ANQ | Chapter 7

The guy who always seemed annoying and bothersome hadn’t shown up for days.37b87f34b5251bbf

At first, I thought, “Oh, he’s not coming today,” and didn’t think much of it. It was nice and quiet without his silly chatter.b337dc439fd7571b

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But as it 96d4df5546 turned into two 345942f473 days, then three, 98abbd8056 he kept popping 5afa21f031 into my mind f353bc9f7b like I had ca851f1f57 left something important 0d4b3a77f9 unfinished.2ab94a1565d1ec90

It was like ec7a5a494c I had been 53bd426446 trained to wait edee7474ad for him to 14c547dc37 show up at fd6dbc8325 10 AM, just 15961b2052 like the little 4720941954 prince waiting for 4839f63d4f the desert fox.1348da7ed0456018

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Minyoung’s curiosity about the man’s whereabouts eventually turned into concern.8ea7fc2520a2d129

Is he sick? He seemed like ed29714a68 a loner, so 6db89fb7a6 maybe something happened.e1311cc9918a9ab8

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“…What am I saying?”71ba25546987d1b9

Minyoung muttered e509146efd to himself d5e215ad70 as he 147bde1e3a scrubbed a bfdc25ed4b rag. He worked 1127bad744 it into 41ac1602cf a lather cefca78348 until it edc90058df was white 17c5725288 and bit fe1c0bfd77 his lower 2c23e45675 lip.8ba8c1ce9f16faa1

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As he often did 3f1fa3c2e7 when deep in thought, 9a3cedc641 he nibbled on his 09f3da93fb lip with his front f1cf962593 teeth.e82d7eff5c7f9d8b

After work, Minyoung zipped 6e1f629edc up his jumper all a176487a13 the way and hunched 48de6bc7e8 over as he walked bc94087274 to the bus stop.20dece43809337dd

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The weather was 126dc165b9 bouncing between winter 767093089f and spring. Today, it felt more 28ab6903a5 like winter, and it 4f814b428a was quite chilly.5ae0d61b21ada208

Lost in thought b2153ea8fa and walking slowly, 9a443e4982 Minyoung checked the c3787b15d3 time and hurried c0b47f3b62 his pace.3b6895df883a8b3c

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It was rush hour, and if he didn’t hurry, he might be late for his tutoring session.cfdd48723bb0957b

Just then, he 2e648fb8cc heard a small 0c3fcc460a honk. The sound of a 34ed45ab32 frivolous engine followed, making dc5b8c786e Minyoung turn around.b06d9d7b1bf368bd

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A scooter with red 52dea3de1e and black mixed together fe48738b5b was clattering towards him, 2968019c7f blinking its lights.e26220edbdf1d95a

The old scooter, 3217ee2fad lacking any sense 7ab3a01a05 of speed, rattled 1776d9d933 to a stop 1e6ff9f5fe next to Minyoung.270cf568c6050193

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A face fc13ea55f6 in a dadb548de6 black helmet c0fb467af5 turned to 933ad6f3bd look at bb367139f2 him.89d18a1bd98d871d

“Wow, you’re fast. Were you a track athlete?”674ddb3190c1f4f6

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Who is this? Minyoung stepped back, startled by the scooter driver’s familiarity. He glanced over the scooter in front of him and pressed his lips together.21c8a2f51887d94c

There wasn’t anything particularly wrong with the scooter. It just looked oddly amusing.ff9c2bf8b25e4971

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The driver was 2a367ee151 too big for 1bd4319585 the small scooter.04e8ffe4a57031c0

The helmet he wore 93d6c50ab4 was too fancy compared 75a814826b to the shabby state e119e5489d of the scooter.cb89dac0c9ec0022

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A glossy, classic 29d073487f black shell with cd6f80f479 a tinted shield e0d009f16c covering the face—it 43bc7781da was a product f943e653c8 from S company.680279903c856921

It was a model that cost at least 2 million won. Minyoung knew that much, even if he couldn’t afford a motorcycle himself.f0b209f4fe0e6abf

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What is this 3f46e66261 combination? Minyoung looked on d1b718d12f curiously. The black jumper 32aad2771e the driver wore 489b167e0d seemed oddly familiar.55607495cbb17e9d

The driver, b96fd83830 sitting as c824de62ab if he d0bc7c9e93 were on 568ee1d0c0 a luxury ba5acbc40c motorcycle, lifted b2877452e8 the black 2d3edd574b shield.2bb722ef200de352

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“Are you off work now?”8b1c0b2c1df5ad88

The scooter f7993ec283 driver was dab3b5018f none other 96a8601637 than the cc3703b90b Strawberry Smoothie 58b9914883 Man.9127f3a4e3bec7aa

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Minyoung had thought 358ab82cd2 he was peculiar, 5860c011e1 but today he 42ad06580b seemed genuinely strange. A scooter e520c6a4bf that looked 108d444fa1 less than 55f576438d 300,000 won bae4ff03ff with a 135d027e06 2 million 8287cc5b92 won helmet.e3242f755eaf0a0a

