At this very moment, Hyunseung felt like a monkey in a zoo.
“Oh my, oh my.”
The people who rushed out to the entryway were all unfamiliar faces.
“Who invited him?”
He’d blurted out in a fit that he’d come first, but as a wave of fatigue crashed over him, the thought of turning around and going back started to take over his mind.
As Hyunseung scanned the unfamiliar faces, he spotted Lee Hyoeun at the very back, looking at him.
But…
Why was she wearing a surprised expression like she hadn’t expected him to come here?
Maybe she felt awkward about acknowledging him.
Seeing Hyoeun keeping her distance instead of greeting him, Hyunseung decided he’d pretend not to know her as well and opened his mouth.
“I am allowed to be here, right?”
Fixing his gaze squarely on the guy who’d opened the door, he asked, and the guy slowly nodded.
Ignoring the sticky stares that dogged him, Hyunseung went inside.
In the living room, a long table had been pushed together in front of a ridiculous class-reunion banner.
Judging by the many bottles and dishes strewn messily across it, the party had started quite a while ago.
After taking in the mood, he sat down at the very end.
Seeing that, the other classmates also gauged the atmosphere and sat back down.
“What the.”
Soon enough, Hyoeun sat in the empty seat next to him.
“Weren’t we going to pretend we didn’t know each other?”
Hyunseung whispered just loud enough for her to hear.
“You don’t have any friends. Somebody’s gotta sit next to you.”
At that, Hyunseung bobbed his head slightly with an “Ah.” It was true, so there was nothing to rebut.
For him, this so-called class reunion felt like a misnomer. There wasn’t a single person he recognized.
He hadn’t had friends to begin with, and anyway, he’d originally been in his thirties, hadn’t he? As time slipped by, his memories had dulled.
“By the way… why did you really come?”
Then Hyoeun, watching his face, carefully asked.
“I’m an alum, too.”
Unable to hide her disbelief, she went, “Huh?”
Even Hyunseung seemed a bit sheepish after answering. He shoved a piece of bread in front of him into his mouth to pass on saying more.
“Well, it’s not that shocking…”
Granted, if he heard that answer himself, he’d probably snort in disbelief too.
But from what he’d seen, Hyoeun wasn’t the type who could speak harshly to someone else, yet she kept saying she’d settle things herself. How could he not be concerned?
He couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d be grinning cluelessly while someone cut her down with veiled digs, so he couldn’t not come.
Sure enough.
The glances flicked at Hyoeun were anything but kind, and even the skin on his own arm prickled.
Of course, Hyunseung didn’t realize those looks were directed at him.
He’d never had much presence in class, so it never occurred to him that everyone would be so interested in him.
But the room rippled greatly at his mere arrival, and all eyes began to focus on him.
Ah.
Naturally there were those who looked at him unkindly…
Were those two close?
Biting at her nail, Han Seoyun watched with a strange expression.
No way…
In her memory, “Hyunseung” hadn’t been close to anyone.
Plenty of boys and girls tried talking to him, but he always had his earphones in and usually ignored them.
Even Seoyun, a class beauty, had tried hovering near him on purpose, but he never spared her a glance, so she’d given up.
Not only that, he’d put his head down and slept as soon as he arrived at school, so it was hard to even see his face.
In the lower grades, the entire school had been obsessed with “beating the final boss” by becoming friends with him…
All failures.
By the time they were in senior year and the college entrance exam approached, classmates naturally lost interest.
By graduation, he’d been almost erased from people’s memories.
Like chasing a mirage you could see but not grasp, then realizing it was a mirage and giving up?
Yeah.
Hyunseung had been like a unicorn.
But now, he and Hyoeun looked fairly close. She wasn’t the only one who felt that way; people around them began whispering, “Were those two always close?”
What on earth?
They were whispering to each other, and Hyunseung even gave a little smirk now and then. Watching that made Seoyun’s insides twist and knot.
Ah.
Right, Hyoeun… She’d always been unusually chummy with boys. She hated that.
Acting like she had a great personality, like she was bright, strutting around as class president when she had nothing, wagging her tail at the guys.
Look at her now.
One handsome guy shows up and she’s plastered to his side, peddling that silly smile.
