Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Booze 1
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The following Monday.
As I stepped into the classroom, I could feel several pairs of eyes turning my way.
They didn't greet me, but they glanced over before going back to whatever they'd been doing. A few of them even seemed to be whispering among themselves.
Was it thanks to that award-winning beautician noona's skills? For someone like me who'd always had less presence than the classroom wallpaper, it was tough to get used to.
I shuffled awkwardly to my usual spot in the very back row and sat down. The moment I did, I flipped open my laptop and hit the power button.
"Sunbae, hello!"
So-hye, sitting two seats over like always, greeted me as if she'd been waiting.
She was ridiculously energetic on a Monday. It was a vibe I couldn't quite comprehend, given how every Monday I debated just dropping out because school felt like such a drag.
"Mm. Hi."
I gave a vague reply, and So-hye scooted one seat closer. Wondering what was up, I glanced over to see her blinking those big eyes at me.
"You look totally different."
Had I changed that much? Enough to warrant comments?
Explaining it myself—something about getting a haircut—felt embarrassing. They probably knew anyway. I decided to play dumb.
"Yeah?"
"Yes. A lot. I thought maybe you'd gotten plastic surgery over the weekend."
"If I had, the swelling wouldn't be down yet."
"Ahaha. True."
After tossing out that bit of nonsense, So-hye covered her mouth and let out a small laugh.
"You cut your hair, right?"
"Yeah."
"Your bushy hair was basically your signature look. I'm shocked it's gone."
Apparently, an identity I hadn't even realized I had got butchered by scissors.
I turned fully to face her. So-hye was propping her chin on her hand, looking up at me.
"See? Just like I said."
"What'd you say?"
"That you're handsome enough to show it off."
"And I told you, I don't think so."
"Ahaha. Sunbae."
Her tone made it sound like I was joking. But I wasn't.
"Oh yeah, did you submit the group assignment?"
"Last night. Si-eun gave it a final review, so no mistakes."
"What if there's an update notice midway?"
"If it comes before the deadline, I'll tweak it and resubmit."
"Lucky to have such reliable sunbaes."
So-hye beamed and added one more line.
"In that spirit, wanna grab drinks?"
"What?"
I had no clue what she meant by that. There hadn't been a single mention of alcohol in our conversation.
Not that it mattered to me. My answer was clear anyway.
"Nah."
"Huh? Why not?"
"Too bothersome."
With that, I turned my head away, but So-hye spoke up from beside me in a pouty tone.
"Sunbae. Where's the back-row camaraderie?"
"Never had any to begin with..."
She must've just imagined that sense of solidarity on her own. I hadn't even noticed she existed until she started talking to me.
But So-hye didn't give up and kept grumbling.
"The assignment's done. It'd be fun for the three of us to have a drink~"
"We haven't even gotten the grade. We just submitted it."
"Still, we all worked on it together. Just one drink to celebrate~"
She really seemed to want the three of us to go out together.
Do juniors often invite seniors for drinks? I wouldn't know—I didn't have friends among my peers, let alone juniors.
One thing was obvious, though.
"You're... super sociable, huh."
"Ahaha. Yeah. I've got tons of friends."
"Makes sense. Explains why none of them are in this class with you."
"What do you mean by that, sunbae?"
She furrowed her brow and shot me a glare. It was supposed to look hurt, but it wasn't scary at all. I left her to figure it out.
"Anyway, I'm good. No point. I've hardly ever been to drinks, don't know any of the games or whatever."
"Huh? Do you hate alcohol?"
"Not really. Tried it freshman year—turns out I don't get drunk easily. Unless I drink a ton."
"What happens when you do?"
"Pass out right there."
"Sounds like you."
More like you, honestly.
I snorted, and So-hye gave me a puzzled look.
"If you don't hate it, then why haven't you gone out for drinks?"
"Why do you think? No friends to invite me."
She'd finally dragged it out of me.
As I thought that, So-hye grinned brightly.
"Then no reason not to go if you're invited, right?"
"No. Still bothersome."
"Even if it's your back-row buddy inviting you?"
