Paranoid Love Affair 97
Paranoid Love Affair chapter 97

97
‘How are you? Are you okay now?’
As promised to Ji-eun, Yoon-woo tried to convey those words to Hye-rim, but there was no opportunity to do so on the next Saturday, and the next day, Sunday.
It was because Hyerim didn’t want to meet Yunwoo and Jieun all weekend, because she wasn’t feeling well.
Of course, you could have made a phone call.
He could have sent a geektok message.
However, no matter how much he promised Ji-eun, Yun-woo did not even want to do that.
Hyerim wouldn’t like it too much.
Do you really want to talk to Yun-woo while you’re not feeling well?
Do you want to exchange kkeok?
Maybe you just want to get some rest.
The realm occupied by Hye-rim in Yun-woo’s mind was already very narrow, and even that was completely forgotten during the weekend when she did not meet Hye-rim.
That weekend was a very enjoyable weekend for Yun-woo.
It was the most rewarding weekend of my life.
A weekend spent with Ji-eun, who likes Yun-woo, and only the two of us all day… … .
In fact, if I were to list the things I did over the weekend in order, it would be too monotonous.
Yun-woo and Ji-eun were just at home all day without anything special.
It was because the midterm exam was really approaching a week away, so I couldn’t let go of studying for the exam.
The only way out was to go out for a little exercise in the morning.
When Yun-woo returned, Ji-eun was lying on Yun-woo’s bed with the desk spread out in Yun-woo’s room, looking at her phone.
‘Oh, I don’t want to. I hate to do it so much. Yunwoo-ya, why don’t you just watch one drama?’
‘Let’s do everything we can.’
‘Oh… … boring. I’m tired of it already. Tired of just looking at the book. I don’t think studying is the right fit for me.’
‘uh… … However, I have been accepted to this school at all… … .’
‘At that time, I knew that my life would be ruined if I didn’t pass the SAT. Oh… … Can’t we live a little more comfortably? Is there any job that makes money even if I lie down half of the day?’
‘… … Is there such a thing?’
‘Well… … Whether you’re a full-time investor… … ?’
Even if he said that, when he actually started studying at his desk, Ji-eun would focus on her work without touching her phone or doing anything else.
The weekend routine was just like that, studying and eating lunch, studying again, then having dinner again, studying for an exam for a while, and then slept after watching a movie or a drama.
But for Yun-woo, all of that was a miracle.
‘did you sleep well? Are you Yun-woo?’
‘Huh. Did you sleep well too?’
‘Sleep well, Yoon-woo.’
‘Sleep well, sister too.’
To be able to share such a greeting with someone.
Being able to start and end the day together.
You can think about what to eat for lunch and what to eat for dinner together.
To be able to set a table together, eat the same thing, and put it away together, and say that tonight’s dinner was delicious… … .
In fact, having eaten together at Hyerim’s house so far may have been similar in appearance to today’s day.
But in Yun-woo’s world, it was a completely different thing. The content was completely different.
Ji-eun and Hye-rim are completely different.
Even if they say the same thing or do the same thing, the contents of the words and actions are completely different.
It was the first time in my life that studying for an exam was so enjoyable.
‘Yoon Woo-ya, what should I write in the answer to assessing government officials’ policies from the perspective of mainstream economics?’
‘Ah, that’s… … How officials have used merchants to implement policies… … Comparing that with the position of classical economics… … .’
It was the first time that someone asked Yun-woo about something he didn’t know while studying, or that Yun-woo asked someone else.
When I found a part I didn’t normally know, I had no choice but to go to the library immediately, borrow a major book that was packed in clear characters, and didn’t even translate it into Korean, and read and re-read the part.
Of course, studying like that helped build up basic knowledge of the major, but it was very inefficient when studying for the exam.
But there was no one to ask.
Of course, I did not have close friends or seniors, and I was afraid that if I asked the professor, I would be scolded soon.
‘What did you hear in class? How did you get into this university with such a lack of understanding?’
It sounded like it was going to be heard.
But now Yun-woo has Ji-eun.
Ji-eun does not scold Yun-woo.
Even if he scolds him, he doesn’t hate Yunwoo.
therefore… … Yun-woo could not be afraid to talk to Ji-eun.
