Jealous.... (4)
Unlike Lee Hyun's meltdown, the rumors surprisingly fizzled out without much fuss.
"Hohoho. I got bombarded with messages from all over yesterday too. 'Is the rumor about Lee Hyun true?' So I smoothed things over for her. Hyoseok's the group chat admin, right? He was quietly putting in work too. So don't sweat it."
Jia's words at the school gate brought Seonghwan some relief.
"But the senior girls already texted me..."
"Don't overthink it. It'll blow over anyway. And honestly? It might even be working in your favor—everyone's paying more attention to you now. Not a bad deal, huh?"
"What's good about that? I hate this shit. Because of that crazy bastard... haaah."
Seonghwan, already shrinking into a corner, was sneaking closer while eyeing Lee Hyun and Jia's vibe.
"Lee Hyun-ah, I'll talk to those seniors I mentioned yesterday too. Don't worry."
"Your very existence is my worry. Just shut your trap. Don't make it worse."
"Gasp!!"
Seonghwan clamped his mouth shut again at the sight of Lee Hyun raising her fist and scowling.
Damn it, fuck. Who was it that declared herself a lesbian first? I let it slide without a peep even though she almost made me gay.
But arguing would only make it worse. Seonghwan decided to play nice.
Jia smiled at him and patted his back reassuringly.
"It's fine, oppa. Don't let it get to you—I've built a solid network in no time. I'll handle it."
"Yeah... thanks."
"But payday's on you, okay?"
"........Haa, deal."
One's beating me up for extortion money, the other's got dirt on me for the same. How'd I end up like this?
Still, with the mood lightening, Seonghwan glanced at Lee Hyun. Luckily, she seemed over it, grabbing Jia's arm with a slight smile.
Rarely, but every now and then... Seonghwan wished that smile of hers would grow even bigger because of him during their college days.
Seeing Lee Hyun thriving with friends who clicked better than he'd expected—and drawing unexpected attention—filled him with a bit of pride.
Nice. Good for her!
A smile crept onto Seonghwan's face too.
"Yo!"
"Huh? You're in a good mood today. What's up?"
"'Cause you're buying coffee?"
"Haa..."
Seonghwan had come down to the library cafe after Yun-su's sudden "let's grab coffee" text. He plopped down across from him and casually ordered—for Yun-su, of course.
"Cafe latte for me. Extra shot. Large."
"Acting like royalty. Hold on."
Yun-su grumbled about being bossed around, but Seonghwan took it in stride. Yun-su's expression, the timing of the summon...
Something's up. Or a favor.
And no Ye-seul in tow.
Related to her?
As Seonghwan sorted his thoughts, Yun-su returned with the coffee.
"Thanks for the treat."
"No need to thank me. Just deduct it from that taxi fare you owe me."
"Cheap bastard, tallying every penny."
"You gotta keep strict accounts with close friends."
Seonghwan sipped his coffee and cut to the chase, staring Yun-su down.
"So? What do you need?"
"Look at those eyes sharpen. One sip and boom—straight to business?"
"Gotta separate work from play with close friends."
Yun-su chuckled wryly, mimicking his own line playfully. But Seonghwan didn't like that bitter smile.
"What? That forced grin—what's wrong?"
"It's... nothing."
"Not like you. Spill it. This coffee's gonna give me indigestion otherwise. Embarrassing to whine about heartburn from coffee."
Seonghwan knew his jokes were lame but kept pushing because Yun-su looked unexpectedly down. And he suspected it tied to the absent Ye-seul.
"Ye-seul?"
He had to prod first.
"Ugh..."
Yun-su's groan right after confirmed it.
"What? Too public? Wanna step out?"
"Nah, not that serious."
"Then?"
"Sigh... Fine, who else can I tell? Remember our Incheon trip two weeks ago?"
Seonghwan flinched inwardly at the mention of the Incheon pool villa.
Uh? Fuck, no way. Busted? But it was just a brush...
Drunk Ye-seul leaning on his shoulder. His hand, crumbling to base desire, sliding down and grazing her breast that day. The memory lingered as a vivid afterimage even at home.
Six years of friendship versus 23 years of male lust. Even a first-grader could see which way the scale tipped.
Fuck, I held back... Did she really notice?
Seonghwan swallowed dryly, eyeing Yun-su's heavy expression.
"Sigh... Yeah. You probably guessed. It's about Ye-seul."
"Eep..."
Like awaiting trial, Seonghwan clamped his mouth shut for Yun-su's next words. But it was a question thrown his way.
"After Incheon, did you notice anything off about Ye-seul?"
"Off? Her? No? Not at all?"
