Eighteen's Bed-Chapter 19.4

"Shin Jaehyun is a bad guy."

It was the moment when I saw a tiny opening that I cheered from deep within, only for Go Yohan to say those words. That cheer sank into the deep sea, leaving behind a pitiful heart. Damn it.

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"When I got a little angry, he was the one who told them you'd be going to your dorm."

Then, after a brief pause, Go Yohan muttered to himself, keeping his distance as if his own legs were giving out.

"...I didn’t hit him."

What a joke! My breath caught in my throat with surprise, and I trembled in disbelief. Did he think that was an opportunity? Go Yohan quickly shut the door and stared at me with piercing eyes.

"Shin Jaehyun is a coward and an opportunist. So, don’t get too close to him."

"......"

"Don’t even associate with him."

"Got it."

Go Yohan’s face lit up like a flower. The darkness in his expression was pierced by a ray of sunlight. The sunlight shone into the dormitory where rats roamed. Meanwhile, I felt my insides churn and flip. Go Yohan had the ability to plant thousands of butterflies inside me.

"Just leave. I don’t plan on getting close to you either."

"......"

As soon as my words ended, the flower that had bloomed withered pitifully. His gloomy fingertips sadly scraped the lock. It seemed like he was doing it just to steal my attention.

"Don’t act like you know me again."

"......"

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

...Fine, I’ll keep quiet. A small whisper died away, barely audible.

The door opened and closed. The faint sound of wheels rolling down the hallway disappeared. Finally, I lifted my feet from the floor and threw myself onto the bed. I buried my face in the blanket and screamed. My scream spread out silently, unnoticed.

"Damn it, why me...?"

Why is there never a proper person by my side? Is it because I’m not a proper person?

****

It was late afternoon.

The department announcements blared loudly at least twice a day. That day, the department secretary had announced that the new representative was to visit the office and pick up the booklet they had distributed to everyone. At the time, I didn’t realize how important that booklet was. Only after seeing the stack of booklets in the office did I realize I had wasted my time.

Even though I regretted it, I took the booklet. It had become a habit to be overly cautious. After I walked in, the department assistant, who had been glancing at me, called me over. He was obviously waiting for a chance to speak.

"Excuse me, are you Kang Jun? The new student from our department?"

"Yes."

I was honestly surprised. How could he know my name with over 50 new students? It was impossible unless he recognized my face and deliberately memorized it. I grew wary and asked, but what he said next was even more suspicious.

"Do you know anyone who might be looking for you?"

"Me?"

"No, I meant, is there someone looking for you?"

For a moment, Go Yohan flashed through my mind. And in that instant, I was sure. All the distrust I had felt earlier was now confirmed. My expression hardened, and my thoughts grew colder.

I was really starting to get sick of this.

"Who’s looking for me?"

"Yes, just a little while ago. Literally just now. It was about, um, a few minutes ago. Right?"

"Yeah, about 15 minutes ago?"

"Yeah, about 15 minutes ago."

The assistant, trying to prove his point, asked the other assistant sitting next to him for confirmation. After hearing the exact timing, the assistant looked at me with a satisfied expression. But that satisfaction quickly turned into worry. He must’ve noticed my reaction right away.

"We can’t give out any personal information, though. We didn’t release anything."

"Was he a tall man?"

"Do you know him?"

"...I think I do."

"I see. Well, you should contact him. He seemed... in a hurry."

"...Okay, thanks."

"Sure." The assistant answered lazily, then turned his attention back to his computer. He glanced at the other assistant, who nudged him, and then our eyes met. We both looked away awkwardly, the uncomfortable silence stretching between us.

As I left the office, I thought to myself that university was a place filled with uncomfortable greetings. That random thought led my mind back to Go Yohan.

"Asshole."

What kind of mess is he trying to cause now? It was obvious that he was asking about the classes I was taking. But when I thought about it, it didn’t seem like something Go Yohan would do. He knew the department office wouldn’t give out personal information, and besides, the nature of the small office meant the conversation would come out sooner or later, and I, being in the same department, would hear it. He wasn’t the type of idiot to do something so foolish.

"...But still, something was off yesterday."

Since the day I last saw Go Yohan, he had been acting strangely. I wasn’t used to the change, so I quickly dismissed it as some kind of trick. I couldn’t deny that it was the easiest way to think.

That’s why I was convinced that Go Yohan was behind it. Once I had made up my mind, I tried to ignore it. I knew that paying attention to him would lead to nothing good. But ignoring him didn’t last long. Over three messages had already been sent to my number listed on the department announcement.

****

The phone plunged to the floor with a crash. I faintly heard Go Yohan scream, but it was so small, so insignificant, that only I heard it.

"Why the hell are you here...?"

"Why am I here, huh? Damn, the school website was practically bragging, telling me to come find you. That bastard. He hid it all and then, as soon as he entered college, boldly slapped his name on it. Full marks on the college entrance exam, Political Science and Diplomacy at Korea University, Kang Jun. This bastard? What? Were you scared?"

