LD Chapter 1

‘Haa….’

No matter how much I exhaled, the burning lump in my chest wouldn’t dissipate. It felt as if my entire body was engulfed in a fierce pillar of fire. The more I struggled to escape, the tighter the force binding me became.

Soft, hot lips pressed against my skin like a seal. Each time, my heated flesh whimpered. As I writhed in unbearable ecstasy, the thing filling me squirmed and pushed deeper.

‘Stay still….’

‘Ahh….’

‘…Hyunsoo….’

The heated whisper of his name in his ear felt unfamiliar.

‘Ah… Ah!’

That wasn’t the only unfamiliar thing. This sensation, starting from down below and spreading throughout my body, roughly ravaged me under the guise of tenderness. It was so agonizing it resembled pain, yet it was thrilling enough to make my fingers and toes tremble. Tears streamed down my face, and the sheer pleasure sent shivers down my spine.

‘Woo Hyunsoo….’

And a voice, like a groan, brushed against my ear.

* * *

It had been a whole two years since I last attended school. After enlisting in the military right after my freshman year and being discharged, I’d taken about half a year off. Now I returned to the campus which was still as beautiful and vibrant as ever. Though it had already been several months since my discharge, it was only after smelling the familiar scent of the school that the reality of my return to society truly sunk in.

Despite being March, a strong, cold wind, still carrying the chill of winter ruffled my hair. But it couldn’t disturb the excitement and energy overflowing on campus. People dressed in spring clothes, despite the biting wind unsuited for early March, passed by me.

“…They must be cold.”

I muttered, watching a group of obvious freshmen, shivering in their thin jackets, yet still looking excited, before trudging on. I’d only been at school for a year, but I was already acting like a senior.

Arriving at the Business Administration building, I tilted his head back and looked up. Admiring the magnificent exterior, renowned for its beauty and considered one of the most imposing structures on campus, I felt a surge of pride for my school and a flutter in my heart, just like when I first enrolled here.

Taking a small breath to calm my overly enthusiastic heart, I entered the building. Inside, it was already bustling with people. Perhaps due to the nervousness and excitement of a new semester, everyone’s faces were slightly flushed. I discreetly checked my reflection on my phone and smoothed my windblown hair before heading towards the stairs.

I chuckled to myself, realizing I was being overly sentimental even finding the smell of the lecture hall pleasant. Rubbing the back of my neck, I scanned the room and settled into a seat in the very back.

I was the first among my peers to enlist. So now, as a sophomore returning to university, most of my friends were currently serving their military duty, or were already upperclassmen. Still, since I had many friends he got along with before, sitting alone in the lecture hall felt a bit lonely.

Wondering if I might spot any familiar faces, I looked around and my eyes landed on one.

“Oh?”

I unconsciously let out a small sound of surprise. It was a somewhat unexpected person. As if hearing me, Ha Jungyoon, sitting a few rows ahead, turned around. A greeting reflexively tumbled out of my mouth.

“Hi…?”

“Oh? Woo Hyunsoo, long time no see.”

Ha Jungyoon responded with a smile and a casual greeting. And that was it. Without lingering, Ha Jungyoon turned back and started talking to the guy next to him, most likely a junior. 

I could only scratch my cheek with my hand, which had been hovering awkwardly in the air. I hadn’t expected to see Ha Jungyoon here. And it seemed he had already made acquaintances with the juniors on the first day of the semester. 

Impressive. I rested my chin on my hand and stared at Ha Jungyoon.

Ha Jungyoon. 

Ha Jungyoon, with a name like the blue sky and white clouds, could be defined in one phrase, albeit a bit over-the-top and childish, he is the Business Administration Department’s idol. Not only popular with the general public, but also with a large number of die-hard fans, he was a truly global idol.

Ha Jungyoon had captivated everyone’s attention with his mere appearance at the freshman orientation. Everyone was busy stealing glances at Ha Jungyoon, the owner of such a stunning appearance.

