ASD 29

Midterm exams were over.

Gawon moved his hands diligently, grading his test. The gesture of turning the page was light and refreshing. His efforts had paid off. It was lacking to be called a perfect score, but it was satisfactory enough in its own way.

The moment the class president’s voice, calling out the answers, stopped, cries of agony burst out all at once. The voices of those who gathered in clumps, chattering about whether they did well or poorly, were so loud they made his ears ring. Regardless, Gawon calmly folded his test paper and put it in his bag.

He glanced over at Gijun’s side. The guy, who had already perfectly packed his bag, was surrounded by kids, laughing and talking. Looking at him, a smile naturally formed on his face.

Just as he was about to look away, Gijun suddenly whipped his head around and looked this way. The moment their eyes met, Gawon quickly turned his head away. The sensation that had zapped like a spark in their briefly entangled gazes was vivid.

“Now, now, don’t play like the world is ending just because midterms are over. It may seem far, but you’ll be high school seniors in no time. Play for just today, and from tomorrow, get your acts together and…”

Boo— a chorus of jeers poured out. The homeroom teacher, who had been trying to continue his sermon with a stern expression, ended up chuckling today as well. With a final nag to go easy on the games and head home, the end-of-day meeting was also over. Gawon stood up from his seat with a fluttering heart.

He had never felt particularly good just because exams were over. There was only a thoroughly result-oriented reflection, like ‘I got through it well this time,’ or ‘I’ll have to work harder next time.’ That was understandable, as Gawon had never once enjoyed himself while relieving exam stress with someone else.

But this time was different.

‘Let’s go on a date when the exams are over.’

He swore, he wasn’t excited about those cheesy words Gijun had said. It was just, simply, that having a partner to do trivial things with—like eating a meal together and watching a movie… drinking coffee and going to a PC cafe, like other kids his age—was something new.

Or maybe not. To be a little more honest… he was happy that his partner was Gijun. He couldn’t deny that fact. Although he had nagged him, saying what date, and telling him to stop saying things like that, he couldn’t help the way his heart swelled up and floated.

The time given to him and Gijun was just one day. Starting tomorrow, Gijun was going into a training camp for three days to prepare for a competition. He said he would be absent from school and had already gotten permission from the homeroom teacher.

‘What do you do at the training camp?’

‘Just. It’s literally training.’

Gijun had said nonchalantly, sucking on a chocolate-flavored candy.

‘Run until you throw up, work out your stamina like hell, spar until your nose bleeds, and after eating, repeat it all over again from the beginning. Wake up at dawn and do nothing but that until it’s night, I guess.’

‘How… how do you endure that?’

A voice that was instinctively repulsed came out. Towards the dumbfounded Gawon, Gijun had smiled as if it were nothing.

‘Just. I really like working out. So the training is bearable too.’

What did ‘like’ mean to this kid? Running until he throws up, and sparring until he bleeds, what kind of person was this kid who could rush towards what he liked without getting tired?

The one thing you added nonchalantly at that time.

‘But this time, I kind of don’t want to train.’

‘…Why?’

‘I can’t see you.’

Did you know that it was enough to shake my heart with all its might?

‘…You can see me when you get back.’

‘Still. I can’t even use my phone properly for three days…’

Gijun, who was speaking in a disgruntled tone, suddenly’s eyes sparkled.

‘Ah, the training ends at midnight. Can I hear your voice for just about 10 minutes then? If you’re awake.’

Gawon slowly nodded his head. There was no reason to say no. If he was gone for three days, Gijun wouldn’t be the only one who would feel sad and empty.

‘Really? Awesome!’

‘What’s so great about it.’

‘Of course it’s great. I think I’ll be able to do it until I throw up with a happy heart.’

‘…Don’t overdo it.’

Watching Gijun bounce around like a dog playing frisbee, a smile slipped out on its own. It seemed like he would be dead tired and pass out after working out so hard. What was so special about his voice that he’d jump up and down like that over a mere 10-minute phone call?

“Let’s go.”

Gijun, who had slung his bag on and approached, smiled freshly.

