For everything, physical fitness is important. You should do some exercise. Don’t believe too much in the name value of famous universities. Nowadays, young people are growing up too delicately and don’t know how to handle hard work… The leader’s advice continued on various topics, and Heewoon just kept nodding.
When they arrived at the pub and entered the room, the leader stuck with Jihwan and the girls again. Heewoon’s lack of alcohol had naturally shifted everyone’s attention away from him.
Of course, Jihwan even occasionally scolded Heewoon for being weak with alcohol. Heewoon pretended to enjoy the songs and clapped along.
Nevertheless, no one forced him to sing, and that was a relief. Watching people dance and sing, he did feel a slight urge for alcohol, but it was still enjoyable this way.
When Heewoon went to the restroom again, he checked his watch. It seemed that Seo Kangwoo would still be on the plane for some time. It would have been more fun if he could have some alcohol. It was regrettable.
Opening the room door, he saw the leader and Jihwan singing loudly and energetically. They seemed to get along well again. Heewoon watched them from the doorway and then entered the inner sofa.
Sitting where he was earlier, he raised the glass of water and took a big sip. Suddenly, his eyes widened.
“Coff- Coff-.”
It wasn’t water; it was alcohol. Heewoon gripped his throat, and his thoughts raced. It was so unfair. He really wasn’t planning to drink.
Looking at the arrangement of the seats, it seemed that the leader pretended to drink and secretly left it here. The glass was placed too close to Heewoon’s seat, which had caused the confusion.
Focusing on the leader, who was singing energetically with Jihwan, Heewoon held a tambourine and glared at him. It was because of that guy. If he got scolded by Seo Kangwoo for drinking, it was all that guy’s fault.
If he admitted it was an accident, would Seo Kangwoo let it slide? Heewoon wasn’t sure, considering Kangwoo had been treating him very well lately. But the possibility that he wouldn’t let it slide was also considerably high.
‘You’re gonna get a big scolding if you go drinking with other bastards.’
As Kangwoo’s gaze came to mind, Heewoon’s heart raced, and his palms sweated.
At that moment, the loud 2000s song came to an end. Everyone exhaled, feeling they had a good time and came to the table.
“Oh, there’s no alcohol left. I’ll order some.”
One of the girls got up and picked up the phone next to the sofa.
“Yes, two soju and two beers here please.”
Heewoon stared blankly at her, then realized something.
Seo Kangwoo had no way of knowing that he had accidentally taken a sip of soju. Even if someone was watching, it would be from outside, and this was a private space with only their study group members. Their orders were even placed using a phone.
Moreover, Seo Kangwoo had mentioned that there was no one watching him lately.
Finding that amusing, Heewoon chuckled. He felt silly for acting as if Seo Kangwoo was watching even when he wasn’t here, and it made him feel miserable. He felt repulsed by his own obedient behavior.
“Heewoon actually drinks quite a lot, it’s really regrettable.”
Jihwan, who had been talking with others, mentioned Heewoon. Heewoon looked at Jihwan, whose eyes were sparkling, and thought.
There is no way for Seo Kangwoo to know whatever happened here.
Kangwoo won’t know if he accidentally took a sip of alcohol, or even more than that.
Heewoon’s gaze fell on the soju bottle.
After a while.
“Hey, look at him. You really can’t trust people who say they’ve quit drinking.”
Jihwan giggled and pointed his finger at Heewoon. Heewoon drank more of the soju mixed with beer and refilled his glass.
“Heewoon-ssi, is it okay for you to drink?”
One of the girls asked with concern.
“Yes, I drank a little earlier, thinking it was water. I think someone poured alcohol here…”
Heewoon said, tapping his glass next to him. People paused to think, then glared at the leader simultaneously.
“Wait, Leader. Were you pretending to be a heavy drinker and secretly disposing of the alcohol?”
“Of course not! What are you saying!”
The leader, with a red face, bounced up and denied it. Jihwan’s eyes glittered, and he interrupted,
“Wow, I’m disappointed, Hyung-nim.”
“No, I was just…”
“Have one more drink. Here.”
Jihwan, bringing a glass, looked very pleased. Heewoon smiled slightly and sipped his beer. While doing so, he kept glancing at his phone, feeling a bit anxious.
But that only lasted for a moment. As he drank more, he gradually relaxed, and the phone was soon out of his sight.
“Are you waiting for a call from someone too?”
At some point, Jihwan was sitting next to him and suddenly asked. Heewoon shook his head.
“Don’t just drink. Have some appetizers, too. I can’t bring you home today, buddy.”
“Who asked you to bring me home?”
