Idol’s Childhood Friend

18 – I won’t play childhood friend with you anymore

When I sat in the rocking chair and gazed endlessly at the yard seen through the floor-to-ceiling glass.

Wow. My cell phone rings.

I slowly turned my head and looked at my phone, and a smile spread across my face.

This time it was you.

+++

-Huh? Is it Yumin?

The infinitely bright laughter of a childhood friend.

As soon as I heard that voice full of laughter, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter as I felt like all the worries I had been worrying about for hours were meaningless.

I take a long breath and look at the night view of Seoul while sitting on the chair on the rooftop.

“… Yes, it’s me. “This is Ji Ji-bae.”

I try to continue speaking but inadvertently hesitate. Soon, he lightly bites her lower lip and opens his mouth again.

“Why are you doing live for so long?”

-Huh? Have you seen Labang?

Ah. This isn’t it. When I tell him that I saw it unintentionally, I feel dizzy again, but I try to sound as casual as possible.

“Not all, but about the last 20 minutes. “I was really scolded for creating an account.”

-Hey. No matter how many times you find out that you saw mine, why would you lie like that? How can a 23-year-old have trouble creating an account?

“… ….”

-What is it? It’s not a joke, it’s real?

The sound of your laughter giggling as if it were absurd.

It’s literally just laughter, but as I listen to it, strangely enough, the awkwardness subsides little by little.

Yes. Honestly, it doesn’t make sense that it takes tens of minutes to create an account.

+++

“So? “Why did you call me?”

Okay, it was natural.

I feel happy on the inside because my voice is the same as usual.

Rather, it should be said that the indifference was melted into the voice enough to elicit a reaction from the other person. In any case, it was an excellent handling of the line that confirmed Yumin’s locked heart.

My heart is pounding. I tried to calm my trembling heart and waited for an answer.

-That’s it. Listening to your voice, it seems okay.

Anyway, that woman is a rude bastard who doesn’t even know how she feels.

The answer is simpler than expected.

The eyebrows suddenly narrowed.

+++

-You’re not that kind of person.

“What does it mean…” ?”

-You are a business man who never calls for something unbecoming and only calls when there is business.

“… “What is that?”

Ha, I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at Ji Ji-bae’s ridiculous expression.

I definitely feel that conversations without business are useless, so I don’t tend to make phone calls or KakaoTalk calls unless I have something to do, but……

“I call you even if I don’t have any business to do, right? “How can I often call celebrity Han Chae-won, who doesn’t have enough days in the first place?”

I have a valid reason for not feeling so unfair.

“I admit that I only contact you occasionally… ….”

-Then don’t make any more excuses. You know that saying more here is completely unprofessional, right?

I am completely speechless due to the sophistry that has no logic. I thought about what to say, but ended up laughing because I couldn’t find the right words.

“…… Her. “What is this?”

-I have free time until October, so contact me anytime. I’m bored because I don’t have any friends.

“… Okay. “You are the best.”

I shake my head in fatigue.

I don’t usually argue with idiots.

+++

“So. “Why did you call me?”

A more blunt voice than expected.

As soon as I said it, I felt like this was too much, but I couldn’t take back what I had already said.

-Just. We haven’t been in touch for a long time.

Luckily, you didn’t seem to mind too much.

-Just. That’s why I called. There’s no reason.

No. I had no choice but to not care.

Right now, your mind is confused about what to say to get over this situation smoothly.

Hey, I’ve been friends with you for years and you don’t even notice that?

It’s just cute how he slyly jokes every time something like this happens.

“Hoo? That’s really the reason you’re calling… ?”

-Did I just survive being deceived? Why are you being so mean to me?

“I created an Instagram account that I had never used before, and the first thing I did with that account was watch my Labang, right?

-… ….

“Are you still going to pass it off as just a phone call?”

+++

‘I’m embarrassed.’

I only thought about making a phone call right away, so I didn’t prepare any excuses.

… No, does he only get crazy in situations like this?

Normally, I would have made up some nonsense, but today, perhaps because I’m tired, my brain can’t come up with a suitable alternative.

I was contemplating whether to leave it to my instincts and say anything.

-You called because you were worried about me.

A word that hits the nail on the head.

