DEARG Ch 11

“Gasp, it’s Kang Seokwon.”

At someone’s exclamation, Jo Jihyun flinched and stopped in his tracks. Kang Seokwon was walking over.

“I heard that guy is no joke. They say he fought ten guys from Sansang Technical High and beat them to a pulp.”

“I heard gangs are already lining up to recruit him once he graduates.”

It was still the same. The rumors surrounding Kang Seokwon were close to urban legends.

And for good reason,

“……”

Kang Seokwon was clearly distinct from the other students his age. He had such an overwhelming presence that seeing him in a school uniform looked awkward. The gazes directed at him were close to awe. Even though there were guys who wanted to befriend him, they did not dare to approach. Wherever he passed, the students were busy getting out of his way.

It was convenient, though, looking for your name.

A voice tinged with laughter came to mind. Kang Seokwon had said he would habitually look for his own name on the bulletin board. I saw it by chance at first. Then I got curious. What rank would he be this time, how hard would he have worked.

The closer he came to the bulletin board, the more violently his heart pounded, and he couldn’t lift his head. It was as if someone was beating a large drum right next to his ear.

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

His mouth went dry. A tight pressure spread from the pit of his stomach. The surrounding sounds vanished, and all he could hear was the sound of his crazily beating heart.

Kang Seokwon walked right past him. And without giving the bulletin board a single glance, he passed by.

“Are you listening to me? Hey! Jo Ji!”

Without realizing it, Jo Jihyun answered aloud, “Huh?” At that moment, Kang Seokwon turned his head. Their gazes tangled in midair.

“Next period is gym. We have to get inside quickly.”

“Yeah. I know.”

Jo Jihyun answered distractedly and turned his head back to Kang Seokwon. But he was already gone. Kang Seokwon had not stared at him as if entranced, nor had he checked the bulletin board.

“Welcome.”

Jo Jihyun closed his book and offered a greeting, then gasped.

It’s Kang Seokwon.

Today was already the eighth time. One 500ml bottle of water. That was all.

“That’s eight hundred won.”

He could now say it without much trembling. The second time he had appeared at the convenience store, Jo Jihyun had been so shocked he had doubted his own eyes. He had seriously considered quitting his job. But Kang Seokwon had left the store without saying a word. It was the same the third time, and the fourth. He would buy one bottle of water, pay with a thousand-won bill, and take the two hundred won in change.

That was all there was to it. There was just a route of Kang Seokwon’s that he was unaware of, and he simply came to this convenience store to buy water.

“No.”

“Pardon?”

“Eight hundred won, that’s not it.”

It was the first time he had heard his voice. No, it was a voice he already knew well. So well that just by closing his eyes and recalling it, he could meticulously reconstruct its pitch and texture.

But it was the first time since opening his eyes again.

Kang Seokwon pointed a finger at the counter. On it was not a bottle of water, but a beverage. Blood rushed to his face. Jo Jihyun picked up the scanner. He tried to scan the barcode, but it wouldn’t read as easily as he thought.

“Take your time.”

It was a low voice. He knew how that voice would say his name.

With a trembling hand, Jo Jihyun barely managed to scan the barcode.

“That’s twelve hundred won.”

Kang Seokwon held out two one-thousand-won bills.

“……Go get one more.”

“What.”

“It’s a one-plus-one product.”

Kang Seokwon went to the display shelf and brought back the same product. Jo Jihyun held out the change.

“Have a good day.”

He bowed his head with a nod. But the shadow cast in front of the counter did not disappear. Jo Jihyun slowly raised his head.

“Drink it.”

Kang Seokwon held out the extra beverage he got from the deal.

“No, it’s oka……”

Before he could even finish his reply, Kang Seokwon went out of the store. Only the doorbell chimed, ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling.

Jo Jihyun silently stared at the beverage placed on the counter.

