turning into her."
"My bad...."
As payment for keeping quiet, I asked him to plan two weeks ahead, and Jinhyuk oppa tearfully agreed with a happy face.
Knew he'd like it.
"Ha... What're you up to at home today? Pizza later?"
"Hm... Not sure. Maybe study a bit, then play some games for the first time in ages...."
"Oh, you? What game?"
"Thinking League of Legends. It's more fun than I thought. Could play with Woojin oppa sometimes."
"...That game where Han Woojin roasted you?"
"......He didn't curse."
"Even if he didn't~ Enough said if he made you cry. But..."
"...Oppa, you're so annoying. But, what."
"I played with you once 'cause I was curious after he made you cry? I almost cursed at you for the first time too. Phew, good thing. I'd have died getting wrecked by Han Woojin."
"...You wanna die, oppa?"
"Not scared at... all..."
"I'll tell Woojin oppa everything."
"Whoa, that's actual death. Han Woojin rips people apart."
...I hate him so much.
I had nothing to say about game skills.
Jinhyuk oppa teased me openly, scratching just enough to irritate, and I fell for it every time.
"Wow, Han Woojin's impressive though. You two still play after that? Must be the power of love."
"......What do you mean? I've improved a ton."
"You'd improve just not buying a big sword on Rammus."
"......"
I didn't get it then.
But after learning more about the game later, I understood why oppa was so shocked.
The people yelling "Woojin" every game were calling me, and why oppa mashed his keyboard so hard.
"Perfect. I was bored anyway. Pizza then duo?"
"No. Not with you. You just nag."
"Try not getting nagged. What does Han Woojin say?"
"...Oppa just chuckles."
"What a guy.... How does he hold back? Ack!"
I couldn't take it anymore and smacked the back of his head with a clap.
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"Jinhyuk oppa is so annoying...."
"Heh heh, he just doesn't get it. Our WoojinS2's skills have improved so much."
"Right...?"
That night.
Lying in bed rolling around, I vented to Oppa, who laughed heartily like it was hilarious.
"So, what's your record against Jinhyuk?"
"......0 wins, 4 losses. Says he'll never play with me again."
A "Pfft" laugh came through the phone.
"It's fine. Play with me. Right?"
"...Yeah, sounds good."
"Seo Jinhyuk can't play himself but always blames others."
"Exactly, so annoying.... Earlier he pretended not to know me and led the trash talk...."
I'd been a bit irritated with Jinhyuk oppa just before, but talking to Oppa melted it away like it never happened.
We chatted about the day's events, ending in a slightly longer call than usual.
......I miss him.
Oppa's voice had been right there moments ago.
But I wanted to hear it again.
Suddenly, I recalled what Uram said during the day.
About whether I ever thought those thoughts while picturing Oppa.
I hadn't said it then.
But actually.
I'd thought more than once or twice.
That I should've at least kissed him goodbye.
But from long experience, the best thing when these thoughts hit was to sleep it off quick.
I pulled up the covers and forced myself to sleep.
That night, Oppa appeared in my dreams.