WW | Chapter 46

“What?”

It was such a weak answer that it made Yul let out a hollow laugh. While she could’ve let it slide, a stubborn streak arose within her.

“Then think of me as a guy and call me by my name.”

“You’re a guy?”

“Then am I a girl to you?”

“……”

Yoonjo, who had been answering without hesitation, suddenly stopped talking. He must’ve realized that the conversation had taken a different turn. What started as a silly argument had veered into uncharted territory. But instead of feeling awkward, Yul found it even more amusing. It was rare to see the confident, cheeky Yoonjo falter.

Oh? So he does have a shy side after all?

Sensing an opportunity, Yul grinned and pressed him further.

“Come on, Yoonjo. Am I a girl to you or not?”

It was a difficult question to answer. A careless response could sound like a confession, and saying the wrong thing could lead to misunderstandings. If he said no, it might hurt Yul, so he’d have to sugarcoat it. Either way, it wasn’t an easy question.

“You’re coming on strong, Seomun Yul.”

Finally, Yoonjo, who had been sitting quietly, smirked as if ready to counterattack.

“What, are you flustered?”

“Nope. Actually, I like this. I can play this game too.”

His relaxed reply and playful smile made Yul feel like she was losing ground.

He turned toward her, placing the rabbit doll aside, and rested his hand near her thigh. In the dimly lit, confined space, their proximity created a tension Yul had never felt before.

“Do you want me to treat you like a girl?”

“What?”

“Should I make you feel like one? I could do that if you want.”

Yoonjo tilted his head closer, lifting her chin with his hand. His thumb brushed over her lips, parting them slightly as it grazed the soft skin inside.

Yul’s body tensed, a chill running down her spine. The Yoonjo in front of her was someone she’d never seen before—dark, intense, almost dangerous. She didn’t think he’d actually do anything, but the tension made it hard for her to speak.

“Get your hand off me.”

“Oh, now you’re scared? Do you even know what you’re messing with?”

“……”

“You’ve been pushing my buttons all day, and now you’re playing coy in a place like this?”

“When did I—!”

Yul stammered, her mind blank as she struggled to respond. Their conversation had spiraled far beyond its original course. Sure, she had crossed the line first, but it had been a harmless joke. She never expected him to escalate things this much.

“You said this doll represents you, right?”

“……”

“I appreciate the gift, but have you considered what might happen to this doll tonight?”

At his words, Yul’s thoughts came to a screeching halt. Yoonjo had never said anything like this before, nor had he ever exuded such a dangerous vibe. She hadn’t thought he was capable of this side of himself.

She always associated this kind of sultry intensity with people like Park Geonju.

The strangest part, though, was that while the situation was unsettling and nerve-wracking, it didn’t feel dirty or repulsive, unlike her experiences with Geonju.

Yul’s wide, trembling eyes darted around nervously, and Yoonjo’s stern expression began to crack. Finally, he broke into laughter, his tension dissolving as he pulled away. Stroking the rabbit doll’s head, he whispered sweetly.

“Relax, Bunny. I won’t eat you up.”

“Who’s scared?”

Embarrassed and indignant, Yul raised her voice before quickly averting her gaze. In the end, she couldn’t deny she was the “Bunny” he teased.

Yoonjo smirked, pinching the rabbit’s face repeatedly. Once again, she had gained nothing from their banter.

It was past nine at night when they arrived in front of Yul’s house. Despite her insistence that he didn’t need to walk her home, Yoonjo had accompanied her anyway.

Under the streetlight near the villa’s entrance, the two of them stopped. The cold winter wind swirled around them, as if preparing to separate them.

“I had so much fun today,” Yul said brightly, hugging the rabbit doll close.

It was the most enjoyable day of her life. She had talked more than usual, acted cutely, and done things she normally wouldn’t, yet Yoonjo had taken it all in stride without a single complaint.

“Go inside. It’s cold.”

Yoonjo gestured toward her house with a tilt of his head. His expression, gaze, and voice were the same as always, but somehow they felt even more endearing.

“You go first.”

“Go inside.”

“I’ll feel bad if you don’t leave first. It’s my fault you came all this way.”

Yul stubbornly stood her ground. Tonight, she wanted to watch him walk away. Seeing her resolute stance, Yoonjo chuckled softly and stepped back.

