Paranoid Love Affair - Chapter 10

At 10 a.m. on Sunday, Yoon-woo opened his eyes because of the noise coming from the church in front of his house.

When I checked my cell phone, I was invited to a chat room I saw for the first time.

One person in the chat room was Cho Hye-rim, and the other person was not saved, but seeing that the name appeared as “Unnie”, it seemed that she was the senior.

Ji-eun asked Yoon-woo to call her Noona, not senior, but he still felt awkward calling her noona.

So, if you aren’t conscious of it, “senior” comes out sometimes.

Hye-rim: Yoon-woo, are you up? Are you feeling better?

Ji-eun: Yoon-woo.

Hye-rim and Ji-eun both woke up at 9 o’clock and made a chat group to see if they were better drinkers than Yoon-woo.

Hye-rim: The movie is at 3:10 PM today. Do you want to go to the theatre together?

Ji-eun: Why don’t we meet and have hangover soup before that?

Hye-rim: Unnie, you’re not going to have another hangover drink, are you?

Hye-rim: Hey?

Hye-rim: Unnie, why aren’t you answering?

Ji-eun didn’t answer until the end, and the last message Hye-rim sent was at 9:53.

Yoon-woo was still hungover from last night. So, he drank a cup of water first and replied.

-Yeah, I’m fine.

Ji-eun: See, nothing happens after drinking soju. It would have been nice to drink more there.

Ji-eun, who replied as soon as Yoon-woo sends a Kakaotalk message, seems to have chewed Hye-rim’s message on purpose.

-Thank you for yesterday. But what should I do if noona buys me food?

Ji-eun: Then buy some coffee for me later.

-Okay, and I’ll treat you next month when I get pocket money.

Ji-eun: Huh? You don’t have to go that far. It’s only a drink anyway. You are paying for coffee today anyway.So, it’s fine.

But, Yoon-woo was not okay.

Hye-rim: Yoon-woo, do you know where the movie theatre is? Do you want to go there together?

-I don’t know where it is, but I can still find it by myself.

Hye-rim: No, let’s just go together, it would be better that way.

-Then let’s do it.

Yoon-woo wanted to go alone quietly because he was still dizzy, but it’s pointless to refuse Hye-rim and go separately because he has to take the same bus anyway.

Ji-eun: Guys, what about me? Aren’t you going to drink hangover liquor?

Hye-rim: Unnie? Hangover liquor? I thought you said hangover soup.

Hye-rim: I think I’ll have to eat lunch at home ……. Is it okay if I go to the movie theatre with you next time?

Ji-eun: No, I’m talking about Yoon-woo. My house is right next to the movie theatre. I’m asking him to come early and drink with me.

Hye-rim: Oh, I see.

I am so dizzy just after drinking a bottle, but I don’t know how I’m going to drink in this state.

Ji-eun: It seems like he won’t have lunch with me, so I can’t help it. Hye-rim, you come here.

Hye-rim: Then I won’t be able to go with Yoon-woo. And, I want to eat my homemade food, too.

-You don’t have to go late because of me Hye-rim, you can go first. I can find it on my own.

Hye-rim: No, Yoon-woo. The only thing she talks about is drinking even in the morning.

Ji-eun: Huh, I just don’t want to drink alone, that’s it.

Hye-rim: Unnie? Can’t you not drink alcohol? It will smell in the theatre later.

Ji-eun: If I drink a little, it doesn’t smell bad.

Hye-rim: No, you’re the only one who doesn’t know. Your breath and clothes you wear in college stinks of alcohol?

Ji-eun: You’re kidding me.

Hye-rim: I’m serious.

Ji-eun: I got it, okay? I will wear something else.

Hye-rim: No, I’m not asking you to wear something else. Don’t come after drinking.

Ji-eun: Can I wear a hoodie?

Hye-rim: Ughhh

‘Do you really smell alcohol in Ji-eun’s clothes and breath?’

It was Yoon-woo who got curious.

It is still burdensome when I meet Hye-rim, and I still have thoughts in my mind about what she’s up to.

However, when I met Ji-eun, there was a little amount of such fear.

