episode_0130

Suddenly meeting Choi Eiseo, I was more delighted, pleased, and also found her beautiful than I had thought.

Yeah, could it be because it’s been a while since we last met?

Even though her hair had grown slightly, it exuded a more refined charm than before.

“How did you get here?”

It would have been nice if there was a place to go in for a private conversation, but since the surroundings were all mountains, we just walked along the road.

“Hmm, did you take the bus?”

She replied playfully with a small smile.

Unconsciously, my lips curled up slightly at the sight of her exhaling a white breath.

“No, how did you know I was here?”

“Sunbae Juhee told me. She asked me if I knew where you were since she had a surprise meeting planned with you.”

“I see.”

I couldn’t help but think that it would have been much easier to talk with Seo Yerin or Yu Arin instead.

Choi Eiseo didn’t elaborate, and I didn’t probe further either.

After all, now that we had met, what could be more important than that?

“When is the concert?”

“In two days.”

“…It’s fortunate that it’s on a day off. What would I have done if it wasn’t a day off?”

I felt like Choi Eiseo had come here so unplanned and casually, unlike her usual self.

Glancing at me, she smiled faintly and replied as if saying that was enough.

“Then I’m just coming to see you.”

“…”

I found myself at a loss for words.

Her gently formed smile seemed to convey consideration towards me.

“What have you been up to until now?”

“Oh, um… I’ll tell you later.”

“Huh?”

I heard that there were things to do during winter break. Yunji had contacted me for help last time.

“Is it related to Yunji?”

Because it’s Choi Eiseo.

Believing that there must be a reason for her secrecy, I didn’t press further.

“How about you? Isn’t it difficult working here?”

“Hey, watch your mouth. If something happened this time…”

I started explaining the events that took place at Gold One while smiling.

Since there were so many different incidents here, the story didn’t end, and Choi Eiseo also maintained a pleasant atmosphere by occasionally smiling.

Before we knew it, we arrived at Hotel Wing C.

“Do you use this place as your accommodation?”

Surprised, Choi Eiseo asked, and I nodded with a smile.

“Yes, they provided it separately because there was a shortage of staff accommodation. Thanks to that, I’m staying comfortably.”

“Wow.”

“Did you book a separate place to stay? It’s peak season now, so it might be hard to make a reservation.”

“Oh, there’s a motel nearby that I booked. As you said, Gold One is quite expensive.”

“Hmm.”

I didn’t think negatively, but still, I had some doubts.

Since this city is filled with thugs and gangsters.

I was worried about Choi Eiseo being in such a place, but I couldn’t ask her to stay at our accommodation…

“Oh!”

Yu Arin’s key card came to mind.

My sister-in-law gave me a room, so I thought I could give it to Choi Eiseo.

“Look, there’s a spare room here.”

As if reluctant to leave now, I led Choi Eiseo into the hotel.

“There’s a spare room?”

Asking in surprise, Choi Eiseo was pulled along by me, holding her wrist.

There’s a rule that men shouldn’t enter girls’ rooms, but it should be okay to go in briefly and talk.

We arrived quickly and could meet Yu Arin.

“No.”

Crossing her arms, Yu Arin retorted sharply. Her casual attire gave off a different vibe, but I didn’t pay much attention to it.

“That’s for me. You can use it with me.”

Pointing directly at me, Yu Arin declared, making me feel a sudden chill down my spine.

“…”

However, Choi Eiseo standing behind me responded without any noticeable change in expression.

“Yeah, don’t bother. Since I already have a reserved place, I’ll stay there.”

‘Hmm?’

He was not his usual self.

Normally, he would have made a remark and brushed it off, but today, he just passed by as if nothing had happened.

One might say he felt indifferent or had matured.

Today, there was a strong sense of resignation.

Even in a somewhat distorted form.

Nevertheless, Yuarin was firm.

“I can’t give you the room. Instead… sleep in our room. I’ll talk to the roommates separately, so it should be fine. We’re only here for two days anyway.”

A sudden proposal in reverse.

It was a feasible proposal since the roommates sharing the room were all close friends, but…

I wondered if Chee Yisuh might feel uncomfortable.

“Sure, let’s do that.”

Rather pleased, Chee Yisuh walked past me into the room.

I stared blankly at the two people who were now living together.

“Well, Woojin. I’ll contact you later.”

“Oh, okay. If Yuarin bothers you, let me know.”