“Alright. Rest well.”

Yul watched him walk away, his figure growing smaller as he left the glow of the streetlight and disappeared from view.

I’m sorry, Yoonjo.

Tears welled up, spilling over as she bit her lip. She hadn’t been able to tell him that tonight was their last.

Pastor Choi had agreed to pay off her debt on one condition: that she disappear from everyone’s lives, including Jungwoo and her other acquaintances. She had no choice but to accept, prioritizing her and her grandmother’s safety and peace above all else.

She didn’t want to hold Yoonjo back anymore. The thought of being a burden in his life or making him give up anything for her was unbearable. It was all too much for her.

Yoonjo, I want to let go of everything and feel free. But among the things I have to leave behind, you’re one of them.

If a miracle happens and we meet again, I hope it’s not on a cold day like today. Let it be under cherry blossoms, blooming like snow.

Goodbye, Kang Yoonjo.

Farewell, my boyfriend.

It was the day of the closing ceremony, but Yul hadn’t shown up.

Yoonjo glanced at her desk, her chair tucked neatly under it. Normally, she’d be in class at least 30 minutes before lessons started, but today she was absent. Her unusually tidy desk felt oddly unsettling.

Pulling out his phone, he scrolled through his messages. Apart from their past exchanges, there was nothing new. The call log was the same.

Even as her boyfriend, the frequency of their contact wasn’t much different from that of a stranger.

He turned his head to the window, looking out at the gray world outside. The colorless, lifeless scenery seemed dull and unremarkable. Something about it bothered him.

Resting his forehead in his hand, Yoonjo closed his eyes. Just then, the classroom door opened, and the homeroom teacher walked in.

“Why is it so noisy? You lot don’t care about studying but get so excited about vacations,” the teacher scolded, prompting a few students to jokingly protest.

After silencing the class with a couple of smacks on the desk, the teacher continued.

“I don’t have much to say. Just stay out of trouble whether you’re sitting or standing. Got it? Oh, and Seomun Yul won’t be attending this school anymore due to personal reasons. Keep that in mind.”

The announcement caused a stir among the students. Yoonjo, who had been half-listening, slowly sat up as the words sank in.

The teacher left after giving some general vacation instructions, and the noise in the classroom soon died down.

If Yul had been a more social or noticeable student, the reaction might’ve been bigger. But as a loner, her absence barely registered.

Seomun Yul quit school? Why?

Unable to believe it, Yoonjo asked himself. When he couldn’t find an answer, he abruptly stood up, the sound of his chair scraping against the floor drawing the class’s attention. Ignoring their stares, he grabbed his bag and left the room.

His teeth clenched tightly, and his heart pounded with unease. He couldn’t explain why he felt so anxious, but the feeling was undeniable.

“Teacher!”

He caught up with the homeroom teacher and called out.

“Oh, Yoonjo.”

“What happened to Seomun Yul?”

“You didn’t know?”

The teacher tilted his head in surprise. Everyone, including the teachers, knew about Yoonjo and Yul’s relationship, so he had assumed Yoonjo would be informed.

“Where did she transfer to?”

“She didn’t transfer. She dropped out.”

“What?”

“She came by a few days ago and insisted on leaving, no matter what I said to dissuade her. She even asked me not to tell anyone, though I didn’t expect that to include you. I didn’t think she had it in her, but… Hey! Yoonjo!”

The teacher’s words trailed off as Yoonjo stormed away, ignoring the call from behind.

He walked straight out of the school gates with his bag in hand. Standing by the roadside, he tried calling Yul, but her phone was turned off, as if she had planned it.

Before heading to her house, he stopped by the convenience store where she worked.

The bell above the door jangled sharply as he pushed it open, making an agitated sound. The store owner, standing behind the counter, frowned before recognizing Yoonjo and greeting him with a smile.

“What brings you here, kid?”

“Is Seomun Yul working today? Was she here yesterday?”

“No? She quit on Christmas Eve.”

“What… What did you say?”

Yoonjo’s face went blank as he repeated the words.

Christmas Eve.

The day they had gone on a fun date. She hadn’t said a word about quitting her job or shown any signs of it. Everything had seemed normal.

“Ah, shit,” Yoonjo muttered, cursing under his breath.