By Zephyria “Instead of just saying that, please tell me how I can hear the secret….”
[If the Sudden Event Quest fails, the Inferiority Score will increase by +30.]
Just looking at the data so far, I could fully expect that much of a score increase. But still, my fingertips turned cold.
In fact, I’ve noticed that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to lower the Inferiority Score recently.
Looking back at when the score was high, it was easy to lower the Inferiority Score with just a slight change of heart. But after the score recorded a single digit, it wasn’t easy to lower even 1 point. It’s as if leveling up becomes more difficult as you get closer to the maximum level.
In this situation, +30 points could be a fatal blow. So, I had to succeed in today’s event no matter what.
I have to succeed….
I really don’t like this Sudden Event Quest.
Why should I force Se-han to tell me a secret when he doesn’t want to? For what reason?
I don’t know what they’re trying to do by dragging out personal matters that he doesn’t want to reveal under the pretext of saving Sung Se-han.
[If the Sudden Event Quest is successful, Sung Se-han’s Photo Album will be provided as a reward!]
“Sung Se-han’s… photo album? What is that?”
[Sudden Event to Celebrate Lee Tae-kyung’s Re-Debut!]
[2 hours and 35 minutes remaining until the time limit!]
“Ha…! Damn it.”
I gritted my teeth and ran out of the apartment entrance without thinking. I was in a difficult situation because I couldn’t call a taxi since I didn’t know where Sung Se-han was right now.
“That bastard, he hasn’t even called me once on a day like today.”
I bit my lip and reluctantly took out my phone. What other way is there to find Sung Se-han other than asking him directly?
“Huh…?”
The moment I opened my phone, a sedan approaching the apartment entrance caught my eye.
It looked familiar, and it turned out to be Kang Robin’s sedan. Kang Robin wouldn’t come here at this time, so the driver is probably Sung Se-han.
I put my phone in my back pocket and ran to the sedan. The sedan stopped in front, and the passenger seat door opened.
“It’s amazing, Lee Tae-kyung.”
Looking inside while holding the car door, Sung Se-han, with his arm on the steering wheel, gave a friendly smile.
“How did you know to come out?”
Sung Se-han was just wearing a comfortable T-shirt and slacks. But still, he was radiating light as if he had just jumped out of a CF.
My heart sank even further at the feeling that the distance between us had grown even further while I hadn’t seen him. The uncomfortable gaze that followed me as I got into the passenger seat and fastened my seatbelt was probably for that reason.
“Tae-kyung, why aren’t you looking at me?”
I don’t know why, but it was hard to look at Sung Se-han.
“It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other….”
Thud. Sung Se-han grabbed my chin, and I reflexively slapped his hand away.
“Ah, sorry! I….”
Then I stuttered even more, more embarrassed. Ah, why am I like this….
“Sorry, did it hurt?”
Sung Se-han leaned towards me and started examining my face. I tried my best to make a calm expression.
“It couldn’t have hurt. It’s almost healed.”
My tense body gradually stiffened as his brown eyes examined the gauze on my cheek and scanned my face thoroughly.
“Seeing the scar makes me angry again.”
“Sung Se-han.”
My eyes widened as Sung Se-han’s husky voice lowered.
“You clearly promised to forget about Kim Hyuk-soo’s incident.”
“How can I forget that? I’m just holding it in.”
“Ah, damn….”
It became awkward to turn my head because Sung Se-han was making eye contact. The brown eyes, sparkling as if they were watery, were constantly focused on me.
“Our Tae-kyung….”
Moments like this are too painful. I can’t even breathe because I’m afraid of making rough breathing sounds.
“You’ve become prettier since you debuted.”
“Hey, don’t talk nonsense.”
I couldn’t speak nicely because I was annoyed that he hadn’t said a word about our music video even after watching it.
“It’s not nonsense.”
Sung Se-han, who muttered to himself, grabbed the steering wheel again. Only when the car slowly started moving did I remember today’s quest.
“Where are we going?”
“I have to go congratulate you. Today is Lee Tae-kyung’s anniversary.”
Sung Se-han continued speaking as if he was quite excited.
“We have to have dinner at the most amazing place today. It’s actually hard to make a reservation, but I….”
“Sung Se-han.”
I pointed to the empty lot next to the mart on the right.
“Pull over there for a bit.”
“Why?”
“Let’s talk.”
“Can’t we talk while we go? The chef will be waiting for us.”
