I walked down the hallway with incredibly quick and light steps. Afraid that my housemates might chase after me, I was so nervous about waiting for the elevator that I almost went down the emergency stairs.
But I knew my damn weak physical condition all too well, and I also knew that the moment I went down the stairs, the walk would be over.
Barely suppressing my impatience, from the moment I got on the elevator, I was thinking about how to make the walk with Park Min-ah longer, what excuse to use to stay together longer.
Actually, I was a little excited. I'm so happy. A walk without those bastards... I was so moved that I felt like I was going to cry.
I was nervous that my oblivious nose would cause another nosebleed at the stinging tip of my nose. I turned around to look at myself in the mirror and carefully examined my face. I looked a little pale, but I thought it was okay.
Yeah, a little... pale... I raised my head and carefully examined the inside of my nose to see if there were any traces of a nosebleed before straightening my head.
Listening to the classical music filling the elevator, I calmed my pounding heart. I took several deep breaths and only thought about how to take a long walk with Park Min-ah... the same repetitive thought.
But as always, I couldn't find an answer to my thoughts. A clear chime rang and the elevator arrived at the lobby floor. The doors slowly slid open to the sides.
I quickly got out of the elevator and scanned the lobby. To find Park Min-ah. She had such a pretty face that I thought I could recognize her from afar...
I realized now that my eyesight was terrible. The farther away people or things were, the less I could see. Everything looked blurry and spread out.
Who is Park Min-ah? I rubbed my eyes and looked around.
No, was my eyesight this bad? I thought carefully. I'd never had to look for someone like this before, so I didn't even know my eyesight was bad. If it's this bad, shouldn't I wear glasses? I decided that I should go to an optometrist as soon as I got back.
I walked slowly through the lobby, looking around. Phone, phone... I rummaged through my cardigan pockets and then my pants pockets. Ha... as if it were a novel. It was perfect timing, but I didn't have my phone either.
I walked to the coffee shop on one side of the first floor. Hoping that Park Min-ah would be there.
I slowly walked towards the entrance of the cafe, scanning the area, but there was no luck. It was difficult to find anyone who looked like Park Min-ah. Everyone looked similar.
I frowned and really focused all my attention on my eyes... but I couldn't see her.
"Ah... where is she..."
I looked around quickly, checking the faces of the people who were getting closer and clearer, and turned around. Park Min-ah wasn't inside the coffee shop. Then would she be outside...?
I walked across the lobby again. Did she go outside...? I hated going back up more than anything, so I tried to find Park Min-ah myself. Short hair...
Desperate, I muttered Park Min-ah's name. I saw tall figures in the distance, but I felt a chill. Three tall figures, not just one, were walking towards me. Ominous...
I naturally changed direction. And then.
"Ha Yeoul."
I had a bad feeling about it... I heard a very familiar voice. Those guys are fast walkers...
I awkwardly turned around. As they got closer, the faces of the three became clearer.
"See? I told you Ha Yeoul has severe astigmatism and wouldn't be able to find Park Min-ah and would be wandering around."
"I know. Yeoul, how can you not bring your phone when your eyesight is so bad?"
Seo Jaehoon and Mo Taehee spoke as if they knew it would happen. You guys knew. That my eyesight was bad... I was the only one who didn't know.
Nam Kangwoo, who had been standing sullenly next to the two, held something out to me.
"Ah..."
"Min-ah called. She said she'll be waiting in the park."
"Ah... I see..."
Thank you. I mumbled to Nam Kangwoo, feeling awkward.
"Then... I'll go to Min-ah now..."
"Let's go together."
Ah... I'm a little tired of cursing now. Yeah... I was wondering why that sound wasn't coming out, me.
Mo Taehee naturally put his arm around my shoulder. A warm arm wrapped around my shoulder and pulled me close to his chest. I really... staggered like a piece of paper and snuggled into Mo Taehee's arms. Haha... shit.
"I... with Min-ah alone..."
"Min-ah said we should all take a walk together."
"...Liar."
Ah, the last words came out without me realizing it. Mo Taehee chuckled at the sincerity that burst out with emotion.
Is it funny...? I... was so excited about taking a walk without the hangers-on for the first time, and I came down here like that.
They ruined everything. As always, these bastards.
***
Arriving at the park with the three hangers-on in tow, I... was led by my housemates towards Park Min-ah.
Park Min-ah was leaning against a bench, staring intently at the lake sparkling in the sunlight. She didn't seem to notice us approaching, as her gaze didn't leave the lake.
