Chapter 26: Letting Her Down Easy

Tuesday | November 21th, 2023 | 3:19 PM

"Is it always going to be this slow?" Ningning asked. I lifted my head up from my phone and turned around, finding the younger girl standing next to the register, leaning against the counter.

"Yup, usually." I yawned.

"Be glad it's dead, at least. Wouldn't want a crazy busy shift," Chungha chimed in, walking out from the kitchen. She was carrying a stack of cups, walking over to the cup rack. I nodded in response, "Exactly, we get to just loaf around until we clock out."

"I don't know, I think I'm just bored since I'm doing nothing," Ningning sighed, a pout on her face.

Karina, who was cleaning the tables near the front of the store, giggled, "I have to agree with Ningning, I'd rather there be customers. There's only so much you can talk about before we lose a conversation and start going on our phones."

"Fair enough," Chungha said, turning her head to look back at us.

"You're just a workaholic, Karina," I scoffed, teasing her. She rolled her eyes and turned around, grabbing a spray bottle from her waist pouch and continuing her wiping.

"I thought working here would be an exciting experience, not a snoozefest," Ningning whined, "That's how my auntie described it at least."

"You know, if you really want to work, then go make Minjae and me drinks. I’ll take a wintermelon tea," Chungha suggested with a entitled smirk. I shook my head in disagreement, "No, no, you don't have to do that Ningning."

"Quit teasing her," Karina added, her eyes focused on her cleaning. Ningning sighed and pulled out her phone, sitting down on one of the stools. I glanced at the clock, finding out it'd be a while before we closed shop. Finding our short conversation dying out, I turned my attention back to my phone.

I casually typed out a response to whatever Chaewon had texted me:

sounds boring

id rather visit a zoo or an aquarium or smth

If I’m being honest, the past couple days have been good to me. For once, it felt like things were going right for me. It was a strange feeling, to go a day without any sort of self-loathing or dismissive thoughts. For a moment, I was confident? The only time my mood dipped was whenever I thought about Haerin, but for the most part, the past few days had been nothing but pure bliss.

Chaewon and I were back together, and things were looking pretty great. The only downside was that I had yet to tell my friends. It wasn't like I was avoiding the subject. In fact, I was actually quite happy with the situation, and was open to discussing it. But I never really got that chance to talk about it naturally. Even Nakyung didn't know anything about us, and she was the first person I'd go to tell but I never had the time with her recently.

It didn't matter much, though. We were happy and things were fine.

In my hands, I felt a response vibrate from my phone, the message popping up:

Chaewon

museums are not boring

you just dont appreciate art

thats true, i dont

Chaewon

ughhhhh dont you like the ambience and elegence

nope, too nobel for me

"Who are you texting?" Ningning spoke out, catching my attention. She was standing directly behind me, a cheeky smile on her face. I can tell she wasn't trying to snoop, just trying to find a way to start a conversation to stay entertained. I turned my phone over and sent it back onto the table.

"A friend," I shrugged. Karina laughed out loud, Chungha giggling as well, "If he says it's a friend, he's probably talking about that girl."

Karina hummed in agreement, "How have you and Haerin been, I haven't asked you about her in a while." Hmm yeah, that was the conversation that's happening. Now that it was here, shoot, how do you explain myself? For a while now, I've been interested in this one girl, and I wasn't sure if anything would come out of it. But, now, my ex from years ago reappeared and now we're back together.

"She's fine, we just hung out last week." I answered, being vague on purpose.

"Oooh, really?" Chungha wiggled her eyebrows. Ningning and Karina seemed curious as well, and Chungha was the only one brave enough to ask, "What did you two do?"

"Eat, talk," I responded, scratching my eye. "You know, stuff friends do."

"Anything else?"

"Nope."

"Sounds like a date," Ningning commented. Ningning excitedly walked back over to the counter, "Was it a date?"

"Not a date."

"Then what was it?" Karina pried.

"Just something two friends would do. Nothing big."

"So, what are you two now? Friends? More?" Chungha questioned, "Don't lie, neither. We can all tell."

"Yeah, wait, what happened to your ex?" Karina asked. And there it was, the momentary pause that told everything they needed to know about me. Collectively, the three girls' eyes widened and their jaws went slack, staring at me as if they could read my thoughts.

"Oh, did something happen?" Karina's question was innocent, but her tone was full of mischief. Chungha chuckled, and Ningning leaned against the counter, staring at me, anticipating my answer. I looked down at my phone, seeing that Chaewon had texted back, and was tempted to use that as a reason to leave this conversation. But it'd probably raise more questions, so I didn't bother.

"Uh, not really. We're just back together," I tried to avoid saying any more, hoping the girls would catch the hint. Unfortunately, they did catch it.

Like a choir, they harmonized their oohs and ahhs. They were teasing, and I could see their grins as they were all enjoying my embarrassment. In that moment, I've come to realize, they only ever talk about my love life and never theirs. I don't know what that says about me, but it can't be anything good.

"How did that happen?" Karina smiled brightly.

"Just stuff happened, and here we are," I waved it off, trying to keep a nonchalant demeanor.

"Don't be like that, come on, spill." Chungha insisted, waving her hand for me to continue.

"Spill!" Ningning egged on. Reading Ningning's face, I made the educated guess that Ningning has a strong love for, well, love. She was very eager to hear more.

"Fine," I sighed, running my hand through my hair, "Well, it happened just a few days ago. Chaewon called me up to hang out, so I drove up and met her at her dorm."

"Wait, drove up? She doesn't go to school here? How far is her school?" Karina cut in, and Ningning was curious too, leaning forward as she listened.

"Yeah, no, she doesn't go to school here. Her school's like an hour drive away."

"Wow," Karina gasped.

Chungha nodded her head slowly, "That's a lot of commitment to drive back and forth for her."

"Yeah, I can't imagine having to see my boyfriend so far away," Karina agreed. Ningning latched her hands around my forearm and shook me back and forth, "Aww, I think it's cute. He drives all the way just to see her!"

"Right, anyways, we met up and we were just hanging out with each other. She had us playing this game where we share our honest thoughts about stuff. One thing led to another, and yeah, we ended up kissing. And now we're back together," I gave the quick recap, skimming over the minute details.

"Oh my god, Minjae," Karina was beaming. "I'm really happy for you! And, you kissed? Did you confess? How did you kiss?"

"Slow down, Karina," Chungha chuckled, patting her shoulder. "Don't rush him, he can tell us when he's ready."

"Did it feel romantic? Was it a spur of the moment type of kiss or did you have a plan beforehand?" Ningning interrogated, and her eyes gleamed. I looked at Chungha for help, but she only shrugged her shoulders and smiled.

"It was in the moment. I was just sitting there, staring at her and she was staring at me. And it happened," I shrugged, and that answer seemed to satisfy Ningning, who clapped her hands and squealed.

"No funny business, afterwards?" Chungha raised an eyebrow, her grin mischievous.

I shook my head, "Nope. Not at all. Just the kiss and then movies until we went to sleep. Nothing more, nothing less."

