Ch.156156. Because We’re Friends

Perhaps everyone was reluctant to part ways because it felt like an ending.

The drinking session continued until quite late.

“Ah, Suhyeok hyung. When you go to the military, please leave your address on social media! I’ll definitely send you care packages!”

“Oppa. Me too, absolutely!”

This was practically the last time they would all see the first-years together.

“Thanks.”

Though Suhyeok had drunk enough “birthday drinks” to turn his face red, his mind still hadn’t let go of its rational thread.

“You guys~ I’m going to check on you.”

Hana draped herself around Suhyeok’s neck, nearly collapsing against him.

Naturally, having drunk too much, she couldn’t control her body as drowsiness overwhelmed her.

“Hana. If you’re tired, should we get going now?”

“Nooo… you want to stay longer…”

Even in her hazy state, Hana knew exactly what Suhyeok wanted.

“Then should you go over there and take a quick nap?”

“…Mmm.”

Hana was escorted to the innermost corner.

She leaned against the wall, trying to sleep.

People started to leave one by one.

“Unnie! We need to catch the last train, so we’re heading out! Suhyeok oppa! Take care in the military!”

“Thanks, Hyejung. Sohye, get home safely too.”

“Hey, Lee Suhyeok. I’ll just see Sohye to her taxi and come back.”

“Ah, okay.”

Kang took the first-year girls and headed outside.

“I need to step out too. Jaejun oppa called. Don’t drink yourselves to death without me!”

Seoeun also grabbed her coat and followed them outside.

Hana had fallen asleep, exhausted.

Choegang and Seoeun had left for their own reasons.

The only 23rd-generation members remaining were Juyeon and Suhyeok.

Somehow, the two ended up sitting across from each other.

Juyeon sipped her now-lukewarm somaek without saying anything.

“…Juyeon.”

The first-years were busy chattering among themselves.

Suhyeok gently called Juyeon’s name, as she couldn’t join in with the others.

“Hmm…?”

Juyeon looked up as if surprised that he was speaking to her.

“You sang really well today too. It was amazing.”

Juyeon studied Suhyeok’s face carefully.

“…Thank you.”

“I heard you got a business card from an agency. Are you really going to become a singer?”

“Well…”

Though Spirit’s activities had ended, Juyeon didn’t know what would be on her next page.

She didn’t want to leave this page yet.

The hourglass of time she had left to see Suhyeok.

There was only a tiny speck of sand left inside it.

“I’m not sure yet.”

“I see.”

“But if you tell me I can do it.”

Juyeon had always been this way.

“Then I probably can.”

Everyone has someone who gives them courage.

And for Juyeon, that was…

“No, Juyeon.”

Suhyeok shook his head as if telling her not to think that way.

“Whatever you do, it should be because you want to do it. That’s what gives it meaning.”

Suhyeok wished his words would no longer influence Juyeon’s life.

He couldn’t take responsibility for her.

Even if she had become his girlfriend, he wouldn’t have done that.

“So if you say you don’t want to do it.”

Suhyeok showed his pure sincerity.

“Then don’t.”

Streamer, singer, or some other shining path.

What Suhyeok wanted was Juyeon’s happiness, more than any of those things.

“…Okay.”

Juyeon gripped the handle of her beer glass.

“I understand.”

The cooled alcohol moistened her mouth once more with its bitter taste.

Juyeon knew that Suhyeok’s words weren’t just comfort but genuine sincerity.

That made her feel even lonelier.

‘I will refrain from speaking about things I won’t take responsibility for.’

That was the meaning behind Suhyeok’s words.

“You know, Suhyeok.”

“Yeah?”

“You looked cool too.”

She didn’t meet his eyes.

Her voice was quiet, unsuited for a drinking party.

“You look coolest when you play the guitar.”

So many things she wanted to say.

Compliments too cheesy to voice.

Sincere feelings that might burst out at any moment.

Juyeon had to put all of that behind her.

Because only then would Suhyeok smile at her.

“Thank you.”

Suhyeok smiled.

Juyeon smiled back.

“Suhyeok hyung! Want to come beat up Taeho? This jerk still can’t forget Hyejung!”

“Ah, you crazy bastards! Stop it already!”

The first-years burst into laughter.

“Juyeon noona, isn’t it legendary that this guy still can’t forget Hyejung? She’s had a boyfriend for ages.”