Plus, he was 6a9a045b4c wearing slippers with 65ab11ce43 bare feet in f71d013e0a this cold weather.773e4eb011007d4b

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“What’s with the scooter?”6e67d21390a65209

“I got it from somewhere. Isn’t it cool?”9de3b1613407bdc3

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Minyoung smiled awkwardly. The question of whether it was cool didn’t sound like a joke.dfd26fcee54566ca

“Uh, well…”68dcf4ef22961401

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“Where are you headed?”fc8e7c35a57eb00b

“Wooyoung-dong.”670f745559b0cd0e

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“I’ll give you a ride.”52ae4e49589ccd80

“A 50cc scooter is a one-seater.”d783636df7070f88

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The man’s size already seemed to weigh down the scooter’s wheels. Minyoung didn’t want to cling to such a large figure and race down the road.3162e772e58ae772

“I’m slim, so it’s fine.”f6f15da87a14e07d

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“No, thanks.”2e033061d7753580

“Are you scared of riding motorcycles?”573f02139a6afbe6

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“Me?”1524581a5f23fcd8

“It’s understandable. The speed can be quite something.”fa85747d2d8148a2

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Speed? Is he serious? The frivolous engine sound of the scooter echoed in Minyoung’s ears again.c9acdb9681f04dbe

Minyoung answered sincerely.18994a7fc5813429

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“I’m not.”b496caa6187b7c94

“Then hop on. Can’t you see how jammed the road is? There was a big accident at the intersection ahead. It’ll take a while to clear.”67c109dc6706f48d

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Minyoung looked 80dd884f05 at the 4295f1d991 road. Indeed, as the man 73773156ee said, the road was f00951d164 completely clogged.361f267c6844bdb5

Only people on 8aac30f218 the sidewalk and 0edf34eb5c delivery motorcycles were aadbfbe70e moving.f5fa1c4bea27a21e

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Minyoung hesitated 92921e5c11 in front 2fa18ce2ad of the e80d714de0 man. Despite his previous worries, 2d6b173dc5 he seemed fine.ea5bda41ef04caa0

His expression didn’t seem any different from usual.eb32879cc7421177

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Can I really hitch a ride on that scooter? Minyoung’s eyes wavered. It was the busiest time for students.d7b7de8b8be3143b

Tutoring was a service c779db3e72 job, and keeping time 60990a7342 was a basic courtesy.52524810012fdc98

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The man unbuckled his c85a17e2c6 helmet and tossed it c48944b39d to Minyoung. Minyoung caught the 2afaf39fc1 heavy helmet reflexively.a42d1fe6b47289d7

“Don’t regret it in the middle of the road. Get on while I’m offering.”655f80d9a1c638a4

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The man, who had 3a9a5504e3 appeared nonchalantly after days, eb845267e6 donned a cute silver 6f6632cb6f half-helmet and tightened the be0376bfe3 chin strap.0c618cdbeeccee4d

He nodded a577652cfb for Minyoung 231af6f714 to get 580869c736 on and 07a35f0db8 flashed a d76f48f46e bright smile.cd48f49a9bdcbdb7

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The man’s driving skills were slick as he weaved through the cars stuck in traffic.9eeaccae544dd113

Having two men on a scooter wasn’t particularly attention-grabbing, but the skillful weaving between cars drew stares, making Minyoung huddle behind the man.e857844c37ee2727

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During a red light, the old scooter’s engine stalled with a groan.0a03038132234794

The wind was relentless, and even with the man’s large frame blocking it, the cold air seeped through the gaps in his clothes.33d8b0811deb445e

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Holding onto the man’s waist, Minyoung regretted it for a moment in the middle of the road.af85c691fb73cf52

I should’ve just taken the bus. I could’ve asked for a little extra time for the lesson. But regrets in the middle of the road were pointless.123de58bd1921edb

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The man said something, turning to Minyoung. Though he couldn’t hear over the noise, he could tell the man was speaking from the vibrations through his back.83d2026789d84a75

“What did you say?”193fc6acc7863fc6

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Minyoung stretched b8425e9768 his neck fa11598ffe to respond, 36dbc82900 but communication def69bfd58 was difficult 716cc0b5f0 with the 49880deb1c helmet on.bd9125bdb29577e6

When they stopped at 8c34541395 another light, the man 9be185994c parked the scooter.9ff0d11012da1995

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He grabbed Minyoung’s hand, which was clutching his jacket, and shoved it into his pocket.f260ec4ffd1cb9e3

“What are you doing!”f36e770949004184

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Startled, Minyoung tried to 36b4e7de81 pull his hand away, cc6d730b6e but the man was 7045d91a1c quicker.f76ffa4587df04be

When the light changed, the man started riding again, keeping Minyoung’s hand pinned with his arm.5d266373123b4e64

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He understood the intention to keep his hands warm, but it felt awkward having his hand in the man’s pocket.e1639990300b1b0a

Whenever Minyoung 26c2320c2b tried to a172bc41f1 pull his c80740bb90 hand out, e0842db02b the man 85da031ce7 tightened his ead3f6b206 grip.e06dd6a8c79af2c6

