episode_0462

…

Seo Woojin’s story.

Until now, whenever we exchanged lighthearted chats, he never brought up what happened back then.

Why would he suddenly bring it up today of all days?

“Hey, you’re insane… It’s not like I’m an idiot, and neither is the teacher…!”

If he had actually figured it out, the timing would be too strange.

If Baek Jiho had overheard what happened on the other side of the wall, he would’ve confronted me the very next day.

Seol Dabin, what the hell did you do last night?

Does that mean he only realized it recently?

Did he maybe catch me contacting Seo Woojin?

…That can’t be it either.

I always made sure to hide my screen whenever I messaged him…

Fine, let’s assume he hasn’t figured out the secret and just said that randomly. That much is fine.

But if that’s the case, did he really just ask that out of nowhere?

No way. That’s still weird.

Who would casually say something like “Did you think something would happen between me and the teacher?” in front of their girlfriend?

Who even jokes like that?

Ugh, my head’s spinning…

…Anyway.

If it wasn’t random, does that mean he really knows?

Does he know everything and is just pretending?

Is he waiting to see how I react?

…That makes no sense, so it must’ve been random after all?

The same thoughts looped over and over in my head.

Each time, it felt like my breath was being choked out, so I briefly tried steering the conversation elsewhere.

“You worry too much. What kind of…— Ow, hot…!”

I gulped down the coffee to soothe my parched throat, only to lightly burn my tongue on the scalding liquid.

Luckily, it wasn’t a serious burn, but a sharp pain lingered at the tip of my tongue like a stubborn thorn.

…My luck is just the worst. Seriously.

“Are you okay? Anywhere else? Did it splash anywhere?”

“……Yeah….”

I wasn’t actually fine.

But if I said I wasn’t, the topic would inevitably circle back to Seo Woojin. So I pretended it was nothing.

After reassuring Baek Jiho, I pressed my index finger against my lips, lightly prodding my tongue. The stinging pain still lingered.

It felt like a thin blade had grazed the surface, followed by a burning sensation—pure agony.

The only silver lining was that we had just finished dinner.

For now, I’d just hope it healed naturally. If the pain persisted, I’d have to secretly contact Seo Woojin.

As I frowned and checked my tongue, Baek Jiho spoke up again.

“The school nurse. Should we call her? She might be free right now.”

…I wished he hadn’t brought that up.

I was deliberately acting fine.

“Don’t bother. I’d get scolded for overreacting. At least if it were a sprained ligament, but for a slightly burnt tongue? Come on…”

“You do realize your pronunciation is messed up, right? Sigh… I’ll go get some ice first…”

Of course I noticed.

I sounded like a toddler babbling, rolling my words clumsily—how could I not know?

But after that conversation earlier, letting Baek Jiho and Seo Woojin meet now…? No. Absolutely not.

At the very least, meeting right now is a terrible idea.

“Here. Got some ice, so hold this in your mouth. And about the nurse—”

“It’s fine. The ice is enough.”

“Stop being stubborn. If you keep enduring the pain like an idiot and end up needing to see her later, it’s better to just ask now, even if it feels like a bother. Swallow this first.”

“Hey, Baek—… Mmph…”

You’re the one being stubborn here.

The words swirled on my tongue along with the ice, but I couldn’t spit them out.

Because Baek Jiho was right.

It’s just that I couldn’t let him and Seo Woojin meet right now. That’s all.

Even as I watched him tap away at his phone despite my protests, I couldn’t say anything.

In the end, the most natural reaction I could muster was—

“She says she’s free. She’s actually coming over here.”

—rolling the ice around in my mouth.

Pretending like nothing was wrong was the best I could do.

“It’s better not to use ice for burns. It only provides temporary relief and actually slows down recovery. If anything, cool water is the best option.”

Roughly 30 minutes.

That’s all it took for Seo Woojin to arrive.

Technically, his place was only a few subway stops away, but at this speed, he must’ve rushed out in a hurry.

As if to prove it, his clothes were neatly put together, but his hair was slightly disheveled.

Staring blankly at his tousled hair, I first crunched down and swallowed the ice in my mouth.

“…And chewing ice like that isn’t great for your health either.”