The first-years didn’t know the detailed backstory of the second-years.

They only knew that there seemed to be something between Juyeon and Suhyeok, but that Suhyeok ended up dating Hana.

“I know. Taeho’s so stubborn.”

Juyeon gave a sad smile.

“But don’t those feelings eventually pass?”

“Ah, noona! What are you saying? I forgot about Hyejung ages ago!”

“Really? What’s your secret?”

“There are so many prettier girls than Hyejung out there!”

That’s too bad. Because…

Suhyeok could never be erased just because there were more handsome men.

“Shall we make a toast?”

Unusually, Juyeon was the first to raise her glass.

“To Taeho’s new relationship!”

“Cheers!”

It wasn’t until the first train of the morning that they all finally headed home.

* * *

Hana, wearing only her underwear, got up and rummaged through the closet.

She put on Suhyeok’s large white box tee.

She moved behind her boyfriend, who was cooking ramen, and rested her head against his back.

Her golden hair cascaded down, unable to defy gravity.

“…Lee Suhyeok.”

“Yeah?”

“Nothing happened yesterday, right?”

He knew exactly what she was worried about.

“Yeah. Nothing happened.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

On the morning of December 23rd,

The couple had woken up late at Suhyeok’s place and were preparing hangover food.

“Does your head hurt?”

“No. Maybe because I didn’t drink much yesterday before falling asleep.”

“That means you were that tired.”

“Well, the performance was intense.”

Everyone had given their all during the performance.

Hana and Suhyeok were no exception.

It was actually impressive that Suhyeok had managed to stay awake until that hour.

“It’s ready. Let’s eat.”

Suhyeok set up a small table on the floor and placed the pot in the center.

The two sat facing each other.

Despite not having dated for very long, they gave off the atmosphere of a long-term couple, or even a married one.

“Tomorrow’s Christmas Eve. Where are we going?”

“We should go out for dinner, right?”

“What about during the day?”

Hana put down her plate, pausing her meal.

It was time to make her request.

“I don’t have anything planned, but you probably do.”

“Hmm? What do I have to do?”

Suhyeok, who had fully expected to spend Christmas with just Hana.

A large question mark floated above his head.

“You should go meet Juyeon.”

For a moment, Suhyeok thought there was something wrong with his ears.

He couldn’t believe those words had come from Hana’s mouth.

What on earth was happening?

“Go meet Juyeon during the day.”

“…Are you serious?”

“She wants to give you a present. Just go receive it and come back.”

It was strange.

The structure was quite abnormal—Juyeon hadn’t asked directly, and Hana was relaying this message.

“It won’t take long.”

Hana didn’t look pleased as she conveyed this information.

But this was something she could have easily forbidden using her girlfriend privileges.

“…Why are you allowing this?”

It was a question Suhyeok couldn’t resolve on his own.

“…Because Juyeon is my friend.”

For better or worse, Juyeon was Hana’s friend.

Their vocalist who had left her name on the same page called Spirit.

“And because I trust you.”

Hana loved Suhyeok.

Another name for love is trust.

Letting him go was, conversely, proof of how much she loved him.

“…Okay.”

Even Suhyeok, who wasn’t the most perceptive, could understand this conversation.

Hana was trying to give them time.

Time for him to properly say goodbye to Juyeon.

“Thank you, Hana.”

Suhyeok didn’t know what expression to make.

“Lee Suhyeok.”

“Yeah?”

“The rest of the time is all mine.”

Hana didn’t want to dwell on this topic and laid out her plans for the future.

“Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, your birthday—I’ll be by your side the whole time. Be prepared.”

“Do I need to prepare for that much happiness?”

“Yes. I’m going to send you to paradise, so be ready.”

“You’re not planning to just stay in my room the whole time, are you?”

Suhyeok joked with a slight smile.

“What? Is that what you wanted?”

Hana slightly pulled up her t-shirt, revealing her bra.

“I wouldn’t mind.”

She crawled seductively toward Suhyeok.

“We’re eating right now. What are you doing all of a sudden?”

Suhyeok, embarrassed, slurped up some noodles.

“You’re so cute.”

After confirming Suhyeok’s bright red ears, Hana returned to her place.

Time passed, and December 24th arrived.

The morning of Christmas Eve had come.