---
Chapter 9,
trash
Today marks my third anniversary since I started dating. I woke up early in the morning, busy washing up and sitting in front of the mirror, putting on makeup for a date with my boyfriend.
I felt eyes on me, so I glanced over and saw Wonwoo leaning against the door, glaring at me with a disapproving expression. Wonwoo usually picks on me while I'm putting on my makeup, but today was such a happy day that I found it endearing that he'd pick on me so suddenly. I sent the grouchy Wonwoo out of the room and changed into the clothes I'd picked out the night before. After finishing everything, I came out around 1 a.m. and put on my shoes.
"What? Where are you going today?"
"Yeah! Date!!"
"Hey, today is our 3rd anniversary. You said you wanted to hang out with me."
"Wonwoo, cheer up~ I'll go and play with you when I get back."
" tooth. " Wonwoo
"You look pretty today? Is it an important day?"
"Jisoo-hyung, you're so cute. Today is her 3rd anniversary with her boyfriend."Wonwoo
"Oh, really? Have a nice trip, Ayoung."jisoo
"Hey!! You guys, don't think about it!!"
“The accident was caused by Kim Min-gyu.”Wonwoo
"What? Bro!!"
Wonwoo, still grumbling, was cute, so I gently patted his head, and he finally calmed down. With a pounding heart, I left the house. I hummed as I headed to our meeting place.
***
The meeting place was a cafe two bus stops away. He hadn't arrived yet, so I didn't see him. I went in, ordered coffee, and sat down.
It felt like the first time I'd dressed up this beautifully was after our second anniversary last year. That's why I was even more excited and really looking forward to today. My iced Americano arrived, and shortly after, the cafe door opened and a man who appeared to be my boyfriend walked in. I was so happy I stood up to greet him, but a young-looking woman walked in behind him. As if it were natural, my boyfriend and the woman who entered the cafe linked arms and approached me.
'Baek A-young.'
"Who is this...? Your sister? A relative...?"
'You know I don't have any relatives with my younger sister.'
'Don't pretend you don't know.'
"Then what is it...? No way..."
'Yeah. I'm dating her.'
'I came out today to kick you.'
"Crazy guy."
'Will you break up with my brother?'
“ …Do you know that today is our 3rd anniversary?”
'I know. That's why you came out so strong.'
"But why are you so confident..?"
My eyes were reddening, and I couldn't continue speaking. My boyfriend of three years was standing in front of me, arms linked with another woman, ignoring me as if it were normal. I thought pouring water or drinks was something only done in dramas, but that didn't seem to be the case. I poured the coffee I was holding on him. No, he was too trash to be called a boyfriend.
That kind of trash that can't even be recycled.
'Hey!! Baek A-young!!!'
'Brother!!'
"I guess it wouldn't have gotten burnt if I waited and it got cold."
"And don't let me see you again."
I truly loved you, and there was a time when you were my everything...
***
I ran out of the cafe and boarded the bus home. I cried on the bus. I cried endlessly. I didn't even care if there were people around me, I just cried so hard.
Going inside in this state would have been so embarrassing for me, given my excitement that morning. Instead of going inside, I sat on a park bench near my house and continued to shed tears that wouldn't stop.
Crying alone felt so lonely and pathetic, so I called my oldest friend, the fox I'd known, and told her to come out. Within minutes, Kwon Soon-young was standing there, panting.
"Huh.,, huh.,, hey., why are you crying. Didn't you have plans for your 3rd anniversary with your boyfriend today?? "
" Kwon Soo-nyeong... huh,, "
" ... "
"Something happened with that kid."
"Get up, let's go home."
"Turn it off, don't go. I can't go..."
"Then stop crying."
"Hmm... let's have a drink..."
"You don't like alcohol."
"But…"
***
Soonyoung and I came to a food stall. As time passed, the tears stopped on their own, but I was so angry and sad that I felt like I'd burst into tears again if someone even slightly teased me.
Soonyoung and I sat down. We ordered two bottles of soju and started eating them along with the snacks in front of us. Soonyoung didn't drink, just rested her chin on her hand and stared at me. She even clapped her hands in agreement with my words.
" 그, 개새끼 바, 끅, 바람났어... "
"That bastard, that bastard."
" 응.. 개새끼야... "
"Kim Min-gyu will cry when he hears this."
"Woo, Lee Min-gyu, you shouldn't cry... Ugh."
I quickly emptied two bottles of soju and became drunk beyond my tolerance.
Sunyoung paid the bill, tied her coat around my waist, and came out of the food stall carrying me on her back.
***
Soonyoung sat me down on a park bench and locked eyes with me. I stared intently at Kwon Soonyoung's eyes. Soonyoung remained silent for a long moment before placing her hand on my head and speaking.
"Don't get hurt."
***
As soon as I got home, the kids looked at me with surprised expressions, as I lay on Sunyoung's back. Jeonghan, without saying a word, carried me from Sunyoung's back and carried me to my room in a princess-like embrace. Jeonghan laid me down on the bed and tried to leave, but I held his hand to keep him from doing so.
"...did you cry?"
"We broke up..."
"I thought so... He's a bad guy, right?"
"Jeonghan... Do you know why we broke up? "
"No, I don't know."
"But how do you know he's a bad guy?"
"You didn't do anything wrong. He's definitely a bad guy and a piece of trash."
"Phew- what is that?"
“ … So don’t cry.”
" ... "
"I'm going out. Take a rest."
Jeonghan closed the door. Darkness filled my room. The sound of crying echoed outside the room, and I held back my sobs, muttering, "Sob, sob," so the children couldn't hear.
Something stirred under the blanket. I felt warmth. But I couldn't stop crying.
"Hey-ow."
"Wonwoo...is that so?"
Wonwoo, who had suddenly turned into a human, was hugging me tightly. I just kept whining in his arms.
Wonwoo said, wiping the area under my eyes.
"Butler, don't cry, I don't need you to play with me."
I was able to stop crying at Wonwoo's warm smile.
I felt sorry for the tears I shed on that piece of trash.
That pretty girl...
we're sorry jungin...