BHB 58

As Yeowon was rationalizing those past days, Lim Yoona responded without a hint of surprise, “I know. Yeowon sunbae was quite famous, after all.”

“Fa-famous? What do you mean I did?”

“You used to subtly flirt around with the female underclassmen and seniors.”

“What? Me, flirting around? No way.”

“You have this thing, sunbae. You’d act all casually flirty on the outside, always buying food and giving gifts. Unconsciously doing things that could easily be misunderstood.”

“Ah, yeah. So I was supposedly going around seducing all the girls, huh?”

Eagerly following up, Do Yongjae clapped his hands in delight at Lim Yoona’s professional poking. 

Yeowon contemplated grabbing him by the back of the neck, but quietly restrained himself, “Shut up, you idiots.”

Clicking his tongue at their increasingly entertaining chatter, the two looked at each other sheepishly, acting nonchalant. Letting out a hollow laugh at the absurd stories, Yeowon took out his major textbook from his bag, and his eyes met Lee Taegang’s, who was staring at him.

Lee Taegang, chin propped on his hand, was gazing at Yeowon as if observing him, and then visibly moved his lips. It was a silent utterance. Trying to read his lips, it seemed to be a four-word phrase.

‘Filthy bitch.’

Taken aback by the shockingly easy-to-decipher words, Yeowon let out a disbelieving breath, and Lee Taegang let out a snort, turning his attention back to his phone. His obvious intention to provoke him only made him even angrier. 

‘Who was the filthy one here? Tch.’ 

Yeowon suppressed the words that were welling up in his throat, unable to spew them in front of the others.

If he were to count the number of girls he’s been with, Lee Taegang probably had more than him. And he’s even gone after guys, hasn’t he? Who was he to say anything to? 

Yeowon tried to retort, but the professor’s appearance through the front door made him clamp his mouth shut again. Instead, unable to contain his resentful feelings, he poked the back of Lee Taegang’s hand with his pen. As Lee Taegang flinched and looked at him, Yeowon raised his eyebrows and smiled innocently.

In response, Lee Taegang moved closer and leaned in, bringing his face close to his ear and whispering discreetly, “Don’t act up.”

‘What the hell was this nonsensical talk now?’

Glaring at him with a disgusted expression, Yeowon watched as Lee Taegang nonchalantly turned his gaze away. Scoffing, he scribbled the letter ‘ㅗ’ on the back of his hand, and he curiously looked down at it, once again bringing his face close.

“If you keep doing that, I’ll just do it right here.”

‘Right here?’

“Shove it in.”

Throwing the words in a flat tone, Yeowon looked at him with a hardened expression, but Lee Taegang still maintained his calm demeanor. Gazing down at him with an arrogant look, as if daring him to try something, Yeowon retreated. Given that he was his friend, but one who could be unpredictable, Yeowon momentarily tensed up and stopped all provocation.

Joking around like a crazy bastard. Yeowon shuddered and discreetly distanced himself.

**

As the long major class finally ended, Yeowon buried his face in his desk, looking exhausted. Just staying in his seat was draining her. It wasn’t as easy as simply passing the time mindlessly.

“Get up.”

Just as Lee Taegang grabbed the collar of Yeowon’s clothes, preparing to leave, Do Yongjae, who had also finished packing up, suddenly clapped his hands as if remembering something.

“Ah, right. You two know about the MT (membership training) we’re going on this weekend, right?”

Addressing both him and Lee Taegang at the same time, the two looked at Do Yongjae with a blank expression, not knowing anything about it.

“Aish, you guys really need to read the group chat more. The MT this time is also for the new students’ orientation, so we really need to participate. Even the professors are all going, and if we don’t go this time, we probably won’t be able to next year.”

Realizing they were not the type to care about freshmen, professors, and such, the persistent Do Yongjae switched to an emotional appeal, “This is probably the last time I can go on the MT and have fun before I start my internship next year, you know? And I’m the student council president,  how would it look if my own classmates didn’t show up? Come on, you’ve gotta boost my morale a bit. Huh? Please?”

Grabbing Yeowon’s arm with a pleading look, Do Yongjae started begging, “Please. If you two say you’re going, it’ll help the participation rate a lot. Just this one time, okay? After that, I won’t bug you to come to any more gatherings, I promise.”

Glancing at Lee Taegang as if asking what to do, Lee Taegang simply shrugged his shoulders with a brief response.

