Chapter 47. The Sound Youth Makes When It Drowns (3)

“Do you know this student?”

Park Seungjoo asked. Before Jaeheon could respond with one of his usual crude remarks and suggestive glances, Eunkyo stepped in quickly.

“We live in the same building. We’re just fellow tenants.”

A simple, clear answer. Jaeheon let out a hollow laugh, and Eunkyo felt the back of her neck grow hot. She knew how transparent and stupid that had sounded. But it wasn’t like she could just say, We’re the kind of people who kiss and mess around whenever we get the chance, right?

“Ah… I was thinking of renting a storage unit there. So you’re using the place, huh?”

“Mr. Park, they’re calling for you over there—are you going to stay here all day?”

Jaeheon clearly knew who Park Seungjoo was. His expression didn’t even flicker when he used the title so naturally. Seungjoo pulled out his phone and checked it with an awkward expression.

“Seems like there’s a problem with the sound system. I’ll go check it out. You’ll still be here, right? Let’s all grab a drink after the festival—just something light.”

He ran off without so much as a glance at Jaeheon, as if a kid like him wasn’t even worth keeping on his radar.

As Jaeheon watched him go, he leaned in, lips nearly brushing her ear.

“Keep it up, sunbae. If you really don’t want to see me lose my fucking mind. First you tell me to date someone else, and now you’re flirting with some dick-swinging asshole?”

He wasn’t hiding his irritation. When she didn’t respond, he finally let go of her injured hand and sighed, turning away.

Cheers erupted again as another pop star took the stage, and the music blared louder. Any minute now, the water trucks would start spraying the crowd. This formula hadn’t changed in over ten years.

She was no longer interested in a performance she already knew by heart. Eunkyo realized the only thing catching her attention today was Lee Jaeheon.

Still, did he have to say “some dick-swinging asshole”? As if he wasn’t one?

Frustrated, she marched after him—and finally broke into a run, grabbing his collar to stop him in his tracks.

“When does your shift end? I want to go home before I get soaked.”

For a brief second, something flickered in Jaeheon’s eyes. Emboldened by that, she went on.

“Come with me. Let’s go home.”

The beat of the music thumped through her skin, and her heart raced along with it. 

‘This is ridiculous.’

She thought. 

‘Even I know I’m being weird.’

Jaeheon, calm amidst the chaos, pulled his car keys from his pocket and pressed them into her hand.

Then, gently holding her shoulder, he bent down and pressed a kiss just beneath her earlobe.

“Go wait for me in the car. I’ll be there soon.”

His large hand briefly cupped the back of her head, fingers trailing down the line of her neck. As if to say, in front of all these people, we are more than just tenants.

Her skin burned everywhere he touched.

Only after she gave a small nod did his expression relax. He turned and walked away, leaving her staring down at the keys in her hand.

‘This? This is all it took? Why did something so small make her feel so happy?’

The emotional fog that had been dragging her down started to clear. She could breathe again. She could hear the cheering crowd.

***