episode_0043

Episode 42: Children become comfortable with adults’ inner workings.

The presidential election was one of the most crucial events in South Korea.

Naturally so, as it involved the leader and a prominent figure of the country.

Based on democracy, it aimed to select someone to represent the voices of the citizens.

Therefore, Kim Sun-hee, a prominent figure in the party and the mother of Kim Hyeong-min, couldn’t help but be sensitive.

One could say that her entire political career had been for the next year.

For someone who entered politics, dreaming of the Blue House was inevitable.

With less than a year remaining, the atmosphere within the party was notably different.

Perhaps due to recent unfavorable rumors or the numerous individuals eyeing Kim Sun-hee.

She became even more sensitive, finding it hard to trust even allies easily.

“Hey, Unni. What’s wrong?”

“Oh, Shin-hye.”

It was a nickname.

Given her role as an aide for over ten years.

No one else could address her in such a manner.

This made it all the more special.

Only one person could do so.

“How was work?”

“I handled it well.”

“Yeah. You’ve worked hard. Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

Her first memory was aiding someone’s beliefs.

There was no mention of Kang Shin-hye.

Was she Kim Sun-hee’s right-hand person, always by her side?

For over a decade, she supported her, yet people didn’t remember her.

She was someone with much to learn from, willing to handle even dirty tasks.

Law and politics.

They were intertwined in a way that couldn’t easily be separated.

Hence, Kang Shin-hye, a high-ranking prosecutor, could be a reliable right hand.

However.

Time was truly fearsome.

The romantic idealism of the beginning faded away with the storms of time, greed, and reality.

Desires blinded people.

Even harming the hearts of those who dedicated themselves truly.

“Now, take a break.”

“What are you saying? The presidential election is next year…”

“That’s why. Because you’ve worked hard until now.”

Tap, tap.

A gesture of patting the shoulder.

Someone might find it a heartwarming scene and smile contentedly.

The action itself seemed genuine.

Encouraging and providing rest for a comrade who had toiled for over ten years?

However, delving into reality revealed a slightly different intention.

The suggestion to rest was akin to dismissal.

In ten years.

Especially at a time like this, there had been no instances of granting rest.

Instead, they pushed each other to endure a bit longer.

Or was it just a facade?

Kang Shin-hye raised her voice with a betrayed expression.

“Rest? The presidential election is next year?”

“We’re both getting older.”

In reality, it was a life almost indistinguishable from shadows.

Interest in politicians is essential.

Various nicknames and initials are attached to remain in the public’s memory.

Kim Sun-hee seemed to be favorably inclined.

It was a declaration of providing good treatment subtly.

However, from Kang Shin-hye’s perspective, it was an unbearable situation of betrayal.

Naturally so? She had toiled for over ten years.

Nearly reaching her twenties.

She had cleaned up without hesitation and remained loyal.

Yet.

To falter at the moment of fruition?

It wasn’t an uncommon scenario.

Despite knowing how unpleasant it was.

Promising good treatment and asking her to stay by her side was a plea.

Knowing that if she wasn’t by her side, she had nowhere else to go.

It was the judgment and choice of a human who had observed Kang Shin-hye for over twenty years.

And those eyes did not deceive.

“Well, how… How…”

She didn’t burst into anger.

This was her building after all.

It wouldn’t benefit her to get angry, even though it was her rightful indignation.

She headed home, suppressing her anger.

Fine, as you wish, take a rest quietly.

She rolled and tumbled in the political arena.

Kang Shin-hye began to consider reality over immediate emotions.

What should she do?

She would ponder slowly and discreetly.

Would she remain a foolish bear or become a fierce tiger leaping into the world?

It was something to watch out for.

April had arrived.

It was the third day since Jung Ah-young and Han Se-in started dating.

It was Thursday turning into Friday.

“Hello.”

“Mm.”

“Aren’t you running errands anymore?”

As Jung Ah-young mentioned a Daiso bag, a pained expression crossed her face.

Did she give herself away too much?

In reality, it was almost like wearing armor, but hearing it from Han Se-in made her feel embarrassed.

“Mm.”

“Huh? Huh? You’re acting strange.”

“I-I missed you.”

“What?”

Rush!

With eyes tightly shut, Jung Ah-young blurted out the reason as if shouting.

It was actually Han Se-in who was more taken aback by her straightforward confession.

Is this how she expresses her feelings?

Even if they were in a relationship, it was cringeworthy.

“Pfft. Me too.”

“Mm. Mmm…”

Jung Ah-young’s face turned red.

As Han Se-in nodded in agreement, her cheeks grew even warmer.

It was no longer just ordinary emotions.

Where there is giving, there is receiving.

Engaged in reciprocal emotions, Jung Ah-young became even more lively.

“Well, we should go to school!”

“This time, be gentle. It hurts, you know.”

