502

 [Chapter 137]

[Those Who Live Above No Eunha (4)]

By now, I don't know how many penalty drinks we've had.

Though Eunha himself had a constitution where he didn't get drunk no matter how much he drank.

The problem was that he felt full from drinking too much beer.

He had already eaten a lot before coming too.

Moreover—

—Everyone's lost it.

Even when drinking penalty drinks, everyone was chattering noisily.

But now the girls seemed visibly tired from playing so much, and the guys were struggling after drinking a ton of penalty drinks.

Choi Eun-hyuk who came on an empty stomach right after training is staggering.

And in various other ways too.

"No Eunhaaaa! You shouldn't do that when Ha-yang is here, youuuu!"

"That's right, you shouldn't do that! Do you know... how I felt today?"

"Yeah... I'm sorry."

It's quite a sight.

Eunha sighed looking at his drunk friends.

Jin Pa-rang and Bong-gu-rae are sitting side by side with arms around each other's shoulders drinking. Kang Si-hyung and Lee Cheon-seo are laughing watching the two.

Min-ho and Eun-woo are busy drinking together.

Seo-na is scolding Eunha with a flushed face and stern expression.

Jeong Ha-yang is chiming in too.

Thud

Then Lee Cheon-seo collapsed first, hitting his head.

Eunha tried to lift Cheon-seo up but saw Kang Si-hyung staggering and thought they should end this gathering.

"It's late, let's get up."

"Youuu, are you not listening to noona? Drink, drink! Drink and die!"

"Geez... Just drink some water. Ha-yang, you too."

"You do it for me!"

"You're not a kid..."

Eunha poured water brought by a waiter for Seo-na and Ha-yang.

They calmed down a little after drinking water.

Eunha who got up from his seat also helped Jeong Ha-yang drink water.

Then he woke up his friends one by one to end the gathering.

His friends got up staggering.

When they left the bar, below-freezing wind greeted them right away.

"...It's cold."

"Let's hurry home. I'll take you."

"Okay."

As if already used to it.

Jeong Ha-yang who held Eunha's hand very naturally snuggled into his arms acting cute.

He supported her leaning against him and checked on his friends coming out of the store.

Fortunately, though it was hard to control their bodies, they seemed somewhat sober mentally.

"Hey, Eunha! Me, Si-hyung and Gu-rae will drink a bit more before going!"

"...Just drink a little before coming in. And come in quietly without making noise."

"Got it! We're going first! Let's go! My soul friends!"

"Um, I want to go home now... I want to remove my makeup too..."

"Oh my, honey. Where are you trying to go? We have to drink and die."

Jin Pa-rang, Bong-gu-rae, Kang Si-hyung.

The three with arms around each other's shoulders walked down the night street as if it was theirs.

Eunha turned his gaze away from them disappearing while singing.

Lee Cheon-seo is going somewhere while on the phone.

Somehow he seemed to be going the wrong way, but Eunha decided to leave him be.

There were so many people to take care of.

"Seo-na, you..."

"Don't wanna. I'm going to drink more following Pa-rang oppa."

"Boss... I'll take Seo-na home. I know where her house is."

"...It'll be hard but please do."

Jin Seo-na keeps saying something with slurred speech.

Eunha didn't listen to the stubborn fox's words.

He decided to leave her to Choi Eun-hyuk.

Though he was worried since Eun-hyuk was also staggering drunk.

...Should I take Ha-yang home while taking Eun-hyuk and Seo-na too?

Those two seem unstable too. At times like this the idiot hyung goes for round 2...

Eunha fell into thought.

When he decided to go home with the four after thinking—

—Buzz

A vibration sound was heard from somewhere.

The source was Jin Seo-na's handbag.

Seo-na rummaged through her handbag with a drunk's gestures.

Jin Seo-na who took out her smartphone blankly looked down at the screen.

She's silent.

"Why, who is it?"

"...My birth mother."

Eunha asked Seo-na who wasn't answering the phone.

She answered in a dull voice.

Only then did he understand why she wasn't answering and closed his mouth.

He decided to respect her wishes.

In the end, she didn't answer the phone—

"...!"

"—Yes, hello?"

"What are you doing now!?"

Just then.

Choi Eun-hyuk snatched her smartphone and answered the call.

Jin Seo-na who was startled shouted.

But she couldn't do anything blocked by Eun-hyuk's outstretched hand taller than her.

Meanwhile, Eun-hyuk continued the call in a lively voice.

"Yes, yes. Mother, then I'll take Seo-na home. Yes, don't worry. Yes, I'll see you in a bit."

Choi Eun-hyuk who ended the call gently.

Eunha couldn't see any signs of drunkenness from him.

It seemed all the intoxication flew away in the brief moment of taking the call.

"You, why are you answering my phone as you please?"

