episode_0029

Episode 28: Korean-style Friendship-building Activities (3)

Kang Hyun always gazed into narrow spaces.

Within the confines of her small smartphone screen, there existed a world of characters.

When she lifted her head, a vast world and scenery unfolded before her.

However, she continued to lower her gaze to the narrow space.

Because within it lay another world.

A world so extensive and vast that it was incomparable to reality.

It brought her joy, sadness, and excitement beyond comparison.

To forget the dry reality.

That place was an enchanting world.

“……”

However,

It wasn’t the same anymore.

No longer did exploring different worlds bring her joy.

The latest work by the author she admired.

In the past, it would have made her heart race and filled her with anticipation.

But as Kang Hyun read on, her eyes grew dry and indifferent.

Had the novel changed?

No.

The eloquent writing style remained, and the captivating storyline sparked interest.

With new and appealing heroines and protagonists.

Even in the early stages, the story was receiving praise and securing its spot in the rankings.

Yet, Kang Hyun felt a tightening in her chest.

Each time she read about a thrilling love story, it reflected her own love life.

If their love was pure… hers felt worn out, unhappy.

Or was it something that could never come to fruition?

Hope seemed to vanish into the unseen wind, replaced by despair.

Perhaps she didn’t even realize why.

Why she had stopped reading the novel.

Because each time, a throbbing pain gripped her heart.

Reminding her of reality, tormenting her.

Nevertheless, reality persisted.

Getting off the bus, engaging in activities.

In the mundane routine, Kang Hyun carried out her tasks.

Taking care of Kim Hyungmin, ensuring he stayed on track.

Sometimes even managing the entire situation.

But it wasn’t the same as before.

“Want to eat together?”

“Forget it. I need to supervise courage training.”

“……”

It might have seemed a bit odd.

Kang Hyun was clearly Kim Hyungmin’s paper dog.

Doing as told, barking when asked to bark.

However, she was also an intellectual.

She could think, which allowed her to care for him beyond simple actions.

Kim Hyungmin was aware of this fact.

Rebellion?

Not quite.

Rather, it was closer to being playful.

Kang Hyun didn’t enjoy drinking.

Even as an adult, unless it was obligatory, she didn’t seek alcohol.

Therefore, Kim Hyungmin didn’t get angry.

Should she loosen up a bit?

It was a kind of freedom.

Like letting a cow roam in a meadow, yet at the edge of sight, there was an unreachable fence.

The cow wouldn’t know.

The meadow that stretched before my eyes seemed endless.

But only until then.

Someday, it would come to know.

That running and running would eventually lead not to green pastures but to a welcoming fence.

So.

Kim Hyungmin granted Kang Hyun freedom.

Freedom under the name of grazing.

“Let’s go.”

The errands were already done.

Kim Hyungmin led the group of friends outside.

They would probably leave the noisy auditorium to go drink.

In about three hours, it would be barbecue time.

Of course, there would be alcohol involved, and they would all enjoy together.

Can’t wait for that moment?

Deep within Kang Hyun’s heart, an uncomfortable feeling wriggled.

Setting that aside.

It was time to focus on reality now.

She had volunteered to be the courage training staff to separate from Kim Hyungmin.

Once the chess competition ended, she would need to start preparing slowly.

And.

How much time had passed?

After the chess competition ended, the next schedule arrived.

The evening spring air pleasantly tickled the tip of her nose.

She could squint her eyes, take a deep breath, but not quite.

Kang Hyeon couldn’t contain her envy.

“Excuse me, excuse me!”

A path winding through the mountains.

Although there was a designated exit, being in the mountains meant there were side paths.

Hence, Kang Hyeon found herself stationed at a potentially unknown rear exit.

Even though she was a bit far away, she had no trouble assessing the situation near the entrance.

The instructor’s directive to form pairs and proceed in order came with the reflexes of a professional gamer.

How did they not recognize her?

A voice, simultaneously envious and pitiful, belonged to Jeong Ah-young.

Kang Hyeon took a deep breath.

Surely, she would team up with Han Se-in, right?

Living without a single discomfort, Kang Hyeon truly envied her.

Enduring torment daily, yet…

Due to her proximity to Han Se-in, someone both a victim and in an enviable position, Kang Hyeon felt an unbridgeable gap in their circumstances.

She delved into contemplation, rolling a stone lodged in the dirt with her foot.

Trying her best to think of other things, she guarded herself.

“Yes, yes…!”

“Is it really that great…?”

“Yeah. Yeah.”

Jeong Ah-young’s agility surprised everyone.

Was it thanks to that?

Han Se-in and Jeong Ah-young were the first to enter.

Her lips twisted mischievously.

The moment she had imagined for over a week!

She would embrace him calmly and stylishly.

How splendid it would be!

Lost in wicked fantasies, Jeong Ah-young began walking along the mountain path.

