112. Boyfriend's Friend
"The world really is small, huh."
"...Yeah."
"But you asshole, you knew and didn't say anything? Huh?"
"Say what?"
"Your Kakao profile pic is a photo of your girlfriend. You would've seen it. That Nael's my girl."
"No, why would I go checking your profile pic?"
Whoa, I was seriously shocked. My boyfriend and Ga-eul sunbae being friends? I never imagined it.
"Oppa! What if I called and you talked more to someone else than me?!"
"Ah... sorry, sorry, Nael. I was just so surprised too. Dude, what kinda connection is this?"
"You two are friends?"
"Yeah. High school buddies."
Come to think of it, though? If I trace back what Gyeo-ul said, Ga-eul sunbae went to the boys' high school right next to our girls' high school... Same age, same school area, so them being friends isn't that weird.
"Anyway, I was eating with your sunbaes for real. ...Happy now?"
"Dude, if you say it like that, it sounds like I was suspicious of you."
"You were super anxious earlier."
"That's 'cause you're a lightweight. What if you get wasted and cause a scene with the sunbaes?"
I thought it'd be ages before I saw my boyfriend again, but I'm glad I got to see his face like this! Even if he talks tough, seeing him worry about me makes me feel all warm inside. Hehehe...
Rubbing it in front of others is kinda fun. The two sunbaes staring at us all blankly should take notes. Truth is, it was annoying as hell watching them flirt at the after-party. Think we can't do it too?
"Man-sik."
"My name's Min-seok, asshole."
"Oh, right. Man-seok."
"What, Kim Gyeo-ul."
"...Gyeo-ul's my little sister's name."
"Ah, what? Your sister's Kim Gyeo-ul?"
"Don't mess with someone else's little sister."
"No, you started it—why get mad at me?"
They're closer than I thought? I couldn't imagine Ga-eul sunbae like this. I've never seen him buddy-buddy with anyone. Well, if I think back to our first impression... maybe this fits better? To Gyeo-ul, he seems super popular with tons of friends.
"But you've been MIA lately 'cause you're busy with your girl. Military life's boring you, huh?"
"What bullshit..."
"Last time you were on leave, I told you not to ghost the group chat, and you went on about how it's 'cause of your girlfriend."
...Hmm? Ga-eul sunbae has a girlfriend? Gyeo-ul said he probably doesn't... Well, no reason for a brother to tell his sister about dating. Gyeo-ul just didn't notice?
...Wonder if she'd be shocked if I told her? Nah, she probably wouldn't believe it. 'No way that guy has a girlfriend. ...Don't talk nonsense.' She'd blow up like that.
"Ah, thinking about it pisses me off again? You stole all my booze that time, my fridge was totally..."
"When did I?"
"Don't play dumb. I went to grab vodka from the fridge, and you mixed it with cola..."
Huh? ...Didn't Ga-eul sunbae say he was a lightweight? Gyeo-ul said so, and he admitted it himself...
Question marks are floating over my head. What's going on?
While I was pondering, someone tapped my boyfriend's shoulder from behind. ...A senior NCO maybe? They talked urgently, and then Min-seok oppa yelled at me.
"Ah, Nael! Gotta go!"
"Huh? Why so sudden, oppa?"
"Officer at the barracks! Talk later on Kakao! Hang up! Everyone, take good care of Nael! She can't hold her liquor!"
The call cut off in a flash, leaving an awkward silence around the table.
Hmm... Min-seok oppa should be fine, right? Hope he doesn't get his leave revoked. At least I saw his face, so I'm feeling better. Gotta thank the sunbaes for letting me...
"Hyung said you couldn't drink?"
"...It was a lie. Parents hate it if I come home drunk, so I said I couldn't."
"C'mon, hyung. Beer doesn't even get you wasted."
But before I could chime in, the sunbaes started chatting among themselves. ...Hearing it again just raises more questions. Why did Gyeo-ul call me all worried that her brother couldn't drink? Sure, Ga-eul sunbae's parents are strict, but what's that got to do with Gyeo-ul?
"...Yeah. Lemme grab more beer."
And soon enough, Ga-eul sunbae was downing his fifth beer, stuffing his face with snacks.
Hmm... Gyeo-ul must just worry about her oppa a lot. Gotta call her later.
"Ah, Gyeo-ul. It's me."
"...Oppa drunk?"
"You pick up and that's the first thing you say? ...You like oppa that much?"
"...Hanging up."
"Sorry sorry sorry sorry. Won't do it. Won't. Your oppa's drunk."
