Vol. 3 Chapter 84 – Side Story 4: To a 20-year-old Part 1  

Translated by Springlila

Even though we were both going to be twenty years old, the same age, and passing through the same period, we were a little different. Unlike me, who frequently applied to a university that was a little lower than Korea University, Lim Dae-han waited for the announcement of the admission on time.

I was in the highest rank at a school where students were reputed to be relatively good at studying, and I was admitted to the economics department as a result of my excellent interview. Lim Dae-han also entered the economics department for the time being, but he didn’t seem to think it was a big deal. The competition in economics was fierce, regardless of how well you did on the CSAT.

Lim Dae-han’s percentile was higher than the result of provisional scoring. The teachers at school called him several times, and he was contacted by several newspapers because the principal, who was nosy, spread the news here and there, but Lim Dae-han refused all of them. If it had been me, I would have done it without hesitation. It’s amazing. It was how I felt about Lim Dae-han.

Anyway, we were now free of the CSAT and looking forward to the age of twenty, which was just around the corner. Obviously, when I was in my third year of high school, I wanted to be an adult quickly, but as the days passed, I was a little sad and disappointed, and knowing that I wasn’t a teenager anymore makes me feel strange for no reason.

Through the taxi window, tiny snowflakes fluttered in the wind. People were all wearing thick jumpers. Even though Christmas had passed, there were still many places decorated in a Christmas style when I passed by the streets, so it was full of the year-end atmosphere.

I squinted slightly. Lim Dae-han, who was sitting next to me, was looking at his phone when he noticed my gaze and turned his head. His eyes were asking if I had anything to say, but I turned my head and laughed to myself.

Lim Dae-han and I were on our way to his hometown. Lim Dae-han suggested spending the year’s end at a ski resort or at the beach, but I wanted to spend it with Dae-ryong. It was because I had promised Dae-ryong a few days ago that I would go to his house.

Lim Dae-han scowled when he heard that, but he had no choice but to acknowledge it because I insisted. I was a little direct about why we had to spend the last few weeks of the year together. I pretended to be sick after he bit and sucked my skin at Christmas, and his face turned pale when he realized, but he didn’t say anything else.

I liked Lim Dae-han’s house even if it wasn’t for Dae-ryong. Having lived in an apartment since I was born, I had a dream of living in a detached house, and the upper house (which is called hanok in Lim Dae-han’s house) where I usually spent time with him had a distinct wood smell and a peaceful hanok atmosphere. I could see bamboo in particular when I sat on the floor with a clear view of the backyard, and at night, I turned on orange lights, making it comfortable as if I were on vacation. Before I knew it, the taxi stopped.

It was now a familiar neighborhood. Maybe it’s because I’ve been here a few times. As I stood in front of Lim Dae-han’s house like a mansion, he got off late and stood next to me. He naturally rang the doorbell. Soon over the doorbell, with a loud sound, “Is it Dae-han? I will open the door.” A voice was heard. Click, and the locked doorknob opened. Lim Dae-han and I went through the gate together. I was about to go inside, passing through the yard with snow piled up here and there, when Lim Dae-han stopped me.

“Let’s go in the back. Stay here.”

“What about greetings?”

“I’ll do it.”

Then he went inside on his own. I stood in the yard pouting and looked around. Lim Dae-han was really just saying his greetings, so he went in and out quickly. I expected him to come out with Dae-ryong, who had invited me, in his arms, but he came out alone.

“…What about Dae-ryong?”

I asked carefully. Lim Dae-han responded briefly.

“He went to our grandparents’ house.”

“What?”

“He went with my parents. He cried before he left.”

“Gosh…”

We talked as we ascended the side road next to the sloping yard. We arrived at the yard of the upper house after climbing up the side road that leads directly to the backyard. I took off my shoes and placed them on the shoe rack.

I entered the house. When I come to this house, the majority of them I always bring Dae-ryong with me. It was a little awkward because Dae-ryong was not present.

I was here to see Dae-ryong…

“Young-yeon… come to my house,” He mumbled into the phone as if speaking to himself. I remembered hearing his voice. “You should call him Young-hyun hyung,” Lim Dae-han said over the phone. Later, he added, “Young-hyun hyung…”

So did I, but it was probably also difficult for Lim Dae-han. On December 31, I rejected Lim Dae-han’s proposal to go out and play for a night because of Dae-ryong, but Dae-ryong was not around. The monotonous ringing sound set by default on Lim Dae-han’s phone rang at that moment. Lim Dae-han checked the name on the phone and answered the call, “Hello.” I sat on the sofa after watching him talk on the phone for a while. Lim Dae-han, who was standing and answering the phone with one hand on his waist, trudged toward the sofa.

“Take the call. It’s Dae-ryong.”

I picked up the phone. I put it on my ear carefully.

“Dae-ryong.”

There was no answer over the phone. “Dae-ryong?” When I called him one more time, he belatedly said, “Ungh…” An answer followed.

“Dae-ryong, did you go to your grandparents’ house?”

– I said I wasn’t going… But Mom…

Dae-ryong expressed his sadness completely. His voice was so sad that it made my heart melt. I used a little more force on the hand that was holding the phone. Lim Dae-han floundered and sat down next to me. He pushed his big body on me. It was a bit cute, but it felt a little more comfortable when I felt the weight. When I put my hand that wasn’t holding the cell phone on his thigh, Lim Dae-han placed his hand on the back of my hand and interlocked. A firm grip completely encircled my fingers.

“When Dae-ryong asks me to come, I can come again, so you can call me anytime.”

.

– I’m going home… Tomorrow…

Dae-ryong mumbled in response. I smiled slightly. It wasn’t obvious, but he was hinting at the answer he wanted to hear.

“Then, shall I meet Dae-ryong tomorrow?”

Dae-ryong replied briefly, “Yes,” when I asked with a cheerful voice. Cute. I couldn’t hide the gentle smile on the corners of my lips. Lim Dae-han moved away from me slowly. He looked at me with a sullen expression and took the phone from my grasp. “Dae-ryong.” They spoke briefly on the phone before hanging up.

Lim Dae-han threw his phone on the table and wrapped his arms around me tightly. We were sitting on the sofa next to each other, leaning against each other. Knowing that this was a place where no one comes, I fiddled with Lim Dae-han a little more. Whether it was Lim Dae-han’s thigh or his arms.

Soon after, he leaned against the back of the sofa and laid me down naturally. Because it was a large sofa, lying down on it was not at all uncomfortable. I rubbed my eyes and looked up at him as I lay down on the sofa. Lim Dae-han smiled playfully and put his lips to mine. I also wrapped my arms around his neck.

Just, whatever. It was a joke that didn’t stray far from reality.

***