Campus Log - Chapter 15

Ryu Eun-seok pointed out Yang Su-bin’s rude tone with kindness.

“I have friends like this and friends like that, so mind your own business and go eat.”

The man’s low voice always carried a soft, gentle warmth. Combined with the relaxed smile he habitually wore, it became a powerful weapon.

When he first entered university, many girls fell head over heels, thinking Ryu Eun-seok was especially that way just for them. Occasionally, even the guys joked that seeing Ryu Eun-seok made their own hearts flutter.

Even now, Ryu Eun-seok was wrapped in that gentle packaging, as he was with everyone. But between his words, hints of discomfort were tucked away.

Just moments ago, he’d been eating with his neck tucked in like a turtle, but he seemed to have adapted in the meantime, regaining his usual self. A version that looked like a tempting rice cake on the outside, but hid spicy gochujang filling inside.

“Okay, then.”

Yang Su-bin replied with forced cheerfulness but hesitated to leave.

“Let me know when you’re done eating. Let’s go to a café together—”

“I have class right after.”

Ryu Eun-seok cut off her suggestion with a bright smile.

“So go eat quickly. You must be hungry.”

Was the man paying back Yang Su-bin, who had worried he was eating alone, because his feelings were hurt? I, who had nothing to do with it, felt embarrassed just watching him brush her off with a smile.

Yang Su-bin pursed her lower lip and turned away without another word. She stomped her heels so hard her long, waist-length straight hair swayed.

“Do pandas eat carrots too?”

Ryu Eun-seok asked, looking at my phone instead of the retreating Yang Su-bin.

“Yeah. They eat apples too.”

“Is this bread?”

“It’s ‘wotou,’ made from dough with things like corn and eggs mixed in. For protein.”

“They really seem to enjoy it.”

Ryu Eun-seok didn’t grumble about why Yang Su-bin was being so clueless, nor did he ask me why I suddenly moved next to him. We just sat side by side and continued our meal as if we’d planned to eat together from the start.

While watching the panda video I had playing, Ryu Eun-seok asked occasional questions, but he didn’t seem genuinely interested. It felt more like an obligation to keep a conversation going since we were sitting side by side.

“They all look the same—how do you tell them apart?”

So I found responding bothersome too. I’d spent my lunchtimes alone precisely because I disliked engaging in meaningless conversations and worrying about the other person’s reactions. Slowly, regret began to seep in about having moved my seat next to Ryu Eun-seok.

Enough.

“Just eat your meal.”

I stopped the video and put away my phone. It wasn’t my concern if Ryu Eun-seok pouted, looking embarrassed.

“Want to grab coffee before heading in?”

After returning our trays and stepping out, Ryu Eun-seok stopped in front of the café across from the cafeteria. Given the time, there was barely room to step inside, packed with students waiting for takeout orders. Just looking at it was draining.

“Just get it for yourself. I’ll head in.”

“Let me at least buy you something—I’m grateful.”

Ryu Eun-seok couldn’t hold back and threw a direct pitch.

“It’s not like we have to drink it together. Just let me buy it, and we can go.”

It wasn’t that I was trying to avoid him—I just didn’t see a reason to get something. But having him say that left me no grounds to refuse, so I stepped inside the bustling café.

“What do you want?”

“Iced Americano.”

“Two iced Americanos, please.”

4,000 won seemed fine to spend. I stared at the menu board advertising the new items so I wouldn’t accidentally peek at Ryu Eun-seok’s wallet with the luxury-brand logo. I’d already been treated like a rat once, so I had to keep my eyes in check.

“Hong Sang-hee.”

When I turned my head, Ryu Eun-seok was tapping his palm with the corner of his wallet as he looked at me.

“Do you pity me?”