episode_0390

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“We’re not really at the level where we should be doing this, are we?”

I mean, like this.

The kind of relationship where you bring convenience store food, saying it’s bad for your health, and even buy meals to deliver.

“Hello. It’s been a while since we last saw each other downtown…”

“You said anything was fine, so I picked what my boyfriend likes. Now that I think about it, maybe I should’ve gotten something less smelly.”

“Well… I guess it’s fine if we just open the window for a bit. Probably.”

Judging by the smell, it was something like stir-fried pork.

After receiving a surprisingly heavy plastic bag from Seol Da-bin, I took out the packaged container inside and placed it on the desk.

Did investing some lunchtime to send Seol Da-bin a message with a mountain of rice pay off in good points?

Honestly, that’s way too optimistic of a take.

If I were just an ordinary classmate, this might’ve slightly improved our relationship by a fraction, but for “Seo Woo-jin, who was caught having a sex partner by accident” and “Seo Woo-jin, who revealed he’s in a threesome with his girlfriend and her younger sister,” one small gesture like this wouldn’t be enough to bridge the gap.

Unless I pulled off something life-saving, I’d still deserve all the contempt and disgust.

In that sense, the kindness Seol Da-bin is showing now…

“The receipt says 20,000 won, so I’ll send you 30,000 including the trouble.”

“Just send 20,000. I was on my way back anyway.”

“How can I do that? It must’ve been hard walking here in this heat.”

“I said it’s fine. Do you have my account number saved? If not, I can tell you again.”

“Hey, just say ‘thank you’ and take it. The teacher’s offering.”

“Baek Ji-ho, mind your own business and stay quiet.”

No need to overthink it—this is just how she usually is.

Of course, I’ve been on her bad side from the start, so I’ve been busy getting scolded left and right, but Hero Seol Da-bin has always smiled and accepted even the most shameless handshakes from her pig broth fans.

Judging by her looks alone, she wouldn’t seem out of place walking out of a back alley reeking of cigarette smoke alongside Han Su-ah, but fundamentally, she’s a kind person.

Well, for me, who’s already marked in her books, or for her boyfriend right next to her…

She’s being a bit harsh.

“Don’t feel pressured. I don’t know the exact minimum wage right now, but think of it as a delivery side job. If we leave it like this, I’ll feel uncomfortable like I’m freeloading.”

“…Hmm…”

“Then just send it to me, Teacher. Da-bin’s stubborn—she won’t listen no matter what you say.”

“Ugh, seriously… Just stay quiet…”

Still, one thing I’ve gathered is that Seol Da-bin and her boyfriend don’t seem that close.

From the first time I saw them, they felt more like childhood friends than lovers, and the way they bicker lightly now is pretty much the same vibe.

Earlier, when Seol Da-bin came to the infirmary alone, she mentioned things like being in a rut, not acting like lovers, and how they bicker often.

I think I get what she means.

“Just give me the exact amount on the receipt. I don’t like owing people.”

“If I just take it like this, wouldn’t I be the one feeling indebted?”

“…Then let’s do this. 25,000 won. That should be fine, right?”

“It’s just 10,000 won—you can take it without worry… Should we do that?”

“How is 10,000 won not a big deal? Maybe if it were 1,000.”

“If you think of it as payment for labor, not a debt, it’d be easier.”

“Enough. Let’s drop this.”

…Anyway.

Seol Da-bin, who’s in a rut with her boyfriend.

Even when together, they give off more of a close sibling vibe than a sweet couple.

And Seol Da-bin, who likely has no positive feelings toward me.

To wedge myself even a step between her and her boyfriend, I need to figure out the most effective method.

One small relief is that the boyfriend doesn’t seem like anything special.

From what I heard from Lee Ha-yoon, being stuck in the academy during break without field training implies some kind of flaw.

Since I coincidentally ran into him during winter break, his skill level is roughly around “remedial class” level.

Meaning, if I can show I’m better than him in some way, the outcome shouldn’t be bad.

“…”

I erased the absurd thought like rubbing it out with an eraser.

For one, as a healer, there’s nothing special I can show off, and even if we switched categories, I’m not confident I could display any masculine strengths.

