Ch.150150. Gift Party

The final exams were over.

The department seemed to be hosting an end-of-semester party again, but Suhyeok had no intention of participating.

“Lee Suhyeok, party forbidden.”

Hana, with her arms wrapped around Suhyeok’s waist, dangled from him while singing beside him.

“I wasn’t planning to go anyway… No, I can’t go…”

Going to such gatherings without close friends was equivalent to paying money just to break out in a cold sweat.

“Then it’s forbidden from now on too.”

“After this semester, I’ll be a junior, so even if I wanted to go, I probably couldn’t.”

Actively participating in department events seeking new connections typically ended after sophomore year.

Of course, occasionally those with exceptionally dazzling social skills still attended events, but they were the minority.

Generally, juniors and seniors spent their time preparing for their futures.

“Nice~”

“Even if I went, I wouldn’t know anyone there.”

“Then you can just be with me the whole time.”

As soon as exams ended, Hana had been sticking by Suhyeok’s side all day.

Eating together, watching movies, and catching up on physical affection.

“I was planning to anyway.”

Suhyeok slipped his arm under Hana’s armpit.

Pleased, Hana gave him a loud smooch on the cheek.

“Ah, I don’t want to go to practice.”

The end of exams meant deadline rehearsals were coming.

“What? Have you lost your passion for guitar?”

Suhyeok asked playfully.

“No. I like playing guitar, but I like being with you more.”

Practice and performances were good, but sharing space with Juyeon couldn’t always be pleasant.

“Still, you should work hard. There’s not much time left now.”

“I know.”

“I was hoping we could all go on a trip together this winter…”

Suhyeok recalled the happy memories of summer.

The rock festival where he first went out with all his friends.

The waves breaking with a gentle sound under the bright sunlight.

Though he was happy dating Hana now, it was a different kind of happiness from going out as a group.

His phone background, which was now a picture of Hana, had originally been a photo of the five of them in front of the ocean.

That’s how brilliant that memory was for Suhyeok.

Seeing Suhyeok’s faint smile, Hana scratched her cheek awkwardly.

Though she hadn’t done anything wrong, she was partly responsible for his wish not coming true.

“Well… should we plan to go somewhere with Sohye and them instead?”

Going out as four without Juyeon seemed wrong, so if they wanted to hang out together, choosing the Choi-Gang couple seemed like the better option.

“No. Let’s go just the two of us. We were planning to watch the sunrise together, remember?”

Suhyeok smiled reassuringly.

Hana had nothing to feel sorry about.

The fault…

The fault that the 23rd generation had become like this wasn’t anyone’s fault.

Even if Suhyeok had chosen Juyeon that night, or if he hadn’t chosen anyone, the group would have fallen apart anyway.

Like a ship with a hole, slowly sinking.

It would be cruel to blame someone for naturally developed feelings.

“Hmm. Okay.”

Hana picked up Suhyeok’s Telecaster guitar that was standing in the corner.

She started playing a song that wasn’t for rehearsal, one Suhyeok didn’t recognize.

“What song is that?”

“It’s my original composition.”

“Your original?”

“Yeah. I told you before, my dream is to form a band.”

Hana’s wrist showed an elegant snap.

The pick swaying rhythmically.

She began adding improvised lyrics to the beat.

“Ah~ I want to do well~ But I don’t want to practice~”

“Are those really the lyrics?”

“I’m just making them up. You think those would be the real ones?”

Suhyeok chuckled.

Hana pulled him to sit beside her.

“Come here and learn this too.”

“Me too?”

“Yes! You need to play this too.”

Hana showed him the finger positions.

Suhyeok could follow along without much difficulty.

“You have to remember this.”

Hana caressed Suhyeok’s cheeks with both hands.

“But even if we’re really doing this, wouldn’t it be the year after next?”

“Still, remember it.”

“You know.”

Suhyeok spoke up, suddenly concerned.

“Hmm?”

“If you’re seriously going to form a band, wouldn’t it be better to have someone who’s not your boyfriend?”

Suhyeok had learned firsthand how romance could eat away at a group.

Aside from guitar skills and other factors, it could hinder the music activities.

If they were to fight, wouldn’t it be troublesome for the other members?

“Well… I’ve thought about that too.”

“I still want to do it with you.”

