My Childhood Friend’s Stock Will Never Fail Chapter 41

The May festival was already just around the corner.

 

“There’s plenty to enjoy. Performances, lots of food stalls… And after a drink or two, it’ll probably be the perfect atmosphere.”

 

“Alcohol…?”

 

“You should take the chance to hear what’s really on his mind. It’s a rare opportunity, isn’t it? I’ll be generous—if you ditch me on the festival day, I won’t even complain.”

 

Come to think of it…

 

She and Joohoon were finally old enough to drink together.

 

As Yoohee fell into thought, Jinhee flopped onto the bed and stretched out with a grin.

 

Ppiyak!

 

Unable to understand Ppiyak’s string of angry insults, Jinhee simply giggled and continued petting the chick.

 

“Ppiyak’s feathers are so soft. Honestly, coming back to the dorm is worth it just because of this little guy.”

 

“…Just be careful he doesn’t bite you.”

 

Sure enough, after cursing up a storm, Ppiyak finally pecked Jinhee’s finger.

 

“Ow! I’m bleeding!”

 

“I told you to be careful.”

 

“The first aid kit! Where is it?”

 

After telling Jinhee it was in the second drawer, Yoohee drifted back into her thoughts.

 

Will I be able to make up with Joohoon during the festival?

 

“Hey, human.”

 

Still irritated because of Jinhee, Ppiyak lifted his tiny beak toward Yoohee.

 

“Just try staying out overnight because you got drunk.”

 

The way he said it, anyone listening would think he was her boyfriend of ten years.

 

And for a chick…

 

He sure knew an awful lot.

 

“That won’t happen.”

 

“When has it ever happened?”

 

“I’ll handle it myself.”

 

“You say that, but you never do. Since when do you announce ahead of time that you’re staying out?”

 

He really knows how to nag.

 

“Seriously, nothing like that’s going to happen. Stop making up problems and get some rest.”

 

“Rest, huh? Hey, human. Don’t let that human climb onto this bed anymore. She keeps bothering me.”

 

Ppiyak pointed his beak toward Jinhee before irritably flapping his wings.

 

Honestly, he could just go back to his own home if he hated it that much.

 

“Yes, yes. I got it.”

 

Yoohee answered absentmindedly as she glanced over the calendar.

 

There was about a week left until the festival.

 

‘Still… if he finally says what’s been bottled up inside, maybe he’ll feel better.’

 

To make that happen…

 

She decided to borrow the courage that alcohol could provide, just as Jinhee had suggested.

 

‘Our alcohol tolerance should probably be about the same.’

 

If she wanted to hear what Joohoon was really thinking…

 

She absolutely couldn’t get drunk before he did.

 

But she wasn’t worried about her drinking capacity.

 

She’d never had alcohol in this life before, but somehow…

 

Call it intuition—

 

She was convinced she’d be able to outdrink Joohoon.

 

Which was exactly why…

 

She never imagined she’d be the first one to get drunk.

 

***

 

A week later.

 

Festival day.

 

The highlight of the festival would be the fireworks that night, but even during the day, the Academy grounds were already packed with food trucks and temporary stalls.

 

‘There’ll probably be even more bars once evening comes.’

 

Standing by the classroom window, Yoohee stole a glance at Joohoon beside her.

 

“…”

 

The awkward atmosphere between them still hadn’t disappeared.

 

Even while catching the blue Divine Beast for their final substitute assignment, they had barely spoken.

 

If things stayed like this…

 

Forget a month.

 

It felt like they’d stay this way forever.

 

Ahem.

 

After clearing her throat to announce her presence, Yoohee cautiously spoke to him.

 

“Um… Joohoon. After class today… do you want to go see the festival with me?”

 

Joohoon, who had been listening attentively to the lecture, turned toward her with a puzzled look.

 

“…You’re not going with Jinhee?”

 

“I already told her I’d be hanging out with you.”

 

“With me?”

 

Joohoon’s eyes wavered for a brief moment.

 

Right then, the bell signaling the end of class rang.

 

Since it was their last class of the day, Yoohee smiled triumphantly and grabbed his wrist.

 

“It’s the festival. Come with me. Ever since we reunited, we’ve never really gotten to hang out properly.”

 

“But…”

 

“If you don’t come, I’ll be all by myself.”

 

After Yoohee’s relentless persuasion…

 

Joohoon finally nodded.

 

***

 

As the sun slowly dipped toward the horizon, Yoohee wandered around the festival stalls with Joohoon, passing the time until they eventually found themselves inside one of the temporary bars.

 

Most students were absorbed in watching the idol performance, so the place was relatively quiet.

 

“Let’s sit here. What do you want to drink? Should we get soju?”

 

Unlike Yoohee, who eagerly studied the menu, Joohoon wore a rather stiff expression.

 

“…Have you ever drunk alcohol before?”

 

“Hm? Of course.”

 

She nodded confidently.

 

Well…

 

She had drunk before.

 

Just not in this lifetime.

 

“What about you, Joohoon…? I guess you probably tried it while you were in America?”