Spit. A sticky, phlegm-filled spit landed on the dirt floor. Looking at the wet, unpleasant ground, I had to admit it. I understood now why even classmates I didn't know cared about me. They must have sensed it too. Kim Minho smelled like a sewer. The kind of stench you’d never expect to find at a university. The smell of the lowest of the low. And hostility. His bloodshot eyes were definitely shining with blatant intent.

"Goddamn, the two of you, both of you, bastards... The most famous university in Korea. Damn, university? Hey, I saw the school on my way here, and it looked great. Damn, how big does it have to be for buses to drive around inside the campus? Politicians come from places like that. Rich people come from there. A lot of great people come from there. Right? These people are really something."

"Hey... Kim Minho."

"I’m just a dropout. Damn, no one listens to me. I get kicked out because of that idiot Go Yohan? You all destroy others' lives, and you're in Korea University together? You bastards are lucky because you were born to rich parents, huh? All you do is suck up to them. Must be sweet, huh? Just born with the right umbilical cord, sucking on your parents' money, living a perfect life."

He turned. He was already insane, but now he wasn’t even in his right mind. I felt like I was standing in front of a rabid dog, ready to snap at any moment. He might as well have been foaming at the mouth. A stronger man is one thing, but a madman is terrifying.

"That son of a bitch Lee Seokhyeon, he’s been keeping his mouth shut about how much money he’s been eating up, huh? He moved out, right? To some damn nice place? But why didn’t I get any? You bastards? Lee Seokhyeon probably got it, right? He's rich, after all. Rich kids, the lot of you."

The way he dragged himself across the floor was just insane. With his hoodie on and his hands shoved deep into his pockets, he moved toward me. The smell of filth followed him.

I quickly scanned the surroundings, but saw nothing. My body was drenched in tension. My phone was in view, but bending down to get it would be suicide. Who knew what he’d do when I let my guard down? I widened my eyes and focused. I had to handle this. Somehow.

"Kim Minho, I understand why you’re mad at me, but just hear me out—"

"Your words? Damn, when has listening to you ever brought me any good?"

Spit. Again, his saliva fell to the ground.

"You always just slip away."

"Hey… let’s just talk with your hands out of your pockets first."

"Out of my pockets? What, you think I’ve got something in here?"

Kim Minho contorted his body in a bizarre way. It looked almost like he was trying to show off his strength. That blatant posturing had a clear threat behind it. He was definitely laughing at me, enjoying how I flinched.

"Hey, why you flinching? You think there’s something in here?"

"Minho, I’m sorry about what happened back then. Let’s talk about it calmly. I’ll explain everything. Is there something you want from me? Is there a reason you’re doing this?"

"A reason? You bastard, I’ve got plenty of reasons."

Then what, you bastard. I forced a smile, suppressing the urge to shout at him.

"What’s the reason? Just say it."

"The reason is simple. I’m going to beat you and make your life miserable. You fucking gay bastard."

"Hey."

I knew from the start that Kim Minho was hopeless. I never thought it would follow us all the way to college. And now, it was this complicated. I took a deep breath to steady myself, trying to remain calm. Let’s buy some time. This wasn’t a crowded street, but surely someone would pass by.

"I had my reasons back then. I’m sorry."

"Stop lying, bastard. I know you didn’t feel any remorse."

"I really am sorry. So just tell me what you want. I’ll listen."

"Yeah?"

With a rustling sound, Kim Minho’s hand moved. Finally, his intention came out from his deep pocket.

"Then take this hit for me."

The bottle was familiar. No one who didn’t know about it would mistake it.

"...Soju bottle?"

"Yeah. Just hit me with it once. It’s my wish. If you’re really sorry, you can do this much, right?"

My eyebrows slightly furrowed. Given the way he was smirking, I was sure that wasn’t soju.

"...Hey. That’s not soju."

"It is soju. Now that I’m an adult, this stuff is really nice. I can buy liquor at the convenience store."

"Minho."

"Don’t call me by my name, pretending to be sweet. It makes me want to throw up, you dirty gay bastard. If it wasn’t for you, if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have ended up like this. Damn, after being in the same class as you, I’ve completely ruined my life. Until first year, I was just some strong idiot who liked to get drunk, but after being in the same class as you, I became this fucked up shit. Thinking back, you’re the worst. You fucking bastard."

"…Minho."

"Shut up, honestly, do you think I can’t do anything to Go Yohan? Oh, I found out the hard way. That bastard was born to fight. His fists are something else. He was born to beat people to death. I could never beat him. But you? You’re weak, just a big-mouthed bastard. I’m sure I could handle you."

"..."

"So, I’ll ruin your life. I’ll make sure you suffer. Otherwise, I’ll never be able to live with myself."

"…Don’t make a choice you’ll regret. And Go Yohan? He’s not the kind of guy who’d get hurt over something like this. Think about it calmly, alright?"

"What the fuck are you saying, you idiot. You still don’t get Go Yohan."

