LM Chapter 6

When I vaguely came to my senses again, I couldn’t grasp where I was or what was happening. Then I finally focused on the sound that had woken me.aeaecf9795552283

‘Ring ring~ Ring ring~’e86cfee9531880b7

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It was a phone ringtone. Although the sound soon disappeared, it kept ringing and stopping repeatedly as if the caller kept trying. Since he couldn’t turn off his phone while driving, I eventually heard Cheolsoo hyung answer the call.e855095708ffd59f

“Yes.”1d6859fa16f7a20d

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The engine noise made 6c186b2e14 the car not exactly 4d1d4edeec quiet. Still, I could faintly 5aeb7f6ce0 hear someone’s voice because 3338cb4939 it sounded like screaming. But it was 96f5414856 as quiet as f7a7d42f43 a TV with e419528cfa the volume turned a88e99973d way down. Cheolsoo hyung must have 0092511dc9 been using earphones.c4e9b932915f8089

Even so, I 0cc2b34d55 could somewhat hear 3f7aeec995 how loudly the b31802cd47 other person was b2d61b8eed shouting. Surprisingly, most 93809672ae of it 1cd535caaa was cursing. The lowly words that 2020d1fb93 included ‘bastard’ as a 25d3e96409 basic term completely woke 99b0882a78 me up.fd1eb5e814391c04

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Trash bastard, should 99cc5f189c have thrown you b8107237f2 in the sewage f6be19ac27 to die, useless 2b539f965b son of a f0bfb08601 bitch, and so e70c4efaa6 on.c87d66fd5cd36b7c

Cheolsoo hyung seemed familiar with the other person’s words, just listening silently.a3686d434118e0ad

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There didn’t seem to be any particular reason for the cursing. It was just one-sided verbal violence, like throwing filth at him. So, even though the curses weren’t directed at me, I almost frowned. No matter how much the voice sounded like that of an elderly person, it was still unpleasant to see a blade being swung carelessly.80a0c37a0be0f094

But since the person involved just listened silently, I had no choice but to keep pretending to sleep. Throughout the entire call, Cheolsoo hyung only said two things: the ‘Yes’ when he first answered, and another ‘Yes’ in response to the other person’s instruction to buy something before hanging up.fa8a3af4ab198044

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When the call ended, the car was filled only with the sound of the engine vibrating. In contrast, my mind was a chaotic, noisy typhoon of confusion and shock. Cheolsoo hyung wasn’t someone who would let others push him around, anyone could see that. If there was someone who could say whatever they wanted regardless of age or gender, it was Kim Cheolsoo.82ce402122dab8ea

That’s why I couldn’t believe he was being verbally abused by someone. This felt like his weakness. The fact that I had witnessed this situation couldn’t have made me feel more uncomfortable. There was only one thing I could do now: Pretend I didn’t know.0f3dd9d2daa0e4df

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I absolutely couldn’t 8944daf321 open my eyes, d2736a5e55 so I didn’t 02692ca3c1 move a muscle, 57fc453757 but as my 5e7ce96edc mind became clearer, b63ecbdae5 my posture bothered 074ae8f5cd me. Suddenly, my calf abbe5679bb felt itchy, and f26c980733 my fingers felt f6a24046a3 stiff, like I 673103304e needed to move f7f0341cac them to loosen 5fecc076fe up. My whole 54c3836c15 body was 6525e0e0ce screaming to 3bba46424a move. I had af9aed78a1 no choice ad16031752 but to f19f4cdbb3 wiggle my 54d8982257 fingers slightly.cbc7cec68f052dfa

“Hey.”597e9a83d6037bf5

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I flinched. I jerked 9faeefc3fe too noticeably 3b549fd3dd for someone b641443545 pretending to b7ec9a9a1e sleep. Still, I a40aa9c6f6 kept my 6ab1f2d710 eyes closed. Instead, I curled up 7d35213331 and rubbed my head b6fccbf5e4 against the corner of 25894857ff the seat.ecbaf5b1dcb17a5b

“Ha.”aa798c765cfa4a3d

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A short, mock laugh was heard. It seemed to mean he knew I wasn’t really sleeping, but it was too embarrassing to open my eyes and admit it. I squeezed my eyes shut even tighter. But I had no choice but to open them wide at his next words.84f487051b40bd9f

“Get out.”39b515110ff642fa

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The short, cold voice 24c0896eeb commanded. Only then cbe4ecfa87 did I 926744ba83 realize the b7f11f32ec car had 6ad5368011 stopped. It was the familiar 5b9a3eed5c front of my house.1759562a4fe5d211

“Ah, when did we arrive? I was so asleep I didn’t even notice we’d gotten here.”23629d1adc0a7b3d

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I stretched awkwardly while unfastening my seatbelt and got out of the car. I didn’t forget to say ‘Thank you’ before closing the car door. As soon as the door closed with a thud, the car disappeared from in front of me. Although he left without even a goodbye, not even looking at me while I got out, I didn’t feel hurt.7b44f0b71ba25ec9

Rather, I b6303dfecf felt like 74ee426002 I should b7c6f5c6c4 be the 3c50d12dfa one apologizing. I was completely c66d46c151 awake now as 90db63ce16 I dry-washed my a23a7fb054 face with my 345637044f hands. I spontaneously 63b9c4723f recalled the 9049ac37c5 first line db1ac2c1cd of a 5502e9ee81 novel that a7f4c14cbc my grandfather 638a704c61 often recited df2faec262 like a 7ae9c587e9 proverb.ffe46df643ddddcc

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‘Happy families are all alike, but every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.’e3d2a860df22774b

Around me, 37f1e74078 there were 5a89882fa2 often cases 1dd61ad0a6 where even 1150c07e97 after becoming 5c8249da72 adults, happiness e1032c9dc5 and unhappiness 7e50dc19ca were determined 1f9e89e787 with your 47515f086b parents. Maybe it’s 627e600e3f because, no 1305c961bb matter how b569a258c5 old you 6678f38169 get, the 494f61045e mind doesn’t 6bcf857761 easily leave 5e2572f736 the nest. Among the f6111e3e48 people around b920646db8 me, Saebyeok d0fa453903 was particularly f3406d6f91 like that.a70cc1b1bc1decbb