While working here, he had met all sorts of people. People who swore at him out of the blue or threw money at him, people who told him to just keep the change, people who shared what they were eating. There were also quite a few people who, like today, would share one of the items if they bought a one-plus-one product.

He is just one among many.

Even while thinking that, Jo Jihyun couldn’t bring himself to touch the beverage for a long time, only staring at it.

What is this even.

He felt like crying.

“Jihyun-ah.”

Just as he was about to leave through the front door, his mother called him from behind.

“Yes.”

“You know the lady, Mrs. Sookhyun, right?”

It was Choi Giyul’s mother’s name. Jo Jihyun answered, yes.

“I heard her son goes to the same school as you? Oh my, I had no idea. That lady was praising you so much. She said word has it you’re a good student and very kind.”

She laughed, looking genuinely pleased for the first time in a long while.

“Are you close with her son?”

“No. We only know each other by face.”

“I see. Then are you free this weekend? It’s been a while, so I can meet my friend and you can get to know him. Sounds good, right?”

Goosebumps prickled his skin. He had tried to avoid Choi Giyul at all costs. It was still so difficult to meet his eyes that it made him break out in a cold sweat.

“I have a supplementary class at my academy this weekend. I’m sorry.”

“A supplementary class? Well, can’t be helped then. Studying is the most important thing for a student.”

Jo Jihyun said, I’m leaving now, and turned his body.

“Then what about next week?”

His mother was a woman like a snake. She had a body as beautiful as a flower, but once she bit, she rarely let go until she achieved her goal.

“That’s when midterms start, so……”

He couldn’t finish his sentence. His mother’s hand struck her son’s face. Before he could even lift his head straight, her palm slapped his cheek again and again. A nosebleed started to trickle down. Jo Jihyun didn’t even think to wipe it away.

“Why do you talk back to your mother.”

“……, I’m sorry.”

“Your father was so d**n stubborn and wouldn’t listen, and now you act just like that b**t**d?”

The nosebleed stained his uniform shirt. His head was spinning. He thought he could endure it, but it wasn’t easy. He could never get used to violence.

“Study hard. Prepare well for your midterms.”

She held out a tissue. There was no apology for the violence. She didn’t even seem to think that what she was wielding was violence at all.

Jo Jihyun wiped away the nosebleed with the tissue.

“I’m leaving now.”

He didn’t want to exchange another word with her.

He had planned to tell the manager today that he was quitting. He would either find another job, or if even that was impossible, he would delay his independence a little, but he was determined to reduce the number of times he ran into Kang Seokwon. He thought he could do it, no matter what. Since these were things he had already been through once, he thought the second time might be a little easier. His vision distorted. Goosebumps rose on his back. Jo Jihyun ran to a corner of the flowerbed and crouched down. It felt like all the blood was draining from his body. He stayed crouched like that for a long while.

He took a beverage can out of his bag. It was the one Kang Seokwon had given him. Unable to either throw it away or drink it, he had carried it in his bag for a week.

He pulled the tab on the can. He poured the entire contents of the can straight down the drain. After pouring out the very last drop, he stood up from his spot.

As soon as he arrived at school and put down his bag, Choi Giyul approached him with a very excited face.

“Hey, did you know?”

“What.”

He knew he shouldn’t, but he ended up replying bluntly.

“That your mom and my mom know each other. They were high school classmates.”

“……Yeah.”

“I heard your mother was so pretty. When she was in school, guys used to line up at the school gate waiting to see her face.”

“Then Jo Ji must take after his mom, right? Guys line up for Jo Ji too.”

A guy next to them snickered and chimed in.

“No. I don’t resemble her at all.”

Jo Jihyun replied firmly. The atmosphere instantly turned cold.

“Hey, it was a joke, why are you being so serious.”

The guy who had been snickering scratched his head and muttered.

Jo Jihyun sat down in his seat.

“Jo Ji. Are you on your period today? Why are you so prickly. Oh, come to think of it, there’s some blood here.”

