LA0S | Chapter 13

Yoon Sejin suddenly jumped up and locked Lee Jinha in a headlock. Because Lee Jinha was taller, his neck got twisted, and his head jerked forward. Lee Jinha glanced down at his sneakers for a moment while Yoon Sejin, still maintaining the headlock, bounded down the stairs. Lee Jinha was dragged along, jostling down with him.

“Hey. Aren’t you going to let go?”

“Why should I? I’m not going to let go. You’re getting punished for distorting my true feelings. I’ll escort you all the way to the library like this.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

As Yoon Sejin cheerfully descended the stairs, he suddenly stopped. Lee Jinha, whose neck was still clutched, also halted abruptly.

“Thought you were taking me to the library. Changed your mind? Typical Yoon Sejin, always double-talking.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Normally, a flustered response should have followed. However, Yoon Sejin remained silent.

“…?”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

In Lee Jinha’s line of sight, now aimed at the floor, unfamiliar shoes suddenly invaded. These were not the worn, recently washed sneakers he’d been wearing for years but brand-new, pristine branded sports shoes. The unfamiliar shoes advanced one step closer, casting a complete shadow over Lee Jinha’s head.

Who, what.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Ugh!”

Before he could gather his thoughts, the choking grip around his neck loosened, and in its place, a strong force lifted his chin.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Kim Chayoung, with a stern face, stood before him.

What’s this guy doing in our department building? Lee Jinha had seen him around often enough, but since they agreed to prepare for the contest together, Kim Chayoung hadn’t come looking for him.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

And now his expression was…

“You could trip and fall like that. Be careful.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

As if his fierce expression was a thing of the past, Kim Chayoung’s lips curled into a smile. Just that was enough to soften the sharp aura he emitted. Lee Jinha straightened up to face him.

“What are you doing here?”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Didn’t you get my text?”

I did. But wasn’t it supposed to be at the library? Wondering if he had sent some other message I didn’t know about, I checked my phone, but there were no new messages.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I have some business in the Humanities Department.”

I looked up from my phone to face him.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“What business?”

“Do I have to tell you?”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Kim Chayoung retorted lightly. His gaze was directed over Lee Jinha’s left shoulder and neck, precisely at Yoon Sejin’s arm resting on him.

“Hey. Kim Chayoung.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

There was no need to talk about what the business was, but his tone was annoying. Just as I was about to retort, my phone rang. It was the landlord. What now? I sighed and pressed the call button.

“Lee Jinha speaking.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

As Lee Jinha spoke on the phone, Kim Chayoung looked at Yoon Sejin. Even though Yoon was one step below on the stairs, their eyes were almost level. It was frustrating that their waist height was also the same. That must be because Kim Chayoung’s legs are unusually long, not because mine are short. Yoon Sejin redirected all the blame to Kim Chayoung.

“Doesn’t your arm hurt?”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“Huh? Me?”

Surprised to be addressed, Yoon Sejin blinked and asked back. Kim Chayoung gave a faint smile. He had seen him coming and going in the lecture halls, but they had never spoken before. The use of polite speech also added to his surprise.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Honestly, when I bumped into Kim Chayoung coming down the stairs, I didn’t recognize him at first. Walking with a stony face, I thought he had bolted with my money without my knowing. The chilly, almost murderous atmosphere made me tense.

I had heard here and there that Kim Chayoung was as nice as he was handsome. Famous for catching people out and being well-connected, even with notoriously strict male seniors. There were several girls in the same club who liked him, so I heard about him whether I liked it or not.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

I never imagined he knew Lee Jinha.

“If you keep holding it like that, it will go numb. Wouldn’t it be better to just let it go?”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Kim Chayoung spoke in a soft, smooth tone that seemed too gentle for his stern face. Yes, it was kind. But why did it feel so uncomfortable? Perhaps because he’s Lee Jinha’s friend.

Yoon Sejin’s eyes rolled sideways toward Lee Jinha, who was completely absorbed in his phone call and paid no attention to what was happening here.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“Put your arm down.”

Huh?

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Yoon Sejin blinked, straightened his head, and saw Kim Chayoung looking at him calmly, as if asking what the problem was.

“Since you’re Lee Jinha’s classmate, you’re the same age as me. Should we drop the honorifics?”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Huh? Sure.”

Yoon Sejin hadn’t caught on that people usually say ‘friend’ rather than ‘classmate’. Kim Chayoung smiled broadly and offered a handshake. Even a normally handsome guy who puts on a deliberate smile makes a huge impact. If he was just awkwardly handsome, it might have sparked jealousy, but this was just another level, forcing recognition.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Not far off, Lee Jinha was also exceptionally handsome. If Kim Chayoung was the kind with soft, glamorous features, Lee Jinha had long eyes without double eyelids, slightly upturned at the corners. His first impression was rather cold, looking like someone who would be fun to hang out with, but he was surprisingly earnest and straightforward.

