With a bewildered face, I turned my back on the nodding junior.
As soon as I left the stuffy classroom, my head became clearer.
I went straight home after leaving the building.
Lately, I've been feeling overwhelmed with fatigue.
Icould identify the cause, but I couldn't think of a proper solution.
I just hoped that the situation wouldn't worsen.
I entered the apartment complex, massaging my shoulders filled with fatigue.
It was a moment of hurried steps.
Won suddenly noticed a seal in his vision and stiffened.
The one leaning against the pillar with a nervous look on his face was Eun-pyo.
Eun-pyo was biting his nails with his gaze at his feet.
It was one of his bad habits that he picked up whenever he was nervous.
Suddenly, Eun-pyo raised his head.
The eyes that were looking around did not try to avoid Won, but instead focused on Won.
Won took a long breath as he looked at Eun-pyo walking towards him with a bright smile on his face.
I just wanted to rest today.
"Won-ah."
Eun-pyo made a simple voice that seemed like he had put a lot of effort into making it up.
Won ignored this and passed by.
"Won-ah!"
Eunpyo, who dared to follow the path along the circle, followed closely to the side.
"Won, let's talk with me."
I have nothing to talk about with you.
Won firmly said without even looking at Eun-pyo.
There was no hesitation in his steps.
Eun-pyo, who had been unable to move, finally blocked Won's path.
"Won-ah, I really...."
"Move aside."
"I'm really frustrated, so that's why."
I don't understand why you are showing this attitude now, long after we broke up.
After breaking up, what did you do and now?
I couldn't understand, but Eun-pyo was really looking desperate.
The complexion was dull, and the focus was unsteady.
The lips were dry, and there was no vitality in the face.
However, that doesn't mean I didn't want to restore my relationship with Eun-pyo.
Of course, Eun-pyo was a good friend.
We had a good connection for quite a long time, and we understood each other well.
What I regret now is not breaking up with Eun-pyo, but starting a relationship with him.
It ruined our precious relationship by getting caught up in a love offensive.
If Eun-pyo had asked about my feelings and even demanded to be friends, Won would have gladly accepted that demand.
I sighed as I looked into Eun-pyo's eyes.
Knowing that it was already too late, there was no need to feel regretful again.
The circle shifted its dry gaze into the air.
The wandering gaze that scanned the surroundings returned and met Eun-pyo's earnest gaze within its range.
"That's your business."
I'll do as you say. I'll leave the house as you say, so we...
Don't touch it because it smells disgusting.
Why are you meddling with other people's things without permission?
When Eun-pyo reached out his hand to grab the circle, a hand that seemed to have come from somewhere pulled the waist of the circle and brought it in.
Won, who had maintained an expressionless face all along, furrowed his brow.
Even without looking back, I could tell.
The person who embraced me was Woo-jae.
It felt like Woo-jae lowered his head, and I could feel his warm breath on the back of my neck.
Since when was he behind me?
Won turned his body to push away the hand that was wrapped around my abdomen.
However, before his shoulder could even twitch, Woo-jae tightened his grip on my wrist.
I felt an unspoken warning.
If I were to push his hand away, he would never let me go easily.
"...What is this..."
Eun-pyo's frowned as if he had misheard something.
His voice trembled as he asked Woo-jae.
His widened eyes alternated between Won and Woo-jae, who stood behind him.
"You seem to understand even though you can't understand words. The reason for salvation turning away."
"..."
Eun-pyo remained silent for quite a while.
His gaze stuck to Won as if he couldn't believe it.
In that moment, Won noticed feathers falling in front of him.
He looked up.
They were somewhat similar to the feathers of a black eagle he had seen before.
Ah, were you watching from there?
A gasp escaped unexpectedly.
Won, who had finished assessing the situation, had raised his eyes with a determined look.
Eun-pyo's expression turned fierce as he trembled his chin.
"Hey, you bastard, didn't I tell you not to mess with Won in front of me?"
"Do I have a reason to listen to you?"
Eun-pyo forcefully took a step forward with his eyes wide open.
Woo-jae nonchalantly stuck out his tongue with a calm expression.
As his moist touch reached the back of his neck, Won's body trembled.
"Aren't you scared?!"
Eun-pyo raised his voice.
His outstretched hand seemed as if it was trying to push Woo-jae's face away.
Worried that the argument would turn into a physical fight, Won quickly grabbed Eun-pyo's hand.
"Kim Eun-pyo."
"Don't take that bastard's side in front of me."
"I'm not taking sides..."
Won couldn't finish his sentence.
His pupils were filled with wounds.
As time passed, the corners of Eun-pyo's eyes drooped downwards.
A short sigh escaped.
He let go of Eun-pyo's hand.
The situation had reached this point, and the fact that Woojae was sleeping made me even more uneasy.
"It doesn't matter if you two fight."
"..."
"Could you fight somewhere else?"
He turned around, clasping his hands wrapped around his abdomen.
He met a face and gaze that showed no trace of laughter.
"Let go now."
"Is it okay for me to do this?"
It was a different face from usual.
Woo-jae didn't have a relaxed expression, nor was he angry, and he didn't seem unjustly treated despite his different tone of voice.
"I just helped because it seemed difficult."
His uncomfortable expression seemed as if he was suppressing something.
It was even more difficult for Woo-jae to intervene at this awkward moment.
Because it was an ambiguous time, there were few people around, which made it less embarrassing.
"So you're going to follow me home?"
"There's nothing that can't be done between us."
"What kind of relationship do we have?"
"Is it appropriate to say this in front of an ex?"
"This jerk still...!"
Eun-pyo reached out his hand to grab Woo-jae's neck, his face turning red.
Woo-jae reflexively swatted Eun-pyo's hand away.
Woo-jae looked down at his hand with distorted eyes, not even thinking about hiding his sunny gaze, and opened his mouth.
"You still can't tell the difference, it's not me, it's over there."
There was irritation in his voice as if he was annoyed.
Woo-jae shook his hand vigorously.
Unintentionally, Won felt deeply disappointed between them.
Eunpyo, who couldn't control his anger, showed it.
It was a bad omen.
If Eun-pyo, who had lost his sanity, were to return here and attack Woo-jae, it would be a big problem.
"Instead of just saying you feel like you're going to die, do something now...."
"Kim Eun-pyo, snap out of it."
Won quickly wrapped his hand around Eun-pyo's cheek.
His eyes, filled with excitement, were already dilating his pupils.
Woo-jae didn't have the presence of mind to continue speaking.
His gaze was fixed on me and Eun-pyo, sinking endlessly.
Eun-pyo's sharp fangs, which had grown rapidly, eagerly awaited to regain their original size.
"Don't get excited, look at who's in front of you."
While facing Won and his gaze, Eun-pyo's breathing slowly calmed down.
Eun-pyo closed and opened his eyes.
The fierce and eerie pupils of a leopard, full of life, soon returned to their previous form.
"...Won-ah."
This call was a relief this time.
With his eyes slightly closed, he let out a relieved sigh.