"That's not important," Karina cut in, dismissing Chungha, "Are you happy about it?"

"Yes," I breathed, not even hesitating. "Yeah, I'm glad we're together again."

"Okay, let's not talk about that," Chungha interjected. "What about Haerin, are you just going to stop talking to her?" I winced and bit the inside of my cheek, a guilty expression on my face. Chungha picked up on that and frowned, her arms crossed, "Minjae. That's not nice. You're just going to lead her on?"

"Wait, no, I'm not leading her on. We're just friends. There's nothing going on between the two of us," I defended myself, and Karina and Ningning both looked at each other, exchanging knowing looks. "Look, she doesn't even know I was into her. She probably just thinks I'm a close friend."

"You're going to tell her right?"

"Most likely, I'm not just going to blurt it out of nowhere. If the time comes, I'll slip it into conversation," I reasoned.

"What about Chaewon, did she know you were talking to someone before she came back into your life?" Karina questioned.

"Well, no," I said, scratching my neck. "But, it doesn't really matter now, does it? Chaewon and I are together, and Haerin and I are nothing."

"No way!"

"What?!"

"You shouldn't play with her like that. What happens when Haerin catches feelings for you?" Karina frowned.

"I'm pretty sure she doesn't."

"You're sure?" Chungha emphasized.

"Yes."

"And how sure are you?" Ningning pressed. She took my pause as a reason to continue, "I've had this same conversation with many of my friends. A guy can't be just friends with a girl, things get awkward. I can guarantee, Haerin probably has some feelings for you."

"Ningning's right," Karina nodded her head, her gaze focused on me, "Just because she doesn't know that you had feelings for her. What makes you think she couldn't have feelings for you."

I bit my lip and stayed silent. I didn't think of it that way. It was hard to believe, especially considering the drunk texts incident. There's no way Haerin had any semblance of romantic feelings for me, right? We're just friends, plain and simple. Although, I can't exactly say it's zero percent. But, the percentage was miniscule.

I didn't want to tell Karina and Ningning that. So, I kept quiet, and let them lecture me on the perils of having a love triangle. Chungha wasn't much help, she was more entertained by their rambling.

"Alright, I get it. I'll make it clear that I'm dating someone now. Is that okay?" I gave up, holding my hands in the air.

"That's the most important part," Ningning huffed. Karina bounced her head up and down, "Exactly. No need to have two girls after you, right?"

"Yes, no need for two."

"You better," Chungha warned, her finger pointing at me, "Otherwise, we're going to have words."

"Don't worry, no other girls." I rolled my eyes, and I could tell the girls were satisfied, their eyes gleaming and their mouths wide. The conversation seemed to lose traction now that the main talking point was gone. I finally picked up my phone, glancing over at the messages that I missed because of the lecture:

Chaewon

pfft whatever

how about the science museum

they have like cool exhibits that you can interact with

doesnt that sound fun

honestly, yeah that does sound nice

maybe ill check it out one day

Chaewon

i wanna go toooo

lets go together

of course

I turned off my phone and circled back to my thoughts. Kang Haerin. Kang Haerin. I played her name over and over in my head. With my voice, with her voice, with anyone else's voice. Kang Haerin. Kang Haerin. Kang Haerin. What if she did have feelings for me? She's good at hiding her emotions. There's no way I could tell if she did have a crush on me.

I felt like a sinner when the thought ran through me. A part of me wanted Haerin to have a crush on me. It was selfish. It was wrong. It felt nice to know there's another woman in the world who might want me. But, that's just me being self-centered. I have a girlfriend now, but what would've happened if Haerin confessed her feelings to me before I met with Chaewon.

What if that night at the playground, Haerin decided right then and there to spill the truth. The thought ran through me, and a strange sense of longing settled in the pit of my stomach. I couldn't help but imagine the possibilities. Would I still have tried relighting the flames with Chaewon if I knew Haerin was into me? Would I have settled to keep Chaewon as an ex and a friend?

Tsk. How can I have these thoughts when I'm back with Chaewon? I felt the shame creep into my conscience. Chaewon didn't deserve that, she was the first person to make me feel loved, and now that she's back, I'm having thoughts of a different girl. I couldn't believe myself.

But the idea of Haerin liking me... It was intriguing.

"Stop, stop, stop," I scolded myself, cutting off those thoughts before they had more room to grow. There's no chance Haerin likes you, Minjae. Get over yourself. I simmered in my guilt, letting the feeling fester and boil over. It was a good lesson for me, reminding me that Chaewon is my girlfriend. She's the one I should be thinking about.

Tuesday | November 21th, 2023 | 9:41 PM

I pressed my ID against the key reader of my dorm room, a soft click telling me the door was unlocked. I grabbed the handle and pushed the door open, stepping in and kicking my shoes off. Looking up, I was greeted with Seulgi and Minhyuk seated together on the couch, their legs intertwined as they faced the TV. They both turned to look at me, their gazes shocked and curious.

I'm pretty sure I had just walked in on them mid-makeout session, judging from the flushed look on Minhyuk's face and the slight redness in Seulgi's cheeks.

"Hey," I casually said, taking brisk large steps towards the fridge in our kitchen, avoiding eye contact with them.

"Hi," Seulgi responded, her voice light. Minhyuk waved, not saying a word. I opened the door and crouched down, rummaging around the fridge. I reached for a soda and stood back up, closing the door.

"How was work?" Seulgi asked, turning around in her seat.

"Eh, fine. Boring," I replied, popping the can open and taking a gulp.

"Ah," She responded, nodding her head. Minhyuk's hand was stroking her leg, and it didn't take a genius to know what he was up to. He leaned in towards Seulgi, "C'mon, let's get back to what we were doing."

Seulgi looked at me, a guilty expression on her face, "Wait, sorry, I don't want to be rude. Let's finish the movie, and then we can do whatever." I turned away from them and went back to wondering what I should eat.

"Minhyuk," Seulgi groaned, a pained sigh. "We can do this later."

"Seulgi," Minhyuk whined, "I want you now."

"Not in front of my friend," She scolded, and the two started to bicker.

"Forget him, he doesn't care," Minhyuk insisted, his tone needy.

"Well, I do, so let's just finish this, okay?" Seulgi shot back.

I felt awkward just standing there listening, and I would leave but I was also ridiculously hungry. There was a convenience store just a drive away, so maybe I could buy some food there? As I pondered my options, Seulgi let out a strained yelp and a groan, followed by Minhyuk's giggles.

I whipped my head back and saw Minhyuk had his face pressed against Seulgi's neck. His hands were gripping her tightly, his arms wrapping around her body. Her eyes were wide and staring right at me, a flustered look on her face. She opened her mouth and spoke in a hushed tone, "L-Let's go into my room. C'mon, Minhyuk."

Minhyuk sighed and got off of Seulgi, pulling her up and letting her lead the way. Seulgi craned her head to look at me, mouthing a quick 'sorry'. Right before disappearing into Seulgi's room, Minjae turned to me and gave me a wink and kissy lips. My face scrunched in disgust and I shook my head, trying not to think about what was going to happen next.

