My Ex-Boyfriend is Sold Out

Chapter 26: The Ex-Girlfriend Loves the Ex-Boyfriend

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Two weeks remained until the start of the new semester.

In that short time, Si-hyun and Yerin’s relationship had changed rapidly since they started dating.

One particularly noticeable change was that Si-hyun had become more comfortable initiating physical affection.

Though Yerin had usually been the one to approach him first, it seemed that now, Si-hyun, with his all-or-nothing loyalty, couldn’t help but reciprocate even more.

“This is crazy… I’m so happy every day, I can’t take it.”

Yerin was experiencing the peak of her life thanks to Si-hyun’s growing affection. Lying on her bed alone, she looked through her gallery full of pictures of Si-hyun, her heart swelling with joy.

“He’s just… so perfect.”

They’d gone on dates yesterday, the day before, and even three days ago. They’d been seeing each other so often that today Si-hyun had asked if they could take a break.

She wanted to see him every day, but to respect his personal space, Yerin restrained herself.

I miss you, Si-hyun…

He was the one who had accepted and embraced her completely. Back in those lonely days, Yerin had only been able to endure because Si-hyun was there.

If you hadn’t been there, what would my life have looked like?

Just the thought of it made her shudder. Her life had always depended on two pillars: her grandmother and Kim Si-hyun. Without them, she imagined she would have fallen into a life of isolation and emptiness.

“Thank you for dating me, Si-hyun.”

She kissed a photo booth picture they had taken together, then pulled out all her old photo albums, wishing the day would pass quickly.

Flip.

The albums held memories of all the family-like experiences she’d shared with Si-hyun’s family, things she hadn’t been able to do with her own parents: family trips, birthday parties, and more. She’d compiled all of those memories in these albums.

The albums were worn out from her frequent handling, with smudges on the photos from her fingerprints.

“Ah, here it is.”

She found a photo from their childhood. In it, Si-hyun held a net for catching dragonflies, and Yerin was holding a small insect cage with a stag beetle inside. She hadn’t realized her feelings back then, and her face showed a blank expression.

“If only I’d smiled a bit more.”

Smiling, Yerin turned the pages, getting lost in memories. She stared at the album in a daze, unaware that three hours had passed.

“As expected… nothing beats this for killing time.”

Putting the album back, Yerin walked over to her closet. She opened the bottom drawer, revealing a stack of women’s clothes, but tucked in the back were some men’s clothes.

“I should probably return these soon.”

Back when Si-hyun was dating Chae-yeon, Yerin had struggled with loneliness and had wanted to keep some trace of him close by. She’d collected things like his T-shirts, still faintly scented with him, and even the spoon he used often.

Though there was a time when she was disgusted with herself for acting like a stalker, she had done what she needed to endure.

“Now that I can see Si-hyun anytime I want… I should let these go.”

Her days of collecting things were over. His T-shirts, the paper cup he’d used, and the spoon were no longer needed for her now that they were dating.

After all, she could now hug him whenever she wanted, kiss him, and even pursue something more, if she wished.

I wonder when we’ll get to that stage~

Imagining herself crossing that boundary, Yerin blushed, lifting one of his T-shirts close to her face and taking a deep breath.

***

Evening.

Si-hyun was watching relationship advice videos on YouTube while waiting for water to boil for his cup noodles.

He’d been studying tips on how to make Yerin even happier as his girlfriend. Every time he tried something he’d seen in a video, she would beam with delight.

Click.

The water’s ready.

Si-hyun paused the video, added the seasoning to his cup noodles, and poured in the hot water. He placed a pair of chopsticks over the lid to hold it closed, just as the doorbell rang.

Ding-dong~

Who could that be at this hour?

He hadn’t ordered any packages, and the only person likely to drop by unannounced was Yerin.

Coming by without letting me know…

He quickly fixed his messy hair in the mirror, adjusted his shirt, and cleared his throat.

Ding-dong~ ding-dong~

The doorbell rang repeatedly.

