Oppa, I Was Wrong (1)
Once the dam broke, everything got easier after that. At some point, Seoyeoni and Hyeonwoo had fallen into a routine. After workouts, the two of them would spend time together, even if just briefly. Chatting at a cafe. Grabbing salads for dinner since it was evening. Sometimes she'd drop by Hyeonwoo's place. They'd even hit up department stores to buy gloves or supports. I didn't like it, but there was nothing I could do. I'd just watch their meetups and rationalize it to myself.
They weren't setting aside specific days to meet. They never strayed far from the gym area. She messaged me religiously and told me everything when she got back. If I thought of it as her just gaining a close guy friend, it eased my mind a little. After all, this was what I'd wanted. Sure, I hadn't expected them to get this close, this fast. Honestly, I didn't even consider it dating. Workouts were exhausting, sweaty affairs—no way they could talk much then. And after pushing so hard, it'd feel like a waste to split right away. So they hung out afterward. Yeah, that was it. Just that.
My standards for what counted as a date had shot way up. I hadn't wanted them to, but they'd been forced higher anyway.
"Haa..."
I let out a small sigh as I stared down at my phone. What would she say they were doing today? How would I rationalize it this time? How high did my date bar have to climb, and how far?
-Whirr
Right on cue as workout time wrapped up, my phone buzzed today like always. My response was scripted: Got it, have fun, just don't stay out too late...
"Hello?"
"Heehee. Oppa~ What're you up to?"
Seoyeoni's voice dripped with aegyo. I could picture her beaming, that pretty smile lighting up her face. And Hyeonwoo right there with her. My stomach twisted, but I played it cool as best I could.
"Done already? I've just been chilling at home."
"Yeeah~?"
"Yeah. Why? Want me to come pick you up?"
A flicker of hope stirred. Maybe nothing today? Hanging out every gym day had to wear on them eventually. Tonight might just be us, no detours... She'd be too late to shower and head out, so I'd slap on a hat and go.
"See? Told you I wouldn't do anything."
"Ah, Oppa~! It's dinner time now, so of course! Our oppa's a busy guy, you know?"
"Hm, did Minjun hyung say that? Anyway, ask him."
Over the line came Seoyeoni and Hyeonwoo's voices. She giggled wildly, then cleared her throat with a fake cough.
"Hyeonwoo's next to you?"
"Yup! With Hyeonwoo oppa~"
She sounded so innocently sunny, no clue how it clawed at me—or maybe she did. My gut churned harder.
"Oppa, oppa! We're grabbing chicken and beer tonight—what do you think?"
"...What?"
"Chimaek! Chimaek! It's kinda a cheat day~"
Hyeonwoo said something, and Seoyeoni burst out laughing again. Playful smacks echoed, followed by low chuckles and shushing.
"You're drinking...?"
"Beer's not booze~ Oppa! So, come join us? Let's eat together!"
"Hyung~ If you're tired, no need to come! I can eat with Seoyeoni just the two of—"
Hyeonwoo cut in over her sweet voice. Before I could respond, she giggled again.
"What're you saying, oppa?! I'm on the phone—be quiet~ You dummy oppa."
"Heh. Dummy oppa again. That hurts."
"Whaaat~ You didn't even mean it~!"
The two of them laughing, bantering, messing around over the phone. It hit me—this was the first time I'd heard them talk since they met. They'd changed so much. The vibe, the feel, how they treated each other. Just from the chatter, their closeness oozed out.
"Anyway, what do you say? More fun with three! You're coming, right, oppa?"
What if I said no? Would she ditch Hyeonwoo for just us? Or eat with him anyway? The sick curiosity bubbled up, but I couldn't ask. Wouldn't survive the answer.
"Yeah, I'll come. Where?"
"Kyaa~ Awesome! The chicken place right by Hyeonwoooppa's!"
"Got it. Be there soon."
Her squeal of delight cut off as she called to Hyeonwoo without even replying.
"Oppa! Minjun oppa's coming!"
"Yeah? Cool."
"Ugh, seriously! Why 'cool'~?"
"Cool! Thought I'd get some alone time with a pretty girl and booze for once."
"Huh? Pretty girl? Who's the pretty girl~?"
"She's here. The one always clinging to oppa."
"I'm super polite! Guess that's not me~"
Seoyeoni didn't even flinch anymore. I remembered her fuming all day over compliments, suspecting guys were hitting on her. When had she changed like this...? My stomach roiled.
