episode_0013

13.

“Let’s call it a day here. Good work!”

“Ayeong, you did well too….”

Najimak’s voice trailed off wearily.

Despite using only her mind, she lamented pain throughout her body. It felt like the exhaustion after a hard day’s labor, trudging home.

Resting her face on the desk like a rice cake, she sighed with a sense of resignation. Finding it comical, Park Ayeong let out a chuckle.

“You’re totally drained.”

“Sorry, I’m a liquid monster.”

At the mention of “liquid monster,” Lee Subin perked up instantly.

Her sparkling eyes showed a fascination beyond that of an elementary school student.

“Liquid monster? Where is it? I want to touch it too!”

“No. Why do you like a liquid monster that’s bad for your skin and health?”

“Huh? Why are you so confident, senior? We get checked at clinics these days, right? Thanks to that, we’re clean, smell good, and all that jazz!”

“Well, play with it as much as you want.”

Fittingly teasing her height.

“Did I just mention my height? Why do you keep poking at me? Huh?! Are you confident, senior? Good at fighting? Want to throw down?”

“Are you a ghost? Starting to get a bit scary.”

“Would you like to apologize first?”

“Sorry.”

“Does apologizing end social interactions? You’re totally out of touch! Doji senior, gather everyone around, above and below me for comfort!”

Seems like military PTSD…

Her expression involuntarily twisted.

“Control your expression properly… Yes. I’ll stop now. Oh, you’re stopping? Why are your hands coming towards my face…!”

I cut off Lee Subin’s trailing words and grabbed her cheeks. I stretched them out and then squeezed them repeatedly, teasing her.

“Have you been in the military? Your teasing skills are not bad…”

“Don’t… Hey! Let go!”

“Okay.”

“Hmph! I have many older brothers, so I’m used to this at home. Usually, we tease or fight each other. But Doji senior, have you served in the military? Why are you so touchy?”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“I don’t know.”

“If you don’t know, you should get hit…”

As Lee Subin started babbling again, I promptly pinched her cheeks.

Where does this young kid get off talking back?

“Stop it.”

“I’m not being old-fashioned.”

As the situation concluded, the conversation between Han Hyojin and Park Ayeong reached my ears.

“Do you think the goal set by the vice president is achievable? From my perspective, it seems impossible for student Dojinwoo.”

“At the moment, it seems a bit lacking. If we study even on weekends, it might work out… but there’s no suitable place to study.”

“Is that so.”

It seemed to be about me.

I interjected to counter Han Hyojin’s statement.

“My head is decent enough, you know?”

“Even if you study three or four hours a day for three days, it’s still insufficient; you’re falling behind.”

“Compared to the president, anyone would fall short. And starting from scratch, this isn’t really bad… Okay, I’m done.”

“It feels like dealing with someone who won’t listen anyway.”

“Exactly.”

“Hmm… Is this being ignored? Not bad.”

Casually ignoring Han Hyojin’s muttering, I turned to Park Ayeong.

“If there’s no space, we can study at my place.”

“Dojin’s place…?”

“It’s quiet because it’s a studio apartment. It’s a bit small, but there’s enough space for four people to study.”

“Will the soundproofing be okay with the neighbors? It could be awkward if we disturb them or something goes missing when we visit someone’s house…”

“The soundproofing is fine, and there are no valuable items in our house to worry about.”

“Um… sounds good.”

Park Ayeong agreed and scanned the student council room.

“Shall we have a study session at Dojin’s place this Saturday? Would anyone interested please raise their hand?”

No one raised their hand.

“I’m curious about the studio apartment, but I don’t have the motivation to study.”

“I’m planning to waste time waiting for two hours at a trendy cafe with friends tomorrow, chat away, and then go eat some hot soup to warm up.”

A high schooler going for soup…

It was an odd combination.

Dumbfounded, I let out a forced laugh, and before I knew it, the members of the study group had been decided.

“It’s just you and Jinwoo.”

“Hmm… Seems like it’s not a study group but a home date. Can’t help but pass this on to these two.”

Han Hyojin rummaged through her chest and pulled something out.

A white package similar to pharmacy vitamins. On the surface, elegant English script was written vertically in rows.

I was shocked when I saw the item she pulled out.

“Wait…!”

Before I could say anything, Park Ayoung tilted her head and quickly grabbed it.

“What is this?”

At the innocent question, Han Hyojin subtly raised the corner of her mouth.

“It’s an item that disrupts patriotic activities, but at the same time, it’s essential for student couples.”

“Huh? What is it really? Is it something bad?”

Before Han Hyojin could answer, I quickly snatched it from Park Ayoung’s hand.

“Kids don’t need to know about this.”

“But Jinwoo is the same as me.”

“He’s different. Don’t worry about it and just leave it.”

“I’m more curious because of Jinwoo’s reaction. Explain it to me; I also help you with your studies.”

“No! Oh my! Don’t smile like that, Miss President! I’m really mad. Hey! Don’t think about taking pictures and editing them with Isubin’s phone!”

Ah…

It’s really exhausting.

***

Under the dawning sunlight that made the birds chirp brightly, the sky, which had been dark, began to seek out its blue hue.

I waited near the street corner for Park Ayoung, dressed lightly, as I had called her early in the morning due to afternoon work. It was a natural thing to do.

While waiting for a moment –

In the distance, a faint figure of a person approached. As the distance narrowed, the distinct circular shape became clearer.

With long, blue hair, Park Ayoung, who looked sophisticated in her body and casual dress, approached.

“Hello.”

“Hello, Jinwoo.”

Her demeanor was brighter than usual.

Did something good happen on her way here?