‘Sister, can I explain this to you?’
‘Of course not. where?’
‘From the part where the vector comes out… … .’
‘Ah here… … Hey, really, I don’t even use vectors in other subjects like economics, but if there are a lot of variables anyway, the model isn’t built, so I’m only using the concept for a while. Is this math for economics?’
‘… … Yeah. However, once I get to the exam… … .’
‘Wait, wait a minute, Yoon-woo… … It’s not that I don’t know, give me some time too. I need to reminisce a bit… … .’
Watching Ji-eun staring at Yun-woo’s print for a long time, Yun-woo thought that Ji-eun had forgotten all the content.
So, I was about to say that it was okay, I would take care of it… … .
Ji-eun immediately put down the print, took out a pen and began to draw on the paper, and started explaining the contents to Yun-woo by unraveling each in an easy-to-understand manner.
Does everyone live like this?
If this is real life… … Could it be that Yun-woo has been dead all this time?
Even on Saturday night and Sunday night, Yun-woo lay in bed with that thought.
On the bed in the room filled with Ji-eun’s favor.
How wonderful it is to have someone who wants Yun-woo’s heart.
How happy it is when you give someone a favor, and he or she responds with a smile?
Ji-eun was a person who did not crumple Yun-woo’s heart and throw it in the trash.
Can Yunwoo spend a day like this?
If I’m not careful, maybe this will also collapse someday?
Whenever such vague anxiety comes over, the thing that comes to mind is Hyerim.
If this daily life is broken and crumbled, the cause seems to be Hyerim.
So, on Sunday night, just before entering their respective rooms after greeting Ji-eun by saying good night, Yun-woo said those words to Ji-eun.
“Sister, tomorrow morning, Hyerim doesn’t have to call me here.”
“uh? still… … Then here you are alone… … .”
“I am not alone. Come early in the morning to exercise, and I will go out with you when you go to class in the first class.”
“Why?”
“Anyway, I’m in class in the second period, so it’s okay. It would be more troublesome for her to come all the way here. I’m not feeling well… … .”
“… … But what are you trying to do while I’m in class?”
“I will be studying in the lounge on the first floor of the Liberal Arts Center. Noona’s 1st class class is also a liberal arts center?”
“Then I’ll just tell Hyerim to come over there too.”
“Trust me. In the middle of my sister’s class, she’ll just sit there and study. I won’t go anywhere else.”
“It’s not because I don’t trust you, Yoon-woo… … .”
“then?”
“If you do what you said, it seems like we are shunning Hyerim.”
“You’re being bullied… … I’ll see you in the next class anyway… … .”
“So. If that’s the case, can we study together and then go? in the Liberal Arts Lounge. Hyerim’s house is only about 5 minutes away from the Liberal Arts Center… … .”
“… … .”
“no?”
Yun-woo didn’t reply to that, but the silence was like affirmation.
Seeing Yun-woo like that, Ji-eun was very sad.
“You, you treat him too cold these days.”
How could it not be?
“Yoonwoo. Can’t you be nice to Hyerim? Contact me first and talk to me… … You are always kind to everyone.”
“… … .”
“Herim is not a bad kid… … Still can’t believe it?”
“believe. I know that.”
“But why?”
It was purely Yun-woo’s own problem.
It was a shameful story to tell Ji-eun.
“He is also a very lonely kid. You’re weaker than you look, and you’re always, struggling a lot.”
“Is it Hyerim?”
“You don’t think so?”
“To be honest… … Yes.”
“Everyone has a problem. It’s hard for everyone to live. It’s the same with Hyerim.”
“still… … Hyerim is a person who can never feel lonely whenever she puts her mind to it. There must be people in the world who want to comfort you.”
“Do you really think so?”
Did Yun-woo’s words hurt Ji-eun’s feelings?
Maybe it made him angry? Yoon-woo glanced at Ji-eun, but there was no sign of anger on Ji-eun’s face.
He looked a little sad and had a sad expression on his face.
“But do I see it? It’s the same with you, Yunwoo.”
“Huh? me? why me?”
