* * *

After spending hours playing games at the PC cafe, their break time quickly slipped away.

As they headed back to campus, each of them making their way to their own class, Dalsu disappeared towards the humanities building for his economics lecture, leaving Jihoon and Eungyeol alone.

Jihoon took the chance to ask him quietly.

“Hey, you…”

Eungyeol blinked innocently, his expression blank, as though he had no idea what Jihoon was about to say.

“Do you… want to patch things up with Cha Yeongdeok?”

“Huh?”

“You seem a lot more relaxed around him than you used to.”

Eungyeol, still blinking cluelessly, let out a straightforward laugh and slowly opened his mouth.

“It’s not so much that I want to be close again. Hmm… well, I mean, I don’t mind getting along, but more than that…”

Under Jihoon’s persistent gaze, Eungyeol finally came out with it.

“Honestly, I’ve always wondered if Yeongdeok changed because of me.”

Eungyeol explained that he couldn’t shake the thought that Yeongdeok had changed because of the shock of being rejected by him.

He’d thought about asking him directly when they were alone, but Yeongdeok had avoided answering, brushing him off with foreign words he couldn’t understand.

That’s why he’d even sent a friend request in the game, but Yeongdeok hadn’t accepted it.

Listening to Eungyeol’s story, Jihoon recalled a conversation he’d had with Yeongdeok long ago, back when they were locked in that storage room.

“He told me it wasn’t because of you. It was just that he couldn’t hold back his craziness any longer.”

“Really? Well, if that’s the case, that’s a relief.”

Eungyeol found it intriguing to hear that Jihoon and Yeongdeok had discussed such things, realizing that the two seemed closer than he’d thought.

“Mind if I ask you something too?”

“What is it?”

“Do you… like Yeongdeok?”

“…What?”

The straightforwardness of Eungyeol’s question caught Jihoon off guard, freezing him in place before he could prepare any kind of response.

“Don’t even think about lying. We’ve known each other since we were kids; you can’t fool my eyes.”

Eungyeol’s face was playful, though his tone was filled with conviction, leaving Jihoon unable to deny it. Not that he really wanted to, anyway.

“Sorry about that. I didn’t expect to fall for Cha Yeongdeok either.”

“What’s there to be sorry about? It’s not like I ever dated him. Go for it.”

Eungyeol gave Jihoon a sunny smile, patting his shoulder.

Being encouraged by the very person he’d considered his biggest obstacle left Jihoon with an odd, indescribable feeling.

“It’s not up to me, though. I still have to get him to like me back.”

“I think you’d be fine.”

Eungyeol’s wide, innocent eyes spoke volumes about his sincerity, but Jihoon couldn’t shake the feeling that it was all a bit of a farce.

“I mean it. Not just lip service. At first, I was too overwhelmed to notice, but over time, I started to understand why he was so fixated on me.”

Eungyeol recalled the way Yeongdeok had told him he’d never been to a chicken place or a movie theater before.

If no one had ever shown him these things before…

“You might look intimidating and have a sharp tongue, but you’re actually pretty deep, so you’ll be fine.”

“Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

Jihoon frowned at the ambiguous remark, letting out a small sigh.

Soon, the university festival would start, and for once, he’d get to go on an actual date with Yeongdeok without any interruptions.

“Yeah, I’ll do what I can.”

Jihoon, bracing himself, looked forward to the festival with the hope of making it a memorable day for Yeongdeok.

ꔚ

The university festival at Daehan University had begun.

The campus, usually a place of study, was now brimming with food stalls, laughter, and outsiders crowding the scene.

Amidst the bustling festival, Yeongdeok made his way through the booths, messaging Jihoon.

[I’ve arrived at your chaotic campus.]

[Just being in this crowd is giving me a headache.]

[Seo Jihoon: Where are you? I’ll ditch the others and come find you.]

Yeongdeok scanned his surroundings, spotting a booth with a banner reading “Social Welfare Studies.”

[It says Social Welfare Studies.]

[Seo Jihoon: Got it. Stay right there. Don’t move.]