I called my bestie #2 on the way to the bathroom. Ga-eul sunbae wasn't blackout wasted or anything, but he seemed pretty buzzed. Thought he was all stoic, but booze brings out the party animal in him? He was cracking up huge with the other sunbaes over cafe part-time stories. ...Stories I don't know. Kinda pisses me off they're having fun without me. Time to snitch.
"He drunk?"
"Hey, before that, something to say. Why'd you lie to me?"
"...About what?"
"Your big bro can hold his liquor just fine?"
"How many drinks?"
"Seven or eight now? Stomach's a bottomless pit."
"Haa... ...Knew it."
Gyeo-ul sighing heavily. From her reaction, this must be routine for him.
"But he wasn't that smashed? Just happily buzzed."
"That's how he is. That guy..."
"Anyway, I told you~ Kept my promise? Dinner next time?"
"...Fine. If he passes out, you got someone to drag him home?"
"Hmm..."
With that build, I couldn't manage. There's one guy, but... probably busy? The two sunbaes are a couple, wanna be alone. So...
"Haneul unnie. You know her? Nara's unnie? She might..."
"I'm coming now."
"...What? For real?"
"I got the address. Be there soon."
"Gyeo-ul, wait wait. Can't he just go home alone? Your oppa's not that drunk."
I tried protesting she didn't need to come, but the call was long dead. What the—why so urgent? He wasn't even that bad? Just tipsy, not collapsing. Does he get violent when drunk? ...Nah, more like Gyeo-ul super loves her oppa. Yeah, that fits. She adores him tons.
I debated telling Ga-eul sunbae but decided it'd be funnier not to, so I went back like nothing happened.
"Ah, hyung. Gonna deny it to the end?"
"Told you, dude. No girlfriend."
"No, hyung's friend proved it point-blank~ Why hide it~"
"Why you so obsessed with my love life?"
"I always thought you were a reliable sunbae! But Min-ji's suspecting you for no reason! I'm like, no way. Gotta prove it! Kim Ga-eul sunbae's a fine upstanding guy with a girlfriend!"
"Dude, why's my name dragged in?!"
"Dude, you're always on about that motel thing! Makes no sense!"
"Shit... haa..."
...What're they talking about? All drunk? Totally incomprehensible stuff flying around. Not fighting... Suspicion? Misunderstanding? Girlfriend? ...What does it mean?
"...Haneul unnie. What's that about?"
"...No idea."
Haneul unnie was picking at her nails, staying way out of it. ...Don't keep it to yourselves. Let us in?
"...You'd believe me if I told you?"
"After what you did in that group project? We'd never doubt you, right?"
"Dude, Oh Min-seop. Why make me the bad guy? I don't think sunbae's weird or anything, that time was just awkward..."
"One question. ...Your suspicion's about running into him at the motel, right?"
...Motel? Three of us wouldn't bump into anyone at a motel. Him plus girlfriend makes four, paths crossed...?
"Ah, yeah. See? Ga-eul hyung's so upfront, no way it's that."
But what's the issue...? Bumping into someone at a motel proves he has a girlfriend, right? Where's the misunderstanding?
No matter how sharp Nara is, she couldn't get it. What're they arguing about?
"...Unnie?"
Whatever, it was hilarious—I watched eagerly. But from the corner of my eye, Haneul unnie started biting her nails. ...What's with her? Oh right, super high chance she likes Ga-eul sunbae. My perfect deduction: at least 80%. She's been uneasy since earlier. Hearing about his girl like this...
"Fuck, me going there with her..."
"Shut up, Kim Ga-eul."
...Unnie? Nail-biting Haneul unnie snapped at Ga-eul sunbae, cutting him off.
"...What."
"You're wasted. Quiet down."
"Why should I?"
"For your... haa. ...Your girlfriend. Calm down, you're super heated."
...??? What the hell? My 80% missed. No clue what's happening anymore. What're they saying?
Question marks x5 over my head as I looked around.
"...Oppa?"
"Ah... Gyeo-ul."
My friend's voice hit me—forgot I called her just 10 minutes ago? Black shorts, black leggings. Black tee. Only a super baggy outer layer thrown on—she must've bolted right after picking up. ...That worried about oppa?
"Oppa drunk?"
"...Yeah."
"Told you to drink in moderation."
"Happened anyway."
"Haa... okay. Let's go home. You look pretty smashed."
"...Gyeo-ul."
"Yeah?"
Then Ga-eul sunbae went right up to Gyeo-ul and hugged her tight.
......???