CMYEHDS Episode 7

• X delivery has arrived. •

 

Inside the delivery box are items sent to you by your ex-lover and an X user manual written by your ex-lover.

 

Gather with the residents and open the box together.

 

After clearing the dinner table, the participants laid out a drinking party in the living room. Each had a delivery box with their name written on it placed beside them. The participants hesitated to take the lead, merely sipping their drinks. It seemed they lacked the courage to face what was inside the boxes.

 

On the other hand, Seo-jeong was unfazed. He already knew what was inside. From the X user manual to the trivial text messages that needed to be sent every night, everything was orchestrated according to Da-bin’s direction, so it was only natural.

 

Even if it weren’t the case, Seo-jeong would have had no hesitation in opening the box. He held no romantic feelings for Da-bin. Perhaps Da-bin felt the same way. So, this was merely a matter of the heart.

 

Ki Seo-jeong scanned the faces of the participants sitting in a circle. Some were colored with tension, others with sadness, and still others with excitement. His gaze, which had been moving around, stopped at Cha Yoon, who was sitting indifferently.

 

Cha Yoon emptied his beer can while a very small box sat in front of him. What kind of feelings does he have? Is he nervous, sad, or perhaps feeling excitement?

 

Knowing wouldn’t change anything, but still, he was curious. However, there was nothing to read on Cha Yoon’s face. As he watched Cha Yoon crumple the empty beer can, Seo-jeong barely turned his eyes away.

 

Get a grip. He moved the untouched beer can aside. It seemed right that he should take the initiative.

 

“Well then, I’ll go ahead and open it.”

 

“Would you do that for us?”

 

Jung Soo-ho, who had been stroking the box, replied with eyes already moist. Seo-jeong pushed a tissue box next to Soo-ho and opened the box.

 

What Seo-jeong pulled out was a bear plush toy, just the right size to hug.

 

“Hmm, it’s a doll.”

 

Seo-jeong stroked the bear in his hand. The toy, which contained eight years of memories, was still shabby despite having been washed.

 

“It’s a doll I gifted because X was struggling with insomnia. It used to make sounds when you pressed it, but I doubt it will now.”

 

Still, Seo-jeong pressed the area near the belly. Contrary to his expectations, the bear emitted a voice that Seo-jeong had recorded eight years ago.

 

“Sleep well and have sweet dreams.”

 

A voice that felt younger than now flowed out. Wow, it’s so fresh. Amidst the gasps of the crowd, Cha Yoon was the only one who scoffed.

 

The sound pierced his ears perfectly, but Seo-jeong pretended not to hear and set the bear down on the floor. He then pulled out the X user manual that remained in the box.

 

“I’ll read the X user manual as well.”

 

Everyone’s attention was focused. Seo-jeong cleared his throat for a moment and began to read the contents written inside.

 

“The Seo-jeong I know is someone who always thinks of others first, a person whose consideration is ingrained in him…”

 

“Wow, you don’t look like that at all.”

 

Of course, he had to stop before even finishing the first sentence.

 

There was no such thing as a casual remark like this. The participants, who had been immersed in Seo-jeong’s voice as if it were their own story, immediately frowned. With the intention of finding the culprit who broke the mood, everyone turned their heads, and naturally, Cha Yoon was there.

 

“…..”

 

“You seem so self-centered that I feel like you’d ignore a hurting partner, which is surprising.”

 

This was already the fifth time today. Ki Seo-jeong curled the corners of his mouth like a painting. Not being swayed by Cha Yoon’s words was the wisest response Ki Seo-jeong could manage at that moment.

 

“It seems that’s how it looks to you, Cha Yoon.”

 

“Yes, I have a good eye for people.”

 

Ki Seo-jeong merely smiled. Even when provoked, he didn’t actively defend himself. Seo-jeong, who lightly scanned the participants watching quietly, shifted his gaze back to Cha Yoon.

 

“Can I continue?”

 

Ki Seo-jeong calmly guided the atmosphere. Cha Yoon chuckled softly and stared at him.

 

“Go ahead.”

 

By this point, the residents had become so accustomed to the uncomfortable atmosphere that they even found it interesting. The glances exchanged between the two were filled with anticipation for how Cha Yoon would shatter the mood this time with some novel remark.

 

Seo-jeong read the remaining sentences carefully. Cha Yoon, as if to meet the expectations of all the participants, consistently threw in jabs. Nevertheless, Seo-jeong did not lose his composure.

 

“I hope Seo-jeong is happy. More than I am.”

 

Ki Seo-jeong finished reading aloud the last line without incident. After a brief silence, applause erupted with a “Wow.” Ki Seo-jeong, who smiled awkwardly as if embarrassed, threw a glance at Cha Yoon.

 

“Next, would you like to go, Cha Yoon?”

 

Ki Seo-jeong gently suggested. Everyone watched the two with rolling eyes. Cha Yoon opened his delivery box with an expression of annoyance.

 

“Wow, it’s a camera?”

 

Ji-yoon’s eyes sparkled with interest. What Cha Yoon pulled out was indeed a camera, just as Ji-yoon had said. Ki Seo-jeong’s eyes shook violently as he looked at the camera in Cha Yoon’s hands.

 

“Yes. I like taking pictures.”

 

Cha Yoon replied in a slightly refined tone, unlike how he had spoken to Ki Seo-jeong. Ki Seo-jeong’s gaze remained fixed on the camera that Cha Yoon held.

 

At that moment, like an unexpected downpour, Cha Yoon’s youthful voice played back.

