Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Drunk Girl - 3
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The scene unfolding before my eyes was unbelievable.
No, more precisely, I just didn't want to believe it.
Just moments ago, my precious friend who had tugged at my heartstrings was now...
"Sea-yaa, don't you think you're being too much too~!?"
"Ahaha, yeah, it is a bit much..."
...clinging sweetly to my arm and putting on this tiresome display.
...Wait, how did she even get drunk on this in the first place? I couldn't wrap my head around it...
Sure, they were whiskey-filled chocolates, but the alcohol was just a slight tongue-tingling kick at most.
Yerim had seemed a little tipsy right after popping the first one, and before I knew it, she'd scarfed down five more.
Now her eyes and tongue were all loose and wobbly.
If her brother found out about this later and asked why I didn't stop her, I'd have to tell him:
—Who would've thought she'd get smashed after just one...?
The guy who brought these whiskey bonbons had clearly sensed things going south and bolted back to his own room. Thinking about that made me even angrier.
...Just you wait until tomorrow, seriously.
"Sea-ya, are you listening to meee~!? You're not listening!!"
"W-what? I'm listening, ahaha..."
Somehow she could even tell when my mind wandered for a second, catching me like a ghost and whining like I was upsetting her. Cold sweat broke out on my skin.
And to top it off, her drunken ramblings revolved entirely around "rise-fall-conclusion-oppa-hate."
"Um... Yerim, did you maybe fight with your boyfriend before coming here?"
"I didn't fight!!!"
"Ah, okay..."
—She totally fought.
That's what everyone was thinking... Well, she did say they didn't fight, but...
One of the girls, flustered and just watching, timidly tossed out the question—only for Yerim to puff up and snap at her, making the girl jump back in shock.
"Haa..."
I figured I should grab some hangover remedy or something and slowly stood up.
That's when Yerim, who'd been hugging my arm, looked up at me with wide-eyed surprise.
"Sea-ya, where are you going?"
"Just grabbing something quick~ I'll be right back!"
"Ah, then should I come with!?"
I instinctively pressed down hard on Yerim's shoulder as she started squirming to stand.
"?"
She tilted her head and peered up at me.
...Ugh.
She's too cute. For a second there, I almost said screw it and took her along.
"...I'll go by myself, so you stay here and behave, Yerim. Got it?"
"Yeah!"
It was the kind of energetic head-nod you'd never imagine from sober Yerim.
Watching her hyper, bobbing head...
Sure, she'd been a handful at first.
But the more I looked, the cuter she got. Guess I'm a lost cause too~.
"Guys, I'm running to the convenience store real quick—keep an eye on Yerim for me, please!"
"Ah, okay. Hurry back!"
"Huh? Why watch me?"
As I waved goodbye to my friends, I vaguely heard Yerim's confused voice.
—Sorry, Yerim...!
I pretended not to hear.
And hurried out of the karaoke room.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Finally, Han Sea—the one guarding Seo Yerim—had left her spot.
Seo Yerim.
I hadn't known she'd studied abroad, but the moment I saw her in class today, I knew right away.
She was that girl from elementary school who'd been teased by everyone.
Even back then, as a clueless kid, I'd thought, "Wow, she's pretty." Now, as a high schooler, she'd become unbelievably—even blindingly—beautiful. It made me regret going along with the teasing.
She didn't even remember me, didn't seem to care one bit.
But the more I looked at her, the more I regretted what I'd done back then.
Honestly, I'd wanted to be friends. I told myself I had no choice since everyone else was doing it.
But I kept imagining: What if I'd been kind instead?
This felt like my chance, so I subtly shifted over.
I wasn't aiming for her boyfriend spot or anything. Probably.
I had no confidence I'd win against that senior from this morning, looks or build. Approaching him without folding in half would be a miracle.
Just...
I wanted her to say my name once. Pushing it further, maybe we could be friends now, even if we couldn't back then.
Yeah, just that much.
That was my wish.
Probably.
"Um..."
As I tentatively spoke to Seo Yerim, the yellow sparkle in her eyes slowly seeped into red.
Those eyes that had been mocked as a kid.
Now, paired with her stunning looks, it felt like cheating.
Watching them change in real time was more than fascinating—it was mystical.
They reflected her emotions, right?
What emotion was red?
They'd been red before we came to the karaoke room, when she seemed lost in thought. So, worry? Curiosity?
Did they turn red because of me? Was she curious about me?
No way, but... what if? I let out a quiet whooosh of hope.
"......"
Seo Yerim, who hadn't stopped talking with Han Sea around, now just stared silently at my call.
"Seo Yerim... right?"
I opened my mouth again, feeling oddly anxious, and she quietly nodded.
