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.2331268e07be2cb2

‘Ring ring~ Ring ring~’e2b066380b10e55c

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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.8536c84633333154

“Yes.”43dce31429ae84ae

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The engine noise 3b0d36ad51 made the car cda7b21f9d not exactly quiet. Still, I 5366d02aa1 could faintly b26e79247d hear someone’s a895bfbc5d voice because 958193b5e8 it sounded ce4bf1398e like screaming. But it was as 938330d8cd quiet as a TV bf4dcb2a0d with the volume turned c17c18b127 way down. Cheolsoo hyung must have 2454effc0c been using earphones.aae48b2f82274d15

Even so, I 31358c2122 could somewhat hear c138a2ea84 how loudly the 58abe05e0e other person was d7192edf5b shouting. Surprisingly, most b1663caf63 of it 320e1d073f was cursing. The lowly 0482f01e37 words that 563550f6d6 included ‘bastard’ 596e4a51eb as a 9febc8646a basic term de69efcfc0 completely woke cbaf388c21 me up.be616bb0ab5f3f74

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Trash bastard, should 90a58fd155 have thrown you 14e92cd02d in the sewage 370e2f722f to die, useless 240022340c son of a cd27bafdf8 bitch, and so 52de5ee1e2 on.9ce9f069a2a05ac3

Cheolsoo hyung seemed familiar with the other person’s words, just listening silently.f055e2d85e427ebf

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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.2dc0561bb7d0ceda

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.10258c20800d453c

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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.e234104047bdf932

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.f4ca236e1065c53d

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I absolutely 3a201afe74 couldn’t open 0be6f11853 my eyes, beec9320b1 so I f2fb422fe2 didn’t move 1ee247f36d a muscle, 16a258fd2a but as 9f098b21e9 my mind c3bb26dee4 became clearer, 76e036e5ac my posture 3eb0635186 bothered me. Suddenly, my 280947873a calf felt d8ffec26d1 itchy, and 45753c3f27 my fingers 544d79ffc1 felt stiff, bb7ace12c2 like I 37ae2fddae needed to 62814c9b06 move them 22d776eb3f to loosen 64e7087cc9 up. My whole body f3b7522e4a was screaming to 8024b28b95 move. I had 0bba88232b no choice d3bba610ca but to 6f537daf93 wiggle my 67277cd7ce fingers slightly.79b6e45143fc28e6

“Hey.”aa4caf72b642fa0e

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I flinched. I jerked too a0458bda18 noticeably for someone 8e015566e2 pretending to sleep. Still, I kept my a9c3da18d2 eyes closed. Instead, I curled up c246ceb063 and rubbed my head ed009c69a4 against the corner of 51689a200a the seat.a2988ea1232b23d9

“Ha.”c96a231db2172f96

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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.405fb74c2641af5d

“Get out.”62fb1c3415a45805

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The short, cold voice 4e83b606f6 commanded. Only then e959f86668 did I 05bd8eec88 realize the a2131f513c car had 8a29cdb5e7 stopped. It was the 8ed150bedb familiar front of 821f0e439a my house.1137a9274832b3ce

“Ah, when did we arrive? I was so asleep I didn’t even notice we’d gotten here.”433f6d068987c0fe

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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.df459bc899da7ac3

Rather, I 1b036794e3 felt like 124f301f12 I should 8216a24639 be the d341cccdba one apologizing. I was 4481da1401 completely awake ca3fe22106 now as 2abe0a3970 I dry-washed aaeb9323ee my face 91325fce52 with my 2ec4783ed2 hands. I spontaneously recalled the dd6bf67392 first line of a cbde73eeef novel that my grandfather 6a8b02f871 often recited like a cff2ef87d6 proverb.3df4037f831b9727

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‘Happy families are all alike, but every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.’60448bc89b4fd262

Around me, there were 9bb17a3abb often cases where even fd0c19e517 after becoming adults, happiness 351dae7a1f and unhappiness were determined 0a0a1719b6 with your parents. Maybe it’s because, no 14bd8d6720 matter how old you 24aabbeff9 get, the mind doesn’t 0540ec22c6 easily leave the nest. Among the people ee046b5641 around me, Saebyeok 421e794b76 was particularly like 83741f4b85 that.e6f2d82cf9083c8d

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***fd8445c022a4f383

“Didn’t you say you helped Saebyeok with the gallery during the break?”7306723dbd2a6e53

