episode_0085

Tiring

My phone rings. Since I don’t make phone calls often, I feel a bit awkward and if it were normal, I would want to hang up right away. However, thinking about what I’m going to do from now on makes me feel better and I smile.

I tap, tap, tap on my phone and wait for a while. After a short while, the other person finally picks up the phone.

-Kim Seo-jin?

“Hello, Chairman.”

I called Yoo Soo-ho, who has more power than anyone else and is good at politics. If it was him, I’m sure he could solve the problem quietly without me having to worry about it.

Of course, I could have stepped forward and tried to resolve it myself. But I didn’t want to bother doing that, and if I was worried about any potential loopholes, this was the easiest and most certain way to end it.

That’s why I’m happy with my choice now. I’m not dizzy or have a headache.

Of course, I personally feel like I owe Yoo Soo-ho a debt, but I decided not to worry about it anyway.

I guess it’ll work out somehow.

I don’t think he would do anything weird.

I just spoke monotonously, without worrying.

“I’m contacting you because I have something to ask you.”

-Please? Are you talking?

“Yes. To be honest, I think it would be a bit burdensome.”

Of course it’s a joke.

To be honest, it’s something I can handle myself, but I just keep putting it off because it’s annoying. But if I say it out loud, it might sound bad, so I’m just pretending it’s a little difficult. I can’t refuse, though.

-Okay. What’s going on?

“That’s it… … .”

I explained with a smile on my face without realizing it.

While I was talking, Yoo Soo-ho didn’t respond at all and just kept listening. So I started to worry for no reason, wondering if I had made a mistake.

-Hmm, that’s what it is.

“Yes, that’s right.”

I explained in detail who Park Hyuk-jun was. Even what our relationship was in the past. It may not have been necessary, but I thought it would be useful information to have. So I gave it to him, but Yoo Soo-ho kept silent, as if there was some problem.

-Is that why you called me?

Is this still not possible?

Obviously, what he meant was that he wouldn’t do something so trivial. Given Yoo Soo-ho’s personality, he would have said that he would understand right away if he was asked to do a favor, and judging by his answer, it was clear.

I feel like something is missing for no reason.

“I’m sorry. I’ll just figure it out myself.”

-No, that’s not what I meant.

He paused for a moment, and I could sense that he was thinking about something. It seemed like he had something he wanted to say, but it seemed like he needed time to sort it out.

-I just think that it’s something that even you can solve.

“Ah… … .”

For a moment I shut my mouth.

It seems that Yoo Soo-ho thinks that I have the ability to handle this kind of problem. That’s also the truth, so I feel like I have nothing left to say.

I took a moment to collect my thoughts. I couldn’t afford to make a slip of the tongue.

“Should I be completely honest with you?”

-of course.

“I just didn’t feel like doing it.”

I feel a little embarrassed. I guess it’s hard not to lie. It’s also a little awkward.

Yoo Soo-ho just sat there for a long time without saying anything. I was worried that my answer might be unpleasant, so I couldn’t say anything.

Time passed by, and finally the other side continued speaking.

-That’s funny. You are a funny person.

It was as if he was acknowledging my existence. Of course, it could have been a simple mistake, but at least that’s what it sounded like to me.

“Thank you.”

-I didn’t mean to say thank you.

Yoo Soo-ho, who had been speaking in a particularly excited tone, deliberately snickered. That sound was definitely meant for me to hear.

-Okay, I understand. I’ll make sure to grant you your special requests.

“!”

Oh yeah!

This is it!

This will be resolved simply and with peace of mind!

For a moment, I almost jumped in joy. But before I could, I quickly regained my senses and just clenched my fists.

“Thank you.”

-Thank you, I’m glad to know more about you.

That was definitely not a polite remark. That would be out of character for Yoo Soo-ho. So, those words must have been sincere.

“Then, please take care of it.”

-Oh, you’re rambling. Okay, I understand. I’ll hang up now.

“Oh, wait a minute. I have something to ask you.”

I interrupted Yoo Soo-ho for a moment. Actually, there was a question I wanted to ask since I first got the call.

“……Why is it a woman’s voice?”

His voice was like that of a pretty woman, as it always was when we met.

What the heck, this bastard Yoo Soo-ho, he still acts like a woman to me.

Are you fucking gay?

The possibility was quite possible.

So should I just run away from him later?

I felt a surge of anxiety.

-I knew you would react like this. Isn’t it funny?

“Fuck.”

I blurted out a curse word without realizing it. It must have been unpleasant for someone to hear, but Yoo Soo-ho smirked as if he didn’t care. I think he must have been really happy.

-Okay, I’ll hang up.

With those words, Yoo Soo-ho hung up the phone. Only then could I breathe a sigh of relief.

I take a moment to relax my chest, which had been tense for a moment.

“Who were you talking to on the phone?”

At that time, Choi Na-yeon, who was standing next to me, asked a question in a somewhat timid manner. She put her hand on her chest, and she seemed a bit anxious.

I realized that I had been indifferent to her for a moment.

Well, I guess anyone would be curious.

“He is the chairman of our academy.”

“This, Chairman?!”

Uncharacteristically for Choi Na-yeon, she responded with a very loud voice. Thanks to this, the attention that had been focused on her from the beginning seemed to intensify.

It seemed like it was a novel idea to be talking on the phone to someone so high up in the rankings.

If you knew what kind of behavior Yoo Soo-ho had, it would be a natural reaction. Especially, the more you learned about him, the more surprised you would be.

“Yes, that’s right. That’s the CEO you know, Mr. Yoo Su-ho.”

When I spoke to Yoo Soo-ho, I used the word “nim”. It felt natural, but at the same time, I felt awkward and ended up frowning slightly.

