Chapter 70
There was no contact from Seo Do-gyeom. It was strange. There was no contact from Ye Eun-seol either. That, too, was strange.
‘What’s going on? Could it be that they’ve already lost interest in me because I’ve distanced myself?’
In her anxiety, she kept staring at her phone, but she couldn’t bring herself to reach out more.
After that, it wasn’t as if she hadn’t tried to secretly meet Seo Do-gyeom and Ye Eun-seol at school.
She just hadn’t expected Jang Seul-gi to go so far as to rope in even her close friends to keep watch over her.
‘I just want to talk for a moment, but they’re adamantly refusing.’
At this point, it was clear that Jang Seul-gi was unhappy herself and couldn’t stand to see Baek I-hae smiling and getting along with Seo Do-gyeom or Ye Eun-seol, so she was interfering.
Seo Do-gyeom glared at Jang Seul-gi with clear displeasure, but she pretended not to notice. Ye Eun-seol couldn’t say anything harsh with everyone watching.
As a result, Baek I-hae inevitably ended up isolated.
‘This is driving me crazy.’
Whether she hadn’t discovered the words in the notebook document yet or not, Chai Ryeong hadn’t made any particular contact. When she went to the office after school, Baek Yeong also showed no noticeable change.
Maybe she’d seen it but was ignoring it. After all, they had no obligation to help Baek I-hae.
In her restlessness, she sat at her desk biting her nails. Her seat had been changed, putting distance between her and Ye Eun-seol, when suddenly her desk mate spoke up.
She was one of Jang Seul-gi’s friends, but an oblivious, cheerfully oblivious student.
“I-hae, did you hear about that?”
“Huh? Hear about what?”
“The good-looking kid who just transferred into first year! I thought the only eye candy at our school was Seo Do-gyeom and Ye Eun-seol.”
Oh, that’s what it was.
Baek I-hae quickly lost interest. Whether a handsome new student had arrived or not, it had nothing to do with her.
“What was his name again? It’s a single character, so it’s unique.”
A single character?
As a face suddenly flashed through her mind, Baek I-hae was about to ask for the name when the classroom erupted in commotion, and everyone’s eyes turned toward the back door.
Naturally, Baek I-hae and her desk mate’s gazes followed, and the desk mate whispered.
“That’s the guy I was talking about. His name is Seo-yeol, I think?”
Yes, it was Seo-yeol.
In the few days since she’d last seen him, Seo-yeol looked unfamiliar now, dressed in the same uniform as Baek I-hae. Even when they lived together, she’d sensed he was growing taller in real time.
‘Seeing him after a while, he seems even taller now.’
Moreover, she’d only seen him smiling lately, so his scowling face felt awkward. She stared openly as he scanned the class with a face full of dissatisfaction, and their eyes met.
Then, without hesitation, Seo-yeol entered the third-year classroom. His steps came to a halt right in front of Baek I-hae.
“Noona, let’s talk for a minute.”
Either he didn’t hear the murmurs around them, or he just didn’t care.
From afar, Ye Eun-seol was watching with a surprised expression. Baek I-hae stood up in a daze, about to follow Seo-yeol out.
“Class is about to start soon, so maybe talk later? I-hae has to attend class.”
Jang Seul-gi interjected familiarly now, naturally linking arms with Baek I-hae as she spoke. It was an action so affectionate it gave her chills.
But Seo-yeol scowled fiercely at Jang Seul-gi and replied.
“Why are you butting in? Get lost.”
“W-what? How dare you speak to your senior like that…!”
“Senior? You’re just someone who aged faster and started school earlier, so why act all high and mighty about it?”
Seo-yeol stood defiantly, looking Jang Seul-gi up and down. Then, he roughly pulled her away from Baek I-hae!
Even in the midst of it, he gently steadied Baek I-hae’s shoulder to keep her from stumbling.
“I especially don’t want to talk to you, so don’t even speak to me. Makes me want to kill you.”
Perhaps he was extra sensitive because he knew Baek I-hae had chosen her cousin Jang Seul-gi and left home.
Seo-yeol glared at Jang Seul-gi as if he could kill her, then led Baek I-hae out into the hallway.
