WTFUDLS 11

Chapter 11

[“If you go into Kkyupang and compare prices, the soft peaches are 100 won more expensive.”]

[“Yeah, that’s right.”]

[“In capitalism, price is the standard for everything. Price equals taste. What does that mean? Soft peaches taste better.”]

[“Ah, well…”]

[“Don’t agree? Then you’re a communist.”]

“Okay, okay. Soft peaches are definitely better. The juicy ones dripping with juice are the real deal.”

Jiwoo said while watching a video on his phone.

Byungjun, leaning in close as if to join Jiwoo, said:

“I like soft peaches too.”

Jiwoo looked at Byungjun and asked:

“Right? You think so too, don’t you?”

Byungjun’s face turned red as he enthusiastically agreed.

“Of course. Are there people who like hard peaches? What’s the difference between a hard peach and a radish? Those guys would probably make beef-and-hard-peach soup.”

Jiwoo burst out laughing.

“Exactly. What do people even eat hard peaches for?”

At that moment, Hansol, sitting in the corner of the sofa, mumbled while looking at his phone:

“I like hard peaches.”

Jiwoo, sitting at the desk, looked at Hansol and said:

“Really? No way. Why? Why do you like hard peaches?”

“Just… they’re crunchy.”

“You eat peaches for the crunch?”

Jiwoo stared at Hansol in surprise.

Then Hyunsu, sitting next to Byungjun, spoke up:

“Peaches are supposed to be soft. Hansol actually knows something.”

Byungjun whispered to Hyunsu so only he could hear:

“Wow, this guy’s just trying to show off…”

Hyunsu mouthed, ‘Says you’ and poked Byungjun in the side.

Other boys watching nearby snickered.

Jiwoo, unaware of the side conversation between Byungjun and Hyunsu, said:

“Looks like there are quite a few people who like hard peaches. Let’s vote on it.”

Hearing Jiwoo, the boys exchanged curious glances. Then one said:

“I choose soft peaches.”

Another boy said:

“I… choose hard peaches.”

Byungjun chuckled:

“Wait, so it’s 3 to 3?”

Jiwoo exclaimed:

“Wow, soft peaches aren’t the majority!”

Jiwoo turned to look at the corner of the fruit section and playfully said with a grin:

“Noeul, what’s your preference? You’re not one of those hard-peach eaters, are you? Ah, no way~.”

Noeul, without looking at Jiwoo, said:

“I like hard peaches.”

“…….”

The boys excitedly whispered to each other: Oh, 4 to 3, hard peaches win! and laughed.

Jiwoo blinked and looked at Noeul.

Noeul, whether aware of Jiwoo’s gaze or not, stared blankly at the laptop screen.

Jiwoo’s smile slowly faded.

“…….”

“…….”

Hansol sat in the empty classroom at the far back corner.

When Noeul’s eyes met Hansol’s, he instinctively looked away.

Noeul had been sitting closer to the middle of the classroom. What am I doing avoiding eye contact? I should’ve just greeted normally… But now, turning back to greet seemed a bit silly. Yet not greeting at all might make it seem like Noeul disliked Hansol, like they’d had a big fight…

Maybe I should just stay here and next time act casual, pretend to ask a question…

“Why are you here so early?”

Hansol spoke first while Noeul was lost in thought.

Noeul was grateful Hansol initiated the conversation. He turned around and said:

“I had some free time. You?”

“Me too.”

Noeul nodded.

He was about to look forward again but hesitated for a moment.

“…Hey, sorry about yesterday. I had some stuff to deal with.”

“What stuff? …Ah. I didn’t even remember… It’s fine, I don’t have time to apologize for every little thing.”

Hansol picked up his phone again.

Noeul knew someone as considerate as Hansol wouldn’t actually ignore what happened yesterday. Hansol’s casual response was intentional. Noeul felt even more apologetic.

Hansol probably knew how much Noeul had blamed himself yesterday. That’s why Hansol acted like nothing had happened.

Hansol suddenly asked:

“But what actually happened?”

“…Nothing really. I just got all twisted up, and the fallout hit you.”

“If your personality’s twisted, what in the world is normal?”

Noeul let out a small laugh, but Hansol’s words lingered.

Trying to lighten the mood, Noeul said:

“Yeah, that’s how it should be. Either your inner self or outer self should be proper at least.”

He shook his head playfully.

Hansol, however, didn’t laugh. He said:

“Hey, I wanted to ask too.”