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***5a7eda2ca8f56a5e

“Didn’t you say you helped Saebyeok with the gallery during the break?”e9dc6d799eac7986

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Euiyun, whom I met c2cfcb3126 after the semester started, c0b3326f07 suddenly asked.9a984d2bfdad852f

“Yeah, why?”ea6c4175e5b4499b

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“I heard you helped with some project planning?”7ef66537a4bb6b5c

“Right, it was for children visiting the gallery. Why?”170808d30f4ec772

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“Just because. Seems like Saebyeok is one funny bastard.”ba6227ff3089c0a0

He showed me an 813e7e2173 article.7e7cba9f08dcf12e

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‘Trending Exhibition for Children – Paintings You Can Touch.’75ab2ea221987128

Below the title was 0c0a5abe1e a photo of a df3703d94b child smiling while touching 84cdee81f0 a painting. The painting the 2c15eecf9e child was touching a6e41f379b was the giant 3da852a17d brush stroke I 09e87b7e04 had painted. Looking at e98a67a5b4 the photo, aa7f55bdfd I unconsciously 31aa3c9eda frowned slightly.e6a2d58af6789a82

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“Wasn’t this your idea? When you contacted me about helping Saebyeok during the break, you told me about wanting to let children touch the paintings.”166f2363253677ab

Yeah, I absentmindedly b757c416b0 replied while closely 458d09237a examining the photo. No, why 8a48c489d7 are the 0bbce7f592 colors like 5b8f251b54 this? The giant brushstroke df1b210e74 was intentionally made 42f25e864d by not fully bd7a95e5c1 mixing the paint, d730a2de68 allowing multiple colors 6019641251 to appear naturally, 355d99550c but the painting c308abcede in the photo ea034871e9 had unnaturally connected 4eb888f6e1 colors.f73f4664648a1682

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Maybe the paint b1bbb27094 wore off from fffcdcd136 being touched, and 4da0709678 they had to 1728b4b351 repair it…It was still f5f08d8724 strange, though, so cf510260eb I tilted my 88cdd74753 head. I had deliberately applied c58b2eee1c thick layers of paint 15a12a78d3 so they would naturally e188dd5aca wear off. I had even e836252c08 told Saebyeok. Let it wear 570cda73db off naturally.Isn’t that more artistic?While wondering about 8fe69ae5fb this, I belatedly 402f467ad6 noticed Euiyun getting 328f39b53f irritated beside me.b5bc8b4115acf03a

“In the article, it’s like Saebyeok did all the planning and painting alone according to the interview. After using your idea, isn’t this fucker being too ridiculous?”d8e6ee57b63db81f

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“Why are you getting angry?”fe7ef6184cc87373

“Because it’s upsetting. You might not know, but do you know how much this dude went around bragging about getting recognition from the director for his successful project? Fuck, I got so mad when I found out late because my return to the country was delayed.”4cc2d7d702b4a18f

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What’s there to be mad about? But I just smiled, hiding my true thoughts from the guy who was getting angry on my behalf. Then feeling something strange, I turned my head and saw someone quickly disappearing from the doorway. I only properly saw a bit of their hair so I couldn’t tell who it was, but for some reason, I thought it might have been Saebyeok.9c3f462529cd7dde

Hmm, I df29c08acf guess I 71680f7605 must have 759620485b seen wrong. I tilted my head while running my hand through my hair. Out of habit, I gathered my lengthened hair with my hand. I’d been too lazy to go to the hair salon during the break so I’d just tied up whatever I could grab at home, but now all of my back hair could be gathered in my hand.0d106c4ee6a50ad7

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Ah, is it ee582e731c time to cut c8a47961ff it? While thinking with a hair tie in my mouth, my eyes met Euiyun’s as he stared blankly at me. With my arms still raised to tie my hair, I asked him,3a8234358e34daf1

“Has my charm made you fall in love with your dear hyung-nim?”30f3eacbd573e3f7

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I deliberately exaggerated, twisting 8bf4f6e0e7 my upper body and f4ab7fac97 striking a pose. Euiyun immediately frowned ec1ea46178 and raised his eec731c9f6 voice.755e059edc46377c

“Are you kidding? What charm could someone whose blood¹ hasn’t dried in their hair have?”cfe7603b5d1408ed

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“If blood dries in your hair, you die.”9d32ee31c511e317

“Are you stupid? It’s the blood on newborns’ scalps when they’re born.”081dbdea766b94b3

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Ah, that blood?I marveled at his a7c8f0f11b common knowledge.312c516d47a9dc81

“What’s with you? You’ve gained some common sense since coming back from backpacking. Crazy, go circle the earth one more time right now.”27e8329df4f54f0f

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Although I just encouraged him to travel the world, Euiyun got more irritated. But he turned his head away and wouldn’t look at me properly. When I snickered and teased him about being someone whose blood had dried, he got even more annoyed. Of course, I was satisfied with his reaction. There was something enjoyable about bothering Euiyun. While we were bickering like that, he suddenly spoke seriously as if remembering something.c48296c64e83ba81

“Don’t be nice to Saebyeok anymore.”6108bc57116e7ab3

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“I only helped once this time. Actually, I received help from Saebyeok throughout last semester, so what are you saying? A person should be grateful.”6ebcdf3aebb44d0e

“Gratitude is one thing, a78df98e3e but lying is another.”1efe1ec2f6955548

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I laughed a584864aef again and 4d68e7abe5 brushed off 16cd1421f5 this incident 11d47c01f2 lightly. However, the next day 0ef79976f4 I realized I should 79a5fb19fd have given it more c5f9aafb06 weight.3d1ef9ac41381cf2

