Eighteen’s Bed Novel Completed - Chapter 167 Blue Holiday

My college life is ruined.

Not just ruined, but utterly, completely ruined.

Damn it, what? They said you don’t have to go to freshman orientation these days? That there are lots of outsiders, and outsiders become friends with other outsiders. It was all bullshit. I tried to entrust myself to the rumors floating around online, hoping to flow into the great river that is college, but all I’m left with is a pathetic list of contacts.

You’re really screwed now. The Kang Jun of the past, who had tried so hard to get along with others, even hiding his ‘true’ self, whispered. Now it was certain. I had ignored it until now, but I couldn’t pretend not to know anymore.

I am indeed screwed.

But just because I don’t have friends doesn’t mean I have no one to kill time with.

“Wanna go all out for the end of the semester, buddy?”

Hmph. I swallowed the dry air, looking at the message that had arrived two hours ago. Buddy? Does he really think of me as a friend? I’ve never once thought of Kang Soohyun as a friend, but it seems I exist as a friend within Kang Soohyun’s boundaries. How strange. Or maybe it’s because he got a good grade in <Gender and Marriage> thanks to me. The professor praised it, saying it was a fresh approach to a rather clichéd topic, and guaranteed an A.

Then he should just be grateful and leave me alone, why does he keep bothering me?

“By the way, don’t you dare utter such nonsense as calling your rude, ill-mannered friend.”

And to this bastard, Go Yohan wasn’t a friend, but a ‘friend-nim’ (a polite, slightly mocking term for a friend).

Literally, after many twists and turns, <Sex and Gender>, which was completely revamped from beginning to end, from topic to conclusion, received quite good reviews. I said a polite goodbye to Kang Soohyun, whom I was bound to encounter again someday. Even if, deep down, I resolved, ‘It wasn’t nice meeting you, let’s never meet again.’ But this tactless science major kept sending persistent messages.

Even if I wanted to ignore them, you never know how life will turn out, right? I realized that the society of college was surprisingly small and not as free as I thought, so I answered about one out of every three messages. And the fact that this was the third message specifically requesting a meeting was such impeccable timing that it made me suspect Kang Soohyun had figured out my reply pattern.

“Ugh, seriously.”

“No. I need to organize my last major exam tomorrow.”

Unlike my reply, which had a good two-hour gap, Kang Soohyun’s reply flew back incredibly quickly.

“Organize? Then it’s fine.”

“What do you mean, ‘fine’?”

“You only organize if something’s finished, right? If you haven’t done anything like me, you don’t need to organize anything.”

“This trash, is he even a student?”

Seriously, why am I exchanging messages with a guy like this? I genuinely feel skeptical about my life. The image of the college I so desperately wanted to attend crumbles more each day.

“Why are you first-years living so hard? Just give up~ You won’t be top of your class anyway. Grades are fleeting, but friendship is forever. Friend.”

Was Kang Soohyun truly the ideal talent for this university? If so, I feel like dropping out right now and taking the study abroad path I had rejected. “Buzz off.” I deleted the reply I had written in a fit of anger. And for the sake of my social standing, I endured.

“I don’t drink alcohol.”

“You don’t drink? You haven’t suffered enough, then.”

“…”

“Drinking soju with samgyeopsal, using life as your side dish. If you haven’t had a hard time, you don’t know that taste.”

“I’m going to ignore your reply.”

“Aw, then what are you doing now? Playing around~ Being cute~.”

“I’m blocking you.”

“No! If you block me, your family will go bald for three generations.”

Right, I should definitely block him. I made that decision right then.

It was the moment I was about to resolutely put Kang Soohyun’s number on the block list. One remaining message came rushing in as if in a hurry. Kang Soohyun should be grateful for his faster typing skills than mine. Without that message, he probably would never have escaped my blacklist.

“Hey, I’m taking care of you because you’re a Kang, like me. I’m worried our sweet, pure young man from the countryside, a Kang, might get a taste of the sour Seoul life, so come without any burden lol”

Ah, no. I should still block him.