Kim Minho’s steps suddenly stopped. I had to look at him, unable to breathe, as he blocked my path. A shadow cast across his face, and a sly smile twisted his expression. It was a smile filled with malicious satisfaction.

"You know, Go Yohan really likes your face, right?"

"..."

"I hope you both spend your lives in agony, seeing each other’s faces, suffering forever, you piece of shit."

With those words, the cap of the soju bottle came off, and it flew toward me from far away. Reflexively, I raised my hand. I must have thought I could block it. Time stretched, like an old, worn-out tape. But the problem was that my body moved with the passing seconds. I could have just dodged it. It was just a bottle. But I couldn’t avoid it.

As the bottle grew larger in my vision, I thought to myself:

Why me? Why is his hatred directed at me? Why am I the target of a coward who’s too afraid of Go Yohan to touch him?

I realized I couldn’t avoid it, and my eyes closed. Was I trying to escape the situation? But the moment my eyes closed, something warm enveloped me. Thank God, it wasn’t the bottle or the liquid inside.

It was a very warm body.

****

I suddenly opened my eyes. There was no pain, except for the heaviness pressing down on me. In front of me, there was a body dressed in a thin shirt, and only the dirt floor. When I turned my head, a familiar scent mixed with an unfamiliar one hit me. I reacted to it, like Pavlov's dog.

"...Go Yohan?"

With all my strength, I pushed the body pressing down on me away and looked at Go Yohan’s face. His eyes, locked with mine, were writhing in pain. His small pupils shook violently. Go Yohan, who had fallen from my push, rolled on the floor, squinting.

"Ugh..."

It was a low, guttural scream. The anxiety felt like a blade, cutting through my throat. I tried to get up, but I crawled toward Go Yohan. Something was off. Something was wrong. The smell was wrong.

"Hey, wait a minute."

"Damn, that bastard dared to..."

Go Yohan muttered curses as he flipped himself over and got up. Then, I understood what had happened, what Go Yohan had blocked, and what he had stopped for me. His shoulder was horribly swollen, half of it so red it was almost grotesque. The more terrifying part was that I could see the process of his clothes melting. In the gaps, wet sand stuck to his skin.

"Go Yohan!"

Go Yohan. The psycho who had pulled his own teeth out. A psychopath who enjoyed shocking others more than feeling pain himself.

But was that really what Go Yohan had intended? Or was that just how he had learned to survive? The days of pondering were short, and the answer came to me many days later. I knew when I exposed my mangled back and punched Kim Minho in the face. That was the way Go Yohan had lived.

"Get the phone."

And my way of living, always filled with suspicion and response. Instead of stopping Go Yohan, I searched for my phone. 1, 1, 9. Three numbers pressed firmly, and I put the phone to my ear. My hands were shaking so badly that the phone hit my temple repeatedly. The moment the connection was made, I spoke without a single moment of hesitation.

"Here, it's the first floor of the Social Science Building at Korea University."

The anxious gaze reached the red-swollen back. And then, Go Yohan, half-blinded and almost out of his mind, was still throwing punches.

"You bastard, how dare you... you fucking piece of shit...!"

I hurriedly got up. I had to stop him from attacking, his hands frantically hitting a face that looked as if it were knocked out. This time, the help wasn’t for Kim Minho. My hands gripped the arm that was mercilessly smashing Kim Minho’s face.

"There's... there's been an accident..."

****

I dragged Go Yohan straight to the bathroom on the first floor. His mouth, always talking nonsense, was half chewed and bleeding, and his eyes were glazed over. The change explained the agony that had befallen him.

"...Ugh."

"Wait, just wait."

I lowered his heavy body to the floor and frantically looked around. I spotted a thin warehouse door. Quickly, I unlatched it and opened it. A sink for washing rags came into view. Fortunately, there was a hose attached.

I couldn’t afford to waste time. I turned the water on in a hurry and grabbed the hose. I aimed it directly at the reddening part of his back. The moment the water hit, Go Yohan screamed. It was a shrill, unbearable scream that words couldn’t describe. His fingertips, resting on the sink, turned pale.

"You have to wash it off, you have to wash it off."

Go Yohan’s hand clung to the old sink, trembling weakly. He was gripping it so hard that the color drained from his arm. A small stream of water poured over his back. While my words sounded convincing, my hands were shaking like aspen leaves.

"...Ah, shit."

"..."

"Damn, it hurts so much."

Go Yohan, whose face I couldn’t see, bowed his head, hanging onto the sink as he struggled to straighten his back. I bit my lip, looking at his raw, peeling back. Every time I saw the marks of his clothes stuck to his back, my knees buckled. It felt like the inside of my thighs were twisting.

"It hurts..."

I had never once given foolish comfort. The price of my comfort was always high. I knew too well that no matter how much I tried to comfort, nothing would change. For me, what mattered more than comfort was always practical help.

But right now, I sold my comfort at a bargain price. The cheap comfort was all I had to offer.

"I... I called an ambulance. It’ll be here soon... it’ll be soon..."