First, it was his delicate features, and then, his surprisingly well-built physique. Although one might question how he could judge someone’s body while they were wearing thick winter clothes, Ha Jungyoon’s objective physical attributes were undeniably excellent. His tall stature, nearing 190cm, with long limbs to match, and broad shoulders, were enough to attract the attention from not only the opposite sex but also the same sex.

Ha Jungyoon’s appearance, upon closer inspection, one might describe him as pretty rather than handsome. The curves of his face were soft, and his skin was fair. The corners of his eyes slanted slightly upwards, which made his expression seem somewhat aloof when he wasn’t smiling.

Because of this, everyone at the freshman orientation kept stealing glances at Ha Jungyoon but hesitated to approach him. It was a time when everyone was busy sizing each other up, observing, and judging.

Ha Jungyoon’s exceptional good looks inevitably evoked not only admiration but also a sense of distance, making it difficult for people to approach him readily. In this ambiguous atmosphere, the first to act was none other than Ha Jungyoon himself.

Ha Jungyoon sat down at any empty seat, greeted the person next to him, and introduced himself. He was so sociable that, amidst the slightly awkward and tense atmosphere, the group Ha Jungyoon belonged to was the first to burst into laughter, joke around, and create a lively atmosphere.

Ha Jungyoon effortlessly shattered everyone’s preconceived expectations of him that he would just pretend to fit in, in order to maintain his image. Exchanging numbers with his classmates without hesitation, clinking glasses, joking around, and talking about his favorite sports or games, he was every bit any other twenty-year-old. Perhaps because of his exceptional looks, even these ordinary actions maximized everyone’s liking for him.

His easygoing personality toned down his striking appearance, allowing him to blend in naturally with his classmates. Thus, Ha Jungyoon became the handsome classmate who elevated the group’s status for the guys, and for the girls, he became someone they could potentially approach romantically, rather than someone entirely out of reach.

Moreover, there was the rather shocking and unexpected revelation he made in the midst of the lively atmosphere…

…This rather cringeworthy story was relayed to me later by Kim Jooyeon, as I couldn’t attend the freshman orientation due to personal reasons.

I chuckled to myself, remembering Kim Jooyeon’s serious face as she gathered with classmates, betting on whether what Ha Jungyoon had said during the truth-or-dare game at the orientation was true or false. Then, my phone suddenly vibrated, shaking me out of my reverie, and I got up from my seat.

It seemed I couldn’t help being a sentimental fool.

“Hey, Kim Jooyeon.”

Since I had some time left before class and wanted to wake up my brain with some caffeine, I held my phone close to my ear and left the lecture hall.

“It’s me. You’re in the lecture hall… right?”

Just before stepping out the door, I thought I made eye contact with Ha Jungyoon, but it was so fleeting I couldn’t be sure.

“Yeah, yeah. Got it. Yeah, I said I got it.”

Kim Jooyeon insisted that our first lunch together after my return to school had to be with her, urging me to wait in front of the Business Administration building before hanging up.

The casual laughter that had interspersed in our conversation evaporated the moment the call ended. Looking down at my phone with the paper cup in my mouth, I sighed deeply.

“Haa….”

Despite everything, it was good to hear her voice. I still felt a slight flutter in my heart, which was both the good and the bad part. Crumpling the cup with teeth marks and tossing it into the trash can, I tried to calm my churning emotions when suddenly, the back of my head was smacked.

“Ugh!”

“Hey! Woo Hyunsoo!”

I already knew who the owner of that loud, booming voice was, and it instantly irritated me. Momentarily stunned by the unexpected attack, I slowly raised my head and turned around.

“You punk, you don’t even greet your hyung after seeing me for the first time in ages? You’ve gotten cocky, haven’t you?” 

Of course, I couldn’t greet him because I hadn’t even seen him. And if I had spotted him earlier, I would have quickly escaped before being noticed.

“Hyung, you’re still… as violent as ever.”

