Ah, dear OLZ Team Members.
I would like to convey a reminder about one of our team rules.
Within our team, all matters related to romantic relationships, confessions, and affectionate behaviors are strictly prohibited. Please take note.
That’s all.
How long has it been since I typed out this lengthy message in the group chat?
I received a phone call.
Baek Seong-an.
A familiar name.
It was none other than Baek Seong-an.
“Hmm…”
Should I answer or not?
After a brief hesitation, I realized that avoiding the call was pointless since I had to see him face-to-face tomorrow anyway.
“…Hello?”
“Hey, Yujin. Are you free to talk right now?”
“Oh, yeah…”
An awkward silence followed.
Baek Seong-an was the first to break it.
“Uh… you know?”
“Yes?”
“It seems like you might be misunderstanding something, so I wanted to clarify…”
“Misunderstanding?”
What was that supposed to mean?
“During the dinner gathering earlier, Yeon-woo said something, and I think you might have taken it seriously when I…”
I couldn’t help but freeze for a moment at Baek Seong-an’s continued explanation.
Oh… ohhh???
The details turned out to be straightforward.
Apparently, when I was leaving the dormitory the other day, Baek Seong-an had teased me about going to meet my boyfriend, which Yeon-woo took a bit too seriously.
So, the question Yeon-woo asked during the drinking session was a continuation of that conversation.
I could believe that such a chat took place while I was gone, but the real problem was that I misunderstood it entirely.
“Th-thank you.”
“Yeah. See you tomorrow then.”
Click—
The call ended, and I stared blankly at my smartphone screen for quite some time.
“Ugh, this is just…”
I knew this would happen…
I knew it…
Bang! Bang!
I kicked the innocent blanket in frustration.
*
Morning came.
I might have stayed up all night, but I felt utterly drained.
“Ugh…”
I didn’t want to go to work.
No, I didn’t want to get up.
“Waaaah!”
Bang! Bang!
My blanket, which I usually kept clean, was now covered in dust as my kicking finally stopped.
‘Why did I do that?’
I stayed up all night thinking about it, but I couldn’t find an answer.
No… to begin with, their reactions were way too bizarre. It was definitely a situation that would lead to misunderstandings, right? Don’t you think?
It could also be attributed to the strange reaction my family had when I got home.
Everything just felt off yesterday.
Not just me, but the entire world seemed tipsy.
“sigh…”
Since lying around wouldn’t change anything, I trudged to the bathroom.
We had a game tomorrow.
No matter how good our team’s momentum was lately, I had to prepare hard.
After washing up, changing clothes, and doing some light preparations, I went out to the living room, where my mother was waiting for me as usual.
“What about breakfast? You need to eat.”
“Uh… I’ll go eat.”
“How’s your body? It’s not your first time drinking, is it?”
“I think I’m okay?”
“Really? I made some fish soup, so just eat before you go. It’ll help you recover.”
“I said I’m fine.”
Honestly, seeing my mother’s face felt way too uncomfortable, so I hurriedly darted out the front door.
“Are you really not going to eat?”
“Uh! I’m busy because of tomorrow’s game.”
“Then have a good day.”
“Yeah.”
Even though it was the same morning commute as always, my steps felt heavy.
The dormitory was just a blink away.
Not only was its location close to home, but I also secretly hoped I wouldn’t arrive.
“…Thank you.”
Getting out of the car, I exchanged polite nods with the security guard, slowly making my way to the elevator.
“Haah…”
Ding—
Finally, the elevator arrived, and as I stepped out, I nearly screamed at the sight of Kim Ji-hoon standing in front of the elevator.
He looked like he was heading out for his usual morning workout.
“Did you arrive?”
“Oh… you’re awake?”
“Yes. See you later then.”
“Uh, yeah.”
Kim Ji-hoon bowed slightly and got into the elevator.
One would think he could at least take the stairs to the gym, but it seemed today wasn’t a cardio day.
“Haah…”
I took a deep breath while watching Kim Ji-hoon and then headed into the dormitory.
Since I came out a bit earlier than usual, the hallway was still empty.