Choi Giyul pulled out a chair to sit opposite him and started teasing. Normally, he would have let it slide, but today he was in no mood to play along.

“Don’t.”

“What?”

“I said, please just stop.”

The gazes of the entire classroom turned towards them all at once. At first, Choi Giyul’s expression, which had been flustered, crumpled into a scowl.

“This b**t**d, I treat you nicely and you……”

Choi Giyul grabbed Jo Jihyun by the collar. Because of that, the desk toppled over with a crash. Jo Jihyun stared directly at Choi Giyul. Even after grabbing his collar in a fit of anger, Choi Giyul didn’t know what to do. Even if he didn’t realize it, he couldn’t handle his own emotions. But because of the gazes of those around him, Choi Giyul raised his fist.

Just then, the homeroom teacher entered the classroom.

“What do you two think you’re doing.”

Choi Giyul muttered a curse and let go of Jo Jihyun.

“Both of you, come to the teacher’s office.”

It was a similar, yet not identical, situation. Choi Giyul left the classroom first, seething. Jo Jihyun let out a sigh and followed behind him.

The moment he stepped into the teacher’s office, a man with a large build came into view.

“What are you doing. Get in here!”

The angry homeroom teacher shouted. Jo Jihyun clasped his hands together and stood before the teacher.

“Not studying like you’re supposed to. These b**t**ds.”

The teacher sequentially hit Jo Jihyun’s and Choi Giyul’s heads with the attendance book. Jo Jihyun silently listened to the teacher’s lecture. No, he tried to. He was completely distracted by the praise for Kang Seokwon that followed from behind him.

“Right. The one you’re competing in this time is the National Sports Festival?”

“Yes.”

“If you win there, it means you’re the best among all the students in our country. That’s amazing. Isn’t it?”

The principal, who valued appearances and reputation, really liked the word ‘best’. The principal and the head of the physical education department continued their praise.

Kang Seokwon stood there with an expression as if he were listening to a story that had nothing to do with him.

“The teacher is talking, where are you looking! Jo Jihyun, are you not going to pay attention?”

Jo Jihyun flinched in surprise and turned his head. His gaze met another. He knew whose it was without having to check.

“Ugh, really. I’m going to get old because of you guys, so old. Jo Jihyun, I thought you were a quiet kid, but are you acting just like the other troublemakers.”

“I’m sorry.”

He wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible.

“Choi Giyul. If you cause trouble one more time, I’m calling your mother.”

“I’m sorry.”

Choi Giyul also obediently bowed his head. “You can go,” the teacher said, waving his hand dismissively. Jo Jihyun bowed his head once more and left the teacher’s office.

“Hey, Jo Jihyun.”

As soon as he came out of the office, Choi Giyul called his name. It was Jo Jihyun, not Jo Ji.

“Earlier, d**n it, I was a bit out of line.”

He scratched his head and continued.

“I was just joking around, but you got so serious, what does that make me look like in front of the guys.”

“No, I’m sorry. I think it’s because I wasn’t feeling well today.”

He responded without much sincerity. Choi Giyul’s expression immediately brightened.

“Are you sick somewhere? Want to go to the nurse’s office? Should I take you?”

He asked, examining Jo Jihyun’s face from side to side. His breath touched him. A wave of nausea washed over him. Jo Jihyun took a step back.

“It’s fine. I’ll go on my……”

The door to the teacher’s office opened. Kang Seokwon came out.

It was the same situation.

“You look pale. I’ll take you to the nurse’s office.”

Choi Giyul grabbed Jo Jihyun’s arm. His body instantly froze, cold as if someone had injected nitrogen into his veins. Jo Jihyun tried to pull away from Choi Giyul.

“No, I’ll go by myself.”

“You really look pale.”

Choi Giyul said in a suddenly worried tone. Kang Seokwon approached. It was just like that time. No, he was afraid it would be the same. The closer Kang Seokwon got, the more his fear grew.

