episode_0028

“Why did you suggest going to a cafe all of a sudden?”

On a day like any other, when Park Si-hyun and I were on our way to the private institute. For some reason, Park Si-hyun suggested going to a cafe near the institute. Although it was near the institute, most of the customers were couples at the dessert cafe.

“Yeah, they say the desserts here are delicious.”

It was Park Si-hyun who spoke while enjoying the macaron. Although it was a dessert cafe, most of the menu items were sweet. Not being particularly fond of sweets, I was just drinking coffee.

“You’ll gain weight if you keep that up.”

“No, I won’t. I’ve started exercising again these days.”

“You said you were preparing for the physical exam?”

“Yes.”

The events in the physical exam for the College of Physical Education are mainly tests of physical fitness. Running, sit-ups, flexibility tests, things like that. They may sound easy in theory, but in reality, they are quite challenging from the perspective of an average person.

For running alone, wasn’t the perfect score standard in the 11-second range? The records for other events are not easy either. Well, if it were easy, people would have said that getting into a College of Physical Education is a piece of cake.

“Do you think you’ll do well?”

“I’m confident. In terms of exercise.”

“Are you sure? Your strength is weak, right? What about the university and major?”

Park Si-hyun was not in a state where her strength was significantly superior to mine. Even if she excelled, she was on par with ordinary girls or slightly better. Frankly, considering only strength, it’s doubtful whether she can get into a College of Physical Education.

“I should gradually build up my strength from now on. Last year, I couldn’t exercise properly, so that’s why. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll look into flexibility training or something. That’s why I’m also doing Pilates these days.”

“Pilates… Have you given up on becoming a martial artist?”

Park Si-hyun used to want to become a martial artist. But after becoming a woman, it would naturally be impossible to achieve what she originally desired. While there are female martial artists, honestly, compared to men’s events, they are not as popular and often overlooked.

As if acknowledging that fact, Park Si-hyun put a macaron in her mouth and nodded.

“Is that so… I thought about looking into women’s martial arts at least. I don’t know if I could do it as a hobby, but pursuing it professionally seems a bit challenging.”

“Why? Is it because it lacks popularity?”

“Yeah… It’s not that the standards for women are very low, but it’s like being in a place where even if you become a champion, no one recognizes you. It’s like being treated more like neighborhood soccer or PC room leagues compared to men’s martial arts. Unless it’s for self-satisfaction, it’s not very motivating.”

That makes sense. Of course, Park Si-hyun might consider doing martial arts as a hobby, but it seemed difficult for her to completely turn a blind eye to reality. Perhaps that’s why Park Si-hyun made quite an unexpected statement.

“So, for now, I’m thinking of applying to the College of Physical Education.”

“Oh, really? Isn’t the cut-off for the written test relatively high among the departments in the College of Physical Education? You also need to prepare for the practical exam.”

“The cut-off lines for the practical exams are pretty similar wherever you go. And for the written test… well, I’ll have to work hard.”

Even though she said that, it didn’t seem like she was studying very diligently. It felt like she was just coasting along, even from what she was doing at the private institute.

“…But do you know this?”

“What?”

“Seoul National University also has a College of Physical Education.”

There is no College of Physical Education at Seoul National University. However, there is a Department of Physical Education in the College of Education. In Korea, rather than being unique to Seoul National University, this side is more suitable for the elite sports system than recreational sports. Aspiring athletes receive coaching from an early age, so admission to the College of Physical Education is not particularly relevant. Most people who go to college to study physical education aim to become instructors, coaches, or physical education teachers.

“That’s right. But why? Are you planning to go to Seoul National University?”

“…Yes.”

“Snap out of it. It’ll be difficult for you with your current mindset.”

“Ugh. You never know until you try.”

“Mathematics Grade 1.”

“Huh?”

“Can you get a Grade 1 in mathematics? You probably need a Grade 1 in mathematics for that place, right?”

Due

“Really… Fine, then I’ll give up.”

“You didn’t even bother to check beforehand, you blockhead. And you give up so quickly.”

“If it’s not meant to be, it’s not meant to be.”

Park Si-hyun sucked on her drink with a frustrated expression. Yeah, if you’re not smart, at least give up quickly.

“But why suddenly talk about Seoul National University?”

“Because you want to go there.”

“Huh?”

“I thought it would be nice to go together.”

“…That’s impossible.”

“Hmph, I was just saying. Should I try this too?”

After saying that, Park Si-hyun called the waiter. This cafe, more like a restaurant than a coffee shop, had waiters coming to take orders directly.

“Yes, an additional order for a small Tiramisu.”

“Excuse me, could I have a coffee refill too?”

“Sure.”

A while later, the waiter took Park Si-hyun’s order. While the waiter was there, I asked for a coffee refill. Suddenly, the waiter taking the order looked at me and seemed slightly surprised.

“Um… Are you Kim Geon-woo?”

“…? Do I know you?”

“Oh… Geon-woo, right.”

For some reason, the waiter seemed to know me. I didn’t recall his face at all. But he seemed vaguely familiar.

“Don’t you remember me? I’m Lee Hee-na…”

“If you’re Hee-na… Ah.”

It was only then that I remembered. She was someone hard to forget. Seeing that I seemed to remember, she smiled and spoke.

“Yeah, remember now? You confessed to me back then.”

