Side Story 2.2

That morning, Dowook finished the bean sprout soup and rice her dad had prepared for him. He left with two bags of strawberries her dad had packed for him.

That was how Dowook earned her dad’s approval. As a bodyguard to protect Junhee in Seoul in her dad’s stead, as an assistant to look after her, as a chauffeur to drive her around, and as a helper to ensure she ate her meals properly.  

Even after granting Dowook all these roles, her dad still wasn’t entirely fond of him. While he acknowledged that Dowook cherished Junhee, he continued to doubt and remain wary of him.  

Was that just how all fathers felt? Or was her dad particularly overprotective? Junhee didn’t have the answer.  

— He’s not doing anything weird to you, is he?”

“Weird? Like what?”

Junhee feigned innocence as she asked. The truth was, most of the “weird things” her dad worried about were things she had initiated or begged for first. But she kept those thoughts tightly locked in her heart.  

Then, last night’s events came to mind. The night before, at her apartment, Junhee and Dowook had been entangled together, losing track of time as they kissed deeply. No, last night, it wasn’t just kissing.  

Now that she thought about it, it wasn’t Junhee but Dowook who had initiated the “weird thing” last night. It was so strange, so unusual that just recalling it made her feel a tingling warmth spreading below.  

This wasn’t good. She was talking to her dad on the phone right now. She needed to stay focused. But there was no way to stop the heat rising within her.  

Fortunately, her dad, who trusted Junhee completely, was satisfied when she assured him nothing was wrong. He chuckled, told her not to waste too much time, and reminded her to study hard before ending the call.  

Junhee quickly grabbed her bag and stepped out of her apartment. She hurried down the stairs of the villa, which didn’t have an elevator. As soon as she opened the entrance door on the first floor, she saw Choi Dowook.  

Dowook was standing under the shade of a tree by the villa’s wall. With a large backpack slung over his shoulders, one leg crossed over the other, he was staring at his phone with a blank expression.  

She had told him not to come. She had said they’d meet at school, yet he came to pick her up every day. When he realized that Junhee felt uncomfortable with the attention drawn by his flashy car, he willingly left it behind and started commuting with her using public transportation.  

It was already early June. Maybe it was the morning sunlight, but the way the rays filtered through the leaves and illuminated him like a spotlight made Dowook’s profile look especially handsome today.  

So, Junhee held her breath for a moment. She decided to sneak up on him and surprise him. She wanted to enjoy the satisfaction of seeing that smooth face of his twist in reaction to her. After all, Dowook always found various reasons to tease her.  

She wanted a little revenge. Silently, she approached him from behind. Just as she reached out her hand, Dowook turned swiftly and grabbed her hand.  

Junhee let out a startled scream. Dowook’s amused smirk followed as he teased her for being too slow. Annoyed, Junhee glared at him, but Dowook simply pulled her into a hug.  

Before she could even process the embrace, Junhee felt her feet leave the ground. Lifted high into the air, she felt dizzy as her head spun. Below her, Dowook smiled warmly, as if to reassure her.  

Junhee steadied herself by holding onto Dowook’s shoulders. As he firmly wrapped his arms around her, he planted soft kisses along her jawline. The June sunlight continued to shine on him like a spotlight. It was a moment so dazzling it almost blinded her.  

***

— What are you doing? Why is it so hard to see you these days?

The voice was languid, as if intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. Woo Junhee would dislike either. Choi Dowook raised one eyebrow lazily. Fortunately, Junhee was busy gazing out the bus window and paid no attention to him.

While he considered that fortunate, his mood turned sour. He grabbed one of Junhee’s hands, pressing her fingernails and pulling her fingers playfully. He even lightly bit the back of her hand.

Junhee, who was accustomed to Dowook’s teasing, considered it nothing out of the ordinary. She continued to show him only the back of her round, indifferent head.

While Woo Junhee ignored him, a woman standing by the rear door of the bus was blushing as she stared at Dowook. His gaze sharpened under his raised eyebrow, as if asking, ‘What are you looking at?’ The woman flinched and quickly averted her eyes, like a dog tucking its tail.

— Hey? What are you doing, Choi Dowook?

“Heading to school.”

— School? Why are you going to school?

“Why does a college student go to school at this hour? To attend class.”

— …Wow, I heard you became a decent person after re-enrolling, but it’s actually true?

The laughter that followed was obnoxiously loud. Junhee, who had been looking out the window, glanced at Dowook. Whatever the reason, he was pleased with the attention she gave him.

