Don't wait for me

Episode 7 - It’s bothering me

It's already been a week since Yujeong started hanging out with Taehyun and Jihye. In that time, Yujeong had adapted well to school life, which felt both new and familiar. In particular, by spending time with Taehyun, she had worked hard to get close to him.

But...

“Hey, Kang Taehyun, want me to set you up with someone?”

“No.”

“Come on! I lost the game, so I have to introduce you to someone, ㅠㅠ. A whole box of Haribo gummies is on the line! If you take it, I'll give you half! Pleeease!”

“No. Why are you deciding on your own to introduce me to someone?”

“She's seriously cute.”

“So?”

“So what do you mean, so?! She'd be perfect for you.., just try it once.”

Hearing Jihye and Taehyun's conversation beside her, Yujeong felt her heart drop, but she didn't show it.

‘Well…there are probably plenty of pretty girls around Kang Taehyun…’

Jihye was watching Yujeong closely.

A little later, at lunchtime, Jihye took Yujeong out alone, saying she'd buy her something to eat.

“What do you want to eat?”

“I'll just have bread… more importantly, what did you want to talk about?”

“...I'll just say it straight. Do you really like Kang Taehyun?”

“Huh…? Of course!”

“...I wanted to tell you. It's just… there aren't just one or two girls who like him. And he's already...”

“...”

“No, never mind. Haha, that sounded a little weird. What I mean is, if you don't really like Kang Taehyun, just let him go. Honestly, as someone who's known him for 12 years, I think you're wasting yourself on him. I mean, what do the girls even see in him… I just don't want you to get hurt…”

“...I really like Kang Taehyun.”

“Right, I never said you didn't. But just… never mind. Let's go pay. Sorry, I brought up something pointless. Give it here, I'll treat.”

She said that, but Yujeong sank into deep thought.

‘So Kang Taehyun was on a whole different level from someone like me even back in his school days…’

Yujeong kept feeling oddly uneasy for no reason. What was Jihye really trying to say?

It didn't seem like Jihye had any bad intentions at all.

You could tell after just a week together. Kim Jihye was honest and unpretentious, easygoing and kind, a girl with a really great personality.

 

‘Well, Kang Taehyun is so popular… and it seems like he's not interested in me or other girls either. Should I just watch from afar…’

 

After coming back from the convenience store with Jihye, Taehyun stared at the back of Yujeong's head, who hadn't said a word.

“Lee Yujeong.”

 

“Huh, wha—?!”

Startled by the voice calling her name, Yujeong turned around and looked at Taehyun.

“What are you doing, spacing out?”

“N-no… just standing here.”

“Yeah? Then talk to me.”

“Sorry, I have to go now.”

Usually Yujeong would have blushed, but this time she firmly refused. And it wasn't just that once. Even when they walked together, even during class, she treated Taehyun with nothing but cool indifference.

For three days straight, too.

Taehyun was frustrated.

‘This is bothering me…’