episode_0046

Episode 45: Exciting Literary Club (3)

Uncomfortable silence was replaced by cold gazes exchanging.

The gaze from the MT days.

Jeong A-yeong looked at them with an unusual expression.

The atmosphere flowed subtly yet intricately.

The sharp gazes crossing between Kang Hyeon-a and Jeong A-yeong were as cutting as a poet’s melody echoing in war.

Han Se-in’s expression, delving into emotions, was lively.

“Goodbye. A-yeong, let’s go.”

“Uh…”

“….”

It was also a crossroads moment.

Han Se-in bid farewell to Kang Hyeon-a.

With Jeong A-yeong’s arm linked, the incident came to a close.

A pair of man and woman walking ahead.

Some might have clapped, saying they looked good together, but at least to Kang Hyeon-a, it seemed slightly different.

A subtle turn of the head and gaze.

At the end, Kang Hyeon-a lingered briefly before turning back.

Silence.

The lips bidding him farewell remained silent.

Gazes shook restlessly.

Emotions welling up from deep within the heart were confusing.

Initially jealousy.

Then rationalization.

Finally, distortion.

Jealousy was felt in the skinship with Jeong A-yeong.

But considering their relationship, the heart calmed down.

Wasn’t it a love forced by Kim Hyeong-min?

Yes.

Like a strategic marriage in a fantasy novel.

It felt forced, akin to something unwanted.

Kang Hyeon-a’s fist tightened as she reached twisted thoughts.

Quietly returning to her side, but in her mind, Han Se-in’s presence had deeply embedded itself.

Watching Jeong A-yeong’s reactions.

Recalling his somewhat coercive behavior.

Her thoughts became even more complex.

Beyond mere discomfort.

An indescribable feeling.

A sensation akin to discomfort but deeper and settling in the heart.

Instinct.

Yes, a kind of instinct.

The instinct that if left unchecked, emotions would surely come back strongly.

Thus, Jeong A-yeong, with a quiet voice, asked on the way home.

Walking together for about ten minutes.

Parting ways at the crossroads.

Since they had just started heading home, she needed to speak quickly.

“Se-in.”

“Yeah.”

“Earlier, Kang Hyeon-a was there…”

“Why?”

A voice like ants crawling.

How long had it been since she had expressed discomfort in her life?

To Jeong A-yeong, it was a great courage and, simultaneously, an emotional tone.

Isn’t it a reasonable question to ask as a lover?

No need to be cautious.

That’s how it is.

Embracing a small courage, Jeong A-yeong began to speak.

“Why did you come with her? Is something going on… or not?”

“Oh. Same club.”

“…What?”

“Genre Literature and Arts Club? She’s the president.”

“….”

Slowly continuing steps.

Han Se-in smiled knowingly and asked.

“You don’t believe it?”

“Huh…”

“It feels like a ghost club vibe. She was alone in the room…”

“What are you saying?”

In an instant.

Han Se-in’s voice didn’t finish.

A high-pitched question.

Emotions stirred in Jeong A-yeong’s inquiry.

5th period, 6th period, 7th period.

Han Se-in’s words could be interpreted this way.

They spent the afternoon alone with Kang Hyeon-a.

“What?”

“Explain again. Explain again.”

“The only member there was a dog.”

“They were alone…?”

An agitated voice.

The advancing steps abruptly halted.

Anxiety crept into Jeong A-yeong’s gaze as she looked down at Han Se-in.

Deep-seated unease and jealousy oscillating in her heart.

And it was none other than Kang Hyeon-a?

Without any prior thought, Jeong A-yeong’s mind began to focus more and more.

“Oh. I just read books.”

“Mom, does that make sense…? Originally, there should be at least 5 members in the club…”

In a typical club, that would be the case.

However, Han Se-in just shrugged his shoulders.

“You know, Kim Hyung-min and his group. They went out to drink together. It’s legal, right.”

“……”

Going crazy and jumping around.

Jung Ah-young’s mind seemed distant.

She had so much to say, but couldn’t easily bring it out.

It was because Han Se-in’s gaze was gradually changing.

“Suspect?”

“Oh, no…”

“I just read a book. Nothing special happened. Really.”

“……”

“Sigh…”

A small sigh escaped.

For a moment, Jung Ah-young’s breath stopped.

Her words began to flow from her mouth.

Expressing her feelings, emotions, and state calmly through words.

“It hasn’t been many days since we started dating, right?”

“Yeah…”

“I feel a bit suspicious, and it upsets me.”

“W-worried… s-so…”

“I can worry too.”

“……”

“Computer? Are there no guys in your club?”

“T-there are…”

There are indeed.

Jung Ah-young, recalling a male she saw in the club earlier, fell silent.

The words that flowed from her mouth sounded pleasing for a woman.

Words that refreshed the suffocating atmosphere.

“I worry too. Because I love Jung Ah-young. It’s similar.”

“Yeah…”

“Something… seems suspicious, so I’m a bit like that.”

“Oh, no…”

Denial flowed out.

The brief pleasant refreshment seemed fleeting.

Jung Ah-young couldn’t think properly.

Denial, then an apology.

In a short time, she reflected on herself.

After hearing Han Se-in’s perspective.

Recalling moments of questioning him with a raised voice and probing her own emotions.

