WTFUDLS 05

Chapter 05

One of the really foolish things is insisting you didn’t lie, even after being caught. If someone notices your lie, it means they have evidence—either solid proof or strong suspicion. Denying it makes you look worse. At that point, admitting it might be a little embarrassing, but you can at least seem like a decent person.

But some lies must be defended at all costs. Lies that can never be revealed. Then, you have to even deceive yourself. Especially when it comes to your heart, just like now. The moment Noeul heard Hansol’s words, his mind repeated over and over: I like Ji-woo? No way. Did I ever act like that? Ji-woo hangs out with Jun-gi. I’ve been doing my best to pair her with Jun-gi. Sure, I think she’s pretty and cute, but that doesn’t mean I like her.

Noeul said,

“You’re asking if I like Ji-woo? As a guy?”

If he pretended to not know, saying something like “Of course, she’s a good friend,” he would be caught immediately. Deflecting the question always shows. Especially now, Hansol had noticed something no one else had. A sloppy lie would be exposed instantly. Noeul wondered where he had slipped up. He had thought he was perfect—so why was he caught? The thought that someone like Hansol was watching him closely made him nervous.

Hansol smirked.

Just a slight lift at the corner of her lips on an otherwise expressionless face looked like mockery. Noeul felt a chill. It was as if Hansol knew everything. A sense that lying was useless.

Noeul was quick to read most people. He thought he could tell their thoughts from tone, expression, and words. But Hansol was different. She rarely smiled, almost always expressionless. No clue what she was thinking.

She didn’t try to blend in with others either, like a high schooler watching younger kids play. She didn’t seem lonely or embarrassed to be alone.

Noeul thought her poise came from her appearance. An ugly person alone didn’t make friends because they couldn’t; a pretty person alone didn’t because they didn’t need to.

Hansol was tall, over 170 cm, with long limbs and a delicate face. Some mistook her for a model. Her sharp features gave her a mixed-race look. Even a haircut that wouldn’t suit most people looked great on her. Unlike cheerful, cute Ji-woo, Hansol was cold and mysterious, making most boys hesitant to approach.

Boys whispered that Hansol acted arrogant because of her face. Noeul thought, “If you had a face worth it, you’d act arrogant too.”

Hansol said with that unreadable expression:

“Yes. As a guy.”

Noeul chuckled softly.

“No.”

“Really?”
“Yeah. Why would you think that?”
“Just… the way you act and speak… makes it seem like it.”

“Seems like it? What makes you think so…? Anyway, I’m not interested.”

Noeul said it, and truly believed it.

Hansol tilted her head, curious.

“Can you really have no interest in Ji-woo? She’s so pretty. Cute, kind, good personality.”

Those words were bait. Saying it’s natural to like someone pretty, to make Noeul think it’s okay if he liked her.

“Ji-woo’s pretty. But it feels like looking at a celebrity. Like a mannequin? Pretty, but I don’t feel affection.”

Hansol nodded. Noeul felt she understood.

“Hmm… yeah, usually that works.”

“…Huh? Works how?”

Noeul instinctively avoided her eyes. His spine tingled. How much does she know? Did she notice my tone, my expression? Didn’t I look flustered? No. Must deny everything. This surprise was only because her words were unexpected. That’s all.

Noeul kept a blank, confused expression.

Hansol said,

“Why go to such lengths? Liking someone isn’t a crime.”

Noeul gave a sarcastic expression.

“I’m not going to lie. I just don’t like her. People don’t listen.”

Just then, the taxi he called arrived. He got in without looking back, but could feel Hansol watching him.

Noeul wondered what made her think he liked Ji-woo. Did he avoid her too obviously? Did Hansol notice him glancing at Ji-woo sometimes? Would Hansol tell others? And if rumors spread, what would Ji-woo think? How should he respond? How could an ugly guy make it seem like harmless teasing?

“Why go to such lengths? Liking someone isn’t a crime.”

