Eighteen’s Bed Novel Completed - Chapter 7

It was my way of showing gratitude. Go Yohan was the only one who openly criticized Han Junwoo’s messy sex life, which everyone else wanted. That one thing I liked.

“Really disgustingly cool.”

“Right? I’m not cool at all.”

It was funny how he said it as if he were boasting.

“Isn’t that how it’s supposed to be? You’re a student.”

“What do you mean, ‘how it’s supposed to be’? It’s all learned and acquired. Huh? That’s what human reason is.”

Go Yohan sneered without taking his eyes off the game console.

“So, still single?”

This time, when I teased him, Go Yohan finally turned off the screen. Then he turned his head, laughed incredulously, and tapped my hand resting on his shoulder.

“I’m going to sue you for sexual harassment.”

“How is this sexual harassment?”

“If the person experiencing it feels bad, it’s sexual harassment.”

“Go Yohan, you’re seriously crazy.”

“Pervert.”

As I dropped my indoor slipper while sitting on the desk, it plummeted to the floor. I didn’t care at all and pushed Go Yohan’s leg with my socked foot. But Go Yohan pretended to be pushed back, then suddenly raised his middle finger at me. As his hand went up, Go Yohan’s wrist naturally became visible. A rosary always hung on Go Yohan’s left wrist. I lightly kicked Go Yohan’s leg with my foot.

“Does a rosary even suit you?”

“Why?”

Go Yohan lowered his hand and asked seriously. Why was he suddenly acting serious in this situation?

“It doesn’t suit you.”

“Doesn’t suit me? That’s strange. Don’t I look like a devout Catholic?”

“No? You just look like you’re carrying it for style.”

“…No, I’m not.”

Thinking about it, I should have known the name Yohan. But I didn’t know that Yohan was ‘that’ Yohan. I thought it was Go Yohan, as in ‘Go, Yohan,’ meaning to shut up.

Surprisingly, Go Yohan’s family was said to have been Catholic for generations. Even more surprising was that Go Yohan himself said he was Catholic. And a very devout one at that. However, I couldn’t fully believe that. Go Yohan couldn’t even recite a single prayer properly.

I spent a week without Han Junwoo by my side, and then three more days of subtly glancing at him when we met in the classroom, only to snap my head away.

I still don’t have the courage to talk to Han Junwoo. Maybe I just don’t want to lose. It’s funny how I subtly care about that pathetic saying that the person who loves more loses. Still, even if it’s funny, even if I know I’m funny, I can never bring myself to talk to him.

On the other hand, Han Taesan often spoke to me. Because I was the only one who answered him. Seeing a new bruise on Han Taesan’s face every day, it was clear that Han Junwoo was still hitting Han Taesan where I couldn’t see. Like a beast leaving its mark.

I frowned, and Han Taesan, noticing my gaze, turned his head to hide the injury.

Another four days passed after that. In the empty morning classroom, I sat at my desk, covering my face with both hands. I didn’t want to face the terrible play unfolding in this classroom.

The difference between Han Junwoo and me was becoming clearer and clearer. The subtly widening gap had long since turned into a chasm of despair. When I opened my eyes, that gap felt like it would swallow me whole and kill me at any moment. Han Taesan’s bruised eyelids were as clear as a seal on a document. That’s why I wanted to see neither Han Junwoo nor Han Taesan even more. I wanted to avoid the whole situation.

And luckily, perhaps I was incredibly lucky. Han Taesan stopped coming to school. The homeroom teacher said he was absent, but the unspoken words hidden in that awkward answer were ‘unexcused absence.’ I almost cheered unknowingly.

In contrast, Han Junwoo spent the entire class touching his phone, getting irritable, and even punching one of his annoying group members.

I secretly felt a sense of satisfaction. At the same time, I also felt a strange sense of superiority. And I was confident that if Han Taesan, who had been tormented, eventually couldn’t endure it and transferred or stopped coming, Han Junwoo, who easily gets bored, would soon forget everything and talk to me, who was still by his side. And I decided to calmly wait for that moment to come.

And so, a few more days passed.

“Han Junwoo is so depressed.”

I pricked up my ears at Go Yohan’s subtle remark. My heart thumped loudly. I wanted to turn my head and see Han Junwoo’s face right away, but for me, who was timid in love, it was impossible. All I could do was listen to Go Yohan talk about Han Junwoo’s state and imagine it.

However, the situation didn’t change even after half the day passed and all classes ended. I believed there would be a tomorrow. Yes, because situations don’t change that quickly. I waited and waited, and as class ended and I put on my bag, Go Yohan suddenly said something strange.

“You fought with Han Junwoo, didn’t you?”

At his words, I instinctively turned around.

“Yeah.”

“You mean you haven’t made up since that cafeteria incident?”

“…”

“It’s lasting longer than I thought.”

Go Yohan shrugged, putting his hands in both pockets, and I avoided his gaze, making excuses.

“Honestly, Han Junwoo was too much. I hate seeing people torment others like that. It’s a bit strange, isn’t it?”

“What is?”

“…That, Han Taesan is a guy.”

“So?”

“What Han Junwoo does to Han Taesan is a bit… he’s the same gender, it’s strange. It’s disgusting. I wish he wouldn’t do that.”

“Wow—”

“…”

“You’re going to heaven.”

But the answer to my kind words was a voice full of sarcasm.

His malicious sarcasm made me feel bad, and I put more force into my gaze at Go Yohan. Go Yohan didn’t care and pulled one corner of his mouth up. The moment I saw that face, I felt as if something had been exposed, and my face flushed hot. I quickly turned my body, ignored Go Yohan, who was mocking my words, and left the classroom.

