Eighteen’s Bed Novel Completed - Chapter 58

I sat on the bed for no reason and looked at my phone screen, which wasn’t even on. The screen was cracked because Go Yohan had thrown it a while ago. For no reason, I turned on the screen to check the time, looked for messages that hadn’t arrived, and browsed profile pictures I wasn’t curious about. The letters between the cracks in the screen were uneven. I thought about buying a new one, but I still didn’t feel like changing it. Why? If I think about it, there’s only one conclusion. Because Go Yohan touched it.

“…”

My love is still this childish. It hasn’t changed even after Han Junwoo.

Perhaps I’m just a childish person, or maybe I’ve never learned about love, so I’m only doing childish things like a beginner. I don’t know yet because I lack experience. At least for now, Kang Jun is experiencing a love that he absolutely hates to lose, but also hesitates to possess. My attention is solely on Go Yohan. Just like now, reacting to Go Yohan’s words.

“It’s Dad.”

Go Yohan said. I acted like someone having a seizure at Go Yohan’s every action. All my attention was focused on Go Yohan’s broad back.

“Why Dad?”

“Dad’s here.”

Can you hear that? I doubted Go Yohan’s words and listened intently. But all I heard was the faint ticking of the clock. A very quiet, quiet sound. Go Yohan’s room was so quiet that the stillness felt a little sad. Why did it feel sad? Well, perhaps it was because I had witnessed the affectionate dinner scene of his family of four, excluding Go Yohan?

Thinking that, Go Yohan’s unusually broad back looked endlessly shabby and lonely. I was so caught up in that sadness that I almost stroked Go Yohan’s back, but hastily withdrew my hand. And then I idly babbled anything.

“How did you know? I didn’t hear anything.”

“Dad ventilates the house when he comes home. He doesn’t like food smells before dinner.”

Go Yohan’s words abruptly stopped. His dry lips continued after a few seconds of silence.

“Then I hear the wind through the crack in my door.”

“…”

Cough. Go Yohan took a shallow breath and bent his body. His thin shoulder blades stretched his thin shirt. I looked at the smoothed wrinkles and listened intently again. I closed my eyes and felt the sound. Then, behind the ticking of the clock, a small sound of wind flowed in. It wasn’t just the wind that came through the crack in the door. Go Yohan’s loneliness came with it.

I opened my eyes.

I immediately put my feet down and got out of bed. The mattress gently swayed as I stood up, and Go Yohan, startled by the sudden movement, half-raised his body.

“Jun?”

I didn’t answer Go Yohan’s words and flung open the door, which was letting in the cool breeze. Behind me, Go Yohan called me again, and I heard footsteps following me. But the sound was hesitant, very timid, unlike Go Yohan.

I ignored Go Yohan’s anxious calls. Instead, I turned around and grabbed Go Yohan’s fumbling hand. Without saying anything, I hurried towards the stairs on the first floor.

“Hey!”

He didn’t answer this time either. He just pulled Go Yohan. Go Yohan, flustered, was clumsily dragged along as I pulled him. I hurried my steps and ran down the stairs. My soft slippers clattered against the hard steps.

I strode into the dining room without hesitation.

At the dining table, I saw two familiar figures: a young girl and a middle-aged man who resembled Go Yohan. And a middle-aged woman who was somewhat unfamiliar. Go Yohan’s older brother, whom I’d seen before, wasn’t there. He was said to be attending university abroad, so that makes things easier. The fewer people, the better.

I gently released Go Yohan’s hand. His stiff, rigid hand slowly slipped from mine. I turned my gaze and subtly met Go Yohan’s eyes. His eyes were filled with bewilderment.

“Don’t worry.”

Because I can do at least this much for you.

I spoke to Go Yohan’s frightened eyes. I slowly tore my gaze away from his. Finally, I composed my ragged breath and smiled brightly.

“Hello.”

The gazes of those preparing dinner in the bright dining room turned towards me.

It seemed my greeting was truly unexpected for them. Well, who else would suddenly appear in the dining room at this hour besides family? At least Go Yohan, or “that rude brat” as he was commonly called, didn’t seem like the type to bring friends home. Fortunately, Go Yohan’s father greeted me with a not-so-bad attitude.

