Love for Love’s Sake - Chapter 58

Chapter 58

[Ahn Sia] : Autumn national championship

[Ahn Sia] : Lodging near the competition venue

[Ahn Sia] : Have you made a reservation?

[Tae Myeongha] : Oh right

[Tae Myeongha] : I forgot

[Tae Myeongha] : Can’t I just reserve one once there?

[Ahn Sia] : Sloppy person…

[Ahn Sia] : Big brother, the national competition

[Ahn Sia] : All the school track teams from around the country

[Ahn Sia] : Are coming..

[Tae Myeongha] : ㅇㅇ

[Ahn Sia] : That’s why it’s called the national competition??

[Tae Myeongha] : Hey, I’m not a fool

[Ahn Sia] : Big brother is a bit foolish..

[Ahn Sia] : Teachers, athletes, etc…

[Ahn Sia] : Nearly three thousand people are comingㅋㅋㅋ

[Ahn Sia] : Lodging fills up quickly~

[Tae Myeongha] : …

While sending the messages, I rubbed my forehead. I see. It was my first time following a competition, so I couldn’t have imagined something like this happening.

Of course, if people from all over the country were coming, lodging would be scarce and there might not be any left for me.

“What’s the matter?”

Cha Yeowoon asked with a worried expression, but his voice seemed distant. If I had made up my mind to go, I should have thought about the lodging. There were so many things on my mind lately that I had forgotten.

I was also complacent because the competition venue was in the countryside. Reservations might already be filled by now, what should I do?

[Ahn Sia] : ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[Ahn Sia] : Fool

[Ahn Sia] : Haa………

[Ahn Sia] : A fool

[Ahn Sia] : Going to the competition

[Ahn Sia] : Lodging near Yeowoon, 30 minutes away

[Ahn Sia] : In the countryside with barely anything to do

[Ahn Sia] : Crying while playing phone games every night or…

[Ahn Sia] : Praise the cute Sia

[Ahn Sia] : Lodging near the youth training camp

[Ahn Sia] : If bored, calling Yeowoon to chat

[Ahn Sia] : What’s big brother’s choice??

“This cute thing.”

Admirable thing. Smart thing. If she was next to me, I would have hugged her.

Cha Yeowoon impatiently covered my phone screen with his hand.

“What cute thing?”

“Sia.”

Cha Yeowoon’s expression completely soured. Perhaps my answer had skipped too many details.

“Sia is cute?”

“Of course, hey. Loosen up your face. It’s not that kind of cute.”

“Is there any other kind of cute?”

Why were my words being twisted? Cha Yeowoon, who was close to Ahn Sia but constantly harbored a sense of rivalry, was absurd and cute.

“What were you talking about…”

“You’re cuter.”

I struck first and stroked Cha Yeowoon’s hair. I found that this quieted him down. While he tidied up his messy hair, I didn’t forget to reply to Ahn Sia.

[Tae Myeongha] : Sia’s cuteness is like an angel and a fairy, a gift from the gods

[Tae Myeongha] : orz, orz

[Ahn Sia] : I can’t feel the sincerity

[Tae Myeongha] : orz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ahn Sia] : ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

My mind eased slightly. Meanwhile, Cha Yeowoon, with unkempt hair, was still expressing his dissatisfaction.

Today I got off at the same stop as him. My direction was opposite of his.

“Weren’t we going to my place?”

Of course, Cha Yeowoon followed me as if he thought we would go together.

“I have somewhere else to go.”

“Where are you going?”

“I have to visit somewhere around here.”

At my vague answer, Cha Yeowoon’s forehead creased.

“Go home safely. You need to pack.”

“I’ve already packed.”

As I tried to detach from Cha Yeowoon, he didn’t follow any further and stopped. So to speak, he seemed to understand my words well these days. Maybe he had caught on. Like a puppy that had learned the word ‘stay,’ he obediently listened when told not to follow.

“You did well. Goodbye cutie. See you at the school vacation ceremony.”