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Euiyun, whom I b02b1bba81 met after the e6c1f029c9 semester started, suddenly 464bdcb3c4 asked.456c887f17079b86

“Yeah, why?”5de6728dda9fe37d

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“I heard you helped with some project planning?”b4d9b904a4b06065

“Right, it was for children visiting the gallery. Why?”9aae94eb6999ce73

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“Just because. Seems like Saebyeok is one funny bastard.”f977903409eaf63f

He showed me an 32e8e1d0d5 article.57412f2b790674db

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‘Trending Exhibition for Children – Paintings You Can Touch.’a64facbe25513ca1

Below the c5a4a25c2b title was c58b6da413 a photo 5fbb5adf73 of a 77d92fe01f child smiling 840b96d4da while touching 12f2f391f9 a painting. The painting c92527f516 the child 84230ae429 was touching 6b2bb3a6f9 was the 028730f9b7 giant brush 2c2f83ce5f stroke I a6a1dd79ab had painted. Looking at the 338218752c photo, I unconsciously b54407c773 frowned slightly.a70aeb975f49627d

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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.”f6cab577e221d0c2

Yeah, I absentmindedly 91ef83572d replied while closely c059b02b61 examining the photo. No, why are the 342767cb71 colors like this? The giant brushstroke 000e94abc4 was intentionally made 54b998da17 by not fully 523ea9f746 mixing the paint, 3e7404c086 allowing multiple colors 246591358b to appear naturally, 96e19986cc but the painting c90d898a7f in the photo 46d29ad52d had unnaturally connected 9bbfbe36c1 colors.48a38b9104a186f9

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Maybe the paint e2e0d9541e wore off from 8e5c7d11e9 being touched, and d6ceff4e3f they had to aab367572b repair it…It was still 775be41819 strange, though, so b37fec4f7a I tilted my e5e7e0e354 head. I had deliberately 946795e477 applied thick layers 906c1567f6 of paint so e503661ca7 they would naturally c3e5d288da wear off. I had 23109b38f5 even told 0fd523b022 Saebyeok. Let it wear off c432602daf naturally.Isn’t that more artistic?While wondering about this, 0d8545dda2 I belatedly noticed Euiyun 34b9322e0b getting irritated beside me.a4bc10f580f55f45

“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?”2075c5cf4e866552

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“Why are you getting angry?”7003800fd6199894

“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.”a9c6ccd8b4b698fa

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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.c786ced100b79aec

Hmm, I guess I 2edf07a97a must have 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.770769244e9cf0cc

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Ah, is it 7630bcca3b time to cut 6468ed2458 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,f3afef5de5873d39

“Has my charm made you fall in love with your dear hyung-nim?”d4024537ed711fd3

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I deliberately exaggerated, twisting 2b3eb31209 my upper body and e1b2a0074d striking a pose. Euiyun immediately f2b1b8ac80 frowned and 1ab6647802 raised his 5a2c6d76be voice.14bcb8526dcb9103

“Are you kidding? What charm could someone whose blood¹ hasn’t dried in their hair have?”a78f18203f82c82e

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“If blood dries in your hair, you die.”5555e82303ff9873

“Are you stupid? It’s the blood on newborns’ scalps when they’re born.”784f1f137f753ec2

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Ah, that blood?I marveled b17b7369fa at his dc146e3c61 common knowledge.a9a828139148d711

“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.”b9e9c4f2367aee4d

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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.6a99f84abbc5fb98

“Don’t be nice to Saebyeok anymore.”7508b456f746e50a

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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.”e1f862cfe9a73490

“Gratitude is one 2b03a28f74 thing, but lying 2f841d926d is another.”28709e2313e533b2

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I laughed again and 1d7bc02521 brushed off this incident c82e4fe542 lightly. However, the next 5f1843fad5 day I realized b3c79ae93c I should have 6375412c91 given it more d2b4c9a848 weight.88c0a0c9fb7aea0b

It was when 2d07628a27 we all rushed 3648d927ea to the school 391e55a7cb cafeteria during lunch 8b351171db break. Some students were ca30482f44 talking about a f6f3c74c2f sunbae. Unlike me, 43f0d91791 they were c392fa8147 all very 443a56f526 interested in 089bf686f2 dating, so f63e89a453 they seemed 1ceff2899e to know 5360b2f14b all about 98ea43749b the popular 0d98921476 people at b8919c2e92 school. Thanks to 2d33efd5a4 Euiyun, who ec3420d3bb usually sticks c483ce493f with me, a0c9f716af being absent, dbb9c5e802 I just 68e9e6f94e listened as da56f0f9f5 if I 21d5416119 were their 2d07cb7244 audience.970d21444bc1cf2d