I have to run away.

Kang Seokwon’s form came into view. It was distinctly different from before. Back then, he had approached like a beast, his rage on full display, ready to tear out his throat.

But, now.

“Jo Jihyun!!”

Choi Giyul’s scream-like voice was heard. His body lost its balance and fell backward. A look of bewilderment flickered in Kang Seokwon’s eyes.

That was all.

“Hey. Are you feeling better now?”

The smell of medicine pricked his nose. Jo Jihyun slowly sat up.

“Are you sure you don’t need to go to the hospital? You kept saying absolutely not when I said we should, so I didn’t call an ambulance.”

The school nurse looked at Jo Jihyun with a worried expression. Jo Jihyun replied, I’m fine. He had fallen backward down the stairs while trying to avoid Kang Seokwon. It was embarrassing. His back was throbbing, but it wasn’t bad enough to go to the hospital.

“You didn’t break any bones or anything, right?”

“No. I’m fine.”

Jo Jihyun checked the clock on the wall.

“Classes are all over. That friend from your class dropped off your bag and left.”

Jo Jihyun let out a small sigh. He would have to cut back on sleep to catch up on the classes he missed today.

“I’m sorry for making you worry.”

When Jo Jihyun bowed his head politely, the school nurse smiled, “Oh my.”

“Looking at you now, you’re really pretty. So that’s why your friends were all competing to bring you here.”

“Pardon?”

“That kid from your class, and the big one, both of them came. That 3rd year carried you on his back, you know. Don’t you remember?”

Jo Jihyun blinked. He had briefly lost his memory from the shock of falling down the stairs. When he opened his eyes, he was in the nurse’s office, and upon hearing the nurse say they should go to the hospital, he had repeated “absolutely not” several times. Then he had fallen asleep again as if collapsing.

Jo Jihyun rubbed his reddened face and lowered his head.

“Go home carefully. And don’t fall again.”

“Goodbye.”

Jo Jihyun left the nurse’s office just like that. His back ached with every step. He went to the bathroom, lifted his shirt to check, and saw a dark purple bruise.

That kid carried you on his back, you know. Don’t you remember?

“Haa.”

He let out a sigh as he pulled his shirt down.

He felt like he wanted to find a hole to crawl into and hide.

Should I go and thank him. While he was debating, a week flew by. Kang Seokwon did not come to the convenience store to buy water, nor did he come to buy a beverage.

Should I have gone to find him and say thank you.

Jo Jihyun shook his head. Kang Seokwon hadn’t come looking for him since then either. Jo Jihyun realized he was feeling disappointed by Kang Seokwon’s indifference. It was selfish. Even as he vowed to never get involved with him again, he was thirsting for the attention he showed.

Jo Jihyun slapped both of his cheeks with his hands, trying to get a grip on his wavering heart.

The doorbell chimed.

“Wel……, come.”

It was Kang Seokwon, whom he was seeing for the first time in days. Maybe it was just his imagination, but he looked several times sharper than before. It would be over in about a minute. Kang Seokwon would pay for his item and leave right away. Jo Jihyun waited for him, holding the scanner in his hand. Kang Seokwon placed an item on the counter. Jo Jihyun looked at it and then checked Kang Seokwon’s face one more time. Kang Seokwon slightly raised an eyebrow as if asking why.

“That’s fourteen hundred won.”

Kang Seokwon held out a bill. Even as he handed over the change, Jo Jihyun couldn’t shake his puzzlement. If his memory was correct, he hardly ever ate fast food. Not just cup ramen, but also pizza and hamburgers. He had said it was because it didn’t suit his palate, and moreover, it wasn’t helpful for managing his weight class.

“The water?”

“You can get it over there.”

Jo Jihyun pointed to the water dispenser that provided hot water. Kang Seokwon tore open the plastic and approached the dispenser. After pouring water into the ramen, he sat down at a table.

