Just A Friend

#22

The next day, Kang Jihan called Nam Seonwoo over again, saying he had “English questions.” When Seonwoo said he wouldn’t come if the side dishes were the same, Jihan bought him cup tteokbokki and slushies on the way home. Of course, those snacks weren’t enough to fill Nam Seonwoo’s stomach, so he ended up eating a meal at Jihan’s house too.

It wasn’t just for the food that Seonwoo readily followed Jihan home. The desk, lighting, and chair were expensive and incredibly comfortable. Above all, Jihan didn’t engage in unnecessary conversation beyond a few questions. In other words, it was the perfect place to study.

“Can I come too, Jihan?” Park Gyuhyeon had asked, blocking their way as they were leaving school together on the second day of exams. It seemed he had gained hope after receiving candy from Jihan. Of course, that request was completely ignored.

And today, the day after that, Nam Seonwoo was once again in Kang Jihan’s room. Come to think of it, Jihan hadn’t even invited him over today. Yet, they naturally walked home to Jihan’s house, and before he knew it, Seonwoo was studying with Jihan.

How did this happen? The thought briefly crossed his mind, but he figured it was all good. Thanks to this, he could eat his fill and lounge comfortably again today. Although it was petty of Jihan to never let him use the bed.

‘He let me lie down last time…’

Was it after the first day of exams? Since then, Jihan absolutely refused to let him lie on the bed. Even if he showered and changed into clean clothes, it was the same.

Annoyed at being treated like some kind of germ, Seonwoo sprawled out on the floor in protest, but Jihan didn’t budge. Despite there being a pillow right on the bed, he stubbornly brought a cushion from the living room and tossed it to Seonwoo instead.

Should I even study with him when I’m treated like this? Seonwoo grumbled, sniffling.

“It’s cold.”

The air conditioning seemed especially low today. Of course, it was better than being hot, but at this rate, he might catch a cold. …Did Jihan get hot easily? He didn’t seem to.

“I said it’s cold. Turn up the temperature a bit. I think my nose is running.”

Jihan, who had been sitting at the floor desk like a monk, finally turned his head towards Seonwoo. Perhaps taking pity on the sight of Seonwoo using his discarded school uniform shirt as a blanket, the air conditioning soon weakened with a beep.

Jihan turned his attention back to his book. His face was utterly indifferent despite having a guest. No matter how much Seonwoo looked at him, Jihan wouldn’t even glance his way. Suddenly, Seonwoo realized that Jihan hadn’t asked a single question today. Tomorrow was the last day of exams, and it was the English test that Jihan had been constantly asking about.

‘But why is he so quiet?’

It was strange that he had no questions on the day before the English exam.

“Hey, Kang Jihan.”

“What.”

Hmph. He still won’t look this way.

“I’m bored.”

At that, Jihan finally looked at him. It was an incredulous look, as if to say, “Just study.” Somehow feeling like their positions had reversed, the corners of Seonwoo’s mouth twitched.

“I said I’m bored. Say something interesting.”

“…”

“Ah, you’re no fun. I should just go home.”

Seonwoo abruptly sat up. As he was about to gather the books scattered on the desk, he thought he heard Jihan sigh softly. Soon after, Seonwoo smiled victoriously at Jihan’s voice.

“What are you doing during the break?”

Seonwoo couldn’t help but chuckle at the topic Jihan had chosen when asked to say something interesting. It was the kind of awkward conversation starter a child might use. Still, appreciating the effort, he decided to answer.

“I’ll probably rest a bit and then study, I guess.”

“Where?”

“The library? School doesn’t turn on the air conditioning.”

With about three months left until the college entrance exam, Seonwoo’s determination to enjoy a brand new life after those exact three months burned brightly.

Jihan looked at the open book, then the bed, then at Seonwoo, before turning back to the book. After a moment, he spoke.

“Want to do it together?”

“Ha,” Seonwoo laughed as he replied. “It’s not ‘want to do it together,’ it’s ‘I’ll let you do it with me,’ right?”

“…”

Jihan glared at him. It was the exact same face he had made when he smacked Seonwoo’s bottom. Seonwoo let his laughter show freely. In his previous life, it was always him who said “Let’s study together,” but somehow it felt like their positions had reversed, which amused him.

Jihan had no choice but to need him. After all, he had a clear goal of getting into a good university and succeeding. Conversely, Seonwoo no longer needed to appeal to Jihan.

As Seonwoo crossed his arms as if daring Jihan to speak, Jihan abruptly turned his head away. It seemed he still couldn’t bring himself to say “I’ll let you.” Giggling, Seonwoo muttered loud enough for Jihan to hear.

“I want some ice cream.”