I was alone, and with my hunger pangs growing, I figured this was a good opportunity to make some ramen. As I crouched down to sift through our ramen collection, knocks resounded from the dorm door. I paused and waited a few seconds.

Was I imagining that?

Knock knock.

There it was again. I stood back up and looked at the door, the knocks getting louder. I glided across the carpet and peeked through the peephole. Nakyung, giving me a coy grin, stood in front of the door. I sighed and unlocked the door, swinging it open.

"Hey," She beamed. In her hands was a familiar textbook. She let herself into the dorm and slipped her shoes off, "How's it going?"

"Good, just got off work."

"Yeah, I know. That's why I came over." Nakyung answered, and her gaze flickered around the room. "So, where's Seulgi and her boy toy?"

"They're," I cleared my throat, "Uh, in her room. Doing stuff."

"Oh," She said, a look of surprise flashing on her face. "Maybe we should play around in your room then. Let's see which of us can be the loudest."

She read my disgusted face and hurried to take her words back, "I'm kidding! Gosh, lighten up a little."

"Right," I nodded my head and closed the door. "Are you returning the card cloner?"

"Hmm? Yeah, here you go," She waved the textbook around and then threw it onto the coffee table. I winced, hoping the electronics hidden inside didn't take a beating. I didn't say anything though since Nakyung already seemed distracted by her own thoughts. She was scanning the room, a smile creeping on her face.

"Anyways, how was it? Did it work?" I asked, reaching down and picking up the textbook.

"Hmm, it worked perfectly. You should've been there," Nakyung grinned, her eyes flashing with delight. She looked over at Seulgi's closed bedroom door and back at me, "Let's go into your room." I was about to say something about my empty stomach, but I let it go and nodded.

As I walked past her, she grabbed my arm and dragged me into my bedroom. She closed the door behind her and looked up at me, her expression changing. She had a devious smile on her face, her eyebrows wiggling suggestively. I dropped the card cloner onto my desk and spun around, watching Nakyung walk over to me.

"So, where do I start?" She giggled, her hand reaching up to stroke my cheek. I pushed her hand away from me, a frown forming. She ignored it and started with her story, "So I was at a student committee meeting, just chilling, talking with everyone, the usual stuff."

I went over to my bed and sat down onto my bed. Nakyung plopped down next to me, her body flush against mine. I inched away, hoping to make space but she didn't take the hint and closed the gap between us. I didn't comment and let her continue.

"You remember Im Nayeon, right? The treasurer. She has the sexy thighs and the nice lips made for sucking tips and dicks? That girl, right?" Nakyung rambled.

"Yeah," I nodded my head. "That girl." Vague memory, I’ve only ever seen her one time but she was hot enough to add to my hit-list. 

Nakyung reached into her shorts and whipped out a pure white card, one of the blank cards I bought for the card cloner. "Here's her ID," She said, holding it up, letting it dangle in the air. "She leaves her backpack on her chair while she gets up and talks to other people, so I just took advantage of that and cloned her card."

I took the card from her hands and studied it. You wouldn't know if it was blank and full of useful information by looking at it. I stood up from my bed and pulled out my phone, opening up the rudimentary app I coded for the cloner. Starting it in reading mode, I pressed the card in my hand against the cover of the textbook. Accepting the card, my phone opened up the information stored on it.

Just like with Xiaoting's cloned card, I had Nayeon's information. Her unique ID number as well as her dorm building and dorm number.

"I had the perfect time to clone it. There was no way for her to see what was happening. She even put it right near the zipper, so I had no trouble getting to it," Nakyung bragged, and her grin was smug and proud. I simply smiled and sat down at my desk, reaching for a marker. I labeled the blank card with Nayeon's name and an abbreviated note for her dorm building and number.

"Good job, Nakyung, we'll plan a heist soon." I said, bending down to open a drawer and tossing the ID inside.

"That's it?" She asked, her smile faltering. I turned back to look at her and shrugged my shoulders. "Yeah. Good job. What else were you expecting?"

Nakyung sighed, her shoulders drooping. "A little more enthusiasm, but nothing, I guess," She shrugged. She stared at the floor, her mood dropping. She was silent for a good minute or two before she started up again, "I mean I thought you were going to be excited and happy about this."

"I am," I tried to appease her, my tone calm and soft.

I felt her hands creep onto my shoulders, "But you don't seem to be." My true feelings must've shown when I flinched at her touch. Nakyung stepped back in shock, reeling at the sight of me flinching.

"Sorry," I muttered.

"It's okay, why are you all jumpy though? Did I do something?" She frowned, her eyebrows knit.

"No, you didn't," I sighed, leaning back in my chair. Looking up at my best friend, I could tell she was feeling disheartened, and a twinge of guilt bubbled in me. "I, uh, I have a girlfriend now."

"You do?!" She shouted, her eyes wide and her jaw slack. I cringed and held a finger to my lips, urging her to be quiet. She noticed the gesture and slapped her hands against her mouth, a muffled apology sounding.

"When did you get a girlfriend?" Nakyung whispered, her words slightly jumbled.

"Recently," I responded, keeping my answer vague.

"I-," Nakyung started but stopped herself, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Haerin? It finally happened?"

"What? No!" I snapped, and then realizing how aggressive my response was, I cleared my throat, "Kim Chaewon." Nakyung's smile dropped and her eyebrows furrowed.

"Chaewon? Chaewon from high school?"

"Yeah, Chaewon from high school."

Nakyung stayed silent for a moment, her expression unreadable. She looked around the room and bit her lip, her fingers tapping her thigh. "Okay," She muttered under her breath, and then she continued, "Wow, Chaewon. Didn't see that coming."

"Well, now you do," I remarked.

"Now, I do," She repeated, her tone distant. "Did you guys, like, get in touch after the club?" It finally clicked why it was coming as a surprise to Nakyung, since I never mentioned Chaewon to her besides the running into her at the club.

"Yeah, um, she hit me up on Instagram the day after and we've been texting ever since," I explained.

"And she's your girlfriend now?"

"Yep, well after I visited and hung out with her a few times."

"What? When was this?" Nakyung exclaimed, her voice rising.

"Just the past few weeks, sorry for not telling you sooner. But, it wasn't serious until last week, so yeah."

Nakyung pursed her lips and crossed her arms. Her gaze was on the ground, and it felt like she was avoiding looking at me. The tension between us grew as the seconds passed, and I knew I had to say something.

"I'm sorry," I started, and her attention shifted back to me.

"For what?"

"For not telling you," I answered, "I should've mentioned it or something."

"I mean," Nakyung paused, her mouth hanging. She blinked and swallowed, "It's not a big deal, y'know. We're best friends."

"Really?"

"Of course," She beamed, a smile breaking on her face. Her hands dropped to her side and she let out a soft laugh, "You don't need to tell me everything."

"Yeah, I guess so," I said, a bit unsure.

