The Belief That Things Will Get Better – 2

Just like before, Yoon Sia was treated to ramen by Inho.

Cup ramen and chives kimchi on the white table.

It was far from a feast, but Yoon Sia’s mouth watered.

If she had to point out a difference… yes, it was the presence of Kang In-ho sitting across from her.

Her student was sitting opposite her, pouring hot water into the cup ramen, waiting for it to cook.

“I’ll eat quickly and we’ll start the lesson.”

Yoon Sia, feeling guilty for getting a meal even though she was late for the lesson, said.

“You can eat slowly. You’ll get indigestion if you eat too fast.”

Yoon Sia looked at Inho’s face at the subtly shortened words.

He didn’t seem to be reading her expression, so it didn’t seem like he said it on purpose.

As time passed, a mouth-watering smell began to rise from between the lid.

“It’s ready.”

Kang In-ho muttered, picked up his chopsticks, and lifted the noodles.

Yoon Sia, who had been watching him for a moment, also picked up her chopsticks and took a bite of the ramen.

The meal proceeded in silence.

The only sounds coming from the table were the clinking of chopsticks, the slurping of noodles, and the exclamations that naturally came out after eating the spicy broth.

“Ah, that was good.”

Kang In-ho said, finishing the short, ten-minute meal.

“Thank you, that was delicious.”

Yoon Sia was a person who knew shame. She offered him a sincere thank you.

“It’s nothing, I have a lot of ramen.”

Kang In-ho brushed off the greeting and got up from his seat.

He picked up the remaining trash on the table and put it in the sink, wiping away the marks made by the splattered broth with a dishcloth.

After the brief cleanup, Yoon Sia went up to the second floor with him to conduct the lesson.

Whether the recent attitude of diligence continued, the homework assigned in advance was neatly solved.

Filled with satiety and pride, Yoon Sia was able to conduct the lesson with a smile.

It was the first smile she had made in two days.

Shin Jeonga sat on the sofa, scanning her friends who were having a drinking party alone.

She looked at the can of beer in her hand.

Kim Jin-tae had forced it into her hand.

As if facing a powdered medicine that a child didn’t want to take, she grimaced and sipped it.

The lukewarm liquid went down her esophagus.

She was sure that drinking would make her feel better, but it didn’t today.

“What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”

Kim Jin-tae kicked the back of the loudly talking Seong Yunho and sat next to her.

From a close distance where thigh touched thigh, Kim Jin-tae brought his ear to Shin Jeonga’s mouth.

“No, I’m fine.”

Shin Jeonga slightly distanced herself. The smell of stale cigarettes ruthlessly swept through her nose.

“Bullshit, ‘fine’… do you even know that you’ve been frowning a lot these days?”

Kim Jin-tae said, putting a cigarette he took out of his front pocket in his mouth.

“……..”

“Is it because of Kang In-ho?”

At his words, Shin Jeonga flinched.

Kim Jin-tae raised one corner of his mouth, as if to say, “See?”

“Leave him alone. He said he’s not hanging out with us anymore. I told you before, right? He and we live in different worlds. It’s obvious when someone who lives alone doesn’t even let his friends into his house.”

Kim Jin-tae took a deep drag of his cigarette and exhaled the smoke towards the ceiling.

The cigarette smoke that had soared upwards scattered, and the smell fell downwards.

“……..”

Shin Jeonga was secretly thinking that Kim Jin-tae’s words were right.

However, a small hope deep in her heart was holding onto her sinking heart.

The thought that they might return to their original relationship when Kang In-ho’s suspension was lifted.

That thought was soothing her unstable mind.

Shin Jeonga took another sip of beer.

The still lukewarm temperature made her feel bad.

“Isn’t it a bit annoying how he’s drawing the line?”

Kim Jin-tae carefully brought up the topic, watching Shin Jeonga’s reaction.

Shin Jeonga didn’t show much reaction to his words.

“It’s okay now because he’s suspended, but if he comes to school and acts like this, I’m going to…”

“Jin-tae.”

Kim Jin-tae shut his mouth at Shin Jeonga’s words as she sipped her beer.

“Huh? Why?”

Kim Jin-tae, who had been showing the image of a strong man, looked at her.

“I’ve been…”

Shin Jeonga paused, twirling the beer can around.

“There’s someone who’s been bothering me lately. Can you help me?”

Just as everyone’s attention was focused on Shin Jeonga, she said with a refreshing smile.