“…Didn’t you say you were cold?”

“Don’t you drink cold beverages in winter?”

Jihan rubbed his face and put down his mechanical pencil. In fact, it was closer to throwing it down, but anyway, seeing him obediently go to get ice cream made Seonwoo’s smile deepen.

“Thank you. But your mother must really like this too, huh?”

It was that ice cream that would be discontinued ‘in the future,’ which Jihan’s mother had given them before. Seeing this ice cream every time he came over, it seemed that the mother and son had similar tastes. After all, he had never seen Jihan eat this himself.

Come to think of it, Seonwoo himself hadn’t particularly sought it out when he was younger. The coffee-flavored ice cream was more suited to adult tastes than children’s, so it was always piled up like bad inventory in the school store.

As he was savoring this taste that would disappear in fifteen years, he felt eyes on him. Seonwoo removed his lips from the light brown ice cream and asked.

“What? You want a bite?”

He held it out saying, “Here,” but he knew Jihan wouldn’t eat it. It was impossible for someone as fastidious as Jihan to eat something someone else had been eating.

As expected, Jihan just stared at the ice cream in front of him. Just as I thought. As Seonwoo was about to withdraw his hand, Jihan slightly lowered his head and took a bite of the ice cream.

‘What the…’

His dark eyebrows furrowed slightly, perhaps from the coldness, and then Jihan’s Adam’s apple moved noticeably. Judging by the slightly puzzled expression as he looked at the cylindrical ice cream, it didn’t seem to be to his taste.

Seonwoo took the ice cream back. He was a bit taken aback, but well… it was okay to give him one bite. The ice cream had already started to melt, trickling down the wooden stick onto his fingers. Licking the ice cream off the back of his hand was an unconscious act.

“Isn’t it delicious? The color might look a bit like acorns, but once you eat it, you realize there’s no other ice cream quite like it.”

As Seonwoo was chattering away while eating the ice cream again, he turned to look at Jihan, sensing the atmosphere had changed slightly.

“…W-what?”

Jihan was still leaning forward, staring at him even after eating the ice cream. The intense gaze fixed on the ice cream felt a bit unfamiliar, so Seonwoo cautiously held out the ice cream.

“You want more…?”

But Jihan’s gaze didn’t follow the ice cream. If only their eyes would meet, he might be able to tell what Jihan wanted, but Jihan was looking not at his eyes, but somewhere below them. Seonwoo couldn’t read his expression at all.

“It, it must have been tasty. Here, eat.”

First of all, he was too close. Seonwoo thrust out the ice cream to create some distance, but Jihan only glanced at it briefly without moving away. However, he did obey the command to eat.

The act of slowly biting into the ice cream looked a bit different from before. For instance, the way his lips touched where Seonwoo had just licked, or how his tongue licked his lower lip after swallowing the ice cream.

As Seonwoo became aware of these details, the scene before him seemed to move even more slowly.

“…”

Seonwoo unconsciously swallowed. Was the sound too loud? Their eyes met instantly.

Jihan’s expression looked like he was contemplating something. Earlier, Seonwoo had thought it was just because the taste was bad, but now it seemed a bit different. It was more like a face puzzled by an unfamiliar taste, or rather, a face that seemed to be exploring something.

He opened his mouth once more, maintaining eye contact.

“…Hey. Stop… eating.”

Seonwoo’s fingers curled involuntarily. He could just hand over the stick to this ice cream thief and be done with it, but for some reason, he didn’t know what to do with his hand right now.

Am I the only one feeling strange right now?

Maybe it was because the air conditioning temperature had been raised, but it felt a bit hot. Perhaps that’s why the ice cream was melting faster. The liquid that dripped onto the back of his hand immediately began to flow down his wrist.

Jihan’s pitch-black eyes followed it. Only then could Seonwoo finally breathe, though he didn’t have time to wonder why he had been holding his breath. As Jihan quietly watched the ice cream trickle down Seonwoo’s arm, his lips moved slightly.

No way.

Seonwoo froze at the strange thought that crossed his mind. But as soon as he realized what he had been worried about, it felt like even his head had frozen. His bewildered gaze fixed on Jihan.

That’s not it, right? He… wouldn’t, right?

The slightly parted lips closed, and Jihan leaned back. Seonwoo watched blankly as he stood up, unable to even sigh. Jihan manipulated the air conditioner remote and then pulled out some tissues from beside the bed and handed them to Seonwoo.

“Wipe it off.”

Seonwoo stared blankly at the white tissue. He hadn’t even thought about wiping off the ice cream that was wetting his arm.

His face, which had been recalling each stupid, foolish, and ridiculous thought from moments ago, soon turned as red as a tomato.