WTFUDLS 72

Chapter 72

“Wow, my salivary glands are tingling. This is so sweet.”

“Yeah, it looks sweet just from here.”

“It’s sweeter than you think. Want a sip?”

Jiwoo offered her Oreo frappe to Noeul.

Noeul leaned back slightly.

“I’m trying to protect my blood sugar.”

“Hey, what about my blood sugar?”

“You’re screwed, that’s what.”

“You little—…”

The two acted as if nothing had happened earlier. They joked around and talked about everyday things.

But in one corner of Jiwoo’s heart—and probably one corner of Noeul’s too—the earlier incident sat cross-legged, refusing to leave.

— Hey, look, your boyfriend is walking by.

‘Those rotten brats…’

The curse slipped out in Jiwoo’s mind before she could stop it.

How could they say something like that? They had to know he’d hear them. Would they like it if someone mocked their appearance? Maybe she should’ve said something. Those girls, looking like dried pollock that’s been frozen and thawed at a fish market—who were they calling names? If they weren’t even prettier than her, they should shut up and walk away. And it wasn’t your boyfriend passing by—he’s mine.

…Well, that last part was a bit much. Anyway…

Jiwoo huffed quietly to herself, imagining all the things she could’ve said to the girls.

But that was all it was—imagination. If Noeul wanted her to, she really could’ve walked over and said something. They were clearly in the wrong. Even if it turned physical… Jiwoo wasn’t exactly weak. She ate well. Back in elementary school, she had been first place among the girls in both wrestling and arm-wrestling. Sure, the other side had more people… but whatever. She’d take a few hits and get settlement money.

But she didn’t know if Noeul wanted that. Maybe Noeul just wanted to pass quietly. Even if they got into a verbal fight, the one who’d end up hurt by the words was Noeul. She could already predict what those girls would say back—narrow-minded, baseless insults. She didn’t want Noeul to hear any of that.

The most Jiwoo could do was pretend she hadn’t heard anything. And that made her feel helpless. She wanted to do something for Noeul. She wanted Noeul to notice it—how much she cared, how far she’d go for him.

But Noeul didn’t show a single sign of being upset.

Not even a hint. If he’d looked hurt, she could’ve at least comforted him.

Sometimes Noeul felt too put-together. Like he was trying to be complete on his own, never relying on anyone. At those times, Jiwoo felt an odd mix of sadness and loneliness.

Jiwoo shook her head.

He had just heard something awful, and he was still holding it together—for her sake, probably, so he wouldn’t bring down the mood. And here she was, complaining inwardly that he was too calm. How childish.

She didn’t want Noeul to see her as that kind of person.

After they walked for about ten minutes, the entrance of the theater came into view.

The realization that she was really here with Noeul, about to see a musical together, made Jiwoo nervous.

They stepped inside.

“Huh…”

Jiwoo’s eyes widened immediately.

The place was packed. She expected it to be busy, but not this busy.

Everywhere she looked, there were lines—lines for ticket pickup, lines for merchandise, lines for photo ops, lines for entry…

As Jiwoo looked around, Noeul said,

“I’ll go get the tickets. If you want merch, go get it.”

“Merch? Nah, I don’t want anything.”

“You’re not even going to look? Don’t you like this musical?”

“I mean, I do… but I’m not that into merch.”

“Oh, really? …Then go take a picture over there.”

“By myself?”

“I don’t really want to take pictures.”

“Huh? Come on, you should take it for me. It’s weird to stand alone.”

“I’m worried the entry time will come while we’re in line.”

Jiwoo checked the time. Still 30 minutes until entry.

She said, “We have plenty of time.”

“…Fine. Let’s get the tickets first.”

Noeul looked strangely resigned.

Why? Was it just in her head?

Jiwoo thought back—had she done something wrong? Not buying merch wasn’t wrong. Wanting to get the tickets first, then take a picture—was that wrong? Thirty minutes was more than enough… Was Noeul just the type who does everything super early?

Jiwoo stood in line, thinking.

Then she noticed Noeul wasn’t beside her.

She turned and saw him a few steps back.

Maybe she was standing too close to the person in front? Jiwoo stepped back to stand next to him.

The line moved, Jiwoo stepped forward—but Noeul didn’t. He just stood there staring at his phone.

Maybe he didn’t notice?

Jiwoo tugged lightly on his arm to pull him forward.

It kept happening. He never followed immediately. He only moved when Jiwoo turned around and looked at him.

“Um…”

Someone tapped Jiwoo on the shoulder.

A man stood there, phone in hand, looking shy.

Ah.

Jiwoo knew instantly—someone was trying to get her number.

She instinctively glanced at Noeul.

But Noeul didn’t notice a thing—still glued to his phone.

Han Noeul, can you stick a little closer? I’m getting hit on because you’re standing all the way over there.

The man said,

“You’re really my type… could I maybe have your number?”

“Ah, sorry. I don’t think so.”

