WTFUDLS 05

Chapter 05

One of the dumbest things you can do is to keep denying a lie that’s already been caught.

If someone realizes you’re lying, it means they’ve got some kind of proof or at least a strong hunch.
Denying it anyway just makes you look pathetic.
Admitting it right away might be a little embarrassing, but at least you’ll come across as someone who can own up to a lie.

But there are some lies you have to keep denying no matter what—lies that absolutely cannot be exposed.
At times like that, you even have to fool yourself, especially when it’s a matter of the heart.
Like right now.

The moment Hansol spoke, Noeul repeated to herself, I like Ji-woo? That’s ridiculous. Did I ever do anything that would make it look that way? Ji-woo suits Joon-gi. I’ve been working so hard to match them up. Sure, I think she’s pretty and cute, but that doesn’t mean I like her.

Noeul said aloud,

“You’re asking if I like Ji-woo? As in, romantically?”

Acting clueless and saying something like “Of course, she’s a good friend” would be way too obvious.
Trying to play dumb would show right through.
Especially since Hansol had figured out something no one else had noticed.
A clumsy lie would fall apart in seconds.

Where had Noeul slipped up? She’d thought she was careful.
Why did Hansol notice?
The idea that someone like Hansol had been watching her all along suddenly felt scary.

Hansol gave a small, crooked smile.
On her usually blank face, that one raised corner of her lips felt like mockery.
Noeul’s chest tightened.
It was as if Hansol already knew everything—like lying would be pointless.

Noeul prided herself on reading people.
From their tone, expression, or voice she could guess their feelings and motives in real time.
But Hansol was the exception.
Hansol rarely smiled and almost always wore a neutral face; you could never read her.

Unlike other kids, Hansol didn’t bother trying to fit in with a group.
She was like a high schooler quietly watching a pack of grade-school kids play—apart, but not lonely, and never embarrassed to be alone.

Noeul thought Hansol’s aloofness came from her looks.
If an unattractive person is alone, it’s because they can’t make friends;
if a pretty person is alone, it’s because they don’t need to.

Hansol was tall—probably over 170 cm—with long limbs and a tiny face that made people mistake her for a model.
Her features were sharp enough to look mixed-race, and the blunt bob haircut that few could pull off suited her perfectly.
Unlike bubbly, lively Ji-woo, Hansol was cool and mysterious, which made most guys hesitate to approach her.

Some boys whispered that Hansol acted arrogant just because of her face.
Noeul always thought, If you had a face worth trusting, you’d act aloof too.

Hansol spoke in that unreadable way of hers.

“Yeah. Romantically.”

Noeul gave a short laugh.

“No.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Why would you think that?”

“Just… the way you talk and act. It looks that way.”

“Yeah? Whatever you think you saw, I’m not interested.”

As she spoke, Noeul convinced herself it was true.

Hansol tilted her head. “You really don’t care about Ji-woo? She’s so pretty. Cute, kind, great personality.”

That was bait—making it sound natural to like someone beautiful, tempting Noeul to let her guard down.

“She is pretty,” Noeul admitted. “But it’s more like looking at a celebrity. Like a mannequin. I can see she’s beautiful, but it doesn’t make me feel… that way.”

Hansol nodded, as if that answer satisfied her.
Then she added thoughtfully, “Hmm… yeah. Say it like that and most people believe you.”

“…What? Believe what?”

Noeul instinctively looked away, a chill running down her spine.
How much did Hansol know?
Had her voice or face just betrayed her?
No. She had to keep denying. Feelings don’t leave evidence; if she says no, what can Hansol do?
She’d only been startled by the unexpected comment. That was all.

Noeul kept a neutral expression.

Hansol said quietly, “Why go to all that trouble? Liking someone isn’t a crime.”

A crime? Noeul thought bitterly. Why isn’t it a crime?
If someone tried to buy luxury goods with a fifty-cent coin, people would call them shameless, a thief, crazy.
It’s the same.
For someone like me to offer my feelings and hope for Ji-woo’s heart in return—that’s a crime.
Exchange is supposed to be between things of equal value.
Breaking that rule is a sin.

That night, Noeul realized how guilty she’d felt.
Objectively, she’d never done anything that obviously showed interest in Ji-woo.
Going along when Joon-gi met Ji-woo? Joon-gi had asked.
When Ji-woo joined the English club, Noeul just told Joon-gi so he could join too.
The internet café? Ji-woo had invited herself, and she was the one who begged to play the kart racer game.

