Chapter 5

…She was sure she didn’t like him anymore.

“Senior.”

Had he sensed her blank stare? Yeo Dohun spotted her and smiled softly, his eyes curving.

Just that slight smile made the Yeo Dohun in her imagination seem like a big dog wagging its tail.

‘Why does he look so happy? Is it because I only remember him as a cute kid?’

She hadn’t expected to run into Yeo Dohun, especially right after her sister said those things.

Seo Eunha nodded at him with a calm face, her simple gesture contrasting with her complicated thoughts.

“What brings you to this neighborhood?”

“I was out to meet a friend, but now I’m heading home. Is this your neighborhood, Senior?”

Seo Eunha confirmed with silence. She couldn’t meet his eyes, wanting to leave quickly. She thought she’d just buy some beer at the convenience store and go home.

As she tried to move on naturally and say goodbye, a shadow followed her, making her turn her head in surprise.

“What, why are you following me?”

“It doesn’t look like you’re meeting a friend, so aren’t you just out to buy something?”

Suddenly, she remembered her casual outfit and cap. Embarrassment washed over her as she caught Yeo Dohun’s glance.

She didn’t want to show him anything but her best side, even if she didn’t have a crush anymore. It felt like she always ran into him at the worst times.

“I’m just going to buy beer at the convenience store. If your curiosity is satisfied, go your way. See you at the cafe.”

“Beer sounds good.”

Yeo Dohun tilted his head and whispered, meeting her eyes.

“Would you like to drink with me?”

“…What?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a drink with you, Senior.”

She looked up at him, speechless.

Was there some hidden meaning? Or was she just reading too much into a simple remark?

‘I was sure I’d gotten over my crush.’

She didn’t want to be flustered, and even if she was, she didn’t want him to notice.

Seo Eunha turned and walked ahead.

Even without permission, she heard him follow. Instead of being annoyed, she found herself listening for his footsteps.

Back in school, it seemed like Yeo Dohun was the one who avoided her.

‘Is he teasing me? Does he think I’m easy because of my confession?’

Well, if they were going to keep seeing each other at work, she might as well ask directly.

“Fine, sure.”

When Seo Eunha agreed, Yeo Dohun strode ahead.

The two bought beer and snacks at a nearby convenience store and headed to a park bench. The snacks between them were modest.

There was no one else around. Unable to bear the silence, Seo Eunha started drinking her beer quickly. Yeo Dohun had wanted to clink cans lightly, but she drank before he could say anything.

“Are you good with alcohol?”

“I can handle it.”

That was a lie.

Seo Eunha couldn’t drink much before getting tipsy and being scolded by her parents. She had no plans to admit that to Yeo Dohun.

“I’m not very good at drinking.”

“Then don’t push yourself. Drink slowly. We have work tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

Yeo Dohun smiled sweetly, his eyes crinkling. He gently clinked his can against hers.

“Cheers.”

“…….”

‘What a sly guy.’

Seo Eunha averted her eyes and just drank in silence. Luckily, the beer went down easily today, so her lie about handling alcohol seemed believable.

They drink for a long time just like that.

As he’d said, Yeo Dohun was a slow drinker. While he finished one can, she was already on her third.

“Senior, are you okay?”

Yeo Dohun looked completely fine. Meanwhile, her face felt hot, probably as red as a roasted sweet potato. She blinked slowly, thinking she should stop soon.

When she started seeing double, Yeo Dohun reached out to steady her.

“You must have drunk too fast.”

He came around to her side and gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She liked the warmth, so she leaned in, making his body flinch for a moment.

“Warm.”

“You must have been cold.”

“If you’d said something, I would’ve given you my jacket,” Yeo Dohun added softly. Even in school, his voice was always pleasant.

He didn’t seem bothered by her drunken antics, and he pulled her into his jacket, making her feel cozy.

“Yeo Dohun.”

“Yes, Senior.”

“Do you think I’m easy?”

Seo Eunha forced her eyes open and asked, using the alcohol as an excuse.

“No, I actually wish you were a little easier…. Why do you ask?”

What did he mean by wishing she was easier?

Her head spinning, she frowned, and Yeo Dohun gently rubbed her brow with his finger. She relaxed and mumbled,

“Honestly, since I confessed and got rejected, it’s awkward for both of us. But you keep acting so friendly, like you don’t care how I feel.”

“It’s not that I didn’t think about your feelings. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”

“Yeah, you did. Apologize more.”

She heard his soft laugh above her. Even as she frowned and looked up, he played innocent.

“When I was younger, I never thought you’d like me, so I got flustered and rejected you. I didn’t know how to deal with feelings, but it wasn’t because I disliked you.”

“But you still rejected me.”

“True. If I’d known you wouldn’t talk to me or that you’d date someone else…”

‘I would’ve made you mine.’

Seo Eunha furrowed her brow and stared at Yeo Dohun’s lips. She was confused whether he had just spoken or if she had misheard.

It was because Yeo Dohun was still wearing a pitiful expression, his eyes drooping as if he felt sorry.

“I want to get along with you, Senior. That was true when I was young, and it’s the same now.”

“What if I say I don’t like it because it’s uncomfortable?”

“Still, since we’ll keep seeing each other at work, wouldn’t you be the only one feeling uncomfortable?”

“Oh, that was pretty shameless just now!”

“Senior, you’re really drunk. You lied about being good at drinking, didn’t you?”

“No, but I still drank better than you, who only had one can.”

Who was he to talk, having only drunk one can? She grumbled in a sulky voice, and Yeo Dohun gave a small, agreeing laugh.

“That’s true.”

“Don’t laugh.”

“Why? Is it weird for me to laugh? You don’t look that strange.”

“What’s with my expression?”

“Hmm, let’s see.”

Yeo Dohun’s long fingers gently touched her cheekbone. His hand moved gracefully, drawing a small circle, then landed on her cheek.

“It’s not just the alcohol making you blush, is it?”

D*mn, why did she feel like she was sobering up?

Seo Eunha hurriedly escaped from Yeo Dohun’s arms and stood up from the bench. Even then, he sat there calmly, watching her actions.

“You’re so annoying.”

“Are you heading home? Let’s go together, it’s late—I’ll walk you.”

“No need!”

Seo Eunha started striding home, but quickly rushed back to the bench. She almost left without cleaning up the trash, which would have made her a terrible person.

Trying to look as calm as possible, she quickly gathered the trash into a black plastic bag. She handed Yeo Dohun his leftover beer, telling him to finish it, and he blinked in surprise.

“What? What is it?”

Feeling embarrassed, she glared at him and asked, and Yeo Dohun burst out laughing. She didn’t know.

With her face flushed from the alcohol and cold, cleaning up the trash, she looked so adorable in his eyes.