Jihwan had talked about giving Heewoon a ride once when Heewoon was drunk in his early twenties. Heewoon set his glass down and speared a piece of rabbit-shaped apple with a small skewer.
“Why hasn’t Yeonji-ssi arrived yet?”
People who were busy talking amongst themselves didn’t seem interested in this side, but Heewoon still asked softly. He kept his voice low because it seemed like keeping their relationship a secret was important.
“I don’t know. I haven’t messaged her.”
Heewoon, with an apple slice halfway to his mouth, gave Jihwan a strange look. Jihwan shook his head and said.
“This is called ‘playing hard to get’.”
Playing hard to get… Seo Kangwoo really hates that.
Heewoon refilled his glass subconsciously. He continued to drink as if trying to alleviate the sorrow from not being able to drink away before. He became intoxicated quickly.
“It looks like Yeonji-ssi is here! I’m going to pick her up!”
Jihwan left the room in a hurry, looking at his phone. People watched him briefly and then chuckled.
“Are they having something?”
“It seems like it.”
“They must be having a good time.”
As the leader shook his head, Heewoon’s eyes widened.
“How did you know they have something?”
People chuckled as they looked at Heewoon, who was taken aback.
“You can tell from just looking at them.”
Heewoon was still astonished that people seemed to know about their relationship, which he thought was a secret. He was genuinely worried about giving the relationship away accidentally.
“Oh, you’re so cute, Heewoon-ssi.”
“Why do you look younger than us when we’re the same age?”
The leader grumbled, glaring at the unusually smiling girls.
“What’s the use of looking younger? If you want to survive in society, you need to be more careful. Just like earlier, huh? If you say it like that…”
“Oh… it really was your alcohol, Leader.”
“….”
As Heewoon muttered softly, the leader seemed to be speechless for a moment. Then the two girls giggled together, which created high-pitched laughter echoing in the room. It sounded eerie that Heewoon hunched his shoulders, glancing around. It seemed that the microphone was still on.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
Heewoon’s head was suddenly tapped by Jihwan, who had arrived at some point. Next to him was his almost-partner.
“Oh, the microphone…”
Heewoon answered roughly and began to fumble around the couch.
Punk, you’re drunk. Jihwan, clicking his tongue, poked Heewoon’s shoulder.
“Your phone seems to be ringing.”
“Huh?”
Heewoon blinked dazedly, and Jihwan handed him the cell phone from somewhere. He checked the caller, and his eyes widened. He suddenly became very sober.
“Uh… I’ll answer the phone and come back!”
Heewoon rushed outside. He quickly went to the bathroom, which was probably the least loud there.
“Hello.”
–Why are you still outside?
Kangwoo went to the main point immediately. It sent shivers down his spine. How could he know when he said that he wasn’t watching? Heewoon put his hand on his rapidly thumping chest and glanced at his watch. It was already midnight.
“We got carried away at the pub, I didn’t realize that it was late.”
–The pub?
Heewoon felt like the slow-paced questioning was akin to an interrogation, and he wanted to make excuses. However, he clenched his lips tightly. The moment he saw Seo Kangwoo’s name, he sobered up enough not to say things recklessly.
“Yeah. But I’m going to leave now. It’s not fun because I don’t drink…”
-…Are you sulking because you can’t drink?
“N-No! That’s not it!”
Heewoon said with a startled tone, and Kangwoo chuckled softly.
–Go home right now.
“…Okay.”
Thankfully, Seo Kangwoo didn’t seem to be in a bad mood. Heewoon rolled his eyes for a moment and then said.
“Did you arrive safely?”
Instead of a response, he heard laughter.
–Yes. I’ve arrived safely, and I’m on my way to the hotel now.
“Ah… Goodnight, Kangwoo.”
–..Yes. Sunbae too, sleep well.
Kangwoo’s voice was very warm. Heewoon let out a sigh of relief after ending the call. Fortunately, it seemed like he hadn’t been caught drinking.
Heewoon patted his own cheek twice, then returned to the room. He quickly put on his padding jacket, and everyone stared at him with wide eyes.
“You’re leaving now?”
Jihwan’s eyes were also widened.
“Yes. I’ll head home first. Have fun, everyone.”
“Oh, wait, wait. Everyone, let’s take a photo together first!”
His arm was grabbed and Heewoon sat down again on the sofa. Fortunately, a server walked in at that moment and he took the picture for them. Heewoon awkwardly smiled while posing with Jihwan.
After the photo was taken, Heewoon said goodbye to everyone and quickly left, taking a taxi back home. He thought that deceiving Seo Kangwoo was definitely not okay.
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