episode_0033

033

Drip, drip, drip.

The clear sound of water from the sink echoes gently.

In this spacious and pristine white bathroom, only two people are present.

For a brief moment, Jin Soyeon and Yoo Seolhyun lock eyes with each other.

Soon, Yoo Seolhyun breaks into a soft smile.

That smile, with an unknown hint of mischief, is palpable.

Jin Soyeon slightly furrows her brows at the raised eyebrows.

Suddenly, Yoo Seolhyun starts to move slowly.

Step by step.

The sound of Yoo Seolhyun’s footsteps is resounding.

Before they know it, Yoo Seolhyun approaches slowly and stands in front of the sink.

As Jin Soyeon turns her head, only the side profile of Yoo Seolhyun is clear.

Yoo Seolhyun wordlessly takes out her lipstick.

Gazing at the mirror, she casually applies it.

As if deliberately ignoring.

“Yoo Seolhyun.”

With the water turned off, Jin Soyeon raises her voice.

“Why are you here at this hour?”

“Huh? Oh, just.”

Yoo Seolhyun continues nonchalantly with a cool tone.

“I just wanted to apply lipstick. And…”

Yoo Seolhyun, with lips like cherries, slowly turns her head to the side, looking at Jin Soyeon with a sly smile.

“…I have something I want to ask you. We don’t often get the chance to talk like this, just the two of us, right?”

“…”

Jin Soyeon presses her lips together and hesitates for a moment.

She also has something she wants to ask.

So Jin Soyeon slowly parts her lips.

“Good timing. I had something I was curious about too.”

“Oh really? Then you can go first.”

Closing the lipstick cap, Yoo Seolhyun speaks readily.

And then Jin Soyeon gathers her courage.

“You know, it’s about…”

“Yes?”

“Why did you take Jinhyuk to the dungeon? It’s dangerous.”

“Huh?”

Yoo Seolhyun blinks her eyes rapidly.

Dangerous, huh…

She briefly ponders Jin Soyeon’s words.

Considering Jinhyuk’s hidden abilities, it didn’t seem particularly dangerous.

“I thought he could be helpful. Why?”

“He has no special abilities, and his combat evaluation is a mess. How could Jinhyuk be of any help in the dungeon? At best, he’s just a little smarter, but what good is that in the dungeon?”

“…”

Yoo Seolhyun falls silent for a moment.

What is it?

Is Jin Soyeon doubting her?

If not that, then…

“Really? He seemed quite useful to me. Personally, I’ve received a lot of help from Jinhyuk.”

“There are many veteran heroes there, right? What more can Jinhyuk contribute besides being a burden?”

Looking at Jin Soyeon, who is a mix of concern and annoyance, Yoo Seolhyun quietly observes her and then lightly taps her lips with her index finger, as if pondering something.

Her appearance only seems to show dissatisfaction towards Yoo Seolhyun, who has dragged her weakened childhood friend to a dangerous place.

In the midst of the silence, Yoo Seolhyun suddenly speaks as if she has realized something.

“Do you really not know anything?”

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

“About Jinhyuk.”

“What about Jinhyuk?”

Yoo Seolhyun furrows her brows slightly.

She didn’t expect Jin Soyeon to be completely unaware of what he was hiding.

After all, the two have been childhood friends for over 10 years. They were even in a romantic relationship until recently.

Having spent a long time together, Yoo Seolhyun thought Jin Soyeon would have some inkling about what he was hiding.

“Did he manage to keep it a secret from even you?”

She had intended to subtly approach and ask about what Jinhyuk was hiding, but the slightly disappointing response was unexpected.

That her childhood friend, Jin Soyeon, would know nothing.

For Jinhyuk, who had lost his family, Jin Soyeon was his oldest connection.

Yoo Seolhyun had revealed that she had the ability to foresee the future.

“Hmm, you don’t know. That’s fine then.”

“What are you talking about? What do I not know?”

What is she talking about?

Is there something I don’t know?

For a moment, Jin Soyeon could feel an unfamiliar sense of discomfort rising from deep within her heart.

It almost seemed like the two of them were sharing a secret that Jin Soyeon was unaware of, which didn’t sit well with her.

It felt like they were deliberately showcasing their relationship with Jinhyuk.

“You say you want to tell me, but you promised not to tell anyone else.”

Of course, Jin Soyeon knew that even with close friends, there were always one or two secrets that were kept.

But the fact that Yoo Seolhyun could tell Jin Soyeon something and not say anything to her was enough to stir up various unpleasant emotions.

If Yoo Seolhyun had some ability or something that could help with dungeon conquest, as she mentioned, why hadn’t she said a word to Jin Soyeon, knowing that she would worry?

All she had said was a half-hearted lie about being sick before entering the dungeon.

Even after they came out of the dungeon, Jin Soyeon asked various questions out of concern, but Yoo Seolhyun didn’t give her any proper answers.

