Chapter 17

Episode 017: We Didn’t Kiss, So…

What exactly is a childhood friend?

It wasn’t something that could be answered as easily as when Hyun Woo had been cornered in the morning. Eun Bi’s expression was far too serious for such a casual response, one that made her pause and think deeply without even realizing it.

Instead of either of them answering first, Jin Hyuk and Eun Bi exchanged glances.

Nodding simultaneously, they believed they were on the same page and began to speak.

“Just a male and female friend who lived next door…”

“Someone I promised to marry since childhood and who wakes me up every morning…”

“Huh?”

“Hmm?”

How could people’s thoughts align so easily? Especially not those of Eun Bi and Jin Hyuk, whose personalities were already different— their answers diverged wildly from each other.

“What kind of otaku fantasy relationship is this?”

Eun Bi, glaring daggers at Jin Hyuk, hurled a pure accusation his way.

Of course, Jin Hyuk, who had already become rock-solid during their 12 years of school days, retorted,

“Yours isn’t realistic enough?”

Jin Hyuk shrugged and subtly nodded toward Hyun Woo and Chae Ah.

“Even so…,” Eun Bi began, shaking her head to disagree.

But then, a conversation with Chae Ah suddenly popped into her mind:

-“Are you staying at Hyun Woo’s place?”

Living together like it was no big deal…

-“I feel uneasy if he’s not around; I hug him to sleep.”

And even sleeping in the same bed together.

This went far beyond what one might expect from an ordinary childhood friend, resembling something rarely seen even among high school couples.

“…”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…Sigh, nevermind.”

Eun Bi, now at a loss for words, glared silently at Chae Ah before shaking her head again.

“Now that I think about it, the important thing isn’t what a childhood friend is.”

“Then what is?”

“You two need to clearly define what it means to be dating.”

“Oh?”

Chae Ah’s face lit up with interest.

Indeed.

If defining a childhood friend was difficult, perhaps defining what it meant to be lovers would work in reverse. Maybe then they could figure out what Hyun Woo and Chae Ah’s relationship really was.

“So, exactly, what does it take to be considered dating?”

In response to Chae Ah’s question, Eun Bi and Jin Hyuk exchanged another glance.

Surely this time they’d give the same answer—but—

“Flirting like you two…”

“There needs to be mutual awareness of love.”

Once again, their answers differed.

Eun Bi didn’t get angry this time but instead gasped in shock.

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

“Is it really that surprising?”

Jin Hyuk continued, somewhat baffled.

“Actually, actions or behaviors aren’t the most important things. There needs to be a sense of cherishing and loving each other to truly be considered lovers.”

“…Jin Hyuk.”

Hyun Woo, who had been tuning out the conversation, glanced at Jin Hyuk, surprised by his unexpected seriousness.

Jin Hyuk seemed to have a thoughtful perspective on love, despite being known as a typical otaku obsessed with his favorite characters.

“No… It just doesn’t suit you…,” Eun Bi added, slightly embarrassed by Jin Hyuk’s earnest tone.

Truthfully, Hyun Woo and Chae Ah were practically already dating. Eun Bi had been planning to urge them to confess and officially start dating.

‘Does Chae Ah really love Hyun Woo?’ she wondered after hearing Jin Hyuk’s words.

Chae Ah wasn’t the same person she had been before losing her memory, yet here they were, pushing her along under the guise of helping.

“Therefore, I, Jin Hyuk, sincerely love Misaki, so we can already consider ourselves lovers—”

“Ah! Just stop! Stop right there!”

Eun Bi slapped Jin Hyuk’s arm repeatedly.

‘He was actually serious for a moment there, but this is ridiculous!’ she thought, embarrassed that she had taken his words seriously for even a second. He was just another otaku drooling over anime girls on screens.

“Your arm is ridiculously solid. Do you secretly work out?”

“It’s necessary to raise the average level of otakus.”

“What kind of bizarre reason is that?”

“If I live up to the stereotype of an otaku, I’d just be a regular one. But if I manage myself well and use that energy for my hobbies, wouldn’t I become a special kind of otaku? Misaki would prefer a muscular body over someone flabby or frail…”

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry. Just shut up…”

As Jin Hyuk’s endless rambling filled the air, Eun Bi felt pure fear.

“Ah, lunch break is almost over.”

Hyun Woo snapped back to reality. His tray had been empty for quite some time, but Chae Ah’s question had kept him seated.

“Let’s go, Chae Ah.”

“Just a moment. So, what’s the difference between childhood friends and lovers?”

“Uh… Not sure, but…”

‘She’s not letting this go.’

Feeling Chae Ah’s sincerity, Hyun Woo responded while picking up her tray.

“First off, we’re not lovers yet.”

“Why?”

‘Because I didn’t confess that day,’ he wanted to say but couldn’t. Instead, he blurted out the first excuse that came to mind:

“…Because we haven’t kissed yet?”

“Hmm… Is that it?”

Surprisingly, Chae Ah tilted her head and accepted it.

“Kissing is a major issue.”

With Jin Hyuk chiming in agreement as he stood up,

“Ahhh!”

Eun Bi nearly foamed at the mouth in frustration.

* * *

At least Hyun Woo managed to focus on class during the afternoon sessions.

It was clear that third-year students were moving faster, making it hard to keep up if you missed anything.

“Ugh… My hand feels like it’s going to cramp.”