"Seoyeoni, I'm hanging up...?"
"Yeah...? Oh! Got it~ We'll save a spot! Hurry!"
"Yeah. On my way."
I hung up and clawed at my hair. What the hell was going on? I'd thought they were just casually friendly... My imagination had been way off. Hearing them talk drove it home. This was beyond what I'd pictured.
'So who's got the bigger crush? Minjun hyung or you, Seoyeoni.'
'Me, obviously! Oppa doesn't even compare~ I like him waaay more!'
'Oho. Seoyeoni says so. Got nothing to say, hyung?'
'What're you on about...'
'See! Can't even answer! ...Tch. Why not just say it?'
'Of course I like her more.'
'Heehee. For real~?'
'O! Then the one who likes more gives a kiss!'
'Hey... Place is packed—what kinda kiss?'
'I can! Seoyeoni can!'
'Eek! S-Seoyeoni!'
'Hehe. What's wrong~ I wanna give a little kiss!'
Despite the boiling gut and hair-pulling worry on the way, the drinking session itself was fine. Fun, even happy. Of course, their closeness was obvious. Constant teasing, laughing, poking fun. Even some dirty jokes now and then. It bugged me, but not enough to ruin things.
Seoyeoni spent the night singing my praises till Hyeonwoo's ears blistered. Handsome, cool, smart, caring, adores her so much, makes her so happy, etc. The whole thing felt like her love confession show. Made me feel stupid for suspecting anything. Was she hamming it up extra because I was there...? Didn't matter—mood was great.
I even sensed an unbreakable wall Hyeonwoo could never cross. No matter how close they got, that barrier stayed. Seeing her go this far made me think even more closeness was fine. Girlfriend? Nah, just close guy friend vibes. Nothing more. I got their friendship, but anything beyond? No way.
Hyeonwoo seemed to underestimate her. All the girls he hooked up with were easy types, so maybe he figured Seoyeoni was too. Seeing and hearing it firsthand—with him right there—made me even happier. This unexpected gift from a night I'd dreaded? It gave me solid confidence in Seoyeoni.
Fickle weather that day—rain pouring then stopping all afternoon. Seoyeoni, who'd planned to hit a cafe with Hyeonwoo, got soaked in a sudden downpour. He told her to dry off at least her hair, so she was heading to his place. I said sure, no problem.
Suddenly, I had breathing room. With confidence solidified and trust grown, the thrill dialed back—but this felt just right. Not too much. Her alone at his place? Plenty exciting. Stick to facts, add a dash of imagination. Soaked Seoyeoni... Picturing her showering at Hyeonwoo's. Cliché as hell, but...
Wet clothes force her to borrow his shirt. Heart pounding mysteriously as she waits silently in his room. Hyeonwoo emerges post-shower, towel low on his hips. The massive silhouette below makes her pulse race again. He sidles up, sits close. She pushes him away half-heartedly—"What're you doing? Put clothes on!"—but steals glances. He notices, leans closer. She protests verbally but doesn't shove hard. And then...
"Haa."
With space to breathe, the fantasies flowed easier. No more explosive, maddening arousal, but this was plenty. Jerk off once? Save it for when Seoyeoni got back? Felt like I could go again even after. No more porn needed. Real events plus my twisted spins did the trick.
"Ugh."
I wrapped the sticky cum in tissue and chucked it in the toilet. Self-loathing hit, sure. But the excitement dwarfed it—unavoidable.
She's quiet today... Even heading to his, she'd messaged every 10 minutes min. Last contact was that call. Not super late yet. Switched to vibrate and dozed off lightly.
"..."
What time...? Meant to nap quick, but it felt deep. Jerked awake—nearly midnight. Still no word from Seoyeoni. No missed calls, no texts. She always messaged by 9 latest, then came home... First time like this.
Something wrong? Still at Hyeonwoo's...? Even with trust, this was too much.
"..."
Called quick—no answer. Tried again, texted. No read receipts. First time facing this, vile fantasies wormed in. Shook them off, kept calling. Phone was on—not rejected. Just... not picking up. What the...
"Ah! Seoyeoni!"
Debating calling Hyeonwoo or rushing over, then—finally—she picked up. Relief flooded me.
"Why no answer? Where are you?"
"Hello? Ah, hyung."
His low, thick voice blanked my mind. Wrong number? Checked—no, hers. Why Hyeonwoo...? Still together? This late? Words failed, I just stammered. He added,
"Seoyeoni's asleep right now."