A Young Man Other Than Me

Even though we had watched the dusk together, it didn’t mean I had become the only young man in Nayeon’s life. The girl had someone who was closer to her than I was.

This is what you call jealousy. Because you can’t surpass someone. I laughed bitterly, realizing how deeply I had fallen for a girl who already had a young man she longed for.

When they parted at the gate, I immediately approached Nayeon in a not-so-casual way. Jealousy had burned me alive.

"You got home safely last night, it seems. Did he pick you up?" I asked with a slight sarcastic tone. Yeah, that was also because I was disappointed last night when she rejected my offer to take her home.

She glanced at me strangely. As usual, she had no intention of looking at me directly. Our eyes rarely met. That might be the reasonable explanation for why I often missed her so much.

"Wanna eat ramen?"

My eyes widened. All my cells were successfully bombarded by Nayeon’s invitation to eat together. Where did my annoyance go?

"Are you messing with me?" I accused, showing a suspicious expression.

She chuckled softly. Finally, Nayeon, you laughed because of me.

"Want to or not?" she pressed her question.

I was amazed. "Wow, turns out you can threaten too. Alright, since you’re the one inviting, I’ll come."

"We’ll walk. The place isn’t far from here."

I just agreed. When else could I walk side by side with this girl?

"You’re quite mysterious, huh. Sometimes you can be really indifferent, and other times the opposite," I said kindly, not caring if she felt uncomfortable.

"My mood changes easily." Nayeon answered casually, of course without looking at me.

"Why do you never look at me?" I brought my face closer to hers. Making her stop walking abruptly.

"Because your eyes resemble someone’s," she answered quickly while pushing my face away.

"Resemble who? Your boyfriend?"

"I don’t have anyone like that."

This time I was the one who stopped walking. So who was that guy who was always with her and picked her up?

"Then who was that earlier?" I asked insistently, really wanting to know.

"Is that important?" she asked, sounding a bit annoyed. I was happy to see another side of her.

"You don’t want to tell me?" I teased again, making her finally sigh in resignation.

Without looking at me, she answered, "My older brother, satisfied?"

I was a bit shocked. I never expected that I was jealous of Nayeon’s own sibling. No wonder they were always together.

"Oh my God. I got jealous for nothing," I said, which made Nayeon quicken her steps. I’ve given you a hint, sweetheart. Be more perceptive.

"So whose eyes do mine resemble?" I walked backwards, trying to look at Irene even though the girl kept turning her face away desperately.

She didn’t answer and just kept walking as if treating me like air. I was already used to being ignored by Nayeon. Maybe this was karma for how I used to ignore other people.

"Fine, I won’t force you as long as you’re the one paying for the food."

Nayeon still didn’t respond. Maybe she was already tired of my stupid chatter. I also stopped talking until we arrived at the newly opened ramen restaurant.

Nayeon stopped walking, took out her wallet from her bag, and pulled out some won. She grabbed my hand and placed the money on it.

"Eat until you’re full. See you later."

I was stunned. The girl had played me. She casually walked away from me. "Hey! Weren’t we going to eat together?"

She only replied with a wave of her hand. I was sure she must be laughing at me right now. "Hey! Im Nayeon!"

I was annoyed, really. But I couldn’t get angry. Nayeon’s behavior like this just made me adore her even more. I looked at the won bills in my hand and then smiled like an idiot. Damn. I’ve become a love slave.