Eighteen's Bed-Chapter 22.3

"Right? So that’s why the atmosphere was weird earlier."

Soyeon, the girl, flailed around anxiously, clearly flustered.

"What should we do? Should we send him home?"

"Yeah? Do you happen to know where he lives?"

This time, the person asking was Kang Suhyeon. How transparent. Why did he suddenly act like this was his golden opportunity? His face was practically glowing with excitement as he looked at me.

"Uh, yeah, I do, but…."

"Then you can take him home! Alright, Yohan goes with Jun, and the rest of us who are still sober will keep drinking!"

He cut me off so suddenly that I barely had time to react. Wow. His motives were so crystal clear that I had no words. So obvious. His intentions were as transparent as spring water. I wanted to scoff and tell him no, but the fact that it involved Go Yohan changed the situation.

"Before you all keep drinking, call a taxi."

"Huh? You’re taking a taxi? Isn’t it surcharge time?"

"I’m not carrying him all the way home on my back."

"Well… yeah, that makes sense."

All seven pairs of eyes, including mine, fell on Go Yohan’s enormous back. One of Kang Suhyeon’s friends stretched his arms out dramatically as if measuring his broad shoulders, then groaned.

"Yeah. Definitely take a taxi."

"……."

"Just put it on your friend’s card. It’ll be fine."

What an asshole. With a deep sigh, I grabbed Go Yohan’s shoulders with both hands. He didn’t budge. Not even an inch. Seriously, why was he so heavy? He looked skinny, but his frame was huge, and his body was packed solid. I considered whether I could actually carry this lump of a person to the taxi, but I quickly concluded that it was impossible. Damn bastard. If he knew his body was this big, he should’ve stopped drinking sooner. Did he not think about the people who’d have to take responsibility for him? What a selfish piece of shit. What the hell was so fun that he had to drink like water? My irritation flared, and I nearly strangled him on the spot.

Then, as I shifted my grip, his thin T-shirt slid down slightly, revealing a scar. A brown, faded scar.

"……Fuck."

I loosened my grip on his shoulders. Then, carefully, so no one around us could see, I adjusted his clothes back in place. That was when an unexpected voice cut in. This time, it was the girl who had been agreeing with everything Soyeon said. Or maybe it was just my imagination, but I swore she had locked eyes with me for a second.

"Actually, since it’s already late, should we just wrap it up here? We can still barely catch the last bus if we leave now."

"Huh? R-Right now? But we can still drink more."

"If two people leave, what’s the fun in staying? Let’s all just exchange numbers, call it a night, and meet up again next time. We didn’t even get to talk properly today. Next time, we can do a third and fourth round."

Ah. So that’s what this was.

The gleam in her eyes was unmistakably directed at Go Yohan. A heavy weight settled deep in my gut. It felt like I had swallowed a lead weight. It had been a long time since I had last seen this kind of intention. I used to see it often when hanging out with Han Junwoo. This subtle undercurrent of sexual interest—it was always uncomfortable to witness.

"Oh, then… yeah, I guess."

But the fact that it wasn’t a bad suggestion for Kang Suhyeon either made it all the more annoying. Now he had two chances instead of one. Plus, his friend seemed already interested in another girl. Which meant, of course, he’d go along with this too. My lips pressed together as I clenched the edge of the table. A tight pressure squeezed at my stomach. It was suffocating.

"Alright, let’s exchange numbers, then—"

Why the hell did Soyeon keep staring at Go Yohan’s phone? If we were exchanging numbers, why was she only looking at his? He was completely passed out on the table. There was no point in giving a damn about his phone. My stomach twisted. Weren’t they all just friends? My lips, which I had been chewing at, stuck out slightly in irritation.

And then—

"No."

More like, N-no, with a slurred drawl.

A long hand suddenly slammed onto the table. Following the hand, a small face lifted up, and then, to a ridiculous extent, those massive shoulders rose as well. Half-lidded eyes fluttered open and shut quickly. The sudden rejection drew everyone’s attention.

As expected, Go Yohan had an innate talent for attracting people’s focus.

"I’m going somewhere else for the third round."

His eyes shut tightly for a moment before he furrowed his brows, then smoothed them out again.

The mood around the table shifted—an undercurrent of excitement rippled through the group. Meanwhile, my insides were turning over themselves.

"W-With who?"

That question, of course, came from Kang Suhyeon. That goddamn mechanical engineering bastard. I had the overwhelming urge to shove my plate of food right off the table.

Go Yohan, still drowsy and swaying slightly, giggled to himself for a long moment. Then, all of a sudden, he turned his head sharply.

At the end of that turn—was me.

"……?"

Again, all eyes fell on me. Go Yohan’s included. What… what the hell is this? As I scrambled to process what was happening, that was when it happened.