We'd looped right back to the start. A total infinite loop. Made me sigh just thinking about it.
Still, turning her down over and over felt kinda harsh.
Without So-hye, I might've ended up doing the whole assignment solo. I'd have had to admit in front of the prof that I had no friends—updating my black history. Sure, Si-eun and I could've done it together, but...
I crossed my arms and spoke up.
"Even if I go, it'll be boring. You cool with that?"
"Of course."
She giggled in response.
If boring was fine by her, what more could I say? She'd already shaved one black-history incident off my record. Granting one favor wasn't a big deal.
"Fine."
The moment I accepted, So-hye leaned in with a "For real?" Her small frame had these big, puppy-like gestures.
"Yeah."
"Awesome. Then we just need Si-eun sunbae's okay."
"Ah, I'll ask her."
With that, I pulled out my phone.
Si-eun was up front. I could've gone over, but better to keep our togetherness under wraps as much as possible. Plus, moving was a hassle.
I opened KakaoTalk. My short friends list popped up. I tapped "Yoo Si-eun."
[Got time tonight?]
I sent it and looked up. Up front, Si-eun picked up her phone from the desk. She checked the screen right away, tilted her head, then started typing.
My phone buzzed soon after.
[Yeah. Why?]
No plans, then.
Made sense. Outside of student council stuff, she was usually home after dinner. No weekend outings either. Probably not the type to hit up drinks often.
[Drinks tonight together?]
I typed it and hit send.
Si-eun brought the screen right up to her face, stared blankly for a sec, then...
[Just us?]
Whoops. Left out the key part.
[Nah. The three from the group project. She suggested it. Just checking if you're cool.]
I sent that, and after a long pause...
[Ohhh.]
A bit later, another buzz.
[No plans. But I don't like alcohol much.]
[Me neither.]
[Why go then?]
[Han So-hye wants to.]
After that, Si-eun turned around to look our way.
I met her gaze with a blank expression. Meanwhile, So-hye grinned like it was the best thing ever and waved at her.
Si-eun turned back forward.
[If I say no, you two going anyway?]
[Dunno.]
I hadn't even considered it.
"What if Yoo Si-eun says no?"
I asked quietly, and So-hye gave a wry smile.
"Ah, that wouldn't work. I mean, with the sunbaes..."
Mid-sentence, she pivoted hard.
"Nah. Two of us would be fine."
"Hm."
Changed her mind on the spot? Two or three, still a hassle either way. I relayed it.
[Asked her. Says two is fine.]
[Then I'll go.]
Instant reply.
Same logic as last time, huh? Guy and girl drinking alone—risky. If I got a girlfriend, she'd get fired as housekeeper. Gotta prevent that. Something like that.
Either way, she was in. I put my phone down and told So-hye.
"She's good."
"Hehehe. Great."
Delivering Si-eun's answer got So-hye clapping her hands in delight.
"That happy?"
"Ahaha. Yeah. Actually, I picked up on something during the project. Got some questions. Perfect chance."
"Hm."
Whatever she sensed, she had her own agenda. And stuff to ask, apparently. Did it really need drinks? Eh, multitasking, I guess.
Right then, the professor walked in.
We mostly zoned out through class anyway, but we couldn't chat openly. So-hye said, "See you tonight," and headed back to her spot.
Time to code, I thought, turning to my laptop—then noticed a new message on my phone screen.
Who could it be? It was Si-eun. She'd sent a few more after her last reply.
I tapped to read.
[By the way.]
[I'm weak to alcohol.]
[Just so you know.]
She was really worried. How weak was she to complain like that?
We wouldn't drink enough to get wasted. She was the junior—no pressuring her. I'd probably be the first one heading home anyway.
Still, better reassure her.
[It'll be fine. We're heading home together anyway.]
Would that ease her mind? Even if she got tipsy and wobbly, a taxi ride home would sort it. Living together paid off at times like this.
I sent it, and a reply came quick.
Not text—a bunny character emoji tilting side to side.
Didn't peg her for emoji type. Felt off from the Si-eun at home. I let out a light chuckle and set my phone down.