I walked quickly down the hallway, intending to go home, when suddenly someone grabbed my shoulder. I thought Go Yohan had followed me so quickly, so I angrily pulled my hand away and turned around, but it was the homeroom teacher. I was startled and composed my expression.

“Sorry for startling you, Jun. Were you very surprised?”

“Oh, no, it’s okay. Just a little surprised…”

“This is really awkward… Um, I’m even more sorry, but could you talk with me for a moment?”

“Yes?”

“Just for a moment. I’m sorry.”

The young homeroom teacher’s face was quite serious, so I nodded.

“Today, Junwoo asked for Taesan’s address.”

“Han Junwoo did?”

The homeroom teacher spoke cautiously, glancing at me. As a homeroom teacher, even if he tried not to know, he couldn’t possibly be unaware that all the students in the class were either complicit in bullying Han Taesan or condoning it, but this young teacher was not a great enough person to resolve the pervasive situation in the classroom. However, he didn’t seem to be a heartless person who would simply condone it. Given that he specifically sought me out to talk about Han Taesan.

“I’m not doubting or condemning Junwoo, but…”

“…No. I don’t think it’s strange.”

“Right, um, Jun, you often took care of Taesan, didn’t you? So I was wondering if you and Junwoo could go to Taesan’s house together… You understand what I mean, right?”

I couldn’t answer immediately. Because I was clenching my teeth.

Han Junwoo’s feelings for Han Taesan began to approach me, wetting my feet. The emotions that had soaked up to my ankles restrained my movements. I clenched my fists tightly. This was no time to just stand still.

“Then, could I perhaps get Taesan’s phone number?”

“Uh, yes! Of course. I’ll tell you. Try calling him first.”

“Yes. I’ll talk to him first. Don’t worry too much.”

“Okay. Teacher will trust only Jun.”

“Yes.”

Outwardly, I was calm, but inwardly, I was stomping my feet. Until the homeroom teacher, who had given me Han Taesan’s home phone number from the attendance book, left the hallway with an embarrassed look.

I had to stop Han Junwoo and Han Taesan from meeting. I absolutely had to stop Han Junwoo’s strange obsession. As soon as the homeroom teacher left, I pulled out my phone from my pocket and immediately called Han Taesan. I kept clenching and unclenching my hand, my leg trembling slightly, until he answered. The call connected surprisingly quickly.

– Hello?

“It’s me, Kang Jun. Is this Han Taesan?”

As soon as I heard Han Taesan’s voice, I quickly spoke. Then, suddenly, there was a loud noise from the other end of the line. Sounds of falling and crashing. And after a little while, with rustling sounds, Han Taesan’s voice was heard.

– J-Jun? Jun. Oh, no, why… No, you knew my number? No, you knew it?

“No. Han Junwoo asked for your home address today. So I asked the teacher for your home phone number.”

– …

“I just wanted to tell you to be careful.”

– Are you, are you okay? Even if you stopped him like that…

“Don’t worry about me. Worry about yourself. If you want to take more time off school, call this number. I’ll make a good excuse to the teacher. I have a pretty good reputation, you know.”

– …

“If Han Junwoo tries to bully or hit you at school, tell me right away. If you can’t tell me, just tap me and leave. It’s hard to solve things after they’ve already happened.”

– Okay…

“…The best thing would be to transfer, though.”

I subtly hinted at my true feelings for Han Taesan. Hoping he would listen to me.

– …

“Anyway, think about it. Today, either pretend you’re not home, or go somewhere far away for a while.”

– U-Uh…

“Then I’m hanging up.”

– W-Wait.

“…”

– …Thank you, Jun.

Han Taesan hesitated for a long time, then mumbled softly with a slightly trembling voice. What the hell, seriously. Honestly, it’s a bit unpleasant.

– Always, always thank you for helping me…

“What. No problem.”

– I-I just wanted to say it. Th-Thank you. S-See you later.

“Okay.”

– …Goodbye.

Goodbye, my ass.

I hung up without replying to his greeting. The very sensation of Han Taesan’s voice entering my ear was so chilling and unpleasant.

I don’t know what happened to Han Taesan that day. All I know is that Han Taesan started coming to school again the next day. Another week later, white downy hairs began to appear on Han Taesan’s uniquely youthful skin. Also, Han Taesan suddenly changed his demeanor and didn’t speak to me.

I watched the rapid change in his color, and a flower of suspicion bloomed within me. And when all the bruises finally disappeared from Han Taesan’s face, I felt a ‘surely, surely not’ feeling. It was a joyful feeling.

And two weeks later, Han Junwoo suddenly approached me and spoke.

“Hey.”

“…”

“Kang Jun.”

“…”

I didn’t even look at Han Junwoo, just stared straight ahead. But my mouth was about to open in an exclamation.

Perhaps, had Han Junwoo finally grown tired of Han Taesan? Was my worry truly unfounded? If so, that’s good. I could forgive him for spending the night with some unknown high school girl, and I could forgive him for not talking to me. In truth, what good would it do for me, who was nothing more than a friend to Han Junwoo, to forgive him, but that’s how I felt.

“Let’s talk.”

At that moment, I smiled widely without realizing it. I truly couldn’t help it. I turned my body to look at Han Junwoo, and he scratched his cheek with a bitter smile.

“Hey. We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“Yeah.”

“Damn, that’s disgusting. So you know what I’m trying to say, right?”

“Yeah, I get it.”

“Your answer?”

“My answer is… It’s okay. It happens.”

“Damn. I really missed that goody-two-shoes tone.”

Han Junwoo’s foot lightly nudged my chair.

He missed it. He missed it? I clenched my fists tightly for a moment. However, Han Junwoo immediately continued speaking, not giving me even a brief moment to rejoice, and I had to grind my gums until they bled.

“Still, you, don’t be too close with Han Taesan anymore.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll try to refrain from bullying too.”