“And I have something to tell you. It’s pretty important.”

Only then did I stop my hand, which was about to add him to the block list. A vague sense of unease rose from his seemingly serious words, making me hesitate over a conflict I would never actually have. The moment the variable of conflict arose, this round was already Kang Soohyun’s victory. Damn it. I got up and grabbed my coat and wallet.

“I’ll take a taxi. Send me the address.”

“^,<♥”

“Ugh, damn it.”

Feeling like I’d seen something horrible, I hastily turned off the screen. Then I turned to head for the front door, but changed direction. The firmly locked room. I headed for it, hesitated a few times, then tapped on the door. There was no response.

“Yohan, are you asleep?”

I waited for a long time, but still nothing. I lowered the hand that had been knocking and carefully gripped the doorknob.

“Can I come in for a moment?”

Again, I cautiously waited for a response, but it remained silent. At this point, it was clear he couldn’t hear me. Convinced, I quietly opened the door. I knew there wouldn’t be an answer anyway. In the pitch-black darkness, a faint breathing sound could be heard.

“…”

And I also saw Go Yohan, dimly lit. The silver light streaming through the window rested on his cold skin, illuminating his graceful and distinct features. The color reflected in the water filled Go Yohan’s room.

For about a month now, Go Yohan had been looking like he hadn’t slept at all. In addition, he would only come home late at night. Even though I wanted to ask what was keeping him out so late, his already gloomy face was plastered with fatigue, making him look, how should I put it, haggard? Or perhaps, dangerous? Anyway, he seemed to have some story that shouldn’t be touched.

Moreover, he was a guy with immense pride, so I couldn’t even ask what was going on. I just waited for him to tell me first. Perhaps, he might be studying for exams. He’s the type who would die before showing his efforts. So I didn’t want to wake him.

I just stood by the door and whispered softly.

“Sleep well.”

Go Yohan’s quiet, soft breathing was answer enough. I quietly closed the door so as not to make a sound, and left the front door, making sure even my light footsteps weren’t heard.

Suddenly, a box of herbal medicine was placed in front of me. Herbal medicine at a cheap, all-you-can-eat meat restaurant? It couldn’t get any weirder than this. This incredibly bizarre, unidentifiable box was presented by Kang Soohyun with a proud expression. And he was even wiggling his body with that proud expression. When I asked what it was, he said it was for me.

On the box placed on the table, there was a part heavily colored with black marker. It was colored so carelessly that one character was visible through the diagonal lines.

‘Hyun’

Obvious. It wasn’t originally mine.

“What is it?”

As I sat down and scanned the box up and down, Kang Soohyun pointed to the word ‘herbal medicine’ written on the front of the box. No, that’s not what I’m curious about. I looked at Kang Soohyun with a suspicious face.

“I mean, why are you showing this to me?”

“Actually, my family runs an oriental medicine clinic.”

“Right. Congratulations.”

“I didn’t even go to oriental medicine college, so what are you congratulating me for?”

“Okay, no congratulations then.”

“Why do I feel hurt?”

Kang Soohyun flared his nostrils and clutched his chest with one hand. But why should I care? Ignoring Kang Soohyun’s foolish antics, I casually swept my bangs, which kept falling down, perhaps because I hadn’t organized them lately. However, a few thin strands of hair fell back down.

While I was focused on my hair, Kang Soohyun loudly slapped the box. At the heavy sound, I looked at Kang Soohyun again. Kang Soohyun, whose eyes met mine, wore a strangely proud expression.

“It’s yours.”

“Mine?”

A question mark appeared in my mind. I turned my gaze back to the part where the black marker was vigorously scrawled.

‘Hyun’

Hmm, definitely doesn’t seem like it.

“I specially brought this for you, for you who lives alone in Seoul.”

However, Kang Soohyun stubbornly asserted his false opinion. I don’t know if this bastard is pure or just stupid. A sigh escaped me naturally. Kang Soohyun, who heard my unintended lament, asked me,

“What? Why?”

“The ‘Hyun’ written in the corner isn’t erased.”