 

“Just a little.”

 

“Then I guess you’ve never had soju before. In that case, let’s order soju.”

 

Since today’s objective was to get Joohoon drunk enough to make him spill what was really on his mind, Yoohee wasted no time placing the order.

 

Not long afterward, two bottles of soju and a steaming pot of fish cake soup were set on the table.

 

Joohoon reached for a spoonful of the warm broth first, but Yoohee raised a hand to stop him.

 

“Let’s empty one shot first before we start eating.”

 

Joohoon looked up at her uncertainly.

 

“…Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

 

“I’ll be totally fine.”

 

Clink.

 

The soju glasses, filled to the brim, met with a cheerful chime.

 

After Joohoon downed his entire shot, Yoohee happily refilled his empty glass.

 

“We’re drinking till the end tonight, okay?”

 

***

 

Their bold beginning didn’t last long.

 

By the time several hours had passed, darkness had completely fallen outside the tavern.

 

By now, Joohoon should’ve already poured his heart out…

 

So why was she the one who had ended up like this?

 

“Heey… Joohoon.”

 

Her tongue felt heavy.

 

Damn it.

 

“Yoohee, you’ve had enough. You’re way too drunk.”

 

“Nooo… listen to meee.”

 

It seemed her common sense had gone out for a walk as well.

 

When Joohoon tried to take the glass from her hand, Yoohee stubbornly held onto it and mumbled.

 

“You’ve got no reason to be mad.”

 

Seriously, what is wrong with me?

 

“You were mad ’cause of Senior Seohyunho, right?”

 

“…”

 

“But Iii… don’t know why yooou… hic“

 

Her face was burning red.

 

She was just blurting out whatever came to mind now.

 

She probably looked exactly like one of those obnoxious drunks.

 

Still…

 

When she really thought about it, it wasn’t fair.

 

This was all the system’s fault.

 

From the very beginning, she’d put all her bets on Joohoon.

 

“How could yooou… sniff… hic…“

 

Did alcohol always make emotions hit this hard?

 

Without warning, an overwhelming wave of sadness washed over her.

 

Tears poured down her cheeks like rain.

 

[Most of the Constellations are experiencing secondhand embarrassment from your disgraceful behavior.]

 

Once the tears started…

 

They refused to stop.

 

As Yoohee continued sobbing without restraint, Joohoon hurriedly pulled a whole bundle of tissues from the neighboring table.

 

“Y-Yoohee… h-here.”

 

“I’m not mad anymore, okay? Please don’t cry.”

 

His gentle hand carefully wiped away the tears from her cheeks.

 

That only made her cry harder.

 

You idiot…

 

Do you know how hard I’ve worked to save you…?

 

You were the one who said you wanted to stay by my side all the time…

 

[The Thirtieth Transmigrator is nearby.]

 

Her tears stopped instantly.

 

The Thirtieth Transmigrator.

 

Someone even scarier than plague or famine.

 

Hurriedly wiping her face, Yoohee frantically scanned her surroundings.

 

Although she’d managed to get through the previous incident, there was still about a day left before both the Newbie Event and the third main scenario ended.

 

If the Thirtieth Transmigrator is after Joohoon…

 

“Welcome!”

 

At the employee’s cheerful greeting, Yoohee lifted her head.

 

Standing at the tavern entrance…

 

Were Gayoung and Seokhun.

 

The warmth the alcohol had left in her body disappeared in an instant.

 

Did they really come to take Joohoon away?

 

“N-No!”

 

Yoohee suddenly shouted.

 

Not only Gayoung and Seokhun, but everyone inside the tavern turned to stare at her table in surprise.

 

Joohoon also looked startled and immediately tried to calm her down.

 

“Yoohee. It’s okay.”

 

But in Yoohee’s drunken eyes…

 

Gayoung and Seokhun looked like terrifying grim reapers who had come to take both her and Joohoon away.

 

Even though, in reality…

 

They hadn’t done anything at all.

 

“No! You can’t!”

 

“Our Joohoon is absolutely off limits!”

 

Grabbing tightly onto Joohoon’s arm, she clung to him desperately, as though she would never let go.

 

The sudden drunken outburst caused whispers to spread throughout the tavern.

 

Seeing that, Joohoon calmly addressed everyone.

 

“I’m sorry. She’s had a bit too much to drink.”

 

“I’ll take her outside.”

 

Led by Joohoon, Yoohee left the tavern.

 

When she finally came back to her senses…

 

The grim reapers were no longer anywhere in sight.

 

“Yoohee, let’s head back to the dorm now.”

 

“What’s your room number? I’ll walk you to your room.”

 

“Umm… well…”

 

Now that the tension had finally disappeared, her mind went completely blank.

 

Her thoughts grew hazy, and drowsiness washed over her.

 

“Mm… hold on.”

 

Resting her head against Joohoon’s shoulder, she sank into deep thought.

 

His shoulder was…

 

Surprisingly comfortable to lean on.

 

“Mmm…”

 

“I… don’t remember.”