‘I haven’t seen him like this in a while. Then again, his personality was never ordinary.’
As she walked behind Seo-yeol, Baek I-hae thought with a bemused expression. A fierce Seo-yeol.
Then, remembering how she’d struggled because of him early on, she let it go. If anything, it felt refreshing to see him speak so bluntly to Jang Seul-gi.
“I-hae noona.”
Seo-yeol stopped at the stairs leading down to the lower floor. With everyone in class preparing for lessons, the quiet stairwell was empty. He released the hand he’d been holding and said,
“Are you eating properly? You look like you’ve lost weight.”
She’d wondered what he wanted to say after dragging her out so aggressively, but the first thing out of his mouth was nagging.
Baek I-hae, who had tensed up for a moment, relaxed her shoulders and smiled faintly.
“What’s that? Is that all you have to say after not seeing me for so long?”
“I know it’s been a while.”
Seo-yeol pouted his lips. He’d grown taller, but his actions were still cute, so she reached out to pat his head, and he naturally bent down.
After stroking his soft hair once, Seo-yeol met her eyes with a dissatisfied look and grumbled.
“How’s it over there? Are they treating you well? Feeding you properly? That girl who kept interrupting earlier seemed totally clueless.”
It was hard to hold back laughter at his sharp criticism. Though he himself was cold to others except when dealing with Baek I-hae.
“They’re all being good to me.”
She could only say that much for now, but she was glad he was worried about her.
“I eat less than when I was at your house, but I’m eating regularly.”
“Don’t hold back out of consideration—eat as much as you want. If you’re hungry, call me anytime, got it?”
“Got it.”
“…Call me anytime. Unless I’m inconvenient.”
She realized she’d tried to contact Seo Do-gyeom and Ye Eun-seol a few times, but never once Seo-yeol.
Seeing the hint of hurt he was trying to hide, she finally felt sorry.
‘He must think I’m avoiding him on purpose because he’s inconvenient.’
That wasn’t her intention. She’d just been too preoccupied with her own struggles.
“I’m on your side, noona. No matter what, if you ask for help, I’ll definitely help you.”
“Thanks.”
Feeling the sincerity in Seo-yeol’s words, Baek I-hae responded with equal sincerity.
It was a good thing he couldn’t see her status window. If he knew the penalty was holding her back because of him, he’d feel immense guilt.
“Dad was always quiet, but lately he’s even quieter. He must regret letting you go.”
“But uncle approved it.”
“Neither Dad nor hyung are honest types. Hyung’s not in great shape lately either.”
“…Why?”
“He told me to get engaged to you. That way, maybe you’d come back home.”
“….”
Baek I-hae’s eyes widened in shock. She’d asked hoping for some news about Seo Do-gyeom, but this was completely unexpected.
Get engaged to Seo-yeol. While he was dating her?
‘Even with the trauma from his mother’s incident… this isn’t right.’
As if Baek I-hae’s opinion didn’t matter at all.
Seo-yeol cautiously gauged her reaction, then took her hand in his.
“Hyung didn’t mean it badly, but I know it’s hurtful to you. If you don’t want it, no one can force you. But… we’d be fine with even that, if it means you’d come back.”
Fidgeting with his fingertips, Seo-yeol carefully enveloped Baek I-hae’s hand.
“I like you, noona. So if you choose me, I’ll make sure you don’t regret it.”
His voice was tinged with embarrassment but full of conviction, reminding her of someone.
Baek I-hae was staring at Seo-yeol, unable to react, when she sensed a presence. Before she knew it, someone separated their hands.
Turning in surprise, she saw the very person she’d just been thinking of standing there.
“Baek I-hae won’t be choosing you.”
It was Seo Do-gyeom.
For the first time, he showed outright hostility toward Seo-yeol, whom he’d always cared for despite pretending otherwise.
Just moments ago, she’d been hurt and upset by Seo Do-gyeom’s actions, unable to understand them.
‘Feelings of love aren’t something I can control at will.’
Baek I-hae felt an uncontrollable pounding in her heart. With a flushed face, she gazed at Seo Do-gyeom, whom she hadn’t seen in so long. She didn’t notice Seo-yeol watching her silently.
