Paper Friendship Chapter 22

Choi Juoon interrupted me and took the call. Even without asking, it was Jin Seyoung. Choi Juoon went into the master bedroom without even listening to my answer. That was how I ended up lying in bed alone.

I waited for Choi Juoon until the call ended because I was curious if he would sleep next to me like yesterday, or if he would sleep in the master bedroom. However, whether he fell asleep in the master bedroom while talking to Jin Seyoung, or if he came out after finishing the call and I just didn’t notice because I was asleep, Choi Juoon was not in the spot next to me.

Choi Juoon didn’t want to let go of either his studies or his relationship. It’s not really my place to say, but deep down, I thought, What kind of relationship is a high school senior in? But even to my eyes, there were no parts to criticize. At the very least, Choi Juoon studied truly, immensely, and harder than anyone else.

Even just watching him made me tired. But Choi Juoon, on the contrary, looked perfectly fine. If I were to compare it to a game, there are characters whose efficiency increases the more work is piled on them; that was exactly Choi Juoon. It might be hard to believe, but he seemed to enjoy being busy.

Once, when I was lying on the sofa under the air conditioner, I asked Choi Juoon, who was still focused on his studies, like this:

“Aren’t you tired?”

“Yeah.”

“What kind of drugs are you on?”

Only then did Choi Juoon lift his head. He looked at me for a moment, then lowered his head again and said playfully.

“You.”

Ugh. I also laughed and jokingly pretended to retch.

∞ ∞ ∞

Although I didn’t ask directly, it seemed like Choi Juoon was sleeping in the master bedroom. Then, every once in a while, it felt like he slept next to me when he was bored.

It was a night when I couldn’t fall asleep well, perhaps because I had drank too much coffee. I was lying down thinking about counting sheep, when the sound of footsteps approached from outside and Choi Juoon opened the door and came in.

“What about the pillow?”

I said, clearing a space to the side.

In the darkness, I could see Choi Juoon’s silhouette hesitate for a moment. He seemed surprised that I wasn’t asleep yet.

“…I can just use yours.”

Maybe because it was nighttime, his voice was very low. Choi Juoon pushed his way into the space next to me. It was too cramped for two people. Shouldn’t he at least sleep comfortably? I thought that, but I didn’t specifically bring it up.

“….”

I couldn’t sleep, and for the first time in a while, I wanted to play a prank, but I just held back. However, unexpectedly, Choi Juoon brought it up first.

“Do you want to listen to a song?”

“Yeah.”

A calm foreign hip-hop song that Choi Juoon likes started playing. Choi Juoon’s and my taste in music are truly polar opposites. I turned my posture toward Choi Juoon and said playfully.

“Ah, the song lacks soul.”

“This is currently #1 on the Billboard charts.”

“Hey, in the middle of the night, you should at least listen to ‘Love Rain’.”

“Are you actually crazy?”

Choi Juoon laughed and pulled the blanket toward himself. Did he say it felt like my music taste would rub off on him? We spent quite a while playing around with the blanket like that before falling asleep.

∞ ∞ ∞

Jin Seyoung must live in a different area, so I was curious about how they met. Choi Juoon doesn’t even go to the flight attendant academy during vacation. I asked with a light heart, and the answer also came back lightly.

“She’s living at her cousin’s house during vacation. It’s the building right next to ours.”

Choi Juoon said, keeping his gaze fixed on his workbook. I see. I answered, chewing on my pen.

Around six o’clock, Choi Juoon rose from his seat as usual. He didn’t change his clothes or anything just because he was meeting his girlfriend.

“Do you want to go together?”

“Huh?”

I had been lying on the sofa and lifted my head slightly. Choi Juoon said, simply pulling his hat down.

“Jin Seyoung said she wants to see you.”

“Hmm…. Tell her let’s see each other later.”

“Why, your condition is fine today?”

“No…. Tell her let’s see each other after the Suneung exams.”

“She really wants to see you.”

Choi Juoon kept urging me, saying I only had to show my face. I hugged my cushion tightly and repeated my answer, keeping my gaze fixed on the TV. No, I don’t intend to change, go back. Then, Choi Juoon grabbed his wallet and said playfully.

