BHB 106

“…What do you mean?”

“I think Taegang’s parents ordered it. I only heard a bit from the TA, so I don’t know the details…”

“…”

“Apparently the professor also contacted Taegang’s parents about your withdrawal approval.”

“…”

“I think that’s what Taegang went crazy about…”

Youngjae trailed off, as if he wasn’t entirely sure. Yeowon’s face stiffened seriously at this surprising revelation. It gave him chills to think that their reach extended closer than he had imagined. Moreover, he was also within their sight. It made sense given how long he had been hanging around with Taegang, and how Lee Taejoo had recognized him immediately upon seeing his face, but he hadn’t expected they would even be involved in his withdrawal approval.

Did Taegang know? How was he doing? Had the festival incident reached their ears as well? If so, they wouldn’t have left Taegang alone. Given the timing, they too would be on high alert.

For a moment, his stomach churned again. In fact, it had been like this all week. No matter what he ate, his stomach didn’t feel right. Even when he was hungry, if Taegang suddenly came to mind, his appetite would vanish and his solar plexus would burn. He knew it was due to stress, but it was a major adversity he wanted to desperately ignore, so he had to accept these symptoms.

“Are you really not going to tell me?” Youngjae openly showed his disappointment at Yeowon’s continued silence. 

Yeowon rubbed between his eyebrows, looking troubled.”…Can I tell you later?”

Yeowon’s unusually serious response made his look genuinely perplexed. The Yeowon that Youngjae knew was always straightforward. He was one-dimensional in whatever he did. If he was hungry, he was hungry; if he was angry, he was angry. That’s why he couldn’t lie, and he wasn’t good at hiding things or creating secrets. 

But seeing him show such reluctance, Youngjae thought this must be no ordinary matter and backed off, “Sigh. Okay. I understand. I won’t ask anymore.”

It would be inconsiderate to keep pressing someone who didn’t want to talk. Besides, Yeowon was a classmate Youngjae cared for quite a bit. No, not “quite a bit,” but “a lot.”

To Youngjae, who was almost at the max level of social skills, Yeowon was a rare type of person these days. He was straightforward, without front or back sides, and had a typically refreshing personality that never felt wanting. He was stronger than anyone in front of strong people, and he didn’t unnecessarily flaunt his strength in front of those who weren’t as strong.

There were rumors that he had been a delinquent during his school days, but in reality, Yeowon never wielded violence for trivial matters. He had seen him throw punches when he couldn’t control his temper, but that was only when he witnessed injustice or when someone provoked him. There was a consistency to him.

There were times when he seemed cold-hearted, but even that aspect of Yeowon was attractive in its own way. In short, he was someone who gathered people around him without having to try. Although his sociability wasn’t particularly high, he accepted everyone appropriately, and especially when dealing with women, he had a subtle manner of indifference. There was a reason he had once been popular among female classmates.

Being on good terms with someone like Yeowon was good for him. That’s why Youngjae let him stay at his house without complaint and kept quiet about it to Taegang as he had asked.

While Taegang was also a classmate he hung out with, the level of intimacy was completely different from Yeowon’s. Taegang was noticeably handsome, from a good family, and had a physique and presence so overwhelming that being with him made one feel like there was nothing to fear, but there was an awkwardness that couldn’t be removed when together. Furthermore, his blindly excessive behavior toward Yeowon sometimes made Youngjae feel uncomfortable for him.

Looking at him, Taegang seemed like a person who wasn’t interested in anything except Han Yeowon. A somewhat peculiar guy. Someone with a threatening aura that others couldn’t easily approach, yet who seemed ordinary when next to Han Yeowon. That was the extent of Taegang in Youngjae’s perception.

Having finally given up on probing, Youngjae also began his meal. While putting his mother’s prepared bulgogi in his mouth, he changed the uncomfortable topic of conversation.

“So what are you doing today?”

When asked about his schedule, without Taegang and not going to school, Yeowon, who had momentarily seemed lost in thought with his gaze elsewhere, hurriedly spoke as if regaining his senses.

“…Part-time job later.”

