episode_0174

Tap, tap.

I was grilling meat.

I was grilling meat without any thoughts, like a machine grilling meat.

It wasn’t because I was focused on grilling, but because my mind was not functioning properly due to the mental shock.

‘What’s going on.’

I’m sure I refused, didn’t I?

I think I said we should end our relationship, but in the end, Choi Eseo kissed me and said she loves me before leaving.

And now, I’m eating the grilled meat that I made, sandwiched between the kids.

I lifted my head to look towards the table, and our eyes met with Choi Eseo.

He smiled softly and gestured for me to come and eat quickly.

I pretended not to see and started grilling the meat again.

‘Did I convey my words wrong?’

It wasn’t that.

But why did it turn out like this?

‘Ugh, let’s just leave Choi Eseo alone for now.’

I felt like I needed to clearly express my opinion again.

“Did you say something?”

At that moment, Gyu-a approached with an empty plate.

I put meat on his plate.

“Yeah, I did.”

“Did you choose Seonbae Eseo? You seem to be in a good mood because of Seonbae Eseo.”

Gyu-a glanced at Choi Eseo.

Since I wanted to share my complicated feelings with someone, I opened my mouth, but hesitated for a moment.

“Get lost.”

I exhaled and chased him away.

“What, even if I’m trying to help?”

“Yeah, go. I don’t think I need your help.”

“Seonbae, aren’t you being a bit too much?”

“You treat other guys badly, so I have to treat you like this. Life isn’t easy, Gyu-a.”

“You seem to be living the easiest life, Seonbae.”

I had nothing to say.

“Go quickly.”

“Oh, I really came to help.”

He frowned in frustration. I wasn’t particularly interested, but the offer of help caught my attention.

“You’ll help?”

“Yes. I saw Arin Seonbae and she said she’s going to the convenience store because she lost the game.”

“The convenience store is so far from here.”

“It’s a punishment. Since she’s already left, you should run there now.”

“Thanks.”

Even if I put Choi Eseo on hold for now, I still had to finish what I promised.

“Here.”

I handed him the tongs and gloves I was using to grill the meat.

“I didn’t expect this.”

“I’ll be back.”

I left Gyu-a there and ran towards the main road. Gyu-a’s voice calling out to Ahn Hyunho echoed behind me.

As I ran along the mountain road, I saw Yoo Arin wearing shorts and a hoodie despite the cold weather.

He had earphones on, so he didn’t notice me approaching from behind.

“Hey.”

“Dumchit dumchit.”

What song is he listening to?

“Hey, Yoo Arin.”

“Dumchit dumchit toot toot.”

Suddenly, he started dancing to the rhythm, shoulder-shaking.

He seemed to enjoy himself so much that it was almost a waste not to broadcast it on the internet.

I tapped his shoulder and called out again.

“Hey, Yoo Arin!”

“Oh, sh*t! You scared me!?”

He jumped in surprise and finally looked at me.

“You were surprised!”

He took off his earphones and poked me.

“Are you the one who walks around with earphones on at midnight? It’s dangerous.”

Especially since there’s nothing around here, just a road.

He seemed speechless, so he pursed his lips and changed the subject.

“Why. Are you here to buy something too?”

“No, I wanted to talk.”

“Talk? Ah, it’s about Juhee Seonbae, right?”

Well, it’s not just about that.

“Yeah, what-.”

Crack!

“Ugh?!”

A sudden rustling sound came from the tree next to us. The wind was blowing, making the tree shake.

Yoo Arin’s reaction was not normal.

He was so scared that his body shrank.

‘Ah….’

Come to think of it, I remembered that Yurin used to hate scary stories the most.

“Ah, geez! This is why I didn’t want to come here! I purposely listened to music on the way here, you know, to calm myself down,” complained Yurin.

“Is this my fault?”

“Forget it. Can I put on my earphones and listen to music if you have something to say?”

“Just say you don’t want to listen.”

Rustle!

“Eek?!”

Yurin, who was now clinging to me in fear, looked around nervously, and seeing her like that, my tension melted away.

“Ugh, hey. Ghosts and stuff like that are all fake.”

“Did you see it, you punk?! It’s so scary!”

“You’re good at fighting… Let’s just go to the convenience store for now.”

It seemed like it would be better to go to a brighter place if she was going to talk about something.

I didn’t expect her to be this scared.

The scent of fruit soju emanating from her body.

Seeing her clinging tightly to my arm with tears in her eyes, I realized that she must have been really scared.

Rustle! Rustle! Rustle!

“Ah, really!”

“It’s just the wind. The trees are shaking because of the wind.”

“There’s no wind blowing! Nothing is blowing!”

“What do you mean…”

I raised my hand slightly.

There really was no wind blowing.

But why were the trees and grass shaking?

Maybe it was because of Yurin, but I also felt a sense of unease.

Crunch!

A wild boar emerged from the bushes.

“Scream!”

“It’s a wild boar! A wild boar! It’ll pass by on its own!”

Now, trying to calm Yurin who was clinging to me, I stared at the boar intently.

I heard that wild boars are timid and run away quickly.

“Why isn’t it going away.”

The boar just stood there, looking in our direction.

“What is it doing?”

“I don’t know. Don’t they usually run away?”