That day, since opening his eyes, some things had changed and some had not. If so, then Kang Seokwon’s eating habits could certainly have changed as well. As he tried to convince himself of this, the cup ramen, left with its lid open, caught his eye.

“Excuse me, you need to close that.”

Kang Seokwon tilted his head to the side.

“The lid. It won’t cook well if you don’t close it.”

Jo Jihyun pointed to the ramen. Kang Seokwon looked around, searching for something to press down the lid of the cup ramen. Jo Jihyun handed him the book he was reading and returned to his spot. Kang Seokwon placed the book on top of the cup ramen and waited silently. An awkward silence filled the air. Even after a long while, he did not open the lid, so Jo Jihyun had no choice but to speak up, saying, “It’s been three minutes.” Kang Seokwon split the wooden chopsticks and lifted a mouthful of ramen to his lips. Seeing the subtle change in his expression, Jo Jihyun became certain that he still did not enjoy eating ramen.

Then why would he,

“……”

No, there was no need to assign meaning to every single action. It was just an act to get a meal. Jo Jihyun deliberately turned his body so as not to look at Kang Seokwon. Just then, the doorbell rang. Thinking it was a relief, he greeted, “Welcome.” A group of men walked in.

“Uh huh, okay. I’m at a convenience store nearby, so I’ll be right there. A pack of Esse over there.”

One of them gestured towards the cigarettes with his chin.

“I need to see your ID.”

“Huh? What ID.”

The man on the phone scowled with irritation.

“You must present your ID to purchase cigarettes and alcohol.”

The store manager had repeatedly explained what would happen if he sold cigarettes and alcohol to a minor. He had heard the words ‘check their ID no matter what’ every time he saw his face.

“Hey, do I look like a minor to you?”

The man pressed the power button on his phone and raised his voice.

“I’m sorry. It’s an unavoidable policy.”

“Look at the way this punk talks.”

“If you didn’t bring your ID, you can show the ID of someone else in your group.”

The man scoffed at Jo Jihyun’s words.

“Hey! You! Get over here. Where do you get off talking back to me. I came to buy a pack of cigarettes, do I have to show my ID to a guy like you?”

“I’m sorry.”

It’s not an entertainment district, so there probably won’t be many bad guys. The convenience store manager’s words were rendered meaningless as the man threw a nasty tantrum.

“Give me the cigarettes now. Otherwise, working here is going to get tough for you from now on.”

“I’m sorry. If I can’t confirm your ID……”

A hand grabbed his collar, and his body was yanked forward.

“Try saying one more g**damn word. The way you look……”

The man, having seen Jo Jihyun’s face, couldn’t finish his sentence. While he was searching for the right word, a low voice came from behind.

“Where does this go.”

“……The food waste goes in the yellow bin, and the rest can be thrown in the trash can.”

For a moment, overwhelmed by Kang Seokwon, no one could open their mouths. As Kang Seokwon went to dispose of the trash, the man holding Jo Jihyun’s collar, his bravado returning, continued speaking.

“You’re a high schooler, right? Which school do you go to? I run all the schools in this area, you know?”

Of all the times for this to happen.

Jo Jihyun bit his lip in bewilderment.

“Not answering?”

“I’m sorry. I……”

It was the man’s low voice that cut off Jo Jihyun’s apology.

“Get out.”

“What?”

“I said, get out.”

Kang Seokwon, who was now standing behind him, gestured towards the door with his eyes. Not only the man but also his companions were too bewildered to respond.

Kang Seokwon grabbed the shoulder of the man holding Jo Jihyun’s collar. Then, in the blink of an eye, he subdued him and dragged him to the front of the door.

“Hey! What are you doing! Let go of him right now!”

His agitated companions shouted. Kang Seokwon opened the door and flung the man outside as if throwing him away.

“That fucking b**t**d.”

“Do you want to die?”

Although they were spewing curses, no one dared to step forward. Kang Seokwon waited for them with a blank face. The man who had fallen to the ground got up.