When I said jokingly to lighten the mood, Cha Yeowoon’s dissatisfied expression finally softened. Despite seemingly wanting to follow me, he said goodbye. Though, he turned back several times after.

Tomorrow was the school vacation ceremony. It was scary how fast time flew.

[ Time Remaining: 205 days ]

I couldn’t afford to lose any more days.

[ Sub-Mission: Find 100,000 (485) fans for Cha Yeowoon. ]

The number was steadily increasing, but it wasn’t enough. I had no idea how to gain 100,000 followers.

“I’d like to broadcast it somewhere.”

Anyway, that was that, for now I just had to do what I could.

I continued walking while checking the location I had previously found on my phone. There were about three places nearby. If I wanted to return home before it got too dark, I needed to move fast.

Tomorrow was when I would be heading to the competition venue. Today was the last day to find it.

After turning the corner of an alley, the place I was looking for appeared.

The worn-out exterior covered with small and large signs exuded an intimidating atmosphere, making people hesitant to approach. It started out as a phone store, then an international grocery store, then a currency exchange, then a pawn shop, then a whole bunch of shops in one building.

Before entering, I stopped. I had felt someone’s gaze.

“Cha Yeowoon?”

Did Cha Yeowoon follow me? I called out, but there wasn’t even a shadow in sight down the alley. Well, if he had followed me, the message window would have appeared.

I observed for a while, but the street was quiet. Maybe I was being too paranoid.

It was all because of Cheon Sangwon.

“There are more crazy people than you think.”

Cheon Sangwon said that there was someone who kept sending him pictures of body parts through private messages, that someone had immediately followed him after he had posted a picture of himself sitting in a store, and that he had received messages from people saying they were watching him.

The stories he had told with an eerie smile were shocking.

I entered the building. The unlit staircase felt ominous.

Although I felt another gaze, this time I walked steadily, looking straight ahead. It must be my imagination.

Maybe.

* * *

“Don’t just laze around during vacation! The college entrance exam is only 125 days away. As soon as school starts, the early application period begins. Live like it’s your last day and do your best.”

The sound of tapping on the desk was nostalgic. Just hearing this made it feel like the start of vacation.

There was no such thing as vacation when I was an office worker. Of course, as much as I liked vacation, I had a lot to do now.

“Tae Myeongha. Do you have any plans to study during vacation? Teacher will save you a spot.”

After saying goodbye, the homeroom teacher caught me as I was leaving the classroom.

“I’m already busy with my part-time job.”

“Do you really have to work? This is a crucial time for everyone, including you.”

The homeroom teacher, recognizing my potential after seeing my grades, persistently encouraged me to do various things whenever he saw me. He seemed visibly disappointed when I had said I was occupied with the demands of life.

Although the attention was burdensome, I didn’t mind it. I might have appreciated it if I was in a situation where I could seriously consider college.

[Tae Myeongha] : My class just ended

[Tae Myeongha] : Have you already left??

Coming to the hallway stairs, I quickly received a reply to the messages I had sent.

[Cha Yeowoon] : I’m about to board the bus now

[Cha Yeowoon] : The bus rented by the track and field team is going straight to our lodging

I had to stop by my house first before meeting up with the Ahn siblings. As a result, I wouldn’t be able to see Cha Yeowoon’s face until I arrived at the competition venue.

[Tae Myeongha] : Let me know when you get there

[Cha Yeowoon] : Yes

I thought that would be the end, but a few seconds later, more messages arrived.

[Cha Yeowoon] : Senior

[Cha Yeowoon] : I miss you

“What? Cute.”

My heart pounded. The one who used to be stiff and impolite now acted cute, causing my heart to overexert itself.

Cha Yeowoon listened well and frequently expressed affection.

It could be said that it was the beginning of a smooth relationship with an exemplary lover. If only it was an ordinary situation. I kept thinking to myself if only I was really 19 years old. Regardless, I was rather satisfied with where we were now.

I changed my clothes at home and packed the things to give to Cha Yeowoon in my roughly packed bag. I had worked hard to collect these, so I couldn’t just leave them behind.