A towering drunk suddenly stood up.

The stench of alcohol-laced breath.

And then—warm lips pressed against my cheek.

The heat from his lips brushed against my skin. A slow, tingling vibration lingered even after he pulled away. My entire body froze. What the fuck just happened? By the time reality caught up to me, my face had already turned crimson.

When I jerked my head away in shock, Go Yohan only leaned in closer. Those soft lips brushed against my cheek again.

"Hey, hey, hey… What the hell are you doing?!"

"Ah, whyyy."

"What— what the hell is this—"

"Why?"

Everyone around me was stunned into silence.

Kang Suhyeon, pale as a ghost, took a step back as if he was terrified. Then, as if he was trying to escape from Go Yohan, he shrank back and whispered in horror.

"Guys. He’s really fucking wasted."

****

"Anyway, you’re responsible for inviting him to the group chat."

"Me?"

"You brought him here, didn’t you? Or am I wrong?"

Soyeon beamed at Kang Suhyeon as she spoke. The tip of her finger pointed directly at Go Yohan, who was currently slumped over my back, dragging his feet along the ground. He was so wasted that he was mumbling incomprehensible gibberish—words that didn’t exist in any language I recognized. That, I could deal with. But what really bothered me was the warm breath escaping his lips, constantly brushing against my neck. It was uncomfortable as hell.

"I don’t have his number, though."

"Then who does?"

"Obviously Jun does. He’s the one who brought him."

Honestly, I felt like I was going to throw up. This idiot, with his ridiculously tall frame. This uselessly big bastard. I stretched out my arm with great effort, gripping a streetlight pole for balance. I didn't have the luxury of focusing on their conversation right now. With all my remaining strength, I tightened my grip and asked the most pressing question of the night.

"When’s the taxi getting here?"

I barely managed to get the words out, yet no one answered. Fuck. Just as I was about to snap and repeat myself, the girl I had met in front of the bathroom hesitated before glancing at me. Then, she quickly rushed over to Kang Suhyeon.

"Uh, he’s asking when the taxi’s coming…?"

This is why people say you should be nice. That bastard, Kang Suhyeon, only then decided to check his phone.

"Oh—yeah, looks like it’s running late. Taxis are hard to catch around here at this hour. If one actually shows up, it’ll be a miracle."

"Call anywhere and tell them you’ll pay triple. Just get one here, now."

"Damn, you’re spending money like it’s not even yours. I like it. You’re a real role model, man."

Have you ever been so exhausted that even your voice shakes? I never had—until now. As I dripped with cold sweat, I saw Kang Suhyeon looking at me with what could only be described as admiration. That bastard had no intention of helping at all. Look at him, avoiding eye contact like a coward. A real piece of shit. But fine, whatever. I was the idiot who got myself into this mess. What else could I do? Fuck.

"Just—hurry up and call one."

"Alright, alright. And you guys should hurry and leave before you miss the last bus."

"Mmh."

A quiet voice answered. When I lifted my head, frowning, my eyes met the owner of that timid voice. Now that we had made eye contact, avoiding it would be awkward. And since she had at least helped pass my message along, I forced a stiff smile.

"Get home safe."

"Y-you too."

Even in the darkness, I could see her glance away as she hesitantly waved her hand.

"So you invite him first, then later, you can add Yohan, right? That works? I really want to apologize to him. I made a mistake when I was drunk."

"Fine, fine. I’ll handle it, so just hurry up and catch your bus."

"Okay. And, Jun, I’m sorry we couldn’t help you. Be careful!"

"Hey, aren’t you gonna say goodbye to me?"

"You already have my number!"

This was my first time meeting these people, and hearing them call me "Jun" felt so unnatural. It made me uncomfortable. I just nodded stiffly, raising a half-hearted hand in response. Then, I crouched down on my knees. Go Yohan’s legs, which had been dragging, stretched out limply across the ground. He probably looked like some weird squashed frog, but who the hell cared? Fuck. Right now, I felt like I was about to puke from the sheer weight pressing down on my back.

And just like that, the noisy gathering dwindled down to three.

"You’re not leaving?"

I exhaled sharply, glaring at him. I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t even a little resentment in my gaze. Kang Suhyeon, now making awkward eye contact with me, scratched his cheek.

"Well… actually. Sorry, but I already missed my last bus home."

"……."

So his whole "let’s keep drinking" act earlier was a scheme.

"So?"

"So, can I crash at your place?"

"What the—Hah!"

"Is he really that heavy?"

"If you know that, help me."

"Ah, my back’s kinda weak. I got a grade 4 exemption on my military physical. I’m a public service worker, man. Public service."

"Screw you, asshole."

