episode_0053

“Oh, damn it, my back.”

As soon as I woke up, Ji-won grabbed his back and started cursing.

Yesterday… it was a bit intense.

I didn’t think it would last until morning.

As I massaged Ji-won’s back like that, he let out a soft moan and seemed to enjoy it.

“Ji-hoo, you don’t seriously consider being a masseur?”

“Forget about being a masseur, just take a break.”

Saying that, I changed clothes and got ready to go out.

“Where are you going?”

Seeing me getting ready to leave, Ji-won asked where I was going.

I didn’t know what to say about this.

I couldn’t say that I’m going for an interview because we’re short on money due to not being able to come because of buying your father with money.

Just saying I’m going out vaguely, Ji-won told me to go and come back safely.

It’s fortunate that he didn’t suspect anything.

I feel lost. What should I do from now on?

I never thought about what I would do after graduating from college.

I just planned to get allowance from my father and live satisfied with my current life.

I really can’t see any way out.

I searched on my smartphone for job openings, but there aren’t many places I can go to.

The situation is becoming more and more desperate.

In the current situation, I couldn’t say anything.

Taking a deep breath, I picked up the phone.

As the dial tone rang, I spoke to the person who answered.

“Dad… I have something to ask. Are there any positions available at your company?”

This was the only option left for me.

Now, I seem unable to distinguish between whether it’s dung or soybean paste.

I thought asking for help would only lead to disappointment.

But… what else can I do when this seems to be the only way?

Now, this seems to be the only way.

**

Coming home, I looked at Ji-won.

Ji-won had changed clothes and was waiting for me.

Watching TV, I asked if he had been out.

Sitting back on the bed, he continued watching TV.

I grabbed Ji-won’s shoulders and said, “Ji-won, I’ve lost quite a bit of money because of this incident.”

Upon hearing my words, Ji-won stiffened for a moment.

“It’s okay. It’s not because of you.”

Saying that, I tried to calm Ji-won down, but his expression remained dark.

Continuing to look at Ji-won, I said, “Well… here’s the thing. Now that I’m running out of money, I have to go learn to work at my father’s company. So, I’ll have to clear out this house, get a place near my hometown, and live there.”

“Uh… okay.”

Confused by my words, Ji-won said.

“Yeah… well, if that’s the case, we’ll have to rent out the house. I can… find a boarding house and work.”

“I haven’t finished talking yet.”

Interrupted abruptly, Ji-won couldn’t say the last part.

If I do this, it seems like I’m abandoning Ji-won.

This wasn’t what I wanted to say.

After staring at Ji-won for a while, my heart ached seeing his teary-eyed expression.

“Sigh… Hey, I won’t abandon you.”

Calming down Ji-won who was about to cry, I continued.

“So… follow me.”

“Huh?”

“Oh, damn it! Are you deaf? Follow me to our hometown…!!”

I couldn’t leave Ji-won alone like this.

But I didn’t want to force him to come with me.

Still, I wished he would come with me.

It would surely be tough for me alone.

I thought of taking responsibility for Ji-won and that’s why I said that.

I don’t know what Ji-won will say.

After staring at Ji-won for a while, he began to look at me with a blank expression.

And Ji-won kept staring at me.

Damn it… say something, it’s making me anxious.

At least if he rejects or says he doesn’t want to, I could understand.

But he doesn’t even show that, so I don’t know what to say.

3 minutes later, Jiwooni was staring blankly with a dumbfounded expression.

“Can I really come along too?” he timidly began to speak.

“Yeah, we were supposed to work together and live together anyway,” I replied.

At my words, Jiwooni tilted his head and started to say, “What do you mean by that?”

Is this guy pretending not to understand?

Or is he just playing dumb?

I really don’t know what to say.

All I can do now is this.

I thought I would bring it up someday.

“Hey, give me your hand!”

Saying that, I grabbed Jiwooni’s hand.

I took out ‘it’ from my pocket and showed it to him.

“This. Accept it.”

I handed Jiwooni the ring that I had taken out of my pocket.