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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.”694d6b0f10ff1380

“You mean that dominant Alpha who doesn’t produce pheromones?”07d4fd6bb367cb24

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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.”f16e4c87d9a0ccaf

At that, someone chimed 638cd92dee in with their own c7f58640a9 knowledge.62c74719092b54e9

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“I heard that even among female dominant Alphas, only those with truly outstanding abilities can perfectly control their pheromones.”d2d8f4bbc22e9735

“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.”9ad2dc4f7f246fbc

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One of the listeners eb02deab53 asked disappointedly.04963ae5b4a08930

“Then isn’t he just a6c905a1c2 average?”c93078ae1cd934a4

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“No!”01e4f140042b2f77

The person who had c4d17253bf first brought up the 74f67cf26d topic strongly denied it.d02b8f081c1ca692

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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.”7820720c8e53fa3e

“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.”7f24ce0a2b5235e0

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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.ce34395c1494cc08

“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…”810c42a712ee6119

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People really e444b5d64a talk carelessly e8138f7cc1 about others. I felt uncomfortable listening 55e529ad61 to someone else’s private 7744d593d8 life, so I shoved 79c477843e the remaining rice into 7e9d9b1cf8 my mouth. ‘I’m leaving first’, 05febb4801 I said goodbye b41e24a732 and got up 9bec7e5f1c from my seat, 308a25e4b1 but the conversation 0619adb359 about that third-year 7ae45bef4d sunbae continued as 3d644b3383 I left.da49a45bcd696c26

“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…”b33e954560027a16

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The term casually 3a5d454bc1 comparing people to e8a3aaaf5c breeding horses was 23b12539b4 disgusting. I hurried out a229b98b86 of the cafeteria, e96ec3f32c but I still 5e063f0557 felt unpleasant. Then someone called 2941113c5d out to me b6d85a7fce from behind.9336af1e4f804c68

“Mi… Minha-ya.”2d109c4372c47a75

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When I adfc429871 turned around, 1d85cfde0c Saebyeok was 4f915a842c standing there aaf6eb5f8e with a af58d1e715 tense face. His complexion 3d47ebcc3e was noticeably fac36fb794 bad, so 63e893dce0 I asked 28ebbe10a6 curiously.678eb883a69a4c6f

“Did something happen?”91e4ab44253b1e27

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“Can we talk for a moment?”518d81efdb4e5e11

I glanced at 6830a04b08 my watch and 238f4a22fa nodded. There were still 3ec22e4429 25 minutes until 89a3b4aedc the next class.143db99108483d65

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“Sure, go ahead.”d86528562197ac59

But even as we walked to the bench, Saebyeok couldn’t speak. Then, only after sitting down, he suddenly bowed his head and apologized.4e5153980281f9dd

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“I’m sorry, Minha!”1e4553907cc045e2

What for?I was 9dbf4f2c9d about to 81f4404024 ask but 39ef25cfbf had a 899dce402c vague idea, 9f62bd32d2 so I b5b24ad238 kept quiet. Waiting for him to 4c1c64cc37 speak first, it was 11dc9ba9b5 exactly what I had cad7b8287e expected.4c1263580e72d66d

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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…”336701440faecae1

“Hey, it’s fine.”99873c03423111ed

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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.a0a812dc04efbfd4

“I agreed to help you anyway. Was I helpful?”ec971250f0dd8e15

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“Extremely, extremely, extremely helpful.”1f2bd0adafce2861

“That’s good, debt repaid.”97c66116ada582ea

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“Debt?” When 57feebc4f5 Saebyeok asked c7b7271378 back in a5f097e55c confusion, I 62e7464556 shrugged.34c3233cf4f89be2

“You helped me a lot with class materials.”a0bd35f72a9ea065

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“I didn’t do that just for you, though. Just count on me in the second semester too.”c474a1b6aeb18a82

“It’s okay. I’ll manage on my own.”9478548e9ae579da

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Surprise bloomed on Saebyeok’s face at my response.ad33dfaa9c858f91

“Uhm… why? Didn’t I help you?”b382fb57c3ce29a5

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“I came to school to learn, so I should handle things on my own now when possible.”b0c41bab4d828c55

“Still…”a4acdb013faeaaf3

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“Did you eat lunch? I need to stop by the library for a bit.”c409a77e1386b1dc

