Exists, but does not exist

Episode 12

강여주

.. however,

강여주

Why did you like Yeo-eun?

There was quite an awkward silence after my question.

윤정한

...

Jeonghan tossed and turned.

The only sound that filled the infirmary was the rustling of blankets.

강여주

.. Sorry, if it's inconvenient, you don't have to answer-,

윤정한

just..

강여주

huh?

윤정한

It was love at first sight.

It was an obvious yet unexpected answer.

윤정한

I ran into him as I was passing through the hallway,

윤정한

When I passed by, the scent was so nice...

윤정한

It made me look back as I passed by.

Is this some kind of web drama-like explanation?

I lay on my side and stared at Jeonghan.

윤정한

however..

Jeonghan paused while speaking.

윤정한

My sister smells the same.

강여주

...

I guess so,

Yeo-eun and I used the same shampoo,

I'm still using that shampoo...

윤정한

Last time I cried while holding my sister...

Ah, at that time...

윤정한

At that time, the scent of that girl entered deep into my nose...

윤정한

I think I cried more sadly.

I was wondering for a moment if I should change my shampoo.

강여주

Shampoo... Should I change it?

윤정한

That was... the scent of shampoo...

윤정한

.. No, don't change it.

I guess I can't forget Yeo-eun.

윤정한

Now I want to feel that scent only from Yeoju Noona.

강여주

....?

What does that mean?

Jeonghan lay down facing me.

Then, my eyes met with Jeonghan's.

Jeonghan looked at me silently and smiled faintly.

At that moment, my heart sank.

I'm crazy..

If you have a conscience, you should never, ever be excited about Yoon Jeong-han.

윤정한

Get some sleep.

강여주

Huh..?

윤정한

I was exhausted from arguing earlier, haha

Jeonghan laughed playfully.

강여주

... huh

I quickly turned my head towards the ceiling, afraid that my face might have turned red.

윤정한

I need to get some sleep too

We both closed our eyes and fell into a light sleep.

강여주

Ahhh... my head...

I woke up after sleeping for about an hour and had a headache.

Because I couldn't just keep sleeping

I was struggling to get up and go to class.

Jeonghan had already gotten up and left, as there was no one next to him.

???

Oh, senior Yeoju..!

강여주

?

최승철

Do you remember me?

강여주

who..

최승철

I ran into you in the hallway yesterday...

Ah... is that the guy I met in Itaewon?

강여주

ah..

최승철

By any chance... have you seen my Instagram?

강여주

uh..?

강여주

I haven't seen it...

최승철

I followed you yesterday...

강여주

Oh.. sorry..

강여주

I haven't been able to see you lately because I've been so out of it.

최승철

ah..

최승철

Could you please follow me back?

강여주

Ah... yeah, okay

최승철

.. thank you

I took out my phone and checked Instagram.

sound_of_coups

sound_of_coups started following you.

강여주

ah..

I immediately clicked follow back.

..but you saw me at the bar..

Isn't this a bit... dangerous..?

최승철

I'll DM you!

강여주

..by the way what is your name?

최승철

It's Choi Seung-cheol!

Seungcheol looked at me and smiled.

Then he waved and passed behind me.

강여주

...

-Drrrrr

고하율

..Hey, heroine..!

전원우

Are you okay, heroine?

As soon as I entered the classroom, Ha-Yul and Won-Woo ran towards me.

강여주

Yeah, it's okay.

I smiled and sat down.

고하율

..Jung Da-eun left work early.

강여주

Ah.. I see..

Jeong Da-eun's seat was empty.

My classmates were muttering to me.

I was tormented by the memories of my childhood that kept coming back to me.

I'm worried I'll be bullied again

고하율

don't worry

고하율

I don't think anyone would think you were lying.

Tears welled up in my eyes for a moment.

I desperately tried to hold it back, but the tears flowed out without my knowledge.

고하율

.....!!!

전원우

Uh.. are you okay..?

고하율

Uh... what should I do...

전원우

I'll bring some tissues..!

Ha-Yul looked flustered.

And yet, he automatically patted my back gently.

고하율

I'm sorry I didn't know until now..

고하율

I really... didn't know Jeong Da-eun was that kind of person.

강여주

.. Even I wouldn't have known.

I spoke with a sob.

고하율

I'm sorry... I'm sorry...

Ha-Yul seemed like a really good kid.

전원우

I brought toilet paper.

Wonwoo handed me a tissue.

I wiped my tears with the tissue Wonwoo gave me.

고하율

If it's too hard, do you want to leave work early?

전원우

Yeah, that might be better.

강여주

.. No, it's okay.

I really wanted to leave work early, but since I was a ‘Yeo-eun’, I couldn’t leave work early easily.

고하율

...

전원우

Oh, and drink the chocolate milk you just finished drinking.

I nodded and picked up the chocolate milk.

고하율

Ha.. Jeong Da-eun..

I sat there sobbing until just before class started.