Chapter 20: Creeping uneasiness

Lee Hyun and Song Yujin turned to the owner of the voice, Kang Ji-eun, who stood not far from them. She was surprised to see Song Yujin talking casually to the vice president and blurted his name out unconsciously.

"Ah, hello, Kang Ji-eun," Song Yujin greeted her. "What brought you here?"

Kang Ji-eun looked at the table. Song Yujin followed the focus on her almond-shaped eyes and was speechless after narrowing his gaze to one of the notebooks, where a delicately written name was on the edge.

He grinned afterward, realizing something, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he leaned against the table. "So, these books are yours. I thought they all belonged to the vice president. You sit here? Sorry, sorry, I took your seat."

Song Yujin quickly stood and moved away. Kang Ji-eun's cheeks flushed as soft pink as she tried to explain, "No, no, it's fine. You can sit back! I will…uh, just move to another table." She frantically gathered her belongings, but Song Yujin held her arm and stopped her.

"Nah, you should stay. I didn't know you guys were on a study date. I'm sorry for intruding on your precious time together. I should go then. Bye~."

Kang Ji-eun's pale face turned extremely red. She hastily grabbed Song Yujin's arm and exclaimed, "It's not like that, Song Yujin! I just—

"Silence in the library!" Ms. Jang's stern voice echoed in the whole area, making some of the diligent students flinched. Her strict and accusing eyes were fixated on them, which made Kang Ji-eun flustered and embarrassed.

She immediately bowed in the direction of the librarian, mumbling her apologies.

Song Yujin scratched his head, feeling guilty for teasing the girl. He sighed and took his arm back, which was still held by Kang Ji-eun unconsciously. He glanced at Lee Hyun, who had been quietly observing the exchange and remaining impassive as ever.

His eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing. Instead, he turned his attention back to the book, clearly indicating that he was not interested in participating in their banter.

The transfer student smirked at the vice president, whispering, "Don't worry about it, vice president, I won't tell anyone—ow!"

He spun to the person who slapped him on the back, only to find Kang Ji-eun's horrified-looking face.

What, what? I'm the one she hit but why is she the one who looks afraid? Song Yujin pondered as he rubbed his back.

Kang Ji-eun frantically waved her hands, looking regretful after realizing she casually hit someone she wasn't close with. She stammered as she tried to explain again, "Oh my god, I'm sorry! I'm sorry, my hand instinctively moved! A-And…I-I'm just…asking Lee Hyun about a problem…!"

Her voice stopped when Lee Hyun stood, gathered the only book he had with him, and walked away, muttering to himself, "Noisy."

Kang Ji-eun and Song Yujin were left speechless. After a few seconds of silence between them, Yujin gave the girl an apologetic smile and said afterward, "I'm sorry, it seems like he was annoyed by me so he left. Wait here, I'm going to call him back."

His arm was grabbed again. Despite the disappointment shown on Kang Ji-eun's face, she forced a small smile and shook her head, answering, "There's no need. He might have also been annoyed by me. He was just sitting alone here when I came and pestered him with questions."

Song Yujin, confused, "Huh? But aren't you together? You're the only girl I always find with him."

"What? No!" Kang Ji-eun exclaimed a bit louder. She covered her mouth quickly after realizing her volume increased. She then whispered firmly, "We're not. Maybe that was because I'm the class representative, so he would let me talk to him, but he doesn't normally talk with girls and even boys in our class. In fact, I noticed you're the only one he talks to."

"Did you see him answer me earlier?"

Kang Ji-eun paused before she slowly shook her head again. She sighed and looked at the door where Lee Hyun exited. Song Yujin followed her gaze, and then he shifted them back to the girl, wondering, how can Lee Hyun ignore her? Kang Ji-eun is so pretty! She's the class representative too…means she must be smart and responsible.

Kang Ji-eun excused herself after that. Song Yujin sighed and scratched his head, still feeling guilty for interrupting the two. It was clear that the girl had feelings for the vice president and was probably making her move, but he came and sabotaged that.

"Ugh, stupid Yujin," he muttered to himself and slapped his forehead as he walked out of the place.

He went home alone, getting used to that ordeal on his own. After arriving at his house, he wondered why the house was dark and eerily silent. Opening the entrance door, he walked in carefully, reaching for the light switch on the wall.

As soon as he turned the lights on, a shout startled him.

"Congratulations, Yujin-ah!"

Yujin froze as the light flooded the room, momentarily blinding him. The sudden burst of brightness revealed a scene he hadn't expected – his entire family was gathered in the living room, their faces brightened by the ceiling light, but their expressions were glowing with happiness and pride for his achievement.

"Congratulations, my little brother!" his older sister, Kim Hajin, repeated with unrestrained enthusiasm and excitement, her eyes sparkling with pride. "I told them about your try out and you were so amazing, Yujin-ah! You're so fast!"

Yujin blinked, his shock slowly giving way to a wide, disbelieving grin. He scratched his head after, now feeling shy from the genuine compliments. "What's all this? A simple greeting is fine. I suddenly felt pressured to do my best."

His father, Kim Jonghyun, stepped forward, patting Yujin on the back. "What do you mean by a simple greeting, son? Of course, we wanted to celebrate your achievement! Although still at this moment, I'm wondering why you suddenly decided to join a club, and the track and field club at that! We were surprised when you first told us."

Seo Hari, his adoptive mother, smiled warmly from behind the table, but her eyes were jokingly squinted looking at Yujin with suspicion. "Right. I thought you had no interest in clubs unless they have a club for e-sports in the school. Seriously, Yujin, you surprised us, but you made us proud too. Congratulations, son. Come here and let's eat."

The room was filled with the rich aroma of home-cooked dishes, and the table was a feast of his favorite foods. The sight made his heart swell with appreciation.

As he moved closer to the table, Hajun hurried over and fist-bumped with him. "Congrats, Yujin. I bet my AirPods you won't last long."

"Hajun!" Kim Hajin exclaimed, glaring at his younger brother.

Song Yujin laughed and clinched his salty foster brother by the neck, to which only earned laughter from the others. "What did you say? Alright, say goodbyes to your AirPods then, Hajun-ah!"

"Ugh, let go, you dumbass!" Hajun complained, but his voice sounded unannoyed.

Song Yujin laughed and tightened his arms around his neck before he let him go, but as he did so, he smelled a tiny whiff of cigarette on Hajun's collars. Song Yujin stiffened.

"Yujin, let's eat!"

Song Yujin's thoughts only snapped back to the present upon hearing his sister's call. Hajun went over, unsuspecting about his sudden pause. As Yujin watched his brother sit on the chair at the dining table, he couldn't help but feel a creeping uneasiness settling inside him.