TBE 25

chapter 25

It had reached the point where he could no longer tolerate it. How many times had he already sat across from that irritating girl? Swallowing the anger that threatened to surface on his face, Yeongwon shifted his gaze toward Yuna, who was chatting with Minhee while packing her bag. It looked like she intended to leave first again. It had been like this for a week.

• “Oh! I almost forgot I was supposed to eat with Seoyeon. You two go ahead. Sorry!”

• “I just got a call from a customer at work… I’ll head out first. Good luck with your assignment!”

Yeongwon couldn’t exactly tell her not to come along just because he didn’t like her appearance—he and Yuna weren’t involved in any way. He wasn’t in a position to dictate her friendships. Besides, there wasn’t any particular reason, and saying anything would just make him look like someone gossiping about another person.

He already knew why Yuna acted that way. She must have been asked by that girl. She tended to have a hard time refusing others’ requests.

While Yeongwon’s frustration simmered, Yuna left. He stayed seated, as usual, without immediately getting up.

As Yeongwon didn’t leave, Minhee’s expression noticeably brightened. Just as she was about to suggest going to the library with him, Yeongwon spoke first.

“Hey.”

His voice was dry. Minhee looked up at his slightly twisted expression and forced a smile.

“Yes, senior. Shall we go now?”

“What are you doing?”

“What do you mean? I’m going to the library to study for exams with you.”

Yeongwon chuckled at her nonchalant answer. There was no way this shameless little fox didn’t realize what he was really saying.

He had known ever since Yuna, who couldn’t ignore the cafe work, suggested they study together after class. She would leave, and this girl would come along.

If days like this continued, his remaining patience would run dry. There were limits to endurance. He spoke the words he had long planned.

“I hope I never see your face again.”

“…Why?”

“Because I dislike you.”

The answer was merciless. Minhee’s brows twitched. Pretending to be hurt, she lowered her head slightly and glanced around. Once she confirmed there was almost no one passing by, she straightened up again.

“…What did I do wrong for you to hate me this much?”

“…”

Yeongwon observed Minhee’s behavior right in front of him. She had clearly done this many times before, so cunning it was almost artistic. If someone were watching, she would probably shed tears while making her target feel like a complete jerk.

What did it matter to him what she did to some girl? Losing all desire to talk further, Yeongwon was about to get up when Minhee raised her voice.

“Is it because of junior Yuna?”

She dared to speak Yuna’s name again. Yeongwon’s gaze, now directed at Minhee, sharpened.

“Do I need to tell you to get lost in words for you to understand?”

“…You two don’t suit each other at all.”

“Curious about my opinion?”

What was she trying to do? Yeongwon’s black brows furrowed in exasperation. Minhee’s expression twisted. The girl, who had always been meticulous about her image, now glared with a flushed face.

“I’m the one who likes you, not junior Yuna.”

“Please stop with the nonsense…”

“Junior Yuna said she just thinks of you as a comfortable younger sibling. I heard it myself.”

“….”

At last, the irritation on Yeongwon’s face subsided slightly. That she was willing to help only proved that she didn’t see him as a man. And yet, why did it feel like a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head?

When Yeongwon didn’t respond, Minhee added more force to her voice.

“I know puppy-like girls are your style. But it’s better to give up now. She’s already aware of the situation on her side…”

No wonder her style and actions had been gradually mimicking Yuna’s.

But no one could ever replace Yuna. Thinking that, Yeongwon cut off Minhee’s words.

“Do you even know what it means to like someone?”

“…It’s when you keep thinking about them, want to be by their side, feel full just watching them… that kind of thing, right?”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Minhee hesitated before answering. Unsatisfied with her own answer, she added, “Liking someone is just liking them.”

Yeongwon found her answer equally unsatisfying. Could he even trust it? The girl only wanted to keep him as a decoration by her side. He knew well enough that his appearance caught attention.

“Anyway, junior Yuna not only has no intention of getting close to you, she even has disqualifications! Being divorced is definitely a problem. Didn’t you see the post on the community?”

“….”

Of course, he had seen it. Yeongwon, who usually only cared about academic info, had started checking anonymous boards the day he learned Yuna had joined as a junior in his department. He hadn’t said a word until now, fearing she might notice something.

“…Does she even know about that post?”

“Yes. She thanked me for not having prejudice even after seeing it.”

“….”

Hearing that without feeling any guilt amazed him. The girl had an incredibly strong mind. Time wasted tolerating her antics had been painfully costly, and a self-mocking laugh escaped his lips.

Yeongwon looked Minhee straight in the eyes.

“You need to apologize.”

“…Excuse me?”

“You said being divorced is definitely a problem. My sister is divorced too.”

“….”

“It’s not right to insult someone’s family to their face, is it?”

Minhee’s face instantly flushed. Yeongwon looked down at her, sighing at how pitiful she seemed, lips trembling.

“I spoke thoughtlessly because I’m empty-headed. Sorry. Go ahead.”

“….”

“Can’t do it?”

As Minhee, her face bright red, tried to get up, Yeongwon stretched his long leg under the table and pulled her chair back.

With a dragging sound, her bottom thudded back onto the seat.

“I could post this on the main board instead of anonymously: ‘A junior in the department damaged my family’s honor. The emotional impact is severe. I want a formal apology.’ How about that?”

“I… I didn’t know…”

“Good. Then explain it like that in the comment section of the post.”

Yeongwon spoke calmly. Trembling, Minhee finally spoke again, eyes downcast.

“…I… spoke… thoughtlessly… because… I… am… empty-headed… Sorry…”

Yeongwon finally felt some relief. Yuna should have been the one to hear this, but he had no intention of contacting her. It would only make her uncomfortable.

Having finished his business, Yeongwon rose from his seat without hesitation.

“Now, really get lost. Don’t ever acknowledge me again.”

“….”

Minhee lowered her head, shivering, as thick tears fell.

Yeongwon’s pen spun on his hand. The page on his tablet had remained the same for an hour. He couldn’t focus.

For some reason, Minhee’s words kept echoing in his mind. Even though it was obvious she had never truly liked anyone, and it was hardly believable, he couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Keep thinking about someone, wanting to be by their side, feeling full just watching them—that’s love?

“….”

Feeling a pang of conscience, Yeongwon compared it to Yuna.

The only “girl thoughts” he had ever had were about Yuna. At first, she appeared in his mind only because of the cafe work. Gradually, she expanded into his daily life. Even the rabbit keychain he gave her came to mind sometimes.

He had thought it was because of the incident on the freshman welcome day. Looking back, aside from those few days, he had never imagined Yuna undressed.

Then there was the desire to be with her. That also made some sense. After family meals, he wanted to sit quietly beside Yuna.

That was why, knowing there might be interruptions, he still agreed to meet her. Better than not seeing her at all.

Finally, feeling full just from watching her—this was a little ambiguous. It seemed to refer to satisfaction, but isn’t that only possible if the person is “yours”?

“…Haa…”

The more he thought, the more unsettled he became. Even if the precision was low, he met two out of three conditions. There was at least a 66% chance that Choi Yeongwon liked Han Yuna.

Not just the data, but even reflecting on himself, he realized Yuna didn’t feel the same as other girls.

• “Junior Yuna said she just thinks of you as a comfortable younger sibling.”

But she wasn’t the other person. So this must be unrequited love. As a virgin experiencing this, unrequited love seemed almost inevitable. Perhaps he should be glad he didn’t get 100% confirmation.

“…Damn…”

He clutched his forehead in anguish.