My Ex-Boyfriend is Sold Out

Chapter 4: My Ex Keeps Glaring at Me

* * *

I’m never sleeping next to her again.

Si-hyun grumbled to himself as he got ready for the day.

When he woke up, he’d found Yerin curled up beside him, clinging to him, despite having fallen asleep on her side of the bed.

How does she end up here? Did she roll over or something?

Si-hyun shivered at the memory of Yerin’s infamous sleep habits. Meanwhile, she was happily humming as she did her hair, seemingly unaware of his irritation.

“Si-hyun, are you ready?”

“Yeah.”

“Great! Get your shoes on and wait; I’ll be out soon.”

“Alright.”

After putting on his shoes and reading a couple of webtoons to pass the time, Yerin finally emerged.

She wore her hair in a ponytail, paired with a simple white T-shirt and well-fitted jeans. She had clearly put more effort into her appearance today.

“How do I look? Not bad, right?”

“Yeah, not bad.”

Her usual casual style had transformed into something that enhanced her natural beauty, enough to make even Si-hyun nod in approval.

“Your reaction could be more enthusiastic…”

She adjusted her hair in the mirror and seemed about to head back to her room, but Si-hyun grabbed her hand.

“We’re going to be late. Where are you going?”

“Just back to fix a few things. There are some details in my makeup I’m not happy with.”

Thinking of how long she might take, Si-hyun decided to stop her.

“You look fine already. Let’s just go.”

“Really?”

A smile bloomed on her face as she tightened her hold on his hand, content with his reassurance.

“If you say so, then I’ll take your word for it.”

And with that, they headed out together.

***

Even though Si-hyun assured her that his leg was fine, Yerin insisted on taking him to the hospital.

Only after the doctor’s confirmation and seeing the X-ray results did she finally relax. They picked up some scar ointment at the pharmacy and then hopped on the bus to campus.

“We’ve still got 20 minutes until we arrive.”

It was a bit too long to stand, so Yerin scanned for seats and spotted one open spot.

“Si-hyun, sit here.”

Si-hyun shook his head.

“It’s fine. I can stand for a few minutes.”

“But what if it makes your injury worse? Come on, just sit.”

“You heard the doctor; it’s just a scratch. It’s not serious.”

As he continued to resist, Yerin’s expression became more determined.

I’m really fine. Why is she so adamant?

Maybe she was still shaken from seeing his wound yesterday. Today, she was acting like an overprotective parent.

I appreciate her concern, but this is a bit much.

Despite his efforts to avoid her gaze, he could feel her eyes boring into the back of his head. Finally, he sighed and gave in.

“I’m telling you, I’m fine. If anyone should sit, it’s you.”

“…Alright. If you insist.”

Surprisingly, Yerin agreed, but just as Si-hyun tilted his head in confusion—

Whoosh!

Yerin suddenly pulled him onto her lap, wrapping her arms around his waist.

The sight of a guy sitting on a girl’s lap drew curious stares, a mixture of disapproval and envy from other passengers.

“What are you doing? Let me go.”

“You wouldn’t sit otherwise. So we’ll just stay like this until we arrive.”

Despite his attempts to stand, Yerin held him tight.

Reluctantly, Si-hyun gave in, settling into the seat next to her.

“See? Wasn’t that easy?”

Satisfied, Yerin playfully patted his head like she was rewarding him.

***

Rattle.

Si-hyun and Yerin entered the classroom just in time for their lecture.

They took seats at the back, where the sunlight streamed in and the cool air conditioning provided a comfortable balance.

“It’s been a while since we sat together in class.”

“Yeah, it has.”

Before dating Chae-yeon, Si-hyun and Yerin had always been close. But once he started dating, Chae-yeon had made him promise not to be too friendly with other girls, so he had naturally drifted apart from Yerin.

She didn’t even like me, yet she was so possessive when I was with another girl…

Was it selfishness? Wanting him only to keep him away from others?

As Si-hyun was thinking about Chae-yeon’s possessiveness—

Bang!

The classroom door flew open, and everyone, including Si-hyun, turned to look.

Chae-yeon walked in confidently, followed by a nervous-looking So-hee.

Anyone would think So-hee was the one caught cheating.

While So-hee nervously scanned the room, Chae-yeon sneered as soon as she saw Si-hyun sitting with Yerin.

She started to head toward the opposite side of the classroom, but—

“Chae-yeon, sit over here.”

So-hee gently pulled Chae-yeon’s arm, guiding her toward Si-hyun’s row.

Looking uneasily at Yerin sitting beside Si-hyun, So-hee hesitated, then asked.

“Um… Yerin, would you mind switching seats? Chae-yeon and Si-hyun have some misunderstandings they need to clear up.”

Without looking up from her notes, Yerin responded flatly.

“Why should I?”

“Well… there was a misunderstanding between Chae-yeon and Si-hyun, and we were hoping to clear it up. Couldn’t you let us…?”

Yerin stopped typing, looked up, and met So-hee’s eyes with a steely gaze.

“No.”

“…What?”