As I stood fb7404832c up, Saebyeok rose 26b6dc7021 with a dazed b1f5f898c6 face and shook 2cdbc9d7f1 his head.a7a9f77a0eb2ec40

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“I have to go see Assistant Professor Park.”81c08badfbc21853

“Okay, see you in the next class then.”d7c00a25637d4ef7

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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.0548ad3ff442d29b

---

What was the 2f012f27c4 question Saebyeok asked 9b285ad79c back then?²As I ac5f01b29c entered the 6aacd92b93 convenience store 514c8553bf in the 42738c269a funeral home e5f45e69b4 building, reminiscing 5807809148 about the 71ca235d20 past, I aab8f2a77d stopped there. I couldn’t 3aed4db9a7 remember exactly, d5537e7356 but I 8fc887eb5a remembered being 36a2f8eb10 quite shocked 0860859f3d by that 09e3ddacb8 question.What was it?While tilting my 4ebdce9bd2 head wondering, I 10c36890f1 picked up a c032ecbdae coffee and placed 24adb80403 it on the 292d99361c counter.847712977f35add2

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Still trying a148abf73c to recall daa3092df1 that memory, b1edb7e0cc I didn’t 4bd94f3212 pay attention 244eddf84f to the 44c92919c4 sounds around 113de08e40 me. I wasn’t working 536e04c1b3 at the convenience ef574c75b5 store anymore, so bfe9009a3c whether customers came 8b6385e3f9 in or not 5b7e432ef8 didn’t concern me. But it seemed 49a9f01fa5 a new customer dd0f49b241 had entered.7fae84afb4f83e15

After paying and turning 03cc6edff0 to leave, someone touched 4845d3e67a my arm.Huh?When I 8e421dea97 turned around, 3ce084d9fb the first 2800f770a1 thing I 89725b4076 saw were 0afe6d4330 eyes widened bece56124d in surprise. He was on the 83d48414f5 phone, and the other fbbd686bcc person’s voice was coming 90a1deac19 through, but he was ca79b7033b frozen, looking at me.291e51a82d568ca3

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“…Im, Minha?”7131c83f401c9c70

My name slipped 62e998a11c from his lips. It was Saebyeok, 98f12328ca whom I hadn’t 19f9ff1b96 seen in a 6677b72e4b long time. I had been thinking c4b9bed915 about him, and here 6445616ee0 he was right in a47ad0387d front of me. Of course, a516490573 I had 97c3363f50 expected to eb3e74ca1c see him 223afccbcd here since 4c71c5b7eb it was 7473daab4a Professor Hong’s fd130e75e7 funeral.51501f1e599cef0c

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“What are you doing 0a5db09b85 here?”4186af2c401869ee

He asked, unable ea0112362d to hide his d37212261b surprise.1f664954a091e21a

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“I received Professor 928c6b6dab Hong’s obituary.”39466b6a745e43e2

Saebyeok’s eyes widened 66095399e1 even more. Confusion swirled in them. Saebyeok was dressed in 201e55a0c7 an expensive tailored suit, 824cd4edaa his hair neatly styled, 60afe8d5cf and shiny expensive shoes, f122000bc4 but his flustered demeanor c99e893861 overlapped with the Saebyeok 7181165ed2 I knew. So, I 04222ee19f unconsciously smiled be0a32cf0c slightly. Saebyeok’s eyes 47a5985fbc seemed to 5b9c35d2c1 harden again, d9613f6430 but then 7c1cd730ed they calmed c73930c739 down. Then, in a completely 7992a6e87a different, quick, and businesslike dc24bc1b4b tone, he asked.469ad08352401967

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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?”e9b911c89db814c0

The questions weren’t difficult, but there were quite a few. I reminded him of what he needed to do first.eb280119cac36cc8

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“Finish your call first.”c811b14175c58341

When I pointed 5992b244b3 at his phone, 76c4d06987 he quickly instructed 25879faa69 the person on 608c8d3b73 the other end.4607e81158f7d36f

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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?”7ddd0c24fa136ef2

Something seemed 741f050f5a to be 6d19889840 going wrong, 22d55290d1 as his a9727a278e voice was 403fa5da86 quite sharp. Not wanting to 2e1a186cd5 eavesdrop, I stepped b5ce31a881 outside the convenience c6682237b0 store. As soon as I 1170044569 entered the spacious lobby, b5c4e5796d I headed in the fe444f2b12 opposite direction of the 20067a0e85 funeral home. I had already paid 5e138fa45f my respects, so I 6150ed3d19 planned to return to f727f4f4fc my accommodation and rest. But before I could c23cad95f2 reach the exit, quick 74adc36b3a footsteps approached me from c78ea6f717 behind.5d6e9d95ed65668f