“…Ask what?”

Noeul looked at him nervously.

“If I was ugly, would you still want to be friends with me?”

“…….”

Noeul avoided Hansol’s eyes.

Hansol always saw right through Noeul.

People who start hating themselves live a painful life. But everyone has flaws. So when people see their flaws, they feel pity more than hate.

Noeul pitied his own ugliness. He thought life was unfair compared to those born with good looks. Yet even so, he still disliked ugly people, didn’t want to hang out with them, afraid he’d lose value in others’ eyes. And then, in private, he cried for the ugly, unloved, pitiful self.

Noeul hesitated to answer Hansol.

What should he say? He could give a safe answer, but somehow he wanted to be honest. Any lie wouldn’t work with Hansol. That thought urged him to just be truthful. Noeul had gone too long without honesty with anyone.

Noeul said:

“Probably not.”

Hansol stared at him for a moment and then nodded in understanding.

Noeul said:

“So I was curious. Even I wouldn’t be friends with me. So why would you want to be friends with me?”

Hansol looked out the window and said:

“I don’t exactly know… I guess I wanted to prove there’s an exception. To you. To me.”

“…Why would you need to prove that? You don’t need to. Only ugly kids feel the need to prove that.”

“…Maybe…”

Hansol hesitated, then spoke:

“Because a world with exceptions is better. You know, parents try to show their kids the world as beautiful as possible. My world was cruel, but I wanted someone to have a better one… That’s the thought.”

“…….”

Noeul didn’t fully understand Hansol’s words, but his chest ached.

He tried to hide it with a small smile:

“Am I your kid or something?”

Hansol smiled awkwardly.

Noeul wanted to ask why Hansol wanted to prove the exception to him, why him, but the words didn’t come out.

Squeeeeak—

The classroom door opened.

Noeul and Hansol looked at the door.

Jiwoo had entered and paused, glancing between the two.

“…….”

“…….”

“…You came really early. Did you come together?”

Hansol answered:

“No. We met in the classroom.”

“Mm.”

Jiwoo glanced at Noeul. Noeul didn’t look back, instead pulling out his laptop and lecture materials.

Jiwoo walked to a seat near the wall and said:

“I thought I’d be the first since it’s 20 minutes before class starts.”

“…….”

Noeul silently flipped through the materials.

Hansol said:

“I came early because the timing was weird. He did too.”

“Oh, I see.”

Jiwoo sat down.

He felt a heat rising inside him.

When Jiwoo entered, Noeul had been looking back at him—talking to Hansol. But as soon as Jiwoo arrived, Noeul suddenly faced forward and took out his laptop. There were still 20 minutes before class started.

Wouldn’t it have been natural to ask, Oh, you’re here, why so early, since when have you been here, what were you doing? Why did Noeul act cold, like he didn’t know Jiwoo?

Something felt off since earlier at the fruit section. Jiwoo expected Noeul to joke like usual: Soft peaches? Who eats them sloppily? or Why keep teeth if you’re eating soft peaches? Pull them all out!

But the reply was icy.

A few days ago after drinking, Noeul said he didn’t dislike Jiwoo. So why this distance? Was Jiwoo overthinking? Was this normal for Noeul? But he hadn’t acted this way to others, or when they first met.

Jiwoo felt frustrated, even irritated. He hated this ambiguous tension.

Jiwoo spoke:

“Noeul, want to watch Deadman 2 this weekend, the three of us with Junki?”

“…I already planned to watch it with someone else.”

“…Oh… Who?”

“……Hyun….”

Hansol answered for Noeul:

“I’m watching it with him.”

“…Ah….”

Jiwoo nodded and looked forward again.

What was that? Noeul was about to say Hyunsu, but Hansol jumped in and said he’d go with him instead. Is watching the movie with me inconvenient for Noeul? Did Noeul tell Hansol he dislikes me? Is Hansol helping him? Why? What did I do?

Jiwoo bit his lip. A sudden surge of sadness rose.

If I did something wrong, just tell me. Is he sulking alone… Or does he not want to be close with me at all? Did I overstep? Hansol is quiet and mysterious… He knew me longer than Hansol did. We used to hang out well together. Now he found someone better suited? Even so… is this how I get excluded?

Jiwoo got determined.

Sure, there were people who disliked him, but over time they came to like him. Noeul would be no different.

Jiwoo looked at Noeul and Hansol, and brightly said:

“Great! Then the four of us will go watch it.”