“Oh, that? Right. Right.”

What do you mean, ‘right’? Kang Soohyun awkwardly laughed, then suddenly covered the black-marked part with his palm. Then he pulled the box towards himself and placed it on the floor.

“I wrote ‘Jisoo’s expression.’ I didn’t have anywhere to jot it down, so I quickly wrote it here.”

“…”

Got it. Kang Soohyun is stupid. Confirmed.

“Eat, eat. Eat the meat first. You can eat as much as you want, it’s fine.”

“This is all-you-can-eat, though.”

“That’s why it’s fine.”

“Right…”

I should just keep quiet. I expressed that inexplicable, empty feeling of not knowing what to say or do, perched on the edge of the chair.

“You’re right.”

“I am? You’re finally agreeing with the logic of this promising physics genius?”

I wasn’t complimenting him. Does he really hear it that way? To take my exasperation as a compliment at will. Kang Soohyun, shameless to the point of being thick-skinned, proudly raised his soju glass. And added some strange words as a bonus.

“To our burning friendship.”

“…”

Why am I still in contact with Kang Soohyun? It’s more than enough reason to cut him off immediately. While lamenting my wrong choice, I still didn’t pick up the glass in front of me.

Still, perhaps pleased with my attitude of still putting up with him, Kang Soohyun winked one eye vulgarly, like someone with an eye infection. And then he blurted out the final memorable line that made me regret choosing to come here.

“Bottoms up.”

Fuck, seriously, you shouldn’t accept other people’s favors so readily. I thought I was going to die trying to desperately turn my grimace into a smile. The glass in my hand was clearly trembling. I swore I would never go out again if Kang Soohyun called. Never. I swear.

“I, I’ll just bottoms up with water.”

“Friend! You’re really ruining the mood!”

However, Kang Soohyun mercilessly crushed my efforts. He made what he thought was a threatening expression and shook his shoulders out of rhythm.

“Drink, drink, drink, drink, the alcohol goes in. Gulp, gulp, gulp, gulp.”

“You… what…”

Did it really have to be like this? And of all things, this loud-mouthed bastard then yelled, “How long are you going to make me do the shoulder dance!”, making me lower my reddening face and shout.

“Okay! I’ll drink! Please stop.”

I just wanted to take a small sip to make Kang Soohyun shut up. But then.

“Where do you think you’re pulling a fast one, you bastard?”

Kang Soohyun half-rose and put his palm under the glass I was holding, pushing it upwards. Damn it. Half of the soju filling the small glass went into my mouth, and half dripped down my chin.

“Ah, seriously.”

Should I just throw this small glass on the floor and go home right now? A strong impulse arose. No, endure. I’m an adult. Right, that’s right. I’m an adult. I wiped the soju flowing down my chin with the back of my hand, brushed my thigh, and said through gritted teeth.

“It all spilled.”

“‘It spilled’ instead of ‘you spilled’? Your tone doesn’t sound regretful at all.”

“Of course not. It tastes like I’m going to throw up.”

“Jun is still young. To me, it’s just sweet like a soft drink.”

“…”

“I didn’t know it in high school, but after drinking it as an adult, I understand what ‘alcohol is sweet’ means.”

Kang Soohyun continued, sipping the remaining soju in his glass with a deep gaze.

“It means you’ve suffered. That’s how you know this taste.”

I should ignore Kang Soohyun’s messages forever now, not just twice. His serious words were so disgusting I felt like dying, wondering if he was even sincere. And what’s ‘high schooler’? I can already picture his school days. Soju, my ass. He clearly just took a few sips of soju he snuck into a water bottle during a school trip.

“Aren’t you being a bit too pretentious?”

“Pretentious, you say? You try drinking it first. And you know it’s easier to control your pace if you know your alcohol tolerance, right? If you drink it wrong, you’ll be out cold. If you don’t want to do anything embarrassing you can’t remember, learn from me while you have the chance. I can drink a bit, you know. You know engineering departments are notorious for drinking, right?”