“I’m coming.”

Si-hyun hurried to the door and cautiously opened it.

Creak.

As the door slowly swung open, he saw a familiar head of jet-black hair.

Black hair…?

Yerin had light brown hair, so this person wasn’t her. Seeing the long, dark hair, unease crept up in Si-hyun’s chest. When the door was halfway open, he realized who it was standing outside.

It was his ex-girlfriend, Lim Chae-yeon.

“Long time no see, Si-hyun. I’ve missed you.”

Chae-yeon, whom he hadn’t seen in two and a half months, wore a stunning smile. She exuded a warmth he hadn’t seen in her before, far from the blank or irritated expressions she’d often shown during their relationship.

Astonished, Si-hyun frowned.

“Why are you here?”

“I just… wanted to see your face.”

“Hah.”

Si-hyun was so taken aback he didn’t know what to say. She was acting so differently from before that he almost wondered if it was someone pretending to be her.

Strange. There’s no smell of alcohol…

He leaned closer, but all he smelled was a fresh citrus scent, like orange. Chae-yeon blushed and her breath grew shallow as his face approached.

“Well, now you’ve seen me, so go home.”

Chae-yeon’s changes didn’t matter to him. Deciding it wasn’t worth his time, he tried to close the door without hesitation.

But—

“Ah!”

Chae-yeon stopped him by wedging her foot in the door. Her face twisted in pain from the pressure, and Si-hyun scolded her in shock.

“Are you insane? You saw I was closing the door. Why would you put your foot in?”

“I need to talk to you… Please, just give me a moment.”

“No. I don’t want to hear it, and I don’t need to. Now move your foot.”

Chae-yeon shook her head vigorously.

“I said, move it!”

Si-hyun tried to nudge her foot out of the way with his own, but Chae-yeon held firm and spoke urgently.

“Si-hyun… I like you.”

“…What?”

Si-hyun froze. As he stood there, shocked, Chae-yeon clutched her chest and repeated her words.

“I can finally say it… I like you, Si-hyun.”

Having overcome her trauma, Chae-yeon poured out the confession she’d never managed to make while they were dating. She no longer felt the need to hold back her feelings and openly declared her love.

Hearing her, Si-hyun responded in a bewildered voice.

“What nonsense is this? Do you think saying that now will make me waver?”

“I’m sorry for taking so long to confess. But I can say it as much as you want from now on…”

Taking a deep breath, Chae-yeon slid her left hand through the door and gently stroked Si-hyun’s cheek.

“I like you, Si-hyun.”

The tender voice and touch of his ex-girlfriend. In the past, Si-hyun might have been foolish enough to fall for it.

But now, having found someone else, he wasn’t swayed by Chae-yeon’s feelings.

Thud.

Si-hyun swatted her hand away and spoke coldly.

“It’s too late. So stop this nonsense and leave.”

Chae-yeon’s eyes widened, glistening with unshed tears. Staring at him with a pleading gaze, she spoke in a small, subdued voice.

“I know I messed up… I’ve been horrible to you, but I can make it up to you. Let’s get back together. Please?”

Si-hyun’s clenched fists trembled. After all the mistreatment she’d put him through, she wanted to get back together and “make it up to him”? It was laughable.

He was already happily dating Yerin. Going back to Chae-yeon would only reopen Yerin’s wounds.

I need to get her out of here.

Deciding she wouldn’t leave willingly, Si-hyun prepared to push her out himself.

“Just stop clinging to me and—”

But before he could finish, Chae-yeon thrust both arms forward, one hand gripping the back of his head and the other on his chest.

Swoosh.

She pulled him close, bringing his face inches from hers.

Smooch.

Before he could react, she claimed his lips. Looking deep into his startled eyes, she breathed warmly against him.

This feeling… It’s been so long.

The soft sensation of connecting with someone she loved. Chae-yeon gazed at her ex-boyfriend with an affectionate smile.

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