episode_0281

***

Although Kim Seong-ah should have felt better after a long time of shopping, she felt strangely uncomfortable, as if there was a fish thorn stuck in her throat.

Even when I bought clothes that I liked or shoes that fit my feet, I didn’t feel much better.

The inconvenience of unknown origin continued all the way to the food court, where I had no appetite even when I was faced with Japanese food that I had difficulty eating at home.

“Why are you like this earlier?”

Was it because I was too silent? her partner asked as they placed the tray across from them.

“No, just.”

Has there ever been a time when it was so difficult to understand one’s inner thoughts? Kim Seong-ah answered, still wondering about the feelings that even she herself could not understand.

“It’s been a long time since I came out, so I should go in a fresh mood.”

“Of course. Why are you like this?”

Kim Seong-ah tossed the katsudon with chopsticks. Each time you move your chopsticks, you exhale once.

Kang In-ho thought about what to say about this behavior that was obvious to anyone, but then he kept his mouth shut.

Because there is nothing more foolish than touching someone you don’t want to talk to…

It was an idea that came from an experience one day.

For that reason, in contrast to the noisy surroundings, their meal proceeded quietly.

Kim Seong-ah scooped up rice into small pieces, and Kang In-ho scooped up a spoonful and put it in his mouth.

“By the way, when will I meet my homeroom teacher?”

Since Kim Seong-ah spoke to him while he was in the middle of eating his food, he was unable to respond immediately.

Seongah Kim glanced at him until he swallowed all his food.

“He said he would like to see it as soon as possible. We decided to meet tomorrow.”

He swallowed his food and said, wiping his mouth with a tissue.

“Tomorrow is Saturday?”

“…Huh?”

“Why? Is something holding you back?”

“No.”

Kim Seong-ah turned her eyes again to the food in front of her.

Once the feeling subsided, it was unlikely to return.

***

“Lunch is ready. If you are not going to eat it right away, let it sit and reheat before eating.”

The next day, he said to Kim Seong-ah while putting on his shoes at the entrance.

Seongah Kim sat on a chair in the kitchen and pretended to listen to what he said.

“…Then let’s go?”

I guess I’m still in a bad mood. Kang In-ho thought to himself and said.

No answer came back.

The front door closed, and then I heard the sound of the front door opening and closing.

Kim Seong-ah got up from the chair and looked at the pot placed on the gas stove.

The kimchi stew made with large pieces of pork was giving off a spicy smell.

It was a smell that would normally make her mouth water, but for some reason she couldn’t reach for the food.

Still, this is the food prepared for me to eat. It is polite to have at least one drink.

Kim Seong-ah brought the pot to the table and took some rice out of the rice cooker.

White rice and delicious pork kimchi stew.

Take the hot soup with a spoon and place it on top of the rice, like footprints on snow.

Red footprints are left on the white snow field.

Then put the pork in a spoon again and place it on top of the rice.

Moderately wet grains of rice and pork enter her mouth. Immediately the texture of the meat and the rich taste of the seasoning hit your tongue.

She mouthed eagerly and soon had them all down her throat.

“…It tastes good.”

But it doesn’t taste good.

It really doesn’t taste good when eaten alone.

Still, I wanted to eat it, it was food he had prepared with great care.

She took another drink and put it in her mouth.

It was tasty, but not tasty.

***

Kang In-ho, who got lost a bit, arrived at the meeting place a little late.

The meeting place was a Japanese restaurant that was neither too expensive nor too cheap.

‘Japanese food again….’

Since the food wasn’t particularly sticky, there wasn’t really a problem.

The two met in front of the store and sat down where the employee guided them.

“Did you wait a long time? I was a bit lost.”

Kang In-ho apologized as he poured water into an empty cup.

“No, it’s okay.”

Seong-ah’s homeroom teacher smiled brightly and accepted his apology.

“I’m going to eat this, but what would you like to eat, Mr. Inho?”

As if the title didn’t stick well, Seong-ah’s homeroom teacher, Im Su-ah, finished speaking and smiled.

“Ah, this is me.”

He chose something that would adequately fill his stomach.

While the food was being prepared, we started talking about Seong-ah.

“I hope Seong-ah comes to school regularly…”

Lim Soo-ah made a troubled face.

“It is also against my policy to forcefully drag someone away. You must feel like you want to go.”

“But….”

“Of course, I will persuade you.”

“Yes, then I’ll just trust Inho.”

When do you believe you saw this woman? A thought like that suddenly occurred to him, but he didn’t show it.

“Did you hear anything else from the person who was your homeroom teacher last time?”

“Even back then, I didn’t come to school often, but it wasn’t to the point where I had to repeat a grade. But…”

“But.”

“They say that at some point, I suddenly stopped going to school and ended up repeating a grade.”

“Is it still the same now?”

“It’s a more severe situation.”

“I see. Let me talk carefully. Looks like he’s hiding something.”

He nodded.

“Yes, I would be grateful if you said so. I’ve been alone for a long time, so I’m sure there’s something I’ve been keeping inside.”

The food they ordered was placed in front of them. Kang In-ho handed the chopsticks to Lim Su-ah.

“Ah, thank you. …Anyway, even though he’s my homeroom teacher, he’s a stranger… In times like this, it’s best for family members to step in.”

“Family….”

He muttered as he put the pork cutlet into his mouth.

“I lost my parents in an accident at a young age… so I’m sure it hurts.”

“Yes?”

“Ah, ah! My aunt told me this. I didn’t ask Seong-ah.”

When Kang In-ho asked about the unexpected remark, Im Soo-ah waved her hand and explained.”

“Aha… Yes, yes….”

I smiled as if to reassure her, but my heart sank.

Without any preparation, a big secret was thrown at him.

“…….”

As I was calming down my shocked heart, chicken skin suddenly began to grow.

“…is it fun? You’re smiling.”

A red-haired woman, looking inside the store in shabby clothes, muttered.

The mobile phone in her right hand, and the map app on the screen, had a blinking round dot over a Japanese restaurant.

The shape was similar to a location tracker from a movie.