“No? If it’s not with you, I don’t want to do it at all.”

She couldn’t bear the thought of bringing someone else into the dream she shared with Suhyeok.

If Suhyeok refused, she wouldn’t even start.

“What if we break up? Then what?”

Suhyeok stroked her hair with an exasperated expression.

“What? Break up?”

Despite Suhyeok’s affectionate gesture, Hana looked hurt at the mention of breaking up.

“No, I mean, there’s always a possibility. Just if.”

Suhyeok looked for a way out, watching her reaction.

“No? There’s no such thing.”

Hana pushed Suhyeok onto the bed forcefully.

“The ‘if’ of us breaking up doesn’t exist in my dictionary, Lee Suhyeok.”

Golden hair cascaded down.

Hana looked down at Suhyeok in a dominating pose.

She was quite angry, exhaling sharply through her nose.

“Just try saying that again.”

“Hana…”

“I really hate it. I have no intention of breaking up with you.”

Their eyes met.

It was Suhyeok’s turn to answer sincerely.

“I love you too, Hana.”

“If you love me, why say such things?”

“Because I love you, I gave you a serious answer about your dream.”

If he hadn’t been serious, he would have readily agreed to do it together.

“Fine. That’s fair. But.”

Hana collapsed onto Suhyeok’s chest.

“Please don’t mention breaking up in front of me anymore.”

“Okay.”

“Like you said, our relationship didn’t come for free.”

It was a relationship that began by trampling on someone’s heart.

It was also a relationship that started knowing it would damage a group.

“I’m sorry, Hana.”

Suhyeok gently kissed her forehead.

* * *

[Taking recommendations for Lee Suhyeok’s birthday present~]

Originally, Seo-eun was in charge of birthday planning, but this time Hana took the lead.

The 23rd generation group chat with everyone except Suhyeok.

It was time to gather opinions.

[You’re his girlfriend. You choose.]

Choi-Gang clearly had no intention of giving an opinion.

Hana didn’t mind this attitude.

She already had something in mind.

[So that’s one vote for “no opinion.” What about the rest?]

[You probably know Suhyeok better than I do. I’ll go along with whatever you decide~]

[Me too]

Neither Seo-eun nor Juyeon expressed any strong opinions.

Juyeon was planning to give something personally so she didn’t want to make a big deal of it, and Seo-eun wanted to respect Hana’s opinion.

[My recommendation is a guitar strap!]

The shoulder strap used when playing guitar.

Suhyeok was currently using the basic strap that came with his guitar.

[Oh, that’s good! How much does it cost?]

[Well… it varies widely, but I’m thinking around 50,000 won?]

The best gifts are things you wouldn’t buy yourself but would be happy to have.

Hana smiled with satisfaction at her excellent choice.

That’s right, Yoon Hana.

You’ve got good sense.

Suhyeok would surely be delighted.

[How do we buy it? Online?]

[We could buy it online, but I want to go to a music store and see them in person.]

Hana enjoyed visiting instrument stores.

Besides, for her boyfriend’s gift, it was better to check the item in person.

[Should I just go buy it? Or does anyone want to come with me on Tuesday?]

[Just go buy it yourself]

[Tuesday is a bit difficult for me haha;;]

Juyeon, watching the screen, fidgeted with her fingers.

Tuesday…

She didn’t have anything particular to do.

After all, the semester had just ended.

Still, being alone with Hana was…

But she also wanted to participate in choosing Suhyeok’s gift.

Since they were all contributing money, she certainly had that right.

[What about Juyeon?]

Hana had mostly planned to go alone but sent the message out of courtesy.

Hmm… what should I get him?

[I’ll go with you.]

Hana blinked with a somewhat foolish expression.

The members watching the chat from different locations each let out a short exclamation.

[Will the time work for you?]

Hana moved her thumb.

It wasn’t a genuine question about her schedule, just a confirmation.

[Yes. It’s fine. Let’s go together.]

A story beneath the surface that only Suhyeok didn’t know.

If Juyeon took Suhyeok somewhere alone, it would be problematic, but this was a gray area difficult to object to.

Holding her phone, Hana wore a complex expression.

[Okay. Then Tuesday at 2 PM at the bus stop, let’s go!]

Well, fine.

She had already allowed separate gifts.

It seemed odd to raise objections about this now, Hana thought.