The man scratched his head and walked away without complaint.

Jiwoo shot a glare at Noeul.

He has absolutely zero interest in me right now.

Annoyed, she didn’t bother telling him to come closer.

After picking up the tickets, they headed to the photo zone.

But again, Noeul didn’t line up with her—he just stood off to the side.

Jiwoo motioned to him.

“Come here.”

“You go ahead. I’ll take the picture from here.”

“Why? Just wait with me and take it.”

“There’s no need for both of us to wait.”

“You’re waiting either way. Why wait separately? Waiting together is better.”

Noeul’s eyes darted rapidly. He looked around.

Jiwoo followed his gaze.

People were glancing at them—back and forth between Jiwoo and Noeul.

Noeul must have felt their stares too, because he quietly stepped into line beside her.

Suddenly, Jiwoo felt a prickle of realization.

From earlier, it was like Noeul was trying not to stand next to her. Even now, he angled his body about 45 degrees away, like they weren’t together.

Jiwoo finally noticed the stares—people looking at her, then at Noeul… or the other way around.

Noeul was uncomfortable with all of this.

Jiwoo blinked.

She didn’t know what to do.

She didn’t want Noeul to feel uncomfortable. But standing apart on purpose made it seem like she was ashamed of him, and that would hurt him too.

But pretending nothing was wrong and standing even closer might make him feel worse.

Why was he so tense today? This hardly ever happened on campus. Was it because Han Sol wasn’t with them? Or because there were just too many people? Or because of what they overheard earlier?

Jiwoo had noticed something off since they arrived—he was more nervous than usual. More tense, more guarded.

Their turn finally came.

Noeul asked, “Should I take it with my phone and send it to you?”

Jiwoo had actually planned to take a picture with him today. He rarely took pictures, so they barely had any together. A musical date was the perfect excuse to make a memory.

But she could clearly see he didn’t want to.

She wanted to say, “Who cares about what other people think? Just take it with me.” But that was her mindset, not his.

“…Yeah. Sure.”

Noeul must’ve sensed her disappointment.

“Should I take it with your phone instead?”

“No, it’s fine. Use yours and send it to me.”

Just then, the staff member said,

“I can take one for you two. Please stand together.”

Jiwoo seized the opportunity.

“Yeah, let’s take one together.”

Noeul looked between Jiwoo and the staff.

“No… I’m okay. Really.”

The staff glanced between them, waiting for an answer.

Noeul took a tiny step back.

In that moment, Jiwoo could feel exactly what Noeul was thinking.

He was afraid of what people would think when they saw him standing next to her.
That guy is really ugly.
What are they? Friends? A couple? No way, right?
He was terrified of those thoughts.

For Noeul, standing in the photo zone meant pretending he didn’t notice any of that. It required courage—and caused enormous stress.

Jiwoo couldn’t force that on him.

Even if other people were wrong.
Even if Noeul shouldn’t have to shrink back.
Even if Jiwoo wanted to show she wasn’t ashamed—

She didn’t want to pressure him to endure something painful just to prove a point.

Jiwoo bowed slightly to the staff.

“Sorry about that.”

Then she took Noeul’s hand and pulled him out of the line.

He let himself be pulled, confused.

“Where are we going? Aren’t we taking a picture?”

“That spot is too basic.”

Jiwoo looked around, then led him to a quieter corner.

“Hold the ticket.”

Noeul gave her a look that said, Fine, if you insist, and held it up.

Jiwoo lifted her phone, opened the camera—and linked her arm with his.

Noeul flinched and tried to pull away, but she held on tight.

“Wait. Just for the picture.”

Noeul’s arm relaxed.

Jiwoo thought, Whatever happens, happens, and leaned her head on his shoulder.

In the screen, Noeul’s face was stiff with tension.

Jiwoo burst into laughter.

And she hit the shutter.

“Haha—why do you look like you’re about to go into a job interview? Why are you so stiff?”

“I mean… you suddenly…”

Noeul stammered. Even then, his eyes were darting around, checking if anyone was watching.

For some reason, seeing him like that made something in Jiwoo ache.

She casually checked the photo.

In the picture, she was smiling brightly, while Noeul looked like a rabbit caught by a hunter—frozen stiff.

Jiwoo showed it to him.

“Pfft! Look at this. Our expressions are hilarious.”

Noeul looked.

A small smile finally appeared.

“What the heck is going on in this picture?”

“Right? We look ridiculously opposite.”

“We should show this to the guys and make them come up with a title. They’d make so many funny ones.”

Jiwoo looked at him.

His face was much more relaxed now.

Seeing that expression made her feel relieved.

Noeul kept chuckling at the picture.

And suddenly, the smile disappeared from Jiwoo’s face.

Something heavy dropped in her chest—like a massive tree falling and hitting the ground with a thud.

That feeling you get when you realize something you’ve been feeling for a long time.

Jiwoo looked at Noeul and thought:

‘I… like him. I really like Noeul.’