Fugly Casanova

Noeul sensed Hansol’s unease from afar. It was clear from her face that she wanted to apologize. He knew her well enough to understand she likely felt guilty, believing she’d been insensitive. But that wasn’t the case. She had done nothing wrong; Noeul had simply let his hopes soar too high.

Before Hansol could speak, Noeul cut her off.

“My apologies, Your Majesty,” he said, bowing deeply with clasped hands.

Hansol looked confused. “Huh?”

“I’m just a total idiot. I overreacted.”

Hansol remained silent.

“You know how it is,” Noeul continued, a self-deprecating edge to his voice. “Us ugly folk, we get upset over nothing sometimes. But you wouldn’t know about that, would you?”

He glanced up. Hansol looked hesitant, not knowing what to say.

Noeul bowed again. “Forget it. Don’t try to understand. Just put me out of my misery instead.”

“Why on earth would I do that?” Hansol asked.

“So… you’re sparing me?” Noeul raised his head, feigning surprise.

Hansol let out an awkward laugh. “Of course.”

Noeul bowed once more, hands raised dramatically above his head. “Oh, thank you!” he exclaimed.

When he looked up, Hansol seemed relieved, if not entirely at ease. Noeul realized his act had caught her off guard. After yesterday’s events, she’d likely expected him to be hurt or angry. She’d probably spent hours fretting over how to approach him without making things awkward.

His unexpected response had eased her worries somewhat. Oh, he’s not as upset as I thought. Maybe we can move past this.

Noeul gestured grandly, as if escorting royalty. “Shall we? Allow me to treat you to some fancy coffee for a change.”

“What’s up with you?” Hansol chuckled, shaking her head.

Noeul laughed too, feeling the tension dissipate. This is enough, he thought. Hansol would likely chalk up yesterday’s outburst to a momentary lapse in control, something he now felt embarrassed about. She’d let it go, and that was all Noeul needed.

Moving forward, he’d maintain a bit more distance. They would still hang out and enjoy each other’s company—maybe even more than before—but without the same level of expectation. That way, there’d be no more misunderstandings.

As they waited for their coffee, Noeul noticed Hansol’s pensive expression. She seemed lost in thought, a hint of discomfort still lingering between them.

Noeul knew things wouldn’t instantly revert to how they were before yesterday’s incident. This slight awkwardness was inevitable, but he was confident it would fade. Maybe one day they’d even joke about it. “Remember when you totally lost it?” they’d say, laughing it off.

“Hey, Noeul…” Hansol’s tone turned serious. “About yesterday—”

“No, stop,” Noeul cut her off abruptly.

Hansol blinked, startled.

Noeul winced. “I’d rather not talk about it.”

“What?”

“Let’s not dwell on the past. We should look forward, right?”

“Uh…” Hansol hesitated, unsure how to respond.

A sudden tapping on the café window interrupted them. They turned to see Hyunsoo peering in from outside. Noeul felt a wave of relief at the timely distraction.

“Why are you staring in like some creep?” Noeul teased as he stepped outside, Hansol following close behind.

Hyunsoo grinned. “Since when do broke college students splurge on fancy coffee? Don’t just treat Hansol, buy me one too.”

“This freeloader assumes I’m paying,” Noeul said, rolling his eyes.

“Aren’t you?”

“…I am.”

They shared a laugh.

“Too bad,” Noeul quipped. “If you were a pretty girl, I might have considered it.”

“Ah, what a shame,” Hyunsoo sighed dramatically. “Oh, by the way, any plans for tonight?”

“Nope, why?”

“Thinking of grabbing drinks with whoever’s free.”

“Count me in,” Noeul said without hesitation.

“Figured as much. I’ll send details once I round up enough people.”

“Sounds good.”

Hyunsoo glanced at Hansol, then added tentatively, “Maybe… you’d like to join us tonight?”

Hansol paused, her eyes flicking briefly to Noeul. “Sure, I’ll come.”

“Wow, that’s a rare treat,” Hyunsoo said, surprised. “We might get a big turnout with you there.”

Hansol offered a faint smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. Noeul couldn’t help but wonder about her unexpected acceptance. Normally, she’d politely decline such invitations. Could she be trying to smooth over the awkwardness between them?

He dismissed the thought. Who would waste an evening just to fix some tension with him? There had to be another reason. And deep down, Noeul knew he didn’t need to speculate about what that reason might be.

***

The noise of the bar swirled around them, punctuated by Byung-jun and Hyemi’s increasingly nonsensical banter.

“No, seriously. It’s a masterpiece,” Byung-jun slurred.

Hyemi scoffed. “What is it, you nerd?”

“Just listen, jackass.”

“How can I listen if I don’t know what it is, nerd?”

“I told you the title, jackass…”

“How am I supposed to remember Japanese…”

Their voices faded into the background as Hyunsoo, swaying slightly, turned to Noeul. “What have those two been on about for the last hour?”

Noeul shrugged. “No clue. Just ‘nerd’ and ‘jackass’ on repeat, as far as I can tell.”

Hyunsoo chuckled, then grimaced. “Man, I gotta pee.”