“Isn’t that Joon?”

“Yes, it’s been a while. Ah, well… I just went to the restroom and heard voices. I thought maybe Uncle had arrived, so I came to say hello.”

Go Yohan’s younger sister looked at me expressionlessly, then plopped down in her seat. The middle-aged woman across from her was probably Go Yohan’s mother. She had a sophisticated yet sharp appearance. Why did everyone in this house have such a cold aura about their faces? I feigned surprise and greeted her somewhat awkwardly.

“Oh, hello…”

Startled by my appearance, the middle-aged woman covered her slightly parted lips with her neatly manicured hand. A familiar silver ring was nestled between her delicate fingers. And she looked at her husband. Go Yohan’s father looked at me with a suitable smile, and Go Yohan’s mother, seeing his expression, seemed relieved and lowered her hand.

“SE Global’s son.”

“Oh my.”

I didn’t know why she was referring to me by my parents’ company name. Unable to shake off my embarrassment, I looked at Go Yohan’s mother and greeted her again.

“It’s Kang Joon. My last name is Kang, and I’m in the same high school and class as Yohan, but I haven’t had a chance to properly introduce myself…”

“No. It’s fine.”

It was a voice that showed she was well-educated and raised in a good home. Unlike her face, it was small and delicate. The mismatch between her face and voice felt awkward. I shifted my gaze to the lavishly set dining table. It was truly splendid. Yet, they just left Go Yohan to serve himself from the pot. The presence of the housekeeper, clattering dishes in the kitchen, made me feel unpleasant.

“Yohan, your family’s side dishes are really…”

Delicious, I was about to say. But the moment I turned my head and saw Go Yohan’s expression, I couldn’t continue. Go Yohan was blushing, staring only at the floor. His face clearly showed his embarrassment. His slender hands, which usually wielded an arrogant aura, were now aimlessly hovering over his innocent thigh.

Go Yohan wiped his hands on his pants. His dry fingers touched his pale lips. Crunch. Go Yohan blankly began to bite his nails.

“…”

I’m truly incorrigible. I was like this with Han Junwoo, and why am I still like this now? I always acted strong, puffing out my chest in front of my unrequited love, but in reality, I devoted myself to a heart I could never win. Yes, how could I, like that, just leave a Go Yohan like that alone? Go Yohan acted as if he was born to receive my pity. Annoying.

“Would it be alright if I joined you for dinner?”

This question was almost a reflexive act. It was all because of Go Yohan. Why did Go Yohan have to be so pitiful, shaking my heart and making me do something so thoughtless?

After speaking, I regretted it terribly. What would I do next? I couldn’t think of how to react next. This is driving me crazy. To buy myself time to strategize, I pretended to be pitiful, gently clutching my stomach with my hand. Not stopping there, I subtly lowered my eyes and blinked several times.

“Actually, my parents aren’t home if I go back… Ah. They’re often away for work. So I have to eat dinner alone tonight.”

“…Alright then. There’s no reason not to.”

The quick wit I had accumulated over the years helped me even in this situation. Right. If you think about it, what kind of parents would cruelly kick their son’s friend out from the dinner table? Especially in a rich family like this, who cares so much about what others think. And adults, surprisingly, like diligent students who are like textbooks, but they also have a subtle tendency to like impudent, immature kids. I thought about the most impudent yet beloved child in my circle. Then that face clearly came to mind.

Go Yohan.

At school, he was ruder, more ill-mannered, more reckless, and more self-centered than anyone else, yet at the same time, he was loved more than anyone. The entire student body admired him, and even the teachers leniently overlooked his ill-mannered behavior. Before I loved Go Yohan, I couldn’t understand this phenomenon at all, but now I fully understand. Free Go Yohan is lovable. It doesn’t suit my personality, but I tried my best to imitate Go Yohan.

“Thank you.”

I smiled so widely my cheekbones popped out, and my shoulders shrugged excessively. My unaccustomed muscles ached. I covered my cheeks with my hands because my protruding cheekbones hurt, but Go Yohan’s mother seemed to think it was charming. Seeing her laugh and say, “Your friend is very charming,” confirmed it.