It was when 848cf5b057 we all rushed 8d237b1f51 to the school 26685d3c3f cafeteria during lunch 7e6a93e46a break. Some students e6a59e4011 were talking 8cc9eea2bb about a 55d334a3a7 sunbae. Unlike me, they were 536395f223 all very interested in 43cdfd0bdc dating, so they seemed ef00656ec7 to know all about b7f4d3a79d the popular people at 79511e221d school. Thanks to Euiyun, 47ac22ff0a who usually sticks 2632d50368 with me, being a6836d0235 absent, I just 08f8da345a listened as if 0fa682bf3c I were their 0d9598e071 audience.7298923dbf3f64d9

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“The members of Alpha Club are the best, but Alphas are way too intimidating for regular people to approach them. Alphas also seem like they have no sense of chastity. So actually, an Alpha who isn’t that capable is better. Do you guys know this person? There’s this amazing sunbae from third year who’s currently on leave.”4f727b2891cf74c5

“You mean that dominant Alpha who doesn’t produce pheromones?”0eeede250a64a5ee

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“Yeah, they say he’s called the scentless flower. He’s a dominant Alpha but no one has ever smelled his pheromone scent.”d316a29a7ab4acf3

At that, 34cb97d202 someone chimed 3363a9805f in with 4ed443e0e6 their own fa50cc343e knowledge.f821e0dd36156bc5

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“I heard that even among female dominant Alphas, only those with truly outstanding abilities can perfectly control their pheromones.”a1272a67640baafc

“That’s because they’re female. This sunbae is male. Maybe because he has no scent, there’s also a rumor that even though he’s a dominant Alpha, his abilities are actually on par with a regular Alpha rather than a dominant one.”00bc889b36f741f3

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One of the listeners 984c3af311 asked disappointedly.cf4a61d340c44bfa

“Then isn’t he d9c92fcdb7 just average?”3f69bd8092ec844c

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“No!”988f9924473a97cc

The person 78478b2db7 who had d1ba0a1630 first brought e3eff4636f up the 49b3429198 topic strongly 60722059b5 denied it.1944627580be4802

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“Do you have any idea how incredible his looks are? And regardless, his physical test results still classify him as a dominant Alpha. You guys know how many families want dominant Alpha bloodlines, right? If he doesn’t have a pheromone scent, that’s actually a plus for regular people. Pheromones are just for attracting Omegas anyway. Alphas use that as an excuse to cheat all the time. From that perspective, he’s got just the right amount of ability, great genes—he’s basically perfect.”a30a3a012cf179be

“That’s your thinking as a regular person. That sunbae must be suffering because even if he likes an Omega, he can’t get them.”191f5d8031de53fa

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A friend chided with a laugh. I wasn’t interested in the conversation so I kept tuning it out, but I couldn’t ignore the next comment.561170ffff5370c2

“But he’s a dominant Alpha, right? Even among famous families, they’re rare. Some families deliberately contract with capable Alphas or Omegas just to have children. That side is a huge business. Especially for female dominant Alphas. I heard some families abandon children if they’re not what they wanted. That’s why there are rumors that sunbae is an abandoned Alpha. Because that sunbae’s family is not very…”14b78a6a7734cfd2

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People really 452aed4104 talk carelessly a0540a3128 about others. I felt uncomfortable listening cbc8f430b4 to someone else’s private 92d2642506 life, so I shoved 50893a0afa the remaining rice into 68af4ec464 my mouth. ‘I’m leaving 85a3cbc308 first’, I c076565c94 said goodbye 6122431ee0 and got 6fd76219a2 up from 4478a1adc8 my seat, 350d4c56f5 but the 3916c41be6 conversation about 8790cd4abe that third-year dce9658588 sunbae continued de8022bbf7 as I d4fd406b1f left.df381556e9eb51d4

“But still, he’s a dominant Alpha, right? I heard brokers are targeting that sunbae. They follow him around with loads of money. For people who want to have dominant Alpha children, such thoroughbreds are so rare…”83ff4631351f1048

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The term 4e4dba8426 casually comparing a239aef049 people to 5a401fed74 breeding horses 412a5ed9b0 was disgusting. I hurried out of 32928d274e the cafeteria, but I f02d9db9bf still felt unpleasant. Then someone 93ffbb9924 called out 57c700a5ce to me 5649735725 from behind.445fdd629ece7c68

“Mi… Minha-ya.”8e5ef6e8526f5084

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When I 1fd6b7b61d turned around, 1e9efa8b36 Saebyeok was 50ce93585c standing there c359e283f2 with a cf3180b014 tense face. His complexion was noticeably b5b26a8cee bad, so I asked 675296b7ce curiously.660ab6012fe219f5

“Did something happen?”def9830346751da9

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“Can we talk for a moment?”778f328cf78d5c8f

I glanced 3eba0c34cc at my 18415fda25 watch and 82d3e3721a nodded. There were still 25 bf36b6015b minutes until the next dab3c99a24 class.ee984c0db24a3ca2

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“Sure, go ahead.”5f68f059e5a1679c

But even as we walked to the bench, Saebyeok couldn’t speak. Then, only after sitting down, he suddenly bowed his head and apologized.b4ca03335dfa1f26

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“I’m sorry, Minha!”bfb5c0c8c98c2465

What for?I was about to e333bb1125 ask but had a 74d5a83dc2 vague idea, so I 6eec792d1c kept quiet. Waiting for him to 334268d088 speak first, it was d105fb3512 exactly what I had 2a59a4ed02 expected.c26ae84802458940

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“I had an interview about the exhibition planning, and I clearly said I planned it with a friend, you know? But the reporter left that part out and wrote the article however they wanted. I think they were trying to promote me. So somehow your idea was credited as mine…”9f60dde10dc1a1f3

“Hey, it’s fine.”cd724be83c585588

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When I waved my hand dismissively, Saebyeok, still bowing, peeked up with just his eyes. It was so cute that I unconsciously smiled and ruffled Saebyeok’s hair.6fa9af5e754f65a4

“I agreed to help you anyway. Was I helpful?”ddb6fa33de14fd58

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“Extremely, extremely, extremely helpful.”3b42b26e98137f7a

