Chapter 116: Complete, Dongsaengst
Part 0
“Sunbae, we’re in the same student council—why’s it so hard to see you?”
Cooling off in the air-conditioned department office while watching TV, Yoonseo heard the door swing open with that voice. Glancing over, she saw the annoying face of a junior who’d been pestering her all semester, panting heavily.
“It’s summer break,” she replied.
“…Isn’t it usually the other way around?”
“Gotta work. Earn money. Meet people.”
“You’re on a full scholarship.”
Ignoring the junior’s grumbling, Yoonseo turned back to the TV. His muttering grew louder at her indifference, but she decided it wasn’t worth her attention.
“…What’re you watching?” he asked.
“You’re being extra clingy today.”
“Can’t you at least pretend to like it when a junior gets friendly?”
Her resolve wavered as he dragged a chair to sit beside her. He seemed determined today, like he knew she’d be here.
“Need help with something?” she asked.
“Nah, it’s not that…”
His feelings for her were obvious. He was nice enough, never crossing lines, so she let him tag along, pretending not to notice. But after three semesters of this, only an idiot wouldn’t catch on.
Sorry, youth. My soul’s still too “manly” to see a former guy as a romantic option. Your burning feelings might go unanswered until I graduate.
“…Anyway! Yoonseo-sunbae, don’t you dislike idol music?” he asked.
“Why? I like city pop, pop songs. Never hated mainstream stuff.”
“You said Korean idol music’s too chaotic for your taste. Is there a group you like enough to watch reruns for…?”
“Whoa, I said that? Remembering that’s kinda creepy.”
“What…”
Glancing at his shocked face, Yoonseo stifled a laugh at his comical expression, firmly turning back to the TV.
“And it’s not idols. Singers.”
“…Oh, that trending ballad guy? What’s his name…”
“He sings really well. Too bad about his face.”
“Huh? Isn’t he super handsome?”
“He looks smug.”
The junior’s loud laugh made it hard to look away. He probably only laughed so freely knowing the office was empty.
“True, I heard he already has an anti-fan café.”
“He’s that type. Arrogant vibe. Respect his talent, but as a person? Meh.”
“Exactly!”
If I say that, why’re you so excited? Are you hinting you know I’ve noticed and want a yes or no?
—Speaking of, you’ve been posting about watching streams on SNS lately.
—Haha, my schedule’s packed, so I needed a light hobby on the go. Got hooked.
—That blonde streamer you mentioned—
At that, Yoonseo snapped the TV off. No need to hear about chart rankings or number-one speeches. He’s doing fine, good enough.
“That was about you, wasn’t it?” the junior asked.
“Probably some foreign streamer. Blonde’s not that rare.”
“You’re the only blonde streamer in Korea!”
“Natural blonde, maybe. Plenty of people dye their hair.”
Standing slowly, she grabbed her tote bag and cap from a nearby table. The thought of leaving the AC for the scorching sun already made her reluctant.
“Sunbae, you’re leaving already?!”
“I finished the favor ages ago. I was just lounging. ‘Already’ sounds off—more like ‘finally.’”
“No, I mean…!”
Funny guy. Tying her hair into a bun that covered her shoulder blades, she tucked it under her cap. The routine was second nature now.
“We’ll see each other plenty during the semester. Only a month left of break. If you’re desperate, donate to my brother’s stream.”
“…You barely react to those anymore, sunbae.”
“You tried?”
Giggling, she patted his sulky shoulder. I’m too tough a target. Hope you find a new crush this break.
“Work today?” he asked.
“Nah, a party.”
“Department dinner? I didn’t hear!”
“With… work friends, kinda.”
“Wanna come?”
“…No, I’m good…”
Your face is a rollercoaster, huh.
With a quick “See ya,” she left the office. The stifling heat hit her the moment she stepped out, scrunching her face. Still inside, and it’s this bad?
“Gotta get to the car…”
Checking the time, it was nearly the meetup. Good thing the interview ended on time. A text from her dad, in her mom’s tone, read: Call if you’ll be late, I’ll pick you up.
Outside, the blazing sun stabbed her exposed arms and legs. Even past the hottest part of summer, the shimmering heat was dizzying.
“Yoonseo-ssi, over here!”
“Hyunji-ssi, why’re you out in this heat? Get in the car!”
“Hurry! This weather’s insane!”
A familiar car idled nearby. Minho-ssi was, as expected, being dragged around by Hyunji.
“This outfit okay?” Yoonseo asked.
