HYUNG 17

“Yeah. I guess you’re still in Korea? You acted like you were leaving right away, but you even made it to the Han River?”

— I can go to the Han River. It’s the last time, after all. I’m leaving next week. But did you meet Dowon?

“Yeah. But how do you two know each other?”

— Don’t you remember? I called Dowon to the farewell party too. I introduced him to you myself. He’s my junior from middle and high school, and we went to the same academy. I told you to take good care of him since he’s double majoring in our department this time.

“…Ah, was that so?”

I truly didn’t remember a single thing. No wonder Ham Dowon acted like he knew me from the start… we actually were acquaintances. I feel a bit sorry now. I couldn’t even remember his name. To think I had forgotten that face. It was because I drank far too much.

The middle and high schools Hwajung attended were quite famous and well-regarded arts schools in the country. I knew the fourth-year examinee at the academy where I worked part-time had also graduated from there. It was fresh and surprising that Ham Dowon had graduated from such a prestigious school yet didn’t go to art school.

— Yeah. That’s right. You drank especially heavily that day… I guess you don’t remember anything. You were the one who started it, smiling like a fool and saying he was cute. You were even the one who snatched his number first.

Ah. Smiling like a fool and saying unnecessary things—that was indeed my drinking habit. Acting all sociable and snatching up people’s numbers was part of it too. There were plenty of times I woke up the day after being heavily drunk only to find a stranger’s number in my phone.

I felt sorry toward Ham Dowon all over again, and at the same time, a bit wronged. Who was the one who poured drinks down my throat when I was trying to hold back!

“No, when I tried to rest for a second, you were the one who kept pouring into my glass right away! You insisted I drink up because it might be the last time forever! You even sobbed, asking when we’d ever see each other again if I left, so I forced it down. Yet look who’s out playing at the Han River.”

— Did I do that? Hey, that can happen! It was my farewell party!

It seems even Yoo Hwajung knows her own guilt. She really made me drink like a maniac… Her high-pitched laughter, crackling as if she were embarrassed, tickled my ears.

— Anyway, take good care of Dowon. He’s so extremely shy that he can’t even talk to others well, and he has a lot of stiff sides to him. If I were at school, I wouldn’t worry, but since I’ve graduated too, I’m concerned. He’s like a real younger brother I’ve known since he was in elementary school, so I’m asking you. If he’s eating alone, sit with him and eat together.

“Really? I don’t think you need to worry. He talks to me just fine.”

Was Ham Dowon shy? It didn’t seem that way to me. When I opened my eyes in the studio, the one who spoke first was Ham Dowon. Since we were supposedly in a relationship where I had snatched his number at a drinking session the night before, he might have felt some familiarity with me, though. Furthermore, he wasn’t stiff at all. I haven’t teased him much on purpose, but even at words that aren’t special, his face would turn red, he’d be startled, and he had plenty of reactions. He was so talkative that he’d chatter about things I didn’t even ask. Seeing as she’s known him since elementary school, she must only remember how he was as a child. There are many cases where people are very shy as children but become fine once they grow up. Ah, of course, it’s true he was peculiar.

— Really? I guess he’s improved a bit since then. Well, that’s a relief… Dowon is a better guy than he looks, and I’m introducing him as a friend, so it’ll be good if you get close. He has deep affection and many delicate sides.

“Yeah. He seemed to have deep affection.”

Seeing as he asked for a chance to help me even when I said I was fine. Earlier, I couldn’t think deeply about it because it felt burdensome, but those were words he said out of his own consideration for me. “I want to do you a favor!” Instead, asking for a chance to help me was giving me the right to decide. The kid is very strange and has some childish sides, but he isn’t a bad person.

— I feel like I’m worrying too much, like he’s a child I left by the water’s edge. I guess it’s because I know his parents well and I’ve watched him since he was so young. I’m quite close with his older sister, too. She was worried as well. She said she’s concerned because her brother tends to be misunderstood easily. He’s the type of guy who doesn’t care whether others do that or not, but it’s a bit different watching from the side. He has so little interest in others that he doesn’t even want to date. He says it’s a hassle to care about other people. So I’ve really never seen him meet a lover even once.