There was no real reason to feel cornered.
What terrified Noeul wasn’t any outward action—it was her own heart.
Feelings always leak through somehow; once the heart leans, words and gestures follow.
You can’t pretend forever.
So Noeul absolutely must not fall for Ji-woo.

Clack.

Just then Ji-woo walked into the student lounge.
After greeting the others, her eyes landed on Noeul.

“Oh, hi.”

Noeul returned the greeting and looked back at her laptop.

Ji-woo sat across from her.

“Hangover’s killing you, huh?” Noeul said.

“Yeah, brutal. Hey, Joon-gi says let’s grab lunch.”

“Joon-gi?”

Noeul checked her phone. No messages.

“If he wanted to eat, he could’ve texted,” she said.

“His battery’s probably dead.”

“Figures. He’s never prepared.”

“He’s at the student center. If you don’t come, he’ll eat alone; if you do, he’ll wait.”

Perfect—an excuse to leave.
Noeul had been looking for a reason to get out, but leaving right after Ji-woo arrived would look suspicious, so she stayed put.

Then Hansol walked in.
Their eyes met, and Noeul quickly looked away.
She suddenly felt how awkward staying would be.

Slinging her bag over her shoulder, she said,
“Man, Joon-gi can’t do anything without me. Guess I’d better go.”

Ji-woo’s eyes lit up. “So you haven’t had lunch yet?”

“…Right. Why?”

“And you’re heading out for lunch now, right?”

“…Yeah. Why are you asking the obvious?”

“Then eat with me.”

“…Sure. The three of us?”

“No, just us two.”

“…What about Joon-gi?”

“That was a lie. He already ate.”

Ji-woo beamed.

Noeul stared, stunned.
Why was Ji-woo doing this?
Did she know what effect her cheerful invitation had?
Did she think Noeul would just assume she was simply hungry?
No way. She had to know this would make Noeul overthink.
It was almost infuriating.

No one would assume Ji-woo liked Noeul just because she asked to eat together.
That’s why she could casually plead in front of everyone.
If Noeul had done the same to a girl, people would label him a creep hitting on someone who wasn’t interested.
But Ji-woo just came off as adorable.
The only one getting suspicious looks was Noeul.

Ji-woo tugged playfully at Noeul’s bag strap.
“You’d eat with Joon-gi but not me?”

Noeul opened her mouth but couldn’t think of a reason to refuse.

The others threw in teasing comments—jokes that reminded Noeul of her “place”:

“Ji-woo, why are you so clingy? Didn’t know you were like that.”

“Still hovering since last night’s party? Let Noeul breathe.”

Ji-woo just giggled.
It would be nice to eat while watching that smile.
Walking to the cafeteria with Ji-woo bouncing beside her, seeing her chew cutely—it would all be sweet and dizzying, time melting away like ice cream.

Which is exactly why Noeul shouldn’t.

But there was no graceful way to refuse.
Any delay only drew more attention.
As the moment for escape slipped away…

“Hey, you promised to eat with me.”

Both Noeul and Ji-woo turned toward the voice.

Hansol.

Ji-woo looked at Noeul in surprise.

While Ji-woo stared, Hansol gave Noeul a quick wink.

…A wink? Seriously?

“Uh… y-yeah…?”

Noeul didn’t know what was happening, but somehow it felt right to go along.

Ji-woo blinked. “Really? Then why did you say you’d eat with Joon-gi?”

“Exactly,” Hansol answered for her.
“We agreed to meet here for lunch. Did you forget already?”

“Oh… sorry…”

Noeul felt she had no choice but to echo it.

Ji-woo looked between them.
“You two… close?”

“Kind of,” Hansol said, glancing at Noeul for confirmation.

Noeul nodded as if to say, something like that.

“Then… let’s all eat together!” Ji-woo suggested.

“Sorry,” Hansol said smoothly.
“I need to talk to Noeul about something important—just the two of us. Next time, okay?”

“Huh? Something important…?”

“Yeah.”

Hansol walked out of the lounge.

Ji-woo stared after them, bewildered.

“Noeul, what are you doing?”

Hansol jerked her chin, signaling Noeul to follow.

“Uh… right,” Noeul muttered, grabbing her bag and going after her.

Even after the door closed, Ji-woo kept looking at it.
Barely above a whisper, she said,

“…What the heck. Why avoid only me…?”

END