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After a 622868249b brief struggle, 4ff6c8d3cf Minyoung gave c895457852 up, and 2b19a8d49a the man a519bab798 finally relaxed a0868e5637 his arm.ac06123d6b46d9f4

Feeling the contours of the man’s torso through the pocket made Minyoung’s ears flush with embarrassment.20f80328e1f84e17

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He clenched his fist and pressed it against the man’s side.86f907235eecbcd7

How did I end up on the back of this guy’s scooter, riding down the road?5c5040557070e3c5

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Though he had gotten on at the man’s urging, this small break from the endless routine was somewhat welcome.ae3867984e6aed8a

The cold b558119c7d wind felt 9ea0a13e0b refreshing. Minyoung took in the 74b8d9d69b quickly passing scenery.7592faee9df899fb

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The scooter finally stopped in front of the apartment complex where Minyoung’s tutoring student lived.533e80404aa681d9

Minyoung quickly 4cd31fe8b9 got off 906f65c5b3 the back, 733e6dd7b6 removed the 59aa4253ee helmet, and b0186bbda6 shook out 41a2f242d6 his flattened a8d51232d5 bangs.822a797422146dac

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Thanks to the ride, 155608312e he arrived a bit 6a7bfb1a81 earlier than usual.f50564bc2d7f2d61

Standing in front of the man, Minyoung scratched his cheek. His hand felt warm from being in the man’s pocket.5e7dd82ec9293371

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Feeling a bit awkward, he lowered his gaze and noticed the man’s toes sticking out of his slippers.27e7a7fd2a41e3d1

“Aren’t your feet cold?”4a842873cb58fcae

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The man, who 4871206c93 had been crouching 1aa9481ace with his hands 2fbc4aabc7 in his pockets, 3db9a6a4d8 glanced down at 90e3a9b13e his feet.fbd7182f05f1c72d

“It’s fine. They’re just frozen. I think I have frostbite.”405c0c0193bb68c6

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Minyoung frowned at the man’s words as he wiggled his toes. The man raised his voice even more.fb26d69e761d2b89

“What should I do? I can’t feel them. Should I cut them off?”f117f0d07dfb34e2

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Minyoung furrowed his brow at the awkwardly acted words. Couldn’t he react normally when someone was concerned?dfc88000d49ed503

“Then why are you wearing slippers? It’s still cold.”00885bb98f498cd6

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“It’s fine. I’ll just cut them off.”3cc088df87c2ba17

“Oh, come on.”4859f7142ba1aed1

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The man, who had 608fb5f62d been about to put a3ce997660 on the half-helmet and 7591db93d0 hang it on the 54e43e843d handle, paused and pointed ffce6a9dee at the large apartment 2ed5e6b624 complex.8cf8e94f0b274d70

“Is this your home?”269ad88acc3d09ca

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“No, it’s where I tutor.”6c18a3249d297b51

“Really?”2dcea5360f5a4d45

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When adults found 7f9f7effab out Minyoung worked 0d63925c47 all day, they e7c5d4c387 usually either pitied fc11b0d534 him for working af9ceb6b96 so hard at f4d5e195e5 a young age c67fdea7e0 or chimed in 767db0ccb8 with stories of 559046f923 how they had cbbb3685aa it tougher in 9bb250700c their day.2aaac5162c8f7706

Minyoung thought 85b62f680c the man 8c7d5b5f65 might react bda13eb24c similarly, but ea5c964acf he just f24b086bae glanced at 7d3d14ece9 the apartment cd6d1714c4 complex without 69334e102a adding more a7a9360ba5 and put e007a247d6 on his bef442ba95 helmet.b14a0ed03a8c3233

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“Take care in the cold.”bca70536a64f66b0

Minyoung called 8422c3afdd out to 14d102232d the man 045f2b3a54 who was d4d16dbb4e about to f35e666c5f leave. He needed to thank 727807605f him for the ride.762a8d10c977aa3c

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“Hey, thanks for the ride.”de5163f1f24a3d34

“Just words?”929edd736469a83f

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He replied as 5d1269cd25 if he had 308f0f28eb been waiting for 64c700a9b9 it. The man oscillated between d701755918 light and heavy, leaving 2c152a5021 Minyoung flustered.3833f9e37c083ea5

While Minyoung e7e69bb5b7 pondered how 51c4e91f50 to repay b035f5f0c5 such a f28d3255bc favor, the 5364ba2420 man, loosely 1892f62ab8 perched on 0cb46cb137 the scooter, 77335d20dc rubbed his 9ff12e3429 chin and b6fb81a5cf put on 117eee5ee3 his helmet.6bc094e6055926c7

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“You make a lot of money. Buy me a meal next time.”1a6bbc7298c6ca2a

The man grinned and turned the handle. With a light engine sound, the scooter disappeared from Minyoung’s sight.b997d29372558e81

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The black jumper, black 31aa482157 sweatpants, white toes peeking e8b184e222 out of slippers, a 43e42683bb fancy helmet, and a bb11cfddee large figure crammed onto 79b2663700 an old scooter.811b605c60344c45

Minyoung watched the man’s back until he disappeared from view.24b6acfd511a1ee8

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