This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 203

Just a little while ago, I was at school, and I rushed over here after getting your call.

Since a while ago, I noticed Yoonseo was rubbing her eyes, so I figured she must be really tired, and before I knew it, she was dozing off.

And not just lightly dozing, either.

It was like she felt bored just dozing off, as she tightly clutched the evidence of what she had managed to carry out herself.

That would be the wooden skewer I used to make the fish cake soup.

“Ugh…”

It’s really going to sting, isn’t it?

Seeing her like that made me accidentally chuckle.

Well, it was kind of funny.

The sight of her gripping the skewer as if she would never let it go now that it had outlived its usefulness felt somewhat cute.

Of course, the reason why she hadn’t taken her eyes off the skewer was entirely unrelated to that.

I was just glancing over her direction every now and then, just to be on the safe side.

So, while looking over at Yoonseo, I had been subtly nudging her head back in a different direction each time it swung too dangerously close to the table.

Honestly, I would much rather snatch that thing from her hands and toss it far away, but it was a shame that she was gripping the skewer with such determination that it made that impossible.

“Hey, Oh Yoonseo.”

“…”

“Are you asleep?”

She really must have been quite tired.

Until just now, she would at least stop dozing and respond when I called her, but now, even calling her out loudly got no reaction.

‘Well, no…’

There was a response, after all.

It was just her nodding off, nothing more.

‘Well…’

I guess she would be tired.

She had rushed over here right after school, plus her body was suffering from the cold winter air outside, and now she was warming up with some soup and alcohol, so the alcohol was definitely hitting her fast.

In any case, it was clear I couldn’t leave her like that.

I had thought she might come to her senses if I just let her be, but seeing her now, it seemed like she was about to faceplant right onto the table.

So, with that in mind, I figured it would be best to take her home, and using that as an excuse, I could step out.

Still, there was just one thing that nagged at my mind… Yoonseo was in a tipsy state.

I mean, it’s not that bad, but I could certainly smell the alcohol on her.

Of course, it wasn’t like the strong smell you’d get from someone who was completely wasted.

Just a slight whiff?

Even so, that nagged at my mind.

It couldn’t be helped since I had no idea how I could explain myself if I were to get caught by her dad while taking Yoonseo home.

Sure, if you looked at it, I was a victim too, but still… there’s such a thing as decency, isn’t there?

‘Maybe…’

Should I text her dad and ask for his understanding, then just let her stay over here?

Thanks to that, the thought occurred to me for a moment.

Honestly, that might even be better for me, for her dad, and also for Yoonseo who would definitely get her back slapped for sneaking home after passing out.

The room might… not have much space left over compared to before, but if it came to that, I could just shove Yoonseo into my room and I could crash in the living room or the master bedroom, right?

‘The problem is…’

It’s whether her dad would allow her to stay over…

To be honest, I didn’t believe the odds were very high.

From what I had seen and experienced, it seemed that way.

Her dad, who usually tried his best to fulfill whatever Yoonseo wanted as long as it was within reason, was one who absolutely would not tolerate her staying over anywhere.

Still, I thought it might be worth a shot, so with a bit of hope in my heart, I shot a text to her dad’s number, but… as expected.

The response was negative.

So what else could I do?

I had no choice but to risk running into her dad and take Yoonseo home.

“Hehe…”

In the meantime, I had to admit I kind of liked the warmth of my hand that was holding Yoonseo’s swaying head steady.

Yoonseo ended up with one of her cheeks pressed down, and a silly laugh escaped her lips.

Seeing that ridiculous sight, which looked just like a poorly frozen dumpling, made me involuntarily chuckle along for a second, but first, I needed to seize the skewer from her hand.

Of course, that was easier said than done.

Maybe it meant she liked the fish cake soup, or perhaps I had unintentionally become enemies with it, but she had a solid grip on that skewer, so I had to peel her fingers off one by one.

“Uh, Sis?”

“…Yeah?”

“Just wait a sec, I’m going to take her home and be right back.”

“…Okay, take care.”

So after I snatched away the dangerous item, I sought permission from the only one among us who seemed relatively okay, Chae-rim, and then I lifted Yoonseo with my arms.

While doing that, even if her responses were fine, the delay in her answers felt a bit concerning…

But it should be fine.

She had only drunk two cans and one glass, but unlike some who were completely knocked out, Chae-rim seemed completely alright.

“Alright, let’s pick you up. Up we go.”

“Ugh…”

To that, she asked if I needed any help since I was struggling to lift Yoonseo onto my back.

Of course, I politely declined.

Even if it was slightly difficult, it wasn’t impossible on my own, and Chae-rim had her crucial mission of keeping an eye on the senior and Bora.

“Alright, I’ll be back in no time, so please take care of things here.”

“…Yeah.”

Well, I was just saying that out of caution, but there shouldn’t be too much trouble.

Sure, I could make allowances for the Senior, who had been quietly staring at us since earlier, but looking at Bora, who had suddenly gone silent after tossing questions my way earlier, it seemed she too was about to doze off just like Yoonseo.

So even if I left my spot, the chance of the two getting into a fight was slim.

As I said before, it takes two to make a sound.

So it should be fine.

…Probably.

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Contrary to Dogun’s optimistic expectations, the moment he stepped out to take Yoonseo home, the atmosphere at the drinking table grew as cold as the air outside the house.

It was understandable.

It was inevitable because one part of the table, Seolhwa, wore a rather displeasing expression.

Chae-rim, who should have mediated between Bora and Seolhwa, seemed to have deemed it not her problem and had completely withdrawn her involvement.

So, while only the sound of Chae-rim pouring drinks echoed through the kitchen where the three were seated…

“…You.”

Finally unable to hold back any longer, Seolhwa broke the long-standing silence and stepped forward.

“Don’t you have anything you want to say to me?”

But even so, the chilly atmosphere didn’t improve; the reason was simple.

Seolhwa’s expression did not look good.

What was there to say?

Right now, Seolhwa was in a rather foul mood.

That was because Dogun’s actions, caring for Yoonseo while they were drinking, had stuck out to her in a way that felt suspicious.

It’s not like they were the only ones drinking, but the only person receiving care from Dogun was Yoonseo.

Doesn’t that seem a bit unfair?

Could it be that it was because their seating just happened to be next to each other?

If only she had known that, she would have sat in Yoonseo’s spot instead.

Was it the alcohol making her think this way?

Normally, such small grievances would have evaporated into thin air in no time, but today they seemed unusually stubborn.

Thus, Dogun caring for Yoonseo—no, simply Yoonseo—continued to revolve in her mind, leaving her in a bad mood.

That’s why she wanted to clear this pointless situation and just retreat to her room to rest.

And to do that?

She first had to address this pointless situation.

For that reason, she needed to extract an apology or something just as soon as possible.

That was the thought with which she spoke, but perhaps due to the twisted nature of the other person, her words came out differently.

Or maybe she was just too busy dozing off to hear it, but there was no response.

So—

“Nothing to say?”

She no longer felt the need to remain seated.

“Well then, can I head back upstairs?”