Fresh Air and Probing Questions
…I had no intention of letting Park Eun-ji find out. Someone like me—a total loser—had never been fond of drinking parties like this. The stares that kept flying my way because of Choi Ji-young were something I could never get used to. On top of that, I didn’t want any attention on me in the first place. Back in school, every glance that landed on me had been negative. Those sharp memories still crept back and gnawed at me.
“…Hey, you okay? You’re not already drunk, are you?”
Choi Ji-young asked when she noticed me staring blankly at the glass in my hand. A genuine look of concern clouded her face. Concern? From Choi Ji-young? Toward me? It still felt strange. The people gathered here weren’t really friends so much as strangers who happened to be in the same room. We were all indifferent to one another. At least, that was how I saw it.
“…Come on, how many have you even had? Seriously, don’t force it. People are gonna think I’m making you drink.”
Looking a little embarrassed, Choi Ji-young took the glass back and downed it herself.
“Khh… I’m already feeling a bit tipsy too.”
She opened her mouth slightly and gestured toward the side dishes with her chin. I fumbled for a moment before quickly stacking some tofu and kimchi together and bringing it to her lips.
“Mmm, tasty~ Thanks~”
She gave an exaggerated reaction, cupping her cheeks with both hands and putting on a blissful expression.
“Ah, uh, yeah.”
I answered awkwardly. The looks directed at us—well, at me—weren’t exactly friendly. Especially Park Eun-ji’s sharp glare, which landed on me once again.
“Haa…”
“Hey, Kim Loser. You look rough. Want a soda or something?”
“…Nah, I’m fine.”
If I had to pick the scariest person here, it was still Park Eun-ji. Or at least, it should have been. But right now, she didn’t feel that way at all. I couldn’t say I wasn’t intimidated by her, but I no longer had any reason to be genuinely afraid. It was almost funny. If Park Eun-ji herself was acting like nothing was wrong, then the guys who used to trail after her and never dared to touch me out of fear of her certainly weren’t going to scare me now.
“…Give me one more.”
“You sure you’re not pushing it?”
“I’m fine, really. Alcohol’s… surprisingly good.”
I held my glass out to Choi Ji-young. After a few rounds, her faint lipstick mark was clearly visible on the rim.
“…Don’t tell me this is your first time drinking? If you don’t even know your own limit, you’re gonna be in trouble…”
My hand holding the glass felt awkward. Choi Ji-young stared at my face with a slightly sulky expression.
“It’s not my first time. I can actually hold my liquor pretty well.”
“Oh, really? How much can you drink?”
“Uh… about three bottles?”
“Three bottles? This guy’s definitely bullshitting…”
Choi Ji-young narrowed her eyes and glared at me. Three bottles was the truth from not long ago, but she clearly didn’t believe a word of it.
“It’s true.”
“…Anyway, just drink as much as you can handle. Got it?”
“Yeah.”
She refilled my glass, this time only halfway.
“That’s all you’re getting. Too much isn’t good for you.”
“Got it. Thanks.”
The drinking party had felt uncomfortable from the start. It was almost laughable that I was even here. I was clearly the uninvited guest. But watching Park Eun-ji’s reaction, and how everyone else was fussing over her, kept tugging a smile onto my lips. After all, now that I knew exactly what kind of girl Park Eun-ji really was—and how she acted when we were alone in bed—she didn’t scare me the way she used to.
“Khh… I’m really getting drunk… Let’s rest for a bit. I’m tired now~”
Even I found it funny how calm I’d become. But what really stood out was Choi Ji-young, who had deliberately taken the seat right next to me. I still didn’t know why she was going out of her way to act like this, but one thing was certain: Park Eun-ji’s eyes looked like they were about to shoot flames.
“…Here.”
“Ah, thanks. Hnn… I’m so drunk~”
I handed her the drink I’d been sipping. She took it without the slightest hesitation and gulped it down, even though my mouth had been on it.
“…Hey, Kim Loser.”
“Yeah?”
“Wanna step outside for some air?”
“Now?”
“Yeah~ I’m seriously gonna get wasted if I stay here.”
She’d been tipsy for a while already. Her face was flushed bright red, like a perfectly ripe persimmon.
“…Sure, why not.”
If she was going to drag me out, I had no reason to stop her. Besides, the way Park Eun-ji’s expression kept shifting seemed to be because of us. I was a little curious what kind of reaction we’d get if we left together.
“Move a bit so I can get through.”
“Whoa, you’re really pushing it.”
“Come on, scoot~!”
Everyone sitting along our row shifted their hips. Choi Ji-young squeezed through the narrow gap.
“Kim Loser~ Hurry up.”
She waved me over, and suspicious glances flew my way.
“…Yeah. I’m coming.”
I slipped through the same tight space.
“Where are you two going?”
“Why? We’re just gonna get some fresh air after drinking.”
“…Really? That’s a fresh sight.”
“What sight? Ah, I’m dizzy. Anyone want ice cream?”
