LA0S | Chapter 27

Kim Chayoung laughed out loud after seeing Lee Jinha’s expression. The dimples on his cheeks deepened diagonally, revealing his Indian dimples clearly.

“Hey. If you’re not going to order, just leave.”

He said, pretending to be annoyed. Kim Chayoung checked his watch and then sat down at an empty seat near the counter.

“I don’t have to order alcohol, right? Just a cheese omelet and a soda.”

As Lee Jinha returned from placing the order in the kitchen, Kim Chayoung called out to him.

“Why did Lee Jinha call me out of the blue?”

Kim Chayoung raised his eyes and scanned Lee Jinha standing in front of him. Lee Jinha avoided his gaze and turned his head.

“Your expression seems worse than usual today. Is it related to that?”

The laughter quickly faded from his face as he asked seriously.

“Why would my expression be bad? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He had just been told he looked lively, not like someone sick. Even the boss had complimented him for moving quickly today. So, no one should know, and no one should find out that something was off with him.

“You’ve looked pale for the past few days. Today, it’s even stranger. Is the part-time job too hard?”

“…No.”

“Then is there something else going on? What is it?”

Lee Jinha took a deep breath. The air felt stifling, mixed with the heat from the gas burners scattered around the tables and the various food smells.

“Chayoung oppa! You’re here?”

Both of their gazes turned simultaneously toward the entrance of the store.

Shin Yoona walked in with a bright smile. Her straight hair cascaded in soft waves, and she wore a blouse made of light, airy fabric paired with a flared skirt. Her makeup and outfit were more put-together than usual.

Kim Chayoung’s once-relaxed expression turned rigid the moment he saw her.

Kim Chayoung didn’t seem to fully grasp the situation at first, his gaze alternating between Lee Jinha and Shin Yoona. Then, as if realizing something, he let out a small, bitter laugh. The smile that had been on his lips vanished, and his mouth twisted into a smirk. The sheer mockery in his expression was enough to chill the atmosphere.

Shin Yoona, seemingly unaware of Kim Chayoung’s shift in demeanor, continued showering him with compliments, saying he looked especially handsome today.

Kim Chayoung didn’t respond.

Slowly, Shin Yoona’s voice faded.

“Chayoung oppa. …I have something to tell you. It’s important.”

“….”

“It’s a bit noisy here, so let’s talk outside. I’ll explain everything.”

Shin Yoona lightly tugged at the end of his coat sleeve. Kim Chayoung didn’t even glance at her, keeping his eyes fixed on Lee Jinha. His gaze was cold and intense, more like a glare.

“Was this it?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He answered evasively, keeping his eyes fixed on the water bottle on the table. Even he knew his words were flimsy—there was no way Kim Chayoung would believe them.

Kim Chayoung let out a scoff, lowered his head, then tilted it slightly. The anger that spread across his usually gentle eyes was fierce. He took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress his rage, and swallowed.

“Is it you or her?”

“What?”

“Who created this messed-up situation.”

Shin Yoona’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Did she hear that right? Was she mistaken?

The first time she met Kim Chayoung was in a major class lecture room. She had attended all the freshman orientations and gatherings, but unfortunately, Kim Chayoung hadn’t been there.

She had felt drawn to him the moment he quietly slipped in through the back door just before the first class of the new semester started. She wanted to get closer, but since he never attended any gatherings, opportunities were scarce.

Even without doing anything in particular, he was always the center of attention. The fact that he had left a prestigious university abroad to enroll at Hanguk University—and that he was four years older—was a constant topic of conversation.

Of course, what people talked about the most was his handsome face.

He didn’t have the awkwardness typical of freshmen or the slyness of older students trying to flirt with girls. He was easy and fun to talk to. She liked his small gestures—opening drink cans for her, carrying her bags, or holding the door until she was completely out.

Shin Yoona found an opportunity when she joined the student council at her brother’s suggestion. Kim Chayoung was there. Although he wasn’t an official member, he often stopped by the student council room. And since Shin Yoona practically lived there, their frequent encounters naturally gave them more chances to talk. She considered herself closer to him than her peers or the other female seniors.

Recently, Kim Chayoung had even led the way to a bar near the school. Although there was another person with them—and though he didn’t drink a drop—she still felt good about it.

When did it start—this strange change in Kim Chayoung?

It was probably around the time he began preparing for the contest. He stopped visiting the student council, and even when he was working on assignments in the lecture room or studio, he would suddenly disappear. His phone was always with him, and he checked it whenever he had the chance.

There’s definitely something. It’s suspicious.

After checking with her brother, who was close to Kim Chayoung, she found out that he didn’t have a girlfriend. There was still room to dig deeper.

She tried to find a way to spend time alone with him, but the situation wasn’t favorable. Whenever she attempted to bring it up, he would either disappear or change the subject.