“What?”

Chee Yisuh went inside without a word.

Before Yuarin closed the door, I asked about something that had been bothering me since earlier.

“But weren’t you supposed to have plans with Seo Yerin?”

“You don’t need to know!”

Bluntly sticking out her tongue, Yuarin closed the door without further explanation.

It was an awkward situation, but regardless, I thought things had been settled, so I returned to our accommodation.

—

As Kim Woojin left.

Yuarin, who had let Chee Yisuh into the room, was surprisingly tense.

In fact, she had declared that she would steal a man who seemed to be getting along well with another woman.

From her perspective, it was a significant moment after breaking through her shell, but from Chee Yisuh’s point of view, it was just a fling.

‘I feel a bit sorry now that I’ve seen the person involved.’

Sorting out her feelings towards Kim Woojin was quite different from how she treated Chee Yisuh.

After exchanging greetings briefly with the people inside, Chee Yisuh settled in.

No one seemed to dislike her, and even Isuah apologized to Chee Yisuh for some reason, but it was quickly forgotten.

“Ta-da! Here’s the perfect spot for you, Isuh!”

Especially since Seo Yerin was on good terms with Chee Yisuh, she gladly welcomed her and even prepared a place for her to sleep next to her.

Is she being considerate or thoughtless?

Yuarin, whether feeling conflicted or not, ended up sharing the room with the other two.

After a simple dinner and chatting away, it was suddenly 9 o’clock.

Time to start preparing for work tomorrow.

‘Come to think of it, I forgot about tonight.’

While brushing her teeth, Yuarin suddenly remembered the abrupt guest incident she had forgotten about.

She had planned to have a late-night chat with Seo Yerin tonight, but sharing a room with Chee Yisuh made it impossible.

“Tsk.”

Maybe it’s for the best?

With mixed emotions, Yuarin finished brushing her teeth and entered the room.

Inside, Seo Yerin and Chee Yisuh were chatting lively.

‘They’re something else.’

They knew exactly what kind of relationship they had and were casually conversing without any awkwardness.

Even…

“So, then Woojin suddenly claimed he could pull five carts at once!”

The conversation about Kim Woojin was in full swing.

“We told him not to do it, right? But he did it anyway, and eventually all the carts spilled, causing a mess.”

‘Ah, that time.’

It was when Kim Woojin was showing off to impress Seo Yerin who had come to visit.

Thanks to that, she had quite a hard time cleaning up.

“Arin! Come over here too!”

Seo Yerin called out to Yuarin as she entered the room, patting the space next to her.

‘She’s really…’

If a child behaves like this, does it mean they have good social skills or are they just foolish?

While thinking this to herself, Yuarin sat down next to her without making it awkward.

The three of them sat facing each other in a circle on the floor.

Seo Yerin seemed like she wanted to say something, but Chee Yisuh spoke first.

“I came here because of the concert I’m going to with Woojin.”

“Heard it! A UI concert? So jealous.”

“How did you manage to get tickets?”

Seo Yerin, envious, and Yu Arin, teasing.

Watching them interchangeably, Choi Eiseo holds her breath. There seemed to be something she wanted to say, but judging by the shadow on her face, it didn’t seem like good news.

“Do you… like Woojin?”

“Getting to the point?”

Instead of Seo Yerin, who was about to answer, Yu Arin swiftly changed the subject, waving her hand.

She didn’t want to drag out an obvious story, nor did she want to confess such things in front of Choi Eiseo.

Choi Eiseo continued speaking, brushing it off as unimportant.

“I worked with Yoonji during winter break.”

Oh Yoonji.

There wasn’t anyone here who didn’t know that person’s name. A female student who had taken a break in the first semester and whom they had never seen before.

Kim Woojin’s ex-girlfriend.

“There seemed to be some misunderstanding between Yoonji and Woojin. She left a letter behind, which seems like Woojin never received.”

“A letter?”

Yu Arin thought it must have been more heartfelt than leaving a text message.

“So, Yoonji said she would talk to Woojin and try again. She also mentioned that Woojin is working with his second brother because of her.”

At this, Yu Arin interjected, scratching her cheek.

“Second brother, no… I heard it from Kim Woojin’s older brother. Yoonji might return to school. He’s working because of Kim Woojin.”

Recalling Chairman Kim Jaewoon who had visited her during the early hours of the morning, she spoke.

“Oh?”

