Chapter 4 Part 2

“You won’t regret it. If you go this time and it’s okay, next time you can go with someone you like.”

Lee Jeong-yun’s excited chatter stopped when the professor entered.

“…liked pasta too, you know.”

As if he heard Chaeheon’s whisper, Lee Jun’s shoulder trembled slightly.

When the class ended, Lee Jun packed his bag and picked up his phone to check his messages. Towards Lee Jun, Kim Gyeong-hun carefully extended a hand, with one hand supporting the other. Kim Gyeong-hun, timidly extending his index finger, lightly tapped Lee Jun’s shoulder.

“Excuse me…”

As if he thought Lee Jun hadn’t noticed, he kindly spoke up.

“Lee Jun, Senior.”

At the extremely polite and formal address, Chaeheon burst into silent laughter. Anyone listening would think he was calling him Professor Lee Jun.

“Hello. My name is Kim Gyeong-hun.”

Lee Jun turned to Kim Gyeong-hun and gave a small nod. As if emboldened by that, Kim Gyeong-hun awkwardly smiled and continued his introduction.

“You might not know, Senior, but I’m also a fourth-year this year, so I take many of the same classes. Oh, I’m younger, so you can speak to me comfortably.”

At the flattering tone, Lee Jun couldn’t ignore Kim Gyeong-hun and hesitated, making Chaeheon sneer inwardly. What’s with Kim Gyeong-hun and his excessive politeness? But seeing that Lee Jun couldn’t just brush it off, a mischievous impulse rose within him.

“It’s nothing else, but… may I greet you sometimes, Senior?”

“May I offer greetings” rather than “May I greet”? Lee Jun, too, seemed unable to say no and nodded.

“Senior. They say there’s a back-to-school party today. They’re holding it at Bongja Bar in front of the school, would you like to come with us?”

“No.”

Lee Jun refused quickly, as if there was nothing to think about.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a drink with you, Senior. This will be my last year, so could you perhaps come this one last time?”

“Sorry.”

Lee Jun offered a half-hearted apology and rose from his seat. As he passed the group that had gathered around, someone’s face caught Lee Jun’s eye.

Although he looked on with no expression, Lee Jun couldn’t possibly fail to recognize the hidden emotions. However, he pretended not to know.

As he left the classroom, intending to go straight towards the main entrance, his wrist was suddenly grabbed. Lee Jun looked at his captured wrist, then met Chaeheon’s eyes.

“Are you really saying we should act like strangers? Even if we broke up, think of all the time we spent together…”

Lee Jun twisted his wrist, pulling his hand free from Chaeheon’s grasp.

“We won’t have any reason to meet outside of class, so I’ll be careful.”

Even though it was a clear request for distance, Chaeheon didn’t accept it.

“You never know. We met at the cafe too, didn’t we?”

“It’s a cafe on campus; running into each other there isn’t a big deal.”

“So, let’s just greet each other, that’s all I’m asking.”

No. Not anyone else, but Chaeheon of all people, he absolutely did not want to associate with.

“I’m sorry. I don’t think I can do that.”

“Is that so? But…”

As Chaeheon’s words trailed off, Lee Jun felt his lips dry. As Lee Jun’s tongue darted out to moisten his lower lip, Chaeheon’s languid voice interjected without warning.

“But I don’t want to.”

Lee Jun flinched and looked up at Chaeheon. He tried to hide his bewilderment at the emotions in Chaeheon’s eyes, but it wasn’t easy. It was a look that showed his feelings for Lee Jun were still unresolved.

“Don’t do that.”

Lee Jun, who hadn’t been able to be firm with Chaeheon due to being the one who initiated the breakup, showed a resolute expression for the first time. This can’t be. He didn’t want to be perceived as being with Chaeheon again.

“Nothing will change even if you do that.”

Lee Jun, wary of Chaeheon approaching him, resolved never to run into him outside of class.

That resolve, precisely that night, went awry.