Tilting her head, Park Ayoung naturally took the bags she brought in both hands.

“Oh, it’s fine…”

“I’m fine, so let go of the bag.”

“Hehe…. Then please.”

With a thud, the shopping bag boasted a considerable weight, contrary to its appearance.

Peeking inside, various items such as diffusers, tissues, wet wipes, etc., revealed themselves.

“Are you having a housewarming party?”

“Maybe it’s not a housewarming since it’s my first time going there?”

“That could be true.”

She chuckled and walked ahead. Park Ayoung walked around me, following behind.

“You live alone around here?”

“Yeah.”

It’s an area on the outskirts of Seoul where residents gather. The rent was relatively cheap, and finding a studio apartment to live in without much hassle was not difficult.

After a short walk, we arrived at the ‘Starlight Building,’ which, unlike nearby buildings, did not feel shabby at all and even had an elevator installed.

It was a symbol of a newly built building.

“Is this it?”

“Yes.”

Thanks to an acquaintance, I moved in for a lower price than the market rate.

If it weren’t for that sister, I probably wouldn’t have considered it.

I entered the entrance code and went in. Just then, I caught the 1st-floor elevator and headed to the 4th floor.

Ding! We arrived and stopped at 403, the end of a short corridor.

“This is my bachelor pad.”

“Jinwoo…! It’s a corridor, keep it down….”

“I’m the only resident on the 4th floor.”

“Oh…. That’s why the soundproofing is good….”

“You still remember?”

“It was yesterday, of course I remember.”

Leaving Park Ayoung behind, I entered the password.

As it was a friend I hadn’t brought over in a long time, I almost felt like saying ‘close your eyes!’ like when we were kids, but as you know, I ended up showing everything to everyone.

“I know Park Ayoung, but she might not press it.”

Even if it’s numbness to safety, it couldn’t be helped.

People trusting people was inevitable.

Click!

“Come in.”

“Yes, excuse me.”

As I opened the door, Park Ayoung nodded and stepped inside.

“Wow.”

And soon, a sound of admiration followed.

“You live so cleanly… The interior is nice too….”

I also turned my gaze into the room.

10 square meters. The furniture combined wood tones with gray hues in a luxurious manner.

Subtle and warm colored lights descended from the ceiling fixtures and bedside lamps.

It was an interior design impossible without mental and financial ease.

Perhaps Park Ayoung sensed it, as she shot me a look that seemed to ask, “Why work so hard living in a place like this?”

I awkwardly scratched the back of my head and explained, “I’m broke. This place is… a friend’s…”

So, as I mentioned earlier, it was a favor from an acquaintance.

“An acquaintance? That sounds suspicious. In this day and age, there’s hardly any reason for such kindness… Well, let’s look into that later. Right now, it’s time to study, isn’t it?”

“Right.”

Although I understood the reason for the favor, I decided to go along with Park Ayoung for now.

Gently setting down her belongings, I unfolded a small desk in the center.

On top of it lay rapidly spreading textbooks and worksheets.

“Let’s begin!”

“Sure…”

“Let’s finish up math and move on to English.”

.

.

.

.

.

“In the passage ‘I love you,’ I used present and future tenses. Which passage is correct?”

“Number 2.”

“Correct. Next question: ‘Can I sleep at your place?’ ‘I want to sleep at home…’ ‘Oppa, I’m too tired to walk. Is it okay if I sleep?’ ‘Honey…’ What’s this about? The passage seems a bit strange…”

Park Ayoung paused in confusion.

The atmosphere grew tense, and concentration wavered.

Exhaling, I refreshed the mood.

“Ayoung, if you want to sleep, you can say it in Korean.”

“No! It’s not that! The passage really said that!”

Embarrassment flushed Park Ayoung’s face like an apple.

I chuckled and checked the time.

It was already midnight. We had been studying for four hours since we started at 8. I had put in quite an effort given my level of concentration.

Internally praising myself, I asked Park Ayoung, “It’s time to wrap up, isn’t it?”

“Already?”

“Yeah, it’s midnight.”

I showed her my wristwatch.

“Oh, I didn’t realize how time flew by.”

“That’s right.”

Yawning, I got up from my seat.

“Are you hungry?”

“A little…?”

“Well, it’s a shame to part ways like this. How about going out to eat?”

“To go out…”

Park Ayoung hesitated, biting her lip.

To create a comfortable atmosphere for her to speak freely, I waited quietly without pressuring her.

After some time passed, Park Ayoung spoke hesitantly.

“Instead of going out… could Jinwoo cook for us?”

“…?”

“Of course, we’ll cover the ingredients and maybe a fee for his trouble. And if needed, I can help too…! But if Jinwoo finds it bothersome, then we can’t force him…”

Misunderstanding due to my silence, Park Ayoung quickly poured out her words.

Taken aback by the sudden storm of words, I paused for a moment, then understood her meaning in the ensuing silence and burst into laughter.

“Haha!”

“Why are you laughing? Don’t tell me you thought I meant pig?! No! I don’t really eat much! Seriously!”

I corrected her misunderstanding.

“Haha, I just found it cute…”

“…”

*Cough* “Phew. If you wish to eat, then this chef will dedicate himself to preparing the meal for you, Miss Ayoung.”

Blushing more than when she was reading the passage, Park Ayoung protested, “Don’t… I won’t eat…”

“I’m sorry! I won’t tease you. Stay seated, please.”

For some reason, whether it was my cooking or something else, she seemed to have taken a liking to it.

It’s always nice to have someone appreciate your efforts. Smiling, I headed towards the kitchen.

I felt eager to showcase my skills properly after a long time.

***

Truly, exam season had arrived.