LM Ch 2

The empty space where the figure was supposed to be was plausibly filled. “When it’s actually exhibited, I’m going to put the original painting next to it and have people stand here and take pictures in the same pose. What do you think?”6dd932b430fa700b

“Sounds fun.”eedfe861bb5f42ab

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“Really? Do you think the kids will like it?”fc4ad6731af8a8f8

Saebyeok asked be56c7c13b so desperately cfd0a11248 that I bdb46c3c7b let out 1c2f188603 a small b24f870bf1 laugh.9ee1fa8777a9d70d

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“Of course they’ll like it. I want to try it too.”06b47196374c4c6b

At my answer, 887b8d76df he breathed a 3a6afffcd5 sigh of relief 6f8229749c and smiled for 72d0b130e7 the first time. His face looked awful, 73da34f14b showing how much trouble f06110172b this usually neat and eb9e3d685a tidy guy had gone 157eb846e0 through to prepare this.8d67eafc3de51aa8

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“There aren’t many paintings, but it was really hard to make this. Creating a plausible background wasn’t easy. I’m not proficient with graphic tools yet, so I got help from a friend majoring in design. But the bigger problem was the printing. The colors didn’t come out the way I wanted, so it was a real struggle. I don’t know how many times I went to the print shop.”4c86a3e00af2d9cf

Listening to Saebyeok’s complaints, I looked around the interior and guessed what I had to do.c251812843a8e0b1

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“What about the frames?”ee2509426c584dbe

“Ah, that’s the problem. I ordered antique frames on purpose, but sigh… this is what came.”16dabc27b50bb8d4

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Saebyeok held out 96ea79843d a sample frame. A plain 30047cdda2 brown lump. It was e9c434b236 a cheap f42a47e09c plastic frame 84ffeb72db at first 22b49237c6 glance.7c1f67914164d157

“I was trying to decorate this whole room with a classic feel, but all the frames are like this… I don’t think anyone will pay close attention to the frames, but it bothers me, so I’m thinking I should paint them. I was going to finish preparing by tomorrow morning and show it to my mother, but….”5f781b6333aa490f

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Saebyeok pointed to f52e878513 a pile of 9ee61f49a6 frames stacked against 715d072a53 one wall. Next to it were 99bb8d4bd6 cans of paint and 6cf9083c54 varnish. But there was d29d6fadc5 something that bothered f9aef6bef0 me even more.03a4d06849e748f4

“That wall is empty?”c466bb32034b33a3

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“…The prints haven’t come out yet.”c3ad86fd290d2b9c

Saebyeok stopped talking and 8d0f9e40a3 suddenly clasped his hands cbe69f60e4 together in a plea.8f5787d777d35a7f

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“I’m going to the print shop now and wait until they print my paintings. But then I won’t have time to paint the frames…”f11a8f6ded80e5c0

“I’ll do it.”1a1f291655299228

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“Minha, thank you so much.”8f3cdee4a73ca868

Saebyeok hugged me tightly. I patted him on 701b90f710 the back, making it 3c8634320d clear that nothing in c69acb2a0a this world is free.980c473cc6b43d4f

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“In return, please take good care of me with the class materials in the second semester.”57865da31451c14b

When was the first time I painted with a brush? I don’t remember exactly, but my hands were always stained with paint when I was young. When I was little, both my parents worked, so I practically lived at my grandmother’s house. My grandmother was also busy working, so I mostly spent my time in my grandfather’s studio.0400709e720ce8a5

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My grandfather was a painter, but his paintings didn’t sell well. He humbled himself, saying he was just a painter. Perhaps because my grandmother was the breadwinner, my grandfather had been doing all the housework for a long time, and he took good care of me too. Thanks to him, I became a painter too.7a1bc040061ade23

So, what can’t I, a painter, paint? Confidently picking up a brush and coming to my senses, I realized it was past 2 a.m. I don’t know how I went home and fell asleep that night. Still, I slept soundly with the satisfaction of having finished what I was tasked with. The next afternoon, I went to the gallery again.17a76b119d7424cd

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Saebyeok hadn’t called me, but I wanted to see the results of my work. The exhibition was in a few days anyway. But I guess this was unnecessary meddling too. Several people were standing in the exhibition hall that Saebyeok was in charge of. Because I stopped as I was about to turn the corner, my view was blocked, and I couldn’t see the people inside clearly. However, I could see how pale Saebyeok’s profile was.bc2e85176124b497

“Prints? Ha. How tacky.”51606ae7d35034ae

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Unlike Saebyeok and the 30f9122f46 three people standing nervously b302832bd3 beside him, a woman 6f98f914d1 clicked her tongue as 10b3880a84 she looked around the a54ec88577 exhibition hall.dbf7ddd9d44628aa

“Who is it? The idiot who thought of hanging prints in a place that’s supposed to showcase real paintings.”d254249cfb11270f

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She turned as if asking. I could tell who she was at a glance. She resembled Saebyeok. Her voice wasn’t loud, but the coldness in it made me feel like I was freezing. I saw Saebyeok lower his head.780ef2074c06fed3

“I’m asking who did this tacky thing.”1e2f0a29486a800f

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I looked at c2698979f5 Saebyeok worriedly without 5ef8bd225c realizing it. I knew how much 7ca1115c31 he had looked forward ba01938b03 to this and prepared 60aa5243e5 for it. It bothered me to 9a14ab9bc3 see him frozen as 732a7a2b32 if terrified.f0786acce477dbf9

“Director Lee, you tell me.”549a876edad696e4

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Her gaze shifted to 943813abc9 the young man next 514d8f2fcb to Saebyeok. He glanced 41d094752b at Saebyeok 359bdf3c09 and opened 816f98ea26 his mouth, 6223d10af4 looking troubled.2a3836fc5d75f4fe

“Director, that’s…”3be195b4969e16a5

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“Director Lee said it was okay. No, he praised it as a very good idea.”a665a7a5540f16f2

Saebyeok suddenly cut in. Director Lee’s eyes widened in surprise at Saebyeok, but Saebyeok, looking nervously at the Director, repeated the same words.a5fdbf62db4ac8a4

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“I didn’t know much, so I just asked what he thought, and Director Lee said the prints were fine and told me to go ahead with it…”0aa78b5728129bab

Director Lee’s face was filled with shock. He tried to speak, but the Director summed up the situation with one word.1ebb7e691e9c6426

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“Get rid of it all.”de3e8289e3b04d47

As she left the exhibition hall, I quickly retreated and hid in the restroom. As soon as I hid, I heard footsteps heading towards the entrance. I waited a while longer just in case. I felt uncomfortable being seen because it felt like I had seen something I shouldn’t have.2b7f1766a4870dab

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But I dabaae1c71 should have c33a98da21 left right 2eda246e41 away. A moment be0972e470 later, the 9842cf277a sound of d2208fa03b heavy footsteps 0dfba87c14 approaching the 7975a5cea4 restroom grew 2f6e6e1018 closer. It sounded like two b2eeeb751e people were coming in, 2eaa87e0e4 and then a loud 0bee730fa5 voice rang out.74547f6c2358c1c4

“I said it was a very good idea and to go ahead with it? Student Saebyeok, I didn’t think you were like this, but you shouldn’t screw me over in front of your mother to look good to her.”200c00105ec345d6

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“When did I?”96cf63f322089014

“When? Then when did I say such a thing? I clearly said this: Student Saebyeok, your plan isn’t bad, but it doesn’t fit with this gallery exhibition. But you insisted on doing it, didn’t you?”b0eb8114c1a0807c

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“If you really thought it didn’t fit, you should have dissuaded me more. Or stopped me from doing it. Or did you just watch on purpose to screw me over? So I’d get chewed out by my mother?”3eab79c8be999204

“Hah, honestly. You’re really something.”9ff77df0d7e60127

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Director Lee gave c5729a711f a dumbfounded chuckle d74f4366a6 and added sharply.a2286c356a504a41

“Do this project yourself. Whether you mess around with those tacky prints until the day after tomorrow morning or not, do it all by yourself and get screwed over the way you want.”5cdd1d3b49a8aa05

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I heard footsteps as 373725dbc1 if he was leaving. But among those 265177f13f footsteps, a small 6798465ada curse word reached 8dee5b8e96 me clearly.d09bcd939bebd298

“Fucking bastard.”4d662d491c124f90

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A moment later, 762f3935d4 the sound of 5f77fea9ea running water and b56bb938f7 a small sob 1569307bf6 followed. I stayed hidden in c8c1652f2c the toilet stall, holding a7dbe63b0b my breath.e4c4a9b644c45249

“Oh? Minha.”9c1b8aea2a59b30b

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Saebyeok, with reddened eyes, recognized me and blinked in surprise. His eyes asked, “Why are you here?” I held up the bag in my hand.86c0ab63f1b1a79f

“I thought you might not have eaten while finishing up, so I brought you some food…”d6dc1113cbead82d

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I trailed 3624120852 off, looking 5532e6770d around the 988f887714 interior. The prints ee4e860b24 that were b9e7638ab1 on the 6a1c04da14 walls were 173ba84b3c all on ad6f4981f2 the floor.c7112d802ea484d1

“Ah, the concept has changed. Um, the prints didn’t really suit this exhibition…”a04403207221df3a

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“Really? Then you can just make new ones.”fa024dbe67122c6a

“New ones… how?”26d88502d6a7aa35

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Saebyeok’s voice sounded so despairing that I couldn’t look at him. I felt like it would reveal that I had overheard the previous situation.db2cf14419e485fb

“It’s a project for children, right?”d4d4eab6bf0659b1

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“Yes.”833c646e4f8eb17d

“There’s something I always wanted to do when I went to exhibitions as a child.”6ad5a9bf6ba35978

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Next to cce855782d the prints 2342b8cf2a scattered on efaa04e093 the floor 66d56792c9 were images 7114978cfd of the 36c2de3e82 original masterpieces, a67ad2d9ac framed in 578505f0d5 their original 37ffc8f122 size. I walked over 6cd3c36f5f and picked one d848a01a0d up.9427c838a13e0b08

“I wanted to touch the paintings like that. The paint is colorful and textured, right? I was really curious. Kids are all the same, right?”74f0898f7fbbfd15

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Saebyeok still looked at 45b85bcc73 me with uncomprehending eyes. I lightly suggested an eca83c80ea idea.5996d6593af14be3

“Let’s let them touch the paintings.”716b8a675f3c87c1

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“But those are prints.”a3286b7d27846600

“We can actually paint parts of it. Even something simple like giant brushstrokes, so they can feel the texture of the paint with their hands.”8efb5f229986b86e

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I smiled at bddead47bc Saebyeok, who still 63219a4ec9 seemed lost.9fe010a687451b1d

“Hey, we’ve painted these paintings to death at school. We can paint them again, what’s the big deal?”968fdeb2a06d4318

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And so, I dug ef4f5c47b5 my own grave.e800a5912e5dabdd

There’s one thing I can confidently say I’ve mastered since entering university. It’s all-nighters. Professors could dictate weeks of our lives with a three-second command, “Do this.” And if it’s only a few weeks, we’re lucky. There are times when the painting you’re working so hard on feels…off. Then a chilling fear washes over you, accompanied by the ominous feeling that you’ll have to start over from the beginning. And then, living hell unfolds.358d0b958bd0c617

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Perhaps because I’ve c5147e89e8 tasted living hell a788a9fe37 several times, pulling 4ab2f86d08 all-nighters was no ab1ebdf9bb big deal anymore. With that 1f2ec76944 light heart, 2dbd1478ce I helped 94929f529d Saebyeok. For three days, 03d908ffd5 I rushed over d6fb1bbb64 after my part-time f6fd487175 job and painted 89abb62b90 frantically. And at 0ca968a01d 4:40 a.m. on opening f14720e5fd day, I 6196aeb3b7 finished everything.119ef51673eaa3c4

