LA0S | Chapter 5

At this point, Lee Jinha hoped Kim Chayoung would have given up. Chayoung seemed laid-back but was actually quite proud, and surely even he had his limits… It was really over. There wouldn’t be any more sightings of him. However, that thought disappeared the moment he saw Chayoung waiting at the campus bus stop.

“So you’ve decided to stop deliberately being late for class, huh?”

Kim Chayoung’s lips twisted into a smirk.

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By now, Jinha just wanted to have whatever conversation Chayoung was after and end it all. Seeing him always made Jinha’s blood boil to the point he thought he’d develop hypertension. He only had his body to look after, so he needed to be cautious.

“You finally feel like talking?”

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Despite Jinha’s fed-up tone, Chayoung simply grinned widely, a refreshing smile that everyone seemed to love.

“…”

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“Is there something on my face?”

“I’m considering whether to hit you or not.”

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Chayoung laughed out loud at Jinha’s quietly muttered response, then checked the time.

“You don’t have a class after this, right? I’ll wait in the lounge. Come over when you’re ready. And if you run away again, I’ll chase you, just so you know.”

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“Fine, just go away already.”

Throughout the class, Jinha couldn’t focus. His mind was filled with clutter.

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What could Chayoung possibly want to talk about after following him for nearly two weeks? The Chayoung Jinha knew wasn’t this persistent. Had he changed in the time they hadn’t seen each other, or was there some other reason? Jinha couldn’t guess Chayoung’s intentions.

“No way.”

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No, what do I know about him anyway. Kim Chayoung was always playing with people with a nonchalant face. Even back then…

The class ended without Jinha absorbing anything. Great, this part was going to be on the final exam. He’d have to borrow notes from Yoon Sejin later.

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He slung his backpack on, unsettled. It was always heavy and cluttered because he carried books and other stuff. A school locker was only about 10,000 won a semester. With that money, he could buy a few meals instead. Choosing food was obviously the sensible choice.

“…”

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He felt uneasy all the way to the lounge.

Should I just not go? He debated this while walking down the long corridor and climbing the stairs. He even turned back halfway. As he sighed deeply and kept walking, the sign for the lounge came into view.

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He straightened his slouched back, dusted off his clothes, and took a deep breath. He exhaled slowly and peeked into the lounge.

Kim Chayoung was sitting at an empty spot next to the window, just like when they had met at the art department. He was sketching something in his notebook. It didn’t look like notes; it seemed like he was drawing. Jinha paused for a moment, watching his apparently serious expression from a distance.

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All eyes in the lounge seemed to be drawn to Chayoung, which wasn’t an exaggeration. The space, usually filled with noise, was unusually quiet today. More than just quiet, there was a strange, buzzing tension in the air, a common occurrence whenever Chayoung was around.

One would think the attention might be uncomfortable, but Chayoung didn’t seem bothered at all. After all, being stared at wasn’t a new experience for him.

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Seeing Chayoung now felt weird. Jinha couldn’t precisely define how he felt, but it was something akin to discomfort. He definitely didn’t want to meet him.

The moment Jinha let out a shallow breath, Chayoung looked up sharply. His gaze was direct and unwavering as it met Jinha’s. Their eyes locked before Jinha could react.

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“Lee Jinha.”

Here, here. Chayoung lifted an arm enthusiastically and started waving. Not satisfied with just that, he even stood up. Instantly, everyone in the lounge turned to look at Jinha.

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Damn it. Jinha wanted to turn around and flee but instead walked toward Chayoung.

“What do you want to talk about that you’ve been hassling me so much? If it’s something trivial, I won’t let it slide.”

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“Why would I hassle you?”

Chayoung tilted his head as if confused. Wasn’t he the one who’d been showing up at every classroom and waiting during breaks? If that wasn’t bothering him, what was? Chayoung frowned at Jinha’s scowling face, then sat down and tapped the seat in front of him with his fingertips.

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“I’m not sitting down.”

“Oh? Should we talk while standing then?”

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Chayoung wiggled in his seat again, the chair scraping against the floor. Not wanting to attract more attention, Jinha reluctantly sat down.

“So why are you so obsessed?”

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“Obsessed? Ha.”

Chayoung let out a short laugh, amused. Just as Jinha realized his choice of words might have been peculiar and was about to correct himself, Chayoung tilted his head slightly and spoke. His long eyelashes cast a shadow over his face.