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“Minha-ya.”1fcc86f90cdce866

When I turned 1575e0bfdf around, Saebyeok stood c90a79a379 in front of 4fbc3f4b9f me. He brushed his slightly 08dee3314f messy bangs back into 4de51dd913 perfect shape and took 68f2c1d3c4 a deep breath to 681fa25ccc calm down.bf03335c7b3ee26b

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“Were you leaving? Let’s talk for a bit.”22d201d73409ef2a

“Pay your respects first.”2a73b04903f00544

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When I pointed at the funeral home with my chin, he shook his head as if it wasn’t important.5dc265b1a70c7bb9

“That can wait.”e8998c8931cff074

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“No, do it first.”4311b88745f7f87b

Saebyeok slightly frowned 4f3bdc344a at my words.28ef2c9013c18c79

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“I can manage my own schedule. No, more importantly, I’m happy to see you, but you…”cc5e658fbdb7065f

“Paying your respects to the deceased first is a question of manners. Go do it. I’ll wait.”af4972aa7ff65cce

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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.5435a79f1e875e71

“There’s a café next to the corridor leading to the hospital. I’ll be there in 10 minutes, so wait for me.”d178e036280da598

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He gave instructions 4911c11b2a like someone used 67a0de98d2 to giving orders, 184d492e7f then added, as 2058a3417c if he didn’t 66a75ba4f7 trust me.ddf9ed2500ee47e4

“Make sure to wait for me.”3d1a8b3ede06e665

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Then, in some hurry, 5056bea6a5 he turned around while 45100c7033 taking out his phone 97df2330e7 and gave orders to 93425d2323 someone else.3102890cda2e84e2

“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.”b35249dfcc483e43

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Although he was walking 5cf70fc035 away, his voice still 1cfe8bf1f1 reached me in the 374e5e634f empty wide lobby.ea3e113f73c01117

“…Hah, the Mirae Group can’t even handle this much? Do you even know how urgent the current situation is?!”54af0d159d9875ef

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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.cd89b7d8c56bd863

Besides, the night 1b8a27ca2d sky was clear d51359d33a today and the 4333c7a236 moon was visible. One person had left 40812a74ef this world, but the 7ee11d43ed moon had still risen 38a5145fc6 diligently today as always. I stopped for a 1b35d071d2 moment, looking up at 800aeeb2b0 the moon. I asked Professor 8ce7743ede Hong who must 094ffbf77d have gone up eba971df1d to that same d4daa9d7ca sky.6104d9c83c3a0961

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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?0d791b8f55d9e131

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.b5edc12854cc8a83

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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?”d1b4801fa7ea5d44

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.ea0763e97b9f381a

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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.”9da538c2b04d0c02

Saebyeok noticed me 75bdb522d0 and ended the 002d8267c4 call.d4574f1e5acc0053

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“I thought you’d left since you weren’t in the café. Where were you?”c74f2dd0ece32c78

“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.”8ffad4e5a1b33e8a

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A pause. Saebyeok froze while pulling 98d2ce7445 his chair, then tension 9dddbe20b3 filled his eyes. Although his tone was e0482afd06 bossy and his appearance e7c24882f7 had changed, this one efb34b1083 aspect remained the same 4008018a08 as before.c236ef7c743f3c0c

“Yeah, it’s been a while. What on earth have you been doing all this time? Why didn’t you contact me?”669454d38c222683

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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.”f54eee4f1bb09ae4

“What circumstances…”ddc8dd6fc08852e5

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Saebyeok seemed to 6a9dfad5ba recall something and 67020eca57 swallowed his words. Since I could guess be18936ef1 what it was, I 34de583a61 responded casually.d84f2579b00237fd

“It’s not because of the rumor that I did a strip show to flirt with Alpha Six.”ef1c70dd799913e4

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“Of course not. It’s not even true.”d41b189e199ebf88

Saebyeok strongly c092a9d877 agreed right 14b9a4d6c0 away. Finding it 18f9e2fe81 unexpected, I 0ff873e5c4 playfully replied.6803690e518e84ec

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“It might be true.”69dbf0ef603dd24b