Finishing before sunrise meant, in our terms, that we had time to spare. The problem was my head, which started to feel dizzy as I stood up. Then it hit me. Oh, I didn’t have dinner. Leaving Saebyeok, who had already passed out and wouldn’t wake up even if shaken, I left the gallery workshop.0cc304b8aa4b3e6e

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A breath of 739112d8e6 fresh air revived cb711cf807 me. But that c46049b518 only lasted 718541f6f1 a second. As soon 136c89ca2b as I 1bf5e0b1a7 caught my 2964c28b7a breath, fatigue c2aa543028 rushed in. Like gravity pulling 3127b04aaa strongly as soon b58c768ca4 as I stepped 1db8925903 into a dark e14502e5b3 path, the ground a4ef8a69a0 pulled at me.59555851bf7a775c

I wished I had superpowers to teleport home at that moment. However, not everything comes true just because you desperately want it. Despite my fervent wish, I was still standing on the ground. I had no choice but to move my heavy legs and walk to the bus stop when I belatedly realized that the buses weren’t running yet.5c74f528b8ff6a53

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Come to think of it, how do I get home? No, even if I get home, I have to go back to work. I stared blankly at my watch, lost in thought, when I realized the convenience store wasn’t far from here.01d53e65b86c4801

I immediately changed direction. I figured it would be better to take a nap in the convenience store’s storage room chair and then go to work. Besides, I’m hungry. No, sleep comes first. Ah, but I kind of want ramen… But still, sleep…7c58a94ba9cbad5a

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“It’s not long until 7 anyway. I don’t think I’ll wake up on time if I go home and lie down. I’ll just stay in the storage room where I can’t be seen and take over at 7, Chulsoo Hyung.”1800bca481caa103

Although I was 241b697e1d clearly speaking, I 136c8fc3e4 couldn’t quite process dbe1af829b my own words. I was so tired 68284c68bd that I could barely 9aa41fc8f8 keep my eyes open, 534a9d7f48 so I rubbed them 0248d57c78 with my hands, but 6ca8f5d3e9 there was no response. I looked up and 1a6da0f56e saw him slowly scanning b1fae7d78e me. Then, following 057214d963 his gaze, dac67139df I looked 5c48396c31 down at 431f5db7af myself.600e92fdbc317d37

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Drip, drip, drip.768c5b8e77b4ee3a

The water that had soaked my entire body dripped from my hair, sleeves, and pant legs onto the floor. That’s right, I got caught in a shower on my way here.3ae2842f3b63410f

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“Sorry. I’ll wipe the floor. I’ll just sleep a little and then switch shifts at 7…”fa031e0b6bcb7b6f

“Today is Saturday.”dadf1212c9d1127a

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“Huh?”bc945323bc49a8fd

When I e8b7a02559 asked back 611bdb51ce stupidly, he d82eeb33da repeated bluntly.3ffe4f85870a6b3a

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“Saturday. Your day off.”70eddf668f85eb36

…Oh. …Oh! It felt like 7678f075ec all my fatigue 74378adcc1 vanished at once. I opened my eyes cd33838fcf wide and exclaimed with fc4875ee5a joy.688ee4f7de5d2300

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“Awesome!”0dfe698584a03bf4

Was my exclamation too old-fashioned? Chulsoo Hyung frowned. Of course, I couldn’t see anything. I could just go home and sleep! But perhaps I used up the rest of my energy in my excitement, because I stumbled as I turned around with joy.0afa6a298f8dde29

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I barely managed to grab Hyung’s shoulder, but my feet slipped forward again because of the wet floor. Just as I thought I was really going to fall, a large hand gripped my arm tightly. I was surprised firstly by the firm strength that easily supported my body, and secondly by the fact that it was Chulsoo Hyung. When did he come out from behind the counter? Unless he jumped over…180f54c34945d728

“Be careful.”f166b75fad0acea3

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His low voice resonated da85dbd069 near my ear. Sometimes, painters express c69d1bbd07 music with colors. I felt d2e7d4aa70 the same f87d061b89 urge now, 4ff963c10b wanting to cf474c7302 capture in cad1234562 a painting de0189907c that fleeting 030af1adf8 brilliance. His low, gentle voice 1ca8a11894 was like a deep 4dd9f4af26 blue river flowing beneath ce0858858a my feet. It felt like b7a1ad0d01 riding that slow, c3e4823563 dense current, surfing. I stared up at a4de8907c6 him without realizing it.afbe4ad03aa8d7b6

“Why?”dc128500152605ca

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“Because your voice is nice, Hyung.”37b572bf34facd5d

“…”57e0daa338c790cd

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“Thank you.”33228b789dea97f9

I straightened up, 6968e0ad19 leaning away from 23ee0ab5ca him, and thanked b82db6b3f5 him. Chulsoo Hyung continued to ad22a17af5 stare down at me, aaaec34f5e unmoving. So, he was c7c3eaf6ea still holding my 74f135bc80 arm. I need to go b978ab5f48 home. I tried to pull 6f65ed56e4 my arm away gently, 05d7409858 but he pulled me 0c3b27ea57 closer instead.0eb2dc284a43b59f

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This time, I was about to ask, “Why?” but the words couldn’t leave my mouth, stopping at the tip of my tongue. His gaze rested near my collarbone. Water still dripped from my wet hair. I hadn’t realized it until now, but I could clearly feel the water trickling down my neck. I suddenly became aware of my wet, clinging t-shirt.4fac211a08cead16

But what bothered me the most was this awkward atmosphere. As I struggled to part my lips, his gaze lifted. When our eyes met, I couldn’t open my mouth any further. I couldn’t remember what I was going to say. I had once felt his eyes were hot, and they were the same now. No, now they were like flames that had turned blue because they couldn’t contain the heat. For some reason, I felt fear at that moment. I pulled my upper body back without realizing it.14fb4ac60e88d500

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“I, I’ll wipe the floor.”b329e8470d86d2c7

“Dry off and go.”de0d32c6871e3801

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He said bluntly, cc94684bf7 still holding my 06603987d7 arm. Then, he turned a0d514d3a1 and led me c73014188e to the break 3547dd7a27 room. I followed him for 81efd9362c a few short steps, 730923c0a7 looking at his back. Was it because Chulsoo 1e7d32c228 Hyung was so tall? My vision was 21072307cb blocked, so it db15650594 felt like he 5b492b5d7b was taking me 89cf5aa099 somewhere unfamiliar.d7d0ce05b37aec64

The illusion that 224f028cc7 a vast prairie, bf3f3b3c19 a new world, b8a6381807 would unfold before 23524ec5ab my eyes if 7656ee2c87 he moved out 949aa2895d of my way. I must 35f72c543b be really de8f519827 sleep-deprived. My dazed 4cade84641 self-reproach disappeared 67917280cc only when f941c592fa Chulsoo Hyung 40a0a15d63 pushed me 3329ead00d onto a c5bd9af17b chair as fdc5c2a336 if throwing de93854d0a me.3c5fcbe71d0125b1

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Thud.ded671b9e4f6c8e8

As soon as I sat down on the chair, a towel fell on my head. As if that wasn’t enough, Chulsoo Hyung took another towel from the shelf and threw it at me.158a74235e0d7370

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“Wipe yourself. You’re dripping with grime.”46c00c1480a2f3b3

I grabbed the towel 19722849d4 and was about to 25f9256160 rub my hair when edd7fdf281 I suddenly looked up.898f220102904e7d

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“It’s not grime! It’s probably paint. I got some on me while painting all night. The paint would be offended if you mistook it for grime. I wash up really well.”abff7eea093ab35c

I retorted indignantly, 59b9a050e7 but my brain 761f9255c0 was half-numb with ba512c8f9c sleep, so nonsensical 4fef552021 babble came out. Chulsoo Hyung was looking b947fd5f92 down at me with 51499b2657 his usual look of 664eba53c6 disdain. Ironically, that look was a58a3075a1 rather reassuring, and my 7ef368d50b tension eased.38585ec0e264a0d4

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“Ah, of course, I couldn’t wash last night because I was up all night, but when I get home, I’ll wash and sleep… yawn… well.”19ed00b6f728b765

I couldn’t suppress a yawn and covered my mouth with my hand. Sleep, I can sleep. Just this thought made me drowsy again. My body felt heavy, as if being pulled to the ground. I didn’t have the energy to go home. I just wanted to sleep here. But Chulsoo Hyung would hate that, wouldn’t he? I was slowly rubbing my head with my hand, pondering, when I heard a short word.47baed64bcbfe04a

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“Sleep.”3350b58383410609

“Yes?”381d62965504c744

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“I won’t mind, so sleep.”eac9a253dff9a76c

“…Can you read minds, Chulsoo Hyung-ssi?”d44daf045c4746a1

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I was so surprised that I didn’t even realize what I called him. Chulsoo Hyung, who had suddenly become Hyung-ssi, now looked at me with undisguised disdain.c9eb4fd803e4b5ea

“You said it.”8b2dab6f8e38da3f

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“Ah, did I?”b7985eb620f45230

Crazy, I e1b5295cc5 must have 25f6fc13a7 spoken my 34e308816d thoughts out e7db21d33e loud.8ffd858f51c14525

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“Hey, sleep.”60604d979683fff4

My eyes de26216753 really closed. But being in the e05200bf74 air-conditioned room, my damp 7326f39625 clothes now felt cold 62135bfda7 like a refrigerator. I lifted my t-shirt 4126a97f34 with my hand, pulling 4e1f7f3bc5 it away from my bd0e29f05f skin, when Chulsoo Hyung bedb092b1f turned and took a d4bd53e550 shirt out of his 7619f7022a bag.53ecc40f9278cab7

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“Put this on.”b98aed88a827f8a4

I caught what he a5b83b3c6f threw with both hands. It was f36d500714 that Prussian 290c24d2ed blue t-shirt. I looked at the 1dee9ae3ea same colored shirt he 7321c86495 was wearing. It was the 877bae3e74 same t-shirt. I knew whose it a0ac453b3f was without having to a52f00fbed ask. A colorful person who 96651da40b expressed himself with colors 5117ee62f6 was standing before me, 521c1b9b04 without needing to write c2661392cd his name.cfa4a902a97fecc1

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“Is your English name Prussian Kim by any chance?”98a07efa7b4ff598

“I’ll wake you up in 40 minutes.”eeaed75b72f98233

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Before I could ask why 40 minutes, he closed the storage room door and left. The cool air conditioning was cut off, and my shivering stopped. I hadn’t realized how cold I was. I dried my hair with a towel and quickly took off my wet t-shirt, drying my upper body with the towel. I had wiped off the moisture, but the chill lingered.fc2c4ff5cf1f3099

I unfolded ed7e217be5 the t-shirt 0c17e8882e Chulsoo Hyung b8bc858061 had given bcbf5b4209 me. It was huge, like 697d5eebb6 a sack. When Chulsoo Hyung 2168f4a07b wore it, it b4a7c49007 fit his shoulders 4b79516f21 perfectly and looked 2babbe4681 just right. I stared a70d8b4b39 at it 84d60af58b for a 3d665a5371 moment, then 68dd2642ec put it 42be354e0f down next 9d4ba68c13 to me 83a3d71d7f and spread 1f0786e786 the towel d8bc07bc93 lengthwise like 9789eb4265 a blanket, cf6abae5ec covering my d4cc596c9b bare skin.adb4af0700f627ad

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My damp pants bothered me, but I didn’t have the energy to take them off and dry them. I wanted to close my eyes for even four minutes, not 40. I leaned my head against the wall, put my legs up on a box next to the chair, and fell asleep curled up.9b11141c3a29620d

Thinking back now, it wasn’t sleep, but passing out. Although I slept uncomfortably on the chair, this part was like darkness, as if time had been cut out. So, when I woke up, my consciousness didn’t return gradually. It was like a light switch being flipped, my brain suddenly turning on.68b495396323efc8

