This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 287

Yoonseo’s Perspective

Is it because the reaction I got was within the range of what I expected?

Honestly, it didn’t hit me that hard.

But it’s not like it didn’t impact me at all.

It’s true that I was drawn in by thoughts of Dogun, but I can’t say there wasn’t a hint of selfish desire mixed in.

If giving Dogun a break could also lead to a date for just the two of us, wouldn’t that be considered a win-win situation?

Looking at it that way, I guess it was indeed a bit immature.

Taking a risk for just one date is undoubtedly immature, but…

“I know. It could be dangerous.”

So far, Chae-rim has been relatively calm despite warning me about potential dangers, but there’s no guarantee that will continue in the future.

“Then why…”

I wanted to ask why someone who knows that would even make such a request.

“But this seems a bit off.”

Preparing for any possible danger isn’t necessarily a bad idea.

But what if that ends up causing Dogun pain?

Wouldn’t that be a total reversal of logic?

“Isn’t it?”

“That is…”

I wonder if I couldn’t easily refute that statement.

Seizing the opportunity while Chae-rim was flustered, I pressed on again.

“So, please.”

Did my earnest request actually have an effect?

“…So where do you plan to go?”

A voice, much softer than what I had heard until now, flowed into my ears.

“That is…”

Unfortunately, the question I received was something I still couldn’t answer.

“So you haven’t decided on that yet.”

“Yeah, well…”

“Then how about this?”

How about what?

The moment I processed that statement, Chae-rim’s voice followed.

“Have you ever visited the Association?”

“…? No.”

“Then it wouldn’t be a bad idea to visit it this time.”

Only moments ago, I expressed my desire to wander freely without anyone’s interference, and now she’s mentioning the Association.

No matter how I think about it, that doesn’t quite sit right, and I was about to argue when Chae-rim spoke even faster.

“It’s a story only a few know, but… the area near the Association is actually really fun.”

“Really…?”

She said it was a secret story, and yet it was still the first time I had heard that tale.

“Yeah, there’s a lot around there. More importantly… if anything were to happen, I could rush over to help right away.”

Was that what she truly wanted to convey?

From Chae-rim’s expression, it seemed that was her best compromise.

So what if I rejected even that?

It would highly increase the chances of rejection from her side as well.

So what can I do?

Trusting Chae-rim’s claim that it’s a fun area, I have no choice but to accept for now.

“Is that settled then?”

“Well, for now?”

“Then let’s go with that.”

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a chance to go out with Dogun alone, and although it’s a bit troubling that the location happens to be near the Association… it’s still better than arguing about it endlessly.

And honestly, just managing to get permission from Chae-rim feels like an achievement in itself.

But amidst all this, one thing continues to nag at me, and that’s Dogun’s reaction…

“Really? I’ve actually wanted to visit at least once…”

Contrary to my expectations that he might be disappointed, Dogun’s reaction wasn’t bad at all.

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Dogun’s Perspective

To be completely honest?

I was a bit taken aback at first.

Given that Yoonseo has never been this serious before, I had also mentally prepared myself to choose a date course.

But then I heard the suggestion to go near the Association as a date spot, and I couldn’t help but think, ‘Is that the right choice…?’

Did my reaction show on my face?

“Are you… not interested…?”

Yoonseo asked in the world’s most cautious voice.

From my perspective, I couldn’t openly express the mixed emotions I felt regarding her request, so I could only speak positively about it.

Seeing my response seemed to relieve her a lot.

“Really? Thank goodness…”

With a look of relief, Yoonseo gently wiped her chest.

Considering her reaction, that might have been the best she could do.

That’s probably highly likely.

Chae-rim, who was quite strict when it came to matters concerning safety, probably wouldn’t have easily accepted Yoonseo’s request without conditions.

Looking at it that way, it felt somewhat surprising that Yoonseo managed to get Chae-rim’s ‘permission’.

‘What point did she hit to pull that off…?’

I was pondering that question in my mind when something similar, yet different, flowed into my ears.

“Hey…”

The moment I expressed my confusion, suddenly…

“Yeah?”

This time I unwittingly showed a look of curiosity.

“So, when are we going to meet?!”

Just moments ago she seemed completely fine, but within seconds her face turned bright red as she shouted that at me, eyes tightly shut.

Could the emotion pouring over her face somehow be contagious to me?

Suddenly, I felt my mouth grow a bit dry, and my heart began to beat in an unexpected rhythm.

“Uh, well… when’s good for you?”

I stumbled over my words without even realizing it.

“Me…?”

“Uh-huh.”

“For me, it doesn’t matter any time… what about you?”

“I don’t particularly have any plans…”

“Then since today is Wednesday… how about we meet on Friday…?”

“Friday after school?”

“…Yeah.”

To be honest, I was a bit surprised.

I thought for sure she would pick either Saturday or Sunday.

After all, that way we could meet from the morning and spend a long time together, right?

But Friday?

Is there something special about that day?

Lost in such thoughts, what caught my attention was Yoonseo’s careful glance at my left arm, which was still fully equipped with gloves and sleeve guards.

‘Ah…’

And the moment I looked at that, I realized why Yoonseo chose Friday instead of the weekend.

It was definitely for my sake.

She must have thought that weekdays would have fewer people around compared to weekends.

And I… could only feel more burdened the more people there were nearby.

That wasn’t always the case.

But at some point, I began to be conscious of it.

So I tried extra hard to not show it.

‘Guess I thought I was doing pretty well at hiding it…’

At least, that’s what I had thought until now.

But it seems I couldn’t pull the wool over the eyes of someone I’ve known for over a decade.

‘What a strange situation…’

Yoonseo’s consideration didn’t feel bad at all.

Honestly, how could it feel bad?

After all, it meant she was thinking about me.

So rather than feeling bad, it felt closer to being grateful… but therein lies the issue.

My grateful feelings swelled so much that I could barely contain them.

“Uh-hem…”

Covering my mouth with my hand as I coughed lightly was indeed because of that.

If I didn’t do something, my lips, which twitched from the tickle settled there, would give away my expression.

“Okay then… see you then.”

So with the date spot and date settled, perhaps because two of the most important things had been decided,

the moment I turned on my mobile phone, the screen changed from showing ‘Wednesday’ to ‘Friday’ in an instant.

And using the same principle, school ended in the blink of an eye… and before I knew it, I was standing in front of the mirror that I had hung up in the corner of my room.

So maybe that’s why I found myself staring at my reflection in the mirror, looking more dazed than usual, muttering inside.

Anyone would think I looked quite foolish.

Anyway…

‘…What should I wear today?’