WW | Chapter 82

“Grandma! Three chicken soup, two chicken noodle soups, please. And make it a lot.”

As soon as they entered the restaurant, Hyeongtae loudly placed the order, having already decided on the menu on the way there.

“Come on in. Sit anywhere you like!”

Grandma Park called out from the kitchen, her face beaming. This was a famous spot in Daehak-ro, usually frequented by Yul, Jieun, and Hyeongtae, but today they were joined by Yoonjo and Minjae, whom they met halfway, making them a party of five.

“Man, how can Professor Kim Muwon fill two whole hours with his lecture? That’s some misguided passion.”

Hyeongtae flopped down and complained as he set down his bag.

“You acknowledge it, but do you have to curse my dad right in front of me?”

Minjae elbowed him playfully. Tired-looking Jieun jumped in before Hyeongtae could retort.

“It’s not cursing, it’s complaining. Why do you even follow us and make us feel awkward about speaking our minds?”

“Wow, Jieun, you’re coming at me like this? Aren’t you scared of what I might say if I open my mouth?”

“I didn’t think you’d be so petty.”

“Oh, that’s rich coming from you.”

“What did you say?”

As Jieun, Minjae, and Hyeongtae bickered, Yul smiled and opened the drawer next to the table to take out spoons and chopsticks for everyone. She laid out tissues in front of everyone when Yoonjo suddenly took the spoon she was holding and started placing them himself.

This was unexpected. He doesn’t seem the type to bother with such things.

Amused by Yoonjo’s atypical behavior, Yul turned her head, smiling to herself. It had only been a few days since they last met due to overlapping weekend plans and MT, but she was already missing her friends dearly. Now, how to bring up her relationship with Yoonjo? She had no intention of broadcasting it, but it felt right to let her close friends know.

Yul looked for an opportunity to speak, stealing glances at Yoonjo. After he finished setting the spoons, he was looking around, eventually fixing his gaze on the graffiti-laden wall behind them. Yul looked too, observing everything from marks left by previous visitors, to wishes, love messages, compliments about the food, and greetings to Grandma.

Before coming to the restaurant, Yul had debated with Yoonjo about whether to tell others about their relationship. Yoonjo had boldly questioned why they should hide it, although he seemed less than thrilled about dealing with Jieun in particular. Trying not to be obvious, Yul bit her lip.

“Hey, Jieun.”

“Yeah. I’m dating Hyeongtae. So what!”

“…”

Jieun’s outburst made Yul’s intended announcement evaporate. She was more shocked to learn about Jieun and Hyeongtae’s relationship than about being scooped. How had this happened? Throughout her time with them, neither Jieun nor Hyeongtae had shown any signs of mutual interest. But the sincerity in their expressions suggested this wasn’t a joke.

“It turned out that way, Yul. Alcohol is to blame.”

Seeing Yul just blinking, Jieun turned her head and explained with a pained look, then awkwardly started to unfold the story. During the MT, department senior Hyeongtae had drunk too much, and Jieun had stepped in as a knight in shining armor, ending up drunk herself. They had escaped the drinking session to a vacant room, kissed while drunk, and one thing led to another in a sad turn of events.

“Jieun jumped me, Yul unnie. I’m twenty, and my life’s over.”

Hyeongtae crossed his arms and spoke softly, holding his own shoulders.

“Hey. It was you who pounced, wasn’t it? And Jieun, aren’t you going to use honorifics?”

“You told me to drop the formalities. Why bring it up now?”

“That was when you were drunk. Call me unnie.”

“Jieun, Jieun, Jieun.”

Their childish bickering continued. Minjae shook his head disapprovingly, while Yul, finally getting used to the situation, let out an amused sigh. It was unexpected and awkward, but the pair seemed well-matched. It was a slip of the tongue, but perhaps subconsciously, they had good feelings for each other. It turned out well.

Yul, smiling, turned to look at Yoonjo, who seemed amused, one corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk.

“Really wish I could box these guys up and ship them off. Just a warning, no funny business in the design studio.”

“What funny business?”

An exasperated Minjae chimed in before Hyeongtae could respond.

“In the design studio, empty classrooms, libraries, some kids get up to no good. You think that won’t spread? The engineering students all know. Be careful.”

“We just kissed!”

“It’s a short step from a kiss to more.”

Jieun jumped to Hyeongtae’s defense at Minjae’s lecture. Yul cringed, involuntarily bowing her head. She and Yoonjo were the ones Minjae was referring to. Their quick finish in a dark corner of the library hadn’t been so quick after all.

“Give us your blessing, Yul.”

That cunning man had driven Yul to the heights of pleasure, then pulled back just before she climaxed, leaving her desperate.

“Let’s live together, Yul.”

She had no choice but to agree as he wouldn’t back down, moaning in acceptance. She remembered begging him to finish, out of breath, unable to lift her head now at the memory. Suddenly, Yoonjo grabbed her hand under the table. Surprised, Yul looked up to see him, his deep eyes playfully tilted, offering comfort.

“Hey, Kang Yoonjo. Why are you laughing? Do you find us funny?”

