Chapter 2.2

Chapter 2.2

“Where’d Hajun oppa go? Where’s our handsome Hajun oppa?”

“Alright, alright, Yunmi. It’s time to meet handsome Hajun oppa in your dreams. Just bear with it a little longer, go home and sleep. Make sure you pull your blanket up tight!”

Yeonsu coaxed her two completely drunk classmates into a taxi and asked the driver to take good care of them. Out of habit, she opened her phone’s memo app and jotted down the taxi number.

“Driver, please set off.”

Having started with sorghum liquor from the very first round, her own vision was swaying a little. But perhaps it was because she’d met her friends after so long; she didn’t feel bad at all.

Nine people had attended the gathering today. As life grew busier, the number of attendees dwindled day by day, yet the fact that the group still managed to meet felt like a small miracle.

Four of the nine had left, leaving only five. A quick glance was enough to confirm they were the usual members who’d stick around until the fourth round every time. They were the ones with high alcohol tolerance and high spirits, or simply the ones who steadfastly held their ground until the very end.

“For the second round, should we go to a club?”

Seonyeong cut Eunhwa off with a single, decisive stroke. “What club? Let’s go to a quiet izakaya,” she said, gathering the remaining group.

“Shin Yeonsu, hurry up and come!”

Yeonsu, who had been standing by the roadside, finally caught up with Seonyeong. As they ascended the stairs leading into an izakaya on the second floor, Seonyeong asked, “Are you really going to call it a night after just this second round?”

Yeonsu nodded. “Yeah, I have an important meeting tomorrow, so staying out late isn’t an option.”

“What time is the meeting? Shin Yeonsu, your stamina must be completely shot! You used to stay until the very end even if you had a thesis presentation the next day. Can’t you make an exception, since we’ve met after so long? We even rented a place so we could drink until morning!”

“Sorry, I’ll join you next time.”

“The others will be disappointed.”

“Just tell me the address of the place later. I’ll buy a bottle of wine and send it up for you.”

“Wow, suddenly I’m not disappointed at all!”

The two women looked at each other and burst into giggles. The reason they had been able to maintain such a good relationship since their immature days was that they were always careful with each other.

They never pried or tried to uncover the hidden aspects each kept behind their bright personalities. Yeonsu always accepted Seonyeong’s tendency to get angry and explode in frustration, while Seonyeong understood Yeonsu’s occasional desire to hide from people.

Unlike the often emotional Seonyeong, Yeonsu was always rational. That’s why Seonyeong, while perceiving Yeonsu as bright and cheerful, sometimes also found her cold. While her striking beauty certainly played a large role, the cool atmosphere that emanated from her whenever she fell silent possessed a subtle, enigmatic quality that no one could replicate.

Back then, any man who knew Yeonsu would, at some point, fall for her. How could anyone not like a girl who looked as beautiful as a doll, yet was completely unpretentious, easygoing, laughed readily, and took care of unpleasant tasks without being asked?

Yeonsu didn’t use her beauty as bait to play games or manage a “fish pond” of admirers. As a result, some confessed directly and were firmly rejected, some quickly gave up on their feelings, and still others carefully hid their affections until graduation.

Regardless, Yeonsu had no interest in men. Far from dating, she only grew close to Seonyeong and Seonyeong’s inner circle.

At the top of the stairs stood Jinseok, his hands casually shoved into his pockets. He must have overheard their conversation, as he addressed Yeonsu.

“Shin Yeonsu, don’t leave yet. Let’s party until morning together. When will we get to have this much fun again?”

Seonyeong let out a deep sigh and went into the izakaya first. It was as if she was thinking, “Looks like we’re about to lose another member of our group.”

Yeonsu vaguely nodded at Jinseok. She’d just have to be clever and find an opportunity to sneak out later. Besides, she’d already told Seonyeong, so Seonyeong would cover for her.

She tried to recall the last time she’d drunk until morning. Even now, her stamina wasn’t particularly bad, but she definitely used to be able to party much harder.

Back then…

Damn, is this your first time? How can a girl like you be so incredibly tight? You’re so firm, I feel like I’m going to burst.

As the memory of that day flashed vividly, Yeonsu’s cheeks instantly flushed. Around dawn that morning, had he smiled? Or had he been angry? The words she’d spoken to him had been trivial and pathetic.

She knew it, yet she’d made excuses about that day, to the point of rudeness. She’d told him she was just easy, that she’d merely been curious, and that they shouldn’t let things get any deeper.

…She’d been too young.

Ding-a-ling. As she stepped into the izakaya, the bell hanging above the door jingled loudly.