Campus Log - Chapter 71

As our eyes met, Ryu Eun-seok’s handsome features suddenly drew closer. The man’s clear pupils roamed over my face.

“You look drunk.”

“I haven’t reached my limit yet.”

I shook my head. The alcohol was rising, but I still had enough control over my body.

“Your eyes are unfocused.”

The tip of Ryu Eun-seok’s finger came close enough to poke the corner of my eye. Even though I should have flinched, I let his touch, which lightly tapped the temple of my glasses, remain. My reactions had definitely dulled.

“Alcohol consumed right after exams are over is always the most dangerous.”

Only after noticing the loose curve of Ryu Eun-seok’s lips did my body slightly retreat. As he said, alcohol consumed after tension is released seems to circulate through the bloodstream faster.

It was about time for people to start moving around. One by one, they lifted their bottoms and wandered about. Cups that no one knew whose lips had touched got mixed up, but no one minded.

Throughout all that, I remained sitting quietly at the same table. I had come all this way with the grand resolve to make friends, but the thought of actually greeting unfamiliar faces made even the alcohol want to run away.

So I made the excuse that it was a hassle to get past Ryu Eun-seok’s long legs and just stayed put, inwardly relieved that I had chosen a good seat.

At least Song Hyuk-jun, who knew everyone, brought new people over, and the bees drawn to the flower named Ryu Eun-seok couldn’t pass by here, so I was able to become acquainted with several students. I can confidently say that I greeted more people here than I had known during my entire time at school.

“Whoa, s**t, London?”

An exclamatory voice cut in from the next table.

“My cousin is going to university there. He told me to come visit. I’m thinking of staying there for a few days and then stopping by a few places in Europe.”

Park Tae-hyun, who had arrived at some point, was leaning back with his arm draped over his chair, bragging. From the way his small pupils moved busily, it was clear that his vacation plans were deliberately being laid out for someone’s benefit.

“What are you doing over vacation, Eun-seok?”

As if following a script, one of the seniors at that table tossed a question at Ryu Eun-seok.

“Aren’t you going anywhere this time? Didn’t you say you were holed up in New York before you went to the army?”

Park Tae-hyun was going to London, so what about you, who used to throw money around in New York? The intention behind the question was transparent.

“I have things to take care of at home, so I’m going to help out.”

“Things? What things?”

The rumor that Ryu Eun-seok’s circumstances weren’t good had already spread far and wide, so the intent behind deliberately prying was pathetic. I glared at the peanuts that no one had touched. Perhaps because I had drunk quite a bit, the emotions I had hidden away were poking their faces out like moles.

“Because my father’s company is having a hard time, we can’t hire many part-time office assistants. I need to go and help out. My mother has been feeling down lately too, so I’m going to stay by her side and act cute.”

But Ryu Eun-seok didn’t show the slightest sign of agitation and answered calmly.

“That’s the work.”

The man who had once tearfully wondered how he would continue with school seemed to have completely disappeared. Perhaps he had made constant efforts on his own to get better, or maybe he was just tired of being constantly provoked by those around him and was giving them the answers they wanted to hear.

“That’s nice of you.”

Without a chance to restrain myself, my mouth softly opened.

“No complaints, no whining, and you’re considerate.”

I wanted to take Ryu Eun-seok’s side. It wasn’t really my business, but still, I hoped he wouldn’t have to take all the sharply flying stones alone. That was my honest feeling.

And if I blame this feeling on the alcohol, that’s that.

“Are you complimenting me?”

Ryu Eun-seok curved the corners of his lips into a round smile and looked me in the eye. When I readily nodded, his smile deepened. The area where his forearm touched mine also grew wider than before.

“With that kind of talk, shouldn’t you be heading home right now?”

Park Tae-hyun smirked and turned to look at Ryu Eun-seok.