“S**t, you son of a b**ch, really.”

He lunged at Kang Seokwon. His companions, seeing their chance, all rushed out together. Jo Jihyun’s face turned pale when he saw the jackknife in the hand of the last man to leave. He had to call the police. Jo Jihyun picked up the phone on the counter, but then, recalling the incident at the police station, he put the receiver down. He did not want to see Kang Seokwon sitting there all alone without a guardian a second time.

Crash.

He heard the sound of something breaking. In the end, Jo Jihyun ran out of the store. He frantically looked around, but neither the group of men nor Kang Seokwon was in sight.

What should I do. Should I call the police now…….

He made eye contact with Kang Seokwon, who was emerging from the alley, brushing off his clothes. His expression froze. He could tell that he was flustered. He should ask if he was okay, but his lips wouldn’t move.

“Are you okay?”

At Kang Seokwon’s question, Jo Jihyun doubted his own ears and asked back, “Pardon?”

“From when you fell.”

Jo Jihyun finally realized Kang Seokwon was asking about what had happened a week ago.

“Yes, I’m fine. ……Thank you. Thank you.”

He expressed his thanks twice. Kang Seokwon didn’t give any particular reply. Noticing the blood flowing from the back of his hand, Jo Jihyun gasped.

“It’s nothing. I’m fine.”

The moment he heard Kang Seokwon’s words, a heavy ache spread through his chest. He had never once said that he wasn’t okay. He endured his own sacrifices and pain as if they were a matter of course. Jo Jihyun said, “Please wait a moment,” and went inside the convenience store. He grabbed the first disposable bandages he saw and came back out.

“Put this on.”

Jo Jihyun held out the bandages. His fingertips trembled.

“This, you want me to put this on?”

Kang Seokwon asked. Unable to understand why he was asking, Jo Jihyun checked the bandages he was holding. They were children’s bandages with colorful pictures on them. Jo Jihyun’s face flushed.

“Then I’ll get a different one……”

“It’s fine.”

Kang Seokwon took the bandages and put them in his pocket.

“They won’t come here anymore.”

“……”

“I told them not to come here again.”

Kang Seokwon gestured towards the inside of the alley with his eyes.

He found himself feeling relieved upon realizing he was talking about the delinquents, not Kang Seokwon himself.

“Why.”

Kang Seokwon asked as Jo Jihyun’s expression darkened.

“It’s nothing. Nothing at all.”

Jo Jihyun answered in a small voice and bowed his head with a nod. A wave of self-loathing washed over him.

When he said he would quit, the manager jumped up and down. It was a difficult season to find people, so it was hard for him right now, was his explanation. You have to stay until we find the next person. This is why I try not to hire minors, but I hired you because you pleaded so earnestly. You should have a minimum sense of responsibility. The phone number on your resume, that’s your home phone number, right? You absolutely cannot quit without notice. Faced with a persuasion that was close to a threat, he ended up agreeing to work until the next person was hired.

“Jo Ji. Aren’t you playing?”

Someone tapped Jo Jihyun on the shoulder and spoke to him. Jo Jihyun gave a vague smile and shook his head.

“Have you ever even seen him play sports?”

“Right.”

They quickly gave up among themselves and disappeared with the ball to the center of the gym. Jo Jihyun let out a small sigh. The problem wasn’t just his convenience store part-time job. This morning, he had been called by his homeroom teacher. With a troubled expression, the teacher had brought up the matter of his tuition and the school trip fee.

“Nothing has really changed.”

He leaned back against the gym stairs, tilting his shoulders back. He could somehow manage the tuition with the money he had saved, but the school trip fee was out of the question. Although the academy fees he had received from his mother remained untouched, he did not want to touch that money. It wasn’t a matter of conscience. He wanted to return it exactly as it was.

I guess I won’t be able to go on the school trip this time either. When will I save up the money again.

Jo Jihyun swallowed a sigh and closed his eyes.