"You denied it earlier, but you did fight with your boyfriend, didn't you?"
"...Huh?"
The first words out of her mouth excited me, and I kept going.
"I just broke up with my girlfriend after a fight too. If you need to vent or advice, tell me. I'll help. Ah, if it's awkward talking here, later—no, how about we grab food just us two..."
"What are you even talking about?"
"Huh?"
"Why would I fight with Oppa?"
"...It wasn't that?"
"And even if I did fight with Oppa, what does that have to do with you?"
Seo Yerim stared at me, her eyes now fully red, tilting her head like she truly couldn't comprehend.
I felt the others glancing over, wondering what was up.
"For starters, what do you mean 'me too'?! I'm just a little upset, but things are totally fine with Oppa!"
She huffed in frustration, slamming the table with a thwack.
A whiskey bonbon rolled right to her, and she tore it open, popping it in her mouth.
"But you were just saying how much you hated him..."
"I can't hate him."
"Huh?"
"I said I can't hate him."
"...Why?"
"Because I really, really like him a lot..."
Seo Yerim giggled, stroking the empty whiskey bonbon wrapper with her finger.
Then she suddenly gripped it tight.
"...But why isn't Oppa here?"
"Well, obviously he's not in a place like th—"
"When I like you this much...?"
Just moments ago, she'd been wrapped in a wistful aura, but now she shuddered with a whine.
She pulled out her phone from her pocket and started dialing somewhere.
...Is this what being drunk looks like?
Her emotions were rollercoastering so wildly, it was hard to keep up sober. I started feeling dizzy.
"Oppa!"
I'd suspected, and sure enough.
She'd called her boyfriend.
"I miss you, so come see me right now! If you don't...!"
Even the kids singing had gone quiet, ears perked up.
"Hiiiing, I'm gonna cryyy..."
Sniffle.
...She already was.
I thought I heard a frantic "Yerim-ah!" from the other end.
But Seo Yerim hung up abruptly, like she'd said her piece.
"......I should never drink again."
One of the kids watching muttered it, but no one disagreed.
Soon Han Sea returned from the convenience store, saw the room's vibe, and asked what happened. We explained, and she made a groaning face before stepping out to call someone.
Just for a moment.
About five minutes later, the karaoke room door burst open with a bang.
The star of that flashy entrance was, predictably, that senior from the morning.
Anyone could see he'd rushed over, panting heavily.
After catching his breath, he scanned the room, spotted Seo Yerim, and strode right toward her.
I quietly moved to a spot farther away. It felt like the right thing to do.
"Ah, it's Oppa~!!!"
Seo Yerim, who'd been moping, lit up the instant she saw him and spread her arms for a hug.
The senior, about to say something to us, prioritized her.
He leaned down, gently scooped up the seated Seo Yerim, patted her back once.
Told her to wait a sec, then turned to us.
"Guys, I'm Yerim's boyfriend. Sorry to barge in, but do you know how much she drank—or ate?"
The kids silently looked at the table in front of Seo Yerim, and he followed their gaze.
Seeing the mountain of whiskey bonbon wrappers, he sighed and ran a hand over his face.
"...She ate all these by herself?"
We nodded silently, and he let out an even bigger sigh.
"If something like this happens again..."
Everyone tensed, thinking he was about to chew us out, but he continued softly.
"...Try to stop her. Or call Sea. I didn't know, but Yerim seems weak to alcohol. Take care of her for me, guys."
"Yes..."
"And whoever brought these—tell them to see me tomorrow."
...We're screwed.
Everyone there silently wished peace upon the culprit who'd ditched after bringing them. Not that we pitied him.
Done with us.
He turned back, knelt in front of Seo Yerim, and gently took her hands resting on her knees.
"Yerim-ah."
"Hic, it's my Oppa..."
"Yeah, it's your Oppa. You okay? Dizzy or anything?"
His voice toward her was worlds apart from when he'd spoken to us.
Gentle, laced with worry.
"Yeah, I'm fine!"
Her reply sounded anything but.
"Oppa, where were you? I missed you so much!"
"Sorry. Should've come sooner."
"Uuu... You're right! It's all Oppa's fault!"
"It is. I admit it. Wanna go outside for some air to reflect on my wrongs?"
"Yeah, sounds good..."
He'd rushed here on her sudden call.
No thanks, just her whining while swinging their clasped hands.
He could've gotten annoyed or impatient.
But he smiled warmly, accepting even her messy state.
And as Seo Yerim gazed at him with a beaming smile, her eyes...
Shone with pink eyes.
A color we'd never seen today.
One she hadn't shown us.
That was when I finally realized.
From the very start.
I...
No, no one...
Had any room to wedge between them.