Seo Yerin and Yu Arin looked at each other alternately, clueless.

But delaying the explanation for later, Choi Eiseo continued.

“I’m friends with Yoonji, so… knowing the whole story of those two, approaching carelessly feels wrong.”

Choi Eiseo seemed uneasy about competing with her friend over a man she used to date, especially after finding out they broke up due to a misunderstanding, making her heart even heavier.

Moreover, Kim Woojin hadn’t completely let go of his feelings for Oh Yoonji yet.

“If they clear up the misunderstanding, they’ll get back together. I hoped you’d know beforehand.”

Besides planning to see the concert with Kim Woojin, she came here to convey this message to Seo Yerin and Yu Arin.

Finally catching on, Yu Arin was momentarily speechless.

“So going to the concert…”

“…”

She bit her lip, but no answer came.

Yet, there was no one here who didn’t understand.

For Choi Eiseo, it was time to gather her thoughts.

While Seo Yerin pondered deeply, left alone.

“Yeah.”

Yu Arin, with a visibly relaxed expression, brightly said to Choi Eiseo.

“It’s been a year.”

“…”

“You might not remember her face since you were friends with Oh Yoonji, but I barely recall her. It doesn’t seem necessary to intervene because of her.”

“Woojin still has feelings for Yoonji. He even called her after drinking last time. I heard the recording.”

“I don’t know what you heard, but understood. I’ll flirt with Kim Woojin, so you stay out of it.”

“…”

Since arriving here today, Choi Eiseo had only worn a bewildered expression.

Her somewhat greyish complexion seemed to gain a hint of color.

Though she frowned.

“Why does it matter what feelings he has for Oh Yoonji? I’ve already prepared myself and intervened here.”

It wouldn’t be a big deal to make an enemy or two here.

Of course, Kim Woojin would be furious.

“Right, Yerin?”

Requesting support from Seo Yerin, who was in the same position this time, Seo Yerin, having made up her mind, grinned and exclaimed,

“Just get pregnant!”

“That joke lacks subtlety!”

Throwing the pillow directly, Yuarin covered Seo Yerin’s face. Choi Eiseo stared at Seo Yerin with a blank expression.

“Ugh! H-Help me!”

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Yuarin, holding the pillow, struck Seo Yerin a few more times before confidently returning to her original position.

“Huff, only Woojin can climb on top of me.”

Seo Yerin, still sprawled out playfully, suddenly sprang up.

“But I might already be pregnant, you know.”

As she touched her stomach and spoke, both of their gazes simultaneously returned to Seo Yerin.

“What?”

“You, you! Didn’t use protection?”

In response to their questioning, Seo Yerin smirked and raised a V sign.

“Why do you care!”

“If you mess up, your life will be in chaos, right?!”

At their urgent cries, Seo Yerin blankly looked at them before letting out a triumphant smile and a snort.

“Oh, I see, I went raw, huh?”

“….”

“….”

“Oh my, didn’t expect Woojin to say that.”

“Get that girl.”

When Yuarin charged again, this time, Choi Eiseo couldn’t hold back and joined in.

After a few minutes,

The two finally stopped when Seo Yerin’s distressed screams and tears soaked the blanket.

“Jealousy of a woman.”

As if leaving some kind of testament, the two looked down at the collapsed Seo Yerin, catching their breath.

Then, their eyes met, and Yuarin chuckled, asking, “See? In the end, you’re just like us.”

“….”

“If you’re so jealous, what are you willing to give up?”

It wasn’t a wrong statement. Just hearing that made her want to run to Kim Woojin immediately.

“It’s not jealousy.”

But Choi Eiseo pursed her lips, crossed her arms, and denied it. Not denying it felt like pricking her conscience.

“Oh? Not jealous?”

To Choi Eiseo, Yuarin pulled her pajamas aside, revealing a red mark on her shoulder.

“Look at this, it’s from last time when Kim Woojin left a mark.”

“….!”

“He was so rough; it was hard to keep up. But he likes it, so whatever.”

“Wait, is this getting too explicit?”

Seo Yerin, who had been lying down, immediately got up to explain her experience.

It was a night that gradually turned the worried and gray-faced Choi Eiseo redder and redder.

* * *

The next day.

After work, she went to meet Choi Eiseo.

“Ah!”

“This! This! You’ve gone crazy!”

Out of nowhere, there was a girl throwing punches.