Others' Gazes (8)
“Yo! Oppa, were you waiting for us?”
Jia's voice was always full of energy, her face always lit up with a smile. It felt familiar yet strangely new every time, probably because Seonghwan didn't have many people like that around him. And it wasn't just Seonghwan who had to adjust to Jia each time.
“You came too? What's up with that? You were acting like you wouldn't.”
“Shut up. Even when I come, you bitch about it.”
Lee Hyun had her usual ponytail, but something looked different today.
“You... did your makeup...”
“Jesus, shut up.”
Seonghwan stared at Lee Hyun in surprise before turning to Jia. As if she'd anticipated his reaction, Jia proudly flashed a V-sign with her fingers and grinned.
“I did it~ Hyun liked my makeup tips so much she barely resisted. Should I just teach her all my secrets? Wonder who she's trying to impress...”
“Jia!”
Jia flinched inwardly at Lee Hyun's sharp glare, eyebrows raised, but quickly smiled again. And there was Hyoseok, gawking openly at the made-up Lee Hyun.
“You showed up too? Weren't you thinking it over?”
“Ah, haha, hyung. There was a condition, right? If Hyun comes, I'm in no matter what. I actually had to work hard shaking off the other guys from our department chasing her. Haha, didn't I do good?”
Seonghwan was speechless watching Hyoseok shrug like he deserved praise. What the hell is this guy saying? We invited them because there were no freshmen in the club room, and he blocked other kids from coming along?
Hyoseok just shrugged even more under Seonghwan's baffled stare.
“Come on, with Hyun showing up all made up by Jia today, she's getting even more attention than usual, right? It was total chaos. Everyone was hovering around her locker, hemming and hawing, but I blocked 'em with my whole body. Anyway, us 'Steamy Kim Family' members gotta stick together. Too many people crowding around is a headache, yeah, hyung?”
“...Yeah, good job.”
With Jia's help, Lee Hyun's makeup had definitely upgraded her looks enough to draw every guy's eyes. Seonghwan had seen it at the amusement park over the weekend too, but after years of seeing the old Hyun, even he couldn't adjust easily.
“Is Jia just that good at makeup, or have you been dressing like a total slob all this time?”
“...Wanna get kicked right out the gate?”
“Fuck. Even complimenting you gets this shit?”
“Where's the compliment in calling me a slob? If slob's a compliment, should I call you one every day too?”
“It's Chungcheong-style talk, you idiot. I said you look pretty today all roundabout, and you gotta nitpick?”
“Seoul native pulling Chungcheong bullshit.”
Their bickering from the start was a familiar sight to anyone who knew them. But Jia just sighed, full of frustration.
At this rate, they'll never make progress. I've set up so many chances, and they're still like this. This won't do. Time for drastic measures.
Jia squeezed between Seonghwan and Lee Hyun with a bright smile.
“Oppa, you said you have work and no time. Let's head up already. The other club seniors are waiting, right?”
“Oh? Yeah, can't delay anymore. Let's go. Hyun, don't act with the seniors like you do with me, okay? And Mincheol sunbae—he's been kinda hysterical lately... Nah, I'll explain later. Up we go.”
“You behave. Don't start weird rumors like lesbian this and that.”
“Pfft.”
“Hahaha, what's this? What day is it? Hyeonseok, you ignored me every time I told you to bring your girlfriend, but what wind blew her in today?”
“Aw, hyung. I have a conscience. Honestly, I felt bad toward you and Yumi noona. Not many second-years left, so I should've stuck around... It's been bugging me.”
O Hyeonseok alternated glances between his laughing senior Eunhyeok and his cute girlfriend pressed close beside him, smiling contentedly. He felt guilty toward his senior Eunhyeok, but truthfully, he'd been seriously considering quitting the club lately.
As a '23 admittee, he'd enjoyed the seniors' indulgence to his heart's content and grown attached. But his new girlfriend had wiped all that away, injecting pure vitality into his life.
Hyeonseok had always been popular, dating a few girls since high school—including one campus couple right after starting uni. That freshman fling ended badly since they were in different departments, but it hadn't wrecked his college life much. Still, he was cautious with this one. Same humanities college freshman. Breaking up would hurt bad, and she was pretty enough not to overthink it.
That's why he'd ignored Eunhyeok's nagging to bring her to the club room. Dating as a couple there and splitting? Disaster. He'd avoided the club building entirely when with her.
But that became the problem. The president avoiding the club room to hang with his girl? Even conscientious Hyeonseok had pondered quitting altogether. He was that smitten.
But Seonghwan hyung's bringing freshmen via connections?
Hyeonseok had quietly envied Seonghwan. The travel club's mascot and Madonna, Jo Yumi. Her killer body and face had once made him neglect his department for club life, secretly hoping for a shot after her Mincheol breakup.
Then this random third-time freshman Seonghwan shows up, and Yumi's all favoritism toward him. Hyeonseok felt like a dog robbed of its owner's love.
Mincheol was her official couple, perfect match—no rivalry. But losing even to late-bloomer Seonghwan? Pathetic.
Seonghwan stopped coming, burying the jealousy. Otherwise, friction might've sparked.
But now he's back, freshmen in tow—skipping president Hyeonseok to tell Eunhyeok. Straight-up disrespect.
Fuck, who does he think I am? Thinks I'm a pushover 'cause I stayed quiet.
Hyeonseok saw himself as the club's legit heir by join order and tenure. Only age held him back.
So he subtly suggested to his girlfriend, and here they were—with her application.
Just don't break up with her. How lovable is my girl.
Hyeonseok eyed her. Monolids but big eyes, cute face. Freshman energy, lively and bright. And she knew how to doll up: sleek makeup, tight jeans hugging her figure. He preferred this over sloppy pretty girls.