Go Rosa, Go Yohan’s younger sister, whom I intentionally met eyes with, frowned as if she’d seen something unbearable and avoided my gaze. She was so much like Go Yohan, yet not at all.

I naturally approached the dining table and noticed the number of spoons and chopsticks set on it. Three sets. I turned around again. Go Yohan was tapping his nails, observing the situation. His eyes rolled quickly, then dropped down. Thump. Thump. Go Yohan, who had been gnawing at his nails, opened his mouth.

“I…”

Go Yohan looked at me, then at his family. But his family just pulled out chairs without answering. It wasn’t a natural disregard. Ironically, it was clear that everyone was paying attention to Go Yohan’s words. And they were also watching me. They didn’t look at me, nor did they say anything to Go Yohan, but this awkward atmosphere said it all.

“…”

Isn’t that obvious? They themselves knew this situation was strange.

Parents openly ignoring their son. Isn’t this a perfect story to spread rumors? What if I blabbed this story to my parents? A strange rumor might spread that this family’s second son might be an illegitimate child. I arbitrarily wrote a scenario, raising one corner of my lip.

The brave soul who stepped forward to clear this bleak atmosphere was Go Yohan’s father. He was the only one who answered Go Yohan’s words.

“Yes. Speak.”

He spoke with an effortful, gentle smile. On the surface, he looked like a benevolent father waiting for his son to speak, but to me, who knew this family’s circumstances, it just looked like a scene from a play. At that expression, Go Yohan’s face crumbled. Now Go Yohan began to gnaw at the nails of all four fingers. Crunch, crunch. His broad shoulders gradually drooped to the floor.

“I’ll eat alone later.”

“…Uh, why?”

I couldn’t understand Go Yohan’s choice. So, unable to hide my bewilderment, I blurted out my feelings. At my words, Go Yohan turned his body and looked at me with a pale face. Thanks to that, I saw his arm, which he had been hiding. His white hands, clearly visible through his school uniform pants, were trembling. Go Yohan twisted his face and managed a smile. It was a smile meant for his parents. Seeing such a face, I couldn’t help but feel sorrowful.

“I’m not very hungry.”

Go Yohan, who had been at the top of the school’s pyramid. Go Yohan, who had crushed Han Junwoo. Go Yohan, who enjoyed breaking up friendships. Go Yohan, who had the power to bounce a rubber ball in the classroom without a care, throw bugs at students he didn’t like, and sometimes even be rude to teachers.

Such a Go Yohan was struggling at the very bottom of the pyramid at home. Just four people. One of them was even his younger sister, who was younger than him. They were truly four people who stood above a thousand.

An inexplicable emotion surged up inside me.

Go Yohan looked at me, then lowered his head. His nearly 190cm body turned to face the dark hallway. I hated seeing Go Yohan confining himself like that.

Why? Why do you have to live like that? Perhaps the image he showed at school was Go Yohan’s true nature. The Go Yohan who survived in that wildness, unrestrained by anyone, is the real Go Yohan I know. The most charming high school student I knew. I don’t have the confidence to see Go Yohan with his freedom castrated.

Truly, I might have come to this school to help you. Or perhaps I grew up this way to protect you. My cunning sometimes had a reason. God loved you, and perhaps he created me for you. Amidst all that, I counted Go Yohan’s birthday. Go Yohan, born later than me, came to mind. Yes. Perhaps that’s really true. I exhaled shallowly. And then I lied.

“You said you were hungry earlier.”

At my lie, Go Yohan turned around like lightning. His pale face looked at me with bewilderment.

“Hey, when did I…!”

“Let’s just eat together. Huh?”

I strode forward. And I grabbed Go Yohan’s hand, who was trying to crawl into the dark hallway on his own accord. Go Yohan’s large hand twitched. I smiled calmly. And holding his hand, I dragged him to the dining table. The faces of the three who witnessed that scene were truly a sight to behold.

“Hey. Didn’t you like marinated crab? Your mom must have made it for you. Lucky you.”

“Yes. I prepared it for you. Please eat a lot.”

Go Yohan’s mother raised her hand in embarrassment.