As Hyunsoo stumbled toward the bathroom, Noeul gave him a light pat on the back. Left alone, Noeul’s forced smile faded. Hours of non-stop chatter and laughter had left him drained.

“You okay?” Hansol slid into the seat across from him.

“That’s Hyunsoo’s spot,” Noeul muttered.

“Does it matter?”

Noeul nodded wearily.

“How much have you had?” Hansol asked.

“Enough. You?”

“About a bottle.”

“Right.”

Maybe it was the alcohol, but Noeul felt oddly at ease with Hansol now.

When you expect nothing, there’s nothing to get excited or disappointed about. It’s easier to stay cool. Isn’t that better for both of us? he mused. Better than being a mess of expectations and disappointments, anger and sudden happiness.

Hansol broke the silence. “Hey, why’d you run off earlier?”

“Huh?”

“You didn’t even hear me out.”

Noeul vaguely recalled cutting her off. Did she really have something important to say? What could it be?

Hansol’s expression tugged at Noeul’s heart. It was the look she got when she was about to speak sincerely—those eyes that made you want to open up, that voice, that nod…

But the more sincere she seemed, the more Noeul knew he shouldn’t listen. If Hansol apologized genuinely, his resolve would crumble. He’d naively think, Hansol really is different. She understands me.

That was the last thing Noeul wanted; those thoughts would only make him more volatile. This distance was just right. Yesterday’s sincerity, now masked as a joke—that was best. Hansol would soon forget. “I tried to apologize, but Noeul wouldn’t listen,” she’d say, and that would be that.

Noeul forced a pained expression. “You think I can’t tell when you’re making fun of my embarrassment?”

“That’s not—”

“Such bad manners for such a sweet face.”

Hansol fell silent, her brow furrowed.

Suddenly, a voice cut through from a nearby table. “What’s with this Beauty and the Beast pairing?”

The surrounding chatter faded as others turned to observe Noeul and Hansol. Their unlikely pairing—the striking Hansol beside the ordinary, often comical Noeul—drew curious glances. There was an air of anticipation, as if everyone sensed something entertaining might unfold.

“I’m the Beauty, right?” Noeul quipped, glancing at Hansol.

Typically, she’d have responded with a wry smile. But now, her expression was unreadable. Noeul found himself wondering what thoughts lay behind that mask, even as he tried to convince himself he didn’t want to know. He’d rather remain oblivious. What good would it do to know?

Noeul yearned for simplicity in his relationships, Hansol included. No wounds inflicted or received. No messy emotional entanglements. Just easy smiles and lighthearted banter. Isn’t that better? he reasoned. Trying to truly understand someone, to peer into their heart—what’s the point? It only burdens both parties and drives people apart. That’s why they say you need to keep your distance.

The crowd around them grew louder, their comments becoming more pointed.

“Now I see why Beauty got put to sleep. Maybe she took one look at his face and thought, ‘Nope, not a prince!’”

“That’s Sleeping Beauty, you idiot!”

“Oh, right. Damn, that’s embarrassing.”

“How did you even get into college?”

Laughter rippled through the group.

Noeul, ever the jester, chimed in, “What’s embarrassing about that? Just say it’s a multiverse. Beauty meets the Beast, the Prince, and hey, throw in some dwarves too.”

“Yeah, Beauty’s got her hands full,” someone added.

Byung-jun, slightly slurring, piped up, “Look at Hansol juggling multiple guys right now.”

Noeul extended a spoon like a microphone toward Hansol. “So, how is it? Being pretty must keep you busy, huh? Tough gig?”

“…I’m not sure,” Hansol replied, her voice tight.

Her unexpected response cast a momentary confusion over the group.

Noeul sensed something was off. Trying to diffuse the tension, he withdrew the spoon. “Ah, seems like she’s had enough. I am kind of a handful.”

The others playfully agreed, “Yeah, leave her alone already.”

Noeul studied Hansol’s face. Her features were rigid, like someone under immense pressure. She took a swig of beer, then glanced around nervously.

Hyemi, noticing Hansol’s discomfort, leaned in and whispered, “Are you okay?”

Hansol didn’t respond. Instead, she ducked her head, one hand flying up to cover her mouth.

Alarmed, Hyemi placed a hand on Hansol’s shoulder. “Hansol?”

A muffled hiccup escaped Hansol’s lips, then another. Suddenly, her shoulders began to tremble as she started crying. Noeul sat frozen, his mind blank as he watched the scene unfold.

Hushed whispers rippled through the group. “Hansol’s crying,” they murmured. The boisterous chatter at their table died away.

“I… I’m not feeling well,” Hansol managed, her voice barely audible. She stood abruptly. The others, stunned, moved aside to let her pass.

After she left, the group exchanged bewildered glances. “What just happened?” someone asked.

“Is she okay?”

“Should we go after her?”

Noeul remained motionless, his eyes fixed on the door through which Hansol had disappeared. He barely registered when someone turned to him, asking, “Hey, do you know what’s up with her?”

Noeul didn’t answer.

As the others debated whether to follow Hansol, Noeul felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to act. He had a strong feeling that he was the one who needed to go after her. Without a word, he pushed back his chair and stood.

“Noeul? Where are you going?”

“I’ll be back in a bit,” Noeul muttered as he walked out.