“That’s good, debt repaid.”92f05f94331f1dca

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“Debt?” When Saebyeok c8e7f4393e asked back in 2c27fe3a5a confusion, I shrugged.1fce2e5b6730bd0e

“You helped me a lot with class materials.”74519754a8461d9b

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“I didn’t do that just for you, though. Just count on me in the second semester too.”2a66977460b4befe

“It’s okay. I’ll manage on my own.”c0ada82f05f0bff0

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Surprise bloomed on Saebyeok’s face at my response.49fb8af4bbe45088

“Uhm… why? Didn’t I help you?”e5469891c85d911e

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“I came to school to learn, so I should handle things on my own now when possible.”d6f4cb8e5cdd03f5

“Still…”9af2ebce6cc8ce30

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“Did you eat lunch? I need to stop by the library for a bit.”8c8b591c46e8399a

As I 2d18a5a756 stood up, a5794e665a Saebyeok rose f962c3b663 with a 2fb0211e68 dazed face 6663f14188 and shook c0acb10ff3 his head.1bb4e4db48ec8b07

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“I have to go see Assistant Professor Park.”d8da4b0f27efac9d

“Okay, see you in the next class then.”6bd51c61453a7de5

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I gave a light goodbye and turned around, but before I could take a few steps, my arm was grabbed. When I turned back asking ‘What?’ I saw trembling eyes. Saebyeok’s voice seemed to shake as he asked the question. But what surprised me most was the question itself.456908ee6d64b7c7

---

What was 563e0b69ad the question 7180b0c1b6 Saebyeok asked b43a4d0772 back then?²As I entered the 00a3b65e04 convenience store in the 8a2c91db48 funeral home building, reminiscing 63d8009cfd about the past, I b75f34b6b7 stopped there. I couldn’t a97c1cfc21 remember exactly, 7a20a575ad but I f41ff19af0 remembered being 392ca2f8d6 quite shocked 5824413a56 by that d2cec42615 question.What was it?While tilting my head fe192be849 wondering, I picked up 37bb876389 a coffee and placed d08f95781c it on the counter.4a6c7d20f7e0673e

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Still trying to fc862d4498 recall that memory, 9f613b5400 I didn’t pay 19249bc6bb attention to the 5bf1dba88a sounds around me. I wasn’t working at 1fe39e6b97 the convenience store anymore, 4db598ecc3 so whether customers came 7f36eaab7f in or not didn’t a291378060 concern me. But it 270147029e seemed a 50cb7de60e new customer 49830fb9f7 had entered.c5d4753d230a0654

After paying 1c87fad811 and turning b570294ef1 to leave, 0695037d1b someone touched 877dfc72e0 my arm.Huh?When I turned around, d5e546bd51 the first thing I 0a8e96a7a2 saw were eyes widened 0743605003 in surprise. He was beca8164e8 on the ddf7a278af phone, and d33019b08a the other c5e228d0c3 person’s voice 37c43bbb40 was coming befd7ca0ba through, but b560b5f09b he was 40739e065b frozen, looking 1b099ff2a9 at me.fef7627101425554

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“…Im, Minha?”730a6016a7bd81bf

My name slipped from d66792fe14 his lips. It was a6ce2e7162 Saebyeok, whom 2b5fde1d65 I hadn’t c4b9188f71 seen in c4e6cca60b a long 3f1a3e26ff time. I had 0bb92ddba3 been thinking f0687b329b about him, 0d699a4b0f and here b482c84b6f he was c72397a2b8 right in afcb1ff881 front of c6e03a8cfd me. Of course, 3f70d65a16 I had 040b8fe555 expected to 015710e087 see him e665f922be here since 65d03e2962 it was 900d8c6686 Professor Hong’s 3f47f2b952 funeral.3a4f48190a860aaf

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“What are you 0144d16e13 doing here?”047eab85ba15d176

He asked, unable to 1a8314782b hide his surprise.3a0056fa08a96b2e

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“I received cdccf68ef2 Professor Hong’s ae78052857 obituary.”d87fb94b4b03cbd2

Saebyeok’s eyes b150d4a9ac widened even 2a6736c171 more. Confusion swirled in 62104c3643 them. Saebyeok was dressed 15f1e3a124 in an expensive a99a99452f tailored suit, his cb6a982f1f hair neatly styled, e16d046a2e and shiny expensive edf3decf61 shoes, but his 5e17bb4475 flustered demeanor overlapped a6cb710339 with the Saebyeok 83f63e0933 I knew. So, I unconsciously smiled e85eadcb58 slightly. Saebyeok’s eyes seemed abef6e61b4 to harden again, 45848a916b but then they 2216bc40f9 calmed down. Then, in a completely 4544ffb340 different, quick, and businesslike 48ca64b392 tone, he asked.2a26b58f64715a81

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“Who did you receive Professor Hong’s obituary from? You quit school and lost contact with everyone, didn’t you? Or was I the only one you weren’t in contact with?”4a5fa42fe71e7989

The questions weren’t difficult, but there were quite a few. I reminded him of what he needed to do first.d0f2e59bbe0981da

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“Finish your call first.”ef387c7585d12dd1

When I e285fa4d77 pointed at f6ce9a2470 his phone, 73dc073f8c he quickly 3671994adf instructed the 65e0fa92ff person on 5b7f2568a1 the other 2a402a7a3f end.4a4794a2191897f5

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“I’ve arrived at the funeral home. Did you station people at the entrance? Check all the guests and vehicles. Are you certain about the information that he will come here?”539c0fc72f43a1bf

Something seemed to be 6d3c3a7aa6 going wrong, as his 939085d7af voice was quite sharp. Not wanting to e2a4bb9457 eavesdrop, I stepped e8fcb67162 outside the convenience 4f3b7e55b1 store. As soon 805e5af67f as I 9b841cbb52 entered the 6472b41dc5 spacious lobby, 4aea0b3393 I headed d3b8f17c11 in the c94cc7c97f opposite direction ca78f1e4a6 of the b4fcfdf5d3 funeral home. I had already paid c578bde240 my respects, so I 12487ac5db planned to return to 195d64672c my accommodation and rest. But before I could ba61b0bde3 reach the exit, quick 07678505c2 footsteps approached me from 1c564f9d57 behind.921af2ae6ceeae97