He didn’t dislike the arm that was naturally slung around his shoulders. At first, he was on edge, worried that the other kids would see, but now he had become somewhat desensitized. In any case, it was obvious that no matter what he said to push him away, Gijun would cling to him tenaciously. Along with an indifferent remark that he didn’t give a damn about the other kids’ gazes.

“Gijun, see you.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Hey, we’re one person short for our team match. You’re really not coming, Jun? Huh? I’ll treat!”

“Sorry. I have a prior engagement.”

Noisy greetings poured out as they walked side by side to the back door of the classroom. There were also several hands that held onto him, asking him to hang out with them.

Even though there had been a commotion last time, the kids had recovered their liking for Gijun so easily. Even Gawon knew the fact that the downfall of the idol they had arbitrarily built up had brought them disappointment. But the charm Gijun possessed turned the kids’ hearts around without difficulty.

He could see Heo Yeonggyu’s group positioned at the back. It was when Gawon, who had glanced in that direction, was turning his head. Heo Yeonggyu, with his phone to his ear, spat out sullenly.

“Yes, hyung. …Soon, that bastard…, …I’m going to…”

Since the classroom was so noisy, all he heard were a few fragmented words. And the unpleasant gaze that swept over Gawon. It was the moment their eyes met.

“Fucking loser.”

The words that suddenly popped out of Heo Yeonggyu’s mouth lodged themselves precisely in his ear this time. Gawon’s face hardened at once.

Gawon, without realizing it, glanced at Gijun. But he, who was on a sudden phone call, seemed not to have heard Heo Yeonggyu’s words.

“…”

It must have been directed at Gijun. It was a word that Heo Yeonggyu’s group had whispered several times after Gijun got beaten up by the sunbaes a few days ago.

He was so used to being insulted himself that he didn’t have much of a reaction, but hearing Gijun being insulted, a fire rose up inside him. Gawon glared at Heo Yeonggyu for a moment, then immediately whipped his head away.

In any case, that guy is a piece of trash who can’t live without insulting others. It didn’t matter as long as Gijun hadn’t heard.

“Sorry, the gym director suddenly called. Let’s go, Gawon.”

“Huh? …Okay.”

What a piece of shit. I’m avoiding him because he’s dirty, not because I’m scared. Gawon muttered to himself. He obediently followed Gijun, who was leading him, out of the school.

As soon as they left the school gates, his mood brightened up as if it had never been down. The chaotic excitement after exams, something he had never felt before, blossomed for Gawon as well. The corners of his mouth kept turning up foolishly, and Gawon awkwardly covered his face with the back of his clenched fist.

“Gawon. Look. I planned out a date course yesterday.”

“What date… stop saying such cheesy things.”

At Gijun’s confident declaration, Gawon made a disgusted face and looked around. Fortunately, the surroundings were so noisy that it seemed no one had heard him. Despite the open nagging, Gijun smiled nonchalantly.

“Why. Do you hate the word ‘date’ that much?”

“…I don’t know.”

To be completely honest… he didn’t hate it. He didn’t know the reason either. It was just that his body squirmed on its own and his chest tickled.

Gijun was handsome, tall, and had a gentle personality, so he must have dated a lot of girlfriends. Girls who were incredibly pretty, cute, and nice to match his level… It was an imagination he had been having since he first met Gijun. The word ‘date’ that Gijun used naturally suited such girls.

But Gijun uses such a word on him without hesitation. Not on pretty girls, but on him, who was insignificant and, on top of that, a guy. He couldn’t figure out the reason at all.

Besides, last time… although it was in a joking tone, he had also said things like, a kiss… Even now, just thinking about it makes his face flush hot and he doesn’t know what to do.

Why is he like that.

Why.

Could it be that Gijun… me…

“Just trust your hyung and follow me. I put together a route yesterday based on all the things you said you wanted to do.”

Gijun puffed out his chest and patted it with an air of superiority. Seeing him swagger like a child, a chuckle naturally escaped. Gawon obediently nodded his head.

“Okay. Thanks.”

“Awesome! I’m hanging out with Yoon Gawon!”

What was so great about it, Gijun, who ran far ahead, jumped comically. He jumps really high… he’s not a frog. I should take a picture of him later. Gawon, who was admiring his jumping ability, ended up laughing out loud.