Is it that pretty? I turned my head towards the lake without realizing it. The rippling waves sparkled as they absorbed the sunlight. It is pretty. Seeing it in the daytime, and seeing it up close.
The only times I had seen the lake in front of me were when I looked at it from the dorm or when I went with Nam Kangwoo a few days ago at dawn. The weather was nice too. It had been chilly for days, but today it was just right. Even though I was only wearing a cardigan, it wasn't cold.
I was distracted by the lake when I came to my senses at the sound of Park Min-ah calling us. She smiled as if she was happy that we all came together. Yeah, I wish she would give me a hint as to who she was happiest to see. Who the green light was turned on for.
Then again, I thought it was a waste of Park Min-ah to connect her with these bastards. Park Min-ah is as pretty as a flower, but these bastards are all too scary.
I naturally broke away from Mo Taehee's arm and sat down next to Park Min-ah.
"Sorry, I left my phone behind... I didn't even know we missed each other."
"Ah— no. Thanks to that, I got to see a lot here. The lake is pretty. It was pretty at night too."
Park Min-ah got up as if she had been waiting. I had just sat down... was she suggesting we walk?
I raised my head and met Park Min-ah's eyes. Should we walk? I nodded slowly at her question. At my quiet answer, a small, white hand reached out.
I hesitated for a moment and quickly grabbed Park Min-ah's outstretched hand.
"I didn't know you'd all come together. I just asked, 'Do you guys want to come too?' and they said they would."
Park Min-ah said with a smile. I let go of her hand, which I had been holding for a moment, and said, "I see."
I don't know anymore. Whether we walk together or just the two of us. I figured I wouldn't be staying here long anyway.
"The park is pretty. The weather is nice too."
Park Min-ah looked at me and smiled.
"You're prettier, I think."
I looked at Park Min-ah and smiled too.
Park Min-ah blushed and giggled at my cheesy words. The hangers-on... no, my housemates, who were chasing after us, all snorted mockingly. Why, what?
"Min-ah, are you going to fall for Yeoul like that?"
Mo Taehee cut in between me and Park Min-ah. Oblivious bastards. They should have known to back off by now, but these bastards didn't have that. Park Min-ah stammered, embarrassed by Mo Taehee's question.
"N-no, it's not like that. Yeoul... hasn't he changed a bit suddenly?"
Park Min-ah turned to Nam Kangwoo and Seo Jaehoon as if seeking agreement.
"He used to be quiet and quick to avoid me, but these days, when I see Yeoul, what he used to be like is really... what should I say? So... he's like a different person. He's changed so much."
Park Min-ah's eyes turned from the three of them to me. I was like, "Ah," and stopped looking for an appropriate excuse. I just said, "Was I?" and chuckled quietly.
Like a different person. That was the right answer. The three of them looked at me with meaningful eyes at Park Min-ah's words.
Even Park Min-ah, who I hadn't seen many times, could feel it, so there's no way these bastards who live with me wouldn't know.
I smiled awkwardly and walked ahead a little. Because I was a little uncomfortable with the three of them staring at me so persistently. I could hear Park Min-ah and the three of them talking behind me. Well, just listening to the sounds, it was me who was stuck between the four of them.
I cursed to myself. What was embarrassing was that I was getting too used to this situation. Humans are adaptable animals, they say. I was adapting too well to this lie-like reality. Ah, except for my weakness.
There's a limit to weakness. Except for the fact that the weakness of this body was so difficult to adapt to, I adapted incredibly well to my current reality.
"Ha..."
"Why are you sighing, you. Is it because you're tired? Should we take a break?"
Seo Jaehoon, who was next to me at some point, worried about me like a worry doll again. The crazy bastard... carefully examined my condition with his handsome face.
Does it hurt? A white hand reached out and cupped my cheek. I flinched reflexively, but what was funny was that Seo Jaehoon's eyes sank as if he was hurt.
I thought again that this bastard should have heard of the butterfly effect. I looked up and met Seo Jaehoon's eyes, but quickly lowered them. I stared at the toes of my white sneakers and mumbled softly, "I'm tired."
"Hey, let's sit down."
Seo Jaehoon said to the three who were chasing after me. He didn't forget to add that he wasn't resting because of me, adding, "I'm tired and hot."
This bastard was still... kind. That's why my heart ached a little.
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(t/n : Unlock more chapters on my Ko-Fi^^)
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