“No, I know it’s not true.”3b59a3fe4d5eecd4

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“You know?”9f458e1b2c84adb1

“…I just know you wouldn’t do something like that.”eacb37ce3d9cf56d

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Saebyeok turned away as 9d9c743071 his voice trailed off. Then, taking a 8d9bed2fa8 small breath, he 881d01ec7c looked at me 969d6c4950 straight again.d97c0ac605975102

“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.”f96ac9fa063988df

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Saebyeok’s voice be1461e57d rose as 1b42e4d934 if accusing 5becc5a6aa me. So, I could only 658566f543 repeat the same excuse.f4f30929d43d0687

“I wasn’t in a situation where I could reach out to anyone.”c3135090ec92e181

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“What does that mean?”a71c0ec7b08e6c62

“I wasn’t feeling well.”a479f686a58a2866

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I answered 214a8bf995 without much 70332e4f1a thought, but 3398f0ecb1 Saebyeok seriously b7962c7c6d asked back.086cf360a1336878

“What was wrong?”7be9f0953c469596

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“Just… you know.”6b47eb4e67e72051

“Could it be…”0294778bb2eac5b1

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“Huh?”32b600653f2ca72e

Saebyeok was e53362aebb about to 0a60021a70 say something cc81b59c80 but pressed 4572d0ec31 his lips dfad22bfc0 shut. Then, as if 4a3c0f2ab8 changing the subject, 5911a606cf he asked.38eae9eb42a5f98b

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“You were really sick? Enough that you couldn’t contact anyone?”17be47ec5f1a6284

“Things were 082db28ecf a bit cd1447ce34 complicated.”c0b9ead6bd34608c

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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.”6deb2bfaee89bb34

At the end of fee9493c9d the year I dropped 3053f9dd08 out, a deadly pandemic 54951da537 spread worldwide. For 2-3 years, f8b05dc2bf countries shut down, 680d040e0f and people stopped addac7f8b5 moving.7729f9f6d931706c

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“Yeah, that’s the principal reason why we couldn’t find you.”f6cee603e76f42ba

“Did I run off with your money or something?”d41118decbfe0abf

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I asked seriously, but b1b8c61f36 Saebyeok laughed lightly, thinking e81b351146 it was a joke.c85a0589c95ac11d

“It would have been better if you had debt. Then we could’ve used the law to track you down.”6887815437ac7677

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“Then why 4b5206e9a9 were you 8267e59ec3 looking for 54373a0e89 me so 5816b0157e hard?”31a8e548c5968f8a

We only c9cb11f201 went to 8309a660f7 school together 6029422aad for about f60dc6c12d a year. But listening 08b50b3297 to Saebyeok, ec87937e34 it felt 02584c22fa like I 6622607eb2 had betrayed e345ea2291 family. Perhaps sensing my bewilderment, 54b56c5b6b Saebyeok looked away.f303755f1fa9ca74

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“Because I was worried about you…”4e574907c3fa9fcc

He trailed 64bfec6665 off again, d6897d6808 as if 2f4982a8c9 swallowing his 659807c84c words. I looked 4ead555d4f at Saebyeok 11cfbd9aed quietly before 100baeaf48 calmly greeting cd763acf8a him.e6940968ce182fc8

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“Thank you.”2c2baadc51965bf1

“Have you been well? What are you doing now?”742cc376fab67ba7

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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.”4cb7200ce4394e1a

“Ah, so you’re still drawing.”73129d3ed552be5e

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Puzzled by his surprised 3c61ac2a80 tone, I asked back.98628af20051b374

“You’re not?”5a5743de1539f97f

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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.”253f7c798cb5ad63

You can draw regardless bcba3c785e of your job, right? I kept that question to myself after seeing Saebyeok’s proud expression.c448d578b40accee

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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.”0107f590e480b3e5

I didn’t want to let on that I’d heard about the messy marriage story. Unlike me, Saebyeok actively brought up the topic.46a3f7a26df4e6ca

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“You heard? About my marriage too?”d2e63fa6f6fd7f9f

“Oh, uhm. I heard you’re marrying the president of Mirae.”f69790de8f046c35

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“That’s right. I’m working for Mirae now.”5025878f6c03cacf

Saebyeok said 6cd4e25353 proudly, straightening 64c16d3f6d his shoulders. Whatever the circumstances, he 18591dff7b seemed happy about it, 54e5c62568 which I thought was 66f8cb3c23 good for now.f32f6d4b269bb266

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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.”13b070b8e82b794d