Dowook pulled Junhee closer by her neck and kissed her. It was a habit, something that came as naturally as breathing. Without much thought, whenever their eyes met, he kissed her.

And with that, Junhee’s pale cheeks turned a rosy pink. “This is a public place,” she whispered, mimicking the tone of an old-fashioned teacher.

Junhee turned her head away again, her ponytail swaying with the jolting bus. Dowook watched her hair bounce with a crooked gaze.

— What’s the point of earning credits? Weren’t you just supposed to get into Korea University? From what I heard, your grandfather was so thrilled about that, it’s like he’s rejuvenated. Your brother told me. By the way, where’s the Choi Dowook who spent all day drinking with me last year?

Ah, this is why he hadn’t wanted to answer the call. If Junhee knew he had hung out with someone like this, she would disapprove. Any excuse about being lost and wandering would fall flat.

— Don’t be so distant. Come to our gatherings once in a while. I’m starting to forget your face, man. I won’t pressure you to do drugs; just come for a drink….”

But Dowook didn’t hang up. Instead, he moved the phone closer to Junhee’s side. He let the trash on the other end ramble on, hoping that, by chance, Junhee might overhear it.

Maybe, just maybe, she’d be surprised by the content and look at him again. Maybe she’d scold him, lecturing him like an old teacher, pouring all her attention into him.

Dowook’s gaze lingered on Junhee’s long eyelashes.

— Or is it because of her? That Woo Junhee? Are you still hung up on her? Wait, how long has it been since you started dating her? Has it been six months yet? Damn it. I bet three bills you wouldn’t last six months, and now I’ve lost, damn it. Oh, and I heard that Jang Junyoung fled to study abroad in the U.S. because of her. Or rather, because of you going crazy over her. They say you beat him up in front of everyone, and he was so humiliated he ran away.”

Distracted by Junhee’s fluttering lashes, Dowook missed part of the conversation.

— Wait, don’t tell me you’re still a virgin? Is that why you’re sticking around her? Just let it go, man. You’re way too sentimental for your own good. Once you lose it and come to me, I’ll show you how wide the world really is. I even waited for you to lose it with her since she’s been your first love since forever. But you don’t appreciate my big-hearted patience—”

“Oh, this bastard’s crossing the line.”

Though his tone was lazy, the cold menace in his voice was unmistakable. Junhee, startled, turned to look at him. Dowook shifted the phone and smiled at her, as if to reassure her.

He liked having her attention again. He reached out and gently massaged the back of her neck, a touch she always allowed without resistance because it was her favorite among his gestures.

The guy on the other end kept barking irritably, clearly upset about being called a bastard. His heated voice repeatedly called Dowook’s name.

“Choi Dowook is very busy, so don’t bother him.” 

Dowook said curtly before hanging up. He focused again on the soft texture of Junhee’s skin under his fingers.

Her neck was so delicate and slender. Her skin was so soft and tender. Yet beneath it, the steady pulse of life was both fascinating and endearing. Dowook couldn’t seem to stop touching her neck, as if addicted to the sensation.

“Why did you answer the phone so aggressively?”

“There’s a reason. Something you don’t need to know about. That bastard… puppy.”

“Isn’t he your friend?”

“Nope. Have you ever seen me hang out with someone like that?”

“Plenty of times.”

She never let him win an argument.

“That was when I was younger. I don’t do that anymore.”

Up until six months ago, he had been hanging out with trash like that, but he lied with a straight face. Those were the days when he was half out of his mind, drowning in cigarettes and alcohol. All because Woo Junhee wouldn’t see him. Because she acted like she might abandon him.

“Aren’t your families acquainted? Your friends are usually all connected to your family. You might run into him again someday.”

Her big eyes blinked with worry, as if to say, ‘Why would you provoke him like that? What if he retaliates later?’ Dowook felt both pleased by her concern and unwilling to see her wear that worried expression for long.

“You can punish him for me.”

Junhee gave him a look that said, 

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Why? When older kids bullied me as a kid, you punished them for me, remember?”

“That’s because we were the same size back then. Now you’re much bigger….”

“Ah, so I should protect you now.”

He leaned closer to her as he spoke, resting his head on her shoulder and wrapping his arm around her waist. He used his chin to point out the window.

“We should get off soon.”

Junhee’s body stiffened slightly from the sudden contact, and Dowook liked the way she tensed.