BHB 16

‘Deal. What do you want to do if I win?’

‘What, what should we do?’

‘What would be fun to bet? How about running around the field at lunch time wearing only underwear?’

‘Are you crazy, you bastard?’

‘Then maybe just a swimsuit? I think it’s best to refrain from going fully nude for the public good.’

Yeowon’s nonchalant attitude made the guy’s face flush with anger as he glanced around nervously. He seemed to realize that if he backed out now while everyone was watching with interest, the mood would quickly cool down. Plus, if he chickened out, the rumor about his ‘mouse d1ck’ would become fact. He was caught in a no-win situation.

‘…F-fine.’

The guy swallowed hard, his face visibly tense.

‘Take it off.’

Yeowon’s eyes flashed as he grinned. The guy, who had been acting so bold earlier, now started to hesitate. His earlier bravado had vanished as he fumbled uncertainly with his belt buckle.

‘Oh come on, hurry up and strip!!’

The watching crowd jeered impatiently, and the guy started sweating in the air-conditioned living room. Yeowon, still watching, casually spoke up while rubbing his lip.

‘Should I go first?’

He wasn’t particularly thrilled about becoming a spectacle, but he had no reason not to show. There was nothing to be ashamed of in displaying his masculinity, and there was no need for modesty among fellow guys.

Provoked by Yeowon’s nonchalant attitude, the guy gritted his teeth before finally starting to undo his pants. The murmurs and cheers from the crowd spurred him on as he undid his button and reached for the zipper—

‘What are you doing?’

A deeply low voice, the result of an especially intense puberty, rang out darkly. Everyone flinched at the sudden appearance of the statuesque figure. Only Lee Taegang had a voice that could command such presence among the high schoolers.

‘Oh, you’re here?’

Yeowon, who had been enjoying the situation, waved casually as if pleased by Taegang’s arrival.

‘I asked what you’re doing.’

Unlike the cheerful Yeowon, Taegang’s expression was cold. Seeing his apparent bad mood, Yeowon frowned in confusion.

‘What do you mean? We’re just having fun. We made a bet about who’s bigger.’

As Yeowon spoke casually, Taegang slowly looked him up and down. There was something unsettling in his gaze as he took in Yeowon’s nearly naked body, covered only by a towel. More precisely, it was a gaze and breath that seemed ready to crush something. Just as Yeowon was questioning Taegang’s ominous expression, a fierce voice rang out.

‘Get out.’

When Yeowon froze at the harsh command, Lee Taegang suddenly turned to address the guys surrounding them.

‘All of you. Get out.’

These were guys who got scared just from Taegang lowering his voice a little. Given his huge build and tendency to throw punches when annoyed, they had no choice but to obey. In the end, faced with Taegang’s not-quite-violence, the guys who had been enjoying themselves awkwardly started gathering their uniforms and belongings.

‘Why are you suddenly acting crazy?’

Yeowon let out an exasperated sigh at the guy who had abruptly ruined the mood. The suddenly dampened atmosphere made even him feel awkward.

‘…’

Yeowon briefly acknowledged Kim Myungjoo’s farewell gesture before turning his attention back to Taegang. He couldn’t help but be concerned by Taegang’s visibly worsening mood.

‘Come on, what’s wrong?’

When Yeowon prodded him after getting no response beyond a troubled sigh, Taegang frowned severely and said:

‘Just put some damn clothes on.’

At those words, Yeowon, who had started to feel cold, silently went to his room and changed into comfortable clothes. Since he was overheated, Yeowon put on a tank top and shorts, then approached Taegang who was downing water in the kitchen.

‘Did something happen? Did you get into another fight?’

Taegang often got into conflicts with troublemakers from other schools due to his impressive build and attitude. There were also quite a few lowlifes who hung around after hearing of Taegang’s reputation. Watching Taegang from the sidelines, Yeowon often thought one thing: what an exhausting life.

‘From now on, don’t bring those bastards into your house.’

But Taegang ignored the question and said something else entirely. Yeowon frowned at the sudden statement.

‘What are you talking about all of a sudden?’

‘This isn’t a public toilet. I hate seeing all these bastards coming in and out.’

‘That’s a rather vulgar comparison.’

‘Change your door password.’

‘I don’t want to. It’s boring being alone in the house.’

Yeowon flatly refused. Being alone for long periods in this big house was too tedious for him.

‘Besides, you’re always out and about, so you don’t come over often either.’

Yeowon picked up a cigarette left behind by a friend and put it in his mouth. The guy who even knew his house password had gotten busier and busier as the school years went by. Whether he was fighting or dating, Yeowon didn’t know the details. He didn’t bother to pry either.