“Ah, part-time job.” Youngjae nodded and repeated his words. But soon his indifferent face transformed into astonishment. “Part-time job? A part-time job?”

“Yeah.”

“…Is the part-time job you’re talking about the same one I’m thinking of?”

“A job. You idiot.” Yeowon furrowed his brow at his exaggerated reaction.

“You? You’re doing a part-time job?”

“Why? Is there a problem with that?”

“No, that’s not it. Why? Why bother? Youngjae’s eyes widened with curiosity. They were full of interest and fascination. After all, why would Yeowon, a quasi-chaebol who could easily pay for expensive foreign cars in one go, need to work to earn money? Moreover, from what he could see, Yeowon was far from the type of diligent person who worked hard.

“Just, there’s nothing else to do.” Yeowon replied in a bored tone. 

It was exactly as he said. Without going to school and without Taegang, there was almost nothing for him to do in his daily life. Besides going to PC bangs or having drinks with Youngjae, there was nothing.

Then by chance, while smoking, he ran into Baek Seungha who lived in a semi-basement apartment. When they met again, it was a bit awkward, but Seungha calmly greeted him first. When he responded normally and acknowledged him, Yeowon finally felt more comfortable. For several days after that, they occasionally smoked together and exchanged light conversation. Seungha asked if he was staying at Youngjae’s house, and Yeowon replied that circumstances had led to that. When he revealed that he had quit school and wasn’t doing anything, Seungha made a suggestion first.

“Seungha hyung introduced me.”

If he had nothing to do, would he like to try working?

“Ah.”

Youngjae nodded, things finally making sense. He had been wondering, since Yeowon wasn’t the type to actively look for work.

“What kind of job is it?”

“Some sort of… security guard?”

“Oh. Who are you guarding?”

“Not exactly that. More like a club bouncer?”

Since he had only received rough details from Baek Seungha, Yeowon didn’t really know much himself. He had only been told to try it together with him this evening.

“Yeah, that kind of suits you.”

“What does?”

“Fighting is your best skill anyway.”

“The hourly pay is really high.”

“Rich people are always the ones who want more money.”

“I’ll become a tycoon and repay your kindness.”

“Oh thank you. One apartment with a Han River view will be enough.”

“A man should dream big. Let’s go for a penthouse with an aerial view.”

“Ah, your swagger is off the charts.” Youngjae clicked his tongue with a playful grimace. 

Yeowon let out an empty laugh and forcefully stuffed the remaining rice into his mouth. The smile hanging on his lips soon disappeared. Focusing on eating again, Yeowon once more felt his stomach getting clogged, but he ignored it and continuously put food into his mouth.

The secretary’s handling of matters was perfect, but since there were many witnesses, it was difficult to prevent people from talking. According to Youngjae, the incident from the festival day was still a hot topic at school. There were rumors that Chaemin and Yeowon were dating and Taegang interfered, or that Chaemin and Taegang fought over Yeowon.

No one knew exactly what had happened, but they seemed to be making their own assumptions and talking among themselves. Moreover, it came up as gossip at gatherings and drinking parties, and Youngjae said he had to work hard to change the subject every time.

Although videos weren’t circulating, several eyewitness accounts with initials had been posted on the school community before being deleted. It was unclear whether these were handled by Taegang’s side or his side.

In any case, rumors tend to die down quickly. He didn’t care about what people were saying. The problem would be if this grew and reached the ears of the media. Yeowon was constantly worried about this, and would occasionally take out Taejoo’s business card.

Although he had done everything in a fit of anger, in fact, it was Yeowon himself who was most curious about Taegang’s current situation. According to Youngjae, Taegang also hadn’t been coming to school for a week. Of course, there had been several missed calls from Taegang. Nearly 100 calls had accumulated over the week, but there were only a few messages.

[Aren’t you coming?]

Even after hearing such harsh words, Taegang had searched for him. He could tell. Taegang was definitely hurt then. He was hit hard, and his usually steadfast black eyes had wavered endlessly.

[Please. Comeback.]

There were only two messages. After the last message, there were no more calls or messages from Taegang.