MUL - Chapter 40

Haha, awkward. I glanced at the food, still more than half left, and having no intention of eating more, I put down my fork. I picked up the cup in front of me, emptied the water, and scanned my surroundings for no reason. Just in case those bastards were here.

"...Hyung, Yeoul-hyung."

"Huh?"

"We're supposed to meet up with some friends since it's the first day of the semester, do you want to come with us?"

"Huh? Ah... do I know them too?"

"You'd probably know all their faces."

Park Chanmin nodded. Alright, then. Honestly, I was so tired I felt like I could collapse at any moment. But, I had a foreboding feeling that if not now, I would lose the chance to get close to someone forever, so I said I would go.

But... there was a mountain to climb...

"I'll give you my number, contact me."

"Are you skipping class?"

"That... yeah."

Park Chanmin was definitely quick-witted. As I nodded my head in a flurry, Park Chanmin's eyes sparkled with mischief.

"I'll go with you, hyung. There's a multi-room in front of the school, do you want to go there?"

"A multi... room? Uh... that... okay."

Park Chanmin seemed excited for some reason. With a constant smile on his face, he shoved all the remaining food on his plate into his mouth. He really eats well, I thought, and then I saw Park Chanmin reaching for my dishes, so I quickly cleared the area.

"I'll do it."

I said to his awkwardly outstretched hand, and Park Chanmin replied that he thought it would be faster if he did it. I looked up and met Park Chanmin's eyes, and seeing his curving eyes, I loosened my grip on the tray.

***

Following Park Chanmin into the multi-room, I looked around the room with an awkward face. A large screen filled one wall, and there was a game console and something that looked like a sofa bed. Park Chanmin, who came in with a handful of drinks and snacks, seemed to have been here many times, as his actions were natural.

"I paid for the all-day pass. I figured we'd have to kill time until evening."

"Ah... if you tell me how much it is, I'll pay."

"Instead of money, buy me a meal later." Park Chanmin said with a shrug. 

Okaay, I answered, drawing out my words like this. Like a bit of an idiot.

I moved my lonesome body and sat on the edge of the sofa, scanning the small and cozy room. It didn't seem small, but because Park Chanmin was big, the room felt small.

"Hyung, are you good at games?"

"No, I'm not good. You play. I'll just watch."

As I smiled awkwardly, Park Chanmin's eyes narrowed and then returned to their original size.

"Actually, I'm not feeling well."

This was true. My body was not well for about 6 days out of the week. I didn't even know if the remaining day was good or bad. I was tired, and drowsy too.

"This can be pulled out."

"Really?"

"Just a moment, hyung."

Park Chanmin helped me up and fiddled with the sofa. The backrest went down and it became flat, and he spread a blanket on it and pulled me over.

"I'll be quiet."

Park Chanmin put a finger to his coolly stretched lips and made a 'shh' gesture. For someone so big, how quiet could he be? The sight was so funny that I let out a small laugh, and he, too, seemed embarrassed and rubbed the back of his neck.

"It's okay to be loud."

Because I lived with my door open. I slept very well even with a fair amount of noise. But there was no need to say this.

I put down my bag on one side and laid my fatigue-soaked body down. The back was a bit hard, but lying down felt like I could live. I lay on my side, looking at the screen, and at some point, my vision turned black. I must have fallen asleep quickly.

I vaguely woke up because the breath touching my face tickled. When I managed to lift my heavy eyelids, which couldn't shake off the drowsiness, the first thing I saw was Park Chanmin's face. He had fallen asleep at some point, holding a game controller and turned towards me.

"Ah..."

What time is it? My back hurt from lying down for too long, and as I slowly sat up, Park Chanmin's eyebrows twitched.

"Ugh..."

It seemed Park Chanmin also couldn't shake off the sleepiness.

"Hyung...?"

"Ah... you're awake? Sorry if I woke you."

"No, what time is it..."

Park Chanmin reached out and picked up his phone from the table. "It's past 7", a dry, hoarse voice said.

"Ah... fuck... My phone's been blowing up."

"Huh?"

"Ah, I'm sorry."

Park Chanmin apologized, embarrassed by the curse that had slipped out without thinking. I wasn't thinking anything...

I nodded my head roughly and picked up the water bottle on the table. My hand didn't have much strength, so I fumbled a few times, and Park Chanmin let out a small laugh. Then he took the water bottle from my hand and, with a *thunk*, twisted the cap open.

Whether it was good manners or something, Park Chan-min even poured water into a cup for me and handed it over. I was a little embarrassed, but I was thirsty, so I didn't care and took the cup and drank it sweetly.

I wanted to check my phone too, but I was scared for some reason and couldn't bring myself to take it out. Just watching Park Chanmin making calls here and there made my heart pound.

Hah... It seemed Park Chanmin wasn't the only one who was screwed.

After that, I followed Park Chanmin to a pub near the school, and even though it was early, many people were already drunk. I, too, thought it would be better to get drunk quickly, so I accepted all the drinks that were offered to me as a greeting.