Chae Ah usually took meticulous notes and followed along well in class. Even without her memories, she instinctively took notes, though using her left hand seemed awkward.

“I’ll do it for you. Sit still.”

Unable to watch her struggle, Hyun Woo opened his notebook and picked up a pen. Normally, he didn’t take any notes himself, understanding everything instantly, but Chae Ah had shown him her hard-earned left-handed notes earlier that morning.

Out of minimal decency, he started summarizing diligently—but—

“Haha, your handwriting is terrible.”

For some reason, Chae Ah giggled beside him.

“Isn’t yours worse than mine when writing with your left hand?”

“Sorry for having bad handwriting try to help.”

“Yeah, yours is pretty bad, but somehow I think I can read it.”

When Hyun Woo tried to put down the pen,

Chae Ah shook her head and firmly grabbed his hand.

‘Is she scolding me or thanking me?’ Hyun Woo sighed inwardly and refocused on the notes.

[Thank you, Hyun Woo.]

On the corner of the notebook, Chae Ah scribbled crookedly but happily.

Her writing continued:

[Should I kiss you?]

“…?!”

Poke.

Startled, Hyun Woo accidentally punctured the paper.

[What are you talking about, all of a sudden?] Quickly grabbing another notebook, Hyun Woo tried his best not to look flustered, though his hands trembled slightly.

[Earlier, you said we weren’t dating because we hadn’t kissed yet, right?]

[Yeah.]

[But I think we kissed in elementary school.]

[…Do you remember that?]

[Hmm? It was just a feeling, but is it true?]

Hyun Woo looked up, stunned.

‘…Did she say that without realizing it?’

True, the “kiss” in question was from early elementary school when they were naive little kids.

But they did kiss, which had slightly teased him earlier in the cafeteria. He hadn’t expected to fall into this trap so easily.

[Then, are we a couple—]

[Cheek kiss.]

Before Chae Ah could finish writing, Hyun Woo hastily scribbled:

[That was a cheek kiss. The one I mentioned earlier is a lip kiss.]

[Oh… I see.]

Lie. In fact, he’d never experienced a cheek kiss.

-Hyun Woo, look here.

-Why?

Poke.

-Just! Haha.

They had shared a few playful lip kisses over the years.

-Z, Stop it for real.

Eventually, as they grew older, Hyun Woo had stopped allowing it.

“Hmm, then…”

Chae Ah looked around the classroom. Most students were either napping or using their phones under the desks, lost in their own worlds. Meanwhile, geography teacher droned on slowly through the lesson.

No one was paying attention to Hyun Woo and Chae Ah.

Poke.

Chae Ah pressed her lips against Hyun Woo’s cheek.

“!?”>

KABAM!

Startled by the surprise kiss, Hyun Woo banged his knee into the desk, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Uh… Hyun Woo? Is something wrong?”

“Ah, no. My leg went numb, sorry.”

“Young people these days… Don’t study too much without stretching.”

“Yes, sorry.”

The elderly teacher moved on without further warning, but Hyun Woo’s flushed face refused to cool down. Once the others turned away, he whispered,

“What was that just now?”

“It was a thank-you for taking notes for me.”

With a soft laugh, Chae Ah added,

“We’re still childhood friends, right?”

Relieved that they were still within the bounds of childhood friends, Chae Ah appeared satisfied.

“…Yeah, that’s right.”

Knowing full well what would happen next, Hyun Woo nodded anyway.

* * *

The afternoon class that almost drove him crazy finally ended, and it was time for dismissal.

“This week’s cleaning duty is Jin Hyuk and Hyun Woo. Clean thoroughly and come for inspection afterward.”

Ironically, the first cleaning shift drew both Hyun Woo and Jin Hyuk.

After the other students had left,

Only Hyun Woo, Jin Hyuk, Chae Ah, and Eun Bi remained in the classroom.

“Why are you still here?”

Hyun Woo turned to Eun Bi. Since Chae Ah needed to go home with him, that made sense, but there seemed to be no particular reason for Eun Bi to stay.

“I have something to say to him.”

Eun Bi pointed at Jin Hyuk, who was shuffling toward the cleaning supplies cabinet after failing at a gacha game.

“To Jin Hyuk?”

Hyun Woo stared in genuine surprise.

“Well, why not? I could have something to say.”

Eun Bi crossed her arms and replied smugly.

Hearing this, Jin Hyuk returned with a broom in hand.

“Decline, difficult.”

He shook his head firmly.

Eun Bi immediately scowled and growled,

“What makes you think I’d confess to someone like you, an otaku loser?”

“Hey, hey, don’t be so harsh,” Hyun Woo interjected involuntarily.

No matter how much they pretended not to know each other outside, Jin Hyuk was still Hyun Woo’s friend.

“Then why not say it now? Why bother staying behind?”

However, Jin Hyuk shrugged unaffectedly.

Eun Bi and Jin Hyuk locked eyes intensely until—

“…It’s a secret.”

Eun Bi finally turned away.

Watching quietly, Chae Ah tapped Hyun Woo’s shoulder and whispered in his ear,

“Shouldn’t we step aside? I didn’t know Eun Bi had that kind of preference…”

Though close enough that only they could hear,

“Chae Ah, you’re sick, so I’m letting this slide. Got it?”

Eun Bi clenched her trembling fists at her overly blunt best friend.