By Zephyria 
“What do you mean, ‘what do I want to do’?”
“Like, ‘I want to reconcile even though I hate her,’ or ‘I want to cut ties because I hate her.’ If we know that, maybe we can help you with something?”
“That’s…”
Min Si-hu blinked his large eyes and mumbled. His big, round eyes drooped pathetically. I quietly closed my mouth.
“Of course, I want to get along well, but…”
“Then that’s settled. What are you worrying about?”
Ban Pyo-ran paid no mind to Min Si-hu’s stammering. He smiled brightly, as if he’d heard the answer he wanted, and pointed his index finger forward. His kind eyes, befitting a protagonist, sparkled with energy.
“There’s only one way to handle this!”
And the method Ban Pyo-ran proposed was utterly characteristic of him.
“Honest conversation!”
“Ah… but…”
Min Si-hu avoided my gaze, looking troubled.
He stammered out excuses, saying he couldn’t remember ever having a real conversation with his mother, and that she probably wouldn’t welcome a conversation with him either. He seemed utterly lacking in confidence.
We need to resolve this through conversation.
The reason why a common, obvious truth like this is reiterated like gospel is because it’s difficult to put into practice, even when you know it.
It seemed difficult if the person involved lacked confidence for such a direct approach. Just as I was thinking this, Ban Pyo-ran wore a puzzled expression.
“Si-hu.”
“Huh?”
“Do you not want to talk? Do you dislike the situation of talking with your mother?”
“Uh, it’s not that I dislike it, but…”
His question was pure. Min Si-hu visibly flustered.
“From what you’re saying, it sounds like you dislike it. I’m not trying to criticize you. If you dislike it, please tell me clearly. So we can think of another way.”
Min Si-hu seemed speechless. Ban Pyo-ran reached his hand towards the center of the table and said firmly,
“However, if it’s not that you truly dislike it, but rather you’re hesitant because it’s unfamiliar, or you lack the courage, we’ll help you as much as we can. If you need time to make up your mind, tell us. We can wait for that too. We’re friends.”
I looked at Ban Pyo-ran with newfound admiration. He spoke so clearly, and he seemed incredibly amazing.
No wonder he’s the female lead!
Min Si-hu’s face flushed, as if he’d been hit by a dart. I stared blankly at him for a moment, then suddenly realized I should support Ban Pyo-ran too, and reached my hand out to the center of the table.
And I added my best line.
“…That’s right!”
“……”
Min Si-hu, who had been stunned as if struck on the head, slowly began to flush from the tip of his nose to his brow. Perhaps not wanting to show his reddening face, he dropped his head. Just as I started to feel a bit of pity seeing his vulnerable side.
He took a breath and mumbled enigmatically.
“I… can’t win…”
“Huh?”
“I admit it.”
After uttering the meaningful words, he suddenly lifted his head. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and smiled faintly, reaching his hand towards the center of the table.
“Even if Jjuni likes Rani… Si-hu can’t win.”
“What?”
“Huh?”
“What nonsense is this!”
“Hae-jun likes me? No way.”
I jumped up, reacting out of sync with Ban Pyo-ran, asking, “What nonsense is this!”
Wasn’t this misunderstanding already resolved? Why now, out of the blue? Weren’t we just having a serious conversation about Min Si-hu’s mother!
Hurriedly, I glanced at Ban Pyo-ran’s expression. Ban Pyo-ran, who had been looking at Min Si-hu with wide eyes, gradually wore a strange expression.
Ban Pyo-ran lowered one eyebrow and spoke cautiously.
“Si-hu…”
“……”
“Are you perhaps into Hae-jun?”
“Hold on!”
I reflexively let out a yell and sprang up from my spot like a frog. Fearing he would say something else strange, my body instinctively moved to stop them. The best course of action was to shut him up.
Ban Pyo-ran and Min Si-hu, startled by my bizarre behavior, looked up at me. Their eyes read, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ Both their hands were resting neatly on the table.
I stood awkwardly, alone.
What do I do now?
I need to change the subject naturally!
Cold sweat trickled down my back. Impulsive actions were never the answer.
Just then.
Knock, knock.
As if on cue, a knock sounded at the door. Like a planned intervention, I rushed towards the savior outside. I flung the door open and welcomed the visitor.
“Yes!”
“Oh my, you startled me.”
The surprised housekeeper’s eyes widened like saucers.
“I’ve brought the tea tray.”
But it was only for a moment. The housekeeper, returning to her professional demeanor, calmly and quickly set up the tea tray and disappeared. Before leaving, she didn’t forget to mention that the madam had personally selected the menu with care.
“……”
“……”
We sat around the table again, looking down at the tea tray.
