CH 8.1

Imagination (8)

I ran as soon as I made a decision and grabbed the boy by the hem of his clothes. When the surprised boy dropped the ring, I leaned over and picked it up for him. I slowly opened my mouth, looking at the boy even though his eyes were hidden by his hair/

“Hey, do you have a partner?”

“Huh?”

“Sihyun?”

“What?”

There were several words thrown at me at once. Among them was not the answer from the boy I asked, so when I looked at him, he slowly shook his head, his mouth agape.

“Uh, no…”

“Then would you like to be my partner?”

I didn’t mean to force him. At first glance, he seemed timid, but I didn’t want to scare him, so I spoke as softly as possible. The boy pursed his lips.

“Hey, don’t tell me…”

I heard Lee Hamin mutter something behind me, but I didn’t pay attention to it.

Is it because it’s a new class?

The boy, who could hardly answer, bit his lip. I really thought I would have to partner with the Four Great Heavenly Kings since he bowed his head so deeply. I could see the nape of his neck turn slightly red.

“Is it okay to partner with me?”

“That’s what I’m asking. Is it okay for us to be partners?”

Even though his appearance looked like he could be an important character in the novel, he was still better than the Four Great Heavenly Kings. I held back what I wanted to say and asked the boy back. The boy made a distressed sound before moving his head.

Nodding, I let out a sigh of relief. I felt free from the pressure that had been crushing me all this time.

“I’ve decided-”

Hoping that he’d understand, I grabbed the boy’s wrist and looked at the four bewildered Heavenly Kings. Haewoon and Geonwoo didn’t have any reactions, but seeing the other two looking at me in vain didn’t make me feel that bad.

I weakly raised the corner of my mouth, and put the boy’s ring on my finger.

A clear voice flowed from his lips as Lee Hamin’s expression crumpled beautifully.

“Are you serious?”

The smile disappeared from Seowoo’s expression, as if he was embarrassed. Hamin, who had been frowning, nodded and looked at the dark-haired boy. I hid the boy behind me, despite him being taller than me, and narrowed my eyes.

“Take it.”

I quickly handed the ring just in case it was taken away. The boy hesitated and looked at me. He repeatedly asked if it was okay. I held the boy’s hand to confirm and looked at his long fingers, troubled. Where should I put it?

The middle finger was the most suitable, but the middle finger of the boy’s left hand was already occupied with his ring, so it was weird to wear both on the same finger. Plus, it seemed ugly to put it on the middle finger. I was worried because his pinky wasn’t good, and his thumb or index finger seemed ideal, so I put the ring on his ring finger, unsure what to do.

“Ah…”

The boy exclaimed. As soon as the silver rings were placed on each other’s ring fingers, the small rings announced, ‘Pair registration complete’. On;y then did I smile lightly, relieved, and let go of the boy’s hand.

“Nice to meet you.”

“You look like a dog.”

“…”

When I tried to create a friendly atmosphere, a voice interrupted us, turning everything to dog shit.

I narrowed my eyes at the swearing, turning my head to Hamin. The 17-year-old boy had ‘I’m not happy’ written all over his face.

“Hey.”

“…”

“Don’t hide and come out. I don’t think I even saw you during the test. Where did you come from?”

Hamin, who stared at the boy behind me, shot back coldly, causing a stir. Certainly, even in Sihyun’s memory, I couldn’t remember seeing this boy on the stage.

I glanced at the boy with my own reasonable suspicion, and he was taken aback by my gaze. He grabbed onto me. Perhaps it was an act done instinctively out of panic, but the person seemed to be unaware of it.

“That’s… because I did the test last year…”

“Last year?”

Hamin’s eyes narrowed. The boy, who flinched, rattled his mouth. I didn’t feel well, so my knees buckled… I widened my eyes at his words.

Was it you?

If he looked like a younger brother, he would’ve been a bit young, but I didn’t know there was an older brother. If anything, I was 23 years old in the first place, but if my body was now ‘Kang Sihyun’, it wouldn’t have mattered since he was 17 or 18.

“Are you older than me?”

“…Yes.”

Quickly changing the way I spoke to him, the boy nodded and looked at me. I felt like the boy kept looking up at me even though he was taller than me; perhaps it’s because he kept shrinking. Well, I am staring at him, so what should I say? It felt like I was facing a big dog.

“You don’t like it?”

“No, no that.”

If you’re older than me, I’m going to use honorifics. I sighed, relieved when he replied indifferently. He didn’t look older.

“Look at them having fun.”

Why can’t he leave us alone?

I thought it was my responsibility to take care of him in this situation, so I looked at Hamin and frowned.

Still, he was 18 and Hamin was 17, but the way he spoke was so informal. As I was lost in thought, he took a step closer.

Normally, I would have backed down, but this time, I maintained my position because I had a friend who seemed like an 18-year-old brother who needed to be protected.