"No, you're right, it would be nice if you told me earlier. I'd like to know the ins and outs of your love life, but you don't need to." Nakyung's smile faltered, and then her grin was back. She clapped her hands together, and her eyes lit up, "Anyway, I'm excited for you, Minjae! That's amazing." She came forward and threw her arms around my neck, pulling me in for a tight hug.

"Thank you," I said, a small smile growing. She held her grip tight around me though as I realized the hug was going a bit longer than I thought. Her face was buried in my shoulder, and I could feel her hair brushing against my face. The scent of her fruity shampoo invaded my nose.

I didn't know how long the hug should last, but I had the feeling Nakyung wasn't letting go anytime soon. Her hands were locked behind my head, and the more time went on, the less sure I was about how she was feeling.

I cleared my throat, "Alright, Nakyung, thanks. Let's, um, let's let go now." She didn't budge and remained clinging onto me. I tried to push her off of me, but she didn't move, and a frustrated grunt left my lips.

"C'mon, stop." I groaned. She sighed, "So, now that you got a girlfriend, you're opting out of our usual fun?" My fingers lost strength around her ribs, and she pulled away. Her expression was a mix of a frown and a smirk, her gaze on me expectant.

"W-wait, no. It's just, it feels uncomfortable now."

"Because you have a girlfriend, right?" Nakyung scoffed, her frown growing.

"Yes," I stammered. Nakyung's hand grabbed my jaw, and she yanked my head up to meet her gaze. Her grip was tight and firm, and her eyes burned with intensity. She glared down at me, a sneer on her face.

"Well, your girlfriend isn't here right now, and it doesn't seem like she's going to show up any time soon." Nakyung said, and her voice was laced with poison and honey. I couldn't respond, and the look on her face made it clear she didn't want a response. Her eyes softened, and she leaned down to press her forehead against mine, a giggle leaving her lips.

"Minjae," She said, and her hand left my chin and traveled downwards. She gripped my shirt, her knuckles turning white. "Minjae." Her voice was a low whisper, and she closed her eyes. Her breathing was soft and calm, a serene look on her face. What is with her? It’s terrifying how quick her demeanor can change within a moment.

She was so confusing, and she didn't seem to have a solid sense of who she was. I don’t think I can try to understand what was going on in her head. Nakyung sighed and her hands crept up to my cheeks, holding them tenderly. She opened her eyes and gazed at me. She didn't say a word. I couldn't say anything.

For a while, we sat there, Nakyung melting me down with her stare. There was an odd sense of comfort, the way her touch and stare made my heart skip a beat. But there was also fear. Fear that if I did anything, I would later regret it.

"So what now?" Nakyung finally asked, breaking the silence.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, do we end this here or are we still going to continue our thing."

"I'm with Chaewon, Nakyung."

"I know you are, I know," She said, "But what does that mean for the panties, huh? Are we not doing that anymore?"

"I, uh, don't know."

"Don't know? What is there to think about, Minjae?" Nakyung frowned, her hand sliding down to my chest.

"I can't explain it, it's just, Chaewon's back and I don't want any chance of fucking that up, you know? I don't think, like, cheating on her would help with that."

"Quit being a pussy." Nakyung spat. That aggressive side of hers was back, her eyes burning a hole through me.

"Nakyung." I sighed.

"You're already in too deep, so why quit now?"

"I-"

"You have a fucking shoebox of stolen underwear a few fucking feet away from us, Minjae," She growled, her hands clasping tighter onto my body.

"I-I-," I stuttered.

"You've already been doing this shit behind people's backs, so what's stopping you now?" Nakyung barked. Her gaze was harsh and unrelenting, her anger boiling over. I felt the pressure on me increase, and my muscles were paralyzed. "You act like you can't lie to just one more person, Minjae."

Her eyes were shaking and her mouth was quivering. She took in a deep breath and looked down, "Look, you're fucking hard."

She was right, there was a bulge in my pants that was visible. I didn't notice it, and I didn't know why, but now it was apparent and impossible to ignore. My face burned in shame and embarrassment.

"Even if you say no, your body knows what it wants. You can't escape your urges," She murmured, and her voice was low. I couldn't speak, my heart pounding and my breathing growing heavy.

"Just admit it, Minjae. You can't deny your nature," Nakyung continued. Her eyes were trained on mine, watching and studying my reactions. "Repeat after me, 'I'm a kinky freak'."

I couldn't talk, my throat closing up. I was stuck staring at Nakyung, getting buried in an overwhelming amount of thoughts and emotions. She's right. Why was I trying to lie to myself? There was no way to stop my perversion. It's a part of me, something that makes up who I am.

"I'm a kinky freak," I muttered. Nakyung's gaze softened, and a gentle smile replaced her sneer. It was like she knew I had accepted my fate, and she was proud of me. I was in too deep, there was absolutely no way for me to come clean and fix my actions. Not without ruining any sort of relationship I have. I'll have to take this secret and everything I've done to the grave. If I'm keeping secrets, then I might as well just keep going.

"I don't want Chaewon to know this side of me," I sighed, my voice low. "I'm finally with her again, and I don't want her to see who I've become."

"You think you've changed that much?"

"I mean, the Minjae that Chaewon knew wasn't a panty thief, was he?" I laughed, but there wasn't any humor.

"I know," Nakyung replied. "Look how far we got, just me and you. No one else knows but us. It'll stay like that, I promise."

The intensity of her glare had disappeared, her expression calmer. She was right, no one had to know about my secret, especially not Chaewon. She'll never find out about what I've been doing behind her back, and it'll stay between me and Nakyung.

"So," Nakyung whispered, her fingers curling up into my hair. "What's it going to be, Minjae?" Her lips leaned closer to mine, her body pressing against me. She was so close, so enticing. So addicting. She didn't close the gap. She left that decision up to me, like I was the one who had to decide whether or not everything stays the same.

The mental warfare I was subjecting my brain to felt unhealthy and self-destructive. I was trapped between my girlfriend and best friend, torn on what was morally right and wrong. It wasn't a simple answer, and nothing about this was simple.

If I wanted to maintain a normal life with Chaewon, I'll have to sacrifice the pleasures and desires I had with Nakyung. But what would that make me? Would I be trying to shut away this dark and disgusting side of me, pretending like it didn't exist and it was fine? I had accepted the fact that I'm a pervert, and lying about it and pushing it aside would make me feel even worse about myself.

"Don't think of it as cheating. Remember? We're just doing something that benefits us, that benefits both of us," Nakyung said, her voice soft. I remembered the night Nakyung and I spent drunk as I invaded Seulgi's room, the night she confessed why she was really doing all of this with me. I kept sex interesting for Nakyung and she indulged me with my panty fetish. It's just a win-win situation, nothing more.

I didn't have to think about the implications, the possible outcomes. Everything was fine, and this was all normal.

So why not go through with it.

I leaned in, closing the gap. I could feel her smirk against my lips. It was a short and simple kiss. As quick as it came, it went away. We didn't need to drag it on. We didn't need any extra fanfare.

Nakyung's lips curved upwards into a devious grin. "My kinky freak," She purred.

"What now?" I asked, and I felt a twinge of excitement in my chest.

