HERSHE - SEULRENE

SR - Friends

"So, you're saying that you two got back together?" asked Irene before sipping from her glass of mango juice.

"Yeah. Officially together again." Bogum smiled as he twirled the pasta in his fork. "Isn't it funny how she only realized that four months after the breakup?"

"Maybe she just got confused? At least the breakup made her realize how much you mean to her.."

"It did. And honestly, she panicked a little after she found out from Dad I was going out with you." Bogum chuckled.

"Should I hide now?"

"Don't worry. She doesn't kill. But yeah, she tortures."

"Ooh. Scary." Irene shuddered. Bogum laughed again. "On a serious note tho, I'm happy for you."

"Thank you." Bogum lightly bowed. "But you know what, I realized something just now. The break up was hard for me, yes, but I am happy it happened."

Irene folded her arms on the table. "And why is that?"

"If Yoojung didn't break up with me, I don't think we'll get closer," said Bogum. "Being friends with you is a breakup retribution I'm glad happened."

Irene gave him a warm smile. Although a lot of things have been troubling her lately, Bogum is one of those few people who give her joy from time to time.

"I'm thankful to have you as a friend too," she said.

Bogum went back to his food. "How about you, how's he?"

Irene was glad that she didn't choke on her food. Because the truth is, she's not okay.

She never got the chance to talk to Seulgi towards the end of the week because Wendy was very diligent to drive her and pick her up. Irene didn't even bother to ask Seulgi out over the weekend because she remembered how Wendy told Krystal, when they all got together in the elevator, about her weekend plans with Seulgi.

Irene isn't sure how it happened. It's like she doesn't exist in Seulgi's world anymore, and it's killing her. She was glad that Bogum asked her out today because she was gloomy all day in her room.

"It's hopeless, Bogum," said Irene, absently tapping the tip of her fork on her plate.

"Hmm? How come? What happened?"

"Everything is just too complicated now, more complicated than you can imagine."

"I don't mean to intervene but I think I know what your real problem is," said Bogum, pausing a little while waiting for Irene to look up to him. "It's that Seulgi, right?"

Irene's chest pounded. "H-how--"

"Well, anyone can notice the closeness. But only the keen ones can tell that there is something going on between the two of you."

"Oh." Irene looked down, feeling shy.

"She's the one with you in Haeundae, right?" asked Bogum, getting a nod from Irene. "She's the one you were talking to in the café that Friday night too, right?"

Irene nodded again. "I'm sorry. I was afraid to tell you because I thought you'd look down on me."

"Why would I do that? I was just waiting for you to tell it to me," said Bogum sincerely. "And why are you keeping everything bottled until now? Do you want to make yourself go crazy?"

"You know it's not as easy as what you're having with Yoojung."

"I know. But you can't keep yourself hurting like that. Is this because of your mom?"