The atmosphere gradually grew eerie.

Despite no visible special decorations or traces, relying solely on a flashlight in the dark and gloomy mountain path felt terrifying.

“It’s dark.”

“That’s true.”

“We just need to keep going straight, right?”

“Probably…?”

They would likely have to climb the mountain for about 10 minutes.

Their mission was to retrieve a note located around the middle section.

It was said to contain details of random items.

As their distance closed in, they felt even closer than when walking side by side.

However, despite getting the situation she desired, Jeong Ah-young displayed a nervous demeanor.

Was it because Han Se-in was getting closer?

No, it was actually her own fear creeping in.

It felt like someone was watching from afar in the dark woods.

Engaging in mental exercises, Jeong Ah-young pondered the theory repeatedly.

Human fear stems from the unknown.

In unseen places where one relies on imagination, a sense of dread naturally arises, serving as both a survival instinct and defense mechanism…

Knowing this fact, there was no reason to be afraid.

“If you’re scared, just say so.”

“Uh…”

Han Se-in looked at Jeong Ah-young with a pitiful gaze.

She didn’t hesitate to keep looking ahead.

“You seem the most scared.”

To protect the woman’s pride, Han Se-in bit his tongue.

Ironically, he remained calm.

Perhaps because he knew that people were the scariest?

He tended to stay composed in such situations.

In the quiet forest, with only occasional sounds of insects chirping, Jeong Ah-young spoke to Han Se-in, seeming uneasy.

“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”

“Thank you. I feel safer.”

“Hehe…”

Praise can make even whales dance.

It melted the tense heart of Jeong Ah-young.

And so, the conversation unfolded like this.

Her previously guarded mind relaxed.

And always at times like these…

“Eek!!”

“Aaahhh!!!”

“Oh, Ayoung…”

Han Se-in’s sentence went unfinished.

One hand held the flashlight, while the other grabbed his wrist and ran abruptly.

A picture of terror and panic.

Her eyes focused solely on what lay ahead.

“Screams echoed incessantly from her lips.

Terrifying, terrifying!

In truth, she found herself more frightening than any ghost, gripped by fear.

Jung Ah-young was most terrified by the fact that she couldn’t see herself.

“How… how… Ah, Ah-young… Ah, Ah-young…”

How far had she run?

When Jung Ah-young finally came to her senses, she realized she had taken a strange turn down the road.

Where am I…?

However, there was no time to worry about where she was at the moment.

What caught Jung Ah-young’s eye was not the unfamiliar surroundings, but a pale-faced Han Se-in.

“Ar-are you okay?”

*Gasping* “H-ha, haa, hah… Ah, Ah-young…”

Jung Ah-young’s eyes flickered.

Her restless hands sought direction.

She could only look at Han Se-in, who was gasping for breath, partially collapsed on the ground.

Perilous.

Han Se-in’s condition was so serious it could be summed up in one word.

From Jung Ah-young’s perspective, it was an action to protect rather than abandon him.

But.

It only seemed to make things harder for Han Se-in.

Why did it have to come to this?

Watching him struggle for breath, Jung Ah-young began to blame herself.

Why was she always like this?

Unable to do things properly.

Causing hardship even to the man she liked.

Repeated apologies.

That was all she could say.

*Gasping* “I-I’m sorry. Se-in, are you okay? Y-your body…”

“Just… struggling… *Gasping*…”

Even so.

His appearance seemed too precarious.

His body eventually slumped.

Jung Ah-young knelt beside him, looking worried before the apology.

How much time had passed?

Han Se-in’s breathing gradually began to stabilize.

But.

“Ah-young…”

“W-what?!”

Jung Ah-young responded with force in her voice.

Perhaps out of a sense of guilt, she wanted to listen to whatever he had to say.

“I… can’t feel my legs.”

In the dark mountains.

Relying on a single flashlight, cautiously descending was still not enough.

Han Se-in’s foot slipped.

Sitting on the ground, his gaze fixed on her.

“…Lean on me.”

She had to take responsibility.

For the situation she had created.

No matter what happened to him.

Jung Ah-young turned back and offered her back.

“Thank you…”

“Don’t thank me…”

Han Se-in couldn’t see Jung Ah-young’s expression, but it twisted in response.

Thanking her for a mistake she made…?

Her heart clenched.

She waved her hand.

As Han Se-in moved, he climbed onto her back.

“Don’t worry. We’ll get down safely.”

“Yeah…”

Despite her bold words.

Jung Ah-young’s expression hardened gradually.

Not due to shock or sadness.

Because of the unsettling sensation felt in her waist.

Her hand rested on his thigh, no strain at all.

However.

Due to the center of gravity.

The intimate contact of Han Se-in’s groin against her waist.

That is… the soft touch inside his pants reached her waist.

Anyone could tell what object touched her waist.

Jung Ah-young froze.