Looking closely, his face is well-proportioned, and thanks to consistent training from using a sword, the forearms peeking under his short sleeves aren’t ordinary either.

Someone like me, who barely maintains presentable muscles, can’t compete with that.

The only thing I’m sure I’d win at is money.

But flaunting that to Seol Da-bin would only slash my points, not gain me any.

It’s clear from how she hesitated even when I offered an extra 10,000 won just now.

And on top of that, he’s got the overwhelming advantage of being a childhood friend of over ten years…

A childhood friend losing in competition—doesn’t that defy common sense?

Then what method could possibly be effective?

Amidst these difficult thoughts, I was in the middle of sending the money when—

“Teacher. Before I go, there’s something I wanted to ask.”

“…Ah, what is it? As long as it’s not an awkward question.”

Seol Da-bin took a step forward in front of her boyfriend and asked.

“You enjoyed the festival with Ha-yoon yesterday, right?”

“I did, yeah?”

I didn’t hide my face or anything, so she must’ve noticed by chance.

Or maybe she heard it directly from Lee Ha-yoon herself.

Either way, I wasn’t sure what she was getting at, so I waited for her next words.

“Are you planning to go to the festival with Ha-yoon again today?”

“Hmm. According to Noona, aside from seeing celebrities and a few events, it’s pretty much the same. The events aren’t great, and the lineup isn’t anything I’m interested in either.”

“So it’s over now?”

“That’s the vibe. We enjoyed it for a day, but I don’t really want to do the same thing three days in a row.”

“Hmm…”

“So, why do you ask?”

Seol Da-bin lightly touched her lips and let out a thoughtful hum.

After a brief pause, she spoke again.

“Do you have any plans to meet separately on the weekend? With Ha-yoon?”

Without mentioning the reason at all.

“On weekends, I’m usually with Noona, so this time will probably be the same…”

“So you’ll be with Ha-yoon on Sunday too?”

“Most likely. If there’s nothing else to do, we usually just hang out at home.”

“…”

Now that I think about it, that could sound like the three of us—me, Lee Ji-yoon, and Ha-yoon—spend the whole day having sex.

Which is true, but I wondered if it’d bother her. I glanced at Seol Da-bin belatedly, but her expression suggested she hadn’t taken it that way.

She was just fiddling with her lips like before.

I didn’t notice it in the data, but seeing her in person, she has these unexpectedly dense moments.

I wonder if she’s aware of it herself…

“I asked earlier, but what’s the reason for your curiosity? About what Noona and I will be doing later.”

Since she didn’t answer, I had to ask again.

Tapping the plastic wrap covering the black container on the desk, she finally replied.

“I wanted to try a double date.”

An unexpected statement.

“A double date…?”

“Me and Baek Ji-ho, you and Ha-yoon. The four of us meeting up.”

“I know what it is. I’ve just never done one.”

Still, it didn’t take long to figure out why she wanted a double date.

It’s probably an extension of the “acting like lovers” thing she mentioned earlier.

If she wants to observe how others do it, there’s no better excuse than this.

I’m not sure if Lee Ha-yoon will like it, but I have no reason to refuse.

In fact, I’d want to suggest it myself.

But nodding too eagerly might seem suspicious to her boyfriend, so I gave a generic response first.

“I’ve heard those can be pretty awkward. Really necessary?”

“What part?”

“Well, if not all four are close—”

“Ha-yoon and I are already friends, and there’s the novelty factor… Plus, we can see how other couples do things.”

But contrary to my intentions, she seemed to think I didn’t get it, so she nudged more overtly, recalling our earlier conversation.

Seeing her slightly furrowed brows, she seemed genuinely concerned, so I dropped the act.

“I do think it sounds fun…”

“Then it’s settled. Ah, Baek Ji-ho. You’re in, right? You’re always whining about going out.”

“Hey, damn… I’m leaning toward yes, but… Ugh…”

“Yes?”

As the scales tipped in favor, Seol Da-bin immediately poked her boyfriend’s side with her finger and pressed.

She must’ve used more force than expected because Baek Ji-ho grimaced and growled at her.

As if this was a common occurrence, she brushed it off and continued.

The familiarity of their skinship annoyed me a little, but I’d expected this much.

