episode_0045

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At the tender age of 20,

even I, who spend my time working part-time at a café, am starting to think it might be time to get a boyfriend.

“The money’s all accounted for, right? No loose change left behind or anything?”

“Yeah, yeah! I think you’re good to clock out now.”

“Hmm… Hold on. I feel like there was something else I needed to hand over…”

Ah. It’s not like I’ve always wanted a boyfriend.

My parents said that once I got to college, I’d probably find one in no time.

But… is this envy?

It’s not quite jealousy—more like a vague, indistinct feeling.

Ah, weird, right?

Yeah, this feels about right.

Lee Jiyoon.

It’s been about two months since I started working with her.

During that time, I’d think things like, “Jiyoon doesn’t smile much, huh?” or “Well, she’s pretty, so I guess it doesn’t matter?”

Every time our shifts overlapped, those thoughts would cross my mind.

But this person.

Lately, she’s been smiling all the time.

…And I think I know why.

“Ah, the owner asked us to pay a little more attention to cleaning the second floor. He said dust keeps piling up weirdly on the window frames opposite the stairs.”

“Oh. Got it. I’ll keep an eye on it. I think I’ve been forgetting to do it entirely lately…”

“Happens. There’s just so much to clean.”

Over there.

In the corner of the café, there’s a male customer sitting.

I hadn’t seen him for a few days, but he showed up again recently. And judging by how he and Jiyoon were laughing together before disappearing outside last time…

Definitely not her brother.

Not a younger brother, either.

No way he’s just a regular guy friend.

Boyfriend.

That’s gotta be it, right?

She’d never mentioned him before, but he suddenly appeared a few days ago, so…

They must’ve started dating recently?

So the reason Jiyoon’s been smiling so much lately,

the reason she looks even prettier now,

is obviously because of him… right?

“Other than that, I don’t think there’s anything else.”

“Got it. Good work today!”

“Yeah. I’ll go ahead and clock out now…”

Hmmmm.

But, isn’t it fascinating?

Just because she got a boyfriend, Jiyoon’s started grinning like an idiot.

I mean, he’s decent-looking, but considering Jiyoon’s looks, they’re just two pretty people who found each other.

Is he loaded or something? But Jiyoon doesn’t seem like the type to fall for that.

Can just having a boyfriend really change someone’s expression that much?

“Hmm…….”

Ah, now that I think about it, his body is pretty…

…….

…Ah.

So that’s what it is…

45

“Woojin.”

While listlessly stirring my bland Americano with a straw,

I heard the voice of Lee Jiyoon, now changed out of her uniform and into casual clothes.

A pitch-black snapback pulled low over her head.

A loose khaki jacket.

Exactly the same as the last time I saw her.

At most, the shirt and pants underneath might be slightly different.

She’s already pretty, so she could afford to dress up a little more…

Once we get closer, maybe I’ll gift her some clothes.

Packed full of my taste, of course.

I pointed at Jiyoon with my straw and spoke.

“Woojin? You’re only calling me that now?”

“Talking to someone’s face is different, you know? I need to mentally prepare myself.”

“Is that so?”

“It is. Anyway. Just wait a sec.”

Ahem, ahem—Jiyoon cleared her throat like she was making some grand preparation.

Her gaze lingered on the nearly finished Americano for a couple of sips before shifting to my face.

“…You know. The treatment.”

“Yeah.”

“Rather than doing it in some alley, I figured it’d be better to go somewhere with no people around.”

“Oh?”

“It’s embarrassing. People keep staring when they walk by.”

I like that, though.

If I’d been the one to suggest it outright, I was afraid you’d get wary and shut down, so I kept my mouth shut.

I thought it’d take at least a month, but things are moving along smoother than I expected.

Resting my chin on my hand, I smirked faintly before teasingly asking:

“I don’t mind, but… are you sure you’re okay going somewhere like that with me?”

“Somewhere like what?”

“A place with no people.”

“…Doesn’t matter. We’re ‘friends.’”

“Hmm…”

“It’d be weirder if I overthought every little thing like that.”

“You think?”

“…You think of me as just a friend too, right? Since you’re dating my sister.”

No.

I think of you as a girl.