“Jooo Ji.”

Choi Giyul’s voice was heard. Jo Jihyun’s brow furrowed slightly. Even while thinking he shouldn’t show it, a physiological revulsion washed over him whenever he heard his voice or saw his face.

“Did you form a group for the school trip?”

“No.”

Jo Jihyun sat up straight and answered.

“Really?”

He sat down next to Jo Jihyun with a beaming smile.

“Our group can take one more person. Want to join?”

His tone was as if he were bestowing a great favor. Jo Jihyun shook his head.

“Why? You said you haven’t decided on a group.”

“I’m not going on the school trip.”

“What? You’re not going on the school trip?”

Because Choi Giyul raised his voice, the surrounding gazes all turned towards them. It was the same before, but even now, receiving people’s stares was not a welcome experience.

“I have my reasons.”

Choi Giyul’s expression clouds over. His face is like that of a child who had been all excited and then had his candy taken away.

“I’m sorry. You offered after all.”

He said words he didn’t mean. Choi Giyul’s cheeks flush once again.

“Uh, hahaha. Well. Right, then it can’t be helped.”

He glances at Jo Jihyun out of the corner of his eye. It is impossible not to know the subtle heat contained in that gaze.

“Is your back okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Isn’t it bruised? You fell with a really loud thud. Let me see.”

Choi Giyul roughly grabs the hem of Jo Jihyun’s gym clothes. Jo Jihyun shot up from his seat.

“I, I’m going to the bathroom.”

“Oh? Okay.”

Jo Jihyun clutched his book and started walking. Lately, Choi Giyul’s physical contact had increased noticeably. It was not a good sign. He had to get through this quietly, somehow.

“Jo Ji. The gym teacher wants you.”

A passing student saw Jo Jihyun and spoke to him.

“The gym teacher?”

“Yeah. Aren’t you on duty today? He said for the person on duty to come.”

“Okay.”

Today’s class was in the gym, not the sports field. It was because of the sudden rain. Thanks to that, they were having class overlapping with other grades.

Jo Jihyun went to the gym prep room attached to the side of the gym. He knocked on the door and went inside. The moment he saw the face of the person sitting on the sofa, he froze on the spot.

“Oh, what’s a student doing here.”

“I called him. You’re on duty, right. Take this to the teacher’s office and get the head teacher’s stamp here.”

The gym teacher handed Jo Jihyun an attendance book and a paper. A cold sweat ran down his back. Repeating to himself over and over that it would be okay since there were people around, Jo Jihyun approached the gym teacher. He could feel a gaze on him. A dirty desire, contained in a gaze that was slowly raking over its target, stabbed at his entire body.

“What grade are you? I don’t think I’ve seen you among the 1st years.”

“2nd year. The top student of the 2nd years.”

The gym teacher answered for him.

“He’s pretty.”

The art teacher was smiling. Jo Jihyun bowed his head with a nod and left the place.

He walked down the hallway, hugging the attendance book. He was afraid someone might be following him from behind, so eventually, he was almost running. As he turned the corner, he collided with a solid wall. The attendance book and the paper scattered on the floor. Jo Jihyun rubbed his throbbing nose and picked the papers back up.

A large hand picked up the attendance book instead and held it out to him. He knew without even checking the face. He liked his hands. He would often find himself staring blankly at the lines that flowed from his fingertips, bold and uninhibited.

“Thank you.”

Jo Jihyun replied without even lifting his head.

“Have those guys come by since then?”

It was the first time Kang Seokwon had spoken to him at school. It was the moment the boundary between the convenience store and the school, which had been separate, crumbled. Jo Jihyun shook his head, “no.”

“I see.”

Kang Seokwon hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“I’ll be busy for a while too.”

Since then, he too had not shown his face at the convenience store. There was no need to hear the reason why. Jo Jihyun gave a short reply, “Yes.”

“Where are you going.”

“To the teacher’s office.”