“Really? Hmm… Got it. I can see why you’d be worried. Don’t worry, I’m feeding him well too.”

Seeing as he was talking about marriage and what-not, he seemed interested in dating… I guess he pretended not to be in front of Hwajung, who is like family. Because he was embarrassed.

— Yeah. Come to Europe once it’s vacation later.

“You’re telling me to come to Europe when you haven’t even gone yet.”

— I’m saying come later. Laaaater. Anyway, I’m off. Mom keeps calling me from outside.

“Yeah. Safe travels. Stay healthy in France.”

— Yeah, bye!

I tossed the phone on the bed and doggedly ate the rest of my salad. After checking the email Ham Dowon sent, organizing the presentation, and writing a brief script for the presentation, today will be over. I couldn’t go to school because I overslept, but I felt much better because it seemed like I finished things up well.

‧₊˚♪ 𝄞₊˚⊹

Ugh, I hate first period so much. I came out in a mess, with my ball cap pulled down low. I sluggishly headed toward the cafe on campus. It seemed everyone was craving caffeine, as several people were standing in line.

What should I drink? I guess it’s iced americano after all. Even though I’m back at school after a long time, I hate first period. At least it’s a relief that orientation ends today. From tomorrow, the semester really begins in earnest. I’m feeling nervous for no reason. Ah, I really have to attend diligently…

“Hyung!”

“…Oh.”

It was Ham Dowon. He came running toward me with quick steps and gave a loud laugh—”hee-hee!” His wavy hair fluttered. He has good energy even from the morning. A grown man laughs like that just like a child. It wasn’t unpleasant to see. After thinking of him as a child, it even seemed a bit cute. But I don’t know why he’s in such a good mood starting from a first-period morning.

“I thought it would be great to see you as soon as I came to school, hyung, and it’s so great that we ran into each other exactly like this!”

“Right…”

Shy and stiff? Yoo Hwajung, I think that’s just your useless worry. If anyone saw this, they’d think he was being charming on purpose. Even toward a male senior he just knows, he acts exactly as if he’s flirting.

“Hyung, what are you going to drink? Coffee?”

“Yeah, coffee.”

“You’re going to History of Modern Art too, right, hyung? You didn’t cancel the course, did you?”

“No. I didn’t.”

“That’s a relief. Let’s go together.”

“Sure.”

While having an idle conversation with Ham Dowon, my turn came. I ordered an iced americano with two extra shots and a croissant, then looked at Ham Dowon.

“What do you want to drink?”

“It’s okay. I’ll buy mine myself.”

“Just say it when I offer to buy. Hwajung told me to take good care of you. I have to feed you plenty of things if I want to show off to her.”

“Are you buying it for me because of Hwajung noona?”

Ham Dowon wiped the smile he had all over his face and slightly furrowed his brow. What’s he upset about this time? Right. You don’t “understand” a child. I just gave him a bright smile as if treating a real kid.

“It’s just because buying a coffee for a cute junior isn’t a difficult task, so just hurry up and pick.”

“That’s true. I am cute.”

As if he had never crumpled his expression, Ham Dowon smiled beamishly. Sure. Smiling is good. It’s all fine, but…

“Aren’t you going to pick? People are waiting behind us.”

There were far too many people lined up behind us. I even made eye contact with someone peeking forward.

“Then I’ll have what you like, hyung.”

“Fine. The same as mine.”

Ham Dowon had a shy attitude that didn’t fit the situation. I just brushed it off, thinking he must be out of it because it was early morning.

“Ugh, I’m tired.”

“Hyung, did you not sleep well?”

“No, I slept, but I’m still tired. Maybe my stamina has dropped lately… I’ve even been having strange dreams.”

I stretched and then tapped my shoulders.

“…What kind of dreams?”

“A dream is a dream, what else. Why, were you afraid I had an erotic dream? I guess you have those often? Ah, the drinks are out.”

Leaving behind the guy who asked with such strange caution, I received the two americanos and the bread that had just come out. After ignoring Ham Dowon’s face, which for some reason seemed red, I pressed the drink cup into his hand.

“Drink your cold coffee and wake up.”