Chapter 39
Since last Friday, my dorm had definitely become livelier than before.
That was because, whereas it had previously been a space inhabited by just one guy, it had gained a roommate, if only temporarily.
Simply having Seo Ahyeon staying there had made the atmosphere much warmer and more cheerful.
I, too, enjoyed having someone to spend my everyday life with, chatting about trivial things…….
Needless to say, the nighttime activities that naturally formed part of that daily life needed no explanation.
In other words, they had been nothing short of satisfying enough to fulfill both body and mind.
[Seo Ahyeon: Taeyang]
[Seo Ahyeon: (Selfie taken in front of a bakery)]
[Seo Ahyeon: I was depressed, so I bought some bread]
“……Pff.”
Still, that time couldn't last forever.
Not for any particularly special reason, either.
But both Seo Ahyeon and I were ultimately academy students, weren't we?
Since everyone was an adult, the atmosphere wasn't all that rigid, but as we lived in the dormitories, we were still required to submit to a minimum level of supervision.
What does that mean? To put it simply, it refers to an incident that took place two days ago.
In other words, our temporary cohabitation regretfully came to an end on its sixth day.
To put it bluntly, it was because the dorm supervisor caught Seo Ahyeon and me living together.
The final outcome was that, in accordance with school regulations, compulsory separation measures were carried out.
Once again, all Cheongun Academy students were adults and generally had considerable freedom, including in romantic relationships, but…….
When things went beyond merely spending a night together and reached the point of actually living together, the dorm supervisor was authorized to take disciplinary action against those students.
Seo Ahyeon and I were likewise ordered to return to our respective dormitories under that procedure.
Well, after living under the same roof for nearly a week, it would be a lie to say I didn't feel a little empty.
But.
[Han Taeyang: What bread did you buy?]
[Seo Ahyeon: (Shocked puppy emoji)]
[Seo Ahyeon: Idiot]
[Seo Ahyeon: Drop dead]
“Heh.”
Now that things had turned out this way, though, I wasn't about to rebel against it or become seriously depressed.
The reason I'd had Seo Ahyeon staying in my dorm in the first place. What had it been?
Wasn't it because I was worried that bastard Kim Minjun might barge into Seo Ahyeon's dorm for no reason?
At any rate, I understood that the two of them had shared their dorm passwords.
‘Back then, I thought preventing the two of them from being alone together for no reason was the top priority.’
But what about now? Was I still worried that Kim Minjun might go looking for Seo Ahyeon?
Well. I wouldn't say the possibility was nonexistent.
Now I even found myself thinking that, on the off chance he did go looking for Seo Ahyeon, it probably wouldn't be a problem.
‘From his perspective, even if he went to see her again, so what…….’
Think about it. If this had been a game, it would have been like ‘SSR Seo Ahyeon, newly emerged from her shell,’ being visited by ‘girlfriend-only Lu Bu Kim Minjun (N).’
What could that guy even do? He'd be lucky not to get hit again if he tried acting tough.
After watching Seo Ahyeon for nearly a week, I also felt that she had already reached the point where she could deal calmly with Kim Minjun even if he came looking for her again.
In any case, that meant I no longer needed to guard her so closely that it bordered on overprotectiveness.
I leaned my back casually against something near a bus stop downtown and sent another message.
[Han Taeyang: Just kidding]
[Han Taeyang: Do you like bread? Shall we take a trip to Daejeon together next time? I heard there's a famous bakery there that's been around for over two hundred years]
“……Hmm.”
Then, before Seo Ahyeon's reply arrived, I paused and knit my brows.
I suddenly realized I looked like I was asking to be pelted with stones.
Basically, I was waiting for another woman while soothing Seo Ahyeon through text. Wasn't I truly an exemplary womanizer?
I rubbed my neck as a pang of conscience once again needled the love triangle in my heart.
And apparently, I wasn't the only one who had noticed that bitter aftertaste.
Soon, Seo Ahyeon's reply arrived.
Ding!
[Seo Ahyeon: What are you talking about……. Aren't you going on a date with Baek Seol-ah today? And you have the nerve to flirt with me?]
“Ahem.”
[Seo Ahyeon: Whatever, focus on your date. It's not polite to Seol-ah either]
Even though I knew no one was actually watching me, I awkwardly glanced around.
Then I tried typing a little more cautiously than before, but.
[Han Taeyang: No, she hasn't arrived yet…….]
[Seo Ahyeon: Ahaha. So I'm just something to pass the time until Seol-ah arrives, then?]
In response to my flimsy excuse, Seo Ahyeon immediately shot back in a chilling tone, as though she'd finally caught me.
Since this wasn't a video call, I couldn't see her face, but she was probably wearing a cold smile.