Choi Ji-young counted the hands that shot up.
“Hey, let’s go.”
She grabbed my wrist and pulled me along. Behind us, a pair of eyes burned like lasers.
“Huu… The alcohol’s really hitting me now.”
Choi Ji-young grumbled as she walked unsteadily, her steps a little wobbly.
“Mind if I smoke?”
“Go ahead.”
Right after we stepped outside, she asked. I didn’t think she needed my permission. She flicked the lighter, lit the cigarette in her mouth, and took a few puffs. A small popping sound came from the filter.
“Hiss… haa…”
A cloud of smoke drifted from her lips. The sharp scent of tobacco tickled my nose.
“Of all places… Hey, Kim Loser. You come over here.”
She told me to move instead of coming to me. I quietly shifted to the opposite side.
“…It’s damn hot out here.”
“Yeah.”
The sun had long since set, but the asphalt still radiated heat. I quietly waited while she smoked, the thick, stuffy air wrapping around us.
“Hnn, hnnng…”
Choi Ji-young stretched lightly, then stared straight at me. Or rather, we stared at each other. It felt so natural that I hadn’t even noticed until now.
“…What? Is there something on my face?”
“Ah, sorry. I was just… watching you smoke.”
It wasn’t a lie. I’d been blankly watching the way her lips moved as she held the smoke in her mouth before exhaling.
“…Why would you watch that? Geez~”
She turned her back to me, looking embarrassed. Even so, the cigarette in her mouth kept sending smoke drifting behind her.
“Hey, Kim Loser. Wanna walk a bit?”
“Uh, sure.”
She stubbed out the cigarette in an ashtray and started walking ahead without any particular destination in mind.
“Where are we going?”
“Anywhere? Let’s just walk until the alcohol wears off.”
“Okay.”
It was still hot outside. I already missed the air conditioning from earlier.
“Wanna stop by the convenience store real quick?”
She asked before I could answer. Her feet were already turning toward the store.
“Ice cream?”
“Nope~ Later.”
She walked briskly, as if she already knew exactly where she was going.
“Want some coffee?”
“…Yeah. I’ll have some.”
She grabbed a canned coffee and a cup of ice, then headed straight to the counter.
“Thank you~”
After paying, she cheerfully thanked the clerk, poured the coffee over the ice, and handed one to me.
“I’ll enjoy it.”
“Yeah~”
After tossing the trash, we stepped back outside. The cold coffee in my hand helped a little with the heat.
Step. Step. Step. Step.
We walked in silence, no real destination in mind, just moving forward.
“……”
“……”
A slightly tense feeling crept over me. It made sense—this kind of atmosphere was a first for me. Especially after everything that had happened with Park Eun-ji and Park Ah-young lately, my confidence as a guy had been quietly rising.
“Hey~ Kim Loserrr~”
“…Yeah?”
Her voice sounded strangely sticky. We were heading toward a quieter area with fewer people. Just as I started wondering if maybe—
Choi Ji-young’s face suddenly appeared right in front of mine.
“…Gulp.”
“Hey, when I call you, you should at least stop for a second, right? Hm?”
“Ah, sorry.”
Even on tiptoes, she barely reached my chin. From below, her gaze felt a little overwhelming. The mixed scent of makeup, perfume, alcohol, and cigarettes brushed against my nose. Her breath tickled my face.
“…Hey, so anyway…”
“Ah, yeah.”
She looked like she had something she wanted to ask. I was curious what Choi Ji-young—who had been showing me such clear favor—would say next.
“…Don’t tell Park Eun-ji.”
Park Eun-ji’s name came up. My curiosity grew even stronger.
“…Uh, um…”
Her small lips moved. Those red lips parted slightly.
“……So, who was it?”
Out of nowhere, she asked who.
“…What do you mean…?”
“Come on~ You know, that time Park Eun-ji was freaking out looking for a guy a year older than her.”
“Ah…”
“So who was it?”
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. She looked like she was dying to know. I felt a little deflated. So that was why she’d been so friendly—she was trying to fish for information.
“…Hey, why aren’t you saying anything!? Huh? I’m dying of curiosity here. I couldn’t even ask because Park Eun-ji looked so upset~”
“……”
“She got dumped, right? I’ve got great instincts, you know? Come on, tell me~”
“Ah… well…”
I didn’t know how to answer. I couldn’t tell the truth, but lying would be just as troublesome.
“I’m really good at keeping secrets. I swear I won’t let anything slip, okay? I’m just genuinely curious, that’s all~”
She kept pressing me, asking who could possibly have made the high-and-mighty Park Eun-ji fall for them.
“…By the way, what do you mean by ‘instincts’? Did Park Eun-ji… look upset?”
“Hey, hey. Kim Loser~ Girls know these things best. I’m telling you, she was 100% dumped. I’d bet on it.”
Choi Ji-young patted her chest confidently as she spoke, then started rambling as if she couldn’t hold it in anymore.