“You bad bastard.”

When he returned, he was still with two cups of coffee. From some point on, I started leaving the coffee unfinished and throwing it away. Choi Juoon didn’t even pay attention, but I muttered to myself for no reason.

“I can’t sleep well at night.”

This was… the truth.

∞ ∞ ∞

About a week had passed since I promised to stay at Choi Juoon’s house. While eating lunch, I said I would return home. Then, suddenly, Choi Juoon frowned and asked why. I had nothing particular to say. It was because I hadn’t expected him to ask while being so angry. I thought Choi Juoon would just say okay.

“Why you ask…? Uh….”

“….”

“Uh….”

“Just stay.”

“…Ah, okay….”

I ended up saying okay in my confusion. Of course, I did feel a bit disappointed thinking about leaving Choi Juoon’s house. But Choi Juoon looked angry. I was worried that perhaps Choi Juoon wanted me to leave quickly, but I felt relieved that it wasn’t that deep down.

“Then I’ll go home for a bit.”

“Why?”

Choi Juoon’s voice was full of annoyance this time as well. I said without being flustered.

“To get clothes.”

“We have clothes at my house, too.”

“No, I have to wear my clothes….”

As I spoke in bewilderment, Choi Juoon grabbed my hand, went to his room, and personally opened his wardrobe for me. However, it felt a bit strange for me to keep wearing Choi Juoon’s clothes. So, I said as a way of declining.

“…My underwear….”

“I’m fine with it.”

Well, what on earth are you fine with? Unlike me, who was disgusted, Choi Juoon’s expression was serious. He was at the point where he would seriously offer to share toothbrushes if I didn’t have one.

Naturally, I packed my things and left the house slightly past one o’clock in the afternoon. Choi Juoon didn’t follow me out or anything. Instead, leaning against the shoe closet wall with his arms crossed, he asked.

“What about dinner.”

“I’ll be back before then.”

Choi Juoon opened the door for me, and I quickly slipped out. Looking back, Choi Juoon’s brow was furrowed, but his mouth was smiling. I also smiled back at that sight and waved my hand slightly.

∞ ∞ ∞

“I’m home.”

The house was filled with nothing but silence. Did they both go out to have fun? I had told them I would be studying at Choi Juoon’s house for a while, but I hadn’t received a single message. It seems they aren’t even worried about me. Still, since I hadn’t reached out either, I made a mental note to call and check on them later.

First, I put my clothes in the washing machine to run, laid down on my bed in my room, used my phone, and closed my eyes for a moment. Then, at the sound of the washing machine finishing, I got up and put the laundry in the dryer. And I slept again. When I woke up, it was already 5:30.

Packing my clothes and other belongings, I ended up with two bags. So, I wore one in front and one behind and left the house.

“Uh….”

When the shared front door opened, Choi Juoon was in front of our house. Choi Juoon was sitting on the stairs, using his phone. Then, sensing someone, he lifted his head, and a smile slowly spread across his lips. And he stood up and walked toward me.

Seeing that, my body, my heart… felt very… strange. Is it because I’m grateful?

“Are you a turtle?”

“What?”

“Give me one bag.”

Choi Juoon slung one of the bags filled with books that I was wearing on my back over his own shoulder. I couldn’t even think to argue that it was fine, and just handed the bag over. I felt better, and I said in a voice higher than necessary, enough that even I thought I was overdoing it.

“How long have you been waiting?”

“Just a while ago, I didn’t wait long.”

“You should have called. Then I would have come out sooner.”

Feeling embarrassed for some reason, I laughed awkwardly and hugged the bag tightly. My body is hot. Is it because it’s still summer? While walking toward the house, Choi Juoon scratched his head slightly and said.

“Let’s eat out today.”

“Shall we? I’ll pay.”

“That…. let’s eat with Jin Seyoung too.”

I stopped in my tracks and whipped my head around toward Choi Juoon. Choi Juoon looked at me with his mouth pressed tightly shut. I frowned and said.

“Ah, no. You two eat.”

“Whyyy. I already told her you were coming. Let’s just see her face once.”

“Hey…. Give me my bag back. Is this why you carried it for me?”