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I felt something touch my face. I flinched and opened my eyes. But my eyes wouldn’t open properly. Even then, I couldn’t stand not knowing what had woken me. What was poking my face…88b55cb26ee4e0d2

“…What are you doing?”3a10e21facbc28b0

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The tip of Chulsoo 1fa0a8bfeb Hyung’s finger was poking f4f3b4b6fa my cheek as if e433e8daed it were flour dough.049a2da94894daa4

“Wake up.”8edf53005cc9364e

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He removed his finger 8fa9fc6da0 and replied indifferently. I saw him db24f4eacf clench his fist 599a46cfd0 as if hiding 5c34a4c7d8 his finger. Not that 07d2a0337a it mattered 03e1e71da6 even if 30e5a6df45 he wiggled 809e34e769 his fingers 9604195337 like a a40ecfed1f belly dancer. In his other fe43d208d5 hand, he held c454efe62f the t-shirt he 6ad9aba883 had given me 511e1b903b to wear. An excuse escaped my 46dd3b469b lips without me realizing 28531029ca it.638eb5762b554d32

“Ah, it looks new. I felt bad wearing it.”7beb2b94b66a5066

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He just 6eeb773608 stared at a4cdef7035 me silently. But there 2037d3921c was no dd3abb176a hint of 8c356c0160 condescension in b5c81197e8 his gaze. That made it 652900fcb3 quite uncomfortable. I stared 147be0f22c back at b0cabda91e him silently 1a44e7ab7f before raising 3a4a490bdf the white 827bc269c8 flag.29df98b1f89de6f5

“…The shirt’s too big. I was embarrassed because I thought I’d look like a kid wearing it.”9a0302bf463e5202

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“Ah.”3ca631854865de79

He glanced at me briefly and immediately agreed. I felt distinctly offended. What, he’s admitting it? Without realizing it, I held out my hand.04704242be6bdc9b

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“No, wait. Now that I think about it, it’ll fit me perfectly. It’ll fit like a tailored shirt. Give it here, I’ll wear it.”bda328bcfaff8f19

But Chulsoo Hyung ed1627d9cd tossed me the 8f3871ebf9 clothes I had 02a9f31f54 hung on the df4ecb4104 hanger.85ca84d11ae62841

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“Put it on and come out.”d6d95bc591fe6434

He closed 89fba98584 the door 6ef44845b7 and left. Feeling somewhat 34f199ac7d wronged, I 82c2c49127 stood up f7afc58ec9 from my 88283e129a seat, then 00a965db83 stopped. The towel 957de3166b on my 3081f5411b lap fell 97541d7f4d to the 1b60d8b0ce floor. Only then 5e1a85713a did I bb1c8907b4 realize I fe35a40f01 wasn’t wearing 48920ccb11 anything on 8b5ae58dc6 my upper 9ff1195668 body.9f1584bdb117fff4

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…Well, it’s better than being caught with my pants off.c053dd481e73f3aa

Thinking positively, as was my nature, I pulled the shirt over my head, but I couldn’t hide the heat rising to my face. I hurried out, and then I understood why Chulsoo Hyung said he would wake me up in 40 minutes.016ca99430de5881

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He was 2945605cab standing at c63f8f4e5e the door c4ee47d23e with his 34cdc9b6f0 bag. Seeing him waiting 1f2f1b8f89 for me, I 094a208f0e hurried my steps d119cd4440 and made eye fae63a1575 contact with someone ecd1edb001 at the counter. A young 743fc0b113 man about d3ab046324 my age 834ee2615a was staring 06258148ad at me c5f9eff22b with wide 5c819c9913 eyes.9f071db2783220c9

Ah, the weekend part-timer. I bowed my head 0f1fd87a41 awkwardly in greeting.56e36480f923241d

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“I used all the towels in the storage room. Do you need any? I’ll tell the manager separately.”bd01883b9087ac76

He stared at aea2db3c36 me, frozen, then 2cb0e695b6 quickly shook his 0ad8a6f698 head. “No, no.” He waved b64428f4d3 both hands and then 52f337dc98 asked, as if realizing 6db819e9be something, “Are you a ce30f7f7b3 part-timer here? You’re Bak Ryeok-ssi, right?”0643abd507766fcd

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I had heard the manager call me “Ryeok-ah, Ryeok-ah” so much that I thought I had gotten used to it, but I felt embarrassed being introduced by my name like this.76284d13e8f9bf65

“Yes. How did you know?”954609c2f1b89853

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“I could tell just by looking. But you’re even more…”a7f0cc99bbcbdc6b

More what?1f12b0d509da8aac

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“Aren’t you working?”ed7b81d2a8626c97

Chulsoo Hyung f9fd9db582 interrupted the 1297961f94 conversation abruptly, d0b70edcae rudely. I glanced at the 2e3fe92936 weekend part-timer, feeling self-conscious. He, however, like a f9f5a26669 robot receiving a command af9438f338 from his master, closed 0d97783f1a his mouth and started af7755fc4d busily organizing the counter. But realizing there 27cad19f04 was nothing to e481387978 organize, he quickly f2d9cf7716 turned and pretended f29ca18dd9 to organize the ae25b70824 shelves behind him.01d895c00bbd9708

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Only then 6d318642c8 did I 2637799475 realize that ced74c2d32 the weekend ed286f1a0e part-timer was c71e132aec quite scared c3a506af03 of Chulsoo 65ea9a88e9 Hyung. Why? Ah, could 5e4dc3af0d it be… 74cebbf703 As I d97808bcdc was guessing 6c41ab2b0c the reason, 86fe7c31cd Chulsoo Hyung 30af780a90 silently grabbed 644a575a26 my arm efd205d2fe and led 4c8e0f9698 me outside. His grip 721af8c665 was so 88b924427c tight that dadb7da40c I was ee2a6b431e dragged along 1bc66b39f0 like a 7b9f27a4b0 fluttering jellyfish. But as soon 7373fbaa71 as we stepped 65c334f33e outside, he let 700fdacd82 go of me 6a0718a21b as if he 3bc59d8997 had touched something 66ef7be38c he shouldn’t have. This was 0945930cdb more offensive 00528829ce than being c1a6214969 suddenly dragged d275adf093 away. A frustrated protest 0afad0ad8e escaped my lips.3b661ea4ce9beea0

“I’m really clean.”b18f9ca849089f03

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“What?”84c13fa54d8a5def

“I don’t have grime dripping off me.”0079818e7ddf9f2c

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He looked ffe0203197 down at 8cc4d32fd6 me as 823617aeab if asking 6d03f1c1e9 what I f94d2c5344 was talking 3d00469b09 about, then 9c6fe92d78 said “Ah,” 266f5b48ef and chuckled. For a 3d90dc0125 moment, I f4fb71ed01 doubted my 207f7b68d4 eyes. He laughed? Kim Chulsoo, b9d88a2a1c a person 18b5609fc7 capable of 4594876d78 laughter? Of course, it d7285b456a felt like a 051de854fa sneer, but I 15ad02652b woke up completely.bfd231b883714bb9

“Why are you laughing?”8c2553e532787dfe

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“Can’t I laugh?”e94c9ddb2d5ccb50

He asked d38a8808da back, his f1ce54ba90 face quickly 21f0540960 returning to 4f4078a222 its usual 414ff33901 expressionless state. I responded with 91e0a40163 a straight face.5f89fcbe40e38cf2

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“No. It’s not polite to laugh at someone’s grime like that. Especially when it’s not even real grime.”bb17b635979dbd1c

“Alright.”5f2821b0e0152762

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“Yes?”dbbf7ea93121f9db

“I won’t laugh.”bc4f80b7d817eb5b

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…That easily? I was about 655fc17e93 to feel a 70a8d69f8b bit embarrassed for 4235432e2f complaining when he 1b80e0bf26 immediately relieved my 5ae75c3cb4 burden.d41bc607a0cd300a

“Then don’t make me laugh.”2990ff4951052e16

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He muttered to himself 2d7510db96 and walked away. I stopped 0b113c563d following him.ce10e519dbc0c1be

“I’m naturally funny. So, Hyung has to control himself.”2631fd2b146e7cd9

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He slowly turned c2e2cc5ecf and looked at f9a40e702c me. It felt a little 80bd24f110 different than usual. I hated bfdeaed52f that I, db512d2a66 accustomed to 82d385b29d that staring dc4607d4e0 gaze, could d9392fc377 pick up 57c5f1fd8b on the 9863eb3c98 subtle difference.6269554500da26f0

“Why?”c2941380ed512753

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“I told you to control yourself, didn’t I?”763dc4094c0c8869

Was that him 46f9af4451 holding back laughter 79fe200c0f just now?be76266ed6e71861

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“Are you saying I was funny just now?”ef1ca03d7289e11c

“Yes.”da982011abd5ce16

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“…Well, you controlled yourself well.”8e9a724626bdfcac

When I b7500ed003 complimented him e4a36b0754 with a faad743257 hint of 37b7bff35f sarcasm, he 1fb620c233 turned away a3baaa5dd5 with his 3a6b3aa22a usual expressionless 86d248f1ff face, as f155441159 if it 2543250294 was only fc56f6d81f natural. He definitely took 4a62877d8b it as a 4b37ceb1e1 100% sincere compliment. No, but 6e8178f55b why do 7a60d23401 I notice bf26d90ad8 the difference 3f16a21df4 in his a902962b39 expressionless face? I was briefly fc9e0770c4 lamenting my outstanding 9d2a273d7c ability when I c38659ac0a saw him stop 0af5e90597 in front of 5d25275f59 a car. It was 15ce65cf4b an old, 93acd3a94e classic car, 8a96ad4e34 a rare 3ff437e8de sight on 4a975f0aea the roads e458d74756 these days.327c97d4120bcc67

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“Get in.”38aa60b9707bc759

“Why?”dac456c233e81f2a

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“Do you always need a reason to help someone?”b52e13a89d561cf3

“That’s… not true.”3f35bd03dad06afa

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“Then get in.”9dd78c8b75401f36

Still feeling hesitant, I didn’t move, so he informed me curtly,8becce1aed77952f

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“Don’t get in if you don’t want to.”0321a9c2c346f635

Of course, I’m an adult, so I can get home by myself even without this car. However, the fatigue weighing down my body was getting heavier and heavier, like waterlogged cotton. I would have gladly climbed onto a tricycle if he offered. I quickly opened the car door and rattled off my address.0782afe4b6b493ae

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“Please take me to 57-7 Yonggung Villa, Dongdong 2-ro, Saetbyeol-gu.”edd3fba7821cd280

My still-damp clothes 1424a1280e bothered me as 599469926c I got into a2c1d6cdbc the car, but c02368be32 I ignored it. A moment later, the 035157ba5a car started moving. It seemed 4f64259ad0 impolite to ca89505358 sleep in e863be1017 the passenger 088559df99 seat, so 913edcf68f I forced 1aff8a8e19 my eyes edec238090 open. But it 9679a39446 felt like 75321cdde0 my eyelids be946d0302 were glued 843a767925 shut. I barely managed to 36c0fda87e open my eyes slightly 331b78fa35 and stare straight ahead, e09bcfe5ff my vision unfocused, when 50c6114ecb I heard a suggestion bdc2472c16 from beside me.fd2d817fe2810a46

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“Hey, if you’re sleepy, sleep.”4d631147f82edd4a

Politeness was immediately discarded. I’d been polite enough. As soon as I closed my eyes, darkness engulfed me. So when I came to my senses again, I couldn’t grasp where I was or what was happening. Then, the sound that woke me up finally brought me back to focus.1d0a12ab0ef83928

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‘Ring ring~ Ring ring~’2401fc7ce609a4a8