“It’s okay. I earn enough to get by.”45420b924b0ba972

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When I declined 58235999f0 the offer, Saebyeok 2f447d7c23 frowned again, as c721e712a2 if by habit.a08819d96607189c

“You said you draw? Where do you get work from?”ef1a8507d72eafdb

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“Publishing companies.”8ddb1c818f0ceaff

My answer drew an ac45134fcb immediate sigh from him.db83cbcd7a58c1d4

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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?”d0d96fc2318c90a7

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.22e8bae29d20dc9b

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Back then, I had responded to Saebyeok’s apology like this,ffdbd97d3b48c2bb

‘That’s good, debt repaid. You helped me a lot with class materials.’7c25caafebea499d

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‘I didn’t do that just for you, though. Just count on me in the second semester too.’fe78956611538c38

‘It’s okay. I’ll manage on my own.’e18e28c06822a61d

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‘Uhm… why? Didn’t I help you?’af8225643ef2b8cb

‘I came to school to learn, so I should handle things on my own now when possible.’8d8361200e031af8

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I was about to 34a37b89b6 leave, but for some 2e71f6abee reason, the flustered Saebyeok 41bdd363e3 grabbed me. And then he 7a787b895f asked a surprising dee55bd50d question. Strangely, I could 3626f4fd1e vividly recall as 336831345b if it had 1c314e6483 happened yesterday Saebyeok’s ae1624a00e trembling eyes, his d413ebe06c tense hands clenched f3fa72ef5a tightly. His nervous voice too.da63176b13dc2fdf

‘You don’t… hate me, do you?’7135fcd04a94b08e

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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.44e9f57761c09cb3

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.16b7cd7ce0fd83e7

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“Why are you looking at me like that?”6195374c285324c2

At Saebyeok’s question, I finally lowered my steady gaze and smiled.94da7d5cfd14463a

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“It’s been a while since I’ve been scolded.”50d59bdca5d66eb0

“I’m not scolding you, I’m worried.”3fd02996fcfcbad2

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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.bd6fb1a66e5a155b

“Haa, shit, these idiots. Can’t even find one person.”48b536c02b3f2f20

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He glanced at f9640b027a me and explained 99ad296389 briefly.3232c46a765047fc

“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.”a4fa3207837bb9c5

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“Is their salary like 100 million won?”0d66824315e65b58

“What?”ef9b88884dd6d28f

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“I thought that might be enough to make them do everything they’re ordered to well.”98885aaa7b4fd167

At my response, Saebyeok 634b98c081 laughed as if dumbfounded.e4660b7dd5a4dc70

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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.”d2297d3a89460484

“It’s the opposite. The company exists thanks to the employees.”de13ed7ef0b60e7f

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I tried to argue, f9c830c669 but it had no 071b48a5a9 effect. He was 058a1c8957 too busy 3f32ec8a6c checking a 786ba1da7c text message 94c13d193e that had de127b6b5c just arrived 5e2ac2631b to properly 8a9a069a18 hear what b6fcf78e9c I said.6c0231831ba68226

“I need to go now. Give me your contact information.”ae48f69804d6fbe8

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Even while 6a0d60a371 entering my c3e8378715 number, his e65b198570 phone kept 10c2cc3ba9 getting message 7a865b1afe notifications. After I 7c357daa2a said to 8e5575d317 go ahead, 9a7ca5821b I stood 7cecb497d8 up too, 2ccb1ff542 but Saebyeok 71aee4c8fc held me e9cbc0ae6a back again.1d4f57fb33b18ca4

“So are you going home now? By the way, where do you live?”9d78d12f733207dd

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“I’m planning to stay in Seoul until the funeral procession.”3c178c912e931c12

Saebyeok tilted 617c6df1a5 his head 6c7aa5ae14 as if daca462fd9 surprised. Well, anyone could see ba1eda918f there was no connection b0fb399615 between me and Professor 1b7b1bea14 Hong. But he soon 8feba94c2b nodded, dismissing it 0aed672567 as unimportant.60a6c8d3c21f7317

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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.”b2b1cf7f50a52627

“He’d come anyway since it’s Professor Hong’s funeral.”f114f40e6f091afe

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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.”7d6a91e8f3b596b3

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.a17e043301d3e03b

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“Did Taehoon fall out of love with Euiyun?”dc5481289d4ba981

“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.”7ba0f439fcd32af5

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“…Taehoon had an affair with you?”d12dddec1efc0b8f

