WTFUDLS 71

Chapter 71

[“Jiwoo, have you asked Noeul if she wants to go see that musical?”]

“Huh? No. Why?”

Jiwoo felt a little guilty.

If Hansol was free, she had planned to watch the musical with him. She genuinely thought it would be fun with Hansol. They could meet at a café beforehand, chat a bit, watch the musical, eat something delicious, and even take some photos together.

At the same time, if Hansol wasn’t available, she thought she should ask Noeul to go instead. She wanted to go with Hansol, but if it didn’t work out, there was no way to waste the tickets. So at least she could go with Noeul.

Thinking that way, even if Hansol wasn’t free… it wouldn’t feel too disappointing.

While she was thinking this, it felt as if Hansol had read her mind, making her flinch.

No. Jiwoo had nothing to feel guilty about. She really wanted to go with Hansol. Noeul was just the backup plan, in case Hansol couldn’t make it.

[“Hmm… it’s nothing, really.”]

Hansol answered casually.

“Nothing, really?” Jiwoo thought. Why did it feel like there was some reason behind the question? Something felt off.

Did he wonder if she was asking him first or second? Was he asking because Noeul wasn’t free? Was he worried he was just a substitute for Noeul?

Or did he think she was flirting with Noeul? Was he worried she might have a crush on Noeul while he likes her?

Jiwoo explained to avoid any misunderstanding.

“No, it’s just that we haven’t really hung out alone before. I wanted to go to a café, take some photos, just hang out. We could even go shopping, or take a walk since the weather’s nice. If you weren’t free, then I was planning to ask Noeul.”

As she spoke, Jiwoo realized she and Hansol weren’t that close yet. They hadn’t spent much time alone together, doing things other friends did with each other.

If they were closer, they would have comfortably talked about who they liked and who had a crush on whom.

[“Ah… I see.”]

Hansol answered more calmly than expected.

Jiwoo wondered. Did he not believe her? Or maybe he just didn’t like going to cafés and taking photos? Well, maybe that was just Hansol.

Jiwoo quickly added,

“But it’s fine to do something else too. We could watch the musical and grab a drink, or go to a book café and read.”

[“Mm.”]

Hansol hesitated for a moment before asking,

[“But… would it be okay to go with me?”]

“…What do you mean?”

[“Instead of Noeul, is it okay to go with me?”]

“Hmm? Of course.”

Why was he asking that? Did he think Jiwoo liked Noeul more? Sure… it might be more fun with Noeul, but this time she genuinely wanted to hang out with Hansol.

Jiwoo asked,

“Why? Why are you asking that?”

[“Ah… because Noeul’s more fun than me. I was worried it wouldn’t be fun with me.”]

“Ah, come on. That’s not true. It’s fun with friends no matter what.”

[“I see.”]

Hansol usually didn’t show much reaction, but today he seemed especially calm and unresponsive.

He continued,

[“This weekend, right? Wait, let me check my calendar.”]

“Yeah, go ahead.”

Hansol was silent for a moment, then spoke again,

[“Ah, I already have plans that day.”]

“Ah, really? Oh… well, can’t be helped. Let’s go together next time if there’s another ticket.”

[“Yeah, let’s. Thanks for asking. Check if Noeul’s free.”]

“Okay, got it. I’ll let you know.”

[“Mm. Okay.”]

Jiwoo hung up the phone.

“…He really does have prior plans, right? He’s not lying?”

She blinked, staring at the empty air.

What was it? Why did she feel so uneasy? Hansol’s reaction seemed off somehow. She couldn’t tell why… he seemed not entirely honest, or maybe upset, or maybe testing her.

Jiwoo shook her head after thinking for a moment.

‘Ah, whatever. I don’t know.’

Jiwoo took three steps to the left, four to the right.

Her shoes made a clacking sound with each step.

She looked down at her feet.

Could she walk far in these? The theater was quite a distance away. Would her feet hurt?

But she really wanted to wear these shoes. They matched the beige jacket she was wearing perfectly. She had tried sneakers and flats, but these shoes were just right.

She checked the time. Two minutes before the meeting time.

At that moment, she saw Noeul walking from afar.

He was wearing a black sweatshirt, black pants, and black canvas shoes.

‘He’s wearing the same thing he wore to school.’

A fleeting sense of disappointment passed through Jiwoo.

Well, he could wear the same clothes. Why bother dressing up to go see a musical, especially just with a friend?

She suddenly wondered if she had put too much effort into her outfit.

The clacking of her heels felt a bit embarrassing.

Noeul stopped in front of her. Jiwoo said,

“Hey, are you going to school? Why are you dressed so casually?”