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“Well, it’s not entirely wrong.”

Chayoung murmured quickly, then continued, “Isn’t your bag uncomfortable?” His expression, indecipherable just a moment ago, now wore a painted-on smile.

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“Mind your own business. We’re not going to talk long anyway.”

Hm. Chayoung slightly lifted his head, stroking his chin. Just before they parted last time, Jinha remembered the youthful aura still lingering on Chayoung’s cheeks. Now, his features were more defined, his skin flawless and faintly flushed like a summer peach. The firmness added to his features now only enhanced his allure.

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“Why?”

Chayoung touched his own cheek with the back of his hand as if checking for something.

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“What.”

Jinha responded curtly and looked away. Chayoung seemed slightly puzzled but didn’t say anything more.

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“Have you been doing well? It’s been… a long time.”

“Are we the type to exchange pleasantries?”

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Naturally, his tone wasn’t gentle.

“Yeah. We are.”

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Chayoung looked straight at him, his earlier smile gone, replaced by a serious expression.

Hearing that word “we” made Jinha’s head spin.

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Us. A word that once felt so natural, now so foreign.

It had been four years since they’d parted. How could Chayoung act as if nothing had happened? Jinha couldn’t begin to understand him.

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Ever since their reunion, the nagging feeling in Jinha’s stomach had turned into a violent twist, as if his guts were being wrung out.

“You haven’t eaten, right? Drink this.”

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Chayoung rummaged through his bag and placed two drinks on the table. The cans were slim and adorned with plump peaches, not something sold in the lounge vending machine.

Jinha exhaled deeply and looked up.

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His ex, whom he hadn’t seen in four years, was watching him quietly. His exceptionally dark eyes seemed to scrutinize every reaction.

“No.”

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No. Perhaps the notion that they had dated was his own misconception. Even if Chayoung had felt something, it would have meant something different to him. Not love, then…

Stop. Let’s not think any further. Jinha shook his head, erasing the memories flooding into his mind. This was why he had been avoiding Chayoung. All his efforts seemed futile.

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“I’ve been so well that I might just fly off. Are you satisfied now?”

Chayoung shrugged nonchalantly at Jinha’s sarcastic response, a surprisingly indifferent reaction for someone who had been so persistently inquiring.

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“Did you frequent my classroom just to check if I was doing okay?”

“That was my biggest curiosity.”

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Chayoung leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other. Maybe it was just Jinha’s feeling, but Chayoung’s expression didn’t seem too pleased. As if he had hoped Jinha wasn’t doing well.

Jinha pressed his lips tightly together, dropping his gaze. He probably caught Chayoung’s intense stare. Half-closed eyelids, tensed cheeks, and a firmly set mouth. His gaze seemed to meticulously scan from Jinha’s forehead to his chin, lingering especially long on his lower lip. Chayoung casually leaned forward, closing the gap between them.

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“It’s quite refreshing to see you here, isn’t it?”

“…”

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I, for one, never imagined I’d see you again.

ꕥ

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The first time Kim Chayoung and Lee Jinha met, Jinha was a sophomore in high school, eighteen and naively thinking himself mature. They might have brushed past each other in the halls before, but that was the first time they really spoke.

That day, as usual, Jinha was asleep, sprawled across his desk.

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The window seat at the back of the class was practically his designated spot. Even when others were assigned there, they inevitably ended up giving it up to him, as if it were agreed upon.

Someone shook Jinha’s shoulder to wake him up. What the. Who is it. He forced his sleepy eyes open and lifted his head. A sweaty, shiny-faced guy was looking down at him, grinning so wide that his eyes were nearly closed, a freshness like the newly sprouted leaves on the branches outside the window.

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“…”

Jinha had never expected to feel a sense of freshness from another boy, especially one over 180cm tall.

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“Lee Jinha. Wanna play soccer? We’re short of one player on our team.”

Who is this… Is he from my class? He blinked blankly, unable to recall immediately.

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Aside from collecting homework or group activities, no one really spoke to Jinha. Being a head taller than most and always sleeping during breaks made that natural. Weird rumors at the start of school didn’t help either. He had no particular desire to mingle with the other kids, so he didn’t feel left out or lonely. It was actually more convenient not being disturbed during his naps.

“Me?” Jinha slowly opened his mouth.

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