Chance?!(1)
“Huh? No reply?”
“Nah. Messages unread, calls ignored.”
“That punk Seonghwan's probably passed out face-down in the library, right?”
“Even then, wouldn't he wake up from hunger?”
“Eh, should we just eat without him?”
“Let's wait five more minutes. It's curry rice today—his favorite.”
“Huh? Seonghwan likes curry rice? Never heard that before.”
“......Found out last year when we ate cafeteria food together.”
Yun-su had ignored the barrage of messages from his department friends and seniors right after returning to school post-discharge. Sure, he could hang out with them anytime, but he really wanted to spend this first cafeteria lunch back on campus with Ye-seul.
“Weren't they looking for you a lot in your department, Yun-su?”
“Yeah, kinda. New freshmen are coming in, and now that I'm a sophomore, the juniors and seniors probably wanna hand off the newbie duties. Kept getting texts to come say hi.”
“Then go. I can eat alone quick, or wait for Seonghwan.”
“No way. I already saw the freshmen at OT. Buying them lunch ain't hard, but a guy with a girlfriend can't just drop everything. I'll just hand out meal tickets to the guys later. Plus, there's the opening party next week—I'll show then.”
Yun-su had been popular in his department from his freshman days through his return as a sophomore. Korea University was a hub for academic stars, so even though there weren't many who hit the perfect “handsome and smart” mark, Yun-su boldly claimed that spot. An idol-level flower boy, at that. Even during this year's orientation, he'd openly mentioned having a girlfriend, yet still ended up with phone numbers from more than a couple of new girls. That good-looking face paired with a cheeky grin hiding playful charm. The easy charisma to mingle with older seniors. Honestly, if not for Ye-seul, he'd already be in the running for department rep. But no one dared nominate the famously Ye-seul-obsessed Yun-su for a role demanding full commitment to department duties.
Ring ring ring.
“Oh! Group chat popped up. Seonghwan's response time is glacial. Bet he was sleeping.”
“What? Ye-seul, you've met her too?”
Yun-su blinked in surprise at Ye-seul knowing about some girl he didn't. She replied with a cynical edge.
“Club senior who bought Seonghwan meals last year. Bumped into her at restaurants a few times.”
“Ooh, really? Thought Seonghwan'd be a total loner without us. Didn't peg him for clubbing. Figured he skimmed it.”
“............”
Ye-seul stared silently at her phone. Yun-su, feeling awkward, nudged her again.
“Anyway, he's not eating. Let's grab ours quick. Lunch rush is tight.”
“......Wanna skip to dinner instead?”
“Huh? Why? Not hungry?”
“Appetite's gone.”
Ye-seul suddenly deflated, wanting to skip lunch. Yun-su prodded, clueless.
“Something up in your department? Wanna talk?”
“Nah, fine. Nothing happened. Just... new freshmen, heading to junior year—lots to think about.”
“Fair. Time to build specs, huh. Alright, I'll grab coffee. We chill a bit, then class.”
Yun-su noted her drained tone but didn't link it to the group chat. That chat was for laughs and daily banter—no room for anxiety or gloom. It was their unspoken pact, upheld perfectly so far. Yun-su figured it'd stay their happy space forever.
Ye-seul stared wordlessly at her phone until Yun-su returned with coffee.
Meeting Yu-mi in front of the library led to lightning-fast drinks plans, but I couldn't hide my inner thrill. My crush on Yeon ran deep—I still hadn't shaken her shadow—but Yu-mi brought a different excitement and comfort every time. Sometimes, the little time I'd spent with her felt more fun than years with Yeon. Sure, her sensual figure—that body any guy would crave—and her easy physical closeness played a part.
As a healthy twenty-something, seeing Yu-mi always stirred raw desire. Occasionally, I'd tense up, scared I'd cross a line without meaning to.
Can't become a criminal. Especially not a sex offender. At least economic crime gets you a 'smart crook' label...
But today, that resolve wavered.
Fuck... why'd she wear something that short?
Earlier at the library, she'd been casual—jeans and coat. Now, for drinks, short shorts baring her thighs, long boots. She must've changed. Short shorts' allure depends on the wearer. Hers hugged her toned, voluptuous legs from workouts perfectly, no gaps—pure sensuality. I couldn't think straight. Her lower body's curve screamed through the half-coat. Then, coat off at the bar: those massive peaks burst free. The packed bar's eyes locked on our table ages ago. I missed the jealousy in those stares.