The way he pointed to himself with his thumb was incredibly proud. The sight of him talking with the glass held to his mouth and his eyes lowered was truly unsightly. He probably thought he looked cool, though.

“What a show-off.”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

“Ahm-uh-geh-tteh yeh-neh-yeh.”

“…”

I forced a smile and emptied the refilled glass. My intention to gloss over the situation vaguely worked perfectly as Kang Soohyun immediately praised me for emptying the glass.

“Oh, Jun, my friend, you can drink a bit, can’t you?”

Just as he said, the second glass went down surprisingly smoothly.

I stared at the empty glass and scratched the area between my neck and shoulder. Kang Soohyun’s praise had a strange power. Strangely, Kang Soohyun tended to praise me more than Go Yohan, so perhaps I was more sensitive to that praise. That’s why I felt a bit puffed up.

Honestly, who knew I might have a hidden talent for drinking? No one knew. Deep down, seeing that my stomach was calm even after downing a shot of soju, I thought I might actually be able to drink.

While I was secretly surprised by my unknown potential, four new bottles of soju appeared on the table. Kang Soohyun had ordered them all. Kang Soohyun grabbed the neck of a dewy bottle, shook it vigorously, then flipped it upside down and opened the cap with a strange trick. Then he poured soju into my glass and said,

“This? It’s to take out the bitterness.”

He had a generous expression, as if leading me somewhere. At this point, I was confused whether it was a concept or if he was serious. Despite my reluctance, I smiled and reluctantly nodded.

“Ah, uh, right.”

And surprisingly, Kang Soohyun was strong against alcohol. It really seemed like engineering departments were drinking dens. He was perfectly fine even after drinking three bottles of soju. And that was the amount he’d finished while I’d only had seven glasses. So, was what he said earlier really sincere? That’s even more horrifying, so I decided not to think about it anymore. Let’s believe it’s a concept.

“First time drinking a whole bottle? You show some talent!”

I think I know the real reason why I still contact Kang Soohyun, even though he disgusts me. This bastard, Kang Soohyun, really knows how to hype me up. Thanks to him, my nose got a bit higher. Feeling like my nose was about to pierce the sky, I lightly tapped the tip of my nose with my finger.

“I didn’t know, but I can drink a bit.”

“Ah, man. Truly a man. Kuh.”

His thumb, strangely shorter than his other four fingers, was raised towards me. I let out an unnecessary cough and scratched my chest, but I didn’t stop the excessive praise. Honestly, being hyped up felt good. It was a subtly floating feeling, a strange sensation I hadn’t experienced before.

“So, I wanted to ask you, my truly manly friend. The presenter received high praise from the professor for taking a clichéd topic in Sex and Gender, unlike others. The charming man who manipulated the professor by merely observing a single friend. I have something to ask you.”

“Hey. That’s not right.”

But that tone immediately deflated my mood. Is this bastard being sarcastic right now? His tone, like someone whose mind had left the world, was different from the way the bastards I met in high school spoke, so I couldn’t guess his intent. Suddenly, his strange praise, whose intention I couldn’t discern, felt uncomfortable.

“Friend. When you turn twenty, you should naturally start your dating life…”

So, he’s finally starting the introduction. Finally. The price for barely drinking a bottle to match Kang Soohyun’s pace had come. Now I’ll finally hear the important words. I replied happily, seeing a glimmer of hope that this tiresome gathering would finally end.

“Cut the intro and get straight to the point.”

His way of speaking was strangely direct, though. Thanks to that, my eyes snapped open. Why did I do that just now? I immediately covered my mouth, but thankfully, Kang Soohyun didn’t seem to care at all. Only I was self-conscious.

“Your friend-nim, you know.”

“Huh?”

“Could you set me up on a blind date with your friend-nim just once?”

What? You really didn’t have to get straight to the point like that. It was a truly sudden and blatant main topic. And my floating mood plummeted to the floor.

“…Why?”

“No, why are you looking at me so scarily?”

“Why, I mean, why?”

“Well… no, but aren’t you looking at me too scarily?”