Chapter 5

The physical exam went smoothly. After all the height and weight measurements, and all that stuff, I just had to run a few laps around the field. Luckily, it’s not something that would strain someone’s wrist. Of course, I dunno when or where he’d get hurt, so my eyes seeked out Evan. His thin body that stimulated protective instincts also bumped against other students, making him falter. That looked really dangerous.

“Want some water?”

I ran to his side as if protecting him. When I cut in, the students bumping into Evan parted all at once. I pushed back the people bumping into him with my strong body, but didn’t get pushed out.

“You’re done running, Hail?”

“Yeah, well, that much is just…”

I still felt vigorous even though I ran that set distance. I hated that I was dripping in sweat, but my body still felt great.

“Sigh… It’s hot, huh?”

My sweat sliding down my thick neck gathered on my big chest muscles, and dripped down. I grabbed my sweaty sweat suit and shook it. My body felt cool every time the material clung and moved away. I completely swept back the silver hair that kept on blocking my view. Far away, Carmen was becoming one with the sand in the field. He looks like he’s dying.

If not for my main top body, I’d be rolling on the floor together with Carmen. The sand would cling to my sweaty body. Ugh, I don’t even want to think about it.

Evan wasn’t on the brink of death just like Carmen, but his breathing was haggard. His always pale, colorless-looking face was slightly red. I worriedly asked, thinking he might get a heatstroke with the way things were going.

“Are you tired?”

He was so tired, he couldn’t even speak. Evan just blankly stared at me. I quickly waved my hand like a fan, but not much wind came out.

He slowly came to a stop when I stopped at a corner of the track. His thin-looking, slender legs that were only half as thick as mine were shaking. I knew it, it’s better if he rests for a bit.

I pulled the Evan who stood still out of the track. His body was light that pulling him was so laughably easy. We hid behind the nearby gym shed to avoid everybody’s gazes. Probably because of the building’s shade, it was much more refreshing than the field.

“Hail. I still have a lap to do.”

“You look tired. Rest for a bit, then you can go back.”

A humid smell radiated off the gym shed’s wall leaning against my back. The moldy smell was bad, but I liked the cool concrete. When I first sat on the ground, Evan hesitated, but also squatted down. Amazed by skipping the exam like this, he stared at my side profile for a long time.

There lay grass in front of the asphalt road where the early summer sun didn’t reach. Pretending to observe the green of the grass, I glanced sideways at Evan. Loud noises came from the hot field beyond the wall, while this place was very quiet.

I was used to being together with Evan, but now, it felt somewhat awkward. Maybe it’s cause I’m sweating. I looked at his fair skin that shone even in the sun, and raised my head. The sky was blue.

“With how hot it already is, I’m really gonna die in the summer– Eek, w-what’re you doing?”

“Your sweat, it’s dripping, so I was gonna wipe it off.”

I was suddenly surprised by the sudden touch of his fingers. But Evan moved his index finger along the sweat that lightly dripped down. It wasn’t until the sweat went into my open collar and permeated into my skin did his touch pause.

Instead, an indigo blue zip up jacket suddenly fell on my chest. I picked up the small zip up that didn’t match me. What’s this? Taking off the baggy clothes covering his body, the only thing Evan was wearing was a white, cotton shirt.

“Wear this, Hail.”

“Huh?”

“Your entire body’s showing.”

I looked down at his words. The sweaty t-shirt clung to me like thermal underwear, looking small. Just as Evan said, my skin was really showing through.

“Raise your arms for me?”

“O-Okay…”

I put my arm through the small jacket. His clothes that were too big on him were slightly– or rather, really tight on me. When I put it on, I automatically huddled my broad shoulders.

“Uhm…”

“Raise the other one.”

“I don’t think it’ll fit me…”

“Other arm.”

I could do nothing as Evan stubbornly made me raise my arm, and put it on. Evan pulled up the zipper, regardless of my hesitation. The zipper went up to my hard abs, but couldn’t go any further, and stopped there.

“This looks so big, doesn’t it?”

Evan pointed his finger at my chest. I-It is big! I opened and closed my mouth at Evan’s unexpected words. I could feel my hard muscles when I hugged my body with my arms. Even though there wasn’t anything I could do about it since I was born with these physique and muscles, a subtle shame arose in me.

“Push them together a bit. Since I can’t pull up the zipper.”

“P-Push them together… what…”

“Here.”

Those words came out of Evan’s mouth as he smiled normally, or more like he beamed. His laughter doubled my shame.

“I can’t wear it! Even if it’s kinda showing through, it’s not like anyone’s gonna look, so it’s fine.”

“But it looks too sexy.”

“S-Se… No one would think that. Who would ever think that…”

“I do.”

