Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Drunk Girl - 2
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"Hey, you idiot."
"..."
"Say something, you idiot."
"......"
"What, you're some long-distance relationship expert? Short-range doesn't work for you? The guy who bragged about never fighting for over three years, and now you're picking a fight before a single day together? Huh? Huh?"
Seo Jinhyuk thumped my chest with his knuckles, sneering.
If it were any other time...
1. I'd pick up shorty Seo Jinhyuk...
Snap—
And turn him into Se/o/Jin/Hyuk.
But right now, no matter what insults he threw, I had nothing to say, so I just took it quietly.
"You bastard. Because of you, I can't even go on a date. Why do I have to clean up your shit when you shat it?!"
"Fuuuuck—" Seo Jinhyuk wailed.
I recalled the silence when I told Yerim during lunch to go to the class gathering.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
From Yerim staring at me with her crimson eyes, to Han Sea's couple glancing over in shock from their own chat...
It only took a few seconds in that suffocating silence to realize I was screwed.
"Ah, no, that's not what I—"
"......I'll go."
"Huh?"
"......To the class gathering. I'll go."
—Oh crap, she's gonna blow, she's gonna blow...!
Yerim's cheeks puffed up more than I'd ever seen.
I just...
Like how parents who couldn't do something want their kids to...
Since I'd never gone to those gatherings myself, I wanted at least Yerim to go, make friends with her classmates, and have fun.
But Yerim must've been planning to spend time with me after school, because the moment she heard me, her pale cheeks started swelling until they formed perfect mochi rice cakes.
...Can I poke it with my finger?
Not that I wanted to touch those cute mochi cakes even in this situation.
Maybe popping that grumpy pouch would calm her down, so I sneakily extended my finger...
"Mmum!"
"Gah..."
Yerim whipped her head away like no you don't.
...This is bad. No, really fucked.
Yerim dodging my hand?
That Yerim?
It was shocking enough that her eyes weren't their usual pink, but this unprecedented emergency had sirens blaring in my head.
Seo Jinhyuk and Han Sea watching from the side were giving me pitiful looks.
Don't look at me like that...
I swept my hand over my face and opened my mouth.
"Yerim, you know there's no way I don't want to be with you today."
"......"
Yerim nodded knowingly.
"But even with Han Sea here, it's been so long since she came back to Korea. I was just yielding to your classmates this once."
"...Just this once?"
"Yeah. Just once. No seconds."
I grinned and reached out again. She didn't turn away this time.
So I easily popped the slightly deflated grumpy pouch. Poking.
"And text me when it's over. I'll come pick you up."
"For real...?"
"Yeah. With Seo Jinhyuk."
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
Seo Jinhyuk and Han Sea, who had been watching with keen interest, jumped in shock like what the hell.
But that wasn't my problem.
Fun watching, huh?
Let's die together, you bastard Seo Jinhyuk.
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"That fucker Han Woojin, if you're gonna die, die alone—why drag me...!"
"Why? You get to go to a PC bang with the class kids. Sounds fun, right? Admit it?"
"Admit~"
"You crazy bastard? I'd already planned where to go with Sea, why the hell do I gotta go to a PC bang with you assholes? Aaaah—!!!!!"
"Go tomorrow, buddy. Admit it?"
"Thumbs up~"
In the end, both Seo Jinhyuk and I ended up going to a PC bang with a few class kids while waiting for Yerim's gathering to end.
I gave up apologizing and went full shameless. Yoon Do-hyun was giggling like he enjoyed stirring shit, so the two of us teased while Seo Jinhyuk's fists trembled.
Then Yoon Do-hyun suddenly piped up like he'd remembered something.
"Man, but that's wild."
"What is?"
"That your girlfriend showed that side of her?"
"...?"
"Y'know, that fantasy about pretty girls. I figured she'd just brush off your troll move with 'Pfft, as if?' but reality's her pouting 'Hing' because you don't get her feelings."
—What the fuck.
Yoon Do-hyun's cute 'Hing' nearly made me puke.
"...It wasn't pouting, she was just a little upset. And what's so wild about that?"
"Same difference, dude. Realizing even someone that pretty clings to somebody~?"
I snorted at Yoon Do-hyun's words.
"Clings? Where's that in a relationship?"
"Where? Relationships are power struggles. Think our seniors teach push-pull for nothing?"
"Power struggles, push-pull bullshit. Don't even think about it, much less try it. Waste of time."