Then, she remembered the sunbae who was preparing for the contest with Kim Chayoung. He claimed they weren’t close, but she didn’t believe it. Even if that were true, she figured he could at least arrange a meeting—so she asked for his help.

“Can’t you hear me? Should I ask her then?”

The gaze that had been fixed on Lee Jinha shifted to Shin Yoona. His eyes, filled with undisguised irritation, locked onto her accusingly.

Shin Yoona flinched involuntarily and let go of the sleeve she had been holding.

“Did you tell Lee Jinha to call me out?”

Shin Yoona bit her lip. She had a feeling that nodding would be a bad idea, leaving her stuck, unable to do anything.

Was Kim Chayoung always this scary?

The Kim Chayoung she knew had always been kind and gentle to everyone.

“Hey. Why are you picking a fight?”

At that moment, Lee Jinha stepped forward and spoke bluntly.

Can’t you see she’s scared? How can she speak properly when a big guy is cornering her like that?

Kim Chayoung’s eyes quickly turned to him, as if he had been waiting for this.

“I’m just asking. If you two planned this, shouldn’t the person involved know?”

“Just go.”

Instead of answering, Lee Jinha spoke to the girl who was hunched over, only watching the situation.

Huh? Shin Yoona blinked and looked at Lee Jinha.

“I haven’t heard any answers yet, so what are you two doing?”

Kim Chayoung’s voice was low and heavy—a tone Lee Jinha had never heard before.

Once again, Lee Jinha gestured for Shin Yoona to leave. Before stepping out of the store, she cast a glance at Kim Chayoung, who was still staring intently at Lee Jinha.

I thought the rumors about them not getting along were just jokes, but were they true?

I’ve never seen Kim Chayoung this angry.

It was definitely him, but… he didn’t seem like the person she knew.

Lee Jinha’s gaze followed her retreating figure. Her hurried steps made it clear—she was flustered.

“Hey. Where are you looking?”

The gaze that had been fixed on Shin Yoona’s back shifted back to Kim Chayoung. His straight eyebrows were furrowed in displeasure.

Irritated, Kim Chayoung ruffled his hair. His neatly arranged strands became tousled under his touch.

“Did you send Shin Yoona away because you thought I’d do something to her? You’re so damn considerate, Lee Jinha.”

“What would you do? I don’t even know why you’re so angry. Shin Yoona is in the same department as you.”

“Ha, you even know her name.”

His sarcastic muttering was sharp, like thorns. Not telling Kim Chayoung that Shin Yoona was coming and calling him out like this could certainly feel like deception. It would be absurd from the opposite perspective too. But even so, Kim Chayoung’s anger was beyond comprehension. Wasn’t he acting as if he had been betrayed?

When asked to call Kim Chayoung, he had been reluctant. He knew exactly why she wanted to meet him. Even though they were nothing now, he had once really liked him—and they had briefly dated. Playing the role of a matchmaker wasn’t exactly pleasant.

But at the same time, a part of him thought that if Shin Yoona and Kim Chayoung hit it off, maybe this inexplicable discomfort lingering in his heart would finally disappear.

His uncertain feelings wavered in many directions.

It was half out of obligation, half out of his own will. He was pushed into it, but he also called Kim Chayoung himself. He hadn’t expected it to turn into this situation.

“Do you know that? You really have a knack for making people feel like crap. You’ve always been like that. You’re a selfish bastard.”

Lee Jinha, who had been looking down, raised his head. He never expected to hear the word “selfish” from Kim Chayoung.

“If you feel deceived, I’m sorry. I apologize. But don’t you feel guilty calling me selfish? Actually, I… ha, never mind. Let’s just drop it.”

If they continued talking, it seemed like the conversation would drift to “that day.” The time when he realized Kim Chayoung’s true feelings. Remembering it felt like sinking into the depths of the ocean. Continuously, endlessly, into the bottomless sea.

“What was it? Why did you stop talking?”

“I don’t want to talk anymore with someone who’s just angry. Shin Yoona’s gone, so you should stop and go back. You don’t need to pay.”

“Since when did you get close enough to call her by name? Jinha. You always told me to stop caring about you, right? Then you should stop caring about her. Stop doing these pointless things.”

Kim Chayoung quickly spat out words filled with emotion. His reaction was too excessive. What on earth was he so upset about?

“I thought you and Shin Yoona were getting along well, so….”

“Shut up.”

Kim Chayoung cut him off.

The customers in the store watched the two with curious eyes. They seemed to sense that the atmosphere between them was serious. Well, it would be strange not to notice when they were openly growling at each other.

“Don’t say anything more. I don’t even know how I’ll react.”

Kim Chayoung warned, almost growling.