episode_0094

‘Fucked… … .’

[Missed calls – 44 (Sender: Iria)]

[Missed message notification – 999 (Lianuna)]

There are so many alarms that it gives me goosebumps.

As soon as I check the screen of my phone, cold sweat flows like rain. It’s been a while since I heard a harsh swear word that made me cringe. Even indirectly, Iria’s fanatical obsession can be felt.

‘When did you contact me like this… … ?’

Looking at the time of the call, it seemed like the contact started around the time Seong Ji-hyeon and I started eating. No matter how much I switched to manner mode, I never thought I would notice… … .

It seems that he was preoccupied with the conversation with Seong Ji-hyeon. It was actually an interesting story. Maybe the alcohol played a part.

“Hey… Sihoo? Is something wrong?”

Seong Ji-hyun, with a wine-red face, looks at me while twirling her glass. Her eyes were alluringly open, as if she was enjoying a pleasant intoxication.

On the other hand, my eyes opened brightly.

The rising intoxication is suppressed for a moment.

I was surprised by the unexpected contact.

“Haha… ! Well, it’s not like that.”

I waved my hand with an expression on my face that looked as if nothing had happened to anyone. There was no need to inform Seong Ji-hyeon of this situation.

‘Boo, I definitely left a message saying I was going to eat… … ?’

I was scared to check my phone, which had so many alarms piled up. I wasn’t scared simply because of Iria’s excessive obsession.

I felt guilty and anxious at the same time.

I may not be able to contact you for a while, but

My situation right now wasn’t that honorable.

Even though he said he would eat,

He didn’t say who he was with.

I feel even more guilty as I look at Seong Ji-hyun, who is looking at me with captivating eyes.

Of course, it was a completely selfless and ordinary(?) meal plan, but what would happen if Iria found out that I had a meal alone with a woman? … ?

-Gulp!

You must never know.

A national disaster will strike.

Perhaps Seoul may disappear entirely.

I had to somehow reassure Iria and hide the fact that I was with a strange woman.

ㅡUgh… … .

I carefully unlocked my phone and launched the messenger app. It was burdensome to make a call right away, so I started a chat room with Iria.

In the chat room with Iria that I entered like that… … .

[Lianuna: Where do you eat?]

[Lianuna: A cafeteria on campus? Or outside?]

[Lianuna: Where are you now? Are you with anyone?]

[Lianuna: Isn’t something wrong?]

[Rianna: One o’clock, answer the phone right away.]

[Lianuna: Sihu?]

[Lianuna: Sihu?]

[Lianuna: Sihu?]

[Lianuna: Sihu?]

… …

[Lianuna: Sihu?]

[Lianuna: Sihu?]

[Lianuna: Sihu?]

[Lianuna: Answer the phone quickly. Are you really going to worry my sister?]

‘Wow… ‘I sobered up.’

The chat room was plastered with Iria’s messages. He had sent countless messages almost every minute since about an hour ago.

I was scrolling with my finger and quickly checking the latest chat.

ㅡJiyiing!

The cell phone vibrates again.

Just then, Iria sent me another message.

[Lianuna: Oh, did you read it?]

[Lianuna: Why aren’t you replying? huh?]

“Hiccup… … !”

All the hiccups appear in Iria’s talk, which is updated in real time.

At the same time, the chicken meat rises.

I feel like my whole body suddenly freezes.

I guess I was holding on to my phone the whole time.

ㅡJiiing… !

Just as I was wondering what to reply, the sound of vibration continued again. This vibration sound continued for quite a long time.

[Call notification: Caller – Iria]

It wasn’t just a message, it was a phone call straight away.

Was it because my feet were numb for no reason?

I feel as if I have been caught having an affair.

Perhaps because of that, cold sweat was flowing like rain.

“Mr. Sihu? Are you really okay? Your complexion looks bad… … .”

Ji-Hyeon Seong looks at my meditative face and speaks with a worried voice. Anyone who sees it will just think I received a call asking for a debt.

“Shhh, shh… ! Could you please be quiet for a moment while I talk on the phone?”

“Ah, yes. Let’s do it… … .”

I asked Seong Ji-hyeon to be quiet and accepted the call with trembling hands. I felt like my life would be at stake if I didn’t receive it this time.

“W, hello… … ?”

[…] Sihu? Where are you now? Why am I receiving it only now?]

Iria’s voice as cold as ice continues over the phone. Some heavy breathing sounds could also be heard.

“I, I… ? As I said before, I was eating lunch… Wow… … .”

As a result, polite words automatically pop out without me even realizing it.

[what? For an hour? Are you really sure you just ate?]

“No, of course… !”

[okay? Then why haven’t you received any communication from me during this time?]

“Ah, that… It took some time to come out of the academy and eat… … .”

[So what about my contact information?]

“I didn’t know you contacted me because I was eating. Well, I didn’t know because it was on vibrate!”

[Hmm, okay… … ?]

“Really? I really mean it… ?! I’m sorry I couldn’t check your contact, sister… … .”

