A Fresh Start (5)
“……Hmm.”
After finishing her daily routine and returning to the dorm, Baek Seolah stepped out of the bathroom after washing up. She sat naked on the bed, drying her long silver-white hair with a towel. Then she picked up her smartphone.
“Mmm……”
Baek Seolah let out a small sigh at the reply, her expression slightly uncomfortable. Now that she was actually messaging her boyfriend, a pang of guilt hit her.
‘I really have gotten way too lenient.’
Back then, she never would have even dreamed of going on a date with another guy while dating Lee Hyeonseong. Even taking into account how Netorase play had cracked her once-straightforward view of relationships, this was pushing it. Still, making plans with Han Taeyang without saying a word to Lee Hyeonseong was reckless. During the day she had only grabbed him because it looked like he was about to head off to class, but looking back, it had definitely been impulsive.
Feeling belatedly reflective, Baek Seolah nevertheless typed out the next message.
A month ago, the old Baek Seolah would never have even imagined such a thing—going on a date with another man despite having a boyfriend, and actually asking that boyfriend for permission. The mere thought would have filled her with guilt. But a lot had changed. She had already grown quite close to Han Taeyang, and all of it had started because of Lee Hyeonseong’s excessive request. So even though she knew it wasn’t exactly normal, she brought it up anyway. Lee Hyeonseong always held a significant share of responsibility for this whole situation. As his girlfriend she felt sorry, but not so sorry that she hesitated to speak.
‘……I’m just checking something, that’s all. Yeah. That’s all it is.’
Of course, she still tried to justify it to herself, trying to preserve what little remained of her conscience. She wasn’t doing this because she wanted to enjoy a weekend date with Han Taeyang. It was simply that there was something she needed to confirm, so she had no choice but to frame the weekend plans as a date. By clarifying her intent and purpose, Baek Seolah eased some of the emotional guilt—though not entirely, judging by the slight darkening of her expression.
That lasted only a moment.
‘……The reply’s taking a while……’
The “unread” indicator had already disappeared, yet the unusually long pause made Baek Seolah blink and check the screen again. At that exact moment, the screen lit up with Lee Hyeonseong’s reply.
“……Huh?”
The reply was completely different from what she had expected. She had thought that this time, at least, her boyfriend would show some resistance. Instead, he gave an immediate, unconditional yes without even asking why. Baek Seolah’s golden eyes widened in surprise. Really? That easily? Even she, who prided herself on understanding Lee Hyeonseong inside and out, found this reaction unexpected. She stared blankly for a moment before snapping out of it and replying.
Maybe she had been too overbearing lately, and he was shrinking back out of fear. A reluctant yes wasn’t the honest answer she wanted. She had been disappointed in Lee Hyeonseong after his NTS request and had lost some affection for him. Their relationship had clearly become one-sided lately, but it hadn’t reached the point of breaking. If they were going to rebuild trust, there shouldn’t be any lingering resentment. She didn’t want him to hide his true feelings just because he was afraid of getting scolded.
But—
“……What.”
Even after she gave him a chance to correct himself, Lee Hyeonseong answered immediately. He really didn’t care. His wording had even changed from “you can go” to “go enjoy yourself.” That meant he truly didn’t mind, which only made Baek Seolah more bewildered.
‘No, why?’
Had this guy finally lost his mind? She rarely thought such harsh things about Lee Hyeonseong, but his cheerful response was so baffling that the words almost slipped out. Even though she had been the one to bring it up, she found herself getting annoyed. No matter how you looked at it, a boyfriend should feel at least a little jealous when his girlfriend says she’s going to spend the weekend with another man.
‘……How pathetic.’
Lips pursed, she typed a few more messages, her eyes narrowing sharply as if testing him.
She didn’t even bother hiding that it was a date anymore. Or rather, she no longer had the luxury to hide it. Swallowing dryly, she felt conflicting expectations rising from deep inside her.
“……”
Another instant reply. A cross-shaped vein popped on Baek Seolah’s forehead.
‘Yeah, sure?’
She had never received a more irritating answer. Was it just her imagination, or did it sound completely insincere? Her typing speed increased.
