EX Ch 1

Could there be a meeting more uncomfortable than this in the entire world? Facing an unexpected face, I froze right then and there. How could I run into none other than Yoon Hyeonjo here? Why, for what reason?

“Danyeong, what’s wrong?”

Woosik, who was staring intently at my face which had turned deathly pale, lightly tapped my forearm.

“Is it because Hyeonjo is too handsome?”

Hyeonjo. At that name, it felt as if cold water had been poured over my head, and my senses snapped awake. Right, Yoon Hyeonjo. In other words, my ex-boyfriend, my X! They say you occasionally run into your ex while living life, but who would have dared to imagine encountering one while having their current boyfriend by their side?

As I slowly lifted my head at the unbelievable reality, I saw Yoon Hyeonjo looking down at me with a terrifying expression. Seeing his fists clenched tight, he looked literally pissed off.

It was only natural. From Yoon Hyeonjo’s perspective, I was an ex-girlfriend who wasn’t just “trash,” but practically a “totaled car.” For a moment, I recalled the wrongs I had committed against Yoon Hyeonjo. Not only did I ghost him, but I also had a habit of stealing; I lacked a sense of responsibility regarding our relationship, and my drinking habits were a mess. We only had sex when I wanted to, and only in the way I wanted.

I was a “shitty car,” literally. Despite being the one who gave Yoon Hyeonjo nothing but scars, here I was, showing up just six months after breaking up with him, brazenly linking arms with his childhood best friend.

“Ah…”

How must Yoon Hyeonjo be feeling right now? I didn’t know for sure, but it was bound to be extremely shitty. Sure enough, Yoon Hyeonjo gripped the edge of the table with both hands as if he were about to flip it over. What do I do, what do I do! The moment I squeezed my eyes shut in total terror, Woosik, who was sitting next to me, spoke up in a voice that was nothing if not bright.

“Hyeonjo, say hello. My girlfriend. Danyeong.”

“…”

“She’s even prettier in person, right?”

At those words, Yoon Hyeonjo twisted the corner of his mouth as if it were absurd. Ha. As if he couldn’t manage his expression at all, he covered his eyes with one hand and even let out a hollow laugh. Seeing that made goosebumps erupt along the nape of my neck. Should I give the watch back first? But I already sold it on Carrot Market. What should I do? What do I do, I’m scared, I’m so scared! It was the moment I reflexively squeezed my eyes shut again.

“…Yeah, she’s much prettier in person. Your girlfriend.”

Yoon Hyeonjo, having barely swallowed his anger, greeted me in a calm voice.

“Hello. I am Yoon Hyeonjo.”

“Ah, uh, ah… Hell, o.”

Looking at the situation, it seemed that for now, Yoon Hyeonjo also intended to keep the fact that we used to date a secret. It was a relief in the midst of misfortune. But I wondered just how long he would keep this secret… I was blinking slowly while imagining horrible scenarios, when Woosik, sitting beside me, spoke to me playfully.

“Danyeong, this is your first time seeing such a handsome guy, right?”

No, it’s not the first time. Actually, I’ve done everything from making out to everything else with him. Words I couldn’t dare say surged up to my throat. I was just enduring the uncomfortable seat while swallowing dry spit, when Woosik threw a comment toward Yoon Hyeonjo with a mischievous expression.

“Hyeonjo, by the way, how nice would it be if you brought a girlfriend out at times like this too? Your face is a waste, you punk.”

“…”

“Always just playing with Derby at home.”

Derby? At the sudden mention of that name, I almost jumped up from my seat without realizing it. Derby! Why had I forgotten that name? Derby. The five-year-old Golden Retriever that Yoon Hyeonjo raised.

Back when I was dating Yoon Hyeonjo, I frequented his house as if it were my own, walking Derby every day and going to the cafe near the house. I can’t even say how attached I became to Derby during that time. That soft, dough-colored fur, those big paws that smelled savory, and even those gestures full of affection… To be honest, the one I missed the most right after the breakup wasn’t Yoon Hyeonjo, but Derby.

