LA0S | Chapter 22

Food? I opened the messenger right away. In less than ten minutes, the screen was filled with messages. Seriously, what does this guy do? Doesn’t he have classes or at least assignments?

?

Why would I eat with you???? (12:25 PM)

Kim Chayoung (Contest Illustration)
Bet (12:26 PM)

“Oh.”

I had a bet with him, where the loser would buy meals for a month. Naturally, I won. But I had been trying not to think about Kim Chayoung, so I forgot.

Kim Chayoung (Contest Illustration)
See you at 2 in front of the library (12:27 PM)

I still didn’t want to eat with Kim Chayoung. Honestly, I didn’t even want to see his shadow unless absolutely necessary.

But even eating a triangle kimbap felt burdensome in my current situation. My tutoring pay would come in two weeks, but surviving until then was tough. I couldn’t keep relying on Yoon Sejin.

I wasn’t particularly social, so there was no one else to mooch off.

In this situation, Kim Chayoung’s offer was tempting.

To be honest, I couldn’t afford to be picky about food right now.

Kim Chayoung (Contest Illustration)
If you don’t want to eat, forget it (12:28 PM)

His message made me anxious. Yeah, better to fill my stomach even if I get indigestion from seeing Kim Chayoung than to starve. I quickly made up my mind and pressed the keyboard.

Kim Chayoung was sitting on a bench in front of the library. It was the place where we almost grabbed each other’s collars, not knowing I had blocked his number. I never thought I’d be eating alone with Kim Chayoung. You never know what life has in store.

He was leaning on the bench with one arm, looking at his phone with a bored expression. I noticed people around, sitting or standing in groups, sneaking glances at him.

How could I not know about such a famous guy? If I had known Kim Chayoung was at our school, I wouldn’t have accepted the offer from Shin Youngmin, who was in the same department. It’s a meaningless thought now, though.

For some reason, I hesitated to approach him and lingered near the vending machine. I got a message from Yoon Sejin saying the club president hyung was asking when I’d come again.

Was it Baehongseo or Baeseohong? His name reminded me of a bibim ramen brand. He was a nice guy who gave me a chicken leg.

Me: Tell him I’ll come when I have time

“What are you doing?”

“……!”

Lee Jinha’s back stiffened as he was typing a reply. He almost dropped his phone.

Kim Chayoung’s face was right in front of him. His hand pressed down on one of Lee Jinha’s shoulders, leaning in close. Wasn’t he just sitting on the bench? His build was like a tiger, but he moved like a cat. Quiet and unreadable.

“I wasn’t doing anything?”

Even if a knife was at my throat, I couldn’t admit I was watching him. I mumbled something vague, and Kim Chayoung looked at me suspiciously. He still had his face close as he spoke.

“Where are you going when you have time? Meeting someone?”

“What nonsense? Did you sleep with your eyes open?”

Lee Jinha frowned and asked back. He suspected Kim Chayoung was making excuses to avoid buying food. Kim Chayoung narrowed his eyes, observing my reaction.

“So it was just a meaningless question. Got it.”

Whatever answer he got from my behavior, Kim Chayoung nodded lightly. I felt the conversation was oddly off, but I didn’t press further.

He’s playing the drum and the janggu by himself.

“Enough, just keep your promise.”

I meant he should stop saying weird things and stick to the agreement. Kim Chayoung tilted his head to the side, gesturing for me to follow. Adjusting his bag strap, Lee Jinha slowly walked behind him.

Since we met at the central library, I assumed we’d go to the library cafeteria. If not, maybe a convenience store.

But the place Kim Chayoung led me to was familiar yet unfamiliar. Unlike the monochrome buildings around, this one stood out with its yellow walls.

“Is this your second time at the art department?”

Technically, it was the third, but I didn’t bother correcting him. It was a memory I didn’t want to recall. Even now, thinking about it made my heart sink endlessly.

“Are we eating here?”

“It’s Wednesday today.”

Wednesday meant special meals, a long-standing tradition or a bond of trust between the cafeteria and students since elementary school. Naturally, I was curious about the art department cafeteria, known for its quality.

Kim Chayoung subtly smiled at Lee Jinha, who was unusually honest when it came to food, despite his usual indifferent demeanor. He wanted to take him to a quiet place where they could enjoy a meal alone, but it was too soon. One mistake was enough.

Lee Jinha tried his best to act as usual. But Kim Chayoung knew him well. Judging by his lip-licking and shaky eyes, he was quite excited.

The cafeteria was part of an annex building separate from the main one. It also had a café and a rest area.

Upon entering the cafeteria, it was naturally filled with people eating. Even though it was slightly past lunchtime, the spacious cafeteria was packed, proving its reputation.