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“Minha-ya.”335cdebfe8b0104a

When I e5168689b5 turned around, 101dcdbd48 Saebyeok stood 7152583b99 in front 14ed6db1ca of me. He brushed his 4e49c0430c slightly messy bangs 9dddfd5226 back into perfect 2290d04ce8 shape and took b773d72f32 a deep breath 740c3d1047 to calm down.1b5b8346827f0d5e

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“Were you leaving? Let’s talk for a bit.”fd767c8145d79c8f

“Pay your respects first.”f9d38bdad958fba1

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When I pointed at the funeral home with my chin, he shook his head as if it wasn’t important.8fe1cd25578ac92c

“That can wait.”bc7e14a2e82cedeb

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“No, do it first.”3d0f7ea156efdce7

Saebyeok slightly frowned at 99f0442208 my words.7c7bf1d5f9ab3304

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“I can manage my own schedule. No, more importantly, I’m happy to see you, but you…”2bf8490f0925d169

“Paying your respects to the deceased first is a question of manners. Go do it. I’ll wait.”8ce84eefd7637d16

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Saebyeok still seemed displeased with my words but didn’t argue. Instead, he checked his watch and informed me of the time.248025fe4e380e76

“There’s a café next to the corridor leading to the hospital. I’ll be there in 10 minutes, so wait for me.”4919d153892eddea

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He gave instructions d626bee4c0 like someone used 9cfa66e645 to giving orders, 56c075e605 then added, as bb473fd80c if he didn’t 265f0d2615 trust me.887f6123c62c5b77

“Make sure to wait for me.”534d1ae2cb4831f6

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Then, in 7a51a7798c some hurry, 2a27677389 he turned 26a49cd9f4 around while 0f7fab2a7e taking out cf1a6e36b2 his phone bae7dea79e and gave 270df558d3 orders to d0decf9470 someone else.fcc2ba85f8695ee7

“Send people to monitor the main hospital entrance too, not just the funeral home. There’s a corridor connecting to the funeral home through the main building.”dc9966464ef8e2a9

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Although he e7cab67fa2 was walking af6dee7d72 away, his 03a71ca76c voice still b48e2b6e52 reached me b44e3ffede in the cef5b95f34 empty wide 4fbac25bd6 lobby.365602e7ae890aa4

“…Hah, the Mirae Group can’t even handle this much? Do you even know how urgent the current situation is?!”b02ead7465f90b63

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I watched the unfamiliar back of my friend whom I hadn’t seen in 8 years, then turned around. But instead of heading to the café Saebyeok mentioned, I went outside and slowly walked around the building. Although there was a corridor inside, I planned to go outside to enter the hospital by circling around. I figured that would take well over 10 minutes.30cc956dcb081dee

Besides, the 2de0a8def5 night sky 59d0b122bb was clear 9d1401b179 today and 819fff3011 the moon 40d1c150cc was visible. One person 510711dfc9 had left 24e869787a this world, eb87a58a15 but the dae7e335e3 moon had b093fc9c44 still risen 873977b206 diligently today 7ecb335114 as always. I stopped for 7ae0cc181e a moment, looking 319348878c up at the 478e62acd9 moon. I asked Professor 4cd6743fd4 Hong who must 62e064fb3d have gone up c74ff748f5 to that same 1d469e9b64 sky.a1a0f60b3e94fb42

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Why did you call me here? I never contacted anyone after leaving school. I hadn’t even heard anything about you from grandfather either. So why did you leave something for me out of the blue, Professor Hong?5f6204862f27b696

But I wasn’t the only one involved in Professor Hong’s mysterious will. When I entered the promised café 10 minutes later, Saebyeok was already there. He was on the phone with someone again.df45b425f909dc02

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“You’re not sure if he’s coming today? Secretary Kim needs to do their job properly… Hah, you said he’s in Korea now, right? Double-check the information you got. As far as I know, this person has no connection to Professor Hong. Even though Professor Hong was teaching when that person attended school, they were in different departments. So check with your source again. There’s no way Professor Hong would suddenly leave something for that person, right?”0133ad0177ab5a94

Leave something? I stopped at a distance. It seemed Saebyeok had come here looking for someone who would visit Professor Hong’s funeral. But that person had no connection to Professor Hong yet was receiving something? I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was similar to my situation.010aaf6f0802bcf1

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“Given how urgent the situation is right now, why would he take his time to find a funeral home? We’re at war, and it will only end when either us, Mirae, or that person dies… Ah, I’ll call you later.”c91e83cbdd79ac22

Saebyeok noticed me f7f7529623 and ended the 47b9797d7e call.ab42b9d798aef47c

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“I thought you’d left since you weren’t in the café. Where were you?”07ea399633a0baa6

“Just outside.” I answered lightly as I sat down in a nearby chair. Then I properly greeted Saebyeok who sat across from me. “It’s been a while.”32a874b28c69e0c0

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A pause. Saebyeok froze while pulling 47dcf86820 his chair, then tension aacc24aa19 filled his eyes. Although his tone 06d6a987f0 was bossy and 4d62907602 his appearance had 39f2827dee changed, this one a49e05a4b8 aspect remained the 62eeea1060 same as before.9d3a403abdd031c2

“Yeah, it’s been a while. What on earth have you been doing all this time? Why didn’t you contact me?”0bf64e623017069a

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“I had some circumstances when I quit school. My phone broke, and I couldn’t recover the data, so I lost all my contacts.”ad91909bf587ebdc

“What circumstances…”429c4cd0e48107de

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Saebyeok seemed to recall 17292a3575 something and swallowed his a918fbc85b words. Since I 2938096fd3 could guess 4c268c1df4 what it cd4e23896c was, I 79de3b8076 responded casually.829da40d63e33141