Being childhood friends, they probably fooled around during their hormone-fueled school days.

Even with the rut, they’ve likely mixed bodies at least once—this is nothing.

Exhaling indifferently, I discussed plans with the two.

The result was a verbal promise to try a double date this coming Sunday, after the festival ended.

I wondered if it was okay without Lee Ha-yoon present, but fortunately, not long after they left, my phone buzzed with her lively Kakao messages.

Where should we go?

What should we do?

Should we try that huge dish we can’t eat with just two?

That board game café we went to with Ji-yoon last time was fun.

A flurry of messages like these.

The festival wrapped up with decent success.

From what I heard on friends’ SNS, the number of outside visitors was the highest ever—though I don’t know if that’s true.

I’m not sure how they counted or what data they used, and I don’t care enough to dig into it.

Still, good news is good news. Better than hearing it flopped.

Honestly, this year felt more crowded than last year.

But the festival, which ran until last night, is already out of my mind.

All that’s left in my head is Ha-yoon, Seo Woo-jin, and the double date this Sunday.

The day of the promise is tomorrow.

Watching Ha-yoon and Seo Woo-jin might help me vaguely identify the issues in our relationship.

“Ugh…”

But the promise is tomorrow.

Since the festival ended yesterday, today must be Saturday.

Why is my phone buzzing so early…

Let me sleep…

“Spam calls usually come in the afternoon…”

…Wait, no.

It’s not a call—it’s SNS, so it’s not spam.

Probably just one of my friends bragging about something first thing in the morning.

I vowed to switch to vibrate next time, but it’s too late now.

Plus, judging by the sunlight streaming through the window, if I sleep any longer, I’ll get scolded by Mom.

Rolling around on the bed, I finally stretched and fumbled for my phone.

I always leave it near the pillow, so it should be…

…Ah, found it.

“Ugh…”

Checking my phone while lying down is just asking to drop it on my face.

It’s a great way to wake up, but not one I’d choose.

Wriggling onto my stomach, I turned on my phone.

And the identity of the friend who ruined my sleep was—

Seo Woo-jin?

Why is he messaging me out of the blue?

“…What?”

Did he mix up the date?

No. The screen shows 7:30 AM, so it’s not like he’s already waiting outside.

But for him to message me first…

There’s no reason for that.

“Does he have something to ask before tomorrow…?”

Still, that’s something you’d message around lunchtime.

Might as well check what it is.

Resting my cheek on the pillow, I tapped the bed with my foot and unlocked my phone.

[Seo Woo-jin]

– I have something to ask about tomorrow’s double date.

– If you’re asleep now, message me when you wake up.

What could he want to ask?

I thought for a moment but couldn’t figure it out.

Reluctantly, I replied quickly.

[Seol Da-bin]

– What is it?

[Seo Woo-jin]

– Oh, you’re awake.

– It’s about the bowling alley we talked about in the group chat. I looked it up, and it’s closed.

– Is there anywhere else fun nearby?

– I don’t know the area well.

I’m awake because you woke me up.

Swallowing that remark, I stared blankly at the screen.

It’s not uncommon for places to suddenly shut down.

This time, it’s the bowling alley.

I thought splitting into pairs would be fun, and I might learn something from watching Ha-yoon and Seo Woo-jin, but that’s out now.

But if we skip it, we’ll have a big gap in our schedule…

Then again, staying too long at the board game café Ha-yoon insisted on might be awkward.

Anywhere else we could go…

[Seol Da-bin]

– I can think of an arcade, but I’ve never been inside. I’ve never even been to a proper arcade.

[Seo Woo-jin]

– Then I’ll stop by alone later to check it out.

– Where is it?

[Seol Da-bin]

– Hmm… I don’t know the address, so I’d have to describe it by landmarks…

[Seo Woo-jin]

– What’s the name of the place?

[Seol Da-bin]

– I’m not smart enough to memorize names of places I don’t care about.

…This is getting complicated.

At this point, maybe I should just go check it out myself.

An arcade… If it turns out to be lame, we’d have to change plans again.

Yeah. This might be better.

[Seol Da-bin]

– Let’s just meet up separately later.

– I think seeing it in person would be better.

After sending the message without much thought, I buried my face back into the pillow.