"Hey, have you seen the transfer student, the third-year senior?"
"That was really cool. Totally your type."
"...I saw it. It's not that cool."
"Why? Everyone is excited to meet him. Thanks to him, the girls in class 3-6 are in a frenzy. It's been a while since they've seen such a cool guy, so I think starting tomorrow, people will be lining up to confess their feelings."
His incredible looks couldn't go unnoticed by the girls. Word spread about Kim Taehyung not only among the third-years but also in our grade, and during recess the second-year girls would go upstairs to see him.
"Let's go for lunch."
"...? Why me?"
"You're my only friend."
"I have a lot more than just you."
"Wow! Kim Yeo-joo, are you close with Taehyung sunbaenim? Really?"
"Amazing! Senpai, would you like to have dinner with us?"
The fact that Taehyung came to the second year floor in person and invited me to lunch was definitely something that should have been talked about.
"Hey, come to my class."
"why?"
"There'll be rumors that we're dating."
"I don't care. I'd actually appreciate it if it would keep the girls quiet."
"What?"
"I hate it when girls follow me around because they're so noisy. I'm not the only one, and they're so noisy."
"If word gets out, there will be fewer kids like that, and that's a good thing."
"No."
"Why not? Let me buy you some Zhajiang noodles."
"They're elementary school students? Are you sure that's OK?"
"That's strange. In the past, I could get by with just one bowl of Zhajiang noodles."
"That was a long time ago."
"Plus, if they don't like it, then I don't like it either. I talk a lot too, so maybe it's more than just being annoying."
"Hahaha, really?"
"I love it when you talk so loud, I don't mind it hurting my ears."
"You're exaggerating... why are you laughing at this?"
"Anyway, if someone hears tomorrow that we're dating, don't deny it. Just shake your head."
"Then buy me some jajangmyeon. And some tangsuyuk."
"Hehe, look at this. One bowl of Zhajiang noodles is all you need."
It won't change even five years later. I'll say yes to anything Kim Taehyung says. He thinks I know everything, but in fact there are two things he definitely doesn't know. One of them is this. I don't say yes because I like jajangmyeon, I say yes because he's Kim Taehyung. It's a mistake to think that just jajangmyeon makes everything okay. I'd say yes to anything with Kim Taehyung. I was determined not to do that this time, but there was nothing I could do. Just looking at his face made me nod unconsciously.
"Yeoju, are you dating Kim Taehyung senior?"
「…」
I wanted to deny it right away. It gave me a headache to think about the trouble it would cause if everyone started to spread rumors that we were dating. I was in a similar situation in elementary school, but even my juniors, seniors, and friends were making a big fuss. Even little kids were making this much noise, so I was scared to think what would happen in high school. I wanted to say that it was definitely not true, but I held myself back and remembered Taehyung's words.
Boom-
「…」
"Who could it be?"
"...Kim Taehyung."
"What?"
"Let's watch a movie together."
「??????」
"why?"
"Don't you like it?"
"What are you talking about? He's just full of himself and doesn't like anyone."
"But why are you saying we should go see a movie? Taehyung has a lot of friends, and I'm sure the other girls want to line up and watch a movie too."
"Maybe you thought I was easy?"
"Boys don't give money or time to girls they're not interested in.I don't use it either."
That's when I realized. Kim Taehyung was always spending his time and money on me. It was so natural that I didn't even notice, but from a romantic perspective, our relationship had become more than just friends. Maybe he was really starting to take an interest in me?
"Are you there?"
"What movie should we watch?"
"Oh, it's a ticket given to me by a junior at school, and it's valid until today, so it would be a shame to let it go to waste."
"...Oh, it was a free ticket."
"Yeah, but there haven't been any interesting movies lately."
"Anything is fine."
"By the way, there's a movie starring an actor you liked when you were in elementary school. Do you want to see it?"
"The actor I liked when I was in elementary school? Who was he?"
"It's Kim Seokjin."
"Yeah, that's right. I had a big crush on Kim Seokjin when I was in elementary school."
"I remember how crazy you were about him. I've never forgotten our time together."
"...What are you talking about all of a sudden? It's embarrassing."
"that's why…"
「？」
"Don't hate me."
"Huh? What happened all of a sudden..."
"Please like me a little."
"...What are you talking about? There's no way I hate you."
"Don't you hate it?"
"Of course I don't hate you! If I didn't like you, why would I watch a movie with you?"
"Then why were you always complaining to me and pushing me away?"
「…」
For a moment, I almost said, "Because I love you." I was getting annoyed because I had high expectations of your behavior. So I was being a little selfish. It's not because I hate you, it's because I love you. I was seduced by your beautiful eyes and voice, and I almost said it all.
"I was just kidding. I didn't hate you. I told you that in elementary school too."
"I thought you said that to stop me from hurting yourself."
"Anyway, I don't hate you. I'm serious. Is that okay?"
"Yeah, that's good. Let's go see a movie then."
I didn't know why I was smiling with such relief when you told me you didn't hate me. You know that you like me, don't you? So I don't understand why you keep pretending not to know. Seriously, Kim Taehyung, I don't understand you at all.
"Wow, Kim Seokjin's face is amazing."
"What about my face?"
"Completely ignored."
"Tsk, hahaha, you're never gonna call me cool."
"Because it's not cool."
"I know, elementary school student.」
Boom boom
"It's Yoongi hyung. I'll just pick up the phone."
"Yeah."
"Hello? Brother!"
"I drank too much yesterday and passed out, and I've just woken up. What do you want?"
"Hahaha, I got some free movie tickets. I was thinking of going to see it with you. Remember there was a movie you wanted to see?"
"Oh my gosh (laughs) you remember everything, you're a strange guy. So, did you see the movie? You didn't see it alone, did you?"
"No, I watched it with Yeo-joo. I wouldn't watch it if I had to watch it alone."
"You were on a date. I was right not to answer the phone."
"That's not it (laughs). Anyway, I'll hang it up, bro."
"Oh, contact me again."
Thanks to Kim Taehyung answering the phone right next to me, I naturally heard the whole conversation. He had asked someone else before asking me. It was really strange that I had thought he would ask me first. I was desperately hoping. That Kim Taehyung would see me as a woman, that he would be interested in me. I was hoping for that, but I hid my feelings. It was the most stupid thing in the world, and I continued doing it like that for a long time.
"You asked Yoongi hyung first."
"Yeah, my brother said he wanted to see the X-Vengers before."
Also, Kim Taehyung just remembers what people say. Whether he likes or dislikes someone, that's why he likes them. Consideration has been ingrained in him since he was a child. So what Kim Taehyung did to me today, and what I'd been thinking about and attaching meaning to all day, was just an everyday thing to him. Seeing Kim Taehyung for the first time in five years, I'd forgotten a little. What kind of person Kim Taehyung was, and why I couldn't give up until the end even though I was so tired. I'd forgotten it all, but today it all came back to me.
"You're a drug."
"What? Suddenly? Are you saying that in a good way? (laughs)"
"I mean it in a bad way, but I like it."
"I know, I believe you don't dislike me. So please don't say things that are so unlike you. It's awkward (lol)."
"I'm serious."
I found myself hooked on this dangerous drug again.