“It’s not because of the rumor that I did a strip show to flirt with Alpha Six.”eb83213e539179d9

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“Of course not. It’s not even true.”4d135abf3838649a

Saebyeok strongly 3c97967e53 agreed right 57477c714b away. Finding it unexpected, d8f63839a0 I playfully replied.5c02fd0da34180c4

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“It might be true.”54d390d7925968ac

“No, I know it’s not true.”ed5fb85d2676a7aa

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“You know?”6bdbca0db37b236f

“…I just know you wouldn’t do something like that.”38934022c7f48f93

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Saebyeok turned away 383174e557 as his voice f5360ce8d2 trailed off. Then, taking a small 1868a2fbed breath, he looked at 87f3b44158 me straight again.8856fc955da9d495

“Anyway, even if you didn’t know our phone numbers, there were many ways to contact us, right? There’s SNS, and if nothing else, you could have contacted us through the school. Are you even aware of how much we looked for you? Especially Euiyun, he was really worried about you.”3f5284ef3bb46def

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Saebyeok’s voice rose 6631e8c750 as if accusing 9729c2f60e me. So, I could only 7121c21496 repeat the same excuse.c0826a4f203ecbf5

“I wasn’t in a situation where I could reach out to anyone.”3e38e5f05d649ed8

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“What does that mean?”e27512b00fdfe7e9

“I wasn’t feeling well.”361dd209e6073a61

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I answered 39f559e814 without much 3163e8ef49 thought, but d6f30561cb Saebyeok seriously 7f41163932 asked back.f86925f7d5a05258

“What was wrong?”fc3f38acadad8465

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“Just… you know.”f03ef505c2d704db

“Could it be…”c21e68509ac9419d

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“Huh?”ffb3fa8eb56e7b98

Saebyeok was about 2e151aff48 to say something c6306b6823 but pressed his baeb7a3124 lips shut. Then, as if changing fb1212403c the subject, he asked.3dcba70a6a75c746

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“You were really sick? Enough that you couldn’t contact anyone?”7a83b856e44d9343

“Things were 8fb13accba a bit 304029bdf1 complicated.”37d3f4c1325f7691

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When I didn’t give a proper explanation again, Saebyeok frowned, displeased. He seemed unfamiliar with situations he couldn’t understand. As if his life was used to always getting answers when he gave orders. Unlike before, when he was kind but overly conscious of others’ feelings, this change didn’t look too bad. I smiled slightly as if it were nothing. “And anyway, the whole world had stopped.”02cc6ebc5bd7dc43

At the end of cc192703bf the year I dropped 2c1a449a90 out, a deadly pandemic 59021d6958 spread worldwide. For 2-3 dc714e29e0 years, countries c9c1ba4992 shut down, fbf5e99140 and people e1e350c77b stopped moving.54930b73758c0a38

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“Yeah, that’s the principal reason why we couldn’t find you.”e6c7faa65d247a42

“Did I run off with your money or something?”8989b94347006628

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I asked seriously, 3e8907bfd8 but Saebyeok laughed 005eee44c5 lightly, thinking it df77e85342 was a joke.31ff80ed3d7b1a38

“It would have been better if you had debt. Then we could’ve used the law to track you down.”154531632f084f03

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“Then why were you 592173eed9 looking for me so 4a2b61a993 hard?”6c1433af59c42f1d

We only went to 879de1e461 school together for about 6a41e882d1 a year. But listening to Saebyeok, d8aae45d33 it felt like I 007d5a8e41 had betrayed family. Perhaps sensing my bewilderment, d66d9d8f14 Saebyeok looked away.56e4ce1db32c7e7c

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“Because I was worried about you…”d5df87c03f4562b7

He trailed off 71d184ec77 again, as if 6812ee05c5 swallowing his words. I looked a0af18ebf0 at Saebyeok 21d1d781c3 quietly before d5f3ec57bd calmly greeting bb55e6d7d2 him.924d275e3a8bdb3f

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“Thank you.”613ff10c331e064c

“Have you been well? What are you doing now?”a3c71b82ca73ed2a

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“My family was a bit sick, so I did some part-time jobs briefly, and now I’m working as a freelance illustrator.”64d9d4b9ae766ca4

“Ah, so you’re still drawing.”0a93b7a8182aa39c

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Puzzled by his 6f2a7d7a09 surprised tone, I 99f4db9eaf asked back.5a107ffe6d6c302d

“You’re not?”dda4f40f4fa5bd16

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“I haven’t picked up a brush since graduation. I’ve been working at an art gallery since graduating. Now I’m the director.”68fd1fd332a0403d

You can draw regardless 7849ce3e5c of your job, right? I kept that question to myself after seeing Saebyeok’s proud expression.2f82e9843ac28714

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“I heard about you. I met a sunbae and an old classmate at the funeral. They told me about your… recent news.”9096f82ee8c30605

I didn’t want to let on that I’d heard about the messy marriage story. Unlike me, Saebyeok actively brought up the topic.9253084b74a4eb11

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“You heard? About my marriage too?”f63bd10c0ee0c478

“Oh, uhm. I heard you’re marrying the president of Mirae.”83a3848abb1c2ae1

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“That’s right. I’m working for Mirae now.”978883582a63452b

Saebyeok said proudly, 7a84d24c51 straightening his shoulders. Whatever the 3b9432a173 circumstances, he 99e865bca2 seemed happy cfbafe8688 about it, c778d57f63 which I 836475f2bd thought was c2e9e6f99f good for 16e0908f9c now.c2128c443f63ccd4

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“If you need a job, I can look into it for you. It won’t be related to art, but it would be much better than bouncing between part-time jobs.”f6774f8c452b2b86

“It’s okay. I earn enough to get by.”20d1b75cf549c4f5

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When I declined 03c00eb536 the offer, Saebyeok 048867e918 frowned again, as c01b2db957 if by habit.2ba09665b3496e60