Silence lingered for a moment. Taegang, who had irritably put the half-drunk water bottle back in the fridge, spoke up again.

‘Does it not matter who it is?’

‘What?’

‘I’m asking if anyone will do as long as they fill your loneliness.’

Yeowon frowned at the subtle implication. It was as if he was being treated like some loose, promiscuous person who let anyone into his home out of loneliness.

‘Why the hell do you talk like that?’

‘Don’t be so easy.’

‘How did the conversation turn to this?’

‘Don’t go around showing your d1ck to just anyone.’

‘I was just… no, I told you it was just a bet.’

Yeowon’s voice rose in disbelief, but Taegang remained utterly calm. So calm that it created an extremely tense atmosphere. Faced with those fiercely glowing eyes that were clearly a warning, Yeowon let out a low sigh of defeat.

‘Fine. I just won’t invite them over, okay?’

He didn’t want to argue any further. Besides, it wasn’t the kind of weather where he wanted to start a fight. Summer always drained him.

Only then did Taegang’s face relax. Though it was still expressionless, Yeowon could tell just from his look that he had calmed down somewhat.

‘But they were saying I wasn’t confident,’ Yeowon grumbled, still seemingly regretful.

‘You know about mine.’

‘Don’t get dragged into things like that so easily.’

‘It’s because they keep going on about how I haven’t lost my virginity. What’s the big deal anyway?’

Just like in middle school, all the guys ever talked about were girls. Yeowon was getting sick of hearing it all the time. He was starting to worry that if he didn’t do it soon, they’d consider him as some sort of loser.

‘Have you done it?’

Taegang must have felt hot too, as he took off his summer uniform and tossed it on a dining chair. Yeowon asked while watching Taegang’s broad back as he walked towards the sink and sat in that chair. At the same time, those large shoulders flinched.

‘When was it? You never talk to me about that kind of thing.’

It was true. Despite seeing each other every day and being closest to each other, Taegang rarely spoke about girls or such things. To the point where it sometimes felt like a secret. But Yeowon didn’t think he hadn’t done it. After all, the girls clinging to his side seemed to change every time he saw him.

‘Where’s the ramyun?’

Taegang avoided answering and changed the subject. As he rummaged through the shelves, asking casually, Yeowon answered naturally.

‘On the shelf above the induction stove. Anyway, I asked if you’ve done it. You have, right?’

Surprised by Taegang’s evasion, Yeowon asked again in an even more excited tone. But Taegang continued to avoid answering, taking out a pot and filling it with water from the purifier as if it were his own kitchen.

‘How many?’

At another irrelevant question, Yeowon clicked his tongue once before answering obediently.

‘Four.”

‘Make it five.’

You’re going to do what you want anyway.

Yeowon let out a short, hollow laugh at the brazen response. He was always like this. He wouldn’t answer what he didn’t want to and only did things his own way. Even with trivial things like ramyun.

‘Three eggs.’

Yeowon gave up on getting an answer and added.

As growing teenagers, he and Taegang ate enormous amounts. Whenever they made ramyun, four or five packs were standard, and they needed to order one whole pizza per person.

Taegang stood guard over the ramen, while Yeowon sat at the table where he could see Taegang’s back, fiddling with his phone and playfully chewing on an unlit cigarette filter. At that moment, a low voice suddenly cut through the silence.

‘I’ve done it.’

Taegang said as he added the noodles and soup powder to the boiling water, stirring with chopsticks.

Yeowon’s eyes widened with interest.

‘I knew it, you bastard. I thought so.’

He felt annoyed that the guy had done it but never said anything.

‘Other guys blab about it like loudspeakers, but why didn’t you ever tell me?’

‘Do you want to?’

‘What?’

‘I asked if you want to do it.’

‘…It’s not that I want to. I guess I’ll want to try it later when I meet someone I like.’

Yeowon continued indifferently. He wasn’t particularly interested. He was just curious about Taegang’s experience.

‘Don’t do it.’

Taegang continued with his back still turned. His tone was resolute. Yeowon smirked.

‘You’ve done it, but you’re telling me not to? You’re funny.’

‘…Don’t do it. It’s not great.’

‘Or is it that your skills aren’t great?’

Yeowon teasingly asked, surprised by the unexpected review.

‘Did your girlfriend say you weren’t as good as he expected?’

Yeowon asked again, quite seriously. At this innocent question, Taegang finally turned around. Then, with a somewhat troubled face, he let out a low sigh.

‘…Just eat your ramyun.’