Unrequited Love Obsession Diary - Chapter 58

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 58

“I didn’t know you liked the ocean, senior.”

Yeon-jae changed the subject, trying to ease the awkwardness somehow.

“I had no idea you went to the ocean when you were having a hard time either…”

“Why. Is that strange?”

“No, no! It’s not that it’s strange. It’s just a bit unexpected.”

Hyeonoh chuckled softly.

“I know roughly what you mean too.”

Hyeonoh asked.

“Are you curious why it’s the ocean specifically?”

“…A little.”

Hyeonoh continued while staring straight ahead.

“When I was young, I lived in West Vancouver and there was a beach not far from home. I played beach volleyball there, went running, played around, and walked the dog.”

Hyeonoh drove skillfully while staring straight ahead.

“I told you before, right? That my father’s business suddenly failed.”

Before Yeon-jae could even react, the story moved right to the next part.

“Overnight, our family couldn’t live in the same house anymore. Mom and dad fought every day about getting divorced or not. Kang Ji-o went into her room and wouldn’t come out. She was fourteen at the time. I think it was more shocking for her than for me.”

Just then, they ran out of gas. Hyeonoh drove the car to a gas station located not far away.

Even while the car was slowing down as they approached the gas station, Hyeonoh continued talking.

“Mom rented and lived in a flat house in Coquitlam, and dad fled back to grandfather’s house in Korea for a while. Kang Ji-o and I were separated too. I came to Korea following dad, and Kang Ji-o lived as a tenant with mom, being cautious.”

While waiting for the cars ahead that were refueling to leave, Hyeonoh habitually shifted to neutral.

“Anyway, for a few months before coming to Korea… there was this difficult time, you know? During those times, I would run along the beach. No matter how complicated my head was, it became simple after running.”

Hyeonoh chuckled after saying that much.

“Anyway, that’s why. That’s why when my head gets noisy, I look for the ocean. It’s habitual. Something like that.”

Hyeonoh wrapped up the conversation with a light laugh.

And he immediately changed the subject so Yeon-jae wouldn’t feel awkward.

“I’m hungry. Let’s eat as soon as we arrive.”

And he even gave instructions to Yeon-jae, who still looked a bit dazed.

“Passenger seat.”

“Yes?”

“Look up some good restaurants.”

“Yes!”

“Oh, good response.”

“…But what would you like to eat, senior?”

“I’ll eat anything. But preferably Korean food.”

Yeon-jae immediately picked up her phone and pretended to casually look for restaurants, but that wasn’t really the case.

Yeon-jae was surprised in many ways.

It was because Hyeonoh had readily shared his intimate story to comfort her.

When someone reveals their weak parts, even the most impressive person tends to look smaller, but to Yeon-jae, Hyeonoh was still Hyeonoh. He didn’t look smaller at all and was as solid as always.

To Yeon-jae, this fact seemed like proof that Hyeonoh occupied a considerable portion within her.

* * *

The final destination on the navigation was Sokcho.

The makguksu restaurant they arrived at faster than expected was quiet on a weekday afternoon.

Looking at the waiting machine placed at the entrance and the celebrity autographs stuck on the walls, it seemed like a fairly popular place.

They ordered two bowls of cold buckwheat noodles, buckwheat pancakes, and boiled pork.

“Will we be able to eat all of this…?”

Yeon-jae asked cautiously.

“Just leave what we can’t finish.”

Hyeonoh said while setting down the utensils.

“But coming to a place like this when we should be at school feels refreshing. Like you said, senior, I definitely feel refreshed.”

“Right?”

“Thanks to you, senior, I got to come to a place like this… I’m really grateful…”

At Yeon-jae’s thanks, Hyeonoh crossed his arms and acted proud. Not long after, the makguksu came out first.

Yeon-jae loosened the noodles with her head down. The weather was too ambiguous for air conditioning, and a fan was just right.

Through the large window, they could see greenery spread out wider than what you’d rarely see in Seoul.

Before she knew it, her stuffy feelings had cleared up completely.

On the way out after finishing their meal.

“Oh my, your companion already paid for everything.”

Yeon-jae failed to pay again today.

Hyeonoh, who had gotten up from his seat, wrapped his arm around Yeon-jae’s shoulder from behind and pulled her along.

“Let’s go.”

Her surprise at the sudden physical contact was brief.

“Now we have to see the ocean.”

Hyeonoh didn’t even glance at the ashtray typically placed at the restaurant entrance and headed straight to the driver’s seat.

“Senior, why are you like this, really. When did you pay?”

“I don’t know.”

At Yeon-jae’s question, Hyeonoh waved his hand dismissively as if annoyed, but Yeon-jae followed behind him chattering away.

“Ah. This really isn’t right. I’ll send you money right now. I should have bought this at least…”

“Forget it. Let’s call it even for postponing the group project meeting by a day last time.”

And he got in the car just like that.

“Ha, this really isn’t right…”

Hyeonoh yawned while stretching and added.

“Don’t say so much. It’s annoying.”

“No, even so…”

“Buy me food later.”

“You know we’ve had this conversation countless times, right? When are you actually going to let me treat you… I’m definitely going to buy it… Please let me repay you. Please.”

The situation of begging to be allowed to buy food was absurd.