"Because you weren't answering. Sorry for answering the phone without permission. But I think your mother is a good person. So I hope you don't... try to avoid her too much."

"...It's my business. Don't do this."

"I'm sorry."

Jin Seo-na puts strength in her eyes.

Soon Choi Eun-hyuk who returned the smartphone to her apologized.

Nevertheless, her anger didn't seem to subside.

No, she seemed to be hiding her emotional turmoil with anger.

"Your mother was very worried."

"She's not my mom."

"Still... It's good to have someone who worries about you, right?"

"..."

"I just promised your mother. That I'll take responsibility and take you home Seo-na. Come on, let's go."

"...Don't do this again next time."

"Okay, I'm sorry."

Choi Eun-hyuk casually takes Jin Seo-na's hand.

She who was glaring at that hand soon relaxed her eyes and held hands.

"Boss, I'll take Seo-na home."

"...Okay, please do."

Choi Eun-hyuk looks reliable.

Eunha who had been quietly watching the series of events nodded.

Jin Seo-na obediently followed Choi Eun-hyuk with her tail down.

Now the remaining people are—

"—I'll take Eun-woo home."

"...You're really not drunk?"

"I'm not drunk."

"Okay... I'll believe you."

Min-ho struggling to hold Eun-woo who is jumping around on the snowy ground.

Eunha decided to entrust Eun-woo to him who outwardly looked fine.

"Bow to the goddess!!"

""...""

Cha Eun-woo is severely drunk.

Eunha expressed condolences to Min-ho.

☆

"—Eek!"

"You'll fall if you do that."

"Then you should catch me!"

Jeong Ha-yang kicks the snow piled on the roadside.

Eunha clicked his tongue seeing her walking energetically holding his hand.

Jeong Ha-yang kept grinning as if something was so good.

Then she stuck to Eunha's side and said.

"Another day has passed."

"..."

"It's the 41st day now."

She says as if telling him to remember.

Looking straight into his eyes as she spoke, she looked just like a rabbit.

Cute and lovable.

But even rabbits—

"—So did it feel good getting engaged to Seo-hyun unni?"

"...It was just okay."

Even rabbits have front teeth.

Eunha flinched seeing her who had already sobered up by circulating mana in her body.

He avoided her gaze.

Then she stared up at him intently until he looked at her.

In the end, Eunha lost.

"You're really too much..."

"I have nothing to say. I'm sorry."

"Coward."

"Yeah, I'm a coward."

"How much do you like me?"

"..."

"Do you like me or not?"

"...I like you. We're dating because I like you."

"Hmph, someone who likes me says to date for just 1 year?"

"..."

"Seo-hyun unni said. That you don't understand unless it's said in words."

"That noona said that?"

"...Why are you smiling when Seo-hyun unni is mentioned?"

"No, I just thought you two are really close."

"...I don't know. My shoulder feels empty. Hug me."

She's sulking.

Jeong Ha-yang puffs up her cheeks.

Eunha couldn't say anything.

He knew whatever he said would just be an excuse.

So he hugged her shoulder as she asked.

She loosened her hardened face as if she never did that.

The two moved their feet like that.

Then—

"—You know there's Valentine's Day coming up right?"

"..."

"Who will you spend it with?"

"You, you, you. I should spend it with you."

"White Day too!"

"Okay."

"Hehe."

"And I've been thinking since earlier—"

"Yeah. What?"

"—The ring is pretty."

"..."

Eunha was stung.

Of all things, it was his left arm around Jeong Ha-yang's shoulder.

If Jeong Ha-yang just rolled her eyes a little, the left hand right next to her, the engagement ring would come into view.

She quietly glances sideways.

"Is it too selfish to ask you to take off that ring when you're with me?"

"I'll take it off if you tell me to."

"No. Do it. It's okay."

"...Okay."

"Instead, I want to wear a ring too."

"...Okay, let's do it. Let's make one next time."

Though he decided to distance himself from Jeong Ha-yang.

Eunha nodded helplessly to what she said without being able to move.

Strangely, he couldn't resist.

If I knew this would happen, should I have made rings for three people together?

Though that wouldn't have been possible...

41 days have passed since they started dating.

His initial resolve was gradually dulling as he met her.

He's already getting used to her.

He knows that shouldn't happen.

But Eunha couldn't do anything about his heart becoming warm.

"Ah, right. That's right."

"What?"

"Dad said last time."

"What did he say?"

He can't easily make up his mind.

He calmly enjoyed the warmth felt right next to him.

She looked up at Eunha with a lovely smile and—

"—Dad said to meet soon."

"...What? What did you say?"

"We ate with Seo-hyun unni's family this time, right? Seems he felt left out. Dad said to have a meal sometime."

"...Do I have to go?"

"Mmm. Ah, if Dad doesn't come, that favor you asked before..."

"I'll go. Tell him I'll go. Say I'll come have a meal soon."