And that’s the one who says she’s going to be an entertainer?
Seoyun picked up a wine glass and approached Hyunseung.
Then she dragged over a chair, sat next to him, and opened her mouth.
To say something she absolutely shouldn’t have.
“So you’re the Class 8 Sleeping Beauty Prince.”
At that, Hyunseung’s brow crumpled like paper being crushed.
“What did you say?”
In truth, Seoyun couldn’t remember his name, so she used his nickname.
“Did I hear that wrong? Or did I mistake you for someone else?”
Then why was he glaring at her like he wanted to eat her alive?
“I just called you by your student nickname. What’s the problem?”
“Why would that be my nickname?”
“The kids called you that, so I just tried saying it.”
At that, Hyunseung turned to look at Hyoeun.
She, in turn, jerked her head away with the squeak of an unoiled robot.
“Hey, you knew about this too?”
“Huh? I… I don’t really remember…”
“There’s no way you didn’t know.”
“N-No, I really d-don’t!”
Listening to the two of them, Seoyun felt something was off.
Could it be…
She narrowed her eyes and asked,
“Did you come because Hyoeun invited you?”
But the answer wasn’t directed at her.
“She’s asking. Can I say you invited me?”
“Huh?”
“If that makes you uncomfortable, I’ll say no.”
“If you put it like that, obviously it means I invited you.”
“Ah, does it?”
When Hyoeun shot back, “Are you dumb?”, Seoyun’s graceful brow crumpled hard.
It was bad enough that Hyoeun had invited Hyunseung—seeing her be all friendly with him grated even more.
Just how close were they…
“Hyoeun, you keep in touch fine with the boys… but with the girls, including me, you don’t even bother? Isn’t that a bit much?”
“It’s not like that…”
Seoyun cut her off and kept talking.
“No, come on, it is a bit much. I threw this reunion as a congratulations party for your debut, and you didn’t even tell me you were inviting him.”
She projected her voice so everyone could hear, with the most pitiful expression she could muster as a bonus.
“I’m actually starting to feel hurt, Hyoeun.”
The room buzzed.
Then.
The first to speak was none other than Chae Yujin.
“Aww, Seoyun! He’s a classmate too, so what’s the big deal? You’re just making it awkward for Hyunseung.”
With a gentle smile, she walked over to them with elegant steps and slipped an arm around Hyoeun’s shoulder.
“More importantly, this is Hyoeun’s celebration. Since when do we humiliate the guest of honor?”
At Yujin’s words, Seoyun bit her lower lip and let out a shaky breath, as if forcing down her temper.
“R-Right.”
Hyoeun didn’t know why Yujin kept defending her, but she was grateful.
“Hey.”
Just when it seemed the tense mood was settling…
“You’re talking like Hyoeun’s beneath you.”
Hyunseung stoked the fire again.
“And if you want to boast about throwing a party, isn’t that banner and this villa a bit too shabby for that?”
The prickly words were aimed at Seoyun.
“Anyone would think you’d rented a banquet hall or something.”
At that, Seoyun’s face flushed red in an instant.
Hyunseung gave her a derisive little smile, then stood up.
“There’s nothing to eat, nothing fun. I’m just going to go.”
Then he gave Hyoeun a light tap and asked,
“Lee Hyoeun, you staying longer?”
At that, Hyoeun looked at him for a moment, then—
“Seoyun.”
She stood, fixed her gaze squarely on Han Seoyun, and spoke.
“All the time I spent in high school cleaning up after you, never saying a word because I was scared you’d expose my family situation, I hated every minute of it.”
Her tone carried deep anger, but her face looked lighter, freer than ever.
“I thought we were friends… No, to be honest, I caved to your money. But that’s over. If you post any more weird crap, I’ll respond in kind.”
“Weird crap?”
“Let’s not give ourselves a reason to meet at a police station later. You wouldn’t want to smear your fancy father’s face either, right?”
With a final little smile, she turned her back first.
Watching her go, unexpectedly bold, Hyunseung let out a small “Oh,” impressed, and followed her out of the living room.
Behind them, voices cursing Hyoeun and comforting Seoyun, taking her side, telling her not to cry, rose up.
Factionalism, honestly. It’s endless wherever you go.