I’m sure this person is also an insider.

Unlike her small and cute appearance, she is plain and full of charm.

In addition, even though she seems to be saying whatever she wants to say, she doesn’t talk about other people or anything that will hurt others.

I think it’s because her favourite topic is very different from other college students.

She was also considerate enough to get chocolate milk to a drunken junior.

Insiders are very unique people.

In fact, Yoon-woo already knows one person with that atmosphere.

So, when I met Ji-eun, somehow, I felt familiar.

“Yoon-woo, you didn’t force yourself to come out today, right? I’m sorry, Ji-eun can be a little too much sometimes….”

“No, thanks for the movie. It’s been a while since I’ve been to the movies, so I’m a little nervous.”

Yoon-woo and Hye-rim met at the bus stop at 1 o’clock, much earlier than the movie time, and were waiting for the bus.

Hye-rim thought that if she didn’t go quickly after eating and call Ji-eun out, she would come out with a strong smell of alcohol.

Unlike usual, Hye-rim was wearing a white shirt with an H-line skirt, not jeans, and a pair of loafers, not converse shoes.

The pretty curves of her body as a result of her doing exercise were revealed without filtration, so Hye-rim looked much more mature than usual, and she also wore perfume which somehow slightly gave off a racy atmosphere.

It seemed that Yoon-woo would be sued even if he moved his eyes a little in the direction he shouldn’t.

So, Yoon-woo firmly determined himself not to look under Hye-rim’s neck even by mistake today.

“Really? What was the last movie you saw? ……who did you see it with?”

“I went to see it in a group at school.”

“Whoa…If it’s the last time, isn’t that a cow movie? The boys wouldn’t have liked that…….”

“It wasn’t that I didn’t like it. I got upset when the cow died.”

“Well…… Yesterday, you didn’t know any of the movies we were talking about. Do you happen to like movies like Wonangsori? Or do you have any favourite genre?”
[Tl/n : Wonangsori- Korean movie ]

“I don’t watch movies often, but usually horror or thriller? Like the Paranormal Activity.”

“That’s a surprise considering your personality. Why do you like those films?”

Why do you like that? It’s a difficult question to answer. In fact, there is a reason.

This is because I feel strange pleasure and vicarious satisfaction in the story of a demon who torments happy family, lovers, and friends and breaks them down.

When watching the horror movie “Insidious,” Yoon-woo used to cheer for the devil who tried to crush and destroy a happy family, not the father who risked his life to save his son.

It’s not like I want to hurt others, no matter the way he watches the movie nothing would change in his life.

But if you honestly answer it like that, Yoon-woo won’t be treated as a sane person.

“Well, I just like ghosts and monsters?”

“Uh…… Then I’ll join you next time… but I get scared easily so……….”

“Oh, the bus is here.”

Hye-rim wanted to say something and opened her mouth several times in the bus, but there were too many people in the bus to continue the conversation.

It took less than 10 minutes to get to the destination by bus, and upon arrival, Hye-rim called Ji-eun.

“What are you doing?”

[Huh? I’m going to eat now. The rice soup delivery just arrived. Why?]

“So, you haven’t had a drink yet? We’re here.”

[What? Why did you come so early? We still have two hours left.]

“I’m trying to stop you from drinking.”

[What? Really? Why are you doing this to me? That’s not fair.]

“So did you order alcohol or not?”

[I didn’t order it]

“Really? What did you get for the delivery?”

[Why would I get it delivered after having so much in stock? Have you tried vodka with rice soup? It is surprisingly ta……]

“…I’m coming, open the door.”

[Huh? Why are you so tough today? You aren’t even giving me some leeway……I haven’t even drunk once today]

“You cannot drink today. I’m coming with Yoon-woo now. I know the password to your door lock.”

[What? Hey, Yoon-woo’s coming? How can you bring him to a girls apartment like that? I haven’t even washed up yet. The house is a mess. Besides…… there’s……I’ve got my underwear hanging……]

“Then put them somewhere quickly.”