Seeing it, Jiwooni was surprised, confused, and started muttering to himself as he looked at me.

“No… No… Can I really accept this?”

“Hey, this bastard isn’t a huge gold nugget, so you won’t accept it?”

As I said to Jiwooni, he shook his head wildly and firmly grasped the ring that was in my hand.

“No! I want to accept it! I will accept it!!”

And naturally, Jiwooni extended his left hand.

I then put the ring on Jiwooni’s left ring finger.

Looking at the ring, Jiwooni kept smiling.

I decided not to ask why he was laughing like that.

He seemed genuinely happy. It makes me feel good too.

Now… With the value of this ring and paying off the debt to my father, I have to go back and work hard.

Thinking this, I decided to worry about moving my belongings.

**

I did submit a leave of absence request to the school.

I mentioned that I would only attend until next month when the leave of absence request ends.

I also called the landlord to inquire.

Fortunately, the landlord said I could move out next month.

I thanked the landlord and decided to move out next month.

I had grown attached to this house.

Originally, it was a house I acquired by pushing myself a little for Seong-a noona.

Now, instead of Seong-a, Jiwooni has moved into this house.

Well… Since it was a house acquired to live with someone, whoever moves in, it’s ultimately a success.

And until the end, things went well.

“Jihoo! Let’s have pork belly for dinner tonight!”

Jiwooni suddenly suggested having pork belly.

But… Will it be okay financially?

When was the last time I worried if eating meat would be affordable?

While checking the remaining balance in my account and contemplating if the menu should change.

“Don’t worry about money! I’ll treat you today!”

Saying that, Jiwooni pulled out a water gun shaped like a pistol and said, “More importantly, where did you get that water gun?”

“I received it!”

“From whom?”

“It doesn’t matter!”

Even if it’s a water gun, Jiwooni treating me to meat?

Could it be that his statement about treating me involves shooting the gun rather than treating?

“Don’t worry! I have money!”

Jiwooni showed cash from his wallet and reassured me not to worry.

Why does that statement continue to make me uneasy?

Why is that?

After staring at Jiwooni for a while and talking, he said the money wasn’t obtained through shady means.

“Then where did you really get it from?”

In response to my question, Jiwooni sounded a bit flustered.

“I received it.”

“From whom?”

“From a kind person.”

This is driving me crazy.

In other words, it’s begging.

I don’t know what to say to Jiwooni’s words.

I sighed and was about to ask him to return it immediately.

“No! But she really said I’m pretty and gave it to me!”

Saying that, Jiwooni’s meaningful words continued.

“That… Do you remember that girl we met before? Your gaming friend.”

“Do you remember her?”

“She gave it to me. She said she felt sorry since she was moving.”

Having said that, Jiwon revealed the truth about money.

I sighed and replied, “Alright, I understand for now.”

“Hey, how about trying the meat Jiwon grills once?”

Deciding to head to the mart with Jiwon, she grabbed my hand as we made our way there.

In all my life, I had never tasted food cooked by Jiwon.

**

Entering the mart with Jiwon, we bought meat and drinks before heading back home.

“Oh, wait a moment. I need to buy something.”

Saying this, Jiwon walked towards a certain store.

I wondered what she was planning to buy.

“Underwear…?”

Jiwon was looking at underwear.

“A while ago, they all got soaked because of you. I only have what I’m wearing now.”

“I need to buy some to change into quickly.”

“Ahem… Let’s not talk about that here.”

To avoid any potential misunderstandings, I suggested we not discuss it here. Jiwon agreed, purchased a pair of underwear, and suggested we go to the checkout.

Back at home, we prepared to grill the meat.

“You’re making quite the welcome feast.”

I glanced around the house at Jiwon’s words.

Grilling meat before moving in.

The thought of grease on the floor and wallpaper crossed my mind, but I figured the new residents would take care of it.

It’s okay to have a trashy mindset for a moment, I thought.

Grilling a few lines of meat like that,

The house filled with the smell of meat and smoke.

I was grateful until the end… to our home.