“There’s a changing room! Clothes too!”
Always prepared.
Part 0 (Stream Scene)
“Hello, everyone, Bonfire here! As promised, it’s a chill vibe today. Jeokranun-ssi’s here but tied up with friends, so she might not chat much.”
—Is Jeokranun a punching bag off-stream too?
—LOLOLOL
—Noona!!! Show us Noona!!!!!!!!!!!
“She’s sitting next to me, watching the stream. Thoughts, Noona?”
“…I’m younger than you. Why do you keep calling me that?”
“Good vibes, that’s why.”
The buffet hall buzzed, even with a private room rented for friends. Hardly stream-friendly, but Bonfire powered through, earning a laugh—admiration or shock, unclear. Is he a writer or a born streamer?
“Dressed up nice—strike a pose?”
“It’s just a party dress…”
“Wow, hear that, folks? Just a party dress. As if there’s anything ‘just’ about a party dress!”
—For real LOL
—Show us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
—Bonfire, turn the camera!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chuckling dryly, Yoonseo stood carefully, eyeing her lavender off-shoulder dress. The A-line skirt barely reached her knees, limiting big moves.
“Alright, folks, make sure Bonfire gets plenty of grief!”
“That sounds off!” he protested.
Holding the skirt’s edges, she stepped back lightly, bending her knees in a curtsey—a move picked up from photoshoots.
Leaving Bonfire’s groans behind, she wandered the lively hall. How did a simple drinking plan get this big? Grabbing a Sunrise from the cocktail bar, she sipped. Some places skimp on tequila, but not here.
“You look happy,” a voice said.
“Younghoo-ssi!”
Yoonseo’s voice rose at the sudden call. Younghoo, out of his doctor’s coat and in a suit, wore his usual stoic look, but she caught the faint smile tugging at his lips.
“You said you might not make it!”
“You insisted I come. Said you needed to brag about your doctor friend.”
“True, but still!”
His raised hand, as if to toast, dropped limply. Instead of clinking glasses, his subtle smile deepened, like he’d chosen laughter over formality.
“Most importantly, you look happy, Yoonseo-ssi. That’s a relief.”
“You just called me by name for the first time.”
“You’re not a patient anymore. Just someone living happily now, right?”
She didn’t reply aloud, just smiled wider. His slow nod felt like it said, This is enough.
“Your friends are looking for you. Over in the corner,” he said.
“Join us?”
“I prefer quiet meals.”
Quiet? Here? Just say you’re shy. Teasing him felt fun, but today was for laughs. Thanking him lightly, she carefully carried her barely touched drink toward the group.
Finding the four wasn’t hard.
“Yoonseo! Here!”
Juyoung waved wildly, his cheeks flushed—clearly more focused on drinks than food. Glass in hand, she headed to the table with the four and Sanghyun.
“When did Junseok-oppa get here?”
“…Man, hearing ‘oppa’ from you is still wild,” Seokyun said.
“It’s been over a year. You’re the weird one for not adjusting,” Yoonseo shot back, sticking out her tongue.
Seokyun raised a middle finger; she looked to Junseok for backup, but he seemed content to let it slide.
“Even Yoonseo struggled for a month at first. It took effort to get used to, so cut her some slack,” Junseok said.
“Nah, hyung, this is way better to see and hear. Another bottle of wine?” Seongyun offered.
Seongyun had been cozying up to Junseok for half a year, likely because he was joining Junseok’s company—same department, even.
“…And these two?” Yoonseo asked, eyeing Youngjin and Sanghyun.
“Haha, you know Youngjin. Sanghyun held up well, though,” Juyoung said.
“Looks like the five of you ganged up on Sanghyun?”
“Ganged up? He was grateful, happily drinking what we gave him,” Juyoung replied.
His flushed cheeks suggested he wasn’t exactly sober either.
“Passing out in 30 minutes at a buffet is kinda sad,” Yoonseo said.
“We’ve got four hours—wake him up before then?”
Juyoung held out his glass with a casual remark. Yoonseo smirked, clinking her cocktail glass against his wine glass. Not the prettiest toast, but the vibe mattered.
“How’re you so consistently slick?” she teased.
“And you’ve changed a ton,” Juyoung replied.
Clink. The glasses’ sound melted into the hall’s chaos. Juyoung’s curved gaze shifted past her.
“Also helped change a lot of things,” he added.
“You guys?”
“Us, your family, probably Hyunji-ssi and Minho-ssi too. Bonfire-nim, your viewers…”