Final EP. Park-1



It was 8 a.m. on Saturday when I opened my eyes.

I woke up later than usual, but it was still a bit early for someone enjoying a day off.

Oh, the sad soul of a company worker who can’t even sleep in on their days off…

Just as I wouldn’t desperately cling to an old lover, I didn’t bother trying to catch more sleep.

To soothe my dry mouth, I brushed my teeth while looking at the new interior decorations I had brought in yesterday.

The potted plant I had brought on a whim was making its presence known, however small.

[Place it by a well-ventilated window, and water it with about half a cup of water every morning when you wake up.]

That was the plant care advice Chunhyang, the florist, had given me.

I had told her that the windows in my officetel only opened a little, so I wasn’t sure if it would be okay, but she had given me her signature bewitching smile and told me to put it by my bedside.

Since my desk and bed were right next to each other, I placed the plant close to my head.

I had a strange feeling that the soil was slightly raised, but I figured it was just my imagination.

After all, what flower sprouts in just one day?

I spat out the toothpaste, splashed some water on my face, and grabbed the clothes hanging on the chair.

I felt like I should have breakfast.

“Good morning.”

There was already someone waiting in front of the elevator.

“Are you going to work, Isis?”

Judging by her attire, it didn’t seem like she was off.

“Yes, I don’t really have holidays.”

I’ve been thinking lately that Isis always stares intently at my face.

If you ask me if that gaze is unpleasant, I don’t think so, and rather, I like it because it feels like she’s taking care of me.

Of course, I’m not foolish enough to voice such absurd thoughts.

“……..”

“Why?”

I asked because I thought I saw a subtle emotion in her staring face, but Isis shook her head.

“I felt like you were misunderstanding something quite a bit.”

More incomprehensible words. It seems like more and more people around me are saying things like this these days.

Is it a trend?

“Where are you going, Kang In-ho?”

“I’m going to get breakfast. I’m having trouble deciding what to eat.”

We continued our conversation as we got into the elevator.

My finger and Isis’s finger briefly overlapped as I tried to press the first-floor button.

I flinched at the momentary contact, but I held it in because it would seem stranger to show it.

I glanced at Isis’s face, and she didn’t seem to care, so I felt like I was the only weird one.

“Have you decided on a menu?”

“Not yet.”

“How about a ham and cheese toast from the toast shop nearby?”

Without the slightest hesitation, Isis suggested a menu.

“Oh? Sounds good?”

Surprisingly, Isis’s suggestion made my mouth water.

-The elevator doors opened with a ding.

Isis went ahead, looked around, and then turned to me.

“I thought you would like it.”

As if stating a very obvious fact, Isis said, staring intently at my face.

Following Isis’s advice, I ordered a ham and cheese toast from the toast shop.

The subtly sweet and salty breakfast was one of the most delicious meals I’d had recently.

I should tell Isis that I enjoyed the meal thanks to her when I see her next time.

If we were a little closer, I would have asked for her contact information, but this distance is probably just right for now.

After a satisfying meal, I went to the park.

And I sat on a bench, blankly watching the people in the park.

Perhaps because the weather was getting warmer, there were quite a few people in the park.

Warm sunlight, and in my hand, walnut cookies I bought as a snack.

I sank my teeth into the soft yet slightly rough surface of the walnut cookie, and a rich sweetness spread.

I admired the taste that filled my mouth and enjoyed the long-awaited leisure.

I’ve been busy recently with new employee training, work, outpatient treatment, and whatnot, but now I feel a little more at ease.

As I closed my eyes and enjoyed the sunlight and leisure, a shadow fell over me.

I ignored it, thinking it was just someone passing by, but the shadow didn’t disappear.

I slowly opened my eyes and saw someone standing in front of me.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Oh… yes.”

I was surprised by her Western appearance, surprised again by her Korean, and surprised to realize that I had spoken to her once recently.

“Do you… remember me?”

The woman with shining blonde hair and heterochromatic eyes looked down at me and said.

I nodded without answering, calming my surprised heart from this chance encounter.

“Can I… sit here?”

She reached out to the empty seat next to me.

“Ah, yes… please sit.”

Sitting on a park bench with a heterochromatic blonde beauty next to me.

It became a slightly awkward situation.

“Do you… remember me?”

I couldn’t deny her clumsy Korean and nodded.

The woman’s face seemed to brighten a little at my affirmation.

“Then, do you know my name too?”

“Ma, Maria, right?”

The name came to mind like a memo stored in an old locker.

The woman smiled a little.

“That’s right. Maria Lauen. I am Maria Lauen.”

I turned my gaze away as her chest shook heavily as she adjusted her posture.

“Hmm? Why? Is there something to see?”

Maria moved closer to me. A sweet fragrance like spring flowers stung my nose.

I felt something heavy touching my elbow.

“Divinity Pouch….”

Strange words popped out unintentionally.

“Pardon?”

“Ah, never mind.”

Divinity Pouch, why did I suddenly say something like that?