And as rude and inconsiderate as ever, too. Rubbing the back of my aching head, I forced out a greeting to this unwelcome figure.

“Hey, you punk. You went to the military without telling anyone, right? Those kids were making a fuss over you going to the army. Like you were some kind of deserter¹ or something.” 

I hadn’t deserted. My plan from the beginning was to enlist in the military right after my freshman year, and I had simply enlisted quietly because I didn’t see the need for a fuss.

As I remained silent, not wanting to engage in conversation, Choi Taeyoung scanned me up and down.

“Wow, even Woo Hyunsoo is no exception. You went to the army and came back all washed up? See? I told you not to get cocky just because of your face.”

I had never gotten cocky because of my face. I didn’t even have the face for it. More than anything, I was getting increasingly annoyed at being subjected to this sudden, unwelcome violence disguised as a friendly greeting from Choi Taeyoung, whom I wasn’t even close to.

“…Yeah, well. Looks like hyung has been to the military too?”

You’re the one who’s washed up, you bastard, was the implied meaning behind my polite words. It wasn’t a joke and Choi Taeyoung’s already crumpled face was now even more contorted.

“Ha, this punk, looks like you didn’t even know about his hyung’s news.”

There was absolutely no reason for me to know.

“Fucking hell, I was stationed in a shitty unit and worked my ass off.”

As expected, it was a story I wasn’t interested in the slightest. I felt sorry for the nameless, faceless juniors who had served with Choi Taeyoung. As Choi Taeyoung started rambling about the long-winded story about the “taste of society” and the “scent of campus,” I quickly interrupted him.

“Okay, hyung. I have to go to class.”

I tried to end the conversation and turn away, but Choi Taeyoung grabbed my arm. I couldn’t control my expression and my brows furrowed involuntarily.

“Are you taking Management Information Systems too?”

Anxiety and irritation washed over me at the same time.

“Oh, perfect! Damn, I was worried I’d be taking it alone.”

No… way.

I shouldn’t have gone for coffee. Why did I even bother trying to stimulate my brain with caffeine? If I had someone I knew in the class, I could have used them as an excuse to ditch Choi Taeyoung, but unfortunately, I was alone.

“Where’s your seat?”

Entering the lecture hall with Choi Taeyoung, I listlessly pointed at the desk where my bag was placed. Choi Taeyoung boisterously sat down next to me and called out loudly.

“What are you doing, you punk? Sit down!”

Is this… your living room…?

I grumbled inwardly and sat down.

“Oh? What? Isn’t that Ha Jungyoon?”

Choi Taeyoung’s obnoxious voice echoed loudly through the peaceful lecture hall.

“That punk, he suddenly took a leave of absence and ran off to the military too. When did he even come back? You taking this class too? You punk, you should greet your hyung first when you see me.”

Ha Jungyoon, turning around, gave Choi Taeyoung a curt nod without any expression. Choi Taeyoung muttered under his breath, “That disrespectful bastard.” Even a greeting was met with criticism. Then, he turned to me, pulling up his thick lips into a smirk.

“Got a pen?”

…Should I just drop this class?

* * *

After the first class ended, Choi Taeyoung followed me out of the lecture hall.

Ugh, go away….

I sighed softly and purposely walked faster after getting off the elevator, but Choi Taeyoung caught up and nudged my shoulder.

“Lunch? Cafeteria?”

“Ah, I…”

I already had plans with Kim Jooyeon, and more importantly, I had absolutely no intention of spending the rest of my college life stuck with Choi Taeyoung. However, I couldn’t be too blunt with someone I would continue to see around campus. As I was trying to find the right words, something that would effectively turn him down easily, when…

“Woo Hyunsoo!”

I reflexively turned my head at the sound of my name. The tension around my eyes, strained from thinking hard, instantly relaxed.

“Kim Jooyeon.”

“Ha! Seriously, how long has it been?”

Kim Jooyeon approached me, glaring playfully, then burst into laughter.

“Ah, I can’t even be mad. Are you sure you were in the military? Did you lie and just go on vacation or something? Why is your face even whiter?” 