Luxurious butter cookies, beautiful slices of cake, neatly cut assorted fruits, and drinks in glasses filled with ice. Even the tray holding the refreshments exuded elegance. It was so abundant, I wondered if we deserved such hospitality.
After a staring contest with the tea tray, I spoke first.
“Um… I heard footsteps in the hallway. Shall we get some energy and then continue our discussion?”
“Mhm, let’s do that!”
I made an awkward excuse and picked up a fork. Ban Pyo-ran nodded enthusiastically, as if to match my pace. I was afraid he might be spinning some wild fantasies in his head, but I’d rather not know. Ignorance was bliss.
“The housekeeper barely makes any noise…”
“I’m just a bit sensitive to sounds, haha!”
Min Si-hu mumbled, sounding puzzled, but I just made up an excuse and stuffed my mouth with fruit. It was a clear signal to stop talking to me.
And so, their nonsensical ramblings were glossed over.
After replenishing our energy with the seemingly endless snacks, the conversation naturally shifted to ‘What should we do now?’ without me having to initiate it.
“But how do we start this ‘honest conversation’?”
“Should we go with you when you talk?”
Ban Pyo-ran was all smiles. I shuddered and shook my head.
“That might be a bit…”
“Are you uncomfortable, Hae-jun? Then the two of us will go.”
“Um… we don’t necessarily have to do it today…”
“But you know what they say, strike while the iron is hot. Si-hu, can you do it alone?”
Min Si-hu, who had been slurping his drink through a straw, shook his head at Ban Pyo-ran’s question. As if just imagining it made him tense, he fidgeted with his fingers. I kept my mouth shut.
“Um…”
It wasn’t a normal situation for friends to get involved in someone else’s family matters, but the problem was that Ban Pyo-ran made it seem like he could handle it.
Could I trust those two to go? Should I have brought more people? But they were all poor conversationalists, so it probably wouldn’t have been much help. For now, I asked Ban Pyo-ran what his plan was.
“What are you two going to do? Do you have a plan?”
“Since Si-hu finds it difficult to even start a conversation, I thought I’d greet her first and try to open the door for dialogue. Then, when the conversation gets serious, I can return to the room.”
I couldn’t do that myself. Even after talking with Seong Hae-min, I thought, ‘How did I even manage to have that conversation?’
It was true that Ban Pyo-ran seemed good at this kind of thing. However, it wouldn’t be easy to lead a conversation without being the person directly involved or a professional.
I thought hard about Min Si-hu’s mother, whom I had met earlier. She had been overly formal and stiff, not like someone interacting with her child’s peer. I couldn’t imagine her interacting warmly with her child, but I could easily imagine her briefing a planned news report in front of people.
“Do you have any idea how to start the conversation?”
“I’m sure words will come to me when I get there.”
“Then… how about starting the conversation by asking for career advice? Since your mother is an anchor, Pyo-ran, you could say you dream of becoming an anchor…”
“That’s a great idea!”
Ban Pyo-ran nodded quickly. Min Si-hu also nodded along.
But ultimately, the real conversation would be Min Si-hu’s responsibility. If he was so unreliable. Worry was unavoidable.
“Can you… do it? Talk with your mother.”
“Um.”
“Be brave!”
When Min Si-hu gave an ambiguous answer, Ban Pyo-ran playfully slapped him on the back. Min Si-hu flinched, perhaps because it hurt more than expected.
“You just need to be brave! You have love for your mother.”
“Courage…”
“Confess your feelings honestly. It might not be easy. It requires a lot of courage. But we’ll be by your side.”
“My feelings, honestly…”
Min Si-hu repeated Ban Pyo-ran’s words as if they were a code. I added my own words. This time, more than just one sentence.
“That’s right! Be brave.”
As if that wasn’t enough, I added two more sentences.
“She’ll accept it better than you think. Trust me.”
“…Yes! Si-hu, I’ll try to be brave.”
His face flushed with emotion, he nodded resolutely. Despite his large build, when he wore such an innocent expression, I couldn’t help but feel like I was looking at a brave child.
The two prepared to go to his mother, who was in the study. Before leaving the room, Ban Pyo-ran neatly finished his drink. Seeing him crunching on the ice, I felt reassured.
As Min Si-hu was brushing off his clothes before leaving the room, he suddenly asked.
“By the way, Si-hu suddenly has a question.”
“What is it?”
“Fireflies, you know.”
“Fireflies?”
A famous children’s song flashed through my mind.
Fireflies, the epitome of loneliness in songs! I tensed up, bracing myself for whatever unexpected metaphor would come next. Strange analogies were his specialty. I frantically racked my brain, wondering what further comfort and encouragement I should offer.
“Do they turn into dung when they grow up?”
“……”
I’m so annoyed!