* * *
Then, Kim Chanyi hurriedly joined the conversation.
“Just for today, stay at my place.”
“No way. Why should I?”
“You said your shoulder hurts. It’ll be more comfortable at my place.”
The boss immediately sided with Kim Chanyi.
“Yeah, that’s a good idea. Where else would you find a friend like this? You’re lucky, Hyunoh.”
“Why are you doing this too, boss?”
My face twisted in frustration.
“Your shoulder needs to heal quickly so you can work better!”
This is driving me crazy.
The boss was playing dirty, using work as an excuse.
This made it hard for me to refuse.
Kim Chanyi nodded vigorously and looked up at me with sparkling eyes.
My plan to minimize contact with Kim Chanyi was hitting a roadblock.
In the end, I said to Kim Chanyi as if threatening him.
“…Just for today. Really, just today.”
“Okay.”
Kim Chanyi smiled brightly, showing his neat teeth. It felt like white flashes were popping around him. It was blinding.
“Hyunoh, I’ll wait until you finish cleaning.”
Kim Chanyi beamed with joy, while my facial muscles stiffened like stone.
After finishing the closing tasks, I left the shop with Kim Chanyi.
It was about a fifteen-minute walk to the apartment.
I walked a step behind Kim Chanyi, cautiously.
Kim Chanyi didn’t try to walk beside me.
He just strolled slowly, talking to me in a soft voice.
I watched the back of his round head.
“It’s hot. Want to buy some ice cream on the way?”
“Do whatever you want.”
“There’s a convenience store on the first floor of the officetel. Let’s buy it from there.”
“Suit yourself.”
“When do you usually go to bed?”
“Why do you care?”
I grumbled excessively, but Chanyi remained cheerful.
“You should sleep in the bed, Hyunoh.”
“Why should I sleep in your bed? No thanks.”
“Didn’t you say your shoulder hurts? Oh, we have a heating pack at home. Let’s use it to relax your muscles.”
“I’ll handle it myself. And I’m sleeping on the sofa.”
“No way, you can’t sleep on the sofa. You’re a guest. I’ll lay out a blanket in the small room. Is that okay?”
“… Fine.”
“Great. Also, can you tell me what time you usually go to bed and wake up? Please?”
“… I sleep in the morning and wake up after noon.”
“Got it. I’ll probably wake up earlier.”
“Do you have to go somewhere tomorrow? Wake me up early if you do.”
“No, don’t worry about it. I don’t have to go anywhere.”
Chanyi’s tone never turned harsh.
No matter what I said, he remained consistently gentle and soft.
Eventually, it felt silly for me to keep getting worked up.
The more we talked, the more his softness rubbed off on me.
Without realizing it, my tone softened.
I felt the tension melt away from my stiff face.
Ah, this won’t do. Get a grip.
A sense of urgency hit me.
I consciously reduced my words until we bought a tub of vanilla ice cream and got on the elevator.
Chanyi shook the ice cream tub at me.
“You like this too, Hyunoh. I like it as well.”
I didn’t respond and kept my mouth shut, unwilling to admit it.
Honestly, even if I wanted to eat it, I couldn’t afford it often.
I’d rather buy necessities with that money.
After paying rent and utility bills from my salary, and sending a few hundred thousand won to Youngjin, I’d have about 300,000 to 400,000 won left.
If I wanted to escape my one-room apartment, I’d have to save some of that too.
Naturally, my monthly living expenses were tight.
I gave up things I liked but could live without.
Things that were once part of my daily life gradually disappeared.
I hadn’t bought a book from a bookstore in ages.
There’s no bookshelf in my one-room apartment.
Poverty thins a person out in that way.
I watched Chanyi’s reflection on the elevator wall.
He had become a completely different kind of person from me.
We must have been running in opposite directions for the past five years.
“Come in.”
Chanyi gestured at me from the officetel’s front door.
I hesitated before stepping inside.
A bright smile spread across his face.
The house was much more organized than when I visited yesterday.
We sat at the dining table and opened the ice cream tub.
I held a spoon in my right hand.
“Chanyi, what about your stomachache? Is it okay to eat this?”
“It’s almost gone.”
“Was it just an act yesterday? You looked like you were dying.”
“It wasn’t an act. I usually get better quickly even after feeling really sick.”
I eyed Chanyi suspiciously while eating the ice cream.
When it was half gone, I noticed something strange.
It seemed like I was the only one eating.
Did Chanyi have only one or two spoonfuls?
“Why aren’t you eating?”
“I am.”
“You’re eating like a bird. Is your stomach still hurting?”
“No.”
Chanyi laughed awkwardly.
“I usually eat slowly. Don’t worry about me, just eat.”
“Then I’ll end up eating it all.”
“That’s fine.”
“I don’t like that. You bought it, so why should I eat it all?”
“You really hate owing people, don’t you?”
“Look who’s talking.”
Ha ha. Chanyi laughed out loud. It was a clear and light sound.
“I’m used to eating slowly because of dieting. Really, don’t worry about it.”
“Why are you still dieting?”
Chanyi’s smile turned awkward again.
His expression was soft as ever, but there was a slight crease near his eyes.
I realized he makes that face when he’s uncomfortable.
I was beginning to understand him better.
“Well, technically, I’m not dieting. I’m maintaining my weight and building muscle.”
“Do you work out every day?”
Chanyi nodded.
“That’s impressive.”
“It becomes fun after a while.”
“There are so many fun things in the world, and you find working out fun.”
“Exercise is tough, but it gives a sense of achievement afterward.”
“Hey, do you have those abs?”
* * *
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