“I don’t have anything else. I tried to dress as neatly as I could.”

“Really?”

Hearing that he dressed as neatly as possible lifted her mood a little. He actually looked a bit neater than usual.

Jiwoo said,

“Let’s go.”

Jiwoo and Noeul got on the subway.

Jiwoo checked the station and said,

“We just need to go six stops and get off.”

“Yeah, it’s not far from the station to the theater.”

“Right. It should be connected underground.”

“Oh, good.”

“When the weather’s nice like this, we could even walk outside a bit. Maybe take a stroll before the musical? There’s a park there.”

“Sure, but won’t your feet hurt?”

“Huh? No, it’s fine. These are surprisingly comfortable.”

Noeul nodded.

Jiwoo tried to suppress a smile. Even if Noeul didn’t seem to notice, he probably knew what she was wearing and what shoes she had on.

Suddenly, the subway shook violently.

Jiwoo, holding nothing, stumbled and grabbed Noeul’s arm.

It felt thick and solid.

She quickly let go and held the handrail, saying,

“Ah, sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

Noeul looked completely unfazed.

Did he feel nothing when she grabbed his arm? Well, friends sometimes hold each other’s arms. It would’ve looked awkward if she overreacted.

Jiwoo kept a calm expression.

At that moment, a voice pierced her ear:

“Are they a couple?”

“Hey, do you think so? They’re just friends.”

“The guy could be super rich.”

“No matter how rich he is, I don’t think I’d want to date a guy who looks like that.”

Jiwoo quickly turned toward the voices.

A girl and a boy were giggling.

When their eyes met Jiwoo’s, they stopped laughing abruptly and pretended to talk about something else.

Jiwoo scanned the subway.

The only pair who looked like a couple was her and Noeul. It had to be about them.

She glanced at Noeul. Jiwoo could hear them clearly, so surely Noeul could too.

But Noeul was looking at his phone, as if he hadn’t heard a thing.

Had he heard but pretended not to? Or was he really focused on his phone?

“Do you want to eat ramen tonight? This place looks good.”

Noeul showed Jiwoo his phone.

Jiwoo glanced at it and said,

“Yeah, looks good. Sounds tasty.”

“Okay.”

It seemed like he hadn’t heard at all. He was too focused on choosing dinner.

That had to be it. She hoped that was it.

…But what if he had heard everything and was pretending not to?

Jiwoo looked at Noeul again. His expression was normal.

What if he was quietly bottling up anger behind that mask? What if he was hiding the fact he was hurt?

A heat suddenly surged through her chest.

She turned sharply toward the people who had laughed earlier.

They looked shocked, as if caught stealing.

Jiwoo glared at them fiercely.

They flinched, then looked around awkwardly and moved to another car.

Those idiots…

“…”

“Hey, what are you doing?”

“…Huh?”

“We need to get off.”

Jiwoo looked around and saw the station name outside.

“Oh, yeah, let’s get off.”

Jiwoo and Noeul left the subway and headed to the park.

The weather was perfect. The wind was cool, and the distant mountains were clearly visible.

Jiwoo walked next to Noeul and said,

“Look at those clouds. Don’t they kind of look like a drumstick?”

“Are you hungry?”

“No, I mean… don’t they? …Though, I am a little hungry too.”

Jiwoo laughed softly.

She wanted to do something silly to make Noeul laugh, maybe to help him forget whatever rude comment she had heard on the subway.

Noeul asked,

“Do you want to get something to drink at a café?”

“Sure. I want a strawberry banana smoothie.”

“Alright.”

“You buy it.”

“Don’t.”

“Then let’s play rock-paper-scissors.”

“Okay.”

At that moment, a group of high school girls passed by.

One of them said loudly,

“Hey, there’s your boyfriend.”

The group went wild in a flash.

Jiwoo didn’t look at Noeul. She didn’t need to check if he heard—she heard it all clearly.

Noeul silently used his phone to find the café.

Now Jiwoo understood. This was how Noeul handled rudeness.

He probably heard everything on the subway too but didn’t get angry, complain, or confront them.

He just waited for the moment to pass.

If it had been anyone else, they would have turned red, not known how to react, and felt embarrassed or flustered.

But Noeul was calm. That calmness made Jiwoo’s chest ache. Seeing him act so composed in such situations stirred something in her heart.

She wanted to say something but couldn’t. If she tried to comfort him clumsily, she might make things worse.

So she walked quietly, pretending not to hear anything.

Suddenly, Noeul stopped.

Jiwoo looked at him.

“Is this the café?” he asked.

“…Ah, yeah. It is.”

“Let’s go in.”

Noeul entered the café.

Jiwoo watched his back for a moment, then followed him inside.