“Do as you please.”

Leaving the decision to him, Yeowon pondered for a moment. There wasn’t really a reason not to go, since he was pleading like that. After all, social gatherings were something Yeowon enjoyed the most. The problem was that Lee Taegang didn’t seem inclined to participate.

“I’ll go. But don’t do anything weird. Don’t call the freshmen to the rooms or anything, and don’t act like an idiot in front of the professors.”

“Okay, got it. Just come and have fun. The ones who haven’t enrolled yet and the seniors who graduated already said they’re dropping by, so let’s have a blast from the old days.”

Hooking his arm around Yeowon’s shoulder, Do Yongjae snuggled up excitedly. But in an instant, his arm was harshly slapped down with a sharp sound.

“We’re done here.” And an even more coldly demanding statement followed, “… Aren’t we?”

Pretending to be flustered, Do Yongjae looked at Lee Taegang, responding confusedly. But an even heavier arm descended upon the shoulder where Do Yongjae’s arm had just been.

“I’m going first.”

***

“I’ve been having this thought lately.”

Entering the Korean beef soup restaurant near school, Yeowon sat across from Lee Taegang, observing him as he habitually prepared the utensils and water. Lee Taegang ordered two bowls of beef soup without even asking Yeowon’s opinion. Watching this series of actions with half-lidded eyes, Yeowon steadily continued.

“That maybe the Lee Taegang I knew was actually just a speck of dust in the vast universe.”

“What nonsensical crap are you spewing when it’s time to eat.” Responding apathetically, as if it was too much trouble, Lee Taegang quickly dug into the steaming hot beef soup, shoveling it into his mouth like a construction worker.

“You just now, with Do Yongjae…”

“What?”

Lee Taegang’s gaze, who had slapped away Do Yongjae’s arm ostentatiously and draped his own around Yeowon, looking down on the other as if belittling him, was even more cold than usual. Pondering about it, Yeowon almost thought it seemed like a display of jealousy… towards Do Yongjae. But he quickly dismissed the thought, fearing it would give him the chills if he dwelled on it any further. 

Shuddering slightly, Yeowon tried to erase the thought.

“Why did you stop talking?” Apparently focusing intently, Lee Taegang responded with discontent.

“It’s nothing.”

“What is it?”

“No, really. It was just a disgusting thing to say during mealtime.” Recognizing his own thoughts as ridiculous, Yeowon changed the subject, “How about you drive your car to the MT instead of taking the bus?”

Yeowon asked as he took a hearty mouthful of the beef soup, having mixed in the radish kimchi broth. 

Lee Taegang, who had already finished about half of his bowl, readily nodded. “Sounds good.”

“No, the bus might be more fun.”

“Your eyes are already rolling with thoughts of partying.”

“Since we’re going, we should properly enjoy ourselves.”

“The bus always makes me motion sick.”

“Taking your own car might make you look like a loser.”

“Are there even losers who drive imported cars?”

“You might look like a try-hard with money.”

“… You’re not convincing at all.” Dissatisfied, Lee Taegang slurped up the remaining broth. 

Wincing at the loud noises, Yeowon spoke up, “Did you swallow a beggar’s belly? Eat slowly.”

“I get irritated and hungry.”

“Wow, I just learned that fact about you today.”

“It’s because I don’t care.”

“Say that one more time and I might just hit you.”

“Go ahead and try.”

“No, thanks. My body still aches from when you brutally pounded me.”

“Ah… That’s a low blow.”

“So you feel apologetic, huh?”

“No.”

“Then what is it?”

“You’re just getting me all worked up again for no reason.”

At the suggestive tone, Yeowon momentarily lost his grip on the chopsticks.

“And I’ve been enduring it for two days, struggling.”

“……”

“Don’t bring it up just to tease me.”

Stating it so casually, as if discussing what to have for dinner, Lee Taegang’s nonchalant words silenced Yeowon’s retort. While he was flustered, he simply placed the empty bowl in front of him and started browsing his phone without a word. The only one who felt utterly perplexed was Yeowon.

Letting out a hollow sigh, Yeowon quickly downed a full glass of water. The ridiculous part was that his casual remark had unconsciously brought back the memories of that ecstasy-filled time, making his clamp his mouth shut even tighter. He focused solely on eating in silence, before those sensations could fully resurface.