"Sigh..."
Relief mixed with confusion as Seonghwan scanned Yun-su's face.
Not busted... Real issue between them? Ye-seul changed?
Nothing clicked. Group chats were lively as ever, meals too. He didn't know their post-class life with his part-time, but if it was bad enough for Yun-su's sighs, he'd have noticed.
"I got nothing, so don't probe my guess—just spill. What's with Ye-seul?"
"I don't know exactly either. Just a feeling. Since Incheon... her reactions changed."
"How?"
"Meals, library hangs, even walking home—fewer words, avoiding eye contact. Like she's dodging me? Gut feeling. Unsettling?"
"You ate together yesterday, stuck like glue last week. Maybe you're overthinking?"
"Wish I was. She turned down weekend dinner and movie—multiple times. She'd explain if busy, reschedule. Now? Just vague no's."
"Hm..."
Men might miss cues, but when they hit, conviction follows. Especially from Yun-su after six years—Seonghwan couldn't dismiss it.
"Dunno the details, can't say yes or no... But if you're this worked up, something's off."
"Hope it's a misunderstanding..."
Hope laced Yun-su's words, undercut by strong certainty. Something was off-kilter.
Frustrated, Seonghwan prodded.
"So? Venting to me? I'm a love disaster—asking me for fixes is like pouring water in a sputtering car?"
"Not expecting miracles. But I need a favor..."
"What?"
"Sigh..."
After a pause, Yun-su spilled.
"Think about it—she's lively when it's us three. Dunno if she's mad at me, but she laughs fine with you. So... help me out."
"Help how?"
"Clear your weekend. Casual meal or drinks with Ye-seul, probe her mood. Booze might loosen her. What's bugging her about me? Family issues? Probe gently. 'You're not yourself lately' vibe."
"Can't you ask? You're the boyfriend."
"Think I haven't?"
Ah...
Last resort, as always. Even after inserting Seonghwan as buffer, Yun-su kept main/sub separate. Always for Ye-seul and Yun-su, by them. Seonghwan was prime sauce, not entrée. He knew, no complaints.
Yeah, he tried fixing it first. Two weeks. Came running when it failed.
Now grasping it, Seonghwan said,
"So? Call her myself? 'Weekend drinks, no Yun-su?' Suspicious as hell. She's not that oblivious."
"Duh, no dumb moves. I strike first, you bail."
Seonghwan got the riddle.
"Hit and run? Makes a story."
"Deal? Operation on."
"Fine, but why rush? Weekend's three days off."
"If even you flake, no plan B. I'm desperate."
"Demo it. Need to sync or it'll be awkward."
"Got it. Wait."
Yun-su whipped out his phone, set it table-side for Seonghwan's view, and typed swiftly.
"What the fuck, asshole? When did I..."
"Shh! Play along."
Yun-su silenced protesting Seonghwan and grinned as the positive reply came.
"Nailed it. No suspicion, right?"
"She's thrilled, huh? Turning me into the lonely loser hanging on couples."
"C'mon, cut me slack. I'll book tickets. Spot with her over dinner, let you know."
"Do your thing."
Seonghwan slumped back in resignation. Yun-su pocketed his phone and stood.
"Class?"
"Wednesdays are chill. 2:30 later."
"Haha. Heading out. Prep time. Text later."
Seonghwan waved as Yun-su left beaming, then sipped his coffee.
Ye-seul does seem down... more than Yun-su thinks.
During Yun-su's service, he and Ye-seul hung solo for nearly 1.5 years. Only once had she been this low.
My third-year repeater grind, near end?
Yun-su's absence, her first birthday post-enlistment. Busy with mocks tanking that day, Seonghwan still dragged himself for dinner.
'Am I right to keep seeing Yun-su?'
Her drunken out-of-nowhere musing nearly made him drop his glass amid his own foul mood. Yun-su never knew how stormy it got.
Not monthly curse—every two years? Gotta ask her myself.
His phone buzzed mid-thought on Ye-seul.
Hm?
Screen showed a personal KakaoTalk.
Eh? What? Yuri? From Yuri?
Sudden personal from Min Yu-ri.
Why now?
Group chat for project existed—joined via leader Park Young-hwan, shared materials. Yu-ri posted curt replies there, public.
Their real exchanges? Health gallery DMs. Secret, thrilling just-them stuff.
Personal now?
He opened it fast.
Link? Health gallery?
Just a curt URL.
What?
Glancing around, he clicked cautiously.
And "Pfft?! What the fuck is this?"
Ignoring stares, Seonghwan yelped in shock.
"What the hell is she...?"