The word "sorry" wouldn't come out of my mouth.
I had thought up dozens of excuses on my way to Hayul's house, but the moment I saw Hayul open the front door, my words got stuck.
"Sehwa, you're here?"
"…Yeah."
As soon as Hayul opened the door, she greeted me warmly, as if she was happy to see me.
I know you're supposed to look at someone's face when talking to them, but my eyes couldn't help but drift to Hayul's thighs.
No guy could resist staring at dolphin shorts rolled up almost to the level of underwear.
"You… you'll catch a cold. Wanna come in first?"
I felt a slight pang of guilt as Hayul asked me with a concerned look.
Up until now, I hadn't felt anything, so why was I suddenly acting like I was in heat or something?
I had a rough guess.
It was probably because of Mina.
(Why the hell did she have to strip like that… It's driving me crazy.)
The longer I looked at Hayul, the more I felt blood rushing downward, but I barely managed to suppress the urge and spoke to her.
First, I needed to introduce someone.
"Sorry, Noona, but there's something I need to tell you. I actually brought a friend along."
"Oh… really? I don't think you mentioned anything about that…"
"…She insisted on coming. Sorry about that."
"It's fine. Who is it?"
I gestured for Mina, who was standing out of Hayul's sight and looking slightly wary, to come over. Mina approached and said:
"Hello. Nice to meet you."
"…Hello."
Watching them talk gave me a sense of dissonance.
It was the first time I'd seen Mina speak so politely, and Hayul's voice had a tone I hadn't heard before.
Her voice was always bright when we met, but hearing it so subdued now, it was clear Hayul wasn't exactly thrilled about Mina's presence.
Even the most oblivious person could tell.
(I was planning to rest here for a bit, but I guess that's not happening)
"Sorry, Noona. Could you grab me a towel?"
"Just one? Isn't that too few?"
At Hayul's words, I glanced at the puppy I was holding and said to her:
"One should be enough for this little guy."
"…You're not leaving right away, are you? Warm up a bit first."
"It's okay. I was originally planning to hang out at your place for a while, but with my friend here, I didn't want to make you uncomfortable."
As soon as I said that, the air around us turned chilly.
Oh, I should correct myself.
There was a fiery heat in front of me, but a cold chill was coming from beside me, so I guess I can't say it was just the surroundings.
Hearing my words, Hayul covered her face with one hand and told me to wait a moment before hurriedly going inside.
"…Hey, Ryu Sehwa."
I turned my head at Mina's voice from beside me, and even I couldn't help but flinch for a moment.
Her expression was icy cold, but her eyes were practically shooting flames, as if she was silently cursing me. It was a side of Mina I'd never seen before.
It felt like she was about to go on about how dangerous guys are or something.
Not wanting to hear it and feeling annoyed, I said to Mina:
"What?"
"Are you crazy? If I hadn't been here, you would've just gone inside and slept over or something, huh?"
"No way. That'd be rude. I was just going to change clothes and stay until the rain stopped."
At my words, Mina let out a hollow laugh, looking exasperated, as if she couldn't believe me.
My eyes narrowed in response.
It's not like she's my girlfriend, so why is she so worried? I can handle myself, but she's being so nosy.
As I stayed silent, Mina opened her mouth as if to say something else—
"Here, the towel!"
Hayul burst through the door, almost breaking it, and handed me the towel.
Mina swallowed whatever she was about to say and closed her mouth.
I carefully dried the puppy with the towel and handed it to Hayul.
"Please take care of him, Noona. Thanks."
"Uh… yeah, sure…"
After thanking her and saying I'd come back to see the puppy later, I noticed Hayul's face turning red.
Feeling a strange mood, I turned around and gestured for Mina to leave with me.
But Mina, as if she still had something to do, told me to go ahead and wait downstairs. Puzzled, I gave her a questioning look but said nothing and went down to the first floor.
As Sehwa waited for Mina downstairs…
Once Mina confirmed Sehwa was gone, she spoke to Hayul as politely as possible.
"Noona, are you and Sehwa close?"
"W-Well… yeah."
"Oh, I see. You seem like a really kind person, someone Sehwa would like.
I was a bit worried since Sehwa and I are close 'friends.'"
As she spoke, Mina subtly shook out her wet school uniform top, as if drying it.
But that action carried a significant meaning.
It was a warning to Hayul that Sehwa was a minor and to be careful.
She managed to convey her point without being offensive.
Whether Hayul caught on or not, her expression grew darker, and she mumbled:
"I… see. Please take care of Sehwa, then."
"Don't worry."
Satisfied with Hayul's resigned tone, Mina replied brightly.
Leaving Hayul with her slightly heavy expression, Mina descended the stairs with light steps.
When Mina reached the first floor, Sehwa asked:
"What were you doing with Noona?"
"Just said we should say hi if we run into each other."
"That's it?"
"Yeah, nothing much."
Sehwa looked at Mina suspiciously, but she dodged the question and changed the subject.
"Oh? The rain stopped. You'll catch a cold, let's go."
Thankfully, Sehwa seemed to realize Mina didn't want to talk, so he quietly headed outside, calling for her.
Mina happily followed, heading home.
---
___
____
"Sehwa, let's go eat."
I snapped awake at Mina's voice while dozing off in my chair.
Looking around, I saw kids getting up and heading somewhere.
Rubbing my eyes, I asked Mina:
"It's already lunchtime?"
"Yeah. You were sleeping so soundly. You didn't even wake up when the bell rang."
At her words, I stretched and started to get up when my pocket vibrated.
I checked my phone and saw a message from Hayul.
