NOVEL NEXT Chapter 72
Chapter 72: Chapter 72
Chapter 72
“Drink it.”
Mikyung looked back and forth between the fruit smoothie in front of her and the person sitting in front of her. This was too surreal. Mikyung wondered if she was dreaming, or if this was really happening.
She kept blinking as the person in front of her urged her again gently, “Drink up.”
Mikyung nodded and slowly picked up the cup and drank it in one gulp.
The man in front of her said to her, “Oh, I didn’t mean that you should gulp it down like that. You can drink slowly, you know… If you drink that fast, you’re going to make yourself sick.”
As soon as he finished his sentence, Mikyung started to cough. She covered her mouth awkwardly, and the person in front of her handed her a napkin.
“If you drink a cold drink that fast, you can get brain freeze. Are you ok?”
When the man asked her kindly, Mikyung smiled with a blush and replied, “I’m fine. I love cold drinks. It’s my favorite kind of drinks.”
“Eating too many cold things isn’t good for your health. You should also eat slowly so your body can digest it better…”
“Yes, sir! Of course. From now on, I will keep food in my mouth longer to warm it before swallowing! Thank you for your concern!”
The man grinned at her, “I didn’t really mean it like that…”
When Mikyung saw his smile, she became even redder. She looked down in a panic.
‘How can someone be so gorgeous? And he is looking at me… I can’t meet his eyes… I must look like an idiot.’
“You can relax, Mikyung. I’m just your friend’s cousin. That’s all. You don’t have to be so tense. I’m not going to hurt you!”
“Oh… Y, yes…”
“It’s no wonder you are Hyoyoung’s friend, you are just like her. I can see what you are thinking on your face.”
“Hahaha, is that right?”
“Are you surprised?”
“P-pardon? About what?”
“When Hyojun called you out of the blue…”
“Ye… no.”
“Were you going to say yes, but you thought you should answer no?”
“Oh… yeah.”
“Well, I can understand that you would’ve been a bit shocked to get a call from him… I’m glad we can meet like this so I can explain what happened to you.”
“Oh, I see… I mean, I could’ve gotten Hyoyoung to explain it to me later…”
“I don’t think Hyoyoung would be able to tell you.”
Mikyung looked up in surprise. She asked, “Pardon?”
“That’s why I am telling you right now… and I am asking for you to help Hyoyoung.”
“Oh, what… what’s happening? Is… is it…?”
“Hmm? What is it?”
Mikyung hesitated, but continued on asking, “Is it really true that Hyojun Oppa got involved with a gang… or an illegal loan business? And that’s why Hyoyoung has to…”
The man looked at her with wide eyes. He burst into a loud laughter as he replied, “HAHAHA! Oh my god! High school girls’ imaginations can run so wild!”
“Oh, so… it’s not true?”
“Nope, not true at all.”
“Then…”
“Mikyung.”
“Y-yes?”
Mikyung’s eyes widened as she looked up at him. Once she looked into his eyes, she couldn’t look away.
In front of her was Jiwoo, who was smiling kindly at her.
***
One hour ago…
Jiwoo was at home with Hyojun and Hyunsuk. Hyojun was pacing around and screaming uncontrollably, while Hyunsuk refused to come out from his bedroom. Jiwoo left the house because he felt awkward, but as soon as he got out of the front door, he spotted Mikyung, who was standing nearby, looking hesitant.
Jiwoo recognized her instantly.
At first, Jiwoo quickly came back into the house before she could see him, but then, he realized that if Mikyung did ring the bell and came into the house looking for Hyoyoung, it would be a bigger problem.
‘What should I do?’
After a brief hesitation, Jiwoo took a deep breath and walked out to Mikyung. He had to fix this. He was the only one who could make this all better.
“Hello there!”
“… Who are you?”
“You remember me, right? I’m Hyoyoung’s cousin. We met recently when you came to see Hyoyoung, remember?”
“Oh, yes… but I thought you left Korea. That’s what Hyoyoung told me…”
“I had to take care of something here, so the trip was delayed. You are… Mikyung, right?”
“Yes, my name is Mikyung Lee.”
“Are you here because you are worried about Hyoyoung?”
“No… I mean, yes.”
“You are worried, but also feel betrayed?”
“No, it’s not like that…”
“Do you have some time to spare?”
“Pardon? Yes, I do, but why?”
“Do you want to go for something cool to drink with this Oppa? Oh, is it ok for you to call me Oppa?”
“Of course! I would love to, Oppa.”
“There is a really good smoothie place nearby.”
“Oh, ok.”
And that was how Mikyung ended up sitting in front of Jiwoo.
She looked shy and awkward while Jiwoo was thinking fast about how to bring up the subject.
After a long silence, Jiwoo said to her, “Please help Hyoyoung, Mikyung.”
She looked at him curiously and worriedly.
He continued, “Hyoyoung is probably having a very hard time right now.”
“Why? Is she sick?”
“No, it’s nothing like that.”
“Then what?”
“There is a big secret Hyoyoung has no choice but to keep.”
“A… secret?”
“Yeah.”
“What kind… of secret? Like a secret involving her birth or something?”
At Mikyung’s question, Jiwoo had difficulty hiding his shock.
‘Oh my god! How did she guess? No, Jiwoo! Snap out of it! You can’t let her know! Stop reacting! Relax… relax…’
Jiwoo hid his shocked face and shook his head. He lowered his voice and whispered, “The M.”
“The… M?”
“Yes, The M.”
“What do you mean…?”
“I am involved in it.”
“You are?”
“Yes, I am The M’s…”
“Oh!”
Mikyung covered her mouth to stop her scream. Jiwoo flinched.
‘What? Did she guess this too?’
But thankfully, Mikyung whispered, “Oppa, you are The M’s manager, aren’t you?”
“H-huh?”
“I’m right, aren’t I? You are The M’s secret manager! I am an expert in The M and I know for a fact that there is a secret manager that takes care of The M’s everything. You know, scandals, schedules, and so on… Not many people know about this, and I am one of the very few who do. The rumor has it that the secret manager only wears a black hoodie… You are him, aren’t you?”
Mikyung looked so sure of herself that Jiwoo couldn’t help but nod. When he did, she replied, “Now, I understand everything. The mystery has been solved.”
She slapped the table and added, “Now I understand why Hyoyoung wouldn’t let me enter her home! That Hyoyoung…”
Jiwoo thought secretly, ‘But that’s because all The M members are there…’
Mikyung continued, “And why she was spotted in Apgujeong, where The M’s secret practice room is supposedly located…”
Jiwoo again thought to himself, ‘But that was because Hyoyoung was working as our secret stylist…’
“And why Hyoyoung seemed uninterested in The M’s schedule during the last few weeks!”
‘But that’s because The M lives with her so she is sick of us…’
“AND how she got the concert tickets for us! FOUR TICKETS!!!”
‘Oh, that’s because Hyoyoung was actually the one who came up with the concert idea…’
“…And why she has been keeping so many secrets from me, her best friend!”
Jiwoo didn’t say a word as Mikyung came up with her own answers. She finally added, “Now, I get it all.”
“Oh, that’s good. You’re so smart.”
“But…”
“Huh?”
“But then, where did she go yesterday? Hyojun Oppa told me that Hyoyoung said she was with me… so she lied to go somewhere, right? Where is she?”
“Oh… the thing is…”