Chapter 34: A Friend’s Story

I didn’t think Ban-ye considered me his best friend.

Besides, isn’t it a problem even if Ban-ye does think of me as his best friend…?

If he found out that I was conscious of him in a strange way, his attitude would change in an instant.

I changed the subject by suggesting we start the dungeon.

But I couldn’t focus well, and I made a series of mistakes that day.

If ImSoCute hadn’t warned me several times, I probably would have died twice as much.

After barely clearing the dungeon twice, I sighed, and ImSoCute gave a faint laugh.

“Why are you sighing like that? It’s okay to make mistakes.”

“No, it’s not that….”

It wasn’t that I was upset about dying; something else was bothering me.

I stealthily peeked the door open and glanced at Ban-ye.

It seemed he was still in his room.

Careful not to be overheard, I cautiously brought up the thought that had been circling in my mind.

“…Hey, ImSoCute.”

“Yes.”

“This is about a friend of mine….”

“Yes. What about your friend?”

Was it because ImSoCute’s voice sounded so gentle?

Feeling a little relieved, I mumbled and opened my mouth.

“My friend has another friend they’ve gotten really close to recently, you see? But lately… they said they’ve started becoming conscious of that friend….”

“…Your friend?”

“Yes, conscious… in a romantic sort of way.”

My words trailed off as I spoke.

My own mind took a hit just from saying it.

Am I really starting an online romance, season two?

This is ridiculous.

“What should my friend do?”

“…Ah, your friend. Hmm.”

ImSoCute, who seemed a little taken aback, answered cautiously.

“From the other person’s perspective, it might be a bit… burdensome, don’t you think? If they’ve only gotten close recently, it must be a friendship…. If romantic feelings suddenly come into play… hmm. The other person might try to create some distance.”

“Ah, I guess that’s true.”

“Yes. It’s unfortunate for your friend, but….”

ImSoCute said gently, as if to comfort me.

“If the other person doesn’t like them back, it’s probably best to sort out their feelings.”

“I think so too. My friend… should sort out his feelings.”

It was a relief that ImSoCute stated it so firmly.

While a small part of me was disappointed, the feeling of relief was far greater.

Just then, I sensed a presence outside.

Startled, I said, “I-I have to go,” and turned off my mic.

The door swung open right after.

The person who entered the room was, of course, Ban-ye.

Ban-ye strode over, stared at the monitor I had hastily turned off, and frowned.

Instead of instinctively making an excuse, I glared at Ban-ye.

“You didn’t even knock….”

“I did knock.”

“…You did?”

“You must not have heard because you were wearing your headset.”

“…”

I had been paying close attention to my surroundings, but I hadn’t heard a knock.

…No, I must have just missed it, right?

“So, what’s up?”

“I’m heading out. I told you I’d be staying out overnight.”

“…Ah, right.”

“You must be happy I’m staying out, huh?”

Ban-ye asked mischievously, poking at the failed joke from a little while ago.

I was about to say no, but I was so flustered that my feelings might be discovered that I just shook my head.

“W-Well, it’s your choice…. There’s nothing to be happy or sad about.”

“…Is that so.”

Ban-ye wasn’t frowning like before, but he left the room with a blank expression, as if he wasn’t pleased either.

I got up from my chair and trailed after him.

At the entrance, as Ban-ye was putting on his shoes, I gave him a small wave.

“Have a good time.”

“…I’ll be back.”

Ban-ye had seemed a bit down, but thankfully, he didn’t look so bad when he was leaving.

I stood in place for a long time after Ban-ye left before trudging back.

“…”

My feet stopped in front of Ban-ye’s room for the same reason I felt disappointed by ImSoCute’s words.

Even though I knew the room’s owner was already gone, I cautiously opened the door a crack, as if I might get caught.

Ban-ye’s room, with traces of him left everywhere.

I had been living here for a while now, but I felt a sense of distance from the room, which looked like it could be emptied out in an instant if he were to leave abruptly.

This was probably the exact distance between me and Ban-ye.

ImSoCute is right.

Whatever these feelings are, I shouldn’t pay them any mind.

It was never going to work out in the first place… and it would be a problem even if it did.

I can’t even imagine Ban-ye liking me.

The thought of Ban-ye saying he liked me actually gave me the chills.

It was much easier to imagine our relationship falling apart….

“…”

Just the thought of it was slightly agonizing.

I had such a hard time after breaking up with Kwon Da-jung, and with Ban-ye, we’ve even met face-to-face.

The blow would be much greater.

As much of an !diot as I am, I’m not st*pid enough to make the same mistake twice.

Give it up.

Separate from my firm conclusion, my mood became inexplicably gloomy.

In the end, even though it was still early, I just flopped onto the bed and passed the time.