"Okay! I'll tell mom and dad."

"Haha..."

Eunha gave a dry laugh.

He owed so much to Jeong Seok-hoon.

Even now, isn't he doing all sorts of research to make the elixir?

He couldn't refuse his proposal.

Ah, I don't want to go.

It's obvious what I'll hear when I go.

Eunha inwardly made a crying face.

It was obvious he would get scolded by Jeong Ha-yang's family as soon as he went.

Even without that, he was called by Jeong Ha-yang's grandfather and severely scolded when news of the engagement was heard.

Recalling that time and imagining the future that would happen, Eunha thought he should distance himself from Jeong Ha-yang.

"I'm glad. I was worried what if you refused..."

"Wh-Why would I refuse?"

"Tch, liar."

"No, really."

"Then kiss my cheek."

"...Is this okay?"

"I'll let it slide once!"

Whether he could really distance himself from her.

Eunha became uncertain seeing her smiling brightly whenever she looked at him.

...I won't end up getting caught living like this, right?

☆

It's well past midnight.

There weren't many people passing by at this hour.

As a result, the snow-cleared road was all Cha Eun-woo's.

Cha Eun-woo runs around excitedly.

"...Go a bit slower. What if you fall?"

Though they were both drunk all the same.

Mok Min-ho who was somewhat more clear-headed than her took big strides forward and grabbed her.

Cha Eun-woo who was about to step forward swings her arms widely and turns.

Thud.

She landed her shoe that rose in the air in front of Min-ho's foot.

"—Teki. How insolent!"

"...Get a hold of yourself, please."

"Hey! Don't you dare let go of this hand!"

Her eyes are completely unfocused.

She's thoroughly drunk.

She shouted at him trying to open her unfocused eyes as straight as possible.

Mok Min-ho sighed as if utterly fed up.

"Why did you drink so much when you said you wouldn't drink?"

"I'm not a kid. I'm a goddess."

That goddess talk again.

Min-ho clicked his tongue seeing her pouting her lips like a child.

He wasn't unaware of why she called herself a goddess whenever she got drunk.

He understood to some extent.

"Don't drink so much next time. I'm worried."

"I drank because of you..."

"Because of me?"

"You know your sin!"

For nearly 10 years.

Cha Eun-woo killed her personality and devoted herself to assisting Choi Ga-in.

Though not quite treated as a maid, she was treated as a lady-in-waiting by her.

The reason she calls herself a goddess whenever she's drunk is surely compensation psychology for that.

Min-ho quietly looked at her who shook off his hand and pointed a finger at him.

"...It's my fault."

He mutters softly.

Though Choi Ga-in is dead now.

Mok Min-ho couldn't forget the past where he bowed his head to Choi Ga-in and just watched Eun-woo being mistreated.

He felt sorry towards Cha Eun-woo.

But ridiculously, Cha Eun-woo probably wouldn't want him to feel guilty towards her.

"Yes, goddess. I was wrong. Please forgive me just once."

So Mok Min-ho decided to try to forget the rising emotions.

Then he knelt on one knee on the melted snowy ground to humor Eun-woo.

The corners of Cha Eun-woo's mouth rise.

"Do you really know what your sin is?"

"Yes, it's all my fault."

"Good, the merciful goddess will personally forgive your sins."

"Yes, yes. Thank you."

Mok Min-ho going along with Eun-woo's act.

Min-ho carefully took her hand that had now become docile.

 In contrast, Cha Eun-woo very proudly stretched her hand towards him.

"Let's go now. It's late."

"Okay, take me somewhere."

"Yes, yes, goddess."

Min-ho unwrapped his scarf and put it around her neck.

She smiles broadly.

Min-ho gently pulls her closer.

Eun-woo follows him meekly.

"But where are we going?"

"...Home."

"Right. We were going home, weren't we?"

"Let's hurry home."

☆

The next morning.

Mok Min-ho's house.

"—How much did you two drink last night to come home completely unconscious?"

The family is gathered at the table for breakfast.

Cha Eun-woo is among them.

Cha Eun-woo kept bowing her head, unable to look up, at Min-ho's mother's words.

"You're not little kids anymore. Both of you need to be careful with your behavior. I was surprised Min-ho brought you home Eun-woo, but do you know how dumbfounded I was when you said you'd sleep in Min-ho's room like when you were young?"

""...We're sorry.""

"Sigh, it's fine if you understand. I called your mom yesterday Eun-woo, so call her after breakfast. Your mom was really surprised yesterday too."

"Yes..."

"Alright, both of you have some hangover soup."

Min-ho's mother brings out some beef bone soup.

Eun-woo ate the soup with a bright red face.

Her hand holding the spoon trembles.

She felt like crawling into a mouse hole.

Cha Eun-woo says she wanted to cry her eyes out then.