PUPPY 77

The content and atmosphere of the conversation between Juwon and Seowoo were not ordinary. On top of that, what about the SNS post Seowoo had uploaded yesterday? Even the most oblivious person could tell that Juwon and Seowoo were having a lovers’ quarrel.

“Just listen to me once.”

“…Then, let’s go out.”

Seowoo, who had been blatantly ignoring Juwon’s gaze, sighed and got up from his seat. As Seowoo took the first step, Juwon followed behind him. That was exactly one minute before first period began.

“They’re just ditching even though class is starting.”

“That’s because they’re the school’s first and fifth rankers.”

Kim Dongwon and Yang Juhyeon looked at Seowoo’s empty seat and exchanged playful words. Usually, the seriousness of a species called “high school boys” could barely last a minute, so by this point, they had held back for quite a while.

As class began, only the sound of the two’s footsteps echoed in the quiet hallway. Juwon, who always walked ahead with his long strides, this time followed slowly behind Seowoo like a sinner. Seowoo’s face was pale to begin with, but today it was so ashen it looked as if all the color had drained from it.

Walking down the hallway, Seowoo found an empty career counseling room and went inside. Thump—, the door closed with a sound, and a heavy silence descended upon the two.

“What is it you want to say.”

Seowoo broke the silence first, asking Juwon in a calm voice.

“……”

When facing Seowoo who was avoiding him, all he could think about was wanting to have a conversation somehow. Unlike his positive expectation that if they just started talking, he could somehow clear up the misunderstanding, the atmosphere was frigid.

Now that he was actually given a chance to defend himself, he was worried and at a loss as to where to even begin. There were still things Juwon couldn’t explain. At Juwon’s hesitation, this time Seowoo let out a sigh that was like a sneer.

“Why. Thinking up another lie?”

“…That’s.”

Seeing Seowoo about to turn away, Juwon felt a sense of helplessness and reached out his hand blindly. It was the moment Juwon’s hand was about to carefully touch Seowoo’s wrist.

Smack—.

Seowoo, who had stopped in his tracks, coldly slapped away Juwon’s approaching hand. In the quiet space, the sharp sound of Seowoo rejecting Juwon echoed particularly loudly. Seowoo took a step as if to leave the spot. But soon, as if he had decided on something, he turned back around and looked at Juwon.

“Do you even have the will to make an excuse?”

“……”

If he put his mind to it, he could have made up a clumsy lie to escape the current situation. But Juwon kept his lips firmly shut. He couldn’t lie again, when he knew all too well what consequences not being honest with Seowoo had ultimately brought.

“…Do you know what’s most important for a couple who met in their teens to get married?”

“Seowoo.”

There was nothing Juwon could say other than call Seowoo’s name.

“They say it’s trust and love.”

“……”

“Did you even like me?”

As he said that, Seowoo’s hand dropped limply. The answer to Seowoo’s question of whether he had liked him was, without a doubt, “yes.” Juwon slowly lifted his head, his gaze meeting Seowoo’s.

“Don’t answer. I can’t believe you.”

At Seowoo’s words, Juwon felt as if his heart was being torn to shreds. But Seowoo, who was speaking such harsh words, also looked clearly hurt.

“I’m going.”

“……”

This time, Juwon’s hand dropped—thump—limply downwards, just like Seowoo’s had a moment before. He wanted to hold onto the departing Seowoo, but he was a person who had no right.

🦴

Because he had to walk at a certain distance due to being told not to follow, he ended up missing the elevator. He ran patter-patter-patter up the stairs and arrived at the study hall, but Seowoo had already gone inside the reading room.

They were only off by a little, but missing the timing made the gap widen and they became distant in an instant. It was just when he was lost in melancholy, thinking that this was exactly like the situation between him and Seowoo right now.

“You came alone?”

Lee Yerin, who had appeared at some point, spoke to Juwon who was standing in front of the study hall.

“Why….”

“I heard there was trouble on the love front, I guess it’s true? You don’t smell at all.”

Juwon raised one eyebrow and looked at Yerin, who was vigorously fanning the flames of a burning house. A growl—, a boiling sound, automatically flowed out from within him.

“…Our relationship.”

Juwon, who was about to say it was still solid and had no problems, couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence. A relationship where trust had crumbled was nothing but precarious and perilous.

“You’re going to bite me at this rate, you really are. Small dogs are always fiercer, I tell you.”

Leaving behind the playful words, Yerin went into the study hall. It wasn’t Lee Yerin’s fault, but Juwon couldn’t help feeling resentful.

“Haa….”