– I decided to participate because Yoo Seolhyun requested help related to the missing people in the dungeon, and I thought I could be of some help based on the information I investigated.

– I think I brought my tactical abilities to the test, didn’t I? In dungeon conquest, such things are more important than mediocre strength.

Just mediocre answers.

I wanted to ask more, but I could sense Jinhyuk’s reluctance, so I didn’t press further…

“If you’re really curious, why don’t you ask Jinhyuk directly?”

“….”

“Well, it’s getting late. Shall we go? I can tell you next time.”

“….”

Finally, Yoo Seolhyun nodded slightly and concluded the conversation, lowering her head.

Since Jin Soyeon didn’t know what she was curious about, further conversation would be a waste of time.

Yoo Seolhyun slowly moved her feet to leave the bathroom.

At that moment…

“Do you. Do you dislike me?”

Jin Soyeon’s low voice caught Yoo Seolhyun’s ankle.

“….”

Yoo Seolhyun paused for a moment, then turned her head back.

She met Jin Soyeon’s gaze, filled with rising negative emotions.

Jin Soyeon seemed to dislike Yoo Seolhyun.

And Yoo Seolhyun?

“I don’t dislike you, do I?”

To be honest, she didn’t dislike her that much.

She was a little hurt that Yisun only paid attention to Jin Soyeon, but not anymore.

Even though she leaned more towards dislike, if she had to choose, it was more of a dislike.

Yoo Seolhyun smiled.

“That’s out of the blue.”

She made a casual remark.

“Are our kids spreading some bad rumors about you? I’m sorry for that. I didn’t properly control them.”

It wasn’t that she didn’t control them, she just didn’t do it. She even instigated them secretly.

But she had also promised Jinhyuk that she wouldn’t bother Jin Soyeon anymore, and if she continued to provoke her, Jinhyuk might not like it, so she decided to change her mind now.

Since Jinhyuk, who had the ability to foresee the future, would be of great help in the future, there was no reason to bother his childhood friend Jin Soyeon unnecessarily.

But…

“I’ve heard some old rumors about you.”

“Hmm?”

“Back in middle school, you supposedly played a prank on a girl’s boyfriend, causing some couples to break up.”

“Well, I mean…”

Yoo Seolhyun nodded.

She could have denied it, but she simply agreed.

There was no need to lie, and she didn’t want to.

“Those girls were the ones spreading malicious rumors first.”

It was only proper to fight back if someone started a fight.

“So, you just acted friendly a few times towards those girls’ boyfriends and gently flirted with them, but then they ended up confessing to you after breaking up with their girlfriends? I found that quite surprising.”

Yoo Seolhyun was explaining that she was just responding to the situation, but to Jin Soyeon, it sounded like a mere excuse.

Regardless of the reasons, she intentionally didn’t ruin other people’s relationships.

So…

“Was that also the reason you approached Jinhyuk? Because you didn’t like me from the first day?”

“I don’t know.”

“Seolhyun.”

“Hmm?”

“If you don’t like me, just bother me. Don’t mess with someone else for no reason.”

Jin Soyeon glared at Yoo Seolhyun with sharp eyes, as if she were a fierce tiger protecting her cub.

It felt like even a subtle sense of enmity was present.

Jin Soyeon, who always laughed and got along well with everyone, rarely showed such seriousness unless it was related to Jinhyuk.

Was it like a mother bird protecting her offspring from a threat?

Yoo Seolhyun, who was observing that protective stance, couldn’t help but admire it slightly in her heart.

Even though they were childhood friends, they seemed to think about each other a lot even after breaking up.

Wasn’t Jinhyuk also willing to help with dungeon conquests under the ridiculous condition of ‘not bothering Soyeon’?

If he had asked for more authority over item distribution in the dungeon, they could have gained more benefits.

It must mean that they care about each other.

Yoo Seolhyun, who could only see one side of the situation, felt a bit strange about their relationship.

‘…’

Suddenly, her late mother came to mind.

Her mother, who loved her almost unconditionally. Despite the dislike from her family members, her mother always embraced Yoo Seolhyun.

But after her mother passed away, Yoo Seolhyun…

‘Why am I thinking of my mother all of a sudden?’

Yoo Seolhyun shook her head to shake off the thoughts.

What did she feel in the relationship between those two who were trying to protect each other that made her suddenly think of her mother?

For some reason, Yoo Seolhyun felt her mood deteriorating rapidly.

So she decided to speak up.

To wash away this unknown discomfort.

“I think you’re misunderstanding, Soyeon.”

“What am I misunderstanding?”

“I didn’t approach Jinhyuk with bad intentions…”

As she had promised, she wouldn’t go as far as to bother him, but playing a small prank like this should be fine.

After all, she didn’t intend to lie.

“…I just have a bit of personal interest in Jinhyuk.”

Interest.

Yes, interest.