Yu-mi chugged nonstop in that short time, now slumped against the wall, eyes shut, passed out.
She's practically throwing herself at me.
Damn... motel with her? That guy's scored big.
The bar guys' silent uproar rang in my ears, but I was too stunned.
What the hell? Why'd she pound drinks alone and black out in under two hours? Driving me nuts.
I knew her tolerance. We'd drunk with club folks plenty. She handled three soju bottles easy, got rowdy when tipsy but never lost consciousness. But today, after prying into my life—neighbors Yeon and Hyun—she suddenly slammed shots solo.
“So, the freshman you brought today is the little sis of that neighbor you crushed on?”
“Yeah. Hung out since kids, treated her like real sis. Backfired—won't date anyone else, sticks to me and my bro. Didn't think it'd last to college.”
“Hmm.”
“She's cute, popular with guys, but wastes it. Super shy, cusses me out. Social skills'd have her picking any dude.”
“How'd she end up at Korea U too?”
“Not like me. She's a brainiac, top of her school. Came on her own merit. House nearby too.”
Quick Hyun chat, then she ordered soju like mad, downed it before I could stop her—bam, this.
Aw, shit. What now? Don't even know her place.
Call her boyfriend Min-cheol? Nah—he'd drag me to some dark alley if he saw this. Misunderstandings already bad enough.
Check her phone first?
I shook her lightly to confirm, dispel suspicions.
“Senior. Senior. Yu-mi senior...”
No stir. I rummaged her coat on her thigh.
“Phone... here?”
“Mm.”
As I nudged her arm, she grumbled sleepily, pulling the coat to her chest.
“Cold? Just a sec, your arm...”
Gasp. Fuck?
Forcing her arm, pulling the coat—my hand grazed her breast. Dizzy, I yanked back. Every guy in the bar saw.
That idiot...
Fuck. Can't even take freebies.
Chilling stares hit. I coughed, straightened, checked time to hide embarrassment.
Not even 9 yet... Pay and call another club senior?
Mom's allowance and Yeon's morning cash—plenty. Yu-mi dragged me saying she'd pay, but I'd planned to cover anyway—owed her from freshman days.
Wanted to sneak-pay during a bathroom break for cool points. Life never goes as planned.
At the counter, bill in hand, card out—the owner chuckled unexpectedly.
“That table's already paid.”
“Huh? When?”
“20 minutes ago. The girl passed out there now.”
“What?”
Yeah, she'd wobbled off then, saying she'd splash water on her face. Paid then?
Senior stole my cool moment... Learned something.
Embarrassed, wallet out, I grabbed my phone instead.
Now what? Call a female club senior nearby?
Pondering how to haul her out, the owner eyed us both, leaned in whispering.
“Student. Korea U?”
“Uh? Yeah. How'd you know?”
“Haha. First in ages. Saw your ID when she paid. Pretty girlfriend who's smart too? Lucky guy.”
“Ah... not my girlfriend...”
“Shh!!”
“??”
Suspicious—close whisper, then hushing. I almost ignored, but his sly glance hooked me.
“Why'd I say first Korea U in ages?”
“Dunno...”
“Street looks close to Korea U, but 20+ minute walk. Buses usually. Why bother when your campus has tons of bars?”
“...?”
“Other unis nearby—packed with students. Korea U folks rare. Theirs are 5-10 min walks; yours takes time.”
“......What's your point?”
“Listen. Know the big diff between Korea U bar street and here?”
Yu-mi dragged me—no clue. I'd drunk near campus, never here. Knew other schools nearby made it student hot spot, but campus had fancy grills and pubs. No bus needed. Today, Yu-mi insisted.
I stood blank. Owner whispered slyly again.
“Biggest diff? Motels everywhere here. Heh heh.”
“Gasp?!”
“Why'd Korea U kids come? Think, kid.”
My heart pounded. Dopamine surged to my frontal lobe, body electric. Eyes darted wildly.
Owner nailed it.
“She walked fine paying 20 min ago. Blackout that fast? Call ambulance. She'd be flat on floor, gasping—not propped like that. She okay?”
Thump-thump.
Heart thundered past simple beats—blood hammering vessels, echoing in ears. Shaking eyes spread tremors; legs buckled. Wallet hand slipped, trembling too hard to pocket.
Owner's final words buzzed distantly, inner ear failing.
But he murmured clearly for me to hear:
“She's. A.wake. Right. Now!”