Chapter 24: Same Day (2)

I regretted my words instantly, but retracting them felt too prideful. Doing so would be admitting my fear.

I had pride, but I also hated horror movies. It was a no-win situation.

But there was a chance: Yejin rejecting my challenge. That would preserve my pride and avoid horror movies.

I glared at Yejin, trying to appear sullen and defiant. It’s now or never. I tried to appear confident, hoping to increase the chance of rejection.

Did my expression look right? I couldn’t see my own face, so I was worried. Yejin’s amused expression only increased my anxiety.

“Okay!”

Yejin’s response was not what I’d hoped for. After agreeing, she looked at me expectantly.

Ah. Seeing her eyes, I realized I’d messed up. My pride had trapped me.

“A bet requires a wager, right?”

“Yeah… right.”

“Do you have something in mind, Jia?”

“…No.”

Of course not. The bet was impulsive; I only wanted it to be void. It had backfired. Yejin raised a finger, seemingly having an idea.

“The loser fulfills the winner’s wish. How about that?”

“A wish?”

“Yeah. The winner gets anything they want.”

This bet was unwinnable; the penalty was crucial. A wish? Anything? That’s too much. I’d never be able to fulfill it.

I sweated, then had an idea. It was an excuse, but not a lie, so it was acceptable.

“But I don’t have much money… if it involves cash or goods, I can’t fulfill it.”

“It’s not that, so it’s okay!”

“Oh… I see.”

Her light, decisive response left me speechless. I nodded weakly. I was more worried it wasn’t about money, but I couldn’t do anything.

“So, that’s settled?”

“Yeah… let’s do it.”

“Jia, Yejin, lunch was awful today! Ugh.”

Eunji appeared, waving, having just ascended the stairs. Perfect timing. I highly suspect they planned this.

This was just avoidance. I’d initiated the bet; this shouldn’t happen. I glared at Eunji as I waved back.

“Why that reaction?”

“Fish cakes and seaweed soup.”

“Ugh. Let’s just go to the vending machines. Ji-a, coming?”

I didn’t care. I nodded, then realized I had no money.

“I left my money in the classroom.”

“I’ll buy you something from the vending machine!”

“Are you sure…?”

“Yeah. I can easily buy something from the vending machine. Let’s go. Okay?”

Yejin seemed radiant. Her assurance erased my earlier annoyance.

“Really? Me too! Yejin, you’re the best!”

“Eunji, you’re excluded. You’re not sincere.”

“Look at this discrimination.”

“You need to experience discrimination.”

“What?!”

Eunji, listening nearby, praised Yejin enthusiastically but was immediately rejected, looking sulky. Their banter was amusing.

“I did so much for you; how can you do this?”

“What did you do?”

“You already forgot? I’m so disappointed.”

Actually, this is tiring. I watched them bicker incessantly on the way to the vending machines. It was exhausting.

We finally reached the vending machines. Last time, I was with Jihyun; this felt different.

“I want bread and Choco Pies~”

“I’ll just get a hot dog… Jia, what do you want?”

“Uh… anything…”

“If you say that, I don’t know what you like.”

“Anything is fine!”

I replied vaguely; Yejin agreed. She seemed a little gloomy, but I genuinely didn’t care. It felt odd choosing for someone else who wasn’t paying.

Eunji returned, carrying a mountain of snacks. Bread, drinks, and way too many sweets.

“I’ll buy things for you too. Wait here.”

“Okay.”

After Yejin left, I examined Eunji’s loot. Can she even eat all of this? There were way too many sweets.

Eunji seemed to know what I was thinking.

“We can eat it during class!”

Is that allowed? My eyes would be wide with shock. Eunji said the teachers didn’t care.

If Eunji says so. Some people were using their phones; eating shouldn’t be a problem. I had a lot to say but decided to let it go.

Yejin returned with snacks. She gave me a chocolate bread and a chocolate drink, leaning close to whisper.

“What?”

“I bought it, so you need to enjoy it more than that blonde bully’s gift.”

I’d never said anything about Jihyun’s gift, yet she knew? I wondered briefly, but Yejin’s closeness and scent made me nod blankly.

Yejin smiled and stepped back. But I was still dazed.

We ate and chatted as we walked. Eunji had bought so much, we split it among the three of us.

Even as I ate the chocolate bread, I stared at Yejin. She was chatting and laughing with Eunji, seemingly unconcerned.

Yejin was annoying. She’d made me anxious, yet she was oblivious. I could still hear her voice.

I decided to get revenge, continuing to eat the chocolate bread, leaving only one bite. Yejin and Eunji were almost finished too.

I ate slowly, but so did they. Or maybe they were chatting. Either way, it took a while.

Eunji checked the time and suggested returning to class. We walked Eunji back to her class.

“Don’t forget our after-school plans!”

“Okay.”

“Do you think we’d forget? Just go inside!”

I awkwardly waved goodbye as they bickered. It was fun without others, but it was embarrassing doing this in front of the class.

Eunji thankfully noticed and entered her classroom. Phew. I’d been considering running away.

Now it was just the two of us. I matched Yejin’s pace. Most students were inside; few were in the hallways.

My chance for revenge. I stopped and called to Yejin.

”Yejin.”

“Yeah? What?”

Yejin looked at me innocently. I felt slightly guilty, but she’d started this. It should be okay.

We were a step apart. I closed the distance, leaning closer.

Up close, her brown hair partially covered her ears. It could make it hard for me to be understood. That wouldn’t do.

I gently tucked her hair behind her ear, exposing her ear. She flinched slightly, but I ignored it.

Leaning close to her ear, I whispered,

“Hehe… your treat was better. Thanks.”

I couldn’t help laughing. Did I fail? Seeing her lack of reaction, I stepped back to look at her.

Wide eyes, open mouth, a stunned expression, and red cheeks. It was a complete success.

Delighted with my success, I stuck out my tongue and headed back to class.

Who told me to tease her?