Chapter 22: Tangled Bonds and Unexpected Allies

Do Yoon’s tsundere antics in the novel sparked mixed reactions. Some readers found his prickly-but-kind demeanor toward the heroine charming, while others groaned at the frustratingly slow “sweet potato” romance, begging for the leads to confess already. Do Yoon was warm to everyone—except the heroine, where he turned cold and standoffish.

But… using that winning formula on Hyung Joo? Even if they’re destined to be best friends, he’s a guy.

Hyung Joo looked equally baffled.

“This guy’s hilarious…”

“Hyung’s busy. He doesn’t have time to play with you.”

I’m the least busy person in our house. Still, I didn’t want Do Yoon exchanging numbers with Hyung Joo. I forced an awkward laugh, trying to stop him.

“Do Yoon, you’re swamped with studying. Why offer tutoring?”

“It’s fine. Doesn’t seem like he’d ask anything too hard.”

Hyung Joo bristled.

“You mocking me?”

“Did it sound like that?”

Why are these high schoolers suddenly fighting on the street? Before I could intervene, Do Yoon spoke faster.

“I’m trying to help. I’m first in math schoolwide. I wouldn’t miss this chance if I were you. Didn’t you say you wanted to study math?”

“…”

“Or what, were you just looking for an excuse to call our hyung regularly?”

“No way!”

Hyung Joo shouted, his face red with anger at Do Yoon’s absurd accusation. Even I thought that was a stretch. Do Yoon’s in the wrong here…

Hyung Joo snatched Do Yoon’s phone, punching in his number. When Do Yoon hit call, Hyung Joo’s phone blared from his pocket. Confirming the number worked, Do Yoon said flatly.

“Done. We’re good? Call anytime.”

I watched, stunned, as the main character and my future nemesis exchanged numbers and became friends years ahead of schedule. Seriously? This is how it goes?

I couldn’t process what just happened. Hyung Joo glared at us, stormed off, and I collapsed onto a nearby bench. Do Yoon sat cautiously beside me and asked.

“…Are you mad, hyung?”

“Huh? Why would I be?”

“You seemed bothered by him.”

Of course I’m bothered! I’m terrified of how Do Yoon getting close to him now might change things. I haven’t done anything bad yet… If Do Yoon got a girlfriend, I’d support him wholeheartedly!

“No, I’m just worried he’ll waste your time. Why’d you do that? Offering tutoring? I was shocked. Do you… like him?”

My voice trembled. Do Yoon’s face twitched.

He didn’t answer, instead asking.

“Where’d you meet him? He doesn’t seem like a model student.”

Sharp eye, as expected.

“Just… by chance.”

Do Yoon hesitated, then asked.

“He said a ‘special place.’ Was it when you were with those Hanseong guys?”

My mind snapped awake. Hanseong meant Won Chul, who insulted Do Yoon’s dad, and his brother, who partied with me in the original Seung Hyun’s drug-fueled chaos. So Do Yoon was asking if I met Hyung Joo while doing drugs. I jumped.

“What? No! We met somewhere totally normal. Not what you’re thinking.”

He’d been extra quick to jump into our talk, probably worried I’d slipped back into bad habits. I was touched but wronged.

“I told you, I’m turning my life around.”

Do Yoon lowered his long lashes, looking almost wistful.

“Sorry. I was worried you’d… go back to how you were.”

His forlorn expression left me speechless. How do I respond when he says that? I scrambled for words, settling on a short reply.

“I won’t anymore.”

But he kept staring, clearly wanting to know where we met. Fine, since they’ve already crossed paths, what’s there to hide? I sighed.

“A while back… I got hit by that scooter, right? He was the one driving.”

Do Yoon’s gentle expression vanished instantly.

“That was that jerk?”

“Huh?”

I froze, thinking I misheard. But his face turned icy, and he muttered darkly.

“He hurt you like that and has the nerve to act friendly?”

Telling him we met doing drugs might’ve been less explosive. I rushed to explain.

“No, we settled it. It wasn’t a big deal.”

“Not a big deal? Your leg was broken!”

When? My leg’s fine. Do Yoon nodded to himself, not looking at me.

“No wonder your face looked off when we met him.”

No, that was because you two exchanged numbers! Then he whipped his head toward me, his sharp lashes practically menacing.

“So that ‘special place’ was a police station?”

“I… guess you could say that.”

“What a lunatic.”

My throat tightened. If I said Hyung Joo hit me to steal my money, it’d spark a war. Do Yoon glared, pressing me.

“And you bought him food? What?”

“Uh… sundae soup…”

“What’s so great about him?”

His sigh carried a sharp edge. He probably thought I was the ultimate pushover. I get it—I’d be livid if a friend got suckered into a 36-month phone contract.

But I had my reasons! I was copying you!

Do Yoon sighed, exasperated.

“Guys like that don’t appreciate it. They just think they got away with it.”

I know, kid! I didn’t want to either! But I didn’t want loan sharks or a beating! Swallowing my frustration, I started defending myself.

“Well… he said he wants to study hard, so maybe he’ll change? He grew up with just his grandma, no one to guide him. He’s done some crimes to get by… but living like that, even if he wants to go straight, he won’t know how. He’ll end up isolated, only knowing how to do bad things.”

And then he’d live recklessly, get stabbed, and collapse in front of your place. I shivered, recalling the novel’s plot.

“…I don’t want that for him. That’s why I was nice. But I get why it looks frustrating.”

Do Yoon listened quietly, then nodded.

“I understand.”

Relief washed over me as he stopped probing. But I soon learned his “I understand” meant more than agreement.

I was sprawled on the second-floor living room sofa, iPad in hand, checking my assets and planning my future. With no one around, why bother doing this in my room?

But today felt different. Lounging in my usual sky-blue tracksuit, I saw a hallucination: Hyung Joo in a school uniform. I squinted, and the figure greeted me.

“Uh… hi.”

I bolted upright on the leather sofa.

“What?!”

Do Yoon stood beside him. My eyes widened. No one’s usually home at this hour. If I understood right, Do Yoon brought Hyung Joo to our house. I stammered.

“You… you guys…”

Why are you here? Do Yoon, reading my face, answered brightly.

“We’re studying here today.”

Since when are you that close? I was too shocked to speak.