“Whatever. Just treat me already.”

“Hey. Is that any way to talk to someone who came all the way here for you?”

“It’s fine. She’s always been like this, so I’m used to it. Don’t worry about it.”

Ah, right.

Luckily, nothing catastrophic happened when Baek Jiho and Seo Woojin met.

Just in case, I tried reading Baek Jiho’s expression, but he wasn’t giving Seo Woojin any hostile looks.

Given how peaceful the atmosphere was, it must’ve been the latter—just a coincidence.

And yet, just the mention of Seo Woojin made me feel guilty for no reason… Ugh. Seriously…

Well, at least one big worry was resolved.

Now, I just want to get treated quickly and go home to rest.

So, Seo Woojin, stop standing there blankly and just—

“Before I treat you, I’ll go wash my hands first.”

…Now that I think about it, for Seo Woojin to treat me…

I remember he’d have to touch me.

Sigh… “Anyway, I’m glad you came, Teacher. …And I guess I shouldn’t have been holding ice in my mouth.”

“…….”

I don’t mind Seo Woojin’s hands touching my burnt tongue.

It’ll only be for a moment.

Besides, when we… do that…

That pervert sometimes sticks his fingers in my mouth.

And I hesitantly lick them.

It’s not like I’m repulsed by it.

…But right now, Baek Jiho is right here.

My boyfriend.

My childhood friend.

He’ll be watching the entire time.

“Hold on, excuse me for a second.”

Isn’t it a little… weird to do this in front of him?

Not to mention, the place we’re in right now isn’t ideal either.

This café is crowded. Wouldn’t it be better to move somewhere else?

While I was lost in thought, Seo Woojin returned from the café restroom and pulled up a chair right next to me.

His hands, still damp from washing, had droplets clinging to them here and there.

He lifted one slightly, using the other to neatly adjust his sleeve.

Then, as he lightly shook off the remaining water—

“…Ah, now that I think about it, this place isn’t ideal. Doing it here would be…”

“…You’re quick to notice things, huh?”

Only now does he glance around and say that?

With a light sigh, I looked at Baek Jiho and said,

“Let’s just go. Getting treated here would look weird.”

Unless the second floor was empty, this single-story café offered no way to avoid prying eyes. Reluctantly, I gathered my things.

Luckily, Baek Jiho seemed to understand and didn’t argue. We ignored the farewells from the staff and stepped outside.

…But there was still one more thing bothering me.

“…….”

Do we really have to do this in front of him?

Another man.

Seo Woojin’s fingers.

Inside my mouth.

…I am already doing something bad behind his back.

But doing it right in front of him?

That’s a whole different story.

“Um, Seo Woojin-ssi.”

“Yes?”

“Is there somewhere just the three of us can go?”

“Hmm. The first things that come to mind are private rooms at restaurants…”

“I already had dinner with Baek Jiho.”

“Then… a karaoke room? Or maybe just a quiet alley. It won’t take long anyway.”

“…Hmm…”

A karaoke room wasn’t exactly ideal either.

It’s not like we’d actually sing—we’d just be there for a quick treatment. Wasting money on that felt unnecessary.

Not that an alley was any better.

The atmosphere would just get even weirder.

Ideally, a place like a nurse’s office would be best.

Nothing suggestive would happen there.

It’d just feel like a medical treatment.

So, if I had to think of a place that could replicate that feeling…

Somewhere clean and well-organized.

Somewhere comfortable.

“…….”

…My place?

But it’s too far.

Then Seo Woojin’s place?

It’s closer, but it’d still take 30 minutes like when he came here.

Still, if I had to choose…

“If you need a place, there’s an easy solution, right?”

Just as I thought there were no options—

Baek Jiho, adjusting his coat against the chilly night breeze, casually interjected.

“Like the karaoke place Teacher mentioned, or… what about a nearby motel? We could just go in for a bit.”

“Hey, Baek Jiho, a motel? What kind of—!”

“What’s the big deal? People use them for certain things, but motels are just hotels with fewer services.”

“…….”

Here I am, racking my brain to avoid making things awkward.

And he just acts like it’s nothing.

Like it’s no big deal.

…Kind of annoying.