Chapter 17: Because we didn’t Kiss

What exactly is a childhood friend?

It was too serious a question for Chaea’s expression to brush off with a simple answer, like they did when they cornered Hyunwoo that morning.

Without realizing it, the question made them think deeply.

Instead of anyone answering first, Enubi and Jinhyuk exchanged glances.

Nod.

The moment they both nodded simultaneously, they assumed they were on the same page and opened their mouths.

“Just a guy friend or girl friend who lived next door….”

“Someone you promised to marry as a kid and wakes you up every morning….”

“What?”

“Hmm?”

Of course, people’s thoughts rarely align so easily.

Especially for Enubi and Jinhyuk, who had such different personalities—their answers were completely off track.

“What kind of delusional relationship is that?”

Enubi shot a glare at Jinhyuk, her eyes sharp with pure disdain.

But after enduring twelve years of school life together, Jinhyuk had grown immune.

“Isn’t it more realistic than them?”

He shrugged and motioned toward Hyunwoo and Chaea with his chin.

“Well, still….”

Enubi was about to shake her head in disagreement when a sudden memory of her conversation with Chaea flashed through her mind.

—I’m staying at Hyunwoo’s place.

Not only were they living together as if it were nothing,

—I feel anxious when he’s not next to me, so I cuddle him when I sleep.

They even shared the same bed.

It wasn’t just beyond the realm of typical childhood friends—it was a sight you wouldn’t expect even from most high school couples.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…Sigh, never mind.”

At a loss for words, Enubi just shook her head.

“Come to think of it, the real issue isn’t defining a childhood friend.”

“Then what is it?”

“You two need to figure out what it means to be in a relationship.”

“Oh…?”

A spark of interest flickered on Chaea’s face.

Exactly.

If defining a childhood friend was too vague, then defining a romantic relationship might give a clearer answer about what kind of connection she and Hyunwoo shared.

“So, what exactly do you need to do to be considered a couple?”

At Chaea’s question, Enubi and Jinhyuk exchanged glances once again.

This time, they thought their answers would align.

“Flirt and be all lovey-dovey like you two….”

“You have to be aware that you love each other.”

Once again, their answers missed the mark entirely.

This time, Enubi was less angry and more bewildered.

“Why are you being so serious all of a sudden?”

“Is it that strange for me to think this way?”

Jinhyuk continued, unfazed.

“Honestly, actions and physical gestures aren’t the most important thing. It’s the feelings—caring for each other and having genuine love—that define a real relationship.”

“…Lee Jinhyuk.”

Even Hyunwoo, who had been half-listening, looked at Jinhyuk in surprise.

He always thought Jinhyuk was just an ordinary otaku obsessed with his fifteen favorite gacha game characters.

But apparently, he had a surprisingly deep perspective on love.

“It’s just… hearing that from you feels so out of place….”

Even Enubi seemed a little flustered by Jinhyuk’s unexpected sincerity.

In truth, she had been planning to push either Hyunwoo or Chaea to confess already, since their relationship was practically official anyway.

‘Does Chaea really love Hyunwoo?’

But after hearing Jinhyuk’s words, she couldn’t help but question it.

The Chaea who had asked for help before losing her memory wasn’t the Chaea sitting here now.

Forcing them together under the guise of helping might…

“So, as someone who genuinely loves Misaki, I can confidently say we’re already—”

“Ah, geez! Just shut up already!”

Enubi smacked Jinhyuk’s arm repeatedly.

‘I can’t believe I almost fell for his nonsense!’

She felt ashamed for even briefly considering Jinhyuk’s words seriously.

This was the same guy who spent his days grinning at virtual anime girls—why had she taken him seriously?

“…Your arm’s ridiculously firm. Have you been working out?”

Out of breath from hitting his muscle-packed arm, Enubi panted in exhaustion.

“Raising the average standard for otakus is a duty I take seriously.”

“What kind of twisted logic is that?”

“If we live up to the negative stereotypes, we’re just ordinary otakus. But if we maintain our bodies and channel that energy into our hobbies, doesn’t that make us exceptional? Even Misaki would probably prefer a fit, athletic guy over a flabby—”

“I-I’m sorry. Just stop talking, please….”

When Jinhyuk’s rambling seemed endless, Enubi finally gave up in pure horror.

“Ah, lunch break is almost over.”

Hyunwoo snapped back to reality.

They had long since finished their meals, but Chaea’s question had kept them lingering at the table.

“Let’s go, Yoo Chaea.”

“Wait—so, what exactly is the difference between a couple and childhood friends?”

She wasn’t letting it go.

“Well… I’m not entirely sure, but….”

‘She’s not going to drop it, huh?’

Sensing Chaea’s genuine curiosity, Hyunwoo picked up her lunch tray and tried to answer.

“For one thing, we’re definitely not a couple.”

“Why not?”

Because I couldn’t confess that day.

Of course, he couldn’t say that out loud.

“…Because we haven’t kissed?”

He blurted out the first excuse that popped into his head.

“Hmm… Is that so?”

Surprisingly, Chaea tilted her head and accepted the explanation without much resistance.

“A kiss is a serious milestone.”

Even Jinhyuk chimed in with that ridiculous statement as he stood up.

“Aaaargh…!”

Enubi groaned in exasperation, nearly foaming at the mouth.

Thankfully, Hyunwoo managed to focus on his classes in the afternoon.

The pace had noticeably increased—as if the teachers only cared about the students who could keep up.

It wasn’t easy. Missing even a little made it hard to catch up again.

“Ugh… My hand’s cramping.”