I heard people from all over saying they wanted to be friends. In my slightly hazy state, I smiled happily and said yes. It felt like I had made a lot of friends. I felt good.

Every time I blinked, the world spun. I felt a constant vibration in my pocket, but even though I was drunk, I was so scared that I couldn't take out my phone.

"Hah... sh*t..."

"Hyung?"

"Disgusting bastards... calling so damn much..."

I muttered as I picked up a glass of alcohol, not knowing who had filled it, and brought it to my lips.

"Calling?"

The person in my blurred vision seemed to be Park Chanmin, and this bastard... no... he, took out the phone that was vibrating and flashing in my pocket on his own. I tried to snatch the phone with my hands, which weren't moving well according to my will, but only fumbled in the air.

Park Chanmin's eyes widened in surprise when he saw the number of missed calls on the screen.

What's wrong...

"Hyung."

"What..."

"Shouldn't you answer the phone?"

"..."

I blinked my eyes, not fully understanding the words I was hearing. Um... is he telling me to answer the phone now? How many calls did I get?

I reached out, snatched my phone from Park Chanmin's hand, and turned on the screen.

The numbers of the three were lined up, but they were not names, but Housemate 1, 2, and 3, so I couldn't tell who was who. No, 1 was Nam Kangwoo, so I just didn't know 2 and 3.

The numbers lined up had a similar number of missed calls. These... crazy bastards... how many times did they call?

After checking the number of missed calls with my hazy eyes, I unconsciously tried to turn off the phone. I belatedly realized how serious the situation was.

I was about to press the hold key firmly when a call started coming in from someone saved as [Housemate 2]. My heart was already beating a little fast because of the alcohol, but the moment the phone rang, it felt like my heart was going to jump out of my mouth.

"Hyung?"

Park Chanmin grabbed my shoulder and shook it lightly. "Are you okay?" his voice was filled with concern. I was not okay at all.

"Let go, let go..."

Even the small shake made my head ring. I moved my hand to push Park Chanmin's arm away and took a deep breath. Calm down, calm down now. No, who is this, if it's Housemate 2...

I was staring at the phone, debating whether to answer or not, and moving my finger.

"Hah... sh*t... Who is this,"

Someone's hand came down on my shoulder and squeezed it lightly.

"If you're going to answer, you should answer quickly, Yeoul."

A very familiar voice came down from above my head.

My body froze completely. I managed to turn my stiff neck and checked the face of the guy whose hand was on my shoulder. Right, [Housemate 2] was Mo Taehee...

I smiled awkwardly and put my phone back in my pocket. It felt like I sobered up instantly.

"Mo... Taehee."

The problem was that my voice was not like that at all. Mo Taehee checked the people sitting around the table and picked up my bag.

"Yeoul is too drunk. I'll pay and we'll go, so you guys have fun."

Mo Taehee said with a friendly smile. I heard whistles from here and there. And applause.

This bastard... this bastard is popular too. I muttered, "I'm jealous". Mo Taehee, as if he had heard my muttering, let out a scoff.

I was carried out of the pub in Mo Taehee's arms. Before we left, I saw Park Chanmin looking at me with worried eyes... I didn't think I would be okay, so instead of answering, I avoided his gaze. Of all people, why did Mo Taehee have to come?

"What did you say, Yeoul? What do you mean, of all people, I came?"

I thought I had only thought it, but it seems my thoughts came out of my mouth. Shit...

"And stop cursing."

"...How did you know..."

Mo Taehee walked quickly. I was on my tiptoes, almost being dragged along. My body had no strength, so I had no choice but to rest my head on Mo Taehee's shoulder.

"I'm so tired..."

"Why didn't you answer the phone?"

Mo Taehee's voice, ringing in my ear, was so, so cold. I always felt like things were screwed, but today I felt especially screwed.

I should have said I was sorry... this damn alcohol was the problem. I was telling the truth instead of lying.

"I didn't want to... answer. You all... are so... shit... you're all crazy bastards..."

"Where were you all day?"

Is this the parking lot? It was a dark place, but I heard the sound of a car door opening and my body was laid down on the back seat. And Mo Taehee, who I naturally thought would sit in the driver's seat, slid in.

"It's cramped..."

"Where were you?"

Mo Taehee, with his arms on either side of my face, asked in a tone that was suppressing his anger. His mouth was smiling, but his eyes were not.

"...You're heavy."

"Yeoul."

"Just... Park Chanmin... there, where was it... game..."

I spoke incoherently, trying to recall my memories. I couldn't remember the name of the place I went with Park Chanmin, so I roughly listed the things I saw there, and a laugh full of disappointment came from Mo Taehee's mouth.

"The three of us were going crazy looking for you all day."

"...I don't know... I'm dizzy..."

I turned my head because the eye contact was uncomfortable, but a warm hand grabbed my chin. I could predict what would happen next. His hot lips urgently pressed against mine.