I regretted skipping school last year more than anything in my life. What did they call it again? The butterfly effect? A small flap of wings could lead to a storm? If I had known this was the storm waiting for me, I wouldn’t have cared about Go Yohan or whatever else. I would’ve just gone to class like a diligent student.

"Anyway, since your friend’s paying for the taxi, I’ll make myself useful and charm your parents when we get there."

"What the hell are you talking abo—Ah!"

Suddenly, a hot tongue swiped across my neck.

Every fine hair on my body stood on end.

"……Hey, Go Yohan."

"Whyyy, whyyy?"

"Hah… never mind. It’s nothing."

I bit my lip, forcing myself to stay quiet.

It was deliberate. No doubt about it. Every time Kang Suhyeon turned away, those lips brushed against my neck—slow, soft, intentional. He was pretending to be wasted while blatantly messing with me. And the worst part? He kept laughing. Every time he grinned, warm breath escaped his lips, mixing with the moisture left behind. A low chuckle rumbled against my skin, sending a dizzying sensation down my spine. My hands clenched into fists.

Goddamn it. If he weren’t drunk, I would’ve thrown him to the curb and left him behind.

"Wait, hold on—your friend is laughing. What the hell? Why’s he acting like this?"

"……He’s lost his fucking mind."

"Damn, he’s really drunk. Is he always like this when he’s wasted?"

"No. He’s like this even when he’s sober."

I gritted my teeth, stiffening my neck as I shoved Go Yohan’s head away from me.

"Listen carefully. I’m giving you a serious warning: this bastard is not sane. Every single word that comes out of his mouth is a goddamn trap, so watch yourself."

"You guys are so weird."

"What’s weird?"

"Why do you even hang out together? You’re not friends. You say you’re not close. You shit-talk each other’s personalities all the time… but then you still take care of each other. And you even know where he lives?"

"……."

Yeah, why do I?

A laugh—half scoff, half sigh—escaped me.

It had taken me almost two years to figure that out. And yet, this nosy mechanical engineering bastard had found the answer in just a few hours.

"I guess this is what they call ‘love-hate.’"

That bastard should’ve majored in philosophy instead of mechanical engineering.

I was lost in absurd thoughts when suddenly, sharp teeth lightly bit into the space between my neck and shoulder.

"Ah!"

"What happened?!"

"N-nothing."

Taking advantage of my momentary distraction, Go Yohan moved again, obsessively pressing his face against my neck. No matter how much I tried to push him away, he wouldn’t budge.

"Ugh, get off me…!"

"No."

Once again, it came out as a drawn-out "N-no." He chuckled softly and rubbed his head against my cheek. The silky touch of his hair tickled my skin. Fuck. My stomach churned with heat.

Just as I was locked in a silent struggle, Kang Suhyeon suddenly shouted.

"Hey! It’s here!"

"Where?!"

"Here! Over here!"

Ignoring me completely, he ran straight into the street, waving his arms like a lunatic. My clenched fist trembled uselessly in the air. Goddamn it. Why is my life like this? I slumped my arms over my knees and sighed.

"Jun-ah."

Go Yohan shifted his weight. He had been leaning his entire upper body against me while keeping his legs sprawled out, but now he bent his knees—just like me.

Unfortunately, that position left me trapped between his legs.

"Hey, if you’re awake, get up."

"Jun-ah."

Not awake, then. I covered my face with my hand and exhaled sharply.

"What."

"Why does this feel so good?"

The fingers pressing against my forehead stilled. The hand that had been draped lazily over my shoulder tightened around me, pulling me into a firm embrace. A soft chuckle brushed against my ear.

"I like this."

The night dragged on. The flickering streetlights and old telephone poles cast a dim glow over the scene. Drunk, slumped over me, Go Yohan. I tilted my head slightly to glance at the fingers gripping my shoulder.

His right hand—his damaged hand—hovered awkwardly, unable to grasp me properly.

Funny, isn’t it?

The fingers that couldn’t hold me—were the ones that refused to let go.

****

I take back what I said about Kang Suhyeon being logical. He’s an idiot.

And right now, the proof was sitting in the backseat of the taxi, where somehow, three people were crammed together.

Not that I was bitter about being stuck in the middle, getting crushed from both sides.

"You could’ve just sat in the front seat."

Kang Suhyeon swallowed loudly, feigning innocence.

"I was just trying to help move him, you know?"

"You didn’t help at all."

"Hey, you keep saying hurtful things. Have you forgotten who helped you send off your group project?"

"I got a C-minus on that."

"Well, sometimes even buses get lost on the way."

"……."

"Honestly, be grateful you didn’t get a D. Why are you expecting so much from someone who freeloaded off the entire group?"

"Ugh, stop moving. It’s already cramped."