She personally had a great interest in Jinhyuk’s abilities and hidden secrets.

She was curious about what he was hiding.

But Jin Soyeon, how would you take my words?

Could you be misunderstanding for no reason? Right?

“Interest? From you?”

“Yeah.”

Since it wasn’t a lie, Yoo Seolhyun smiled innocently and nodded, while Jin Soyeon looked at her with a puzzled expression, her eyes wide open.

Yoo Seolhyun interested in Jinhyuk?

I had thought it might be possible, but hearing it directly, I couldn’t easily calm my bewildered heart.

Why would someone like Yoo Seolhyun, a rich young lady, be interested in Lee Jinhyuk?

Their backgrounds are completely different from each other.

“No, why him?”

“Huh? What’s wrong with Jinhyuk?”

Yoo Seolhyun shrugged her shoulders and shook her head.

“Jinhyuk is not bad. He’s a Union student, smart, and well, his face is a bit lacking, but.”

“But there’s a certain standard. So, what’s lacking in you, a member of Gaon Nuri Clan…?”

Abilities, family background, appearance, wealth, upbringing, and so on.

The difference in standards was not just a little, so it was hard to believe.

I thought it was just Yoo Seolhyun’s playful lie, but it seemed like there was some interest to a certain extent.

“But Soyeon, why are you so concerned? You’re not together with Jinhyuk anymore, anyway.”

“Because we’re friends. Since there’s nothing good for Jinhyuk if you get involved with him. Your relationship with men is not good.”

“Oh, really?”

Yoo Seolhyun chuckled.

Oh, this is not good. Soyeon’s reaction is quite amusing.

You’re not being too obvious, Soyeon, are you? You might revert to your old self at this rate.

But that’s not possible. Let’s try to smoothly navigate this, as we have a promise.

“Your relationship with men is not good… Could it be that it’s not me but you?”

“What?”

At Yoo Seolhyun’s words, Soyeon furrowed her brows. What? She’s saying something that doesn’t make sense.

“You have an active personality, you get along well with the opposite sex, and you’re very sociable, so you’ve been popular with the opposite sex for a long time, right?”

“So what?”

“Well, just…”

She said with a sly smile.

“It might be difficult for a boyfriend of a woman with many male friends.”

She looked at Soyeon with a subtle gaze.

“Imagine hanging out with male friends and being friendly with them with that pretty face. Wouldn’t a boyfriend find it difficult?”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Just. If I were in Jinhyuk’s shoes, I might have felt uncomfortable?”

“What do you know.”

Yoo Seolhyun’s rambling on a topic she knows nothing about, about Jinhyuk and Soyeon, did not sit well with Soyeon.

From the start, we were not in a lovey-dovey relationship.

That’s because it was a fake relationship.

“Jinhyuk was the one who suggested breaking up first, right?”

Out of the blue, Yoo Seolhyun’s words struck Soyeon like a blow.

Soyeon’s shoulders twitched at the unexpected attack.

“How do you know that?”

“Oh, really? Well, I thought it might be something like that.”

“You.”

“Soyeon, Soyeon.”

Yoo Seolhyun approached her by a step.

Unconsciously, Soyeon took a step back.

“I heard that you two broke up amicably because you didn’t feel like a couple after being together for a long time.”

Yoo Seolhyun just smiled.

“Is that really true?”

As usual.

“Really?”

“Then, well, there must be other reasons, right?”

“Ha-ha. No, no. I said something unnecessary, sorry.”

Yoo Seolhyun swept her hair back and turned her body towards the door.

“I thought you were tired of being with other guys all the time, so you broke up. With your looks, it’s impossible not to feel attracted after knowing each other for a long time, right?”

“That’s impossible.”

“Is that so. Since you two broke up amicably, well, that’s it. Right, Soyeon?”

“…”

“Okay, let’s go back to the classroom now, it’s really late.”

Soyeon couldn’t stop Yoo Seolhyun from leaving.

She just watched her back for a moment.

***

“What’s up, why are you so late? But lucky for you. The homeroom teacher hasn’t arrived yet. Do you have something to check on?”

“……”

“Soyeon?”

“……”

Jin Soyeon, who had just returned from the bathroom, quietly sat down next to me and tightly pressed her lips together.

“What’s wrong, why are you like this? Are you still upset?”

“I’m not upset.”

After denying my words, Jin Soyeon let out a deep sigh.

“Jinhyuk, you.”

“Why?”

“What was the reason you wanted to break up with me?”

“That? Didn’t I tell you last time? I wanted to try a proper relationship for once.”

“I see……?”

Jin Soyeon made a subtle expression.

“Why are you suddenly asking about that?”

“Just came to mind.”

After a moment of silence, she murmured quietly.

“I just asked because it came to mind. Don’t worry about it.”

From then on,

Jin Soyeon maintained silence until the homeroom teacher arrived.

With her head bowed as if deep in thought.