When my surroundings grew dark and my stomach rumbled, I finally got up.

“There’s nothing to eat….”

I had finished the stew for lunch and even did the dishes, so there was no leftover food.

What on earth should I eat?

After a moment of deliberation, I took out a familiar pack of instant rice and 3-minute curry.

“…”

As I ate, my expression soured, just like Ban-ye’s when he first came to my house and ate curry.

Even though it was food I always enjoyed, it tasted strangely bland.

In the end, I couldn’t even eat half of it and put down my spoon.

I wasn’t even full yet, but I felt like I would get indigestion if I ate any more.

Just as I was debating whether to throw it out or not.

♪♬♩―.

Suddenly, my smartphone rang.

I checked it, thinking it was spam, but to my surprise, the caller was Ban-ye.

I stared at my phone for a moment, then, startled by a sudden thought, I answered the call.

[Hello.]

“B-Ban-ye!”

[Is something wrong?]

“Is something wrong?!”

Ban-ye and I asked at almost the same time.

What flashed through my mind… was the sight of Ban-ye kicking a trash can on the first day of his part-time job.

Ban-ye has a temper, so I worried something might have happened outside….

[What could possibly be wrong with me.]

Hearing Ban-ye’s voice, scoffing as if the idea was ridiculous, I finally felt at ease.

At the same time, I struggled to calm my own heart, which was pounding wildly.

“Well, as long as nothing’s wrong…. You called so suddenly, I just thought something happened.”

[I just called to see if you were okay.]

I glanced at the clock.

8 PM.

Not much time had passed since Ban-ye left; it was too short an interval to be checking in.

Instead of pointing it out, I just replied, “Uh-huh.”

“What about you? Are you with your friends now?”

[Ah, yes. Is it loud?]

“Not so loud that it’s a problem….”

A boisterous noise had been audible in the background throughout the call, though it was gradually getting quieter.

Ban-ye spoke again after the noise died down a bit.

[I just stepped out.]

“Oh… okay.”

Ban-ye was silent for a moment.

I heard the sound of him inhaling and exhaling, as if he were smoking a cigarette.

The faint smell of cigarettes that I associated with him instinctively came to mind.

My insides felt strangely ticklish, and I couldn’t say anything, just fiddling with my fingers.

[Have you eaten?]

“I’m eating right now….”

I looked down gloomily at the curry and rice I had barely picked at.

[What are you eating.]

“Curry.”

[You should eat properly.]

Ban-ye said, as if chiding me.

Far from eating properly, it looked like I’d be leaving more than half of it.

I gave an awkward laugh.

“I’ll eat well tomorrow. What are you eating?”

[Me, just… meat. Everyone goes crazy for meat….]

‘Does Ban-ye like meat too?’

He probably does.

Maybe I should order some meat next time and grill it?

“Eat a lot.”

[Okay.]

The sound of him exhaling again.

Then I heard someone call out, “Hwang Hyun-joong!”

Ban-ye clicked his tongue and said goodbye to me.

[Well, I’m hanging up for now.]

“Uh-huh.”

[Get some rest.]

“Yeah, you too, have… fun.”

[Okay.]

The call, which I couldn’t fathom the reason for, ended.

As soon as the call disconnected, my tense body went limp.

I had been angry with him today, yet I had no idea why he was acting so kindly.

He definitely wouldn’t act like that if he knew what I was thinking when I looked at him.

“Sigh….”

A sigh escaped me on its own.

Ban-ye had told me to eat well, but I still had no appetite.

I mechanically finished the leftover rice.

After washing up, since no one else was home, I brought my blanket out and lay down on the sofa for the first time in a while.

I turned on the television and tried to enjoy my freedom alone… but nothing was interesting, and I fell asleep quickly.

“Hyung.”

Startled by the voice calling me, I woke up from my sleep.

As soon as I did, Ban-ye’s face was right in front of mine, and I recoiled in shock.

Ban-ye frowned at my reaction.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“No, it’s just… W-What time is it?”

“10 AM.”

I thought I might have slept until late afternoon, but it was still morning.

I thought he would come back later.

Ban-ye removed the crumpled blanket from on top of me.

“Go wash up and come out.”

“O-Oh….”

As if pushed, I went into the bathroom, washed up quickly, and came out to a delicious smell wafting from outside.

I looked to see what it was, and it seemed Ban-ye had brought back some takeout.

“What’s this?”

“I was getting some hangover food and thought of you, so I had them pack some to-go. Come and eat.”

“…”

I wish he wouldn’t be so d@mn kind.

“Thanks for the food….”

Reminding myself not to get the wrong idea, I ate the breakfast Ban-ye had prepared for me.

The food had tasted so awful yesterday, but today, it was miraculously delicious.