“Don’t doubt someone who served their country, Jooyeon. I dug holes in the army the size of your room.” 

“Ugh, I hate it, really. Hearing you talk like that confirms you’re a veteran.”

“Sorry.”

“Good to know.”

I quickly apologized, and Kim Jooyeon nodded seriously. Then, she belatedly acknowledged Choi Taeyoung, who was awkwardly standing next to us.

“Oh, hello… Oppa², you’re back too? You suddenly disappeared, were you also in the military?”

“You notice me now? You should greet your senior respectfully first…”

“Yeah, whatever. But that army base must have been really tough. Wow… you must have suffered a lot.”

Kim Jooyeon wrinkled her nose, scanning Choi Taeyoung up and down sarcastically.

“Woo Hyunsoo.”

I watched the two of them nervously, slightly worried that Choi Taeyoung, whose personality matched his unpleasant face, would lash out at Kim Jooyeon. Just then, I heard a voice from beside Kim Jooyeon and turned to see Jung Chanyoung greeting me.

“Long time no see.”

“Oh? Jung Chanyoung?”

He was just as unexpected as seeing Ha Jungyoon in the lecture hall earlier. I was so surprised that my eyes widened slightly.

“Ah… yeah. It has been a while. How have you been?”

“I’m… fine.”

Me and Jung Chanyoung had only exchanged occasional greetings during our freshman year, so I didn’t have much to say. 

Why was Kim Jooyeon with Jung Chanyoung, anyway? 

As an awkward silence threatened to fill the gap in our conversation, Kim Jooyeon waved her hand widely behind me.

“Hey! Ha Jungyoon, come quick!”

Ha Jungyoon?

I turned around and saw Ha Jungyoon walking towards us with a smile.

“It’s so good to see our precious classmates after so long. Let’s go, I’m hungry. Lunch is on me to celebrate our return. By the way, did you guys find the lecture halls alright? Didn’t get lost, did you? Ha Jungyoon, how come you don’t look like a veteran at all? Neither does Woo Hyunsoo. Must be easy in the military these days?”

Kim Jooyeon bombarded us with questions, glancing back and forth between Ha Jungyoon and me, then gave a half-hearted greeting to the disgruntled Choi Taeyoung.

“We’ll be going now. Uh… what was I saying? Goodbye.”

Then, without waiting for Choi Taeyoung’s reply, she turned around. I suddenly found myself awkwardly following Kim Jooyeon, along with Ha Jungyoon and Jung Chanyoung.

“Ha… Seriously, do you have no guts? Or no brains? Are you a pushover or something? Why did you bring that jerk along? Were you planning on having a cozy lunch just the two of you? Like, sharing your hardships from the military and discussing what veterans should do in the future or something?”

As soon as we were far enough from Choi Taeyoung, Kim Jooyeon started nagging.

“Are you crazy… I was trying to get rid of him.”

“Don’t make me laugh.”

“…I’m serious, though?”

My protesting voice grew smaller and smaller.

“Seriously, you’re way too soft. Don’t you know even the seniors ditched Choi Taeyoung? That’s why he ran off to the military. Because he had no one to hang out with. And how dare he act all friendly? The ugly bastard. Ruining my mood on the first day of the semester.”

Kim Jooyeon intensely disliked ugly men. 

Observing Kim Jooyeon’s genuine indignation, I subtly nudged Ha Jungyoon’s shoulder. Ha Jungyoon seemed to understand my intention and leaned toward Kim Jooyeon with a bright smile. Kim Jooyeon let out a scoff, “Ha, seriously. Unbelievable,” and walked ahead. Jung Chanyoung smiled and followed Kim Jooyeon, opening the cafeteria door for her.

Anyway, since when did Kim Jooyeon and Jung Chanyoung get close?

“Let’s go too.”

“Oh? Oh.”

Tilting my head in confusion at this unexpected combination, I followed Ha Jungyoon inside.