I felt like my heart was dropping.

+++

“The day the vlog was uploaded, I turned on Labang and called to see if I might get hurt by the malicious comments. Right?”

Get up from your seat and head to the kitchen.

Take out the milk kettle from the shelf, boil the milk, and pour the cocoa powder into the mug.

You didn’t say anything during all of this.

No, I guess I couldn’t do it.

Still, is there anything else?

I am a fool who likes fools like this.

“You always couldn’t say anything when you were worried? “What, do you think that if you do that, time will stop for everyone in the world?”

Squeak-. Slowly pour the warmed milk into the mug.

When you stir it with a spoon, the fragrant milk scent and sweet cocoa scent come together, and you will feel better.

Take a light sip.

Then I ask you, who still does not answer.

“You didn’t watch the vlog, right?”

+++

“…… Under. Are you checking my YouTube?”

I don’t know how many times I’ve laughed out loud.

I can’t remain silent any longer, so I answer quietly with a deep sigh.

“… “It may seem like an excuse, but I wanted to see it.”

-I guess they just wanted to see the reaction. I don’t watch vlogs.

“… ….”

-Why? Also, is it because you have nothing to say?

After the sound of shallow laughter, the sound of someone drinking something can be faintly heard.

If I were to drink it at this time and in this weather, would it be cocoa?

… Anyway, I really had nothing to say.

“… “I’ll see you later.”

-After the call?

“… “I’m going to sleep right after I finish.”

-Then when are you going to eat tomorrow?

“… “I’m really going to see it.”

I’m not even a child, and I mutter quietly so that they can’t be heard over the phone.

In the meantime, the questioning tone felt trivial and cute, so I started laughing without realizing it.

-Are we still friends?

Until I heard this.

+++

“No matter what happens, we’re friends, right?”

I asked vaguely on purpose.

Rather than not hearing an answer at all, I wanted to hear something like this.

+++

“…Something out of the blue.”

My heart was pounding.

I felt it briefly yesterday, but I never thought it would come again so quickly.

… I definitely thought the answer back then was enough.

I felt like I needed to say something, so I muttered something meaningless.

“Is it because of the vlog? “Are you afraid I’ll get hurt by this?”

Even though I knew it wasn’t true, I deliberately changed my words.

-That’s right. I’m afraid you might get hurt. That’s why I asked.

Luckily, you quickly fall for my story———

-Am I fast, or are you slow?

It was your usual voice.

Rather, it was softer and kinder.

-Minah. We’re complete opposites, aren’t we?

You let out a shallow laugh.

+++

“I have many blessings, but my first blessing will definitely be you.”

-… ….

“No. “My first blessing is you, Yumin.”

I bring out the many things I want to say, find the ones that can reach you, and press them down.

I am sober this time. There is no corner for you to run to.

That said, I don’t want to push you into it.

“Of course you can’t. Rather, they probably see me as annoying and a childish child who needs to be taken care of. Are you okay. “I don’t care if you think so.”

Because we are complete opposites. That’s why we were able to remain childhood friends for 15 years.

I don’t want to destroy that time in vain.

“But———.”

Until you like someone else.

Until I give up on you.

“For now, just stay by my side.”

I wish you would give me a chance to be by your side.

+++

If you think about it, it was like that.

Other people draw such sharp lines, but why are they so kind to Han Chae-won?

Are you going to keep denying that they are dating?

I can’t even remember the face or name of the person who said those words now.

It’s just the middle school graduation ceremony.

She was my friend, a girl who confessed to me that she liked me all three years of middle school.

This is what she said, wiping away tears and getting angry, saying, “You have never looked at me even once.”

Well. I never thought much about it at the time.

Once you get used to something, isn’t it bound to become dull?

Chaewon was that kind of person to me.

No matter what I did, I wasn’t angry or annoyed, I just———.

I just felt comfortable and happy being with you.

Now that I think about it, it wasn’t that I liked it because it was comfortable.

I felt comfortable because I liked it.

Because it’s good. Because it’s just good.

So no matter what you did, I wasn’t angry or annoyed……

Even though I went through ‘the nineteen days’, I can still be friends with you.

“… Fool, did you forget? “I said I was always on your side?”