But if she didn’t cling like this, it seemed like Hyeonoh would never let Yeon-jae open her wallet.

‘Seeing how he won’t let a close junior spend money like this, how well would he treat his girlfriend…’

But Hyeonoh pretended to cover both ears and said.

“Ahhh. I can’t hear you.”

In the end, Yeon-jae surrendered again this time.

“Then please let me buy coffee at least.”

Hyeonoh immediately nodded, but Yeon-jae instinctively knew it was just words again.

The car started smoothly again.

The beach was right in front of them, but it was difficult to find a parking lot. After wandering around in circles for a while, they eventually parked on the shoulder and got out.

While turning off the engine, Hyeonoh said.

“There’s a beach towel in the back seat.”

A beach towel. Yeon-jae thought it was a kind of meticulousness that didn’t match Hyeonoh and twisted her waist toward the back seat as instructed.

In the back seat, just as Hyeonoh said, there was nothing—no bag, nothing—just a single beach towel that smelled of freshly washed fabric softener.

That was strangely funny too, and she could feel his thoughtful heart, so Yeon-jae suppressed her laughter for a moment.

The two walked toward the ocean.

There weren’t many people around, but there were a few who had come to play. The two found an appropriate spot on the sand beach, spread out the beach towel, and sat down.

Swoooosh.

The waves repeatedly crashed against the sand beach and retreated, leaving behind dark water marks.

Though they hadn’t played any music, the sound of the waves tickled their ears like background music.

After sitting like that for a while, Hyeonoh opened his mouth in a low voice.

“Shin Yeon-jae.”

Yeon-jae turned her head toward Hyeonoh. He was looking at the sea, not at Yeon-jae.

“I’m not good at comforting people.”

Hyeonoh said like an excuse or explanation, still gazing intently at the sea.

“…So I’m not sure if this was appropriate comfort for you.”

Yeon-jae waited until the waves rolled in once more and retreated before carefully opening her mouth.

“It was incredibly comforting…”

“Then that’s a relief.”

Silence flowed again. Hyeonoh cleared his throat unnecessarily and continued speaking.

“Um. So what I want to say is.”

“…”

“…If you’re having a hard time, tell me again. I can do this much anytime.”

Then Hyeonoh made a fist and did a fighting gesture.

“Stay… strong.”

His face looked uncharacteristically embarrassed.

Finding it both absurd and endearing how cute Hyeonoh looked, Yeon-jae covered her mouth and laughed softly.

“Am I funny?!”

Only then did Hyeonoh seem to return to his original self, shouting loudly.

“No. I’m grateful…”

Yeon-jae said as if murmuring, burying her face in her knees.

“I’m really grateful.”

After catching her breath briefly, she added quietly.

“Meeting you has been the greatest fortune that came to me this year…”

Right after parting with Father, Yeon-jae had thought of Hyeonoh for some reason.

Yeon-jae had been puzzled because she couldn’t clearly understand the reason, but only now did she realize why.

When she was with Hyeonoh, Yeon-jae felt like she was gradually changing.

For a long time, Yeon-jae had thought that the wounds remaining inside her would never be erased no matter what happened. Even if their size could shrink, they would ultimately follow her like shadows throughout her life, having a bad influence.

That thought was still somewhat valid even now. The wounds had certainly passed through Yeon-jae, and it was an undeniable fact that they had left scratches in some way.

But lately, more precisely since meeting Hyeonoh, her thoughts had gradually changed.

Now it seemed like these wounds might not be eternal after all.

Of course, they wouldn’t disappear completely. But she had gained the belief that they wouldn’t be eternal either. As if she had gained the strength to move forward.

* * *

The two got up from their spot, brushing off sand just before the sun completely set.

Yeon-jae tried not to sleep, feeling sorry for Hyeonoh who was driving alone.

But she had gone out both weekend days, and today she had been in a constant state of tension anticipating the big event of skipping out, so drowsiness soon poured over her.

Yeon-jae fell asleep without realizing it. When she opened her eyes, the sun had completely set.

It was evening, close to night. Judging by the dense headlights on the road, they seemed to have already entered Seoul.

Hyeonoh was still driving, staring straight ahead.

“Huh… Senior!”

“You were sleeping and even snoring?”

“…Really? But I don’t snore.”

“Hmm, I’m not fooled.”

Ugh. I got tricked again.

“I’m sorry. Ah. I really tried absolutely not to sleep, but I fell asleep without knowing anything…”

“Why, you can sleep a little if you’re tired.”

Hyeonoh spoke as if it was no big deal.

Somehow Yeon-jae felt like she easily relaxed just by standing next to Hyeonoh.

She was touching her cheeks in embarrassment when it happened.

“Oh right. Enter your home address. I’ll drop you off in front of your house.”

Hyeonoh said, pointing to his phone with the navigation on.

Yeon-jae quickly entered the address.

“You’re quick with that action?”

“I should at least do this well… I was sprawled out sleeping the whole time while you were driving.”

Hyeonoh laughed heartily as if he had heard a very interesting story.

Thanks to that, it seemed like she would be able to sleep tonight without any worries or concerns.

Until then, Yeon-jae’s mood was very good.

It had been a perfect day, and she was even filled with anticipation that this perfect day would continue.

At least until Yeon-jae arrived in front of her house and encountered Dohan.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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