Kim Chayoung took out his student ID and tapped it on the kiosk. Being an art department cafeteria, art students had priority. He ordered without asking for Lee Jinha’s opinion.

“Hey.”

The annoyed shout faded when I realized the menu Kim Chayoung chose was my favorite stir-fried octopus. It was even a large portion. There was nothing to complain about with the perfect menu choice.

Seeing Lee Jinha close his mouth, Kim Chayoung looked triumphant.

The main ingredient, octopus, was generously included, along with plenty of glass noodles. Holding the tray that made my mouth water just by looking at it, I sat in an empty spot.

“Oh, it’s Kim Chayoung. It’s been a while since I saw you in the cafeteria.”

“Chayoung, Youngmin sunbae was looking for you. He said to come to the student council room or call him when you have time.”

“Chayoung hyung. Enjoy your meal.”

I lost count of how many people spoke to Kim Chayoung in that short time. Freshmen, people of the same age but senior in student number, and even seniors about to graduate. Unlike me, who usually ate quietly with Yoon Sejin or alone, he was different. It wasn’t surprising or new, as I often saw this in high school too.

Kim Chayoung responded appropriately with a smiling face, just like back then.

“Kim Chayoung. Here you are. I found what you mentioned last time.”

“Really? Thank you. I’ll treat you to a meal next time.”

Kim Chayoung, who treated others lightly, showed a lively reaction. The man seemed to be a senior.

“I used all my connections. I usually don’t let juniors treat me, but I’ll make an exception this time.”

“I’ll take you to your favorite place soon. And I’m great at finding assignment materials. Just call me anytime, and I’ll be there.”

“You’re such a smooth talker.”

The senior patted Kim Chayoung’s back and left. Didn’t they say he was a freshman? Not even a semester had passed, yet he knew more people than the class president.

“You’re quite the celebrity.”

“Does that matter?”

His response was different from what I expected, like a bland laugh as if saying, “You just realized?”

“I’m the most important to me. No matter how much others like me, I prioritize my feelings. So I won’t back down until I’m convinced.”

Kim Chayoung spoke with a calm expression. What does he mean by being convinced? Maybe it was just a random comment, and I was overreacting. Besides, I decided not to assign meaning to Kim Chayoung’s words and actions.

So I forgot. Kim Chayoung’s popularity wasn’t limited by gender.

“Chayoung oppa. Hello. Are you just eating now?”

It was Shin Yoona.

Even considering this was the art department, I ran into her far too often. Aside from Kim Chayoung and Shin Youngmin, who took the same liberal arts class, she was the art department person I saw most frequently.

She approached me directly, not even bothering to buy a meal ticket, with two friends in tow.

I focused on eating, lowering my head. Kim Chayoung’s gaze clung to the top of my head.

“Oppa, you looked so happy today, I thought you were on a date. But you’re eating with a friend?”

A date? That’s an impossible misunderstanding.

“Did I look happy?”

“More like you seemed excited. You know, like the feeling before a field trip.”

“Did I really seem like that?”

Kim Chayoung touched his face with the back of his hand. I thought he looked the same as usual. Even if he seemed excited, it probably had nothing to do with me, or rather, it definitely didn’t.

Realizing her concern was unfounded, Shin Yoona spoke with a cheerful expression. She chatted about trivial things—how she had too many assignments or how difficult they were.

Thanks to that, the brief conversation between Kim Chayoung and me was cut short.

“That professor checks even the font and spacing. If it’s not the specified font, the report score is zero.”

“Yoona.”

A quiet voice called Shin Yoona.

“Yes, oppa. Go ahead!”

Seeing her eyes shining with anticipation, I realized she had a crush on Kim Chayoung. I noticed at the pub, but now it was certain. It probably spread as a rumor in the department. My spoon moved noticeably faster.

“Didn’t you come to eat? Your friends are waiting.”

“Oh, we’re fine. Don’t worry about us.”

Not expecting him to mention them, Shin Yoona’s friends waved their hands.

“Really? But we’re not.”

Lee Jinha, who had been quietly eating, looked up. We? Was I included in that ‘we’?

Kim Chayoung’s lips curved into a light smile, and though his tone was gentle, his voice was lower than usual. It was a look he had when something bothered him. For some reason, Kim Chayoung seemed uncomfortable with the situation.

After a moment of silence, Shin Yoona called out, “Sunbae.”

“Am I being a bother? If your friend says I’m in the way, I’ll go somewhere else.”

Shin Yoona was looking at Lee Jinha, not Kim Chayoung.

It was a question, but the answer was practically decided. Lee Jinha quickly swallowed the food in his mouth and opened his mouth to speak.