"The same as always. Let's plan this heist. For real this time."

I smiled, and for a brief moment, I felt relieved.

Wednesday | November 22th, 2023 | 8:57 PM

"God, you smell like Old Spice," Chaewon laughed, pulling out from our greeting hug. She was dressed up casually, wearing a light blue hoodie and black shorts with a matching black backpack hanging off her right shoulder. Her hair was tied up in a cute bun and she wore minimal makeup, only a tinge of blush and mascara.

"Sorry, but would you rather I smell like sweat and musk," I asked, a small grin forming. I shrugged my shoulders, adjusting the backpack hanging off my left shoulder. We were talking about it briefly today, that I should one day meet her other friends beside Sakura and Kazuha. When I brought the fact that I was probably going to study after my intramural game today, Chaewon insisted I drive up and study with her friends.

"Oh, gross," Chaewon giggled, her nose scrunching up.

Chaewon and I stood outside her dorm building, where I was waiting once I arrived at her campus. The sun had long since set and the sky was an inky black void, a few stars dotting the darkness. We were alone, her residential area having no other people around. It was a peaceful sight, standing in front of her dorm with her next to me.

"Are you nervous?" Chaewon asked, swaying back and forth, her arms behind her back.

"Maybe, just a bit," I shrugged, looking down at her. She looked around us and took a deep breath, taking in the scenery. I studied her face, watching her smile. Her gaze drifted over to mine and she met my eyes.

"You should be fine, it's not hard to like you," She grinned. "They'll warm up to you quickly."

"Alright," I smiled, and I held out my hand for her. She giggled, "C'mon, let's go. They're waiting at the library." She grabbed my hand and laced her fingers between mine. I let her pull me along as we walked away from her dorm building, heading deeper into the campus.

While it was exciting to meet her friends, it was nerve wracking. These were the people that surrounded Chaewon during our time apart from each other. I wasn't sure what to expect. They seemed cool, based on the pictures she showed me and the stories she told, but it was a whole different ball game actually meeting them.

"Hopefully they aren't too busy studying to talk to you, Yunjin would make you laugh the longer you talk to her, and Eunchae's like that annoying sister but I'm sure she'll mellow out her brattiness around you," Chaewon chattered.

Yunjin, her full name Huh Yunjin from what Chaewon told me. A pretty girl with a big personality and a bright smile, someone who made everyone laugh. I was told she was from the States and moved to Korea, so both her English and Korean was perfect.

And then there was Hong Eunchae. A first-year, the youngest out of the bunch, but Chaewon said Eunchae was quite the social butterfly, so she should get along well with me. She had a babyface and was known to be a bit snarky and a brat, but it was all good natured and her friends and her were very close.

"Yeah, I can't wait," I grinned. Chaewon hummed, squeezing my hand, "How was your game today?"

Our game today? It was pretty easy if I'm being honest. Despite having one of the later scheduled games, we won our game rather quickly. Just as quick as we finished the game, I was quick to leave school to drive up here. I didn't give anyone the chance to congratulate me, not even my teammates.

"Oh, it was good," I nodded, a soft smile on my lips. "It wasn't anything hard. After our game, they announced that our team made it to playoffs."

"Really? That's amazing!" Chaewon exclaimed, her grin wide.

"Next week's our final day for the intramural season. They're playing quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the finals all in one day."

"That's so exciting," She squealed, bouncing with every step.

I chuckled at her, finding her enthusiasm contagious. "You know, you should come down and watch next week."

"Really?" She turned to me, her eyebrows raised.

"Yeah, if you're free, I'd love to have you there," I said, a slight blush on my cheeks. Chaewon's expression melted, and a soft smile grew. She looked down and her grip tightened.

"Of course! I'd love to come see you," She said, and then a giggle escaped her lips, "I'll be the loudest one screaming your name."

"You can be as loud as you want," I teased.

"Trust me, Minjae, I'll be very, very loud." She grinned. I couldn't help but laugh, her playful energy spreading throughout me. We continued our walk to the library, the path being lit up by dim lamps scattered around the walkway. Chaewon led the way, guiding us along the way to the library. A couple minutes passed and we arrived in front of a massive building. Its walls were a cream color and it was built with large, brick pillars and columns.

We made our way up the steps leading to the entrance and Chaewon pulled open the doors, stepping inside. The warmth of the building's heater washed over me, and I took a moment to look around. Though it was called a library, I noticed a lack of books. There were several tables set up around the main lobby and there were couches and chairs placed next to the walls. There was also a section for students to sign up for computers and printers.

The only books that I saw were hidden away in the back, and they were just shelves full of reference and historical materials. This place was more of a community space for students, with the books being the second option.

"Minjae, c'mon," Chaewon waved, beckoning me to follow her. We weaved in between tables and passed by a group of students, who were sitting on couches and watching a movie on their laptops. It wasn't until I noticed a small group of students tucked away in a corner of the room, huddled around a single table.

"Is that them?" I asked, pointing over at the group. Chaewon scanned the table and her expression brightened up.

"Yeah, that's them." She nodded. She pulled me by my arm and dragged me towards the table, and the group noticed our approach. Their heads turned and their eyes locked onto me. I recognized Sakura immediately, who politely smiled and nodded. The rest of the group consisted of just two other girls.

One girl had copper red, wavy hair and round glasses. She was pretty, and she reminded me a lot of an idol, with her mature face and sharp features. This was Huh Yunjin, recognizing her from the photos Chaewon showed me.

The other girl had long black hair and bangs, with her hair being straight. Compared to the girls present, she looked the youngest with a more full, childish face. This was Hong Eunchae, the first-year Chaewon talked about.

"Hey, guys!" Chaewon greeted, a wide smile on her face.

"Hey, Chaewon," Yunjin replied, her tone friendly. The rest of the group murmured their own greetings, all giving her warm smiles. Still holding onto me, Chaewon looked at me with a gentle smile.

"Everyone, this is Minjae," Chaewon said, motioning to me. I slightly bowed my head and extended my hand out towards them. "I'm Hwang Minjae."

Yunjin reached forward and took my hand first, a small grin on her face. Her hands were smooth, and her touch was light and gentle, "I'm Huh Yunjin."

"It's nice to meet you, Yunjin," I replied, pulling my hand towards Eunchae. She looked a bit shy, her cheeks dusted with a pink blush. Her handshake was firm and her hands were small.

"I'm Hong Eunchae," She said, giving me a warm smile.

"Nice to meet you, Eunchae," I responded. Sakura and I were the last to greet each other, already familiar with each other. We shared a nod, and Chaewon's smile widened as she found herself a seat at the table, positioning herself in between Sakura and Yunjin. Sakura's big eyes glanced around the table as she started to make room for me, scooting down closer to Eunchae and giving me a spot next to Chaewon.

"Thank you," I whispered to the Japanese girl as I took my seat. She gave me a small nod and turned her attention back to her work. I pulled my backpack off of my shoulder and set it down in front of me, pulling my laptop out. I could feel the eyes of the group staring at me, watching as I unpacked myself.