Kang Seokwon takes a step back for him. Jo Jihyun bowed his head with a nod and passed by him.

“Walk carefully.”

So you don’t fall again. The added words made his chest tighten. Jo Jihyun did not answer. It felt like his back was throbbing. Only after completely turning the corner did he let out the breath he had been holding. He had been so preoccupied with Kang Seokwon that he had forgotten about the art teacher. He had to eliminate any point of contact with him altogether.

“A parent’s confirmation letter for absence.”

Jo Jihyun muttered to himself, dredging up a memory he didn’t want to recall.

The doorbell rang.

“Welcome.”

He stopped what he was doing, organizing items, and turned around. Kang Seokwon entered, shaking off the rainwater. Kang Seokwon gave a short nod, acknowledging him.

It was the first time since that day. The lines of his face were even more sharply defined than when he had seen him a few days ago. He had come back from his competition.

After exchanging a greeting that did not stray from the relationship between a convenience store part-timer and a customer, Jo Jihyun started organizing the items again. As he was arranging beverages in order, Kang Seokwon stood behind him. He stared at the display shelf for a long time, as if choosing a drink. Even though the gaze was not directed at him, his spine tingled. Because of his large build, just standing behind him made it feel like he was being held. Jo Jihyun took a step to the side, moving out of the way. Kang Seokwon picked up a bottle of water and a cup ramen. He went to the counter and paid for them. Kang Seokwon tore the plastic wrapping off the cup ramen and got water.

He must have had a hard time managing his weight, so why does he insist on this every time…….

Jo Jihyun forced the thought that popped into his head away. It was not his problem to be involved in. Just then, the door opened and two female students came inside.

Jo Jihyun stood at the counter and waited for them to bring their items. The short-haired female student who had picked up a chocolate hesitated for a long time before walking over to the counter.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes?”

When their eyes met, she was startled and handed over the chocolate. After scanning the barcode, Jo Jihyun said, “That’s fifteen hundred won.” Even after he took the money and completed the transaction, the short-haired female student did not leave the front of the counter.

Jo Jihyun raised his eyes slightly in puzzlement.

“Hurry up and say it.”

The female student next to her nudged her in the side. The student, her face beet red, took something out of her pocket.

“This.”

It was a letter. On the envelope, in neat handwriting, were the words, To Jo Jihyun oppa. Jo Jihyun glanced down at his own name tag and smiled bitterly.

“Do, do you have a girlfriend?”

He knew from countless experiences that being firm was better in these situations than beating around the bush.

“I……”

He felt a piercing gaze. Kang Seokwon was looking this way. His hands and feet tingled as if all the nerves in his body were being pressed down.

“If you don’t have a girlfriend, could you give me your phone number?”

The man sitting at the cramped-looking table, waiting for a cup ramen that didn’t even suit his taste to cook, was more on his mind than the female student who was speaking to him, trembling pitiably with a beet-red face.

“……I do.”

“Pardon?”

“I have a girlfriend.”

He deliberately avoided eye contact as he answered. The female student, her face instantly showing disappointment, mutters, “Oh, I see.” Jo Jihyun handed back the letter that was on the table.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s okay. That’s just……”

“I can’t accept it.”

The female student’s eyes quickly redden. Sniffling, she crumpled the letter back into her pocket and quickly left the convenience store with her friend.

His heart is pounding.

It’s fine. It doesn’t matter to him, anyway. Whatever I say…….

Clatter. At the sound of a chair moving, Jo Jihyun reflexively lifted his head. Kang Seokwon poured the barely cooked ramen straight into the trash can.

Kang Seokwon strode over to the counter. He took a thousand-won bill out of his pocket.

“For the bandage.”

Before he could answer, Kang Seokwon closed the door and disappeared.

“Be careful of cars, be careful of people, and make sure to sleep with your blanket on. And if you get bored while you’re out and about, it would be good to practice your English listening from time to time.”