[Don’t order me around–]

Just as Yeongdeok was about to complain, a man and a woman approached him.

“Are you here to enjoy the festival?”

The guy, in a bright blue Business Administration jacket, gave off a vibe like a salesman at work.

“That’s none of your business.”

“We’re offering a matchmaking service. Interested?”

“I’m not–”

“Great! You are interested!”

Yeongdeok wondered if the girl had heard him correctly.

He was certain he’d emphasized “not” in his response, but they seemed to interpret things however they wanted.

“It’ll only take a minute! Who knows, you might meet your soulmate.”

Soulmate? Yeongdeok nearly scoffed. If destiny were a real thing, then his soulmate was none other than Lee Eungyeol.

Though his expression turned icy, the pair continued pestering him, oblivious.

“Come on, it’ll be fun once you try.”

Amused by their persistence, Yeongdeok was about to retort when he suddenly felt someone’s presence behind him.

“Destiny, my ass.”

A cocky arm wrapped around Yeongdeok’s neck, and a familiar, blunt voice punctuated his words.

“What are you two doing?”

Jihoon asked with a smirk, facing the duo that had been trying to sell something to Yeongdeok.

The guy, apparently familiar with Jihoon, burst into laughter at the bear ears headband perched on his head.

“Seo Jihoon, what’s with the headgear? Doesn’t suit you at all.”

“My head? Oh, right.”

Since Jihoon had gotten used to wearing the headband all the time, he barely even noticed it anymore.

Fiddling with it absentmindedly, he turned to the man and playfully asked, “Is it cute?”

Though the man quickly shot back with a scoff, “Not a chance.”

“Seo Jihoon, you’re late,” Yeongdeok said, glancing back as he tried to pry Jihoon off him.

“This is actually pretty quick, you know? My classmates just won’t let go, not even if they die,” Jihoon replied, rolling his eyes as he thought of the relentless way his friends had clung to him.

“Is he your friend, Seo Jihoon?” a passing acquaintance teased. “Matching for the festival, maybe…?”

“Hell no, I don’t need that crap. Let’s go,” Jihoon muttered, grabbing Yeongdeok’s arm and striding off to give him a tour of the campus.

Yeongdeok had to keep up in a half-jog, thinking, When is this guy ever going to learn a little decorum?

While Yeongdeok was lamenting Jihoon’s utter lack of restraint, Jihoon realized they’d put some distance between themselves and the pair they’d just run into.

He loosened his grip on Yeongdeok’s arm and slowed his pace.

“Did you eat breakfast?”

“What difference does it make to you if I did?” Yeongdeok grumbled.

“What, I’m not even allowed to ask that much?”

“Yes, I ate.”

“What time did you eat? You hungry?”

“Not particularly.”

“Then let’s grab a quick lunch.” Jihoon steered them toward a food stall section.

“They’ve got tons of stuff to snack on over there,” he added, coaxing him along like bait.

Rows of stalls under blue tents lined the area, and the smell of food filled the air.

“Looks like Cha Yeongdeok’s about to get the real commoner food experience today,” Jihoon teased.

“Isn’t that attitude a little too cocky?” Yeongdeok shot back, though Jihoon only chuckled and introduced him to various snacks.

Some of the foods were things Yeongdeok had never even tried before.

“Want to try that one?” Jihoon pointed at some skewers roasting to a golden brown.

“Might be right up your alley, Mr. Chicken Obsessed.”

“Would you please stop with that title?”

“Come on, it’s made of chicken. Try the spicy one—I’m curious to see how you react,” Jihoon suggested with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Though Yeongdeok felt slightly wary, the smell was enticing enough to sway him.

“Fine. I’ll get one,” he conceded.

With each holding a skewer and a drink, they settled on a bench by the fountain.

Jihoon took in the sight of people enjoying the sun, murmuring, “Feels like a dream…”

“It’s past noon, and you’re still not fully awake?”

“No, I mean… just didn’t expect I’d be wandering around campus with you like this.”

* * *