- Hayul: (photo) He's so cute after a bath.
I was grinning at the adorable puppy photo when Mina asked suspiciously:
"Who's that?"
"Hayul Noona. She says the puppy's doing well."
"…That's it? She didn't ask you to come over later?"
What does she even think of Hayul?
I've told her multiple times that she's not that kind of person, but Mina still looks at me like I'm a kid left by the water's edge, her eyes gleaming with unnecessary worry.
I nodded slightly in response and stood up.
As we headed to the cafeteria through the hallway, something caught my eye.
Six burly male students were leaning against the wall.
Sure, students are at school, so what's weird about that? But the way they were looking at me was off.
Having been stared at a lot, I could tell their gazes weren't friendly.
It was more like they were sizing me up, debating whether to mess with me or not.
It had been a while since I'd gotten that kind of look, and it stirred a slight competitive urge in me, but I quickly let it go.
They might look like bandits, but in this world, they're the kind of guys who hide behind girls.
(Then why are they staring like that, those idiots? They're not even gonna fight.)
"Sehwa? Are you mad? Your eyes suddenly…"
"No. Let's go, I'm hungry."
At Mina's words, I relaxed my sharp gaze and calmly left the hallway.
After eating a tasty meal at the cafeteria and heading back, I tilted my head in confusion.
Mina had left earlier for some errand, so I thought those guys might approach me while I was alone.
But strangely, nothing happened.
I half-expected them to be waiting in the hallway, but I made it back to the classroom safely, so I guess that was that.
Relieved that nothing happened, I relaxed my slightly tense body, and drowsiness hit me.
As expected, you get sleepy after lunch it's the way of the world.
Following nature's law, I slumped over my desk and fell asleep.
---
___
Hyemin anxiously watched Suyoung's face before biting her lip and asking:
"So? Did they say they'd do it?"
Instead of answering, Suyoung handed her phone to Hyemin.
Hyemin hurriedly took it and scrolled through the chat on the screen.
[Suyoung: How was it?]
[Minwoo: He looks tough… but since it's your request, Suyoung, we'll do it. It's not like we're fighting anyway.]
[Suyoung: Okay. Just set the mood a bit. Hyemin will handle the rest.]
[Minwoo: Got it. We'll just scare him a little and back off.]
[Suyoung: Thanks. Let's go shopping later. I'll buy you something you want.]
[Minwoo: (Cool Noona emoji)]
After reading, Hyemin returned the phone to Suyoung and said:
"Thanks, Suyoung…"
"Sigh. You seriously think this will work? Anyway, I'm telling you now, I'm not responsible for what happens."
"Look at this loyalty, you jerk. Don't you remember? That time you almost got killed messing around at that guy's house.
When his mom chased you with a kitchen knife, how did you escape?"
"I gave you a ride on my bike one time by chance, and you're still milking it. And… you little shit, I ended up sorting things out with his parents."
Suyoung growled, embarrassed that Hyemin brought up her old, shameful story.
While they were bickering in the bathroom, Hyemin frowned as she noticed someone coming in.
Silver bobbed hair, a sharp nose, and red lips. A face so perfect it was hard to tell if she was a doll or a person.
It was Mina, with her infuriatingly flawless looks.
Hyemin squinted at Mina, then realized she'd almost messed up.
Come to think of it, Mina was always by Sehwa's side.
If Mina protected Sehwa when those guys went after him, it'd be like cooking a meal just to feed it to a dog.
Hyemin sighed in relief and acknowledged Mina.
"…Mina?"
"Oh! What? You guys are here?"
Mina widened her eyes, surprised to see them.
It made sense.
Hyemin's jealousy toward Mina had caused even her best friend Suyoung to distance herself from Mina.
So it was understandable that Mina, who hadn't been in touch with them, didn't know where they'd been.
Hyemin said:
"We had some business. Where's Sehwa?"
"…Why do you want to know about Sehwa?"
Seeing Mina's expression turn cold at the mention of Sehwa's name, Hyemin bit her lip.
She glanced at Suyoung.
(See? She's already freaking out just because I mentioned Sehwa.)
(She's gonna steal him if we let this go.)
Suyoung sighed and nodded slightly as Mina cautiously said to Hyemin:
"I'm not trying to pick a fight, but… don't mess with Sehwa, okay?"
"Hey, Mina."
Hyemin muttered in a low voice and stepped closer to Mina.
"That's none of your business. A girl can like a guy and make a move, right?
I don't think you're Sehwa's girlfriend."
"Hyemin, you're acting a bit sensitive today, huh?"
Normally, Mina would've laughed it off, but her cold tone made the atmosphere tense.
Then, as if to dispel the misunderstanding, Mina spoke brightly again.
"I'm not saying this because I'm dating Sehwa. It's just advice."
"I don't think I need to hear it."
Even when Hyemin threw out a curt remark, Mina kept smiling and grabbed Hyemin's shoulder.
"You know Sia Unnie, right?"
"What, you're gonna go whining to her just because of some guy?
You'd better not. I don't know how you're in contact with her, but don't."
Hyemin thought Mina was naive for bringing up Sia's name.
As if someone like that would get involved in high school drama. She was about to scoff again when Mina shook her head, as if offended that Hyemin saw her as so petty.
"You think I'd do that? I'm just saying don't mess with Sehwa because he's close enough to Sia Unnie to work with her. So…"
Hyemin's face went pale, and she waved her hand to cut Mina off.
"Wait… wait a second, Mina. What did you just say?"
_________________________________________
Translated by Reversalmanhwa.web.id
/ Reversalnovel.web.id