Mint Is Pure Love - Chapter 81

Yeonseo couldn’t fall asleep. She tossed and turned, over and over, until finally she opened her phone.

[Youngeun, are you asleep?]

Almost immediately after sending the text, her phone lit up with an incoming call. Pulling the blanket over her head, Yeonseo quietly answered.

“Youngeun, I didn’t wake you, did I?”

—”Have you ever seen me asleep at this hour?”

Of course, she knew. Youngeun was the type to stay up until dawn reading comics or novels, so Yeonseo had half-expected an answer.

—”Why? What’s up in the middle of the night?”

“No… it’s nothing really, I just… my head’s kind of a mess.”

—”What, your period? Or did an ex suddenly text you?”

Youngeun laughed, like she herself didn’t believe what she’d just said. But when Yeonseo stayed quiet, guilty-looking, her friend’s tone sharpened.

—”Wait, what? Did an ex really show up? Hold on. You actually dated someone?! See, I knew it. There’s no way you went to Seoul and nothing happened. Ha.”

Yeonseo’s lips opened and closed without sound, unsure how to begin. But Youngeun pressed harder, as if she could see her face through the phone.

—”Don’t even think about dodging. Tell me straight. Before I take a day off and show up at your doorstep, okay?”

There was no way out of it. And honestly, Yeonseo wanted to get it off her chest. With a sigh, she told her friend the whole story in short. Not the part about briefly dating back in high school—that would’ve had Youngeun rushing over immediately. She just said they’d met again in a club, started dating, then an ex-girlfriend kept interfering… only to find out later she wasn’t really an ex.

She had meant to keep it simple, but the more she spoke, the more details slipped out. After listening quietly for a while, Youngeun suddenly said something completely out of the blue.

—”Minseo, this is kind of strange for me.”

“…Huh?”

—”Sorry for changing the subject when you’re being serious. But honestly, you don’t feel like the same person I’ve known for the past six years.”

“What do you mean, what kind of person am I?”

—”I’ve been with you since the fall of sophomore year. In all that time, I’ve never seen you angry, upset, or even crying. Ever thought about that?”

Yeonseo hadn’t realized until now. She had cried plenty of times, but always alone.

—”You’ve never even snapped at your mom. That’s why my mom always praises you as such a dutiful daughter.”

“…”

—”I get why you’re upset, hearing all this. But honestly, if she wasn’t really an ex, isn’t that better? I mean, this doesn’t sound like something worth losing your temper over. Of course, I’m on your side as your friend, but looking at it objectively…”

Youngeun wasn’t the type to blindly take sides, even as her best friend. Yeonseo listened in silence.

—”Isn’t it more natural to be angry at the girl pretending to be his ex? That’s how I see it, anyway. And if that guy knows you’re this upset but still plays dumb? Then you should cut him off.”

…He came after me, Youngeun. All the way to Chungju, just to try and make it up to me.

—“For the past six years, you’ve always seemed like… someone who avoids conflict. A peace-lover. And you really were—don’t think I didn’t notice how you never picked fights, not even with me.”

“…”

—“So this is kind of fascinating. Even the great Ji Minseo gets mad over dating stuff. This is why I don’t date.”

As always, Youngeun rambled on, but her words made Yeonseo reflect. She was right. She had never been angry at anyone, but here she was, getting angry at Seokyung. Not even with Yang Jisoo had she been like this, yet with Cha Seokyung, she was.

And Youngeun was right again. Yeonseo had always avoided conflict, smoothing things over whenever problems came up. That was her way. And yet here she was, sulking at Seokyung, acting all cold and petty, even though she could’ve just resolved things the way she always did.

She thought it was embarrassing… and still, she couldn’t explain why. Under the hot blanket, away from the breeze of the fan, she let out a heavy sigh. Even after ending the call, she tossed and turned before finally falling asleep. Which was why, when she opened her eyes, it was already much later than usual.

By the time she’d hurriedly gotten ready and stepped out, her mom had already gone out, and Minjae was packing his bag in the living room.

“Minjae, did you eat breakfast? Where are you going?

“Yeah, I ate with Mom earlier. I’ve got to go to the academy.”

“This early? It’s not even ten yet…”

“Yeah, I’ve got stuff to do.”

He was stuffing both his math workbook and taekwondo uniform neatly into his bag.

“What about lunch? Want to come by the store later? We can get tteokbokki. …Bring Cha Seokyung along too.”

“No, I’ve already got someone to eat with. Can you lend me 5,000 won? I have some allowance but I think it won’t be enough.”