So-hee seemed taken aback by Yerin’s refusal.

“I’ll ask someone to swap seats with you. Just this once, please—”

“If you really want to sit here, ask Si-hyun to switch. If he wants to, I’ll let him take another seat.”

With that, Yerin turned her attention to Si-hyun, as if inviting him to respond.

So-hee looked at him with a pleading expression, but Si-hyun had no intention of budging.

“I don’t have anything to say to either of you.”

“See?”

Yerin echoed his answer with a smirk, clearly enjoying the situation.

So-hee’s voice trembled as she tried once more.

“Si-hyun, please… Just talk to Chae-yeon. Yesterday was all a misunderstanding…”

Why is So-hee, not Chae-yeon, the one trying to explain?

Si-hyun’s frustration grew as he saw Chae-yeon remaining silent, watching So-hee handle the situation for her. Unable to hold back his irritation, he spoke bluntly.

“Lim Chae-yeon, do you have anything to say to me?”

His tone was sharp, deliberately lacking any warmth.

Chae-yeon, who had been sitting with her arms crossed, narrowed her eyes and answered coldly.

“No, I don’t.”

“Chae-yeon!”

So-hee’s voice cracked in exasperation at Chae-yeon’s indifference.

Of course. Our proud “queen” isn’t even going to try to clear things up.

Her response was so predictable that Si-hyun could only wave dismissively.

“Fine. Then take your friend and leave. I don’t want to get dragged into this.”

“Si-hyun, come on…”

As So-hee tried to persuade him, Chae-yeon grabbed her wrist.

“Let’s go.”

She shot Si-hyun an irritated look before moving to another seat, with So-hee following reluctantly. With limited space in the classroom, they ended up seated right in front of Si-hyun and Yerin.

Soon, the professor entered, and the lecture began.

But Si-hyun found it hard to focus, distracted by the two in front of him.

Doesn’t she feel anything?

While he could barely concentrate, Chae-yeon seemed unaffected, diligently taking notes as though nothing had happened. Watching her, Si-hyun was reminded once again of how little he meant to her.

Sigh…

Maybe it was time to move on and focus on his studies instead of wasting any more energy on his failed relationship.

Determined to shift his focus, he picked up his pen and forced himself to start writing.

Scratch, scratch.

As he was filling in his notes, Yerin nudged him.

“What?”

“Look at this.”

She handed him a small yellow sticky note.

On the corner of the last page, he noticed a doodle of a girl in a skirt.

Ah, memories.

Drawing little flipbook-style animations at the edge of pages had been one of their favorite pastimes back in middle school.

Flick.

As he flipped through, the little character started to move, grabbing the hem of her skirt and slowly lifting it.

“Is this really how you spend your time now?”

“Why not? It’s fun! Keep flipping; I drew it well this time.”

Despite himself, Si-hyun couldn’t help but feel curious to see the ending of this mini flipbook, even though he knew it was childish.

Flick.

Seeing him continue, Yerin giggled and kept flipping the pages.

The little character blushed as she lifted her skirt, revealing her smooth legs.

Just as the flipbook was about to reach the “climax”—

Hmm?

The character, wearing shorts under her skirt, stuck her tongue out at him.

Smack!

Before he could react, pain exploded across his forehead as Yerin’s finger flicked him hard enough to draw attention from a few nearby students.

Barely holding back a yell, Si-hyun bit his lip to contain the pain.

“Pfft…!”

Yerin muffled her laughter, clearly delighted by her prank.

Si-hyun clenched his fists, contemplating revenge, but decided against it, not wanting to make a scene.

“You little…”

“Hey, you’re the one who was staring so intently… Haha…”

Yerin tried to respond but was too busy giggling. Si-hyun rubbed his forehead, surprised to feel a bump forming.

How could one flick leave a bruise like this?

That such force could come from her slender hand was hard to believe.

“You… Want to see how it feels?”

Si-hyun threatened with a raised fist.

“No thanks! Your flicks hurt like hell.”

“I’ll go easy on you. Just one.”

“As if I’d believe that.”

Though their voices were low, their bickering continued quietly.

Si-hyun playfully shook his fist while Yerin protested when—

“Could you two shut up already?”

Chae-yeon’s irritated voice cut in, her eyes flashing as she looked back at them with annoyance.

The familiar glare left Si-hyun frozen, but Yerin responded cheerfully.

“Oops, sorry! It’s just so fun hanging out with Si-hyun.”

Though she sounded apologetic, her tone was unmistakably mocking. Si-hyun turned to gauge Chae-yeon’s reaction.

Whip.

Chae-yeon shot him a piercing glare before looking back to the front.

She has a look that could kill.

Like the old saying about being paralyzed by a tiger’s gaze, Si-hyun felt his body tense under her stare.

Exhale…

Si-hyun steadied his nerves, telling himself that time would eventually dull these reactions.

Glancing at Yerin, he noticed her silently typing notes with a satisfied grin.

Pffft…

Her suppressed laughter and the way her shoulders shook made it clear she was thoroughly enjoying the moment.