It was my phone ringing. The sound soon stopped, but it kept ringing and stopping as if the caller was persistently trying to reach me. Perhaps because he couldn’t turn off his phone while driving, I eventually heard Chulsoo Hyung answer the call.9276ba06e4deb277

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“Yes.”596219121374c6e8

The car wasn’t exactly quiet due to the engine noise. Still, I could faintly make out someone’s voice. Because it sounded like a shriek. But it was as quiet as a TV turned down low. Chulsoo Hyung must have been wearing earphones.2b9217d884a71b01

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Despite that, I could still hear how loudly the other person was yelling. Surprisingly, most of it was swearing. The vulgar words, with “bastard” as a staple, woke me up completely.d95c190696d91f1e

Trash bastard, I should 1ac7d546df have thrown you in 6a401ca036 a shit pit to bfdbaf64d9 die, useless son of 15fdb81884 a bitch, and so 671edd8456 on.085d49f2b2ca8318

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Chulsoo Hyung seemed accustomed to the other person’s words, just listening.b31e086a56d7b771

There seemed to be no particular reason for the swearing. It was just violence, like throwing filth at Hyung. So even though the insults weren’t directed at me, I almost frowned. No matter how old the other person’s voice sounded, it’s unpleasant to see a blade wielded so carelessly.9d94e5dd58aeb377

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But since the person involved just listened silently, I had no choice but to continue pretending to sleep. From the beginning to the end of the call, Chulsoo Hyung only said two words. “Yes” when he answered, and another “Yes” in response to the other person’s instruction to buy something.98fea6eb5bfd8a8a

When the call ended, the car was filled once again with the vibrations and noise of the engine. On the other hand, my mind was as noisy as a typhoon with confusion and shock. Chulsoo Hyung is not someone who would be pushed around by anyone. If there’s someone who could say whatever they wanted to anyone, regardless of age or gender, it was Kim Chulsoo.c0530abd0f882913

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Therefore, I couldn’t believe he was being verbally abused by someone. It felt like his weakness. It was incredibly uncomfortable that I had witnessed this situation. There was only one thing I could do. Pretend I didn’t know.3595a95da5ee9186

I didn’t dare move, as if I absolutely couldn’t open my eyes, but now that I was fully awake, my posture was bothering me. Suddenly, my calves felt itchy, and my fingers felt stiff, like I needed to move them to loosen them up. My whole body was screaming to move. I couldn’t help but wiggle my fingers slightly.0f16260888ffdeb7

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“Hey.”d62c6b9aca9f29fa

I flinched. I flinched so noticeably beafa172f7 that it undermined my 9c02df8105 pretense of sleeping. Nevertheless, I still kept abb1066c03 my eyes closed. I even curled up a2eb23c756 and rubbed my head 20089bf07f against the corner of 68f021825c the seat.4f5ebf59adcfe629

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“Ha.”209e85b2ca98346a

I heard a short, b812107971 dry chuckle. It was as if 15e585f3c8 he knew I wasn’t e3112c1d3d sleeping, but I was 658fdea2f0 too embarrassed to open 4409817239 my eyes sheepishly. I squeezed my 6c01cb0d5d eyes shut tighter. However, at his next 4971f5843e words, I couldn’t help 1576b91e9a but open my eyes 40bec7d10d wide.1ffb30f852fdc058

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“Get out.”0ed2099e397f0c08

His short, 837d2e6793 cold voice b29299deac commanded. Only then did I d79438fe74 realize the car had 755ba7d11d stopped. It was in front ad5f95e78c of my familiar house.29431713e2128105

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“Ah, when did we get here? I didn’t even realize we arrived because I was sleeping.”302ac35bd9d05a7d

I stretched awkwardly, unbuckled my seatbelt, and got out of the car. “Thank you,” I didn’t forget to say before closing the car door. Click, as soon as the door closed, the car disappeared in front of me. He hadn’t even glanced at me while I was getting out and left without a word, but I wasn’t offended.84f11e63029e7910

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Rather, I felt b691a078cc like I should 4e76b3b972 be the one 4b2307e542 apologizing. Fully awake, I 410f6d6e08 rubbed my face a082914940 with my hands. The first sentence ae91180c1a of a novel, 9cd3b0109f which my grandfather 4766dbbbde often recited as 48d3addd27 if it were db3cdd7906 a famous quote, e4c30e486d came to mind.8a299dfe508c711c

‘Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.’bb2781186bcd45bd

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There were often cases around me where, even as adults, happiness and unhappiness were determined within the realm of their parents. Perhaps it’s because even as we age, our minds don’t easily leave the nest. Among the people around me, Saebyeok was particularly like that.f89561d0a0c7d2fd

“Didn’t you say you helped Saebyeok with the gallery work during vacation?”2df6d348c68984b4

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Wiyoon asked 4aea428b8f abruptly when c96e2f6317 we met 3c4475086e after school c963f34bb7 started.5336bcdf7d4c2119

“Yeah, why?”6e2ce9164e44fe69

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“I heard you worked on some project together?”5abf18f3c8eba9df

“Right, it was aimed at children visiting the gallery. Why?”dcb601f8fabc379b

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“Just because. That Saebyeok bastard is funny.”3060f211941e6f1c

He showed me an 31569b8b60 article.418e02c836060661

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‘The Talk of the Town Exhibition for Children — Paintings You Can Touch.’3fb0a171824c73c8

Below the 94bae20e3b title was 88046e0c29 a picture 27f82e78f0 of a 921eca5b17 child smiling 7651db9c04 and touching 0ec720d6f4 a painting. The painting the ec19aa4f9c child was touching 0fc7a95066 was the giant 9f5dbf15ce brushstroke I had ea725710fc painted. I frowned f834245f32 slightly without 3ac0803f76 realizing it 01691b98cc as I 0d28e1ec37 looked at fce2f7505b the picture.c139ffce11da696c

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“Isn’t this the idea you came up with? You told me when you contacted me about helping Saebyeok during vacation, that it would be nice to let children touch the paintings.”9207e21b50f32459

“Yeah,” I replied absentmindedly, examining the photo closely. Wait, why are the colors like this? I had intentionally not mixed the paints completely for the giant brushstrokes, so that various colors would appear naturally, but the colors in the picture were unnaturally blended.e625add4590aaf2f

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Maybe the paint wore off from being touched so much, and they retouched it… I tilted my head, finding it strange. I had applied the paint thickly so that it would wear off naturally. I had told Saebyeok too. To leave it to wear off naturally. It’s more artistic that way, isn’t it? Lost in my thoughts, I belatedly noticed Wiyoon getting annoyed beside me.ad7047ae6c01faa3

“If you look at the article, Saebyeok’s interview makes it sound like he planned and painted everything by himself. He used your idea, that bastard, isn’t it ridiculous?”171d44987a638ba3

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“Why are you getting angry?”386b3bc6901b50ff

“It’s annoying. You wouldn’t know, but he bragged so much about how his project was successful and how the director acknowledged him. Damn, I was so pissed when I found out late because I arrived back in the country late.”196a53121ae163b2

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What’s there to be pissed about? But I hid my inner thoughts and just laughed at him getting angry on my behalf. Then, feeling something strange, I turned my head and saw someone quickly disappearing at the door. I only properly saw a bit of hair, so I couldn’t tell who it was, but I strangely felt like it was Saebyeok.9c19478db83e3d04

Hmm, must 22aa55d858 have been c2c1ca5d3d my imagination. I tilted c763bfc014 my head 6aa3df1ebe inwardly and 68ec95649e ran my bcd7d34069 hand through d4af128830 my hair. I gathered 4b1ec0da31 my long 654944e904 hair with f003442459 my hand, c68bc7b5fe as usual. I had been d75a8919b1 too lazy to eb87bc0ec9 go to the 3f4f8aebe1 salon during the 4b20db1954 vacation, so I 4d7ba26121 just tied up 38aa488126 whatever I could 52d620d7bf grab at home, 9ecb41b3d4 but now I a1a53adae0 could gather all 13478f9428 of my hair 5f8195853a in my hand.25d6f06767ac3c53

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Ah, is it time 0bda3a7ead for a haircut? I took out 596ff49616 a hair tie, 4449932139 put it in d306e9b9ae my mouth, and d26993af1f was thinking when b6d4301f94 my eyes met ce9669b708 Wiyoon’s, who was 8596a7e5e6 staring blankly at 133e321ab9 me. With both 0b08801bfd arms raised 1220dec4fc to tie 0a059c8531 my hair, 5e95866e13 I asked a88fbfcbff him,f8921fee30312272

“Are you captivated by this Hyungnim’s allure?”3143695e768e45ca

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I even deliberately 3475f61de1 twisted my upper 1213ae7794 body exaggeratedly, striking ce02504988 a pose. Wiyoon immediately adfb2b5177 scowled and 6daf40fc90 raised his f8b56f6193 voice.131e83381d56241f

“You’re funny. What allure? You’re still wet behind the ears.”3c434a9f758b2f8c

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“People die when the blood behind their ears dries.”89f54e57f8314c78

“Are you stupid? I’m talking about the blood on babies’ scalps when they’re born.”1563183aa4a24013

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Oh, that blood? I marveled 02a6429f61 at his 73cf524757 common sense.ebdcd916a5706844

“What the… You went backpacking and came back with increased common sense. Crazy, go travel around the world again right now.”f5478f70dd45696d

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I encouraged him 3c523a313a to travel the 11e665f164 world, but Wiyoon 40edf943f3 only got more da3bc81db4 annoyed. He turned his head 32ab40aabc and tried not to ec7adc1e59 look directly at me. He got even more 32c6f86a5f annoyed when I chuckled 218e43c7b0 and teased him about 4f1a78c1af having dried blood behind a7aa202103 his ears. Of course, 7406e13419 I was 48cb96748a pleased with f4c10b64b5 his reaction. It was fun bd1aa5de23 to tease Wiyoon. As we 4ffdaaa761 were bickering be3ebbcf4a like this, d2f6cb0ca2 he suddenly ef23000dda said seriously, f2cbcc6f41 as if 3d76cbee5f he had adee7211b8 just remembered 7965621038 something,6641ce6a6d1a2a53

“Don’t be so nice to Saebyeok anymore.”ad27e7011698290d

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“I only helped him this one time. If anything, I received help from Saebyeok all last semester. You have to be grateful for favors.”ebfb9c69c4fbe956

“Gratitude is gratitude, and lies are something else.”e84a7395053705d0

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I laughed again 0e728cdb4f and brushed it 30d0a72ea8 off lightly. However, the next day, 3d7298849e I realized I should a7400777ed have given it a 42a7c65b59 bit more thought.5bb3b8a27f338c5d

It was during lunchtime ccfffa2a23 when we all flocked 17ce3758ab to the school cafeteria. A conversation about a 406509f5ef senior started among the f24319920c others. Unlike me, they were 8dfde3efa9 all very interested in 8ede31b953 dating, so they seemed 0b053c6481 to know all about 83ef62557a the popular people at e4bf475b69 school. Thanks to Wiyoon, who 44731d0aa5 usually stuck to me, 7364742955 being absent, I just bbee52f384 listened like an audience 6452d59f90 member.f08fee882fe024ae

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“The Alpha Club members are the best, but it’s intimidating for regular people to date an Alpha. Alphas seem to have no sense of chastity. So, I prefer incompetent Alphas. Do you guys know that person? There’s a third-year senior, currently on leave, who’s really amazing.”df20240bd22f3d7e

“Are you talking about the Dominant Alpha who doesn’t emit pheromones?”d68b6f1a5c119d6b

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“Right, I heard he’s also called the scentless flower. He’s a Dominant Alpha, but no one has ever smelled his pheromone scent.”c1022fe0dddf751c