Juwon let out a deep sigh as he watched Lee Yerin turn away. There was a reason of his own for Juwon, who had deceived Seowoo and secretly invited Lee Yerin.

It was a week ago.

“You know your friend.”

Lee Yerin, who had appeared abruptly as if she had muffled her footsteps like a cat, skipped the greeting and threw a question at Juwon.

“Who?”

“The one with the pale face, the cute one.”

Only one person came to mind at Lee Yerin’s question. Our Seowoo, who is pale, cute, pretty, and kind. It was because Seowoo was the only person in the musty high school who suited such a lovely description. However, he couldn’t just meekly tell Lee Yerin Seowoo’s name.

“Kim Dongwon?”

“Wanna die?”

At Juwon’s glib answer, Lee Yerin crumpled her face. But Juwon had no intention of readily telling her about Seowoo.

“No, are you talking about Oh Dongjae?”

“The kind kid who got an award for catching a Beastman Hunter. He was standing with you that one time.”

“…Why him.”

This time, Lee Yerin explicitly mentioned Seowoo. Hearing that, Juwon went into full alert mode, narrowing his eyes and looking at Lee Yerin.

“Can’t you introduce me to him?”

“No.”

Juwon answered immediately without a single second of hesitation. Lee Yerin, perhaps thinking this was just a joke, smiled brightly and asked again.

“Why?”

“Just protect your deep-rooted Jindo Dog Beastman family line.”

“My family doesn’t care about things like that. They said it’s fine if I don’t necessarily date a Beastman.”

“Stay away from him.”

‘Why doesn’t Lee Yerin’s family care about maintaining a pureblood Beastman line….’

Juwon thought as he spoke in a blunt voice. Yerin was, in fact, a Jindo dog Beastman. The Gwangju Lee Dog Beastman family was a pureblood Beastman family that had continued for as long as the Yeonan Cha clan.

“Why?”

“Seowoo isn’t interested in you.”

“Where is there a guy who isn’t interested in me.”

Lee Yerin replied confidently. To a normal person, it would have sounded obnoxious, but she was overflowing with confidence. Moreover, when she transformed into a dog, Lee Yerin’s form was robust and elegant, making Juwon’s heart even more anxious.

“…Seowoo is really not interested in you.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s dating me.”

“Hmm…. You have no rings, and I can’t smell anything on you.”

At Juwon’s words, Lee Yerin shrugged her shoulders and spoke. Her expression was filled with confidence, as if she had already caught a scent.

Of all days, today.

Juwon let out a short sigh. Normally, they would have kissed a bit in the alley, and before class started, he would have fiercely buried his head in Seowoo’s small embrace for a hug. But because Seowoo overslept today, they had no choice but to skip all of it. Seowoo, who had weak stamina, would often play late into the evening, expending his energy, then sleep as if he had passed out, and wake up at the last minute.

‘I mounted Seowoo just yesterday…!’

The reality that he couldn’t announce their private affairs to the whole world was truly lamentable.

“Then, at least introduce us so we can get to know each other. Where does he live?”

“I don’t know either.”

At Juwon’s reaction of averting his gaze and curtly answering, Lee Yerin just snorted briefly. “If you don’t tell me, I’ll just find him myself.” At Yerin’s words, a deep wrinkle formed between Juwon’s eyebrows. He didn’t want to admit it, but Lee Yerin’s sense of smell and persistence were far superior to that of ordinary dogs. It would be a big problem if such a Yerin became more interested in Seowoo.

“Oh right, Hyewon unnie said to come over to your house because she’s giving me the clothes she wore when she was a model.”

Lee Yerin was also working as a model for his sister’s internet shopping mall. She modeled both large-breed dog clothes and human clothes.

“Our house?”

Juwon looked at Yerin with a reluctant expression and responded indifferently.

I wish you wouldn’t come….

It would be troublesome if she happened to run into Seowoo in the alley and started hitting on him, saying things like they should go to school together, or go for just one walk. Of course, he had no intention of sitting back and idly watching such a scene. In terms of size, he was far outmatched by Lee Yerin, but for a small dog, he had an unusually bold spirit.

“My mom also asked me to bring something to your house. By any chance, will your sister and parents be there next week?”

“Uh….”

“Alright, then let’s see each other at your house next week.”

After Yerin left, Juwon thought for a long time before reaching a conclusion.

He had to make it so the two of them could not meet, no matter what.

He knew well that the love and affection he and Seowoo had for each other was deep and solid, but he didn’t want to leave anything that could become a hindrance between them.

And at that time, he never thought that a small lie would come back as such a big butterfly effect.