Seeing Lee Jinha so indifferent to his own looks almost felt unfair to me. If I had looked like Lee Jinha, I would have roamed the campus morning and night. No need for blind dates; I would have been out there. No, with that kind of face, maybe girls would just flock to him. At any rate, unlike Lee Jinha, who stuck to the library or the computer lab, I would have led the most active school life.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“Do you not like shaking hands? Does a man’s touch make your skin crawl?”

A joking tone tickled my ears.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“How could that be? Nice to meet you.”

His face was handsome, and even his voice was nice? Totally unfair. Yoon Sejin reluctantly lowered his arm, which had been around Lee Jinha’s neck, and shook the hand before him. Their hands gently swayed and quickly parted.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Where are you two headed?”

“Ah. Jinha said he’s going to the library, so I’m going with him.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Ah. Kim Chayoung nodded slowly.

“I was actually heading to the library myself. Lee Jinha will go with me, so you can go do your thing.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Isn’t this where you usually say let’s go together?

“Take care.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Huh? Oh… yeah, see you next time.”

As if mesmerized, Yoon Sejin responded and was almost pushed down the stairs. I turned to Lee Jinha, but he was still caught up in his phone call.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Too bad I couldn’t even say goodbye. Well, Kim Chayoung will probably pass on the message. I awkwardly scratched my neck and headed to the PC room.

Just as Yoon Sejin was leaving the school, Lee Jinha finally finished his call. I was worried he might ask for more rent, but he just wanted me to change a light bulb at home later. Of course, I agreed. But even after resolving the issue, the landlord didn’t hang up but started to complain about her husband and son. Apparently, they never left their room, busy with stocks or whatever, and wouldn’t even change a light bulb. Lee Jinha had to awkwardly keep up with her mood, giving neither full agreement nor disagreement. The phone clung hotly to his cheek.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

[Then, Lee Jinha, I’ll see you at home later.]

“Yes. Go inside. I’ll see you in the evening.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

After nearly 30 minutes on the phone, I let out a long breath. The one-sided conversation had been draining. Kim Chayoung had already headed to the library, and it seemed I needed to grab a cup noodle with Yoon Sejin.

“Yoon Sejin. Shall we stop by the convenience store…?”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Yoon Sejin was nowhere to be seen, and Kim Chayoung was standing there instead.

“Yoon Sejin left.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“When?”

“While you were on the phone.”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Without saying goodbye? What a rude guy. After all the trouble I went to accompany him to the classroom because of that unreliable guy. That Yoon Sejin, no good.

“Going to the convenience store? There’s one near the library.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Why would I go with you?”

“I didn’t say you were going with me.”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Hearing Kim Chayoung’s calm reply, Lee Jinha’s face heated up. Oddly, in front of him, my usual demeanor didn’t come through, and I reacted hastily. Biting his lower lip, Lee Jinha brushed past Kim Chayoung. Kim Chayoung staggered a few steps back, unexpectedly shouldered by Lee Jinha.

“Ugh!”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Why are you standing there?”

Truth be told, I was equally shaken by the impact, but I pretended otherwise. As Lee Jinha started walking towards the library, I heard Kim Chayoung’s short laugh and footsteps following behind.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The two didn’t stop at the convenience store but went straight to the library lounge. Regardless of the day or time, the library lounge was always bustling. Fortunately, they quickly secured the last available seat.

“Wouldn’t a cafe be better? It’s too noisy here for a meeting.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Let’s just get this over with here.”

I didn’t want to go through the trouble of moving to a cafe with Kim Chayoung. To be more honest, I couldn’t afford to spend on a drink, and I didn’t want him to know that.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

His abrupt manner caused him to shrug and sit facing me.

“Hand it over.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“I haven’t even caught my breath yet. Always in such a hurry, same as ever.”

Kim Chayoung’s lips faintly curled up. Lee Jinha averted his gaze from those lips and extended his hand. Stop the nonsense and just show me the drawings already.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…Are you playing with me right now?”

Lee Jinha exhaled sharply as he saw Kim Chayoung’s hand calmly resting on his palm. If Kim Chayoung had been a dog, such behavior would have been commendable, but he was neither a dog nor cute.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The real culprit of the absurdity simply shrugged nonchalantly. A playful expression crossed his face, reminiscent of the youthful face in a school uniform he had seen him wear. My mouth felt dry.

“Honestly, I find this kind of joking a bit, no, very uncomfortable. I’d prefer if you didn’t do it in the future.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

After saying that, I turned away. I didn’t want to see Kim Chayoung’s face. He didn’t say anything, and a short, heavy silence fell between us. I could feel Kim Chayoung looking at me, but stubbornly, I did not lift my head. A moment of silence that felt long but was actually brief passed, and then there was movement. Kim Chayoung pulled out his tablet and opened a file.

“Here. The thing you wanted so much.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

His tone was as natural as if nothing had happened.