Evan said something weird with no change in expression. When I asked him again what he meant by that, he gave an even more ridiculous answer.

“I think you’re sexy.”

My face flared up like a bomb went off. Even then, Evan slowly pulled up the zipper that had been slowly going down. The zipper stopped again around my chest, enveloping my white shirt.

“What if there are others who think like me?”

“T-That’s…”

“Not like I can pull all their eyes out.”

Pull out their eyes. His face as he threw out that terrible joke was bright. The chill I had forgotten came back up again.

“Or, maybe you don’t like my clothes?”

“Not that I hate it, but it’s kinda small… No, never mind. I’ll wear it.”

I could see droopy dog ears on top of Evan’s sullen head. Don’t say that with that kinda face. I’m weak to your face.

Even though I couldn’t move them well, I hunched my shoulders inside his jacket. It felt strange having my muscles contract. Probably cause Evan’s in front of me that I feel embarrassed about this for no reason.

“Will this do?”

Just what am I doing right now? I heard a whistle in the distance. There wasn’t much time left until the physical exam ends. Evan just seemed relaxed as I gradually felt even more in a hurry.

“A little more.”

“E-Evan. We should go now.”

“Hold your breath, Hail.”

Zippp, the sound of the zipper slowly going up felt tantalizing. If I just release a bit of strength, it felt like it would pop open. The more the jacket closed on me, the more it squeezed my windpipe. The more I tensed my body, the more it stressed the joints of my muscles.

“All done.”

I took in a deep breath after holding it in the same time he said that. The logo emblazoned on the sweat suit’s chest area was stretched to its limit. I even got up so carefully, feeling like my clothes would burst any second.

“…It still looks sexy even when you wear it.”

“Oh.”

I heard a snapping sound, and my firmly squeezed body loosened again. I looked at the zipper that had vainly fallen apart, and buried my face in my hands. The sound of my heart was so loud as I heard the faint sound of someone looking for Evan.

I don’t remember how I left the field after that. I covered my upper body with the tattered sweatsuit, and went through corridors with Evan’s hand as a guide. Every time we did so, their gazes towards me stung, but I couldn’t raise my head. That was how I arrived at the dormitories.

I could hear the cool sound of the shower. Evan’s neatly folded clothes lay at the door. I covered myself from head to toe with the blanket, and closed my eyes. I was tired, but my mind wouldn’t go to sleep.

「I think you’re sexy.」

I never thought of ever hearing those words in my life. And from Evan, nonetheless. Just remembering it made my toes curl, and chest tickle. Would Evan say that to anyone? I don’t think so. Then why would he tell me…

At that moment, the cellphone I threw beside me vibrated. I stretched out just my arm out of the blanket, and snatched my phone.

[Carmen: hailhailhail]

[Carmen: hey im in real deep trouble]

I blearily opened my eyes, and stared at the screen. My head hurt because of Evan, but what’s this guy doing now?

[Hail: what]

My phone rang as soon as I sent a reply.

[Carmen: did i do something wrong to evan??]

Evan. Those four letters made my heart jump.

[Hail: how would i know]

[Carmen: i made eye contact with him today but his eyes were freaking scary… like i was gonna be killed…]

[Carmen: ur dating evan arent u. just ask him onceㅠㅠ without u guys id have to eat with my roommateㅠㅠㅠㅠ]

At that moment, I lost strength in the hand I was holding my phone with. The phone fell right on my nose.

“Ackk!”

I rubbed my nose as I quickly looked at the screen again. My body froze at the written text that clearly said, ‘ur dating evan arent u.’ I quickly typed, sending my reply.

[Hail: why would u think im datin gevan]

I was filled with shame at the typo in my text. Wondering whether he was trying to scare me or not, Carmen sent a really ridiculous reply.

[Carmen: ?? ur not dating? oh a fling then]

I was so embarrassed I couldn’t speak. Just why would he think that of me and Evan?

[Hail: were not]

[Carmen: then wat?]

[Hail: just friends what do u mean what]

After a brief pause, my phone rang like crazy.

[Carmen: frieeeeeeends??]

[Carmen: everytime i run into u guys hes got his arms wrapped around ur waist and when u eat love drips down from his eyes? dont u know how hard it is seeing u guys rubbing salt into my wound* u asshole]

[Carmen: if ur friends then i dont have any]

Why’s he overreacting all on his own?

*rub salt into wound – basically being lovey-dovey in front of other people, so I guess the translation kinda works?

…I’m kinda proud that I noticed the typo in the Korean text before I even started translating. I was like… Huh, that’s Evan’s name without one letter… But also, I hope their texts seemed more appropriate. I know not everyone texts like that but well, THAT’S FINE. But also, I love how Carmen also notices how close they are and how much time they spend together.

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