[You are so cruel…. (Sob…sob)…I can’t live peacefully because of my junior. She doesn’t let me drink the alcohol I bought with my money…What would my mom say after seeing her daughter live like this…. Sobs ]

“Stop acting, get ready and come out. I’ll go to the mall with Yoon-woo in the meantime.”

[Then can I drink it once for lunch?]

“NO!”

“Did you hear that, Yoon-woo? Let’s just look at the clothes until Unnie comes.”

“Uh… can you talk to her like that?”

“It’s okay. I used to think she’s just like that, but nowadays she’s been drinking more and more. So, I have to scold her. She just bought vodka for lunch; can you believe that?”

“Well, that’s a little…….”

“They all say she’s cute. They think she’s a fairy of alcohol. There should be someone to stop her. I’ll go to her apartment next time and steal some alcohol. Anyway, let’s go, Yoon-woo.”

“Yes…….”

Although it was a bit strict, Yoon-woo could see that Hye-rim was worried about Ji-eun’s health.

I’m sure Ji-eun is listening to her because she knows that. Hye-rim and Ji-eun are very good friends.

Thinking that way, I thought I should advise Bunny to stop drinking today.

But will Bunny listen to me?

If she becomes a cold Bunny and gets angry, I won’t be able to say anything.

Still, Yoon-woo followed Hye-rim into the shopping mall, thinking that he should at least talk with her.

“As expected, Yoon-woo has long and slim legs, so these jeans look good on you. It’s perfect. Why don’t you buy this?”

Yoon-woo tried black jeans from a pretty famous brand, at Hye-rim’s recommendation.

Slim and long jeans didn’t fit too tight or loose, so it looked good on Yoon-woo. But…….

79,000 won after a discount? Crazy.

“Oh, no. I have a lot of pants. It’s okay.”

All I have is old pants that I’ve been wearing since high school.

I couldn’t buy a new 80,000 won pair of jeans when I was already short of living expenses.

“That’s too bad. These pants suit Yoon-woo….”

These pants won’t be Yoon-woo’s pants in this life.

Yoon-woo thought like that, and Hye-rim seemed to be thinking something while staring at the pants.

“Why don’t you go see your clothes? I don’t even know how to look at clothes since I don’t come out often.”

And I have no money.

“Me? I don’t like…… Oh, yeah. Yoon-woo, when is your birthday?”

‘Birthday all of a sudden?’

“It’s October 26th.”

“At the end of the midterm?”

I don’t know why you’re suddenly asking me about my birthday without context, but I thought that she had a reason to ask me to do so.

“When is Hye-rim’s birthday?”

“I’m in March. Why?”

“Just because you asked I got curious.”

“Are you curious about my birthday? It’s March 12th.….”

At that time, Hye-rim’s cell phone rang.

“Unnie?”

[Where are you?]

“Are you ready, already?”

[I couldn’t eat much because there was no alcohol. I just sipped the soup, washed the bowl, and came out.]

“Already? Where are you?

[I’m at the cosmetics store on the first floor]

“We’re at the men’s clothing store on the third floor.”

[Then let’s meet on the 8th floor]

“The 8th floor? But the movie theatre is on the 9th floor.”

[I want ice cream]

“Oh, my God, when you say it like that you sound like a baby Hehe…”

[What? Only kids can like ice cream? Adults like it, too.]

“Anyway, I get it. See you on the eighth floor, then.”

[Ok.]

“What is it?”

When Hye-rim hung up, Yoon-woo asked.

It was too noisy to hear what Ji-eun was saying on the phone.

“She said to meet her on the eighth floor. She wants to eat ice cream. There’s a Baskins-Robbins.”

“Ice cream? It suits her very well.”

“Right?”

“Noona paid for all the chicken and beer last night, so I’ll buy it this time. Should I buy anything else? Popcorn or something like that.”

Ji-eun asked Yoon-woo to buy coffee, but it is safe to say that coffee means all desserts here.

“I don’t think so. She only drinks beer when she watches movies. But I won’t let her drink beer.”

“…Ji-eun noona is a very consistent person.”