Jieun seemed offended by Yoonjo’s reaction.

“Not at all. I sincerely congratulate you.”

Yoonjo responded with a smirk, maintaining his composure.

“I really don’t like you, Kang Yoonjo.”

“And I really like you, Jieun.”

Under the table, Yoonjo squeezed Yul’s hand as he spoke, surprising Jieun who stammered in response.

“Why, why would you like me? Don’t like me. It’s annoying.”

“Yeah, why would you like our Jieun? Are you crazy?”

Feeling threatened, Hyeongtae glowered at Yoonjo. Yoonjo, dismissing the childlike tantrum, raised his hand to cradle the back of Yul’s head. Though they didn’t know the two were dating, he affectionately stroked her hair regardless. The touch tickled her scalp, warming her neck. She should have protested, but was silenced by his strong yet gentle gaze.

“It’s because you’re not Lee Jieun but Yoo Jieun.”

“What?”

“Yoo Jieun doesn’t seem like she’d stab Yul in the back.”

“Are you drunk? And what do you care about Yul getting stabbed?”

Jieun’s voice was full of rebuke. Regardless of the questions, the attention of others, Yoonjo casually caressed Yul’s hair. Then, grabbing a pen from the holder on the table, he turned around without a word. As he wrote on the wall, everyone, including Yul, watched silently.

When he capped the pen, those who saw the writing were visibly shocked. Yul was no exception. She hadn’t expected Kang Yoonjo to write such words, let alone to think them. It was the sentiment she had secretly noted in her diary when missing him. Her heart, which had been beating quietly, now thudded uncontrollably.

Yoonjo looked at Jieun after putting the pen away.

“Does this qualify me to worry about Yul getting stabbed?”

“Are you two really…”

Jieun pointed at Yoonjo then turned to Yul, stopping as she sought confirmation. Yul sighed softly.

“We’re dating, Jieun.”

“Really? Yul unnie and Yoonjo hyung?”

Hyeongtae stood up in surprise, his voice loud enough that other diners turned to look. Minjae clicked his tongue and pulled Hyeongtae back down, but the astonishment remained. Embarrassed, Yul just rolled her eyes, while Yoonjo remained as composed as ever. He put his arm around Yul’s shoulder and continued.

“Yeah, we’re dating. And we’ll be living together soon.”

“Hey!”

Yul called out sharply, startled by Yoonjo’s forward statement. It was one thing for their friends to know, but this was jumping ahead too far, sounding almost like they were moving in together immediately. Despite Yul’s protest, Yoonjo confidently addressed the three.

“Since it’s out, you three got plans this weekend? I’ll pay you to come over to Yul’s place and help move some stuff. Maybe do some wallpapering and flooring too.”

“Wow, shameless.”

Jieun rolled her eyes at Yoonjo’s audacity. A deflated Yul sighed and reached into her pocket, fumbling for the hair tie she always carried, but it wasn’t there. Looks like she’d have to eat holding her hair back manually.

Just then, the chicken noodle soup arrived, served on a tray. As a waiter placed them on the table, Minjae poured cold water into five cups. When the last cup reached Yul, Yoonjo took it and drank it in one go. Ignoring Minjae’s puzzled look, he fetched more water from the dispenser and placed it in front of Yul.

“What’s this?”

“Yul can’t drink cold water.”

Yoonjo nonchalantly replied while picking up a spoon. Yul was touched. He remembered a casual comment from her childhood. Yul felt a warm knot form inside as she looked at him. Without her knowing, the prickly Kang Yoonjo had handed her something. She reached out, and a yellow rubber band was placed in her palm. Yul stared at it for a moment, realizing its use, then her mouth fell open.

“Tie your hair.”

It seemed he had noticed her search and failed attempt earlier and had picked up a band while fetching water.

“Ugh, so annoying. Hey, Kang Yoonjo, is Seomun Yul some princess?”

Unable to stand it, Minjae banged his spoon on the table and asked.

“Didn’t you know?”

Yoonjo bluntly replied as he scooped up some soup and brought it to his lips.

Yul endured the barrage of stares, spoon in hand. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment, but the smile tugging at her lips refused to subside.

“Eat up, Yoonjo.”

Yul whispered with a curled smile.

“Ha! I have to join the military soon to escape seeing this.”

Minjae shook his head in disgust and picked up his spoon.

As the meal wound down, the five left the restaurant. As they did, a man approached the spot they had occupied. It was Jungwoo, who had been sitting opposite them. His gaze was fixed on the graffiti they had left on the wall.

The greatest beauties Jieun and Yul were here
HT&JE=LOVE
Minjae Yoonjo Yul Jieun Hyeongtae – Future architects to light up Korea

Beneath the childish scribbles, something caught his eye, something written by the man who had intrigued him since he entered.

Seomun Yul♡Kang Yoonjo
Kang Yoonjo♡Seomun Yul

Was that the man Yul was worried about? Were they really dating?

“What are you doing, Jungwoo? Aren’t you coming out?”

A senior approached to hurry him along, but Jungwoo, with a sly smile, asked.

“Senior, could you find out about Kang Yoonjo from the architecture department for me?”