“Grandma. I told you last time that I was going out with friends. I’ll be gone from today, so take care and eat well.”

My grandmother, with glasses on, was busy flipping through her notebook. She didn’t look at me and instead responded with a gesture as if ignoring me.

“Don’t get hurt and come back safely.”

While putting on my shoes, I heard a farewell from inside. Although it was very stiff, I left the house in a better mood.

“Is it a red car at the entrance of building 201?”

I wandered for a while in front of the Ahn siblings’ home. They were supposed to pick me up here, but not only were there many cars here, I had forgotten the color Ahn Gyeonghun had mentioned.

– “Ehm. That’s what I said.”

Honk!

A bright red Volvo honked loudly. The sudden noise made my spine stiffen.

As the driver’s side window rolled down, an arm came out, waving toward me.

“Getting in?”

At a woman’s voice, I opened the rear door. I was being obedient for some reason.

Inside, Ahn Gyeonghun was already seated. Ahn Sia, who was sitting in the passenger seat, turned around and greeted me.

“Hello. This sister will take care of today’s driving.”

In the driver’s seat was a woman I had never seen before. Mild blonde, long curly hair, large ring earrings, and sunglasses. Different from Ahn Sia, she was the type that stood out.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Choi Jinseo.”

As if embodying the owner who had honked the car and gestured, the impression she gave was formidable.

I found out not long after I got in the car. Her driving skills were also formidable.

“Isn’t it too fast?”

Although her skill was good, the speed she drove was far from formidable.

“It’s the highway?”

“Hasn’t it been too fast since earlier?”

“You ride a car to run.”

What was she saying? While feeling appalled, from the front seat came an explanatory sigh.

“Sister is the type of person who can’t control herself when she gets behind the wheel.”

Did Ahn Sia put Choi Jinseo in the driver’s seat despite knowing that?

“Aren’t you thankful for the ride?”

No matter how I looked at it, Choi Jinseo seemed to be enjoying this. It was the leisurely attitude of a veteran who had experienced similar complaints many times. Whether someone complained or not, the speed wouldn’t decrease.

“…Can I turn on the music?”

“Of course.”

Since it had come to this, I would enjoy myself.

“I’ll connect my phone!”

Ahn Sia happily manipulated her phone. Soon after, a cheerful pop song, undoubtedly a summer song, echoed in the car.

While we were talking about car speed, Ahn Gyeonghun, who had been listening to music and engrossed in his phone, took his earphones out of his ears. I guess he was busy talking to his lover. The messages on his phone were filled with flying hearts of all colors. It seemed like they were having a good time.

[Cha Yeowoon] : I miss you

The conversation between me and Cha Yeowoon had stopped there.

I didn’t have time to reply because I was busy going home, packing up my things for the last time, and getting in the car.

Actually, it was an excuse and honestly, it was because I didn’t know how to reply.

…I should reply, right?

Knowing each other’s schedule well, it would be strange to just ignore it. At least, it bothered me.

But what do I say?

I secretly glanced sideways to see if I could copy Ahn Gyeonghun’s answers.

[Honey, I miss you]

[Me too]

[I can’t finish my meal because I’m thinking about you right now]

I only read what caught my eyes, but my heart darted.

At that moment, sweet love songs were playing from Ahn Sia’s playlist.

Why was I having motion sickness now, when I never got it even during the wild drives on the highway?

Should I send an affectionate message? Even if I couldn’t say things like ‘darling’ as Ahn Gyeonghun had.

Saying ‘me too’ was short and concise. That should be good. After deciding on the reply, I boldly lifted my phone.

[Tae Myeongha] : Me

As soon as I typed a word, my fingers slipped. I barely held back the rising curse. This was why I shouldn’t be nervous.

[Cha Yeowoon] : Me?

This time, I was on the verge of swearing for real. I grabbed my phone in surprise.

How did he reply in 1 second? This guy who didn’t even check my messages promptly in the past.