Chaea, usually diligent with her notes, was struggling to keep up.

Even without her memories, her habit of taking notes persisted.

But writing with her unfamiliar left hand was proving to be a real challenge.

“I’ll do it, so stay still.”

Unable to watch any longer, Hyunwoo opened his notebook and grabbed a mechanical pencil.

He was the type to understand everything on the spot without taking notes.

But earlier that morning, Chaea had helped the dazed Hyunwoo by showing him her notes.

And she had written them with her left hand, struggling all the way.

At least he had a conscience.

He was doing his best to organize the notes.

“Hehe, your handwriting is terrible.”

For some reason, Chaea giggled beside him.

“I think you write worse than I do with my left hand.”

“Sorry for the messy handwriting.”

“No, it’s fine. It’s really bad, but somehow, I feel like I can understand it.”

When Hyunwoo tried to put the pencil down, Chaea shook her head and grabbed his hand tightly.

‘Is she insulting me or thanking me?’

Sighing inwardly, Hyunwoo focused back on the notes.

[Thanks, Hyunwoo.]

Beside him, Chaea scribbled on the corner of his notebook with her messy handwriting.

But the message didn’t stop there.

[Want a kiss?]

“…?!”

Poke.

Startled, Hyunwoo pressed the pencil too hard and punctured the notebook.

[What are you talking about all of a sudden?]

Hyunwoo naturally pulled out another notebook, trying not to show his flustered state.

Still, his slightly trembling hands gave him away.

[You said earlier that we’re not dating since we didn’t kiss, right?]

[oo]

[But I think we kissed when we were in elementary school.]

[…You remember that?]

[Huh? It’s just a feeling, but is it true?]

Hyunwoo raised his head with a blank look.

‘…She didn’t even know?’

Technically, the kiss had been back in their early elementary school days when they were just little kids who didn’t know anything.

But a kiss was still a kiss.

He already felt a little uneasy about it during lunch earlier, and now he had fallen into a trap of his own making.

[So, that means we’re a couple—]

[Cheek kiss.]

Before Chaea could finish writing, Hyunwoo quickly scribbled a correction.

[Back then, it was just a cheek kiss. What I meant earlier was a kiss on the lips.]

[Ah… I see.]

That was a lie.

In truth, they had never shared a cheek kiss.

– Hyunwoo, look here.

– Why?

Smooch.

– Just because! Hehe.

She had given him playful kisses on the lips several times.

– S-Stop doing that.

As they got older, Hyunwoo eventually started rejecting her advances.

“Well then…”

Putting down the pen, Chaea glanced around the classroom.

Most of the students were either napping, playing on their phones under their desks, or exchanging notes like them.

“Now… if you look at page 17…”

The geography teacher droned on slowly at the front.

In other words, no one was paying attention to Hyunwoo and Chaea.

After ensuring the coast was clear—

Smooch.

Chaea leaned over and kissed Hyunwoo on the cheek.

“!?”

Thud!

Startled by the sudden kiss, Hyunwoo banged his knee against the desk.

That finally drew the attention of the teacher and the other students.

“Hmm… Hyunwoo? Is something wrong?”

“N-No, sir. My leg suddenly cramped up. Sorry.”

“Young man, don’t sit still all day—make sure to stretch sometimes.”

“Yes, sir. I’m sorry.”

The elderly teacher let it slide without much fuss.

But Hyunwoo’s face, burning red, showed no signs of calming down.

Once the other students lost interest, Hyunwoo lowered his voice and whispered.

“What was that for?”

“It was a thank-you kiss for helping me with the notes.”

Chaea chuckled softly.

“We’re still just childhood friends, right?”

As if the label gave her some kind of comfort, she looked satisfied.

“…Yeah, we are.”

Even though he knew exactly where this was going, Hyunwoo couldn’t help but nod.

As his chaotic afternoon class finally ended, the homeroom teacher began the closing announcements.

“This week’s cleaning duty is Jinhyuk and Hyunwoo. Clean thoroughly and come to get checked afterward.”

Coincidentally, the first cleaning duty fell on Hyunwoo and Jinhyuk.

After the other students had all hurried out, only Hyunwoo, Jinhyuk, Chaea, and Enubi remained in the classroom.

“Why are you still here?”

Hyunwoo turned his head toward Enubi.

It made sense for Chaea to stay since they usually walked home together, but Enubi had no obvious reason to linger.

“I have something to tell him.”

She jerked her chin toward Jinhyuk, who was sluggishly heading toward the cleaning supplies after failing at a gacha pull.

“To Jinhyuk?”

Hyunwoo looked surprised.

“What? Is that so weird?”

Enubi crossed her arms and pouted.

Jinhyuk, meanwhile, grabbed a broom and shook his head firmly.

“No confessions, please.”

Enubi immediately scowled and growled at him.

“You wish, idiot. As if I’d ever confess to a weirdo like you.”

“Hey, no need to go that far.”

Surprised by how coldly Enubi responded, Hyunwoo instinctively stepped in.

Even if Jinhyuk was a bit dense, he was still Hyunwoo’s friend.

“Why not just tell him now instead of staying back?”

Jinhyuk shrugged, completely unfazed.

He and Enubi locked eyes for a moment before she finally looked away with a huff.

“…It’s a secret.”

Watching the tense exchange, Chaea tapped Hyunwoo on the shoulder and whispered in his ear.

“Should we give them some space? I didn’t know Enubi was into that.”

But her voice wasn’t exactly quiet.

“Chaea, I’m only letting it slide because you’re sick. Got it?”

Enubi clenched her fists, visibly restraining herself from punching her best friend.