“…!”

Park Si-hyun, who was sitting in front, looked shocked as if struck by lightning. I wondered why she had such an expression. Well, for her, it shouldn’t be like that. Because that confession was something Si-hyun forced. Well, technically, Choi In-seong instigated it, but in the end, she was one of the perpetrators. And this guy, now acting like he remembers. Typical of a perpetrator to quickly forget what they did.

“That’s right… I also said harsh things to you back then. I regret it now. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I bet you felt bad when it happened to you. Getting confessed to by a loser like that.”

Back then, Hee-na was so pretty and popular that she became the target of bullying by the school bullies. It must have been quite upsetting for someone like her to receive a confession from a loser.

“Well, it didn’t actually feel that bad.”

“Huh?”

“Actually, it… made me feel a bit good. Receiving a confession like that.”

“You were popular, right? You must have received many confessions?”

“Yeah… But none of them were as memorable as yours.”

“Well, I must have been the only loser who confessed to you.”

I said that about myself without holding back. It was the truth. Meanwhile, I glanced at Park Si-hyun, and she seemed somewhat displeased. Why was that?

Then, something happened that further distorted Park Si-hyun’s expression.

“You weren’t that much of a loser. You had a good-looking face.”

“Huh? Really?”

“…Yeah. And back then, you seemed a bit pitiful, so I felt a little sorry for you.”

“I guess that’s how it was.”

“Anyway, I didn’t dislike you that much. I might have said you were pathetic, but…”

Hee-na said with a smirk. Even back then, she was popular, and it seemed like she still contributed significantly to the cafe’s sales. Just by talking to me, I could sense some guys’ glances in our direction.

When Park Si-hyun had a slightly twisted expression on her face for a while, it seemed like she was annoyed. It felt like something was off. Maybe she didn’t want to talk to me? Seeing that expression, mischievousness and curiosity arose in me instead. I thought about getting back at her for some old grudges.

“Do you remember Park Si-hyun by any chance?”

“…!”

“Huh? Park Si-hyun? Of course, I remember. You used to bully her.”

I deliberately mentioned Park Si-hyun. While Park Si-hyun looked surprised, Lee Hee-na unintentionally continued with her provocative remarks.

“Thinking back now, she was really bad. The girl couldn’t act conceited because of her half-and-half face, hung out with delinquent boys, and not only harassed her but also many others… Surely, she must have done some really bad things out of jealousy.”

“Oh, really? What do you think she’s doing now?”

“I don’t know. Probably drinking in a room salon. Her face was quite half-and-half, after all.”

It was amusing. It was like memories of Park Si-hyun were being replaced by memories of the girl. Choi In-sung, who was Park Si-hyun’s close friend, even confessed to Park Si-hyun due to this estrangement, making Lee Hee-na’s evaluation of Park Si-hyun seem even worse than before.

However, ironically, what struck me was that I seemed to not recognize the Park Si-hyun right in front of me. No, more precisely, it seemed like she wasn’t paying attention to me or the conversation at all.

“Oh. By the way, is the person with you… your lover?”

It was only now that Lee Hee-na recognized Park Si-hyun. She casually asked if they were lovers. Did they really look like a couple? When Lee Hee-na asked that question, Park Si-hyun looked at me with an expectant gaze.

It amused me, but for some reason, I wanted to tease her. So, I deliberately chose my response.

“No, just a female friend.”

“Oh, I see. Hello? I’m a former classmate from Geonwoo High School.”

Park Si-hyun’s expression distorted upon hearing that it wasn’t a lover, but when Lee Hee-na greeted her, she quickly composed herself and replied.

“Oh, hello…”

She seemed cautious, as if trying to figure out if she would be recognized. She was very aware that revealing herself as Park Si-hyun in this situation was not appropriate.

“Are you close with Geonwoo?”

“We just go to the same private institute together.”

Instead of Park Si-hyun, I quickly responded. Of course, we weren’t just attending a private institute together. Park Si-hyun glanced at me briefly after that answer, but I ignored it cleanly.

“Yeah, I see… You were in a private institute.”

“Yeah. Well, it made sense back then.”

“High school life must have been tough… People like Park Si-hyun are really problematic.”

“That’s true.”

Internally amused, I looked at Park Si-hyun. Her face was already turning red.

“Um, Geonwoo, then. You’re not really dating this person, right?”

“No, not at all.”

“She’s very pretty, though. But still, just friends? You’re impressive.”

“We’re just friends, that’s all.”

I emphasized that we were just friends. Despite this or that, Park Si-hyun, who had been in a relationship for a year, seemed dissatisfied again. Today, Park Si-hyun’s facial expressions were so varied that they were almost interesting to watch.

“Hehe, you’ve actually become quite heartwarming.”

“Really?”

“Yeah… Your face was always good-looking, but now it’s a bit more sturdy.”

“I see.”

“…So, here’s the thing. Do you happen to have some time today?”

“Time? Why time?”

“…Why not.”

Lee Hee-na hesitated as if embarrassed and spoke again.

“If you have time, let’s have a meal together or something.”

“…!”

Lee Hee-na said with a slightly blushing face. Watching her, I realized that was the ‘green light.’ What’s this, why all of a sudden?

As I started to have such doubts, Park Si-hyun’s expression changed instantly, turning into a grimace as if possessed by an evil spirit.