“Oh, okay…”

He must be talking about holding hands.

But why does it sound so peculiar?

Jung Ah-young cleared her throat to dispel the lewd thoughts that popped into her head.

“It’s nice because it’s warm.”

“Mm?”

“It’s not cold. Your hand.”

“Oh…”

It wasn’t winter, it was spring.

Jung Ah-young’s heart began to melt like snow.

Han Se-in’s hand, oddly cool, approached with a pleasant sensation.

Why is my face burning up like this?

I feel like I’m going crazy.

Jung Ah-young calmed her pounding heart and looked ahead.

After that, it was a usual day like any other.

Attending classes and daydreaming during boring times.

Ah, at least she found herself looking at Han Se-in more often.

Normally, she would have stolen glances cautiously.

But as lovers, she could openly gaze at his face to her heart’s content.

And when lunchtime came around…

“Huh?”

Freedom suddenly arrived.

After eating lunch, they headed to the fourth floor as usual.

However, unlike before, an empty space greeted them.

“Should we go back?”

“Let’s do that.”

What’s going on?

Normally, not seeing the people they should avoid wouldn’t have caused worry.

It wasn’t a happy time with good words anyway.

Jung Ah-young and Han Se-in descended the stairs.

“Ah.”

“…”

“…”

Silence lingered.

The woman coming up the stairs was Kang Hyun-ah.

Discomfort filled the gazes exchanged between them.

Despite this, Kang Hyun-ah was the first to speak.

“You guys.”

“?”

“Mm?”

“Don’t come here anymore.”

“…”

Kang Hyun-ah’s breath sounded uneasy.

A moment of silence.

As if proving their freedom, Kang Hyun-ah passed by them without saying a word.

“What’s this…”

“Yeah.”

Confusion and unease preceded joy and happiness.

Even Jung Ah-young, who had been tormented until now, was bewildered.

Is this a new form of torment?

Her unexpectedly anxious appearance was quite pitiful.

Anyway.

After turning back into a half.

Han Se-in began to torment Jeong Ah-young.

Empty time.

Ah-young, who was staring blankly ahead, suddenly twitched.

“Ah-young.”

“Mm?”

“Listen.”

“Uh…”

Uncomfortable.

But was it melancholic and painful?

Not quite.

Incomplete emotions.

In other words, Jeong Ah-young was squirming in excitement.

As she slowly brought her ear closer, she felt a warm breath.

Han Se-yeon whispered with her lips against Ah-young’s ear.

“I love you.”

“Eek!!”

Fluttering Ah-young.

She wriggled as if a switch had been flipped.

Finding her reaction cute and amusing, Han Se-in chuckled.

Having received a significant blow to her heart, Ah-young collapsed onto the desk, creating her own space.

“Huff, hoo, ha, hoo, ha, hoo, haa…”

Calm down.

Please, heart, calm down.

Unexpectedly hit by a love attack, Ah-young gasped loudly.

However…

There was one thing she overlooked.

Being collapsed.

Even though she created her own space, her exposed ear remained vulnerable.

“I love you.”

“Eeek!!”

Her body leaped up in surprise.

The eyes of classmates gathered.

“What’s going on?”

“Why is she like that?”

“Is she crazy?”

Excitement, and embarrassment.

Ah-young, unsure of what to do, straightened her chair and sat back down.

“Hehe.”

“…”

“So, what’s your answer?”

“Ugh.”

“You’re too much. I…I…”

Sobbing.

No tears fell, but she wiped her eyes.

Seeing Han Se-in like that, Ah-young panicked.

This couldn’t happen. How did they end up in this situation!

Still, there was a sense of shame.

She had love in her heart, but expressing it was awkward.

“To…to love…”

“Yeah, yeah.”

A voice like ants crawling.

With lowered eyes, she seemed resigned.

As the lunch break neared its end, a new breeze blew through the classroom.

“Hey, everyone! Club sign-ups!”

“Oh…”

April was the season for clubs.

Club activities would soon become a regular part of their weekly schedule.

“Where are you going?”

“I’ll stay here…”

“Oh, into coding?”

Did she calm her mind?

Taking the paper, Ah-young marked a familiar spot.

When Han Se-in asked, she nodded, hoping he would join her.

But he shook his head.

“It’s too difficult. I’ll go somewhere else.”

“Uh, okay.”

“Oh…”

“Why…”

“It’s nothing.”

Surprising.

Han Se-in looked at Ah-young unexpectedly.

He thought she would follow him stubbornly.

Seems like there’s something about coding.

“Where are you going?”

“Um… Oh. I’ll be here.”

Ah-young asked.

After pondering, Han Se-in pointed his finger like Ah-young did.

A corner not easily noticed.

It seemed like an intentional club choice.

[Genre Literature and Arts Department.]

Shortened to GenreLitArt.

That was the club name Han Se-in chose.