Right.

It seems correct.

Han Se-in’s perspective and emotions were understood.

The conclusion led to one answer.

“S-sorry.”

“……”

“I-I made a mistake. I-I don’t not trust Se-in. But still, still…”

“It’s okay.”

“It’s okay.”

But Jung Ah-young couldn’t be reassured.

Rather, a nagging emotion crept in.

As if to say it’s settled, Han Se-in turned his gaze away.

Light.

Yes, light was desired.

Eyes and hearts that naturally ignite affection.

They were tinted with a gray hue.

Is this love right?

It’s only been a few days since they started dating.

Should she raise her voice and get upset?

Although the words “it’s okay” were spoken.

Han Se-in’s eyes and expression said otherwise.

It clearly wasn’t okay to anyone.

Even Jung Ah-young, who usually lacked social cues, understood.

“S-sorry. S-Se-in. I’m sorry…”

“No. Don’t apologize.”

“Really…”

“It’s okay.”

“……”

“I told you, Ayoung. Right?”

“I got it…”

Jung Ah-young’s lips firmly closed.

What should she do?

Self-blame seeped into her frustrated mind.

An unresolved situation.

“Go ahead. I’ll stop by the convenience store.”

“…Yeah.”

How.

Can she say she’ll follow him?

After making such a mistake.

Can she lean on him?

Han Se-in headed to the convenience store.

Jung Ah-young moved her steps slowly.

A trembling breath faintly flowed out.

It seemed like a big mistake had been made.

In her first relationship, in her first love.

In this first love where being a beginner is no excuse.

She felt so pitiful.

At the same time.

A great sense of unease emerged.

How will this love unfold?

He may be irresistibly charming to any man who comes along, too good for her.

If things go wrong… what then?

“Ugh… uhh…”

If you cry, you shouldn’t cry.

A woman shouldn’t cry.

She had learned that way and didn’t want to appear even weaker.

Suppressing the deep-seated wounds and anxieties in her heart even more.

There was no answer to the suffocating situation.

Only the reality of needing to head home remained.

Because it was a distant mind.

Her feelings towards him only grew deeper.

Yearning and pleading more.

It was the beginning of the first step.

[How did you do that?]

“What.”

[Points… are enormous. I’ve already earned 3245 today.]

“Just, whatever…”

Answering the hologram while doing household chores.

Why am I getting annoyed for no reason?

“Oh, move! Can’t you see I’m chopping green onions?”

[Sorry. I was curious…]

Seeing the frustrating subordinate made her irritation rise.

Actually, she wasn’t irritated, but whenever she saw the hologram, she strangely wanted to get angry.

Anyway.

The household chores were piling up.

The current time is 5:30 in the evening.

Still, she had to wait about 30 minutes for Han Seyeon to arrive.

The water for the soup started boiling.

She was the type to shower before eating.

The meat would be stir-fried at that time.

About 30 minutes of spare time.

Having finished the household chores, she finally picked up her smartphone.

Usually an unused messenger app.

But now, it was very active.

[Ahnyoung] [05:02 PM] Seyin, did you arrive home safely?

[Ahnyoung] [05:02 PM] I just showered and lay down.

[Ahnyoung] [05:03 PM] I’m sorry earlier, I guess I was anxious without realizing it.

[Ahnyoung] [05:03 PM] (Sending a heart monster emoji) I love you. I think I like Seyin too much.

[Ahnyoung] [05:03 PM] Are you doing household chores…?

[Ahnyoung] [05:05 PM] Sorry. I said not to apologize…

[Ahnyoung] [05:05 PM] Reply when you have time later!!

[Ahnyoung] [05:08 PM] I couldn’t say it earlier. I won’t do that anymore. Seriously. You’ll reply when you read this, right?

[Ahnyoung] [05:12 PM] I love you! Seyin!! (Sending a heart monster emoji)

[Ahnyoung] [05:15 PM] Are you very upset…?

[Ahnyoung] [05:15 PM] I thought about it, I think I was too harsh. You shouldn’t doubt your partner like that… I sincerely apologize.

[Ahnyoung] [05:18 PM] I already miss you…

[Ahnyoung] [05:22 PM] Have you eaten dinner? Dad asked me to help with some household chores… I’ll go first! See you later!

[Ahnyoung] [05:25 PM] Seyin, you got home safely, right? I miss you so much.

[Ahnyoung] [05:27 PM] Dad’s nagging. I’ll really go now!

“Hmm…”

Swish.

She read the messages, but Ahnyoung didn’t seem much different from usual.

Maybe a bit more anxious?

She lightly tapped her smartphone.

“Jarvis.”

[My name is Jarvis…]

“Just shut up. Watch closely.”

[Yes.]

[I] [05:30 PM] I was doing household chores. I love you too. I’m really fine from earlier. Have a delicious dinner.

A disappearing “read” indicator.

[Ahnyoung] [05:30 PM] It’s okay!! I love you!! Have a delicious dinner!!

[I] [05:30 PM] What are you doing tomorrow? Wanna hang out together?

[Earned 1530 points.]

Ahnyoung, she’s totally flying high.

The hologram asked with a satisfied smile.

“How… did you do that?”

“Shut up, Jarvis.”

The only thing you did right was bringing me here.

Remember that.