Eighteen’s Bed Novel Completed - Chapter 73

Go Yohan, who had been listening silently, let out a hollow laugh. Judging by his face, he wasn’t laughing because it was funny.

He let out a hollow laugh as if dumbfounded, and just made a strange smile without saying anything. Seeing Go Yohan like that, I read a small sign of victory. It wasn’t a hope of decisively defeating Go Yohan. I just wanted to live the rest of my school life in peace.

I racked my brain. How could I avoid being bullied by Go Yohan? It’s better to be ignored than to be scorned by the kids because of Go Yohan’s aggressive attitude. I just needed to maintain the status quo. Then I only had to endure for half a year.

I opened my mouth. As an extra, I checked for signs of people on the other side of the door by looking back again.

The two people were still behind the door. How long were those bastards going to stay there? Damn it. For now, I spoke in a voice quiet enough not to be heard outside the door.

“You know I’m annoying too.”

So just leave me alone. If you don’t keep acting like this, I’ll somehow survive on my own. Just like I’ve always done, I’ll find a way through.

“I know all your intentions. So I’ll shut up and not act out, just like you want. Huh?”

Without realizing it, a sarcastic, prickly tone escaped me.

Even in this situation, my pride reared its head. Go Yohan, who should naturally be offended, was silent. Please, just answer. My toes, hidden inside my socks, curled up.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps lingering outside the door.

Go Yohan silently stroked his forehead with his finger. While my attention was drawn backward, Go Yohan grabbed a chair next to him. I wondered why he suddenly grabbed it, but then Go Yohan suddenly threw the chair on the floor.

“……”

I reflexively trembled at the noisy sound. My nerves, which had been focused backward, now rushed forward again. The bastards outside must have heard everything. But Go Yohan would never care about such things.

Even now, he smirked, raising one corner of his mouth as if to show off. He seemed to be subtly trembling too. That strangeness gave me goosebumps, and I unconsciously gripped the bottom of my shirt. Go Yohan, who had vented his emotions by throwing the chair, exhaled a low breath and lifted his head.

“Ah, I get it.”

What?

“You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”

“……”

“Wow, you are. You’re doing it on purpose.”

“……On purpose, what?”

Go Yohan pointed at me with his finger and let out a hollow laugh, simultaneously walking a few steps backward. Go Yohan’s hand, no longer pointing at me, went to the nape of his neck. The hand that had been pointing at me went to his bangs. Go Yohan ran his fingers through his soft hair, pushing it back. And he still gave me a knowing look.

“You really know how to mess with people, don’t you? Wow, damn it. This is driving me crazy.”

“What are you talking about? I’ve never messed with you.”

“Damn it, then what is this you’re doing to me right now!!!”

Suddenly, Go Yohan shouted. My eyes widened, and I reflexively turned around. The dark shadows were still visible. Damn it, I frowned. I had no idea who was saying what. I lowered my voice as much as possible, acting irritated.

“Please speak quietly. There are other kids outside.”

“You’re worried about them hearing outside? You?”

Go Yohan strode forward. A huge shadow fell over my face.

“You, right now?”

“……Yes. So can’t you please just talk quietly?”

Go Yohan burst out laughing again. Looking down at me from above, he said.

“Even in this situation, you’re so damn concerned about what others think.”

“……”

“Even in this situation, you’re ridiculously… putting those bastards above me, huh.”

Go Yohan’s gloomy face was filled only with derision.

“Kang Jun.”

“……”

Damn it, that Kang Jun. Kang Jun. Kang Jun!

I glared at Go Yohan as if to kill him. Resentful, so resentful. How can it be so easy, like flipping a hand? I wanted to scream, ‘Was I that easy to you?’ But my pride was too hurt to open my mouth. I felt like if I heard ‘yes’ there, I would burst into tears in front of Go Yohan.

“Be honest.”

Go Yohan, who didn’t understand my feelings, continued in a mocking voice.

“Honestly, you want to be close with me again, don’t you?”

“……”

“This situation scares you, but your pride is too hurt to humble yourself, isn’t it?”

My heart plummeted to the floor. I forgot what I was going to say and gaped. No. This can’t be happening. It’s better to look speechless than foolish. I hastily closed my mouth, which had been about to retort something I couldn’t even think of, and glared at Go Yohan.

“Too bad, you just need to humble yourself a little.”

Seeing my silence, Go Yohan seemed to think he had won. Go Yohan’s trembling lips naturally curved upwards. Go Yohan subtly bent at the waist, looked down at my face, and said brazenly.

“As expected, I was right.”

I was pressured by Go Yohan in front of me, and by the strange presence of the two people behind the door. I couldn’t die like this. I had to play my last card to prevent Go Yohan from toying with me. I lowered my voice. So no one could hear. No, so only Go Yohan could hear.

“No.”

Stop. I felt as if I heard Go Yohan’s movements halt.