“……”
“Ah, shit.”
Thud!
In the end, it was Baek Seolah who ran out of patience first. Heat rushed to her head and she hurled the smartphone onto the bed. The outcome had probably been decided from the start. She had secretly hoped Lee Hyeonseong would put his foot down as her boyfriend, but he clearly had no intention of doing so.
“You bastard. You absolute bastard.”
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Baek Seolah didn’t even look at the phone lying on the bed and instead took her frustration out on the innocent pillow. Thud, thud, thud, thump, thump, thump.
‘Yeah, sure’ wasn’t enough—he even sent clapping emojis? It was like he was mocking his own girlfriend.
“Ugh, this is so annoying……!”
She couldn’t hold back the rising anger. Thud!
Baek Seolah raised both clenched fists high and slammed them into the pillow. Panting slightly from the exertion, she bit her lip and let out a short breath that sent her bangs fluttering. Then she calmed herself.
“……Haa.”
She slowly got up, took underwear from the drawer, and sat back on the bed. Stretching out her smooth legs, she pulled on her panties while grumbling inwardly.
‘Seriously, if I’d known I was just going to get blanket approval, I wouldn’t have been agonizing over it alone.’
At this rate, she was the only one feeling pointless guilt and apology—like an idiot. She had already known Lee Hyeonseong was quite the pervert, but maybe even that description fell short. He was a pervert beyond imagination.
Baek Seolah glanced at the smartphone with a hint of lingering attachment, then looked away.
“……Whatever.”
What did it matter if her pathetic boyfriend felt neither anger nor worry about his girlfriend rolling around with another man? If anything, it was convenient. Now that she had official permission, she might as well enjoy herself properly. The date, the night at the motel, even kissing another man—thoroughly, stickily, sweetly.
“……”
Drip—
By the time she had put on her underwear to sleep, Baek Seolah suddenly felt a viscous liquid trickling between her thighs. She didn’t need to look to know what it was. Probably arousal fluid.
“Haa.”
Baek Seolah closed her eyes with a complicated sigh.
And so, an hour later—
“……Hnn.”
She tossed the slightly sticky white tissue into the trash, her face flushed red, and opened the window for ventilation.
*****
Late at night. Room 901, Cheongun Academy male dormitory.
Ding-dong, click!
“I’m here!”
Seo Ahyeon, the black-haired ponytail girl, entered after entering the password with practiced ease, wearing a triumphant expression like a victorious general.
“Oh, you’re back……?”
Han Taeyang, lounging on the sofa with his phone, looked up and immediately froze. Was it because Seo Ahyeon was awkwardly pushing her modest chest forward with an air of confidence that made him feel sorry for her? No, that wasn’t it. Han Taeyang believed even her small chest had its own appeal, and he was the type to think so himself. So it wasn’t her posture that made his expression stiffen.
Naturally, it was something else.
“……Seo Ahyeon?”
“Hehe.”
Han Taeyang stared blankly at her hand for a moment before awkwardly calling her name. Seo Ahyeon proudly flashed a V-sign.
“The talk took a while, but I definitely finished it! I’m completely free now.”
“……”
“I’m currently recruiting a new boyfriend, so if you’re interested, Han Taeyang, feel free to apply.”
She glanced at him shyly, cheeks faintly pink as she tried to hide her embarrassment. But instead of reacting to her triumphant line, Han Taeyang spoke with an oddly serious expression.
“……Seo Ahyeon, don’t tell me—”
“Hm?”
His gaze was fixed on the reddish liquid smeared on the back of her hand. Even though it looked slightly dried, there was no mistaking it.
It was blood.
Han Taeyang’s pupils shook as he asked,
“Don’t tell me you killed him? Kim Minjun……”
“What.”
Seo Ahyeon flinched just as hard. She checked the blood on her fist and hurriedly protested.
“N-no, you idiot! Kill who? He’s perfectly fine……!”
“……”
“H-huh? What’s with that look. Why don’t you believe me? It’s true! I just gave him a little pat.”
“……”
“……I mean, with my fist. On the cheek. Just a light tap?”