Heh, everyone in the club'll freak when they see her.
Yumi was there first, but untouchable with Mincheol. Now, as a couple, he'd bask in the jealous stares.
“Haha, not many other seniors today? Will those freshmen from before come?”
“...Sigh, dude. How out of the loop are you? Didn't your batchmates say anything? Seonghwan aside, Yujae and Chanwoo are around.”
“Huh? Oh... Haven't hung with them lately. Wait, I stopped by last week—only you were there. Same the week before. Something up with the club room?”
“President this oblivious... You're clueless. Yumi dumped Mincheol hyung. He's been stressed as hell.”
“What?!!”
Hyeonseok's reaction startled even Eunhyeok and his girlfriend.
“Ow, you scared me. Screaming like that?”
“Just... so out of nowhere...”
Embarrassed by his outburst, Hyeonseok glanced at his girlfriend, worried it'd look like excitement over another woman. Luckily, she just stared blankly.
Damn, overreacted. But why'd Yumi sunbae suddenly...?
Stealing glances at her, he cautiously asked Eunhyeok.
“Why'd it happen all sudden? What'd Mincheol sunbae say? And how's that related to everyone else ghosting?”
“Chill, one thing at a time. First day your girl's joining—wanna gossip about strangers just us two?”
“Ah...”
Finally, Hyeonseok caught the heavy warning in Eunhyeok's words. His girl might cross paths with Yumi someday. Women's instincts go beyond men's. Hearing 'Yumi' from her boyfriend could plant seeds of doubt. The once-revered Madonna might irk her. Suspicion builds walls.
“Hahaha, got ahead of myself. When's Seonghwan hyung coming? He said early for work.”
“Hm? Should be soon. Said by 6:15... Yeah, about time.”
Flustered, Hyeonseok switched topics; Eunhyeok smoothly followed. Their history made it natural.
“Man, Seonghwan hyung too. Seniors are waiting—come earlier.”
“Not just him—dragging kids. Can't control that. And you're same year, but treat him like hyung to save face.”
“Hyung, always have. What's new?”
Hyeonseok had already set the stage with his girlfriend. Seonghwan's surprise freshmen wouldn't outshine the couple—especially with his pretty humanities girl intimidating others.
Wish more people were here. But Yujae and Chanwoo joining for dinner? Perfect.
Grinning smugly—
Knock knock.
“Oh! Seonghwan's here. Door's open—come in!!”
Eunhyeok shouted eagerly; the door swung open.
“Whew... a bit late. Huh? Hyeonseok's here too? Wait, what?”
Seonghwan greeted Eunhyeok, then spotted Hyeonseok and the girl beside him, eyes widening.
Hyeonseok beamed, standing to greet.
“Haha, hyung, long time. Oh! This is my girlfriend Yoo Eunhye—I dragged her here. Take care of us.”
“Heard from Eunhyeok sunbae. Thought you weren't bringing her? Nice to meet you. '23 Kim Seonghwan.”
Seonghwan bowed; Yoo Eunhye stood and bowed back quickly.
“Hi. New admittee Yoo Eunhye. Nice to meet you.”
“Huh? Freshman? '24?”
Seonghwan looked shocked; Hyeonseok answered proudly.
“Haha, yeah. Lucky me, snagged a freshman.”
Hyeonseok swelled with pride. Yeah, check that jealous look on Seonghwan hyung. Eunhyeok hyung was envious too at first. Heh, losers. Second girlfriend since starting uni. And mine's gorgeous.
First one lasted a month—no kiss—but irrelevant. This one's prettier, loves him more.
As Hyeonseok boasted, Eunhyeok awkwardly noticed the students behind Seonghwan.
“Hey, what're you doing? Leaving your own guests outside to chat? Bring 'em in.”
Eunhyeok stood, scolding; Seonghwan realized, calling in Jia's group.
“Oops, forgot. Come in quick. Everyone, greet the seniors.”
Hyeonseok watched leisurely. Damn, hyung's scatterbrained. Or flustered by my girl? Haha, sorry.
As they filed in past Seonghwan, Hyeonseok eyed them hawkishly.
Pfft, what's with the doofus face? Seonghwan bringing other losers? Hmm, that girl's kinda cute. Meh overall. Huh? Wait... what?
Hyoseok first, then Jia—their eyes tracked. Finally, Lee Hyun peeked in shyly last.
Both men's eyes bulged, pupils shaking wildly.
“......Huh?”
“......What?”
Clueless Seonghwan hurried them as silence fell.
“Greet 'em. This is our '21 Im Eunhyeok sunbae. And '23 batchmate O Hyeonseok.”
“Hello. Education University '24 Lee Hyoseok.”
“Hello. Same uni freshman Jeong Jia.”
“Hello. Lee Hyun.”
Silence lingered post-greeting.
“Seniors, what're you doing? Hyeonseok, you too? Greet back.”
Seonghwan frowned at them. Eunhyeok and Hyeonseok, staring at Lee Hyun like zombies, snapped to and fumbled greetings.
“Uh, I'm a club member... '21 Im Eunhyeok... Yeah. That's it.”
“Uh, club president, '23 O Hyeonseok. With Seonghwan—hyung—same year, so casual...”
Seonghwan grimaced at Hyeonseok's rambling titles.
“Hey, introduce your girlfriend too. Clubmates now.”
“Huh? Oh... right.”
Hyeonseok turned to Eunhye—and saw her glaring daggers. She'd witnessed his gawking at Lee Hyun.
Shit, not like this...
Bitter-faced, Hyeonseok introduced her anyway, but Eunhye's expression stayed stony.