While I was lost in memories thinking of Derby’s savory scent, Yoon Hyeonjo spoke with a displeased face.

“I told you, I’m not dating anyone.”

“…”

“I have no intention of dating for the time being.”

“Why?”

“I told you. My first love was so damn crazy.”

Having finished speaking, Yoon Hyeonjo glared at me pointedly. That’s right, Yoon Hyeonjo had always said I was his first love.

Was that all? From his first peck to his first kiss, he had offered them all to me. However, Yoon Hyeonjo wasn’t my first. While he grumbled that it was unfair, he was busy following me around constantly.

Rather than a lover, sometimes I wondered if Yoon Hyeonjo was my “errand boy.” If I asked for pocket money, he would take out every cent in his wallet and hand it over; if I complained about not wanting to clean, he would come over to my house and do everything from laundry to cooking.

“Ah, the one who not only ghosted you but also ran away with your Rolex watch?”

But, I had run off with that Yoon Hyeonjo’s watch.

“No, I mean, what kind of girl is like that? Hyeonjo, you’re a saint. If it were me, I would have sued immediately.”

I would have nothing to say even if I were sued, but I thought it would be a bit scary if I really were. While holding onto Woosik’s arm, I spoke up quickly in a voice the size of an ant.

“…A lawsuit is a bit much.”

At my voice, I saw Yoon Hyeonjo’s eyes flare. Anyway, as if he hadn’t heard me, Woosik took a sip of the Americano on the table and spoke to me nonchalantly.

“Danyeong, if there’s anyone decent around you, introduce them to Hyeonjo.”

“Huh?”

“Hyeonjo is really decent. He has a lot of money, he’s handsome, and he’s from a good family—this guy is really no joke.”

It was nonsense. If I nodded about introducing a woman to Yoon Hyeonjo now, a furious Yoon Hyeonjo might expose everything about what happened with me. Flustered, I stammered out words in a trembling voice.

“…Ah, uh. But I don’t have any friends. It’ll be hard. Probably.”

“Not right this second, but whenever you think of someone.”

Uh-huh. With a completely dazed face, I just roughly nodded my head. I could feel Yoon Hyeonjo’s gaze scanning my face intently. He was staring so intensely it felt like my face would be pierced. I was fidgeting in my seat, not knowing what to do under the uncomfortable gaze, when Woosik, having set down his glass, said something unexpected.

“Anyway, I decided to live with Hyeonjo for just this semester.”

“…What? You’re living together?”

What on earth… At the shocking news, my face hardened and I looked back and forth between the faces of my current boyfriend and my ex-boyfriend. Then, Woosik spoke first, affectionately.

“You know. My brother came back from the US for a bit. My lifestyle doesn’t match with my brother’s, so I can’t live with him.”

“…”

“I’m going to stay at Hyeonjo’s house for just one semester. That’s why I called you, Danyeong, so you could get familiar with his face in advance. Were you surprised?”

“A, a little.”

“Haha, why were you so surprised? It’s cute.”

It was at that very moment. As if he could no longer stand it, Yoon Hyeonjo slammed the glass table hard with his large fist. Thump! At the loud sound, all eyes in the cafe shifted here at once. I also jumped, shrinking my shoulders back as I looked at Yoon Hyeonjo.

Is he really… planning to spill everything? As I looked at him with wide eyes, Yoon Hyeonjo spoke with a shameless face.

“A bug.”

“…”

“…There was a really, fucking big one.”

At those words, Woosik stroked his chest as if he were startled. As if he hadn’t noticed the awkward tension flowing between me and Yoon Hyeonjo at all, Woosik spoke to Yoon Hyeonjo with a nonchalant face. Yoon Hyeonjo also seemed to not want to break this fake peace, as he was conversing while trying to act like nothing was wrong.

“Anyway, I think I’ll have to buy the sofa again. The one I’m using now has too many scratches because of Derby.”

“I don’t care what it is. By the way, does Derby say it’s okay for me to move in and live there?”