This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 74

When Dogun was in front of me, I found it hard to hide my racing heart and couldn’t focus on anything else. But the truth is, I could sense things pretty well for someone like Yoonseo.

So, distinguishing whether the person before me genuinely didn’t know who I was or was pretending not to know was something I could easily manage.

And for her, the woman standing right in front of me, Baeksulhwa, was clearly aware of who I was but was acting as if she didn’t.

What could the reason be?

Why was she pretending not to know when there was no real need for it?

‘…What’s going on?’

I couldn’t figure that part out just yet, but it was clear that seeing someone who didn’t already have a good reputation act this way stirred something within me.

That was why.

Even though I could have responded to what seemed like a reasonable request from her, I stubbornly held back.

And while we were caught in this subtle power struggle—

“Hey? What’s up, Yoonseo! What are you doing here?”

A voice, so familiar that I couldn’t mistake it, flowed into my ears.

It was slightly different from what I usually heard, mixed with a hint of surprise.

The moment I realized that, I bit the inside of my cheek to conceal my reaction.

The annoyingly busty and irritating woman before me?

I decided not to pay attention to her anymore.

It was just that, as soon as I heard Dogun’s voice, all the words I had been holding back deep within me began to bubble and surge uncontrollably.

– What’s up with that ridiculous rumor?

– Are you two… close?

– Why?

– When did you even meet?

– Why were you sweating…?

– No way, right?

– That can’t be it, right?

– All the rumors I heard were nonsense, right?

Such words… were rushing out of my mouth without any particular order.

So… I bit my lip hard enough to make it sting.

I didn’t want to show that kind of side to Dogun, and certainly not with so many people around me, especially with that irritating girl watching wide-eyed.

‘…How annoying.’

While I held back the surge of emotions bubbling within me, the worst part was… that she was still acting.

What kind of act? It was like she was expressing, ‘I’m just following the proper protocol. I’m not at fault for this commotion at all.’

Seeing someone clearly aware of who I was but pretending not to, made me silently grind my teeth, but at the same time, it oddly reassured me.

What does it mean to be discreet?

It must not mean that we were close enough to treat each other casually.

Which meant, the rumors I heard today were all false.

After all, logically, it wouldn’t make sense for people who aren’t that close to behave that way.

Compared to that…

“What’s up, why are you coming out now?”

Maybe he was startled by my unexpected appearance, but after throwing that single line at Dogun, I curtly replied, observing how his eyes darted around extremely aware of his surroundings, just to show that annoying girl the difference.

“Well… that’s because class just ended.”

“Dude… do you know what kind of misunderstanding I could have faced while waiting?”

I glared at Dogun, and immediately the expression on his face turned to one of grievance.

“Then you should’ve at least let me know you were waiting!”

“I could hardly contact you while I was in class. Are you an idiot?”

“No, well… you could’ve sent a text or something. A chat.”

“…Anyway! It’s your fault!”

“Oh come on… Anyway, but seriously, everything’s good. But… did you skip school by any chance?”

Seriously… why was he so astutely aware of trivial matters?

“…What are you talking about? Classes just ended early today!”

“But still, this doesn’t make sense time-wise…”

“That’s… I took a taxi.”

“Oh really? So, what’s going on?”

“Yeah…?”

“Well, it can’t be that you took an expensive taxi just to come all the way here without a reason.”

Why wouldn’t I have a reason?

But that was… something I couldn’t say right now.

Unlike what I feared, their relationship seemed to be barely at the acquaintance level, which made it even more difficult.

‘Crap…’

What should I say?

I wish I had at least a little time to think, but even that was lacking.

If I took too long to respond, they’d definitely find it suspicious.

‘What is there…’

So for a brief time, I racked my brain.

The light bulb that went off in my mind brought me to a realization amidst that chaos.

‘Ah…!’

I remembered something.

Yeah, that would work.

“Um… I have something to buy!”

“Then… you could just go alone.”

“That’s why there’s so much I need to get!”

“With a taxi… for shopping… you must be overflowing with pocket money these days?”

“Stop it… I’m trying to buy something for Dad!”

“Huh? For your dad?”

“Uh… well… soon it’ll be my dad’s birthday.”

“Oh? Is that so? Ah, right… I remember…”

Since that was the only thing I could think of, I used it as an excuse and felt pleased with myself.

It was just that when I was talking to Dogun, I couldn’t help but observe Baeksulhwa’s reaction, and the moment I started that conversation, I could see her expression change dramatically.

Seeing that made me feel as if I had indulged in a handful of expensive almonds, the flavor rich and satisfying.

“So, I was thinking… instead of a usual gift, I want to prepare a birthday feast.”

“It’s not because your budget is tight, is it?”

“…No, it’s not! I’m buying a gift separately.”

“If that’s the case…”

“But anyway! Honestly, I’m not really good with that sort of thing. I don’t even know what ingredients to use… so I thought it’d be good to practice a bit beforehand.”

“I’m glad to hear that you know something.”

“…What?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. So, you want me to help you out?”

“Hey, who’s making you do all that? I’m just asking for help from an expert since I don’t know much. You always say that when you don’t know something, it’s best to ask an expert.”

“Seriously, if you couldn’t just say something… Ugh, alright then, while we’re at it, I should also think about what would be a good gift for Dad.”

As the conversation wrapped up, I quietly whispered to myself.

‘…Sorry, Dad.’

“If you got that, hurry up and let’s go.”

“Excuse me. I just escaped from school, you know?”

“So what? Instead of that, hurry up and walk faster.”

“Uh, uh…”

*

While Yoonseo was pushing Dogun’s back to hurry up and leave, Baeksulhwa’s expression remained unfazed for a long time after they left.

And when Yoonseo noticed Baeksulhwa’s changed expression for the first time and thought it was because of the frustrating conversation, she casually passed it off as such… but that was not the simple reason at all.

This was equally true for Baeksulhwa, who was aware of the other students’ gazes as she passed through the school gate. Even now, she had long since loosened her expression, yet her mind was filled with questions.

Most of those questions… were regarding her own state.

‘What is this…’

What is this feeling.

Just a little while ago, during that exchange with that girl, Yoonseo, I thought I felt pretty alright.

But now, it was anything but that.

Not only did I not feel good, but it seemed as if someone had taken my feelings and carelessly tossed them to the ground.

I couldn’t understand why that was the case, and it made it all the more frustrating.

How did it come to this?

No, when did it start like this?

While I may not know other things, I could definitely recall one part clearly.

Because beyond that, there was nothing else.

So… it started right after Dogun finally showed up.

To be more precise… it was when that girl, Yoonseo, started talking.

From that moment onward, my mood had been… different.

It felt as though the sight of those two deep in their conversation, completely absorbed in their world, was a clear demonstration of what it meant to be disconnected.

It was as if an invisible wall existed between them.

As I watched them, completely oblivious to their surroundings, only focused on each other.

‘I thought we were a bit… closer than that…’

Clearly, that amount was not nearly enough.

‘…Oh.’

Thinking back, I hadn’t even gotten a chance to greet him.

While it would have been impossible to acknowledge him openly due to the other students’ stares, I had at least planned to make eye contact and nod for a tomorrow greeting.

But recalling how Dogun didn’t spare me even a glance since his appearance… made my mouth feel inexplicably bitter.