“You said you draw? Where do you get work from?”e4ca1aca1f0f4951

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“Publishing companies.”631f91dae6bc8ad3

My answer drew an 6f26eda03c immediate sigh from him.84b1a1f3380e9ef8

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“I know how much publishing companies pay. It’s pocket change at best – how do you plan to prepare for the future with that? The situation for freelance illustrators is all the same. They all struggle working two, three jobs because their work doesn’t sell. You struggled through college too. Do you want to keep living like that?”87c0a0b1efdb2bec

Getting scolded out of nowhere by a friend I hadn’t seen in 8 years should have been strange, but oddly, it didn’t feel bad. As I wondered why, click – a scene flashed clearly in my mind like a photograph. The very memory that had cut off while I was thinking back at the convenience store.c137c7110dc9fcd2

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Back then, I had responded to Saebyeok’s apology like this,751d57c802763742

‘That’s good, debt repaid. You helped me a lot with class materials.’50fe3049efa4b3bf

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‘I didn’t do that just for you, though. Just count on me in the second semester too.’e27f7a8e6def153e

‘It’s okay. I’ll manage on my own.’9073fb68f7643411

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‘Uhm… why? Didn’t I help you?’55f095cb01942b11

‘I came to school to learn, so I should handle things on my own now when possible.’e6aca0d9514453e5

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I was about 8594b6684a to leave, but fc39a8b108 for some reason, 86a776e0db the flustered Saebyeok 504fd7669b grabbed me. And then he asked a0c842f02b a surprising question. Strangely, I 3b4e4845cd could vividly ab7949fe0f recall as a415c60e35 if it 414c2b97ed had happened 675cc38f97 yesterday Saebyeok’s fb73a07b1e trembling eyes, cf0b895133 his tense 9006b05d31 hands clenched 94b62f3abf tightly. His nervous voice 211ca9ac6b too.ea36f20b2cc22d2e

‘You don’t… hate me, do you?’32e911ec4739c0af

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I couldn’t quite remember how I answered then. However, I clearly remembered how I felt at the time. With that one question, I felt like I had glimpsed into the depths of my friend’s soul.34b3ccf586f78dad

While everyone dislikes being hated by those close to them, for Saebyeok it seemed to be a terror. That’s why I found it hard to hate the Saebyeok in front of me now. That fragile person who feared being hated might still remain beneath this appearance.f71db6ae883f72a6

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“Why are you looking at me like that?”18c259712eec242e

At Saebyeok’s question, I finally lowered my steady gaze and smiled.a94a95aa06aa9d16

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“It’s been a while since I’ve been scolded.”ce128b480a5f0d8b

“I’m not scolding you, I’m worried.”91bbf17106412986

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He said naggingly and frowned while checking his phone. It seemed whatever he came to the funeral home to do wasn’t going well yet. He let out a short curse.e48d7e2e4781f482

“Haa, shit, these idiots. Can’t even find one person.”51c67dce78fb6acf

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He glanced at me dd436298cb and explained briefly.a79210d496d12d4b

“They work at Mirae, but they can’t even do what they’re ordered to do properly. Yet they want their salaries right on time.”038becb38140eda4

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“Is their salary like 100 million won?”b70b9f0e8cdc8c20

“What?”572b023c1fdc8e06

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“I thought that might be enough to make them do everything they’re ordered to well.”722c3294f83b2a14

At my response, a9be8d58f9 Saebyeok laughed as 393bfb186a if dumbfounded.d411c15beb98e8aa

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“You don’t know because you’ve never really worked in a company. Do you know how hard it is to make money? They can eat and live thanks to Mirae. If they don’t want to get fired, they should work as hard as if they’re getting 100 million.”67716acf93819669

“It’s the opposite. The company exists thanks to the employees.”7901afe08f773f30

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I tried 7d8ffd68b4 to argue, df927c21d0 but it 084b9849c2 had no d73ba7d58e effect. He was a32ede6581 too busy 5b65219a0a checking a 78c94038f6 text message 27a53b30d7 that had 3f81166d00 just arrived 3d3d551868 to properly 08c512c24b hear what b8f0aea41e I said.464c378a716bc55a

“I need to go now. Give me your contact information.”7d952d8991f83cda

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Even while entering f64512d65e my number, his f3afcb6ea2 phone kept getting 595525303f message notifications. After I said to 73a4abf6bc go ahead, I stood 7c53b0b529 up too, but Saebyeok 695b1a76d2 held me back again.be786078af179b3d

“So are you going home now? By the way, where do you live?”020fa3b01ec0de3d

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“I’m planning to stay in Seoul until the funeral procession.”ee20293a88829a41

Saebyeok tilted his head b923acbbad as if surprised. Well, anyone 8a6cf986cf could see 4578035dc9 there was db3eb19604 no connection ba6bc42f58 between me 87d3fa5980 and Professor 1682d10175 Hong. But he 2c8c050f48 soon nodded, 346890de1f dismissing it dc505e9cd8 as unimportant.57924d432a9c7a8a

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“Okay. I’ll contact you tomorrow. By the way, Euiyun will go crazy when he finds out you’ve shown up. He’s abroad right now, but he’ll probably buy a plane ticket and come right back.”eb62706d59d601b6

“He’d come anyway since it’s Professor Hong’s funeral.”00f1cd35b930e903

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“Him? Ha. He was never interested in studying and barely showed up to school. In the end, he took a leave of absence with just one semester left before graduating, and he hasn’t re-enrolled since. Seems like even his family has given up on him. And not just his family—Taehun gave up on him a long time ago too. He just wanders around like a gypsy, but somehow, his love life is as flashy as ever.”041b525bc2cf8dba

Saebyeok spoke as if it was pathetic, but to me it sounded the opposite. Sounds like Euiyun is living an interesting, good life. But something bothered me. From what I heard at the funeral home, Taehoon and Saebyeok had dated… But if Saebyeok had stolen his friend’s boyfriend, he wouldn’t talk about both of them so casually.26bda45e49429130

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“Did Taehoon fall out of love with Euiyun?”09a55cfce03456fe