“Oh, no. How.”

“Just because I know you personally.”

For now, I decided to just let this situation slide. It wasn’t something I needed to worry about anyway. However, contrary to my wishes, Choi Na-yeon continued to look at me with eyes filled with confusion.

“That, does that mean I can call him for something like this?”

Choi Na-yeon didn’t bother to call him Chairman or say Yoo Su-ho. It seemed like she was avoiding calling him that because it felt awkward.

“This is just the kind of thing I’m calling you for. Why bother taking care of it myself?”

I answered half-jokingly and half-seriously. Then Choi Na-yeon opened her mouth as if she had seen something absurd.

Shut your mouth.

Your pretty face will become ugly.

Of course, her pretty appearance was far from being ugly with just that.

“You, what the hell are you?”

He shows a tired expression somewhere. I wonder if it is something that surprising and surprising.

‘Is it roughly similar to asking the president to catch a student smoking?’

Maybe you can think of the example as something like that.

Well, I guess that’s not all that surprising.

“I told you. We’re just friends. There’s nothing more I can tell you. Sorry.”

“Oh, no. If you don’t want to talk, then don’t worry.”

As soon as the conversation ended, I walked up to Choi Na-yeon. Then I smiled slightly and opened my mouth.

“Then, shall we go back now?”

“Yeah.”

When I held out my hand and spoke, Choi Na-yeon answered, lowering her head shyly. Then she naturally took the hand I held out.

ah.

I didn’t mean to catch you.

What are you doing?

But when I thought about it, I thought it could easily be misunderstood like that. So I decided to just let it go.

Because I thought it would be weird to say anything here.

‘Oh, for no reason… . I see.’

I felt somewhat embarrassed. At the same time, I felt like Choi Na-yeon and I were sharing a strange atmosphere.

I shouldn’t make this mistake again.

*

There was nothing special after I returned. I just broke up with Choi Na-yeon and decided to go back to my dorm room.

Eventually, with nothing to do, I fell asleep, and when I opened my eyes, it was morning.

We always lived a similar life together and all the classes were over. So, like yesterday, we made an appointment to study.

Of course, just like back then, taking Choi Na-yeon with me.

No, honestly, it pricks my conscience.

It won’t be of any help to him. But still… . Without it, I’d be in danger.

Anyway, this time I decided to study properly at a cafe. To be honest, I didn’t go to a cafe that often, so I thought it would be a bit awkward, but I couldn’t help it.

Otherwise, the only place I could go was the library. So I decided to go to a cafe and get something to eat.

‘So we just met and did it.’

It was quick to get together. Especially since I was the one who made the appointment, there was no way Yoo Seo-ra would lie about the location like yesterday. Thanks to that, I was able to study without any problems.

But now a problem has arisen.

It was Yoo Seora who brought the drink. If it had been someone else, I would have just accepted it out of gratitude, but I felt a strange sense of unease because it was Yoo Seora who brought it.

Did you put something in there?

It was a very possible idea.

“What are you doing? I’m not receiving it.”

Look at that.

He just shamelessly showed his face and handed it to me as if it was nothing. I guess I’d be fooled too, oh my.

I had no choice but to accept it. After looking at the drink I received for a moment, I answered in a dissatisfied tone.

“I hate coffee.”

“So?”

“Well, that’s true.”

I just put the coffee I received aside. I didn’t want to force myself to eat something I didn’t like, and more than anything, I thought that since it was Yoo Seora who gave it to me, I wondered if she wouldn’t be suspicious.

I tried to look at the book I had left open again.

“Seo Jin-ah, do you hate coffee too? Me too. That’s strange.”

Seo Jae-hyuk spoke as if he was glad that they had found something in common.

What’s so strange about that? I looked at the guy for a moment and then gave a vague answer.

“Really? Then what do you like?”

Of course I knew that.

“I like sweet things. I also like carbonated drinks, so cola is my favorite. What about you?”

“Cola is good.”

The carbonation is delicious. I also drink cola and cider often.

Of course, I haven’t eaten it since I was drunk.

Somehow I don’t feel like it.

“Oh, I see. That’s the first time I’ve heard of it.”

At that moment, Choi Na-yeon spoke up from the side. It seemed as if she was trying to force herself into the conversation. It seemed like she was trying to reduce the awkwardness as much as possible.

There’s no need to do that.

“What does senior Choi Na-yeon like?”

“Me, me?”

She tilts her head back and thinks about my question for a moment. In fact, it’s information I already know since I’ve seen the original. But I thought it would be natural to ask this question here.

“That, just. I like anything.”

The moment I heard that answer, I couldn’t help but wonder. Of course, from what I know, she likes most things except for things like carbonated drinks.

Are you just going to skip over it and not mention it because it’s too much of a bother?

“Is that so? I had a feeling that you wouldn’t like carbonated drinks.”

So, I found myself muttering, flowing like water.

I realized at that moment what I had said and immediately looked to see how Choi Na-yeon would react.

She looked at me with a slightly surprised expression.

“How did you know that?”

No, why are you asking questions there?

It’s difficult for me to answer.

“Just a feeling.”

I had no choice but to just laugh it off.

And then I looked straight towards Yusera. There were other things to worry about right now.

“Why?”

“What do you think I’m going to say?”

I deliberately gave a sidelong glance and waited for an answer.

After a while, she finally took notice of the will and sighed. Then she opened her mouth, looking a little tired.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t do anything. Got it?”

“Okay, okay. Well, I guess that’s it.”

Honestly, I’m tired of doubting now.

Above all, I decided to drink coffee because I needed to pretend to let my guard down here for once.

I hate it, but I guess I have to try it anyway.

Please don’t worry.