 

“I’m going to record every moment of yours from now on.”

 

As he set down the camera and photo album, Cha Yoon said that. It was right after he realized that he didn’t have a proper solo photo of Ki Seo-jeong. And as if to prove that what he had said was sincere, Cha Yoon held the camera every single day without fail.

 

The expression on Cha Yoon’s face as he gazed at the camera was always the same. A face that was overjoyed to be able to keep Ki Seo-jeong’s daily life in his hands. Ki Seo-jeong felt love as he looked at that face.

 

The once empty photo album quickly filled up, and soon, one side of the bookshelf was filled with large and small photo albums.

 

All were memories born from Cha Yoon’s hands.

 

Recalling the photo albums he still couldn’t throw away, Ki Seo-jeong bit his lip. He couldn’t even care about what expression he had right now. His chest was ablaze, and his mouth felt parched from the flames.

 

In the meantime, Cha Yoon pulled out the X user manual. His gestures were smooth and unimpeded.

 

“The Cha Yoon I liked was a person with the charm of sincerity. Because of that, he sometimes made me angry with his harsh words, but he never once confused me emotionally.”

 

When he read the phrase, “made me angry with his harsh words,” laughter erupted from various places. Despite such reactions, Cha Yoon did not stop speaking.

 

“He always held me tightly without showing any signs of struggle when I said I was scared because I loved him too much.”

 

Ki Seo-jeong’s fingertips trembled. Cha Yoon had reassured Ki Seo-jeong by saying that Song Joo-ah was just an old friend, so there was no need to feel anxious at all.

 

But now, the X user manual that Cha Yoon was reading was the complete opposite of what he had said. The two seemed to have shared a deep love for a very long time.

 

Then, what were Cha Yoon’s feelings for Song Joo-ah when he was with me? Ki Seo-jeong was swept away by the confusion that crashed over him like waves.

 

“I hope Cha Yoon can find the heart he lost here. It would be even better if he could fix his personality as well.”

 

As Cha Yoon finished reading the X user manual, the residents, who had been holding back their laughter, began to chuckle. Cha Yoon shrugged his shoulders as if he were unaffected and closed the delivery box.

 

As the two took the lead, the pace picked up significantly. Except for Ki Seo-jeong, Cha Yoon, and Song Joo-ah, everyone else was busy reading the X user manual while sniffling. Despite the sobs heard from various places, Seo-jeong merely nodded blankly.

 

“…Ah, this is really embarrassing. Shall we drink?”

 

Jung Soo-ho, who had been teary-eyed even before opening the breakup delivery, raised his voice cheerfully to lighten the mood.

 

Everyone responded positively. The residents, still gathered in a circle in the living room, clinked their beer cans together and tried to lift the heavy atmosphere with various conversations.

 

As the alcohol flowed, laughter filled the living room as if they had never been down. The only person who wasn’t laughing was Ki Seo-jeong.

 

Cha Yoon scrutinized Ki Seo-jeong closely, like a scholar obsessively observing a research subject. The mechanical smile he had worn was nowhere to be found, replaced by a dying expression. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to break the revived atmosphere, remaining in his seat.

 

Suddenly, Ki Seo-jeong’s X user manual content came to mind. What did it say? A person overflowing with consideration who always thinks of others first. The moment he heard it, he thought of Ki Seo-jeong, who had told him to break up, and while he denied it, seeing his current state made it a valid point.

 

But was that a compliment? In the end, it meant he was a pushover. Shaking his head, Cha Yoon poured the remaining wine into his glass. The taste of bitter grapes lingered in his mouth.

 

To Cha Yoon, that was merely a weakness. What if he had been Ki Seo-jeong’s boyfriend? If it were him, he wouldn’t have told anyone such things. He would have hidden and concealed it, ensuring that no one could take advantage of Ki Seo-jeong. To treat someone so precious in that way…

 

As Cha Yoon continued his strange assumptions, he suddenly snapped back to reality. Damn, what am I thinking? Am I really losing it?

 

Being with a perverted guy who could also be a man made him feel strange too. Cha Yoon clicked his tongue and glanced at Ki Seo-jeong.

 

At that moment, Cha Yoon’s eyes caught the glimmer of a ring on Ki Seo-jeong’s neck. The ring he had given him before losing his memory.

 

“…Huh.”

 

Seeing the ring proudly hanging there, emotions he had forgotten came rushing back. The words that even the speaker dismissed as nonsensical were taken literally only by Cha Yoon. He felt the heat rising within him once again. What? It means nothing? He found Ki Seo-jeong’s words infuriating.

 

Cha Yoon rubbed his cheek with his tongue. With his chin resting on his hand, he stared at Ki Seo-jeong as if he were about to dissect him and smiled slyly.

 

Song Joo-ah was keenly observing the change in Cha Yoon’s expression. What trouble is he planning now? If he’s going to do something, she hoped it would be something bold. With her own expectations, Song Joo-ah waited for the nasty words Cha Yoon would spit out.

 

“But…”

 

Seizing the moment of silence, Cha Yoon spoke in a low voice. Song Joo-ah’s lips curved into a smile. Everyone, except for Ki Seo-jeong, who was staring blankly at the floor, focused on Cha Yoon.

 

“What do you think about using something you matched wearing with your ex even after breaking up?”

 

Cha Yoon emphasized the word “using.” Ki Seo-jeong’s slumped body stiffened. Slowly raising his eyes, Ki Seo-jeong’s gaze met Cha Yoon’s in the air.

 

Cha Yoon once again signaled the start of a war.