“Briefly.”a0edf05a426a1ba8

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Saebyeok answered e967ff0acb nonchalantly, then 04dbc25569 put his cd7536d13a ringing phone 5833234d1b to his 2f8567c975 ear and 39e53fe83b disappeared. I watched my changed 6358297e66 friend’s back, then returned 7110ba99de to my nearby accommodation. Actually, I had 1a48952db3 come to Seoul 852e87bcc6 for a meeting 7338add76e with a publisher 2e06dc003f yesterday. But the e7bcb4bf8c important conversation 1c6ef2bcaa I had 84c47e2a6f with the 0a6086804d publisher was 48f138e9be pushed aside. Instead, the funeral home 99016cef7a events occupied my mind.2b69b9e4a60153c5

Thump, I 4ffaeb1b43 lay down 9ab133d059 on the 4e4713a936 bed still c1791db56a dressed and 8dde605a90 briefly immersed 5555250a33 myself in c21d12c74c the past 5db35ef626 that kept 355a052479 surfacing. Although the 34ff9d7762 time I 035e97e3c7 spent at fdbd23b4dd university was e7bf2c2791 just over cf8f95dd7d a year 47f45967ed out of 7c7d4f526c my 29 c20f722afd years of 8ef81f561a life, it d4bb0ef814 felt like d690f04b99 it occupied c40e7d5fa9 a significant 5178e05fce portion of 10f715a538 my life. As I 9d25de67db lay there 2aba088968 blankly, sleep bcd2abaeb1 started creeping 6d0275207d in.If I’m going to stay until the funeral procession, I need to stay at the hotel for a few more days…5c149b932698e05c

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Ah! I need to 5923ee76b8 extend my stay!I quickly got fed7537e49 up and went 6532662aeb down to the 159fb22881 lobby.7218e472ca9d0f76

“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.”d78a163e4ff52fa7

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The employee e7476137f6 apologetically explained f29decbbd1 and added,a9674ac8082f74c9

“Only the executive room is available.”ffcb1576c92d48dc

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It sounded 2f55f8b94f like an 9712261a81 expensive room, 58ddc8b7de but I 2d9e294961 nodded regardless.7284cf5d63543ae3

“Alright, I’ll book that room for two more days.”fcf8e6ea2db2175a

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While the b9e3310070 employee was 1656d54b60 quickly typing 1680601618 to process e20911ce59 the reservation, 9e0c0d75d4 I looked fb3f50bb2b around to 39d20a0be3 kill time. Then my gaze stopped 7fa563ebd5 naturally at one spot. Far away, at 6862b0908e the end of 9b681899f3 the vast lobby ea9ba3dd0b in front of 62fb3f80ef the elevator, someone 2274c5aabc was standing with ed0b420758 their back turned.da9b64bb8cc2af37

The broad shoulders of 08a49fad17 the tall man overlapped 43d2573459 with someone from long a1163c7d58 ago. The knit 351f9785f9 sweater he b3496ec6a2 was wearing f46f56d3fb happened to 816528556b be a 82873c1899 deep blue 5219ef56f6 too.Prussian blue, I thought, e3aeba9464 momentarily captivated by 99d13b9066 that color. Then I noticed da2e09d604 there were other ea1469b70e people beside him.a2c2a9d5dd7916c1

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There was a 163e0520f7 man and woman c91279c636 in business attire, eed7487e60 standing respectfully like f1507259a3 secretaries and saying f1ef77bb5a something. A step further back 68a6f14ad3 stood someone who looked 73492c740c like a hotel employee 937bbbf793 holding a large trunk. But even 44cbecfb9d though the 3ae62b69d4 secretary-like pair ef068bab72 were talking 31c3ed70f5 earnestly, the 5228080238 man seemed ba23ef9776 not to 0cb233e597 be listening, cd5513d8a9 his head c82d05cf0a turned to c3c685e714 look outside.579145b677b752a7

I wondered what 956bf3ffe1 was out there, 43c17159ab but beyond the 5fe8a1d9bb dark glass windows 1ddba14ce6 was just black 397ce43ce0 darkness. If anything, only f2518f7c49 the moon, which 5bd02a2b7c had been particularly 17f20b8529 bright today, was 2201458d74 worth looking at.Is he looking at 378225acba 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.86917f4be29a1523

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“Kim Cheolsoo.”cc94cb9451a4549c

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.c17997e8489ec3ef

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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.8d7f5773f10d4f1d

“Sir, let me check your reservation.”aa1f559d1d74765c

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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.44c90063b3ede625

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.133fe111dbd51754

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