“Phew…”
Just when I was about to let out a sigh of relief.
“Hey? Noona’s here!”
I ran into Kim Jae-min, who just got out of the shower, his hair still damp.
My heart nearly stopped.
“Uh, uh. Did you sleep well?”
“No. I couldn’t because of Yeon-woo and her antics…”
“Really? Was she that drunk?”
“Thinking about what that brat did to me… I got hammered last night, but I still want to hit her more.”
“…Haha.”
I pondered whether to ask Kim Jae-min about Yeon-woo but ultimately decided against it.
Stealthily, like a sneaky cat, I entered the practice room and was relieved to find no one inside.
“Hey? You’re here?”
“Ah!”
Baek Seong-an suddenly appeared behind me like an assassin catching its target.
Seriously, my heart nearly jumped out.
“Could you at least make some noise when you come in…?”
“Why are you being so dramatic all of a sudden? Oh, and about that text you sent…”
“Ahhhhhh!!”
“…What’s wrong?”
“Could you just pretend you didn’t see it? I’m really embarrassed and about to die…”
Baek Seong-an chuckled lightly and nodded his head.
“No, but I think it’s better to keep it that way for now.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Our team is a bit unique, especially in this case.”
I felt like he was just trying to save my face, but I appreciated him saying that, even if it was just for show.
“…I guess that works.”
“Sure. By the way, Yeon-woo went to take a shower earlier. She didn’t seem well. I’m going to get some food, how about you?”
“Oh, I’m good… not really in the mood to eat.”
“Really? Alright then.”
With that, Baek Seong-an headed to the dining area.
I plopped down on the sofa in the practice room, half-laying down.
Maybe it was because I hadn’t slept properly, but I was so tired.
As I was about to drift off, I heard a voice.
“Noona?”
“Eep!”
I jolted awake.
“Uh, uh! Y-Yeon-woo! You’re awake?”
“I’m really sorry about yesterday. I said some things I shouldn’t have when I was too drunk…”
“Hmm? Oh, no! You can ask if you’re curious. We’re close enough for that.”
And then silence followed.
A silence that felt both long and short at the same time.
“Um, Noona.”
“Y-yeah? What is it?”
“I’m a bit worried about something… Can I ask you one thing?”
My heart sank.
“What is it?”
“I’m not the type to have prejudices or anything, but… um…”
After a moment of silence, Yeon-woo spilled what was on her mind.
“Isn’t it true that you’re not a guy?”
Ah…
Now everything Yeon-woo had said started to connect in my mind.
Yeon-woo knows I’m a prisoner.
And, at the same time, it’s known to everyone that prisoners are male.
“You don’t have to worry! I often get mistaken for a girl too. But when I explain, they usually understand…”
.
.
.
“Why are you so shocked?”
“Nothing!”
“Clearly not nothing.”
“It’s really nothing.”
“Wait, do you have a boyfriend or something?”
“Boyfriend?”
“Do you have a boyfriend, Noona?”
“Uh, no! Where did that come from all of a sudden?”
“I thought you might be hiding something.”
“Do you have anything you’re hiding from us?”
“I’m sure you do.”
“What is it?”
“Wait!”
“Hmm?”
“Yes?”
“Just a moment, I have an appointment.”
“Appointment? What kind of appointment?”
“Well, I have something like that!”
.
.
.
“Noona, do you…?”
“Hmm?”
“Phew… Never mind.”
“What is it?”
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
“Pff!”
“What? What?”
“Noona… do you have a boyfriend…?”
“W-Why would I have something like that?”
“That’s right? You don’t, right?”
“Why are you asking out of the blue?”
“I was just curious since last time…”
“Last time, what about it?”
“That is…”
.
.
.
– Ah, dear OLZ Team Members.
– I would like to convey a reminder about one of our team rules.
– Within our team, all matters related to romantic relationships, confessions, and affectionate behaviors are strictly prohibited. Please take note.
– That’s all.
“Ugh…”
Ahh… aaah…
Uwaaaahhh!!!
“…”
I was left speechless.
No, I felt like I died standing up.