Seojin's eyes snapped toward the others who had been staring.
Most of them immediately looked away, suddenly fascinated by the table, the grill, the night sky anything but the two of them.
The moment finally caught up to him.
I froze, heat rushing to my face. "H-hey, Seolhyo, come on, stop it. You're drunk…"
He cleared his throat and gently eased Seolhyo back, who was still giggling to herself, clearly riding the afterglow of both the song and the alcohol.
Trying to act natural, Seojin glanced around and coughed again. "So… what did you think of the song?"
No one answered.
They just stared at him, dumbfounded.
So we're really pretending that didn't happen?
Suddenly, Seolhyo burst into soft laughter. "Hehehe!"
Jinkyung, her own face still flushed, glanced at her carefully. "What's got you so happy…?"
Please don't say it's because you just kissed him in front of everyone.
Seolhyo smiled, her voice lighter, almost dreamy. "It's just… this doesn't feel real. Being here with you guys, at this hour. Every time you all hang out after school, it has to be some kind of secret, and I always just go home."
She paused, looking around slowly. "But today, I'm here. I'm not worrying about anything."
She leaned back, closing her eyes, tilting her face up toward the night sky. "It feels like a dream. So much that I get sad knowing time is still passing. But I like it so, so much…"
Irina's eyes teared up, her lips pressing together as she listened.
Park Dong smirked quietly to himself.
Yeah… who wouldn't?
Seolhyo turned her head again, a grin tugging at her lips."…And I have a boyfriend now. Hehe. Today, it feels like that damn gorilla isn't controlling me anymore." She laughed softly.
"It's such a good day. We're all enjoying ourselves, right? Doesn't this feel like a dream?"
She kept talking, words spilling out easily. "I'm jealous of you guys. I wanna hang out late all the time too…"
Then she suddenly went quiet.
After a few seconds, she pulled out her slide phone, eyes flashing with sudden fire.
"That thug gorilla bastard!! Should I call him and chew him out, huh?"
She waved the phone. "I can't take this anymore I'm calling Seol Minsu!!!"
Panic and fear swept through everyone at once.
"stop her!!" Daegyu yelped.
"We're all gonna die!!!" Park Dong shouted, already lunging forward.
"Take her phone take her phone!!"
Irina rushed in, grabbing Seolhyo's arms as she tried to pull the phone back.
"Seolhyo, calm down!!"
"Whyyy," Seolhyo whined, pouting. "I wanna call him…"
Then she turned toward me, eyes glassy and accusatory, tugging at my sleeve like a child."Jin… look at them. They're bullying me."
I couldn't help it I laughed softly.
Gently, I guided her down so her head rested in my lap, patting her hair in slow, soothing motions.
"Are you sleepy?" I asked quietly.
She lifted one hand weakly. "Hmnyaaa…"
Just like that, the tension melted away.
A few moments passed, her breathing evening out.
"…Phew," Park Dong exhaled. "After all that chaos, she knocked out."
Irina let out a disbelieving laugh. "I never imagined a day where I'd see Seolhyo this clingy to a guy."
Jinkyung tilted her head, still in awe. "What surprises me more is… How bold Seolhyo is now, HAHA."
That earned a round of snickers.
Park Dong leaned forward, suddenly serious. "So Seojin what are you gonna do if her brother finds out?"
The question hung in the air.
Seolhyo's fingers curled tighter around mine.
I looked down at her, her face soft and peaceful against my lap, then gave a faint, helpless smile.
"…Honestly? I have no idea."
Silence hung in the air for a moment.
Daegyu shifted awkwardly, then reach to the bag of meat,
Daegyu clicked his tongue. "There's only one piece of meat left. I could still eat more."
Irina scoffed. "These pigs eat slower, will you?"
Inseop stared at her in disbelief. "Weren't you the one who ate the most?"
"N-no I didn't! Hyewon, hit him!!" Irina snapped.
Hyewon immediately smacked Inseop lightly on the back, laughing.
Irina grab a cup of water. "Ugh, my mouth feels gross. Don't you guys wanna get some ice cream or something?"
"You wanna eat again?"
Seolhyo suddenly shot her arm into the air. "Yesss! I want ice cream too!!"
Seojin laughed and brushed her hair back, lightly pinching her cheeks just to see her pout.
She immediately swatted his hand away, then grabbed it instead, threading her fingers tightly through his as if to make sure he wouldn't try again.
Daegyu blinked at her. "Weren't you asleep just now?"
Irina turned to Ono. "Is there a convenience store nearby?"
"You'll have to walk about ten minutes," Ono replied. "Past the rice fields."
Park Dong narrowed his eyes at him. "...It's really just ten minutes, right?"
"Yeah."
Park Dong stood up. "Fine. I'll go get some. What do you guys want?"
"Kkulkkul bar for me!"
"Coffee Sanyang!"
"Anything's fine for me and Seolhyo."
"I'll come too," Irina said, getting to her feet. "I was the one who wanted it anyway."
Park Dong snapped his head toward her. "Why are you coming? You'll just get in my way."
"I'm not that drunk, okay?" Irina shot back. "And walking helps with digestion."
Park Dong looked away, ears burning red. "...Whatever."
Daegyu raised a hand. "Should I go too? I can smoke on the way."
"Yeah, yeah!" Irina waved him on.
Before he could even stand, Suwon grabbed the back of Daegyu's shirt and shook his head firmly, eyes sharp.
Daegyu froze, then blinked as realization hit. "Ah… right. Never mind."
He raise his hand to them. "I gotta pee. Get me a Ppalppalcon instead!"
Irina turned her head to him. "What the hell…?"
Park Dong sighed, rubbing his temples.
Ugh. What is wrong with these idiots…
Suwon watched their retreating backs in silence, a dry thought crossing his mind.
…Go fall into heaven, Park Dong.
Seolhyo's eyes fluttered open.
Seojin was already looking at her, his gaze never leaving her face, a quiet smile curving on his lips.
She smiled back, voice small and drowsy. "I'm sleepy~"
"Okay," Seojin said softly. "Let's go inside."
Seolhyo lifted both arms toward him without another word. "Carry me…"
Seojin chuckled, bending down as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
He slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, lifting her easily.
Her head nestled against his shoulder, her body warm and light as he hooked her legs around his hips and carried her toward the house.
Her soft, steady breathing brushed against his neck while the others' laughter lingered behind them, their knowing gazes following until the door closed.
Inside the girls room, he set Seolhyo down gently on the edge of the bed.
Her head tilted slightly, as if she might fall asleep right then and there.
"Stay still for a second," he whispered, crouching in front of her.
Carefully, he removed her circle lenses one by one.
Her lashes fluttered at his touch, and she blinked slowly, eyes now softer, more natural almost vulnerable.
"Done," he murmured, brushing her bangs aside with a tender smile.
Seojin spread the blanket out and set a pillow in place, smoothing the sheets carefully so she'd be comfortable.
When he finally finished and turned back.
"Whoa!"
Seolhyo suddenly lunged forward, pouncing on him with surprising strength.
Seojin barely managed to catch her as he lost his balance, falling back onto the blanket he'd just laid out.
Seolhyo landed on top of him, her cheek pressed against his chest, arms clinging tightly around him. Her voice came out muffled but clear, soft and pleading.
"…Stay with me."