Kang Suhyeon kept shifting, and his arm kept bumping into my chest. Annoyed, I shoved his arm into the tiny space between us.

"Seriously, nothing in my life works because of you. You should’ve invited someone below your level for this meeting. That’s common sense."

"I don’t know what ‘common sense’ is, asshole."

"Then why the hell did you bring him?"

"To beat your ass. What else?"

That didn’t come from me.

I turned around.

Kang Suhyeon turned, too.

Our gazes landed on narrow, piercing eyes staring down at us.

The lazy, drunken slur in Go Yohan’s voice was gone.

Only a low, ominous growl remained.

The car passed through a tunnel, and a flash of orange light swept across his face.

A hand, which had been loosely hanging by his side, slowly lifted.

Neither of us moved.

We just watched, as if in a dream.

Then, out of nowhere, a clenched fist came down, slamming into Kang Suhyeon’s shoulder.

"Agh! What the fuck?!"

"I heard everything. C-minus? And you were talking about meetings? You ugly bastard, you could go to a hundred meetings and still die alone. Fucking idiot."

"Ugly?! U-ugly—HEY! That’s unfair! People have different strengths!"

"Oh."

"What do you mean ‘oh’?! And why am I suddenly being dragged into this?!"

"You’re short, too."

"Why am I getting brought up out of nowhere?! And I’m not short!"

I shoved Kang Suhyeon away in protest.

"I’m above average height!"

"Yeah, technically true. If you round up, Jun’s 180cm."

"……."

Goddamn it.

Why the hell did he have to say that out loud? Go Yohan’s so-called logic made me want to bury myself alive. Burning with secondhand embarrassment, I covered my face with my hands.

"You guys have no idea how math works."

"Oh, shut up."

"You know, technically, I could sue for defamation—AHH!"

"So what? You can’t round up an ugly face."

"The world is unfair! Y-you know you can get sued for stating facts, right?!"

"Go ahead. I have a shit-ton of money."

"S-someone! Help—ACK!"

I wanted to die.

Listening to these two bicker was like having my brain liquefied and drained through my ears.

The car rocked from side to side.

If Go Yohan shifted, I got pushed left.

If Kang Suhyeon got hit, I got pushed right.

Like a helpless leaf caught in a storm, I was tossed around between them.

"Why the fuck did you even get in the taxi, you bastard? Get out. Right now. I’ll count to ten, and if you’re still here, you’re dead."

"What? H-how am I supposed to get out here?!"

"Easy. Just open the door and step out. Nine."

"People die that way!"

"Eight."

Updat𝓮d fr𝙤m ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com.

A fist flew past the tip of my nose so fast that I felt the wind brush against my bridge. Startled, I instinctively pressed my back flush against the seat.

That speed—if I hadn’t already known Go Yohan’s fists well, I might have thought he was actually going for my face. But I did know. That was him holding back.

Still, Go Yohan wasn’t the type to let people off just because he was feeling generous.

Which meant… he was still drunk.

"Six."

"I-I’ll leave when we get there! I swear!"

"Five."

"Hey! Why the hell are you just sitting there?! Help me stop your friend!"

I leaned back into my seat, staring up at the ceiling, trying to put as much distance between me and this disaster as possible. Kang Suhyeon, who was struggling to hold Go Yohan back, shot me a look of pure betrayal.

What? What was I supposed to do? I averted my gaze and muttered under my breath.

"…Just take the hit. I can’t stop him either."

"Three."

"You… You heartless bastard—ACK! Wait! You skipped four just now!"

"One."

"That’s not how counting works—!"

"Game over, dumbass."

At some point, Go Yohan had turned to face me fully.

Now, he lazily lifted his foot—and slammed it into Kang Suhyeon’s knee.

There was a sickening pop.

Kang Suhyeon howled, clutching his knee as he collapsed onto the floor of the taxi. His not-so-small frame hunched over, his face buried between his arms as he whimpered.

With his opponent out of sight, Go Yohan leaned back against the car door and closed his eyes.

Silence.

His breathing evened out.

Yeah. He was asleep again.

"……."

I carefully glanced at the driver.

The reflection in the rearview mirror revealed an expression of absolute indifference—the face of a man who had clearly dealt with way too many drunk idiots in his lifetime.

Honestly? The lack of reaction made this whole situation even more humiliating.

As the only person here with a functioning sense of shame, I swallowed my pride and opened my mouth.

"S-sorry for the trouble."

No response.

The only sound that filled the taxi was Kang Suhyeon’s quiet sniffling from where he lay crumpled on the floor.

After a long pause, he croaked out a single sentence.

"Why the hell are you even friends with that guy…?"

I pressed my lips together.

…Yeah.

Good question.