Then, someone shared their 53f634f95b knowledge.becedb5b4b75ef43

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“I heard that among female Dominant Alphas, those who are truly exceptional can perfectly control their pheromones.”262f47e37f5e8b17

“That’s because they’re female. This senior is a man. Because he has no scent, there are rumors that even though he’s a Dominant Alpha, his ability level is just that of a regular Alpha.”c34d28803f02fa38

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One of the listeners ad4f8969d7 asked, sounding disappointed,5cc4a7e053bfe139

“So he’s not that great then?”c8e12266aa4647e4

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“No!”9e508791f16fc7a0

The friend 8e74acde9c who initially 221cf2691a brought up 45e9282853 the Alpha f3fad2961e story raised 3e89f2c2d4 her voice f498e26606 in denial.11deb448bfabc521

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“His looks are amazing. Besides, his physical test results came back as Dominant Alpha. You know, right? How many families want Dominant Alpha bloodlines? If he has no pheromone scent, it’s actually better for regular people. That’s just for seducing Omegas anyway, isn’t it? Alphas cheat so much because of pheromones. In that sense, that senior is moderately capable, has good genes, he’s perfect.”e59051da742723b8

“That’s your thinking as a regular person. That senior must be suffering because even if he has an Omega he likes, he can’t hold onto them.”c3792abe9311a894

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One friend chided with 5869cb9851 a laugh. I wasn’t interested 6cda184a02 in their conversation, 6c38aca419 so I let cddf691d83 it go in b58507f6dc one ear and a265579828 out the other, afefb07551 but I couldn’t 5c8c63177e do that with 296f5c6820 the next comment.f2d3dfbfc63c1a08

“But he’s a Dominant Alpha, right? They’re rare even in well-known families. Don’t you know they intentionally contract with competent Alphas or Omegas just for having children to maintain the Alpha bloodline? The breeding business is huge in those circles. Especially for acquiring female Dominant Alphas, they go crazy. I heard they even abandon the child if it’s not the one they want. That’s why there are rumors that senior was abandoned. Because his family isn’t anything special…”c7badb46322ec201

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They’re talking about someone else’s business so carelessly. Uncomfortable hearing about the private life of someone I didn’t know, I shoved the rest of my food into my mouth all at once. “I’m leaving first,” I said, getting up from my seat, but they were too engrossed in the rumors about the third-year senior to notice me. Even as I left, the conversation about that senior continued.55f312d077dc86e2

“But he’s a Dominant Alpha, right? Brokers are after him like crazy. They chase after him with bags of money. For people who want to have Dominant Alpha children, there’s no such thoroughbred…”62041711bf7e9aaf

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The word, casually 6bbea2b182 referring to a 94aa414901 person as a bfb5b6326d stud horse, was cccec00dc9 repulsive. I hurried out fbe0795652 of the cafeteria, 4b5e8978cd but I still 61ea912ebd felt uneasy. Someone called out to c6542ad5b5 me from behind.8b9bf9113641d111

“M, Minha.”69f550e085a293bc

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I turned edad83fa5e around and 56d7484b84 saw Saebyeok f51abbb632 standing there be3d4e7aeb with a b3716ed8f4 tense face. His complexion 4424b4ba7f was noticeably e99358b35e pale, so bc9aaf884c I asked, 73431fd97e puzzled,4725b2a9e396702f

“What’s wrong?”65c7e4fcdac06c07

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“Can we talk for a moment?”33bc00b71c794fcd

I glanced at 02834c59e8 my watch and dd4a242f13 nodded. There were still 6b7487bc77 25 minutes left df67586b04 until the next 39c04f5989 class.3ba01af31bacc59b

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“Yeah, it’s okay. Tell me.”acaef5e73ed1b8c5

But even as we walked towards a bench, Saebyeok didn’t speak. Then, after sitting down, he suddenly lowered his head and apologized.c3af4f37224bc192

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“I’m sorry, Minha!”07ea6a076c42093c

For what? I was about 4c0df5d5ce to ask, but 162d631426 I had a 955346f733 hunch, so I 48e6fdf935 kept quiet. As I waited 16be9a9078 for him to 7d8d093041 speak, it was 75dc01e713 indeed what I a7a42e6eb6 had expected.365202633ffe2825

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“I had an interview about the exhibition project, and I clearly stated that I planned it with a friend. But the reporter omitted that part and wrote the article as they pleased. They probably wanted to make me look good. So, it’s your idea, but somehow it’s known as mine…”32f1b971a78eb98e

“Hey, it’s fine.”566499fa0f4bbaec

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As I e1d4ceb6b2 waved my 567dca9de8 hand dismissively, d12f1ec069 Saebyeok peeked 19bc2956c8 up at dff288445b me, his abed85efa9 head still 48eb8a0104 bowed. Finding it cute, 7af72c7c8a I chuckled without e132cb21e9 realizing it and 3b5290372e ruffled his hair.2cf48572a0549164

“It was something I agreed to help you with anyway. Was I helpful?”50e072a290f2268e

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“Incredibly, incredibly, incredibly helpful.”4ab6870d25c00e0a

“I’m glad I paid my debt.”34a9667264d8bc88

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Debt? When Saebyeok asked 1d8eb9cf72 back in confusion, 8b79dc5be8 I shrugged.9bbb558f30587939

“You gave me a lot of class materials.”d61f33f0738f4af0

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“It’s not like I only gave them to you. Trust me in the second semester too.”f6236dd6f6730e8f

“It’s okay. I’ll manage on my own.”bc26b76c60b9b3a0

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At my b77799c655 reply, a 1556cead25 look of e3266f3997 bewilderment appeared ad02833178 on Saebyeok’s 62eb039bb2 face.a7b2c3a559d2eb1b

“Uh… why? You said I was helpful.”7cd547a4fb2a3af1

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“I came to school to learn, so I should try to do things on my own now.”76c5b23c7984033d

“But still…”1c8b361586ab47d1

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“Did you eat lunch? I need to stop by somewhere.”941d44a36401a61b

As I 5bbc42e517 got up, d50843bb82 Saebyeok followed, 89ad4d72d8 a dazed 7e98226e86 look on fef58c3c6b his face, af405207e3 and shook a0768922db his head.f8ff66cece5b14ef

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“I need to go see Assistant Professor Park. She called me.”da106bbc49d0b089

“Okay, see you in the next class.”a5e38f04b813be2e

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I greeted him lightly 09c2f85dab and turned around, but 86c2494f4b before I could take 442e25523f a few steps, my 0a56fa57b3 arm was grabbed. “Why?” I turned bdd3df6101 around and saw 600dcb6bb8 his wavering eyes. Saebyeok’s voice, as he ae3c0d92ba asked his question, seemed 9f326b4f3e to tremble. But what surprised me 3ba7998441 most was his question.437bf011fa7656f3

🌙99664c835304a78f

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What was the question Saebyeok asked back then? I stopped there, trying to recall the past as I entered the convenience store in the funeral home building. I couldn’t remember exactly, but I did remember being quite surprised by the question. What was it? Tilting my head, I grabbed a coffee and brought it to the counter.534d250f1ff430d3

I was still trying to recall the memory, so I wasn’t paying attention to the surrounding sounds. I didn’t work at the convenience store anymore, so it didn’t matter to me whether customers came in or not. But I guess this wasn’t a new customer.710305a92ea3d41c

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As I paid 39dd1bb764 and turned to 1aaa6e8c4e leave, someone touched 355460dadb my arm. What? I turned around and 883b5ee6d9 saw wide, surprised eyes 409fbca17d first. Even though the voice 9eaa940c19 of the other person 3ad190e92a was coming from the 20790b1153 phone he held to aa0581f420 his ear, he was c0b1fc6258 frozen, staring at me.357bad78eab3bff9

“…M, Minha?”8b82ce0ddfabd8ca

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My name flowed from his lips. It was Saebyeok, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time. I had been thinking about him, and here he appeared right before my eyes. Of course, since it was Professor Hong’s funeral, I had expected to see him if I stayed here.b030771b4175d83c

“How are you here?”ed738124c4ed4214

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He asked, unable 409efb4457 to hide his 2ad6408d7d surprise.ee4153beab0a3a49

“I received news of Professor Hong’s passing.”7f6d0c7f0a34b35e

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Saebyeok’s eyes widened further. I could see confusion swirling within them. Saebyeok was wearing expensive tailored clothes, his hair neatly styled, and shiny expensive shoes, but his flustered appearance overlapped with the Saebyeok I knew. So, I smiled slightly without realizing it. Saebyeok’s eyes seemed to harden again, but then they calmed down as if regaining composure. Then, in a quick, businesslike tone completely different from what I remembered, he asked,1b7ef23a773c7347

“From whom did you receive news of Professor Hong’s passing? You quit school and cut off contact with everyone, didn’t you? Or was it just me you didn’t contact?”deaec05778abb1b4

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The questions weren’t difficult, 42d575d86d but there were quite 3790aab8dd a few. I reminded 1d48a10758 him of afa537c30a the task 52d087fe41 at hand.b8ccf9a0b40a5d3c

“Finish your call first.”72c8472881dc347f

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When I a0405090b3 pointed at b731e46465 his phone, d79efd3587 he hurriedly cfff7a8ccb gave some d0bd7a73e8 instructions to 4933fc2b69 the person 53e1674d5e on the 6da2b89392 other end.14921efc35a69b6e

“I’ve arrived at the funeral home. You stationed people at the entrance, right? Check all the guests and vehicles coming and going. Is the information about him coming here reliable?”35a4fef1e4dd0812

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His voice was quite efe1242ba8 sharp, as if something 8e03bdd64a bad was happening. Not wanting to 2923652ae7 eavesdrop, I stepped e86058147f out of the 542721a542 convenience store. As soon as 85adbce38e I stepped into 8160326cca the spacious lobby, d3cea7d745 I headed in b8d52b28f9 the opposite direction 972448ec01 of the funeral 43ce79d2b3 hall. I had already 8dec3990e1 paid my respects, 02cec4a6eb so I was 6164713760 planning to return f69312adee to my accommodation 8cf55c4e54 and rest. But before 4a546b63a8 I reached 39c3d2e556 the exit, ea78fdf5f1 the sound 89fdd36da7 of quick 70696b5a17 footsteps approached be11cb80ee me from baea1fdb44 behind.406c3c253b41c522

“Minha.”52c53e633244eea7

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I turned around, 869ea48065 and Saebyeok stood 7f893c8444 before me. He brushed his slightly fc90c789e0 disheveled bangs into perfect ee61139794 place and took a be04576779 calming breath.9dd2c9487424f5a3

“Are you leaving? Let’s talk.”e18d37bb99eb52bc

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“Go pay your respects first.”f9fadc864e951665

I gestured towards 60fbf51e5e the funeral hall e9545101d3 with my chin, 175b76e537 and he shook 4eb17f288f his head dismissively.35de234c816a9758

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“I can do that later.”70f0104683ba24ee

“No, do it first.”8f9c02259bf8ce04

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At my words, Saebyeok c37ec0a2df frowned slightly.7de21dbe6a2d97db

“I can manage my own schedule. No, more importantly, I’m glad to see you, but you…”ab939bfee9de7b01

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“It’s polite to greet the deceased first. Go ahead. I’ll wait.”684f53d022acbe87

Saebyeok still seemed displeased 87e62186f9 with my words but 0249cfa740 didn’t argue. Instead, he 3d58604826 checked his 99b40caaec watch and 236ebacec4 told me c9685ad1b0 the time.d49b28c614df72f7

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“There’s a cafe next to the passageway that leads to the hospital. I’ll be there in 10 minutes, so wait for me.”04bdfd51fcf41c46

He instructed me 4e881f1a6b as if he d87ba9a702 was used to 8e9a5c0fef giving orders, and 8556a35f86 then added, as f9c9b586e7 if he couldn’t 2abf5af982 trust me, “Wait 8820e6b6fd for me, okay?”a8f21d1bed589bd5

