Childhood Friend of the Youngest Daughter of a Conglomerate Family

27 – Why do you do that?

“What was that? Someone you don’t know? Why did you say that?”

It wasn’t until 10:00 p.M. When I entered Ara’s room that she returned home, and I questioned what had happened during the day.

I didn’t want to make Ara, who came back from studying until late today, something more to worry about, but… This wasn’t something to just get over.

However, contrary to expectations, the words that came out of Ara’s mouth were not apologies or lame excuses.

“I couldn’t help it.”

“… I couldn’t help it… ?”

“Yes.”

Ara said that calmly.

That I couldn’t help it. Was there something unavoidable?

… I can’t understand.

“What on earth could you do? Do you have any trouble pretending to know me there?”

“So Sol, what do you think I should have said there?”

“What did you have to say? “

“Should I have told you that you are a friend living together, that you brought a child who was abused by his parents when he was 6 years old and lives with you in our house?”

“That… “

I couldn’t answer easily.

Is it right to introduce myself like that to middle school girls I’m seeing for the first time?

Yoo Ji-tae and Yoo Hyun-hyun are studying abroad, and since Yoo Jae-joon often leaves the house, the two of us are often alone at home.

Can I tell them about that?

A rumor like that circulates among middle school girls, and if it goes wrong, what will happen to Ara at school?

… But even so, it is difficult to understand something.

I somehow squeezed the words out and answered them.

“But… You could say that they were classmates from elementary school or just acquaintances, right? She has nothing to talk about like a complete stranger.”

“If I said that, could Sol immediately figure out what I meant by saying that and act it out? And even if Sol said you became that person, Minseop and he were there too. Will he be so attentive?”

“… That… “

“Look at that, Sol. Was she right there? Plus, even if she’s good, what’s next? Do you know how much girls are interested in dating? When you say men and friends, what kind of relationship do you have, do you not like them, how tired they are.”

“…… “

“More than anything, I hate it when someone hears and spreads rumors about the wounds Sol suffered in the past. I’m afraid you’ll be hurt and hurt by it again.”

Ara who said that came into my arms.

A scent that I don’t know whether it’s the smell of fabric softener or her body gently flowed from Ara’s body as she gently embraced my body with her slender arms.

It’s Ara’s scent that I’m used to. It’s the smell that calms me down.

“… And how handsome is our Sol? Even if I know you’re a black man, what do you do if someone falls in love with Sol and asks you to introduce him? You know I hate that.”

“… Why don’t you like it?”

“… Uh?”

“Why do I hate you when someone asks me to introduce myself?”

I was also startled by the sound that came out of my mouth without my knowledge.

Why did I ask this?

Ara’s words like that are something she often says, but now it’s just a joke.

Why did I bother to ask the meaning?

Ara also widened her eyes at my unexpected words.

“That’s it… Because I love you… “

“Is that all?”

“… Then no?”

“…… “

Ara’s eyes were trembling slightly as she met hers.

… I don’t know. Aside from this meaningless conversation, Ara’s explanation about today’s daytime had some truth.

But I don’t understand.

I feel uncomfortable like a thorn stuck in my throat because I don’t know what it is.

I loosened Ara’s arm around my waist.

“Sol?”

“It’s not that I don’t understand what you’re saying. However… something not you I don’t know your truth.”

“Sol, I… “

“… I’m tired. I’ll go to bed.”

Without further conversation, I left Ara’s room.

Usually, I would have just laughed it off, but why am I in such a bad mood?

I also thought that one day there would be something like an adolescent daughter and a father telling her not to pretend to know her even if they run into each other on the street, but why is her heart beating so fast?

… Her head hurts

———-

After that day, she became quite awkward with Ara.

No, should I just say it’s awkward?

Because Ara is acting as if nothing happened.

She still smiles brightly the first time we make eye contact when we wake up in the morning, chats while eating breakfast together with the housekeeper, and rubs my shoulder asking if nothing happened today even though I must be tired from returning home late at night.

The only thing she has changed is me who can’t accept her like she used to be.

… Am i weird I pretended that nothing had happened at the time, and outside of school, let’s pretend we didn’t know each other. Should I just take it for granted?

“What are you doing without exercising?”

“Ah, Chief Lee… just I was wondering if I was too narrow-minded.”

When I came to the gym and didn’t even jump rope, I was sitting in a daze, and Chief Lee approached me.

Normally, I would have been told to get up immediately and not be lazy, but for some reason he sat down next to me and asked.

“… Is it a woman’s problem?”

“Yes… ? No, a woman is a woman… Uh, it’s not that romantic, but between her family… Should I say it’s like a conflict… “

“Something went wrong with Ara.”