"So," Yunjin began, a playful smile on her face, "What do you study, Minjae?"

"I'm majoring in computer science," I answered, pulling my laptop open and powering it on. The three girls exclaimed in unison, and Yunjin even leaned forward with interest.

"So you're like a nerd?" Yunjin teased.

"No, he is a nerd," Chaewon corrected, the table laughing. I bit my bottom lip and felt a tinge of heat rise to my cheeks.

"That's impressive, Minjae," Sakura added, glancing over at me.

"Thank you," I nodded. "It's actually a lot easier than it sounds. Most of the stuff I learned could be found online, anyways."

"Don't downplay it," Chaewon pouted, lightly hitting me. "It's not easy."

"I never said it was," I smirked, watching the cute anger melt off of her face. "If you don't mind me asking, what about you guys? What are you all studying?" I asked the table.

"Business," Yunjin answered, a look of boredom on her face.

"Bio-Chem," Sakura followed, her focus not wavering from her screen.

"Psychology," Eunchae replied, her tone tired. I naturally looked towards Chaewon but noticed she was silent, her lips in a straight line. My eyes trailed down and peeped her fingers fidgeting with her sleeves. I remembered the conversation we had one late night over FaceTime. It was brief but I remembered how somber Chaewon sounded when she told me she was undecided, that she didn't know what she wanted to do.

"Wow, all of you are in some pretty hard majors," I exclaimed, drawing the attention to myself. "That's crazy."

"Yeah," Chaewon agreed, her gaze turning towards me. Her lips were curled up into a soft smile, and it was a smile that eased the tension off her face.

"Sakura and Eunchae are the ones in the really hard majors. They have the brains for it, I don't," Yunjin laughed.

"At least you're aware," Eunchae teased. Yunjin huffed and tossed her pen at Eunchae, the two girls giggling. Sakura looked up from her work and shot a glare in their direction, "Quit messing around, we're in public."

"Alright, mom," Yunjin sighed, resting her chin on her palm and leaning back in her chair. She looked over at me as I was closing up my backpack and setting it on the ground, "Let us know if you get in the mood for a snack or a break. We can show you the upstairs vending machines. An upperclassman taught us this trick to get free snacks."

"Oh, wow. Thanks," I replied, chuckling. "That's pretty neat."

"Yeah," Yunjin nodded. With the conversation losing its steam, everyone began to return back to their own business, focusing back on their work. The only sounds coming from the table were the soft taps of the keyboard keys, the quiet scribbling of pencil, and the light hum of the heater.

It wasn't awkward, I thought. The quiet atmosphere was a comfortable one, the table being filled with an amiable aura. I looked towards Chaewon, curious what she was up to but was surprised by the fact that her eyes were already on me. Her cheeks blushed and her lips pursed, looking like she got caught.

"What are you working on?" I asked, smiling. She shook her head, a soft breath escaping her lips, "Nothing."

"No finals?"

"I'll worry about it later," She shrugged, leaning back in her chair. "Right now, I'm enjoying our time together."

"How cheesy," I laughed. Chaewon's nose wrinkled, a small pout on her lips. She leaned her head over and stared at my laptop screen. She watched me briefly study my notes before leaning back again and grabbing her phone from the table. She eventually got herself absorbed in her phone, tapping away at the screen, a look of concentration on her face.

I continued on my way through my review, reading through the slides. It was a basic and easy study guide, a refresher for the things I studied before.

"Ugh, I hate math," Yunjin groaned, throwing her head back in exasperation. Sakura turned her head over to the redhead and raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging on her lips, "Tell me about it."

I glanced up from the computer screen, eyeing Yunjin as she leaned back to stretch while tying her red hair up. As she sat back up, her head turned and she made eye contact with me. She blinked and then she gave me a smile.

"How's it going, Minjae?" Yunjin asked, and I noticed how deep her voice was.

"Oh, it's going fine. Just reading through my slides," I replied, looking back down at the computer.

Eunchae let out a sigh, "This is the worst, honestly."

"What are you working on, Eunchae?" Chaewon asked, peeking up from her phone.

"Research paper," Eunchae mumbled, her face scrunched up into a frown. "And it's due in a few hours."

"Oof," Chaewon winced. "Where are you at so far?"

"Just one page, I need five," Eunchae groaned, shaking her head. I watched as the youngest member of the group buried her face into her arms. I could hear the muffled complaints escaping her mouth. Yunjin placed a hand on her back and started to rub her back in soothing circles.

"You got this, Chae," Yunjin added, her tone reassuring. Eunchae picked her head up and groaned into the air. "It's impossible, honestly." I frowned and leaned back, watching the poor girl wallow in misery.

""You need any help with it, Eunchae?" I suggested. The whole table looked at me and my words processed in their minds. "I don't mind helping out."

"Oh, uhm, it's okay. You probably have your own stuff to do, too," Eunchae smiled. I looked down at the screen, the slide filled with bundles of text. "Yeah, it's fine. I need a break from my own stuff. It won't hurt me."

"Wait, really?" Eunchae said, her voice perking up as the offer hung in the air.

"Yeah, sure," I nodded, "It's no problem." Chaewon's face lit up, "Oh, Minjae was super smart back in high school. He'd be happy to help."

"Thank you so much!" Eunchae squealed, a grateful smile on her face. She turned her laptop over towards me and stood up from her chair, walking over behind me and peering down at the screen. "Sorry, I don't have much time left."

"It's alright," I nodded, my eyes scanning the document, "What's the paper about?"

"Impact of music within South Korea," She explained, leaning over my shoulder. Her breath tickled my ear, and she smelled like a citrus perfume. "I was doing a report about how it influences the country's culture."

"Huh," I nodded, taking a moment to read through the notes. The writing was clear, and the information was written in bullet points. As I was reading, Eunchae was leaning closer and closer to my face, her nose almost touching my cheek. "It's just a lot, and I don't think it's that much. Like, this paper has a bunch of flaws." Eunchae frowned. "I'm sorry for making you do this on your first time meeting us."

"No, it's fine," I assured, giving her a polite smile.

Eunchae smiled, a bright expression on her face as she moved back to her chair. "You're a lifesaver, Minjae."

"Don't mention it," I smiled back, and with a newfound purpose, I began working on Eunchae's paper. There was a certain pride that came with helping people. Maybe it was the feeling of usefulness or the appreciation. Or maybe I was just a sucker for the recognition. Chaewon seemed to be proud of me, her smile glued to her face.

I wasn't too bad at writing papers, either. Even without prior knowledge, I was able to pull out some sources from the Internet and throw words together. My experience from writing essays back in high school paid off, and I was able to get a few paragraphs onto the screen within moments.

"How long have you known Chaewon, Minjae?" Eunchae asked, looking up at me.

"Since middle school, I think," I responded.

"Oh, that's a long time," Eunchae's eyebrows shot up, impressed.

"We never talked to each other until high school though," Chaewon added. "That was when we became good friends."

"Oh? What took so long?" Yunjin asked.