I prayed for forgiveness in my heart. Although I was talking on the cell phone, I instinctively cringed when I heard Iria’s cold voice.

It wasn’t a big mistake that I couldn’t contact him for a while, but having Seong Ji-hyun in front of me made me feel guilty.

But even so, he couldn’t confess that he had eaten with Seong Ji-hyeon even if he died. To prevent a national disaster.

[okay. Anyway, you’ve been outside the whole time, right?]

“Yes, that’s right… … !”

[Whoa, that’s a relief. I’ll tell you sooner. You were worried-!]

“Oh? huh… … ?”

Iria returns to her normal voice for an instant.

The ice-cold voice has disappeared,

A kind voice like my real sister welcomes me.

[Anyway, it’s okay as long as you’re safe. You must contact me when you arrive at the academy’s main gate, be sure to-! got it?]

“Nothing, no harm… ? Ah, yes! I understand!”

[Okay, then I’m busy so I’ll stop… … .]

-Snap!

With those words, the call ends.

It was a safer(?) ending than expected.

Even after I hung up the phone, I was frozen in a daze.

But what on earth is going on?

Are you okay? What on earth?

I thought I was going to be questioned about various things… … ?

As soon as she heard that I was outside, Iria’s harsh voice returned to its usual sound. With a sigh of relief.

It seemed like he was simply worried about me.

Rather, maybe I was too oversensitive?

My legs are shaking under the table.

‘Of course it is. There’s no way Iria would doubt me… … .’

They trust and rely on each other more than anyone else. I think it was anxiety created by my guilt.

“… Hey, was this Iria’s call?”

“Ah… Yes, that’s right.”

“Phew, you look like you get along well.”

“… … ?”

Is it good? If I had made a mistake just now, I would have been cut in half… … .

“After just listening, I think you should go back quickly… Is that correct?”

As expected, it is Seong Ji-hyeon. If you pretend, you pretend.

I was quick to notice.

If so, you will probably understand my position now.

“Yes… ! I guess I should just go!”

“Do you regret this?”

“I have to go in first! Thanks to you, I had a good time! Well then… … !”

I was planning on running straight back to the academy. If it was any later than this, Iria might really get suspicious.

“Oh? Sihoo? for a moment… … .”

ㅡBeetle… ! Squeak!

That was the moment when I hurriedly got up and was about to leave.

“Ex… … ?!”

I couldn’t control my body.

As soon as I stood up, I lost my balance and stumbled.

My legs felt like they had lost strength and I couldn’t keep my balance.

Yes, in a word, I was drunk.

I thought you were sober during the call,

My body had not yet recovered from the intoxication.

The body stumbles and falls to the side.

It feels like the floor of the restaurant is rising.

If I continue like this, I’ll end up hitting my head.

“That… ! Be careful!”

ㅡTeoup!

At that moment, Seong Ji-hyeon quickly stands up and supports me. Her hands were already wrapping around his wrists and waist. It was pulling me reliably and supporting me in a fairly stable position.

She must have been drunk on wine to some extent, but she reacted quite quickly.

“Ah… Yes, thank you.”

“That won’t work. Of course, it would be better for me to take you there.”

“No, I can’t be indebted to you again… … .”

“Are you indebted to me? I still have a lot to pay back to Mr. Sihu, right?”

Seong Ji-hyeon looks at me with neat eyes.

And then he held my hand and pulled it towards me.

He was walking slowly, lightly supporting me.

“I can walk alone… … .”

“No. It’s like you got drunk because of me, so I’ll get you there safely.”

“Trigram, it’s okay. To sober up while walking─”

“Don’t say things that don’t sound right. No matter how daytime it is, it is dangerous for a man to go out on the street alone while drunk.”

“Ah, yes… … .”

I had no choice but to agree with Seong Ji-hyun’s words. And that was also a way to return to the academy as quickly as possible.

‘By the way, Seong Ji-hyun… You’re taller than I thought. I had no idea… … .’

When we met Seong Ji-hyeon up close, despite its old-fashioned appearance, it was surprisingly sturdy. I feel her soft breasts against my cheeks as I stumble from the alcohol.

“First, let me take you to the car.”

“Yes, Jihyun… … ?”

“Hmm? Why is that?”

“So, can you please let go of your hand?”

“Ahh, hmm… ! Sorry, sorry.”

Seong Ji-hyun hastily removes her hand and blushes at my one word. The funny thing was that I was still leaning my head against her chest.

ㅡBeetle, Beetle… … .

After that, we walked to her car, somewhat awkwardly and maintaining a subtle distance.

‘It’s not as good as Iria, but it feels quite cozy… … . I almost want to sleep like this… … .’

As I was being supported by Seong Ji-hyeon, I felt at ease. Moreover, perhaps because all the tension was released, fatigue suddenly set in.

“Hehe… Please try to close your eyes at least a little.”

The voice of Seong Ji-hyeon, who helped me up to the car, reassured me.

“Hmm… Hmm… … .”

I felt relieved by that voice and closed my eyes comfortably.

It was because the alcohol was pressing heavily on my eyelids.