“Yeah. To be exact, Hayun’s little sister and my friend.”

“Same here. My sister’s boyfriend and my friend.”

“So where are we going? Your place?”

“My place? What? Don’t cross the line.”

Of course. I figured we weren’t at that level yet.

Whatever.

Sneaking off to your place alone behind Hayun’s back is the final course.

Until then, we’ll have to play outside.

Like…

A PC bang you’d enjoy,

or my new place—the one I rented because of Yozora but don’t need anymore.

It’s got most of the essentials, even if the little things are missing.

Like a bed, for instance.

“We’ve already been there once. It’s not like I’m crossing any lines.”

“If my sister ever found out we were alone at your place, who knows what she’d think.”

“‘Wow, they’ve gotten close’?”

“…How naive…”

Under the snapback pulled low over her face, Jiyoon furrowed her brows before suddenly crossing her arms under her chest.

“Anyway, I’ve got a place in mind. Just follow me.”

It’s probably not a motel.

But where else would two adults go alone together?

After a brief moment of thought, I got up and followed Jiyoon out of the café.

The noisy evening air brushed against my cheeks.

Tiny schoolkids in uniforms, gathered in small groups, heading home after cram school.

A digital billboard next to a building, busy broadcasting news about recent Transcendent-related crimes.

An airplane descending leisurely, its lights twinkling in vibrant colors.

A motorcycle weaving frantically between cars and pedestrians, desperate to earn just a little more money.

Under the blaring horns of those who couldn’t care less if you got run over.

“Here.”

“……?”

Jiyoon stopped in front of a large building, opened the door to the first floor, and stepped inside.

Where is this?

All I can see nearby are a cosmetics store and an eyeglass shop…

…Ah.

Looking closer, I spotted a small sign for a “3F Coin Karaoke.”

Guess that’s our destination.

“The good thing about this karaoke place is that the door’s pretty hidden, so people outside can’t really see in. Well, unless they’re trying to look.”

Jiyoon spoke as we climbed the stairs.

Judging by her reaction, she’s fine with maybe one part-timer watching us on CCTV.

I mean, it’s better than getting stared at by a bunch of old men in an alley, right?

Shrugging lightly, I followed her as she opened the door to the third-floor karaoke room.

Inside, the cacophony of off-key singing leaked out from the other rooms.

What an incomprehensible hobby.

“It’s crowded today too… Must be because school’s starting soon.”

“‘Today too’? You come here often? I thought you only played games.”

“My sister drags me here sometimes.”

“…Ah. Hayun must like it.”

“Yeah. Today’s for treatment, but later, I’ll use it as a date spot with her too.”

“I’m bad at singing. Don’t really like it either.”

Plus, I’ve got bad memories tied to it.

When Yozora was in a good mood, she’d sometimes drag me to a karaoke and put on a one-hour Japanese concert just for me.

Well, looking back, it was kinda fun. Mostly because she was just as terrible at singing as me.

Would I want to do it again? Absolutely not.

“My sister’s not great either, so don’t stress. And didn’t you say you’d accommodate her?”

“That’s got varying degrees of difficulty, you know.”

“Is it really that hard?”

“If I just sat there silently listening, maybe. But it’d be weird to just sit there while your sister sings.”

“Then just sing too.”

“No. Not happening. Unless your sister forces me, the only person I’ll go to karaoke with is you.”

“…….”

Singing only looks good when done by someone who’s actually good at it.

For the talentless, it’s just a joke.

Why would anyone willingly embarrass themselves like that…?

Setting aside thoughts of my sister, I pointed to the most secluded room while Jiyoon adjusted her hair.

“Let’s go there. The corner’s probably best.”

“…….”

“Jiyoon?”

“Uh, yeah…! Let’s go…”

Seo Woojin is a friend.

I came to a karaoke with a friend.

There’s nothing strange about that.

She doesn’t plan to go to karaoke with her sister,

and only comes with me.

That’s not weird either.

She hates singing, after all.

If she’s just here for treatment, it doesn’t matter.

There’s nothing strange about any of this.

The only strange thing is me—busy stomping down all sorts of unnecessary thoughts while nervously tensing up.