I try to swallow my breath filled with cloudy emotions and answer calmly.

…… I don’t know if you’re fast or I’m slow?

Chaewon, that premise was wrong from the beginning.

Because.

“We’re childhood friends, dude.”

Because I was too fast, and you were too late.

+++

“———Then let’s meet with me.”

+++

“…… What?”

-Let’s meet, let’s meet.

“———Huh?”

-Ah, is there a possibility of misunderstanding if I say this?

The sound of drinking something was heard again.

Soon, you heard the sound of a cup being placed on the table, and you cried out in a playful voice.

-I don’t know because you haven’t watched it, but the vlog went much better than I expected. While we were doing this, we reached first place in Ingeup-dong. The number of views is already 4 million.

“… Uh?”

-I’m sorry. I made you a superstar.

A sound of laughter filled with embarrassment.

Only then did I understand what you said.

“Now, wait a minute? “That’s already 4 million?”

-Yes. Before Labang, it was 2 million, but during it, it dropped! And he climbed up.

That video has already reached 4 million views.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the large number that left me speechless.

“… “What on earth did you say?”

-I didn’t really say mare. Rather, you just told me not to talk nonsense because you’re an ordinary person and didn’t mention anything about the vlog?

“4 Million. 4 Million… ?”

-I think it will go up to several thousand units if you think about it in a few months? … Huh? Hello? Are you listening?

It doesn’t make sense.

Regardless of whether I like it or not, it has literally grown so big that I, who only saw the trees, have no idea how wide this forest is.

So I didn’t say anything and just blinked.

-I’ll get off right now.

You didn’t know my situation, so you asked that question in a worried voice.

-I talked to the company and asked them to do their best to prevent any problems from happening to you, but they will definitely let you down.

“… Huh?”

-I’ll make it private for now, Yumin, I’ll contact you later———.

“Now, wait a minute. “There’s no need to go that far.”

-… Are you okay?

“Sorry. I was so surprised and didn’t understand it that I was stunned for a moment. “It’s honestly hard to believe that an ordinary person can be the subject of 10 million views.”

He quickly responds with a bitter smile.

“It’s okay, I am. I recognized a few people today, but I didn’t feel uncomfortable or anything like that. “There’s no need to go that far.”

-Are you sure it’s okay?

“Let’s meet up.” “It came out because of this vlog, right?”

-… Anyway, I half-forced it. I tried to set up a meeting to take care of your concerns as much as possible.

After listening to it, I thought it was a huge scale. I was surprised by the number of 4 million, but I didn’t think it was necessary to get that high.

“It’s a one-off V, so is there a need to go that far?”

-Hey. It’s because you didn’t see it. I’ve been getting so many requests to take pictures with you again.

“… “That much?”

-Look for comments later. I heard you’re handsome and cool, and you even have good manners…. Under. Anyway, your fangirls are growing in real time, dude.

I can’t believe I got someone to like me with just one vlog.

I was wondering how best to accept this, as I was dumbfounded again.

“So. Are you going to do it or not?”

A question that came up suddenly. I tilt my head in response to the incoherent question.

“… Should. “What?”

-Don’t drag it on. Are you going to do it or not?

Well, there are all those ambiguous sounds.

If it were me, I would have scolded him and told him to be specific……

“I will do it. There’s nothing bad about doing that.”

I am the one who proudly achieved 100 points in Korean despite failing to complete the CSAT.

Because this was a question about meeting with the company in context, I expressed yes for now.

+++

“What?! “You want to meet me?!”

I openly fulfilled my selfish desires.

+++

“…… What?”

-Okay, well thought out. The Kang Yu-min I know never leaves Han Chae-won alone———.

“This means I will meet you personally…” ?”

-Isn’t it obvious?

“Hey, this is different….!”

-If it is different. Is there a problem?

“Well, that’s———.”

-It’s okay if we are different, right?

I was speechless.

As you said, I had no problem meeting you personally.

It was an overreaction.

-I won’t play childhood friend with you anymore.

It was my karma that I pretended not to notice.

-So, you too, stop playing as childhood friends.

You have become much more mature than that day.

-If you really care about us.

Unlike me who stopped.

+++

-…… Sorry. I can’t do that yet, Chaewon.