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Then, as if he e78e050802 was in a great c1527409ec hurry, he turned around, db6ad1d8e4 took out his phone, 8007b0adaf and gave another order faa19bfffb to someone.f8acfb4da938875a

“Send people to the main entrance of the hospital as well, not just the funeral home, and keep watch. There’s a passageway from the main building to the funeral home.”52684f60189a4bc9

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He was 1df08206fa walking away, 4b4cf434d2 but due a15c6e1bff to the 1966933b33 spacious, empty 597a4ee858 lobby, Saebyeok’s a7e69a5d70 continuing voice 33533e0f83 still reached 3d34fd768a me.357b069d181eb9a4

“…Sigh, can’t Mirae Group even handle this much? The situation is so urgent!”a4c14b980517b743

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I watched the unfamiliar back of my friend, whom I hadn’t seen in eight years, and then turned around. But instead of going to the cafe Saebyeok mentioned, I went outside and slowly walked around the building. There was an internal passageway, but I was planning to enter the hospital building by circling the building. I figured that would easily take more than 10 minutes.a6ff5dfc7f9311d9

Besides, the night 942abc0fbb sky was clear 86b10c983d today, and the 410a3a0517 moon was clearly 9f4183373b visible. One person had disappeared 196edb99a8 from this world, but 9ab437d70d the moon diligently rose 8a78794eb1 again today. I stopped 62e25dbf1f for a ccd4f6d2a1 moment, gazing 39aad4dcdd up at 37fa7d01ed the moon. And I asked c030bf4ad5 Professor Hong, who 882d2efa3e had ascended to 1fa37da15c that sky,7807c132f7ed0b9d

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Why did you call cc87893c71 me here? I hadn’t contacted cb3dcec44e anyone after leaving cd1b691f6c school. I hadn’t heard 7cd83ad1c8 anything about Professor 92645564c1 Hong from my de7e98df4b grandfather either during c0013b824d that time. So why, out of 38f512018a the blue, to me, e8e696a2e4 a keepsake?84d4be4e1cf3c9a6

But I wasn’t the only one subject to Professor Hong’s mysterious will. When I entered the cafe 10 minutes later, Saebyeok was already there. He was on the phone with someone again.1f3a59500f83d37f

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“You’re saying you’re not sure if he’s coming today? Secretary Kim, you need to do your job properly. …Sigh, you said he arrived in Korea? Recheck the information you got from them. As far as I know, this person has no connection to Professor Hong. Even though Professor Hong was working at the school when that person was a student, they were in different departments. So, check with your source again. There’s no reason for Professor Hong to suddenly leave a keepsake to that person.”aa0f18dc08908672

Keepsake? I stopped, keeping my distance. It seemed Saebyeok was here looking for someone who was supposed to visit Professor Hong’s funeral. But this person had no connection to Professor Hong and was receiving a keepsake? I couldn’t shake the feeling that this person was somehow similar to me.e71dd2cf0f8298f5

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“The situation is so urgent, why would that person leisurely visit the funeral home? It’s a do-or-die exhibition situation between Mirae and that person… Ah, let’s talk later.”102fd2f48323ef6f

Saebyeok recognized me and 48dadea01b ended the call.4098b56c70020a5a

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“I thought you left because you weren’t at the cafe. Where were you?”bde8bd87be125739

“Just outside.” I answered casually, sitting down in a nearby chair. Then, looking at Saebyeok sitting across from me, I greeted him properly.b70c764dba24b680

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“It’s been a while.”e1db81f19044d042

Saebyeok paused. He stiffened as he bc6b2dcb40 was about to pull 0395d5168e his chair closer, and 46cbd03ab2 then tension filled his b75f28f59d eyes. Even though his tone 6d4bbba1af was now commanding and 6d2218cd50 his expression had changed, 9736d7d59f this aspect of him 408401c890 remained the same.9ee0acbcfe1077ff

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“Yes, it’s been a while. Why didn’t you contact me all this time?”7ca1a26447b8d090

“There were some circumstances when I left school. My phone broke, and it couldn’t be recovered, so I lost all my contacts.”5f62a09763c32294

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“What kind of circumstances…”9f9295cbafcc71a4

Saebyeok swallowed his 655e75ee8e words, as if 983d23232a something had come 36d03f4637 to mind. I had an idea c1018cf169 what it was, so 938926518f I replied casually,758b53bd5fadb6bb

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“It wasn’t because of the rumor that I did a striptease to seduce Alpha Six.”f7a2cbdfbfebea24

“Of course not. It’s not even true.”24384fff8c563ba4

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Saebyeok immediately agreed vehemently. Finding it unexpected, 5564c68b67 I replied playfully,4cf4dc19847c8cb5

“It might be true.”c0d64b12dbac1f90

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“No, I know it’s not true.”25d2ecff90095917

“You know?”c286e1164004fffe

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“…I just know you wouldn’t do that.”04f9758f6d8d1154

Saebyeok averted his gaze, 08dd91a727 his voice trailing off. He took d2907f4ed4 a small 3d3ab36317 breath and 5d6a57f126 then looked b629c847e4 directly at 060aea28d9 me again.b111185f0fb6acf0

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“Anyway, even if you didn’t have my number, there are many ways to contact me. There’s social media, and if all else fails, you could have contacted the school. You have no idea how much we looked for you. Especially Wiyoon, he worried about you a lot.”f7c49fda1baa7034

Saebyeok’s voice rose accusingly. So I had no choice but to repeat the same excuse.ce666c34ecca9e1d

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“I wasn’t in a situation to look for anyone and contact them.”8faadc9ca258c1b2

“What do you mean?”b7e89efae7954967

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“I wasn’t feeling well.”e2c957be59b6e9d3

I answered casually, f56d1615ef but Saebyeok asked f62e78e4f7 seriously,850b600dcf128723

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“What were you sick with?”11a5e7eae4948659

“Just… not well.”0a676100a939083f

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“Were you really…? ”fdede1c8af49fcfc

“Huh?”97d7549f05ab7044

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Saebyeok started to say d6720fa0ff something but then pressed 0bdec26d4f his lips together. Then, as if f4a7a80479 changing the subject, 8c774a23bd he asked,e8ca7e0d6aaac861

“Were you really sick? Enough to not be able to contact anyone?”5882ab6ffe16d465

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“Things were a bit complicated.”4a9be9d25baf3803

When I didn’t explain properly again, Saebyeok frowned, as if dissatisfied. He seemed unfamiliar with situations he couldn’t comprehend. As if it was his daily routine to give orders and have someone bring him answers. He used to be kind but very conscious of others’ opinions, so his changed demeanor didn’t seem particularly bad. I gave a small, nonchalant laugh. “And anyway, the whole world stopped, didn’t it?”3063f54748525ba4

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At the end 1be7bd782f of the year 6fd324aa89 I left school, 1af00703df a deadly infectious 9891dbd636 disease spread globally. For two to 5748149e78 three years, the a0ed2d9c80 entire country shut 559a209a56 down, and people 7d836d00f7 stopped moving.8e4423970c1b88f1

“Yes, that’s why it was even harder to find you.”c137f1592fc0a7b4

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“Did I run off with your money or something?”2d3d710ad51ce8a8

I asked seriously, d62d11dfaa but Saebyeok laughed 43e03186d7 lightly, thinking it d1b6bf8196 was a joke.bbac7565f7473e60

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“I wish there was a debt. Then I could have found you legally.”fe81a67e6a71c749

“Then why did you look for me so much?”94a7923074749c33

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We only went 25fa642ed0 to school together ab3b088f70 for about a 9429b6fd9b year. But listening to 513e29e8a1 Saebyeok, it felt ec43c54eb7 like I had 70f5024123 betrayed my family. Perhaps sensing my a9a3505124 bewilderment, Saebyeok looked fd06f42c48 away.a0ef14d4fa01b86f

“Because I was worried about you…”d273bf4db7c27db1

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He trailed off again, 6b416040ac as if swallowing his 6069a0a54e words. I looked at bf76edd796 Saebyeok quietly and 5813568312 then offered a 57c1179d59 calm greeting.e5b8f49fd7c6aec0

“Thank you.”edec41a7dcc8d8b8

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“How have you been? What are you doing now?”56c4ab0fbb1ca0e5

“My family was a bit ill, so I did some part-time jobs for a while, and now I’m a freelance illustrator.”b8030ceb676c06dd

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“Ah, you’re still drawing.”e6b09bb0dc411aed

His tone d7e5af04f5 of surprise 2f0c02cdbd puzzled me, 772a2f7a31 so I 4adfe35c51 asked back,48a8c60a997ada1b

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“Aren’t you?”b45a294438447474

“I haven’t touched a brush since graduation. I’ve been working at the art museum since then. I’m the director now.”9326fbf01b09ca68

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You can draw regardless of your job, can’t you? Seeing Saebyeok’s proud expression, I swallowed my question.980f6b04ca5c9aea

“I heard about you. I met some seniors and classmates at the funeral home. They told me about your marri… your recent situation.”d4bfe87a1e570601

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I didn’t want d052ed5213 to reveal that f6a373af5e I had heard 88db662ec0 his disastrous marriage 338d45cdb1 story. Unlike me, 6acf8ad120 Saebyeok actively 2372505cd5 brought up 8e4c4e3e88 the topic.66aea53467bd9ac0

“You heard? About my marriage?”077a5e7923d3235f

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“Yeah, um. I heard it’s with the chairman of Mirae.”8dcde2daa0c3fca7

“That’s right. I’m a Mirae person now.”a4430d8d653cbaed

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Saebyeok said proudly, straightening his shoulders. I didn’t know the details, but he seemed happy, so I thought it was fortunate, for now.fdd105fd45bfc7e4

“If you need a job, I can look into it for you. It’s not related to art, but it would be a much better position than hopping between part-time jobs.”a68f46fc350d289b

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“It’s okay. I’m earning enough to live.”52b5454182b091b8

When I 4e7078805b declined his 7fa5bbf9a7 offer, Saebyeok 292129fe2b frowned again, 4928e78cd9 as if 9cceb71e0e out of 0a76e9ff17 habit.f685709a96de955b

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“You said you’re drawing? Where are you getting work?”224ffed672d22bfa

“Publishing houses.”e2f4845d82810206

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At my d3e81e3c0d answer, he 4e5329f27e sighed.4d3441fd5a3ac94a

“I know how much publishing houses pay. It must be a pittance. How are you going to prepare for the future with that? The situation of freelance illustrators is obvious. They struggle so much, working two or three jobs because their work doesn’t sell. You struggled to get through college. Do you want to keep living like that?”5a5dba621add2af7

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I was unexpectedly scolded by a friend I hadn’t seen in eight years, but strangely, I wasn’t offended. I wondered why, and then, click, a scene flashed vividly in my mind, like a photograph being taken. The very memory I had been trying to recall at the convenience store.642dcd43a861193f

Back then, fa467198f9 I had 44b7f66811 responded to 224b82962f Saebyeok’s apology 843a193ee2 like this.364bbc4b5e05e9c8

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‘I’m glad I paid my debt. You gave me a lot of class materials.’486558a257877cfb

‘It’s not like I only gave them to you. Trust me in the second semester too.’83c22afcdda03517

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‘It’s okay. I’ll manage on my own.’c3b9ad088d77e986

‘Uh… why? You said I was helpful.’11b425873dc68895

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‘I came to school to learn, so I should try to do things on my own now.’14ac4b9dbef76937

I was cf82ae721b about to 08d9068d35 leave just 5c6a2f1f84 like that, 087cb5de68 but he, d121103c90 looking flustered 83633d25c5 for some 65ae59d12f reason, grabbed 4daa450cfc me. And he 01906c5a2b asked a b959ae8274 rather surprising fecc750a57 question. Strangely, Saebyeok’s trembling eyes 69702780e4 and nervously clenched hands 77078cea00 from back then came d635f99312 to mind as if 4c55ecc890 it were yesterday. His nervous voice 7a9d5cd4f8 too.f12af2bb28e40530