“… Well. Is this a problem between the two of us or is it just me… “

He knows everything about the family, so there’s no need to hide it.

I told Director Lee everything about Arawa.

Hearing my story, he put his hand on his chin and tilted his head.

“You did not act like Ara. I’m just not a kid who cares about the gossip that those little girls will spread.”

“But there is some truth in what Ara is saying. It’s better that she doesn’t have to create an opportunity to do that. And above all… He says he did it for me, so I can’t even say anything about it.”

“… You’re usually a smart guy, but you become an idiot when things go wrong.”

“Yes?”

Director Lee got up from his seat with a tsk tsk tongue and put on the glove that had been rolling nearby, only on his right hand.

Standing in front of his punching bag, he raised his gloved right arm as high as possible… I shot down with all my might.

Kwaan-!

The punching bag flew almost to the ceiling with a tremendous sound.

The terrifying sight caught the attention of all the pupils in the gym.

After blowing out a snort, Chief Lee came back to me and asked.

“How are you?”

“Uh… If it hits, will you just go to the goal?”

“Not so. Wasn’t that a very poor phone punch? What player in the world do you think would hit such an ignorant punch?”

Is that so? At least from my point of view, it was a very exciting and refreshing punch.

It seemed to have enough power to appeal to people even if it wasn’t necessarily a boxing match.

“But even with this needlessly ignorant and obvious punch, there are times in a man’s life when this is necessary…. For now, let’s dive in and see.”

Uh… Then I said that from the beginning until I had to strain my strength like that… No, is this also romantic?

But what are you saying to me?

“… I’m not sure. So, specifically, what do you mean I should do?”

“Anything related to love should be confessed first and then seen.”

“Yes… ? No, I just told you that I’m not in a relationship.”

What is this human talking about?

Didn’t you hear what I just said? I nailed it as something like family, not love, but that again…

Anyway, this is a problem for adults.

If the kids get along just a little bit, they’ll think about it and try to weave it… Do you know what kind of drama actors we are?

Seeing me bewildered, Chief Lee added with a smile.

“How about another? Anyway, even if it’s not a relationship, it’s not something a man should do to suffer and struggle alone. Whether it’s a relationship or a family, if there’s something frustrating, break through it head-on.”

“… Well, that might not be the case.”

Certainly, the current me may have needed something like that.

If you think about it alone, nothing will change.

Anyway, Chief Lee… Even if you pretended not to, you were taking good care of me.

Ugh-

A message came.

I got a text message from Ara asking me to come in early today.

What is it? Are you coming early today?

Why suddenly… Ah.

“Oh, it’s my birthday today.”

I’ve been so distracted lately that I completely forgot about it.

A promise to be together on your birthday no matter what happens.

Ara and I have kept it every year.

… But how come no one at school wants to wish me a happy birthday?

Since morning until now, no one has said congratulations, so I didn’t know at all.

It’s true that Minseop Gu is the only friend of the same s*x…

Anyway, this is why boys can’t do it.

“… We are here.”

“What is this?”

Chief Lee, who was quietly listening to my self-talk from the side, held out the glove he had just worn.

It’s an old, faded glove.

“It’s a birthday present. It’s something I cherished, but I brought it to you today.”

“… Thank you very much.”

I’d rather talk or not.

What was your favorite item? What do you bring for me

I saw everything rolling around on the floor until now.

… Anyway, this is why boys can’t do it.

———-

When I went home, Ara, who came home first, greeted me with a wide smile.

She was also with Minah, who was in the same school as her.

Eat a cake prepared by Ara and Mina together, receive presents, see off Mina on her way home, and only after being alone with Ara did I say what I wanted to say.

“Yoo Ara, go to high school together.”

“Suddenly, what are you talking about? We’re not even in our second year yet, so why are we talking about high school already?”

“Are you going or not? Tell me now.”

“… Why really I haven’t even thought about high school yet.”

“Then promise me that you will go to coeducational school no matter where you are. I will follow you.”

“… Sorry. That’s not allowed.”

“… Why?”

“…… “

“You mean you can’t even tell me why?”

Ara lowered her head and couldn’t answer my words.

It’s frustrating. But for some reason, I also vaguely expected this situation.

I whispered into the silent Ara’s ear.

“… Do whatever you feel like. Then I’ll go to the one closest to your school. Just like middle school did.”

“Why do you do that… ?”

“I told you. I will be by your side for the rest of my life.”

When I was in my third year of middle school, during the school counseling session, I repeated what I said the other day.

“Where is the closest school to Baedeum Girls’ High School?”