Once we realized it wasn’t a ghost, Yurin calmed down a bit and clenched her fist, coming down from me.

“Should I chase it away?”

“If we provoke it, it could be really dangerous. Let’s wait and see for now.”

After waiting for about 5 minutes, the boar stood there, staring at us blankly.

“Why is that thing acting like that.”

Frustrated, Yurin muttered, but we couldn’t just ignore it and walk past.

Just then, headlights illuminated our backs.

A car passed by us on the road.

Whoosh!

The boar rushed to cross the road.

Thud!

It collided with the car and rolled a few times before sticking out its tongue and dying.

The driver was flustered, stopped the car, and sighed deeply.

“Did that thing make a big decision?”

“Is it because it was bullied in the forest?”

If it was going to pass by, it should have done so earlier. Why did it wait for the car to pass and then get hit?

“I’ve heard that boars often get hit by cars. It’s really surprising to see it happen.”

“What a lunatic.”

Thanks to the boar disappearing, we were able to go back to the convenience store.

Because of the big incident that just happened, all the serious talk we were about to have was completely forgotten.

‘What the heck is going on.’

I even had the thought that someone was interfering with me. But still, I had to do what I had to do.

Yurin came out of the convenience store with the items the kids asked for.

I was standing outside, looking around absentmindedly, trying to choose my words.

If we go back to the pension, we won’t have time to talk alone.

“What are you looking at? It’s all dark around here.”

I wanted to say I was looking at the scenery, but it was so dark that I couldn’t see anything.

She handed me a Hershey’s chocolate milk.

I took it, but instead of opening it, I placed it on the table in front of the convenience store.

I noticed that Yuarin was aware of my uneasy mood, as she placed the convenience store bag on the table and looked at me.

“You said you had something to say?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Okay, go ahead.”

Memories of when I confessed to Choi Eseo earlier came to mind.

The words I had mustered up the courage to say didn’t yield the results I had hoped for.

This time, I needed to speak more firmly and assertively.

Just like when I spoke to Choi Eseo.

Feeling as though a heavy stone had been placed on my chest, I looked Yuarin straight in the eyes and declared our breakup.

“It seems difficult for us to be together. Let’s end this complicated relationship and find other people.”

“What the f*ck.”

……

…………

…………..Huh?

Did I hear that correctly just now?

As I stared at Yuarin dumbfounded, he continued to look at me without changing his expression.

“Is that all you have to say? It’s no big deal.”

“Did I really hear that just now? Or am I getting beaten up by a ghost and in a dream-.”

Whack!

“Ahh!”

Yuarin hit my shoulder directly.

It hurt so much that tears almost welled up in my eyes.

“Does it hurt? It’s not a dream. If your ears are feeling weird, should I give them a slap?”

“No, no. I’m fine. I understood everything. You told me to f*ck off. Should I take off my pants and lay down?”

“I see you got the message. Take this bag. It’s your punishment for confessing to Juhee sunbae.”

“Okay.”

As Yuarin turned to leave, I stared blankly at his back, then suddenly snapped back to reality.

“Wait a minute! This isn’t a joke, right?! You’re not kidding with those words!”

“Sigh.”

Stopping in his tracks, Yuarin let out a deep sigh and turned around.

“Alright, I heard you. I heard you, okay? Let’s stop. I told you, I don’t like it.”

“No… I mean.”

“Why? Do I have to listen to everything you say? I feel like I’ve ignored you more than I’ve listened to you.”

That may be true.

But this situation is different.

“Arin, I’m being serious. I know it’s a sorry excuse. But I can’t bear it because you’re too pathetic.”

“….”

“It’s best to end it here. For my sake and for yours.”

As I spoke, Yuarin’s expression gradually became more serious.

Then, he put his hand on my waist and replied.

“F*ck off.”

“….Hey.”

“You’re having a hard time? Do I look like I care?”

I was at a loss for words.

His audacious demeanor left me even more bewildered.

“You’re a selfish bastard. Did you think I’d always let you have your way?”

A brazen smile appeared on Yuarin’s lips.

“Ending things isn’t up to you. It’s up to me.”

He walked up to me, grabbed my chin, and teasingly laughed as he pulled me closer.

“So shut up and stay still. You’re getting in the way of my love.”

Without realizing it, my lips parted.

In that moment, he leaned in and kissed me briefly.

It felt like my brain was being bombarded with chaos.

Does he even know what he’s saying right now?

But Yuarin, with nothing more to say, released my chin and took out a Chocomong from the bag, inserting a straw.

“Is the conversation over? Let’s go. If we’re late, the others will eat all the meat.”

It felt the same as when I talked to Choi Eseo.

I numbly held the bag and walked away, feeling like I had a noose around my neck.

Yuarin’s declaration of selfishly loving me had bound me just as tightly.

“Hey, was that too harsh?”

Walking along the night street, Yuarin muttered to himself, tilting his head.

“It’s a bit dragging things out too much. Let’s set a time for it.”

“What nonsense.”

Curious about what kind of novel idea would be brought up this time, I glanced over.

Yuarin chuckled mischievously.

“I’ll do as I please during the day.”

Even though there was no one around, she whispered secretly.

“At night, I’ll let loose.”