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‘It’s not because… you dislike me, right?’0110c166c033bed4

I couldn’t quite remember how I answered back then. However, I clearly remembered how I felt. That single question made me feel like I had glimpsed into the depths of my friend’s heart.80328415f1dd4e90

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Everyone hates being disliked by those close to them, but for Saebyeok, it seemed like a phobia. That’s why it was hard to dislike the Saebyeok in front of me now. Beneath that appearance, the vulnerable him who was afraid of being disliked might still remain.4c296d311eaae661

“Why are you looking at me like that?”c9b25b5b85351dfe

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At Saebyeok’s question, I b89fa7e000 finally lowered my gaze 31422c2271 and smiled.de899acc6fb526e7

“It’s been a while since I’ve been scolded.”260314b3d8069290

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“It’s not scolding, it’s worrying.”e73b010633bec10d

He said it like a nagging remark and then frowned, checking his phone. It seemed like his search for someone at the funeral home wasn’t going well. He let out a short curse.4f52962ad52fabb4

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“Sigh, damn, these idiots. They can’t even find one person.”bf9a06c16db84099

He glanced at me 111b65d4fa and gave a brief 74c1edbecf explanation.4b347849b70c3cda

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“They work for Mirae, but they can’t even properly follow orders. They take their salaries without fail, though.”85a19b12a2895979

“Is their salary like 100 million won?”3915ebbc7e2e46c0

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“What?”2eb7166103be2618

“I figured they’d only do everything they’re told if it was around that much.”77745c8229460419

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At my 51c04b6ff2 reply, Saebyeok 2cd94a50da laughed, as ec46fcfd9b if dumbfounded.d1295f7bab726bff

“You don’t understand because you haven’t properly worked in a company. Do you know how hard it is to earn money? These people make a living thanks to Mirae. If they don’t want to be fired, they have to work hard as if they were receiving 100 million won.”d61e1f27272cfb0a

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“It’s the other way around. The company exists thanks to its employees.”e68755e7232d9d4c

I retorted, 739fdb0229 but it 7f3ca1e172 had no 9d7b38e95e effect. He was too 4c0767119a busy checking a 4435f2bf01 text message he d3851aadec had just received 92d80d89a4 to properly hear 7d83638646 my words.51c9d13a5068690c

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“I have to go. Give me your number.”b2dab1aa57028db4

Even while he was 0c7ac567f5 entering my number, text 05fa7782ce message notifications kept buzzing 4fd29e28e6 on his phone. “Hurry up a6f54c8a44 and go,” dd30bff646 I said, 56481be1ad getting up 5b939a20ee from my ce0381862d seat, and 77c3a42599 Saebyeok grabbed 62e158c297 me again.f861d934aeb87851

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“So you’re going home now? By the way, where do you live?”9a78299f6a54f561

“I’m staying in Seoul until the funeral procession.”250fad5954dae4f9

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Saebyeok tilted 9e0f8464cd his head, 3300a66397 as if 4c31c01a27 surprised. It’s true that, to 2b327aceb1 anyone, there was no 7ace412e5f apparent connection between me 87c6dfc6d7 and Professor Hong. But he 20ee5bc6ce soon brushed a4f24fb6c1 it off c1f97c1dc7 and nodded.bbb5076796687152

“Alright. I’ll contact you tomorrow. By the way, Wiyoon will go crazy when he finds out you appeared. He’s abroad right now, but he’ll probably book a flight and come back immediately.”d48c4a964bd8a4a2

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“He would come even if it wasn’t for me, it’s Professor Hong’s funeral.”a8673ef56909389b

“Him? Ha. He wasn’t interested in studying and barely came to school. He ended up taking a leave of absence a semester before graduation and hasn’t re-enrolled since. I think his family gave up on him. Not just his family? Taehoon gave up on him a long time ago. He wanders around like a gypsy, and his dating life is so flamboyant.”840c2f120134c1ac

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Saebyeok spoke as 426feaabde if exasperated, but d6193b4a3a I heard it 96745fc4e3 differently. Wiyoon, that kid, a7bdf27924 is living an 104f943aa7 interesting life. But there 61e9b75eef was something 8e63780564 that bothered 8159212c36 me. I had heard 052901d4e2 at the funeral e3e4195012 home that Taehoon 02d3e44af7 and Saebyeok had 22696c194d dated. But if Saebyeok had 39fa996702 stolen his friend’s boyfriend, e3d1b44b3c he wouldn’t be talking 289d8f6b33 about them so casually.bb2eb8d1bce75ff4

“Did Taehoon lose feelings for Wiyoon?”226a6c9affaf0ca1

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“I don’t know. He might still have some lingering feelings. Wiyoon was his first love. That’s why he cared so much about Wiyoon even when he was having an affair with me. Pathetic.”f19b9aaa74341e72

“…You had an affair with Taehoon?”50dffeb77f866507

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“Briefly.”2abccf710f03004e

Saebyeok answered 3e7b636090 casually and 1f48cd4e25 disappeared, putting aae6d9938a his buzzing cbae56121c phone to 0cebc01fc6 his ear. I watched 6424f954ce the changed 6d26ddc948 back of b718c9b637 my friend 958c692803 and then a2e1ab69df returned to 030cf0f9d2 my nearby 5926dd2e63 accommodation. I had 34dc4b905d actually come 61d61c4135 up to d2f343272f Seoul for 96031cd7d4 a meeting cf9f4b3e70 with a dd7cf92181 publishing house 09556619f0 yesterday. But the important discussion 8e568df388 I had with the f36ca7f741 publishing house was pushed fa1a0e12d7 to the back of 1e1e3924b6 my mind. Instead, the matters of 5f84f77d4d the funeral home occupied 87be4732b0 my thoughts.f255c8d1788d244f

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Thud. I lay down ebb0b2c489 on the bed 76c8d742d9 fully clothed and 110be2dcec briefly lost myself 0dcd6de68f in the resurfacing edea45121a memories. The time e809f25808 I spent 27346500be at university 74aaa3a093 was only 531998fa3d a little 834109f06f over a b3dc62631b year out 45cf89b371 of my 6ec06f2f4f 29 years d4228e4897 of life, 9992c75950 but it 98c8b1625c felt like 85d898c4a5 it occupied c47bb97fbe a significant f800c608a8 portion of 912e074c1b my life’s 1ab0d2fc13 graph. Lying there c7338cb501 blankly, I 06353b7c41 started to 0b79cfa819 feel sleepy. I need to stay fd73358578 at the hotel for ab9162b062 a few more days e4fafb560c until the funeral procession…72322f7b06782bdd

Oh! I need to extend 0c6895eefe my stay. I snapped 8bca95ffab out of 5648fcfc72 it and d64e499058 hurried down bbd057c783 to the 0999df1819 lobby.6465d50b3ff3ac00

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“Guest, I apologize, but the room you are currently staying in is not booked under your name, so you cannot extend it further. You need to make a new reservation. However, the room you are currently using is unavailable. We have a group reservation due to an academic conference.”f453a3f0b302baf4

The employee apologized 4afad603a4 and added,2d4df05816dc9181

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“The only available room is the Executive Room.”0b72a9f9776060cb

It sounded expensive, 8420f04176 but I nodded 71427b99f4 without hesitation.8499c1432068af2c

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“Yes, I’ll book that room for two more days.”cbe725f2aadcad7c

While the employee typed f653117f72 away, processing the reservation, 69450ff72a I looked around to 7b15bbd156 alleviate my boredom. Then, my c85b55e789 gaze naturally bbf95c17fe stopped at 0a2efb836b one spot. Far away, at bda6535a1c the end of 8b8230ce6c the spacious lobby, 3c8692b4b8 in front of 43909b1206 the elevator, someone 2cc9d603f0 was standing with 4190d5a50a their back to 74022203c6 me.a9ae3c47e2ec88da

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The broad 4dcab09241 shoulders of 522028e7e1 the tall 55051caa48 man seemed c7b2cf6fa2 to overlap 113453609e with someone 0af6c112a3 from long 6b80d361e8 ago. The knitwear the man a8e0023714 was wearing happened to 03ef7a8c9e be a deep blue a6f9a02d65 color. Prussian blue, I 32ba548d69 thought, my gaze 39784d366b momentarily captivated by bcd956d7e7 the color. Then I noticed another 82fea2d6a0 person standing next to 99c37eedf4 him.d7a1975931bee35e

They were 89c7ee761f a man 52524e9733 and a 6ddeed37b2 woman in ce90123414 suits, standing 65e600545f respectfully like 60cde33817 secretaries, saying 2a0d41e16b something to 06ff9e9f67 him. A step behind them, 71d953918c someone who looked like e7d8e08798 a hotel employee was b78f82d86f standing with a large 091462d64a trunk. But even d8590e320a though the b757ffd1d5 people who eb136ebc8a looked like f69d2b35e9 secretaries were 0456ff870a speaking earnestly, 0861528b2e the man 03cf951b34 seemed to 236c20604b be ignoring 45ef1ec11f them, turning cad225518d his head 0722e9f5f2 to look f57c0425f6 outside.0fa388b5878b5dfc

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I wondered 2f31f4e0b3 what was 2531c42f60 outside, but 716c25209b beyond the 5a60203c21 dark glass 00e023f0cb windows, there 724f77c935 was only 444f07b8b7 black darkness. The only thing 092fbf2c59 worth looking at 72624e9966 was the unusually 4f2f14506e bright moon tonight. Is he looking at d4906a68cc the moon? I found it cfca0f2f76 amusing that I 5df3ebbf3d was having such 6d7a262bac thoughts while looking f3dc415bbd at the back 37f285af5a of a stranger, 374983f79a but I knew b3c124b258 the reason for 6624482f94 my interest.e64794aecaf91a3d

“Kim Chulsoo.”4ff8e3c3029e99e4

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I muttered the name 8cde5282ea softly without realizing it. And immediately regretted it. Muttering Chulsoo Hyung’s 81f1f71d13 name while looking a85998a9bd at the back ba41bc8ea5 of a stranger. I found myself c868d10eee ridiculous, but I 4836100d90 wanted to make fdea40637f an excuse. Since leaving school, I 6bcaa2d825 had never seen anyone 2bc8f3bd3a with a similar build 131b80769c to him. So, it was fascinating 44533de544 to see someone like 0119fc74f3 that here. With the da0f6eacf2 professor’s funeral 8a871b3cc9 as a 58c182616e starting point, 660fa6f5a6 it felt b26a8a725e like the f83e259498 past, which e74181004f had been 5257a22e64 wandering for 058902ef8c eight years, 5a7fef4290 was being 59e3184851 poured down aabe65df55 all at 5698064da8 once through b43c254f00 a funnel.9713dcc35bae3316

But my recollection 896dff8194 of Chulsoo Hyung f51121516a didn’t last long. The man with 86e35f4215 the similar back b2f0765da3 disappeared beyond the 8fe69e63e1 opening elevator doors. Before he could turn 92ffcbc117 around and I could 8aca68e2d7 see his face, the a701d48f8e front desk employee called a102328588 me.249b1b29746f89ed

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“Guest, I’ll confirm your reservation.”da0fc1e17e790c6d

After finishing the reservation, I went up to my room, leaned back on the bed, and took out my sketchbook out of habit. But no images came to mind. On days like these, I would usually draw the objects in front of me, but I didn’t even want to do that. The memories that had dripped and gathered in my mind, drop by drop, pooled like a puddle, continuously reflecting images.b006f0f582d1eebf