Seeing Hyoeun march out of the villa in high heels like a general, Hyunseung gave a wry smile.
“Hyoeun!”
At the voice behind them, both Hyunseung and Hyoeun turned their heads.
“Could I maybe get your number?”
It was Chae Yujin, who’d hurried out after them.
“At the school retreat back then, when you sang, I thought you were so cool! I wanted to be friends, but I was too shy back then.”
Her rosy cheeks puffed, and the dog-like eyes arched like a bow. It was enough to stir anyone’s heart.
“Meeting again like this must be fate. Let’s be friends from now on!”
Maybe that was why. Even knowing she should be wary of people, Hyoeun found herself drawn to Yujin, who had spoken up for her today.
“Yeah, let’s.”
In the end, she not only entered her number, she even pressed the call button herself to confirm it went through.
“Try not to dwell on what Seoyun said. And don’t let what the netizens say get to you!”
“Okay, I won’t!”
“Honestly, the classmates all know you’re not that kind of person. Anyway, get home safe. I’ll be in touch!”
Hyoeun waved toward Yujin as she headed back inside the villa.
“Good grief.”
Watching Yujin’s retreating back, Hyunseung shifted his gaze to Hyoeun and added,
“Idiot.”
Hyoeun bristled.
“What? Why am I an idiot?”
“Just… the things you do.”
“No, I’m not!”
“Trusting just anyone like that—that’s a talent.”
Shaking his head, Hyunseung got into his car.
“Hey, you’re heading to the office, right?”
“Yeah, but why am I an idiot?”
“Then ride with me.”
“No, seriously, why am I an idiot?”
“Keep yammering and I’m leaving you.”
“W-Wait! I’m getting in!”
Still, well…
Given that she’d managed to get some harsh words out, maybe she’d become a little bit of an idiot.
Hyunseung didn’t feel like he’d wasted his precious time on the reunion.
Because on the way back, a burst of inspiration had struck him.
Tap, tap, tap, tap!
As soon as he returned, he started punching in chords like a man possessed.
Even as his fingers flicked, he wracked his brain to find an instrument that would suit the idea.
“Hmm… not quite…”
He thought the song was fairly groundbreaking, but when he couldn’t think of a correspondingly groundbreaking instrument, his fingers began to slow.
“Tsk…”
He paused the real work and tried playing through the “voices” of various instruments in his head.
Not this one, not that one.
One didn’t fit the emotional line, another’s tone didn’t match, another sounded tinny—he kept passing for all sorts of reasons.
“Jeez.”
Deciding it was best to find the right instrument first, he lifted his butt from the chair—
Knock, knock, knock.
A knock he was very happy to hear right now sounded.
“Hyunseung.”
He’d been about to go looking himself, but the person had come first…
Dads are dads, after all.
As Hyunseung brightened and stepped toward him, Kim Woohyun recoiled a little.
“Why are you suddenly smiling like that?”
“What, a guy can’t smile now?”
“No, it’s just—this is the first time you’ve greeted me with a smile like that. Unless you’ve got a venti coffee for me…”
“Man, that’s hurtful.”
Still not letting go of his suspicion and wariness, Kim Woohyun looked him up and down and asked again.
“Seriously, did something happen?”
“I do have a favor to ask.”
“If you’re asking a favor, I’d better brace to pull some weight.”
Just as Hyunseung opened his mouth to state his business—
“Hold on.”
Kim Woohyun pulled out his phone and added,
“Before I hear it, I’ve got something to show you.”
“What is it?”
“Never thought I’d live to see this rare sight.”
After laying on the preface—
“Take a look at this video.”
He explained as he hit play.
“She’s a super hot rising star all across the U.S. right now, and she did the ‘Daddy Challenge.’ The reactions are insane.”
Rather than the explanation, Hyunseung focused on the clumsy Korean mixed into the phone’s crappy audio.
“At this rate, Villain Daddy might hit the Billboard chart!”
To the giddy Kim Woohyun, he pressed a finger to his lips with a “Shh.”
“Hmmm…”
With a serious expression, he replayed the daddy-challenge short over and over.
Soon after, pointing at the phone screen, Hyunseung spoke.
“I think my favor is probably right here.”
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