"No, it's because you guys..."
"Why couldn't it work for you?"
I asked sincerely, and Yoon Do-hyun trailed off.
He pondered for a bit, then smiled and spoke.
"...You punk, girlfriend comes back and you're lecturing a senior who's dated ten times more than you."
"So damn jealous. Ten times, wow."
We bantered as we headed to the PC bang when my pocket phone buzzed.
Checking it, Yerim's message said too many kids joining, haven't left yet but soon.
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"......Everyone's coming?"
I figured high turnout since skipping the first class gathering hurts making friends.
—But 100%? First time seeing that.
Probably because of...
That one.
Yerim.
Girls and boys alike sneaking glances at her, pretending not to.
But whether everyone came or stared at her...
In the sunset-lit classroom, Yerim sat slumped with pouty lips.
Her strikingly different looks and ruby-like crimson eyes shining brighter.
Just sitting there, she was like a painting.
Even I'd been around her long and felt it—imagine the others.
They probably think she’s seriously worried.
...When really she's just missing Oppa.
Times like this, ignorance is bliss.
Thinking of Oppa clenched my fist again.
......I was gonna date Jinhyuk oppa today.
Seeing Yerim's sparkling eyes on me, I couldn't say I'd date today so go alone.
Ugh... damn oppa...
Back then I wanted to kick him off the family register.
But what can you do. Sin of picking the wrong oppa...
Just have fun with Yerim first, then date Jinhyuk oppa later.
They discussed spots, settled on karaoke—safe choice.
But no room for 30 at once.
At the karaoke, split into groups of 10—everyone's faces full of desperation.
Ah, me and Yerim, longtime friends, naturally same group.
"Uwaaaah—!!!"
Groups set, cheers and wails mixed wildly. Kinda funny.
These kids.
How desperate. When she doesn't even care.
Yerim, sulky on the way, was now dragged by girls into question fire.
"Yerim, that senior you came with this morning—is he your boyfriend?"
"Yeah..."
Yerim shyly answered; girls squealed, boys listening quietly slumped as suspicion confirmed.
"How'd you meet that senior?"
"Oppa and Sea too. Since kids, they said my eyes were special..."
My name dropped suddenly, eyes on me.
"Haha, it was nothing..."
Scratching head awkwardly, Yerim smiled softly at me.
"...No one else said that back then."
But.
Couldn't be helped then.
See, even now.
Your eyes on me bloom like forsythia.
"You two called my eyes special... but you two are more special to me. Then and now."
"Yerim..."
Her sincere words tugged my heart.
I spread arms unconsciously; Yerim beamed and hugged me.
Damn oppa, cancel the family register kick.
Worth skipping the date just for that.
Moment later, door burst open—boy from other room, arms full.
"Guys!... Ah? What's this vibe?"
"What, why're you here?"
"No, why aren't you singing...?"
Boy flustered by cold welcome, then dumped stuff on table like check it out.
"Ta-da~!"
"What's this?"
"Heard of whiskey bonbons?"
Whiskey bonbons?
What's that? I eyed him; he shrugged with a smirk, "Muhahaha."
"Chocolate with booze. Saw some nearby, looked fun, bought a ton."
"Booze...?"
Chocolate with booze? Examined: tiny bottle-shaped chocolates.
This chocolate...?
Labels showed alcohol percentages.
"Still, booze is kinda iffy...?"
Someone cautious, but
"Psh, who gets drunk on these? Even lightweights are fine. And if you do? We're all here! For fun, try one. Whatya say?"
Excited boy convinced; glances exchanged, then nods from curiosity.
Including me.
Not booze curious...
Snuck dad's drink once—tasted awful, why drink?
Chocolate version different?
Unwrapped, bit in.
Sweet chocolate, then bitter booze on tongue.
Ugh......
"T-tastes bad..."
Not sweet, not bitter—what is this...
Others same, tongues out groaning "Ugh..."
"Weird but meh, Yerim. Right...?"
Sipped water, glanced—her mouth chewing too.
"Mm..."
Gulp—
Swallowed one, stared at pile, then unwrapped another.
"...Yerim?"
Nyam—
Another chewed and swallowed faster.
Unwrapped third quicker.
"Yerim, maybe stop ea—"
"Whyyy~?"
.........Oh shit.
Yerim grinned at me, eyes yellow like before but...
Seeing that slightly cloudy yellow...
—Oppa, help...
Couldn't help calling for oppa.