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Eight years ago, I had seen someone with a similar build to the man from a moment ago. Unlike the man from just now, that person wasn’t a stranger. It was a part-time colleague I encountered in a completely unexpected place. Back then, I was certain it was Chulsoo Hyung just from his back. Because he was wearing that deep blue t-shirt he always wore.756862c89de4a710

🌙603769a1bf8a2ec7

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xx Cinema. On a weekend e2ff033f25 morning, the theater 5d64cee741 in the city fa66015e91 center was almost c1e080221b empty. Even though it was e31d219e1a morning, the outside was 1d90577435 starting to bustle with e7c6b5f11e people, but the inside 6635dfad11 of the theater was 517a0831bd deserted. I could 0fd43f31ab immediately tell 0f4bb7c376 why by 4473e05e2f looking at d4be396a44 the poster 6ce88f106b of the fbae00d417 movie I d4236d0acc was about 48782e9d92 to see.8588c995216deec6

‘The very film you’ve been searching for, thirsting for art cinema.’22dfa82a6b428a12

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The poster c399eade8a was plastered 6d79d118be with five-star 81b178d7e9 reviews from 91c32c85f6 various critics. No offense to the c6cd291634 film, but it already 7455a17187 sounded boring. With a 5a2f3bc575 heavy heart, aab9b66039 I looked 6ed80294ba back and e66576d940 forth between a869bf911d the invitation d3cc903a4f ticket and 19f1381951 the movie 6f79247c3d poster. But no matter how 3acd074039 many times I checked, b34368ac7c the title on the 2dd42ab553 invitation ticket I received aad3047e94 was indeed this film. I regretted 6a3b3ef742 coming, but 9e892c0dc2 it was 2872bb0011 water under 12d3481fd5 the bridge.3f4d0591e3e80cc5

‘Ryeok-ah, what are you doing on your day off? Want to see a movie?’11cbf0487b81ce7a

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The manager 0a09cf7fe5 had said 2c374adff6 this, giving 216292e6bb me the a72ada014c invitation ticket 42f2d92ae8 and smiling 46b960be0c slyly.de150d1513e6ca56

‘Ah, you’re into art, so you definitely have to see this. Watch it like a true Bak Ryeok.’55db53a97a3271e0

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I now understood why 96a51a2e15 he brought up art. I should 6282852be3 have checked f3efa1cb85 the movie b56ca65980 information beforehand. I hesitated 05f350bb2b in front dd3abb3668 of the 090bd0d214 poster, wondering e6a5e04d87 if I 755c88dbfe should just 285a3464fe turn around df07e528aa and leave. Then, my gaze, c492be0809 wandering by chance, f814d01cc4 landed on someone.f239dee27adb6e7a

A man with 11e2716afa a tall stature 8977117f94 and broad shoulders. He was standing d3043908cf in front of f9a90320b8 the elevator, leaning c3013dab26 casually on one d58503ef61 leg. Just from his ff365d7a2c back, something clicked. Chulsoo Hyung? As soon d466901584 as I fcdd579459 thought of 449fec0fe4 the name, d22268b4ed I properly 2520eb7688 saw his 0cc889318a clothes. Sure enough, 4a4d39f671 he was 6eb21f969b wearing the 75564de789 worn-out jeans e6109cc9e3 he often 1d0491ab21 wore and 08e5ad7264 that familiar 9dc2896a23 deep blue 8c8493ea28 t-shirt.6039d16701f1360c

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The elevator doors opened, and as he stepped inside, I hid behind a pillar without realizing it. I didn’t know why I did that. If I had to give a reason, I’d say it was because it felt awkward seeing him somewhere other than the convenience store.b16ffa69235678d5

After getting a ride in Chulsoo Hyung’s car, a distance had formed between us, knowingly or unknowingly. Of course, we weren’t close before that either. But if before, we were about 20 meters apart, barely understanding each other’s voices, now we were about 100 meters apart, barely able to make out each other’s faces.8927580fb3554944

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It wasn’t just me who felt awkward seeing him again; he, too, had built an invisible wall between us. He was always aloof, but now it felt like the temperature had dropped even further. So, for a while, during the handover at work, we didn’t exchange a single word beyond what was necessary.157b590dc7c01404

In that situation, I couldn’t approach him and act familiar. I couldn’t even imagine having a casual conversation with him, even out of courtesy. But why was he here? Could he be here to watch a movie… Of course. The manager wouldn’t have only given the ticket to me.95ba74607de6aeb4

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I was about 4125ee3895 to turn around 0d2af1aeda and leave, but e2cdd0be6a I hesitated. Then, looking 62af85e047 at the 1872db80f5 elevator where 75b466864b Chulsoo Hyung b285bb4672 had disappeared, 11dbbdadd5 I got 186fc3174c on a 99fa0f87e4 while later. I had to at 5cf67c782b least brag to the 04f31f76b2 manager about watching the 1eeb58bc00 movie. Making this excuse-like reason, 8356e2064c I slowly entered the 2edc4cd303 darkened theater.e8bbcd78b66de85e

After exchanging the 16b4593b5e invitation ticket, the 42dddea2cd staff member informed 9b71d2e0a8 me matter-of-factly, “You 5feda305c4 can sit anywhere.” 824950be8b A freedom befitting 65b73d7919 an art film. But thanks to b1c0a89368 this freedom, I 808cb21867 experienced an internal 0d60c22f1c conflict as I 88dc567419 walked down the 4247498250 short hallway. If our eyes f0c42fe3d0 meet as soon ec09347554 as I enter, 6ec923e6b9 I should at 6deb7be534 least acknowledge him, 03a938ecad right? Then should f2964b9b4b we sit dba4d6f02b together?30341bcacc4e5dde

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Questions swirled in 3054edfe71 my mind, but f9ed69d41b as I entered b27faea413 the small theater, 4cf6f731fc I realized there 55157e3314 was no need 0e91813ec0 for such worries. Chulsoo Hyung 788ee738a0 was sitting 1d1b6c47c9 in the feb4a8a8e1 corner of fc9055fbf6 the very 664b5fd0a9 front row, 8912440b40 visible right e2e87eee6e from the bae2ff96c2 entrance. And with his arms 8dedf27064 crossed, his head was 4cd7b621fa bowed low. He looked be77574580 like someone 4b8356f140 who came 01071e729e to sleep.b4d3d6acab1e423b

Feeling embarrassed for even 2e7b2fff7b worrying, I quickly climbed ab6d5386f0 the stairs and settled 8a357c379b in the very back ea40d9f0a4 row. While advertisements 8a50559a4c played on 36a9114f4d the large 6c99ff6ac7 screen, a 101f018e11 few more 7cae4e55a3 seats were a16e54ebe8 sparsely filled. Two people sat c8e7849c9a down in the d05b493041 row in front 7f211de659 of me. A quiet 20f2b54f8c scene was 6ffbddae57 playing on 7219995045 the screen, 60f23fcd42 so I 913f730127 unintentionally overheard 231d359548 their conversation.71797d8ad4bb4beb

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“Isn’t he an Alpha?”e99b336324067d02

“Right? He can’t have that amazing physique if he isn’t an Alpha.”7b2120cc11e320fb

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“Yeah, his legs are fucking long.”a3e7b3626c788513

The two friends, 74fa4bbb28 who looked to 3e989131b5 be in their 5b40094eee early to mid-twenties, 0e861c884c whispered while looking a778ba1d83 in the same 109e97cd97 direction. At the end af61c3f008 of their gaze, 9225506b8b a person was 2bd6ae7c17 sitting. I looked 3489a45728 at Chulsoo acdadb747f Hyung and f97d072a97 inwardly agreed 862c8a5202 with them. Yes, he 7bef3f20d1 must be 6f0ae28dff an Alpha. I had a02aa5cad5 suspected it ee2db1df3b before. The way 2bed0fc95c the weekend 513734fa45 part-timer was fb1f958256 particularly afraid 3af5eef59f of Chulsoo f969e870b8 Hyung, and c24d5f614f his excellent 231f71186f memory.30e5b1cde6a7edd3

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But I couldn’t be certain because an Alpha wouldn’t be working at a convenience store. Even an incompetent Alpha could choose a high-paying job just with the title of “Alpha.” I pondered Chulsoo Hyung’s identity for a moment, and then the theater lights dimmed. The film company’s logo appeared on the screen, signaling the start of the movie.283a74fbf9ab2d19

Alright, let me, 67a85a95ee a person of 4b65702f2b art, see how b7cc24fabb artistic this is.ee6a1a63001f1446

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I went in with d734e01465 a combative attitude, but bace6365b2 surrendered in less than 2393c70cde 10 minutes. I watched the af190411a0 most boring two-hour 4746fb0ced video in the d18f74a124 world in a 3144860727 half-asleep state. Sorry to the director, 13ac365f6b but I was too b5557bb5f1 sleepy. Analyzing why it f5b66adb0a was so boring, 486ad693cb I realized the 58560d21c6 movie had almost d19fc47357 no background music.4b5ce5f61a390937

Like a documentary, it was quiet except for the actual sounds and dialogue. But the director should know. One of the conditions for a good night’s sleep is gentle noise and darkness. Still, in case the manager asked about the content, I forced my eyes open from time to time and roughly grasped the plot.20c296af4b9b817f

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The movie 853b5ac6f8 was about 3f580c3821 two friends cd7a2dca29 learning the 54b7d7e821 violin. The protagonist, born 8f192eee0d into a family 8f691677a9 of musicians, naturally 8699018688 thinks he should d24ad1331f pursue music, but c3e2d9d8d6 becomes frustrated after 108ca69a31 meeting his genius 1ea49ca8c5 friend. The friend was not 7468a2228f only incredibly talented but eb865f3d89 also a hard worker ea3b156131 who sacrificed sleep to 2847f7e0f9 practice. Or so I thought aa35b9da70 at first.74ed8caa6e279101

He was indeed incredibly 13c51f86bf talented, but his hard fbf02ecba2 work was forced upon bcd8688b14 him. Behind it was the 2245899216 coercive violence of his 37cc13a0ad father, who wanted to 8d8ccea934 raise his friend into 54ed43a306 a great musician. Due to his b06a57339a father’s twisted desire 87a9bd77e1 to fulfill his 38a80c5998 own dreams through cb321eb478 his child, the 8228e2025a friend gradually loses c59c2f4fad his vitality.af8ebacddd5ff247

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The protagonist, despite his e1b13d99c9 family’s disappointment, eventually gives 6f573a02b8 up the violin. The friend, 7be373101a his face ab81afda24 devoid of 4c45472b40 emotion, says,c99a42990681b848

‘I will continue until the end.’7cdde4e765dfc3f9

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The protagonist, feeling c4a07ef131 uneasy, advises him fdad0edda5 to run away. But the friend 2d28078f05 disappears, stubbornly clutching 5ba6dd0f49 his violin. The news the protagonist e00f7aa049 hears about his friend db9e2e7cdd afterward is devastating. The friend makes 1fb256e0f5 mistakes in every 48b48b4d1b competition he enters, 2f5b72f30a fails to win 5b58dec427 any prizes, and 36082b907c becomes the target 7133a54078 of ridicule.62b7f4f445040dae

Despite that, he doesn’t 276825229b give up and continues 0b104f9211 to participate in competitions, f59fc233ca again and again. The protagonist 8f9853ae1b believes the 67e9b4592d reason his fa1e403fb8 friend can’t 4690010072 escape is f03faac40a because of c5e30b8d07 his father, c64a9c130a but his 17c49d3ac4 thoughts change da2b977f7e as the df5c3df916 movie enters e0d9515069 its latter af1803d1d9 half. It happens 5c0705a651 when he 6b42bb12c8 attends a 27855b033f concert due 9f2df6e865 to a 6f4c37e471 family matter dba05be97f and sees 8702941ade his friend 1a9495b3c5 and his eb7ac658b2 father.484fa0de23eefc2b

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