“If you put your mind to it, you can never be lonely either. Even if I didn’t treat Saebyeol like that right away, even if I talked to the girls a few times before… … .”
“it’s not like that.”
“You don’t think so? But no. This is really where you are wrong. If you had only gone to Sateo, if you had only gone to Chong-M, something would have been different. It wouldn’t be like now. That alone is right for Saebyeol.”
“… … Is he right?”
“I didn’t like him talking to you. However, some of what he said was right. It’s like everyone wanted to get to know you… … .”
“… … .”
“You can’t believe it? You can’t take it that way, do you?”
Yoon-woo quietly nodded at Ji-eun’s question.
“So… … It’s really hard to say ‘if you want to’, Yoon-woo. We don’t know what it means for Hyerim to become friends with someone other than you or me.”
“Me and Hyerim… … do you think you are friendly? your sister?”
“At least, he wants to.”
“I used to think so too. He wants to be friends with me.”
“You are right.”
“Then I regretted it for 10 years.”
“… … yun woo That’s really… … .”
“okay. I’ll do what my sister says. Let’s study together on the first floor of the liberal arts center tomorrow, and I’ll contact Hyerim now. That way, if you feel comfortable with your sister.”
“… … .”
“sleep well. sister.”
“… … Yes. sleep well.”
Still, Ji-eun was working hard.
I was thinking that it would be good for Yun-woo to change his attitude toward Hye-rim.
Just because Yun-woo opened his heart to Ji-eun didn’t mean he couldn’t be happy alone.
But to no avail.
Strangely, Yun-woo accepts and believes in most of Ji-eun’s words for other things, but when he talks about Hye-rim, his tone and attitude freeze in an instant.
Yoon-woo is not good at managing his facial expressions.
A friendly attitude toward Ji-eun and a cold attitude toward Hye-rim… … .
Seeing that, Ji-eun realized that Hyerim must have been hurt, maybe Hyerim wasn’t in such a bad state, after Ji-eun came home on Friday night and lay in bed.
When I met Yoon-woo on the morning of last Wednesday, Hye-rim said that he had talked enough with Yun-woo.
Even so, Yun-woo’s heart didn’t seem to have changed at all.
Seeing that, it was surprising that Yun-woo was now trusting Ji-eun’s heart.
If Yun-woo has certain conditions in his mind for trusting others, it is clear that he is setting very strict standards only on Hye-rim.
Or, he is setting relatively generous standards only for Ji-eun.
Is it because of 10 years?
Could it be that Yoon-woo’s heart, who had resented Hye-rim for 10 years, was irreversible?
[Did your sister tell you?]
“What?”
[Do not remove the shichimi. Unless my sister said something, there’s no way Yunwoo would contact me first.]
“… … But you can’t stay still like this.”
[Because it doesn’t matter.]
“I care. The three of you and Yunwoo couldn’t even play for a while. I can’t let the two of us be like that.”
[If I leave it like this, then Yun-woo will only look at her sister? not good?]
“I don’t like it at all.”
[why?]
“It’s not because he likes me.”
[Yoonwoo would tell you that he likes you.]
“I will. But even if you say that, your insides will be empty.”
[Is that so?]
“I don’t know at all. What kind of person do you like… … Right now, I’m just looking for affection from others.”
Once upon a time, I had that thought.
It was only for a short time, but there were times when I felt that way.
Let’s do something drastic to innocent Yun-woo, and take Yun-woo from that handsome Hye-rim.
So, let’s use it as a means of resolving this secret inferiority that Ji-eun has for Hye-rim.
But then?
What’s left after that?
After that, Hyerim will not be with Ji-eun, and there will be no Yun-woo.
Even if Yun-woo was physically by Ji-eun’s side, his heart would be empty.
Look, the man Hyerim liked is now mine!
What is the meaning of such satisfaction?
To whom would you brag?
Like Hyerim, there were few people who were really valuable in Jieun’s life.
Although they look different and live differently, Hyerim and Jieun are actually very similar people.
“That’s not what I want. I don’t want to be with Yoon-woo, who is just a shell. What I want… … .”
[…] … I’m glad I got to know my sister. I think that’s the only thing I did well in college.]
Paranoid Love Affair chapter 97

|
ToC
|