“Who knows. He might still have lingering feelings. Euiyun was Taehoon’s first love after all. That’s why he was so concerned about Euiyun even when he cheated on him with me. Pathetic.”71549dce083ee320

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“…Taehoon had an affair with you?”9c25d50b81a42157

“Briefly.”3da008fb038468ba

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Saebyeok answered nonchalantly, then f0092719e8 put his ringing phone 97cfa075ef to his ear and 2d2f9f2f2c disappeared. I watched my 550a28e7ad changed friend’s back, 7a67584566 then returned to ee295b4519 my nearby accommodation. Actually, I e0bd132302 had come 54d1d4732e to Seoul f32f3f3c5f for a ab3578e775 meeting with 4cfb82f829 a publisher 06bc8aee21 yesterday. But the important conversation 8f4b72dbda I had with the 3de016b7a8 publisher was pushed aside. Instead, the funeral home 6d2bef52a6 events occupied my mind.9ffe81425db3b0fc

Thump, I 8b5e2aa1ab lay down 8b3ca2840f on the 6f0ceff4f5 bed still def5351349 dressed and 77bd4351d5 briefly immersed 223946314e myself in 2566d63b95 the past 0ee9637c81 that kept dde7d4d9e3 surfacing. Although the time I 3f35f03895 spent at university was 7d2031a9cc just over a year f215ef3c9b out of my 29 736012a91d years of life, it 2059cc714e felt like it occupied dc6d738ee8 a significant portion of d792985f5e my life. As I lay there 8607e1cb45 blankly, sleep started creeping 397cac5d53 in.If I’m going to stay until the funeral procession, I need to stay at the hotel for a few more days…fba5f866d40333bc

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Ah! I need to 163e004446 extend my stay!I quickly 9d805918b6 got up bd54c0fff5 and went 5d1368e6da down to bfab7a5b99 the lobby.bd6a67a2796d76cf

“I’m sorry sir, but since the room you’re currently staying in isn’t booked under your name, we can’t extend it, and you’ll need to make a new reservation. However, your current room won’t be available. We have a group booking for an academic conference.”006382192e95f039

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The employee apologetically explained 138973129c and added,e5a798b1219dfa61

“Only the executive room is available.”c856a68e7a5c5fbe

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It sounded 0c6bad1a5e like an 7d6c39e2b3 expensive room, 908a05aa89 but I 9d60889219 nodded regardless.39fbf10c0366cda4

“Alright, I’ll book that room for two more days.”ed5c1066f71a6731

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While the c928452180 employee was 9cc8460f73 quickly typing 343f7348ed to process 71d919aaab the reservation, 7b14bc7c29 I looked 4b3f0880f6 around to f38ecdf8d1 kill time. Then my gaze stopped d1d4c1c14a naturally at one spot. Far away, at the 2038271f67 end of the vast 1d9b3e7167 lobby in front of 77db20c596 the elevator, someone was ce37800ae8 standing with their back 51060d7227 turned.386c6ac30dc66686

The broad d05d87f0f4 shoulders of 2500069475 the tall c12a176eb1 man overlapped 120d7af7dd with someone e3909fa01a from long 899eeb533a ago. The knit sweater he e5630ab6ed was wearing happened to ea98ce4c98 be a deep blue 8ed435ec58 too.Prussian blue, I 7382ebf27d thought, momentarily d62862f4c1 captivated by ae8431d16a that color. Then I noticed there 7f9dae5aea were other people beside b98e340cd8 him.a111be49dcc149e7

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There was a 40bf711b91 man and woman bbc999a7af in business attire, bd8622c189 standing respectfully like 4e8d2a8744 secretaries and saying 70ea1aec5d something. A step further b96a3dd8c5 back stood someone 7a427c70f6 who looked like 9949a9e312 a hotel employee ba6cd4f29d holding a large c98f2d5e21 trunk. But even though the f3cfbd1668 secretary-like pair were talking 69da902324 earnestly, the man seemed bbe5ec2b91 not to be listening, 50c1cb3a42 his head turned to 2b1f3286ab look outside.aeccdb0b32808be8

I wondered fcaa9f52dd what was ce95b4791d out there, dbc9609f43 but beyond 474e807412 the dark 06dad014b8 glass windows 54609ff190 was just 23ed1e30e1 black darkness. If anything, only 7bb3d78cc1 the moon, which e02f81a739 had been particularly da1f984ab1 bright today, was 6aa8b138a9 worth looking at.Is he looking at b788f8e634 the moon? It was amusing to have such thoughts while looking at a stranger’s back, but I knew the reason why I was interested.a727e9a815830d60

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“Kim Cheolsoo.”4d69c6bf594a99ca

I unconsciously murmured the name softly. Then immediately regretted it. Looking at a stranger’s back and muttering Cheolsoo hyung’s name. My behavior was ridiculous, but I had the need to make an excuse. Since quitting school, I had never seen anyone with a similar build until now. Seeing it here was surprising. It felt like the past that had been floating around for 8 years was gathering all at once through a funnel and pouring down, with the professor’s funeral as the starting point.62a6b44a5e13c915

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However, Cheolsoo hyung’s reminiscence didn’t last long. The person with a similar back view soon disappeared beyond the opening elevator. Before I could turn around to check his face, the front desk staff called me.c1239d774fc36117

“Sir, let me check your reservation.”055d916b6a60f2c5

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After finishing the reservation, I went back to my room and half-lay on the bed, pulling out my sketchbook as I habitually did. But no images came to mind. On days like this, I would usually draw objects in front of me, but I didn’t even want to do that. The memories that had dripped drop by drop pooled in my mind like a puddle, continuously reflecting images.e9e2d99edafd18a4

I had seen a similar build and back view eight years ago. Unlike that man just now, that person wasn’t a stranger. A part-time coworker I had encountered in a completely unexpected place. At that time, I was certain it was Cheolsoo hyung just from his back view. After all, he was still wearing that deep blue short-sleeved shirt.2e1ee9849a7ed67e

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