"Chaewon was pretty popular. She had a bunch of friends in school. All these different friend groups and people liked her. I'd see her hanging out with so many people. Meanwhile, I kept to myself and that's pretty much it."

"Awww, look at you," Yunjin cooed. She leaned over and gave Chaewon a hearty shove. "I didn't know you were Miss Popular."

"Hah, shut up," Chaewon rolled her eyes. I chuckled and kept my eyes glued on the screen. I typed the next paragraph of the paper, my hands moving along the keyboard at a quick speed. The more I typed, the easier it was.

"Chaewon was the first one to approach me," I said, continuing. "I remember being so nervous. Here's this cute girl with a nice smile talking to me and I don't know what to do."

"Aw, really?" Eunchae said, turning towards Chaewon.

"Minjae stuck out like a sore thumb for some reason. He was only ever by himself or with his best friend. One day, I just decided to talk to him," Chaewon explained, a nostalgic grin on her face.

"And after a couple weeks, we became good friends. The rest is history," I smiled, looking up at the girls.

"How sweet," Eunchae commented. "You guys were high school sweethearts, weren't you?"

"We dated for two years before we had to break up because I moved away," Chaewon sighed, a sad expression on her face.

"Aw, I'm sorry to hear that," Yunjin frowned.

"It's fine, it was a long time ago," Chaewon assured. I nodded along as Chaewon recounted the story for them. She talked about how hard the decision was to end it, and how the first year or two after the breakup was painful. It was a bittersweet conversation, the memory still being fresh in her mind.

"I'm thankful you guys were there, it made the move bearable," Chaewon smiled, looking down at the table.

"Awe, c'mere," Yunjin grinned, throwing her arms around the girl and pulling her in close. The two shared a moment together, hugging each other. Eunchae and I both watched the moment unfold, a soft smile on my face. Chaewon pulled away, her eyes glistening, "Ah, I love you, guys."

"We love you too," Eunchae giggled. I turned my head back to the screen and continued typing. The conversation behind me became muffled and incoherent, and eventually it just became the sound of silence.

My eyes naturally turned back to the work in front of me once I wasn't involved in a conversation anymore. Despite helping Eunchae, the lack of work I did for my own studies started to hit me, and I knew if I didn't get any of my work done tonight, it was gonna bite me in the ass. So, I returned to the task at hand and started working harder on Eunchae's assignment, hoping to get to mine as soon as possible.

The sound of keys being tapped and the occasional rustle of pages flipping filled the table's ambiance. Every so often, a groan or sigh escaped someone's lips, and the conversations were mostly brief, usually between Sakura and Yunjin. Chaewon and Eunchae had a conversation about what Eunchae should get for dinner tonight.

Cutting through the peace, my phone vibrated in my pocket and I was quick to take it out. On the lock screen was a notification from Haerin, and a smile tugged on my lips. It wasn't an instant smile, no, it was more subtle, one where the corners of your mouth turned upwards. The kind where you have no control over.

I unlocked my phone and read her message, her words causing my smile to fall:

Haerin

you left quick lol

i was hoping to see you after your game

I ran my hand through my hair and groaned under my breath. My fingers danced on the keyboard, unsure of what to say.

sorry about that, didn't notice

I clicked my phone off and was about to set it back down, but I got a response right away:

Haerin

ohhh its fine

you did rly good today btw!

hanni and danielle wanted me to tell you good job also

say thank you for me lol

"Who are you texting?" A voice whispered, and my eyes snapped up. Chaewon's big, brown eyes stared right back at me. She exited herself from the table's rousing argument about a movie they had just seen and joined in my quiet world. My initial reaction was to flinch, but I suppressed it, not wanting to look suspicious.

"It's a friend from school," I answered. She cutely hummed and dropped her head onto my shoulder, "Oh, that's nice." I knew she was looking at my phone and reading the messages. She didn't seem too bothered by the messages, a relaxed smile on her face. At the same time, Haerin sent a message and I saw the little typing bubble pop up on the chat box:

Haerin

they said youre welcomeee

anyways how is your night going?

Chaewon let out a small laugh, and her shoulders shook against my arm. "Your friend seems to be quite talkative."

"Hmm, she's usually quiet and shy," I laughed, shrugging.

"Just like you back in the day, huh?" Chaewon commented

"Yeah," I nodded.

im working on some assignments rn

but besides that, good so far

and yours?

I waited for a response, the little bubble appearing again. It disappeared and reappeared, and a sense of guilt settled in the pit of my stomach. I couldn't shake the feeling of being caught doing something wrong. I'm dating Chaewon. I'm glad Chaewon is with me, but at the same time, she's right there, next to me, and I'm talking to a girl who I was interested in.

It's not cheating. But it doesn't make the feeling of guilt disappear. A picture had loaded onto the screen, and it was Haerin pouting, sitting at a desk with papers sprawled out. I never knew she wore glasses. Her glasses were cutely positioned on the tip of her nose, her eyebrows furrowed in frustration.

Haerin

im studying for finals

not having fun at alllll

Chaewon leaned forward, a playful expression on her face. "She's cute."

"I- um, yeah, I guess so," I mumbled, not expecting Chaewon's comment. She giggled, "Oh, c'mon. She's pretty." She raised her lips to my ear, "I'm not stupid, Minjae." Hearing those words rocked my world. The world was still, and all the background noise suddenly seemed so quiet. The other girls at the table faded out and the sound of my heartbeat in my ears was the only thing I could hear.

"I-"

"Don't worry, I'm not upset," Chaewon whispered. She pulled away and gave me a small smirk, the same expression she would make back in high school whenever she did something mischievous. "I know I can't be the only one, y'know? Not saying that she's your girl or anything, but you've liked her before."

Chaewon giggled seeing my face, "It's fine, remember, even I briefly dated after we broke up. I can't get mad at you for something like that."

"Right," I nodded. "Thank you."

"Besides, you're mine now, anyways," Chaewon cooed, leaning in and pecking my cheek. She fixed herself properly into her chair and went back to her own business, her giggles still escaping her. I looked back to my phone, seeing that Haerin sent another message.

Haerinwe should study together again

Staring at my phone, the conversation from work yesterday washed into my head. Ningning, Karina, and Chungha. They had teased me, poking at the idea that Haerin might have some sort of feelings for me. It was a moment like now that made the reality all the more real. Maybe I was overthinking it? Haerin is a studious person, and she's never shied away from studying with me and her friends. I'd even go as far as to say, studying was one of her defining features.

For some reason, now, at this moment, it felt like she was asking for one on one time with me. Was that the thoughts of a man influenced by his friends? Or was there a real intent behind Haerin's invitation. I don't think it matters, really. I peeked over at Chaewon, who was once again buried in her phone, and then back to mine. Chaewon and I have already established the status of our relationship. We're a couple.

Like the girls from work said, I should let it be known so as to not confuse Haerin or anyone else I know. With anxious fingers, I struggled over what to type. I wanted it to be straight and to the point, but not too on the point in case I offend Haerin by assuming she was hitting on me when she actually wasn't. At the same time, I didn't want to play dumb and give off the impression that I'm interested in Haerin, even though I'm not, anymore I guess.

well, idk. i might be busy with my own finals coming up

Before I can think of something to add on, she was already typing up her own response.