“Honestly, I don’t quite understand.”

I slowly lifted my head. It was to show my proud, unchanging face. My terrible pride held my neck firm. This was also my chronic illness.

“You said it was over first, didn’t you? Why are you being so pathetic? As if you’re the one who’s disappointed.”

Go Yohan closed his mouth. His face was a bit blank. I saw an opening in that. Leaving Go Yohan standing blankly, I quickly turned around. It was to escape before he could grab me. My retreating figure might be more pathetic than I thought. Still, it was better than being caught.

When I opened the door, I saw Lee Seokhyun and Kim Min-seok plastered to the window.

You idiots.

I scanned them up and down, then quickly walked into the hallway. Even then, being a coward, I quickened my pace, afraid Go Yohan might chase after me. I forced my aching foot to move. My body swayed as I moved forward.

“……Damn it.”

I was afraid to even imagine what words I would hear, what accusations I would face if I were caught. Was I afraid of falling, or was I afraid of Go Yohan’s accusations? Again, it was too terrifying to even make that decision.

I worried that my ridiculous gait would be seen by others, yet I couldn’t slow down. Then, suddenly, when I reached the end of the hallway, I unconsciously turned around. Perhaps, perhaps. Go Yohan might be there.

“……”

But Go Yohan wasn’t there.

He didn’t chase me.

Suddenly, the strength left my body. Idiot Kang Jun, making such a fuss over someone who had no intention of doing anything. I quietly stared at the empty hallway, then inadvertently saw my reflection in the window. The Kang Jun reflected there was sad. As soon as I saw that look in his eyes, I clenched my fists. If I had been holding something, I might have thrown it at the window and shattered it.

Not wanting to see that idiotic face, I turned my head.

Wanting to escape somewhere, I headed for the stairs, but a familiar face caught my eye. Shin Jaehyun. Was that guy lucky or unlucky? Shin Jaehyun, who was coming up the stairs, lifted his head and looked at me.

“Oh?”

“……”

I guess I’m unlucky. Terribly unlucky.

“……Damn it.”

I grabbed the railing and tried to pass Shin Jaehyun. Of all things to be caught doing, it had to be this. Damn it, I’m annoyed. But what’s more annoying is what Shin Jaehyun quietly said, deliberately stopping me as I passed.

“Did you… cry?”

“No!”

The answer burst out reflexively. I stopped my descending body and shouted, then immediately squeezed my eyes shut. Damn it, damn it, how embarrassing. I wanted to roll down these stairs and die right now. Even if I hadn’t cried, that answer made it sound like I had. It was all Shin Jaehyun’s fault for suddenly talking to me. Damn it.

“I didn’t cry.”

The Kang Jun reflected in the window definitely hadn’t shed tears. But why did Shin Jaehyun think I had cried? I smiled naturally and rubbed my dry cheek. It was just rough. I definitely hadn’t cried. I tried to make up for the mistake I had just made for a perfect crime.

“You must have mistaken it. I didn’t cry.”

“Sorry.”

Shin Jaehyun made a genuinely apologetic expression and took his hand off my arm.

“Right. You didn’t cry.”

“Thanks for checking on me, but can I go now?”

“Do you want me to help you walk?”

“No, it’s fine. I’m okay. Just go your way.”

“I’ll help you.”

“No, I said it’s fine.”

I felt unpleasant at Shin Jaehyun’s attitude, ignoring and stepping over the boundary I had deliberately drawn.

I held out my palm and frowned slightly. But despite my refusal, he took another step closer and grabbed my arm. The positive-minded, clueless LA guy. I understood why that phrase came about. Look at his lack of tact.

“I’m fine. Anyway, I was looking for you.”

What? My brows furrowed automatically. What is this optimistic guy talking about? Shin Jaehyun suddenly pulled a yogurt from his pants pocket. And he offered it to me. I leaned back and quietly looked at the pink-wrapped yogurt.

“What’s this?”

“Yogurt. It came with school lunch today.”

“……”

“Korea doesn’t seem to have much consideration for students with lactose intolerance.”

“Why are you giving this to me?”

“Because I thought you might have eaten only bread again.”

As if my answer wasn’t embarrassing, Shin Jaehyun continued with a kind face.

“It’s for you.”

“No thanks. Give it to someone else.”

I didn’t really want to eat it. It was the moment I said that and tried to quickly escape.

Grrr—

“……”

No matter how I thought about it, it was my unlucky age. An unfortunate nineteen. I clutched my stomach with a flushed face. I remembered the lunch I couldn’t eat because of Go Yohan. And I also remembered Go Yohan, who hadn’t followed me.

“……Ah, damn.”

Yes, now I’m a bastard not even worth following. A discarded card. I swallowed hard, lowered my head, and spoke. It might have been a bit prickly.

“I’m not hungry.”

“Really? That’s a shame.”