“Five thousand?”

Yeonseo went to her room, pulled a ten-thousand-won bill from her wallet, and handed it to him.

“Here. Not a loan, just keep it.”

“No, I’ll pay you back. Seokyung hyung said when you date, the guy should pay.”

“…What? Excuse me? Are you saying you’re dating someone?”

Ignoring her, Minjae shoved the bill tightly into his Velcro wallet, slung his now-bulky bag over his shoulder, and headed for the door.

“Oh, and we ate, but Seokyung said he didn’t.”

“Why not?”

Minjae gave his sister a look, like she was hopeless.

“Why do you think? He’s waiting for someone.”

As if it was obvious, he clicked his tongue and shook his head like an old man, then slipped on his sneakers. The house felt oddly quiet once he left.

“So… where is he then?”

“He went out to get his stuff.”

Is he really planning to stay here? Isn’t he uncomfortable? The bed’s tiny.

But then again, after nights together, when she woke up sore all over, Seokyung would still be fast asleep on that cramped little mattress, wrapped tightly around her, breathing peacefully.

If he could sleep there, maybe he wasn’t picky about where he lay his head. Just as she was thinking this, Minjae, halfway out the door, turned back.

“Noona.”

“Yeah? What is it?”

“Be good to Seokyung hyung.”

“…”

What did I even do? She wanted to ask, but her brother slipped out before she could. In just one day, her mom and brother both seemed firmly on Seokyung’s side.

The absurdity killed her appetite, so she skipped even a late breakfast and got ready for the store. She pulled on shorts, a neat shirt, and went to get sandals from the shoe rack.

Most of her shoes were back in Seoul, so the few pairs left included one odd pair of seven-centimeter heels. She picked them up without thinking, sleek, pink enamel pumps that gleamed in the light. Her mom had bought them from an online market, back when she was into shopping sprees, but Yeonseo had never worn them. She preferred flats.

Suddenly, she thought of Yang Jisoo, who always paired bootcut jeans with heels. Maybe I should try them on too.

“…”

After a moment, she shook her head. Too much for a trip to the shop. She put them back and slipped on her sandals instead.

The midday sun was already blazing. She half-jogged through the heat and reached the store, airing it out and tidying up the shelves. But her eyes kept flicking to the door. Not that she was waiting for anyone, of course. She was just wondering if any customers would even come out in this weather.

The moment she powered on the register, the bell over the door jingled. And the person she’d been unconsciously waiting for walked in.

“Ji Yeonseo.”

When she turned, it was like staring into the sun. Her eyes stung for a second.

In a fitted cotton T-shirt and dark jeans, Seokyung looked as fresh and pure as a flower kissed by morning dew. Instinctively, Yeonseo brushed at her bare face. Maybe she should’ve put something on. As he stepped in, the air seemed to fill with his clean scent. Their eyes met, he looked a little flustered, cleared his throat, then spoke.

“You didn’t eat breakfast, did you?”

He tried to sound casual, but his lips were dry. His round, dark-brown eyes darted to her like a puppy waiting for attention. The way she fidgeted with her pale cheek only made her look cuter, he ached to just grab her and kiss her. His fingers tingled with the impulse, and he clenched and released his fist before swallowing hard.

“I brought sandwiches.”

He laid out his haul on the table near the counter: three different sandwiches he’d carefully chosen, a fruit box, strawberry juice, iced Americano, and, just in case, a hot green tea.

Yeonseo peeked at it all, pretending not to, then muttered under her breath.

“…I don’t usually eat breakfast.”

As if he didn’t know. She was the girl who’d grumbled about group snacks but still snuck off with a cream bun. If he brought food, she wouldn’t be able to resist. That was his bet. And besides, he’d had inside info.

“Your mom told me you like the sandwiches here.”

Her lips pouted. Mom really says anything. Holding back a smile, he put on a mock-serious face.

“Then what do I do? If you don’t eat, I don’t feel like eating either.”

“…”

“Should I just throw it out?”

Yeonseo, raised to never waste food, glared at him. And that was exactly what Seokyung loved about her.

“…Why would you throw away food?”

With a grumble, she sat down. The sandwich stuffed with lettuce ended up in her hands. She unwrapped it and took a big bite.

Watching her chew, lips moving like a rabbit nibbling greens, he set the other two sandwiches before her, one by one, urging her to try them all, and slid the iced Americano toward her.

“When are you done here?”

“…One o’clock.”

“What are you doing after?”

“I’m busy. Lots of plans.”

“Your mom said you’ve just been cooped up at home since coming to Chungju.”