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Junu glanced at her, and if she didn’t know better, she’d have said he looked worried. “I have some at home.” And he stepped on the gas, speeding through a red light.

Miyoung didn’t have the energy to complain about his horrendous driving.

51

THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND,Changwan dragged Jihoon out against his will to see daylight. He’d been spending too much of his time in the classroom or the hospital, according to his best friend. The forecast actually called for rain, which Jihoon sullenly pointed out.

“You want to go to the PC room?” Changwan asked as they entered a coffee shop.

“Wasn’t getting some sun the whole point of coming out?”

“Oh.” Changwan looked crestfallen and Jihoon gave in.

“Well, if you want to spend an afternoon getting your butt handed to you, who am I to deny you?”

Changwan grinned and seemed absolutely delighted at the idea of having Jihoon beat him at video games all afternoon. It was enough to snap Jihoon out of his sour mood. He’d been a bad friend lately. Plus, hanging out with Changwan gave Jihoon an excuse to skip another unnecessary summons from Dr. Choi.

Then Changwan glanced over and his eyes lit up. “Hyeong-nim!”

Jihoon glowered as Junu walked up to the counter.

“What a coincidence! Were you here to get coffee, too?” Changwan sounded like a fan greeting his favorite idol.

“Itisa coffee shop,” Junu said with a crooked grin perfectly styled for his face. The counter girl sighed as she replied with asmile of her own. Jihoon wanted to punch the dokkaebi right in the mouth. “Haven’t seen you online lately. When are we going to do another round of Starcraft 2v2?”

“You guys have been hanging out?” Jihoon asked, suspicion blooming.

“We ran into each other at the PC room a couple of times,” Changwan explained, his eyes darting between Jihoon and Junu. “He’s a great gamer. You should see his skills.”

“It was a nice coincidence. But it was good luck for me. I love a good gaming partner.” Junu gave a sly grin that told Jihoon it had not been a coincidence.

So this was how they wanted to play it? Keeping tabs on him and his friends? Did Miyoung think this would change his mind about her? If so, she was sorely mistaken.

“And how are you, Jihoon-ah?” Junu asked, his address far too familiar.

“I’m fine,” he said.

“Can I buy your coffee for you, Hyeong-nim?” Changwan asked.

“Oh no, I’m older, I should be buying for you.”

“I insist, Hyeong-nim!”

“Thanks, Changwan-ah.” Junu gave an amicable nod.

Changwan beamed. “No problem, Hyeong-nim.”

“Just call me Junu-hyeong.”

“Yes, Hyeong-nim,” Changwan said obediently.

Junu laughed. “You’re funny. I like you.”

Changwan lapped up the compliment like a starving man given bread. “Thank you, Hyeong-nim. We were just going to the PC room. You should come.”

“Sounds fun,” Junu said.

“I just realized, I have a checkup with Dr. Choi.” Even more tests were better than spending a whole afternoon with the dokkaebi.