[Han Taeyang: Forgive me, my lady]
No matter which way I answered, it felt as though a blade was pressed to my throat. It was a truly bloodcurdling two-way choice between death and death.
At least because I had immediately lowered myself, Seo Ahyeon seemed to have decided to let it slide this once.
[Seo Ahyeon: Let's behave, Taeyang]
[Han Taeyang: Okay]
Apparently, she was sincere about telling me to focus on my date, because Seo Ahyeon ended our conversation after sending one last cute puffed-cheeks emoji.
……In a way, it was almost perfect timing. Just as I slipped my phone into my pocket.
“Y-you got here first……. Han Taeyang.”
“Ah.”
A familiar voice came from off to the side, and I turned my head toward it before pausing and freezing.
It might sound like a cliché, but my gaze was simply stolen for a moment, leaving me dumbstruck.
Her white hair, which normally had a faint ash-gray cast, shifted between silver and white in the sunlight.
The flush blooming on her ever-pale skin and her bashful-looking golden eyes formed an oddly striking contrast.
She wore a choker emphasizing her slender neck and a daring crop top, with a sheer lace cardigan draped around her exposed shoulders.
Her ankle-length jeans clung tightly to her figure, accentuating her hips and thighs.
“……Why are you staring so hard? Pervert?”
“……”
As always, she glared at me with a displeased expression and snapped in a prim tone, but, well.
The fact that her hair had been given a slight wave, unlike usual, made it strangely easy to guess.
That she'd dressed up with no small amount of effort for today's date with me.
Before long, I felt a wry smile naturally form at my lips and spoke.
“No, it's just that the jeans suit you better than I expected. Maybe it's because I've only ever seen you in your uniform skirt?”
“!”
“You look pretty, Baek Seol-ah.”
I then stepped right up in front of Baek Seol-ah, who had stiffened up in turn, and raised a hand.
I gently ran my hand through her hair, and Baek Seol-ah's face gradually grew redder.
“……W-what is it? You never call me Baek Seolgi at times like this. How devious……”
“You should be honest when you're complimenting someone. I really mean it—it suits you.”
“Ngh……”
I stole a sidelong glance at her reaction and considered it for a moment.
To be honest, before today I'd vaguely wondered whether this date might have been at Lee Hyeonseong's insistence, but.
‘Apparently not, after all.’
Judging by Baek Seol-ah's reaction right now, it looked like my prediction had missed its mark this time.
If this date had been forced by Lee Hyeonseong, she would probably have been absolutely furious.
She wouldn't have dressed up this prettily, either. Even if she was soft when it came to Lee Hyeonseong's requests, Baek Seol-ah was a woman honest about her own feelings.
Given that she wasn't being unusually prickly toward me or showing any genuine displeasure with the situation, this date must have been entirely her own decision.
‘……Why?’
Of course, that only made me more puzzled.
So why, then? Why go on a date with me?
It was enough to make me naturally tilt my head in confusion. I just didn't let the question drag on too long, ending my train of thought at a reasonable point.
I resigned myself to not being able to find out right away and simply lifted Baek Seol-ah's bangs─.
Smooch-
“……”
Adding a spoonful of my own personal desire, I briefly pressed my lips to her snow-white forehead.
And Baek Seol-ah didn't reject even that, merely lowering her head bashfully.
She didn't even make the usual complaint of ‘What are you doiiing?’ Her face was astonishingly red, though.
I tentatively lowered my hand, wondering if perhaps I could get away with something more.
I was about to touch Baek Seol-ah's bare midriff, fully exposed by her daring crop top.
“……I’ll kill you, seriously. Don’t cross the line in public.”
“Yeah.”
Sadly, it seemed I wasn't allowed to go that far. Baek Seol-ah snatched my wrist with uncanny speed, her eyes flashing as she growled under her breath.
So, apparently, she was willing to tolerate ‘the obnoxious public displays of affection typical of couples out on the street,’ like a kiss on the forehead or a hug, but nothing beyond that.
I obediently pulled my hand away with a quiet chuckle, and Baek Seol-ah shot me a sharp glare.
As expected, it was the familiar prickly reaction of Baek Seol-ah, visible at last, but…….
I didn't let it bother me and held out my hand to her, still wearing a sly smile.
“Shall we go, then? You said there was a restaurant you really wanted to try.”
“……”
“Like I said yesterday, I made reservations, so let's go.”
Baek Seol-ah paused for a moment and stared fixedly at my outstretched hand.
But before long, she seemed to brush aside whatever stray thoughts had likely surfaced.
“……O-okay.”
After swallowing dryly, Baek Seol-ah reached out her hand, her nervousness plain.
Only after her hand came to rest atop mine could I smile in satisfaction.