Things like:

“I’m in a karaoke room alone with my sister’s boyfriend,”

“and it’s a secret from my sister,”

or whatever other stupid thoughts.

“What if they kick us out for not paying?”

“I… think so? Never happened to me, so I’m not sure.”

“Then let’s put in a thousand won first… We can just play any random song and do our thing.”

“Any random song…”

“Should we go with the national anthem?”

“W-Wouldn’t that kill the mood?”

“Then I’ll just pick something from the popular chart.”

“…Okay.”

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

For someone who claims to hate karaoke, Woojin sure knows how to work the machine.

After a few button presses, the lights in the room dimmed,

and the instrumental of some popular song started playing through the speakers.

Ah, this one.

I recognize it—it’s one of the songs I’d listen to when I had a headache.

The refreshing guitar and bass are pretty…

My forced train of thought abruptly cut off.

“…….”

By the large window overlooking the street.

Woojin sat down next to me, where I’d been stiffly perched.

…Hey.

Even if we’re friends, isn’t this way too close…?

I-I mean, the couch is small, so it’s not like there’s much choice.

But then, wouldn’t it be better to just stand…?

As I internally agonized:

“…Hold on. You…”

“It’s cramped, so my posture’s a little weird. Sorry.”

I was pulled into Woojin’s arms and gently stroked.

“…No. It’s fine. I know why you’re doing this.”

“I’ll make it quick, so bear with me even if it feels bad.”

Friend.

Friend.

Friend.

My sister’s boyfriend.

Friend.

My friend.

Gulping down the panic threatening to spill out,

I pretended to be calm and focused on the karaoke instrumental.

My body refused to move, as if frozen.

All I could do was press my forehead into Woojin’s chest and glance sideways at the karaoke room door.

Fortunately, no shadows of people were visible.

Not that it’d matter if they were, of course.

They’d probably just grumble something like, “Look at these lovebirds, ugh…” and leave.

A misunderstanding like that doesn’t matter.

The two of us know this is just treatment.

Whether they misunderstand,

or talk,

or whatever stupid thoughts they have—

what’s it to me?

But,

even if no one’s watching,

being lightly held in the arms of a “friend,”

of “my sister’s boyfriend,”

is… honestly awkward.

“…Hey.”

“What?”

I spoke up for no reason.

“You do this with my sister often too, right?”

“…Sometimes?”

Sometimes?

Yeah, right.

As if.

I know how hard my sister’s been working on those lunchboxes every morning lately.

There’s no way they’re not hugging.

They’re not elementary schoolers.

“Really? Just sometimes?”

“…Every day. But why are you asking?”

“No reason. Just feels like the way you hold me is weirdly familiar.”

“Hmm…”

Now that I think about it, my sister’s really devoted.

Not just the meat-packed lunchboxes for Woojin every morning—

since it’s summer break, she’s stopped wearing mismatched underwear and started carefully coordinating sets,

and sometimes when I pass by her room on the way to the bathroom, I hear her talking to Woojin on the phone.

…Especially that second one—the underwear coordination.

It’s so obvious what’s going through her head that it’s almost adorable.

She’s probably preparing just in case things with Woojin ever escalate.

This is her first relationship, so she’s probably only gotten as far as kissing, but still.

“…….”

“…….”

…So.

I should help her out a little.

Right now, I’m secretly in Woojin’s arms behind my sister’s back.

It is awkward,

and I do feel a little guilty toward my sister.

“…Hey, I’ve got a question.”

“Yeah.”

“How far have you gone with my sister?”

“How far?”

“Have you kissed?”

“…….”

The moment I asked outright, Woojin’s voice abruptly vanished.

…So they have kissed.

Well, they’re both adults. That much is normal.

“Well? Have you?”

“…Treatment’s almost done. Let’s go. It’s hot.”

Embarrassed, Woojin dodged the question.

Judging by the reaction, they’ve only kissed.

Then if I just give a little push here…

My tiny guilt toward my sister,

and this restless feeling in my chest—

I can erase them both.

“Hey, Seo Woojin.”

“What.”

Tug.

Grabbing Woojin’s coat as he tried to get up, I continued in a deliberately flat tone.

“I know my sister’s porn preferences.”

“…….”

“…Want me to tell you?”