Hye-rim told Ji-eun that she would buy her a meal next month, but she just wanted her to eat a lot of popcorn or whatever, so she could offset the amount of money Yoon-woo spent on her.

This was because it was a big burden for Yoon-woo to buy Chi-Maek alone.

Yoon-woo got 50,000 won from Bunny, but he didn’t intend to use it.

‘I was always going to leave 50,000 won in my account.’

If I spend my money like that now, I’ll have to starve for a few days next week, but that’s more comfortable.

To Yoon-woo, the goodwill of others was a debt that must be remembered and repaid.

There was no favour given to Yoon-woo in his life for free.

Because Yoon-woo was severely criticized by his parents for the money and time they invested in him if he didn’t get good results.

Good will is not necessarily passed on in good faith to the person you like.

In many cases, a person who wants to maintain a good relationship with everyone is forced to give it to someone he or she dislikes in consideration of equity with others, or in a social position where he or she has to do favours.

And Yoon-woo thought that’s all he could get in his life.

If you don’t repay such favours, you’ll be thrown into the trash in no time.

For example, he doesn’t prepare a chocolate for White Day for girls in his class where the boys and the girls give chocolates to each other on that day.

In fact, Yoon-woo prepared it, but his mother, who found snacks in Yoon-woo’s bag, was furious and threw them in the trash.

“Younha~ ”

[Tl/n: It means hi to Yoon-woo]

Ji-eun, who came up from the escalator, greeted Yoon-woo in a strange way. Her voice was quite loud.

“Unnie, don’t do that…… I’m ashamed…….”

“Why? Hye-rim, why are you so strict these days? I can’t even drink.”

Ji-eun wore a hoodie and jeans as she foretold.

Jeans seemed to be skinny jeans, but Ji-eun’s legs, who was less than 150 cm tall, were very thin, so they were honestly like children’s clothes.

‘Is there a place that sells pants of that size for adults?’

In addition, the zip-up hoodie that she wore was very loose, but whether she intentionally bought an overfit hoodie or just bought anything because she couldn’t find the right size, it was a style that highlighted Ji-eun’s cuteness.

“Why are you dressed so cute today, Unnie?”

“I’m always cute…What are you doing?!”

Hye-rim, who was approaching Ji-eun, suddenly grabbed Ji-eun’s shoulder and put her face to Ji-eun’s collarbone.

Ji-eun struggled in surprise, but she was ridiculously weak to escape her grip.

“You, you, were you into this kind of stuff? Although, I guessed it was weird for you not to date a man. All this time, you were after me……I’m not that type of woman.”

“It doesn’t smell like alcohol. You really didn’t drink today?”

“Ha… I’m sad. I’m really sad. Even my mom didn’t check me like this.”

“Does your mother know you have vodka at home?”

“……No.”

“Wouldn’t she do this if she knew?”

“She’ll never know, so it’s okay.”

As Hye-rim hugged Ji-eun, Yoon-woo became a little shy as he looked away.

“Noona, I’ll buy you ice cream. Let’s go.”

“Huh? I’m going to eat something expensive.”

“It’s okay.”

He also received macarons and coffee from Hye-rim in the past, so on this occasion, he was thinking of liquidating that as well.

“Noona, Hye-rim, tell me what you’re going to order.”

“I’ll take an Oreo shake!”

“Pfft…… Unnie, you are acting just like a kid today.”

“……Yoon-woo! Hye-rim is teasing me again!”

I’m sure children don’t like Oreo shakes, but the way she looked at the menu and said out loud what she wanted to eat……and then looking at the kid sitting with his parents on one side of the store was eating the same thing, it made it even funnier.

Hye-rim and Yoon-woo ordered ice-creams which were single cups.

The scene of Ji-eun sucking the Oreo shake as she walked was completely like a child.

“Oh, so cute.”

“Uh…… don’t.”

Hye-rim kept poking Ji-eun in the cheek, and it was fun because she looked younger.

When she sat down and drank yesterday, she had a strong image of a reliable senior, but today it felt like she’s walking with a baby. Maybe it was like this because Ji-eun’s too short, or because she’s not wearing a jacket.

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