I let out a sharp breath, running a hand through my hair. "He’s ghosting me."
Soyoung snorts into her beer. "Ghosting you? The guy who follows you around campus barking like a dog trying to pick a fight? Hard to believe."
"He’s giving me the cold shoulder," I correct, staring at the wood grain of the table. "Because he’s an idiot."
"Well, that’s a given. But what specific kind of idiocy are we dealing with today?"
I hesitate, debating how much to tell her. But the alcohol is loosening my tongue, and frankly, I need a reality check. I need to know if I’m the crazy one here.
"He thinks I’m trying to steal his ex," I say flatly.
Soyoung pauses, the bottle hovering over her own glass. She blinks, processing.
"Lee Sejun."
"You mean that little omega late transfer with the sweater paws? That Sejun?"
"That’s the one."
"Why would he think that? You hate people who try that hard."
"Exactly," I say, gesturing with my empty hand. "But Sejun has been blowing up my phone. He sent me a... photo. While I was in the shower. Sihwan saw it on the lock screen."
Soyoung’s eyebrows shoot up. "A photo? Like aphotophoto?"
"A thirst trap. It was tragic."
"And let me guess," Soyoung says, a grin starting to spread across her face. "Sihwan saw it and assumed you were soliciting nudes from his ex-boyfriend to... what? Assert dominance?"
"To humiliate him," I say, leaning back and crossing my arms. "He thinks I’m trying to take his 'leftovers.' He went on this whole rant about how I’m just posturing and trying to ruin his pride by going after someone who used to belong to him. He didn't even let me speak. He just saw the picture, decided I was plotting a coup, and stormed out."
Soyoung stares at me for a beat, and then she throws her head back and laughs. It’s a loud, barking sound that makes a few people at the next table glance over nervously. She slaps the table, shaking the bottles.
"Oh my god," she wheezes, wiping a tear from her eye. "He is so insecure it’s actually painful. He thinks you want Sejun? You?" She looks me up and down. "You look at everyone like they’re a stain on your shoe, but he thinks you’re sliding into Sejun’s DMs for clout?"
"It’s not funny," I mutter, though the corner of my mouth twitches. Put like that, it is ridiculous.
"It is objectively funny, Donghwa. It’s hilarious." She leans forward, eyes gleaming. "So? Let me see it."
I blink. "See what?"
"The picture. The tragic thirst trap. I need a laugh."
I roll my eyes. "I deleted it."
Soyoung’s face falls. "You deleted it? Without showing me? You’re a terrible friend."
"I blocked him, too," I add defensively. "I scrubbed him from my phone five minutes after Sihwan left. I have zero interest in that guy. He's the definition of a try-hard. I don't want him."
"Does Sihwan know that?"
"He didn't give me a chance to tell him. He was too busy yelling about being replaced."
Soyoung shakes her head, picking up her beer again. "Men are so emotional. Especially that one. He’s got all that testosterone and nowhere to put it but into his own ego." She takes a long drink and sets the bottle down with a clack. "So, what’s the problem? Just tell him."
I scoff. "I tried. He wouldn't listen."
"So try again. You’re sitting here moping into your soju because you’re too stubborn to send a text explaining that you blocked the guy." She gives me a pointed look. "The truth is the best explanation, Donghwa. Just tell him, 'Hey, dumbass, I'm not interested in kiss-ass over-plucked twinks, I want your gym-rat ass.'"