Not a crime? Why not? If someone brought a 500-won coin to buy a luxury bag, they’d be shameless, a thief, crazy. Likewise, trying to push your heart toward someone like Ji-woo is a crime. Exchanges should be fair. Breaking that rule is a crime.

That day, after talking to Hansol, Noeul realized just how nervous he had been. Objectively, he had never done anything to appear interested in Ji-woo. Going to places with Jun-gi? Jun-gi’s request. Helping Ji-woo join the English society? His suggestion to Jun-gi. Going to the PC room? Ji-woo followed, asking him to play a game she didn’t want to play.

So, there was no reason for him to be scared. What terrified him was his own heart. Emotions leak out. Liking someone while pretending not to is impossible to perfect. He must never actually like Ji-woo.

Suddenly, Ji-woo opened the classroom door. Her gaze landed on Noeul.

“Oh, hi.”

Noeul greeted her, then returned to his laptop.

Ji-woo sat in front of him. Noeul glanced at her.

“Hungover, huh? Must be brutal.”

“Yeah, brutal. Hey, Jun-gi asked if you want to have lunch.”

“Jun-gi?”

Noeul checked his phone—no messages from Jun-gi.

“If you were eating together, he would’ve contacted me.”

“Jun-gi’s battery must be dead.”
“Yeah? That guy is so unprepared.”
“We’re at the cafeteria now. If you don’t come, he’ll eat alone, but if you come, he’ll eat with you.”

Noeul smiled inwardly. Perfect excuse to leave. Sitting still would make it obvious he cared.

Then Hansol entered the cafeteria. Noeul and Hansol made brief eye contact, and Noeul looked away. Thinking about how uncomfortable it would’ve been if he stayed longer, he grabbed his bag:

“Jun-gi really only counts on me. I’ll go with him.”

Ji-woo’s eyes sparkled.

“So you haven’t eaten lunch yet?”

“…Right. Haven’t eaten, so I’ll eat now.”
“And you’re going to lunch now, right?”
“…Right. But why are you asking obvious questions?”

“Then eat with me.”

“…Okay. All three of us?”
“No, just us two.”
“…Jun-gi?”
“Jun-gi already ate.”

Ji-woo smiled brightly. Noeul stared, dumbfounded. Why was she like this? Did she know exactly how her actions affected him? She wasn’t just hungry—this was intentional.

Ji-woo grabbed his bag strap, shaking it:

“You eat with Jun-gi but not with me, right?”

Noeul opened his mouth but couldn’t think of a reason to refuse.

Classmates teased Ji-woo, making jokes that reminded Noeul of his own limits. Ji-woo laughed, bouncing along playfully. Seeing her eat like this, teasing, laughing—it would feel lovely, warm, fleeting. Time with her melted like ice cream.

That’s why he couldn’t be with her.

But he had no choice but to go along. Refusing would only draw more attention. Time to keep things calm was running out…

“Hey, you were supposed to eat with me.”

Noeul and Ji-woo turned toward the voice. It was Hansol.

Ji-woo looked at Noeul, surprised. Hansol winked at him.

…Wink? …Wink…?

“Uh… okay… then…”

Noeul didn’t know the situation but felt he had to follow Hansol.

Ji-woo blinked her big eyes:

“Really? But why did you say you’d eat with Jun-gi?”

“Exactly.”

Hansol answered for him:

“You said to meet in the cafeteria. Did you forget already?”

“Uh… sorry…”

Noeul felt he had to respond like that. Ji-woo looked back and forth between him and Hansol.

“You two… are close, huh?”
“Somewhat.”

Hansol gave a look seeking agreement. Noeul nodded at Ji-woo as if to say “Yeah, sort of.”

“Then… let’s all three eat together!”
“Sorry. I have something important to talk about with Noeul, so just the two of us. Next time, all three.”

“Important…?”
“Yeah.”

Hansol left the cafeteria. Ji-woo watched them with a dazed expression.

“…What? Why am I the only one being avoided…?”