“…….”
Hmm. Sung Se-han, letting out a light sigh, turned the steering wheel towards the empty lot.
This area was usually quiet, but today there were many people going in and out of the mart. After looking around, I turned my body to the left and looked at Sung Se-han.
“Se-han.”
I don’t want to, but I can’t get 30 points of Inferiority Score.
“If you want to have dinner with me, tell me one of your secrets.”
“Haha. Is today a secret-telling mission?”
Sung Se-han playfully winked, but I wasn’t in the mood to laugh.
It was because I remembered the reason why I felt like I was falling into a swamp.
Before I could blame myself for what right I had to demand a secret, this guy should have told me anything.
From the start, there shouldn’t have been any secrets between us. Then I wouldn’t have made such an unfair demand.
“If it’s not a mission, am I not allowed to want to know your secret?”
I resented Sung Se-han for making me ask such a question.
Someone other than me was so confident as if they knew everything about you, but why am I….
“Are we really, Best Friends?”
What I had been ignoring all along was the thought that the closest person to Sung Se-han might not be me, but someone else.
I continued to suffer without even knowing why I had to go through these emotions.
“Tae-kyung, I don’t have any secrets.”
The shameless bastard, he spits out lies without even changing his expression.
“There are things I haven’t told you, though.”
It was Sung Se-han’s insincere answer that didn’t consider my internal conflict at all.
“Are you kidding me right now?”
Even though I knew I had no right to be angry, I couldn’t help but feel wronged.
Sung Se-han, you said I was precious to you. Then you shouldn’t make me feel this way.
“Ah, this is a disaster. I can’t make Lee Tae-kyung angry on a day like today.”
I could feel it in his light, soothing tone. Even though he knew I was upset, Sung Se-han had no intention of continuing this conversation.
And I didn’t want to vent my meaningless anger on Sung Se-han today.
“Se-han, I have to go in early today.”
Even though I had wanted to see this guy all along, I didn’t want to be with him right now.
“Let’s have dinner next time.”
Click. I unbuckled my seatbelt and opened the car door.
“Lee Tae-kyung.”
I quickly got out of the sedan before Sung Se-han could grab my arm.
“Drive safe.”
I said goodbye calmly, but I didn’t look at Sung Se-han’s face. After closing the door, I walked back towards the apartment.
10:08 PM. Checking the time on my phone calmed me down. Five minutes is enough to hear a secret.
I slowly pressed the speed dial without any rush.
Beep— Beep— Beep—. After three rings, I heard the voice I had been waiting for.
—Tae-kyung?
“Jae-yi Sunbae, hello.”
Jae-yi let out a hollow laugh at my greeting.
—I didn’t expect Tae-kyung to call me? What’s going on?
“I didn’t get to say goodbye at the hotel before. Sunbae, is this a good time to talk?”
The quest was to hear one of Sung Se-han’s secrets, but there was no clause that I had to hear it directly from Sung Se-han.
—I can talk, but….
Jae-yi dragged out his words. I put the phone to my ear and focused on Sunbae’s voice.
—Anyway, your business is Sung Se-han, right? Isn’t it?
“Um… that’s right, actually.”
Since he brought it up first, I thought it might be easier than I thought. My heart raced, and I walked faster.
“Sunbae, maybe Se-han….”
—But, we’re not close enough to gossip about Sung Se-han, are we?
I should have gotten closer by calling him a few more times. I cleared my throat lightly and continued.
“Sunbae, I’ll treat you to a meal next time.”
—Not a meal, drinks.
“Yes, then with whatever alcohol you want.”
No matter how hard I try to calm down, I keep feeling dirty.
There must be plenty of Sung Se-han’s friends that I don’t know besides Jae-yi. Maybe his closest friend is among them.
—So, what do you want to know?
“I first met Se-han when I was twelve, but Jae-yi Sunbae, since when have you known Se-han….”
—I’ve known Se-han since he was eight.
Ah, you met Se-han four years before me. It’s embarrassing to even call myself his Best Friend now.
“Jae-yi Sunbae.”
I suddenly felt so drained that it was hard to continue the call.
“I want to know one of Se-han’s secrets.”
—Why are you doing this, Lee Tae-kyung?
Jae-yi suddenly raised his voice.
—I just wanted to complain about how rude Se-han is, you know? A secret? Who’s going to deal with the aftermath if I tell you something like that?
I stopped walking and gripped my phone tightly.