Haerin

all the more reason to study together right?

Her message was punctuated by a smiley face, and the feeling of guilt resurfaced. How am I supposed to reject her like this? I couldn't bring myself to say no to her. Haerin was too sweet and kind to just outright decline. But, I had to. I don't have the option of entertaining any other women outside of Chaewon, especially when she's right next to me.

well ill be studying at my girlfriend's campus already

so it might be difficult for me

My fingers shook over the screen, and the message was sent. It felt like the world was silent. The quick and instant response from Haerin never came, and the bubble that showed her typing never appeared. She wasn't saying anything, and neither was I.

It took a moment, but Haerin was able to come up with a response.

Haerin

ohhh okay thats fine

sorry i didnt know

I wish I was there to see her in person, but I don't think it would've mattered. Reading her message over text, I couldn't tell what type of emotion she was saying this with. Her tone was hard to tell over the phone. Was she sad? Was she shocked? I don't know, but it made the guilt weigh heavier on me.

If I saw her in person, I doubt I would be able to tell. Haerin was always a mystery to me. Her expression, her mood, her personality, they're all hidden underneath a veil of politeness. Even her body language wasn't very expressive.

I couldn't imagine her being sad over something like this, though. I know her well enough that she probably didn't have a crush on me, or if she did, the chances are slim.

its fine, i havent really told anyone

Haerin

soo is it our little secret then?

lol, nah, im bound to tell everyone at some point

Haerin

oh haha ok

well im gonna keep studying

ill talk to you later

talk to you later

A part of me thought Haerin was upset, but it's probably just me being self-centered. Haerin doesn't like me. I shouldn't entertain those thoughts. I looked at the last message and decided that it's best if I just get back to work. I looked back up at Eunchae, who was trying to mess with Sakura as she tried to study.

"Eunchae, I'm almost done with the assignment," I announced, drawing their attention. Eunchae's eyes lit up, "You're done?!"

"No, not yet. Give me another ten minutes, maybe," I answered, and she clapped excitedly.

"Fuck! You're a lifesaver! Thank you so much!" Eunchae exclaimed.

"You're welcome," I laughed.

"I should buy you something for your help," She said. "Is there a drink or snack you want from the vending machine? I'll go get it right now!"

I declined, waving my hands, "No, it's fine! If anything, I should buy you guys the snacks, considering I'm the one invading your hang out."

All at once, the table started berating me, telling me not to be silly and that I shouldn't worry about it. Their kindness and hospitality made the guilt in my stomach ease a bit and the atmosphere was once again lively. The stresses of our studies seemed to evaporate and the group started to talk amongst themselves. It's not that surprising, honestly. I remember back when Chaewon and I used to study, we'd end up talking a lot, too.

Maybe it was the influence of Chaewon's friends, but the night was starting to feel less like work, and more like a hangout. Eventually, Eunchae's paper was finished. I typed out a conclusion and proofread everything, making sure the paper was good enough to be submitted. I read over the document, scanning for any errors or issues.

I turned Eunchae's laptop back towards her, "Here you go, I finished. Is it good?"

Eunchae's face lit up and she excitedly took the computer from me. She quickly started scrolling through the document and her face grew with glee, a bright smile on her face. It reminded me of Haerin's face when she's excited, the corners of her mouth lifting upwards.

"This is great! Thank you so much!" Eunchae said.

"You're welcome, sorry for the trouble," I chuckled.

"No, no, you're a lifesaver!" Eunchae grinned.

Yunjin was quick to add in her input, "Damn, you did that fucking quick!"

"Thank you, thank you," I laughed, waving off their praise. I leaned back in my chair, looking at my laptop once again. After doing that paper, I felt drained. Playing intramurals today was also taking a toll on me, I wasn't in the mood to study. Just like Chaewon, I'll worry about it later. I lowered the top of my laptop and turned my head to Chaewon, "Can you show me the vending machines, I'm thirsty."

"Oh, yeah, of course," She looked at the table, "We're about to go upstairs, do you guys want anything?"

The group asked for a few snacks and drinks and Chaewon nodded. "Got it."

I stood up and stretched my arms and back. Chaewon got out of her chair and I followed her to the back. She led me through a door and we were inside a long hallway. At the end of the hallway was a set of stairs that we used to walk up to the second floor. Chaewon opened the door, revealing a dimly lit lounge. In front of us were couches and beanbags and a wall of vending machines.

Chaewon looked behind me, "Can you keep an eye out please?"

"Yeah, sure," I nodded, stepping backwards towards the door, notably confused. Chaewon dug into her pockets and pulled out a metal rod. She slipped the thin piece of metal between the two machines, wiggling it around. Within a few seconds, she was able to unlock the door on the vending machine, and opened it. My eyes widened, "What the hell?"

"Shh," She hushed, her fingers reaching into the machine and pulling out the snacks.

"Are you stealing that?" I hissed, walking over to her.

"Duh," She said, a cheeky grin on her face. Letting it set it, I let out a laugh. Chaewon glanced back at me while she closed up the vending machine, laughing with me, "What?"

"Nothing," I sighed, a smile on my face.

"Don't be such a square," She laughed, pushing the rod into another machine. My heart pounded in my chest as she popped open the door. I've always had a soft spot for her mischievous side, and even now, after all these years, it still gets me. It wasn't an obvious reaction, but deep down, seeing her steal like this sent butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

Chaewon closed the doors on the vending machine and picked up the collected snacks and drinks. "Come on," She said, gesturing towards the door behind me. I held it open for her as she carried the payload in her arms. Together we stepped down the stairs and into the first floor hallway.

"I think they like you, too," Chaewon smiled.

"Really?" I questioned, a curious brow raised.

"Sakura, Eunchae, Yunjin. They like you," Chaewon giggled. "It's only been an hour or two, but I think you've won them over."

"Good," I sighed in relief, happy that they liked me. "Your friends are really nice."

"You're one of them now, too," Chaewon giggled, leaning into my side.

"Hmm," I hummed, a warm smile on my face. I leaned and gave Chaewon a short peck on her cheek, "Thanks for letting me tag along."

"You're always welcome, Minjae," She grinned. "They're our friends."

The word, 'our,' caused a warm feeling to blossom in my heart. It was a good feeling, one where a wave of happiness washed over you. There's no other way to describe the feeling than just, 'warm.' I couldn't stop smiling.

WOOP, another chapter, completed. You know what that means? We're getting closer to the "Winter Arc" as I dubbed it. I can't wait to get started writing the multiple smut chapters! Bear with me please, I have a few chapters to have to write before winter break officially starts for Hwang Minjae. I can't hold myself back, I'll let you guys in on the plan! During this arc, four, count it! FOUR girls will have their panties stolen, two of them are related to each other, one of them is a main member of the student committee and the last one is a member of the Goofy Goobers! Stay tuned, and stay excited because I know I am! - PI