# Chapter 18
“What if not empty-handed?”
Haeseung’s confusion looked innocent to Mugyeong. Mugyeong smiled faintly.
“Grant me ten favors from now on. Then I’ll step back cleanly. What do you think of my proposal?”
“Ten favors? That doesn’t seem like a clean proposal. I refuse.”
“What do you mean? Isn’t it enough that I’ll step back cleanly? Does the proposal itself need to be clean too?”
“…”
“I know how I appear in your eyes. Pathetic and petty, right? But the reason I’m being petty is because this isn’t the end yet. At the end, I’ll definitely show you something cool before I exit.”
After pondering briefly, Haeseung seemed to make a decision and slowly opened his mouth.
“Three favors.”
“Five. The person holding the cards should show generosity.”
“…Fine, five. But what kind of favors?”
“I haven’t decided yet. I’ll figure it out later.”
Haeseung narrowed his eyes at Mugyeong’s nonchalant tone.
“Make sure you keep your manners and valid range when asking favors.”
“You mean I can’t ask you to date me, right?”
Haeseung nodded. Then, after being lost in thought for a moment, he spoke in a resolute tone.
“Let’s set a time limit. If you don’t use your favors, we could stay in this state forever.”
Mugyeong’s laughter, which started as a snicker, gradually grew louder. Haeseung watched Mugyeong laugh heartily with a raised voice as if he were looking at someone who had lost his mind, then unable to bear it any longer, he interrupted.
“Why are you laughing?”
“It’s just funny. The part about staying in this state forever really hit me. Do I seem that devoted to you?”
Haeseung’s face immediately turned red. He fumbled with his lips, attempting an excuse.
“That’s not what I meant…”
“You saw right. I am devoted. I’ll only look at you for my entire life.”
“You’re really playing with me. The time limit is three months. Any favors after that are invalid.”
“Three months is a bit harsh. One year.”
“Four months.”
“Six months.”
“Fine.”
The negotiation was settled: Haeseung would grant five favors within six months. Haeseung looked like he’d made a losing deal, but Mugyeong’s face was filled with a smile. Mugyeong extended his hand for a handshake, but Haeseung ignored it.
It didn’t matter. Mugyeong had five weapons. Initially, it was just a thought to buy time, but now it had become dry kindling that could brightly ignite Mugyeong’s ambition. A light excitement enveloped Mugyeong’s entire body like a warm spring breeze.
***
About two weeks later, at the tail end of winter when snow was pouring down, Mugyeong was also discharged from the hospital. While receiving outpatient treatment like Haeseung, the season changed from winter to spring, and with March, they entered university.
The doctor, satisfied after confirming on the last X-ray that the bone had healed very cleanly, even more strongly than before it was broken, removed the cast.
Having missed the entire morning class to go to the hospital, Mugyeong arrived at school around lunchtime. Mugyeong called Haeseung to the student cafeteria.
“How do you feel?”
Haeseung, who had been freed from his cast one day earlier than Mugyeong, asked an obvious question. Though Haeseung had been discharged much earlier, there wasn’t much difference in when their casts were removed. Mugyeong and Haeseung had been on crutches for about two weeks since entering university, and they discovered a new fact: when they walked together, they received far more stares than when walking alone. Almost no one casually passed by the unusual sight of two men traversing the campus on crutches.
“When I had the cast on, I’d get a bit annoyed when you asked me to bring something, but now I don’t think I’ll feel that way at all.”
“Really? That’s good. Go get me some water.”
Mugyeong went to the water dispenser with light steps and brought back water. Haeseung didn’t take his eyes off Mugyeong until he sat down. He looked like he had something to say.
“What is it?”
“Your walking looks natural.”
“It was awkward at first, but as I walked, it quickly became familiar.”
At that moment, Haeseung smiled brightly as if he was truly relieved, but Mugyeong, completely unaware of the self-blame Haeseung carried about the accident, could only interpret that smile as a bond of shared suffering.
“Don’t overdo your training yet.”
“For now, I need to focus on building up my basic fitness. My body is itching to sweat.”
“It will take some time to regain your previous skill level. Don’t be impatient.”
“Don’t worry. Sports is all about mind control.”
With no specialized department for shooting, Mugyeong had no choice but to enter the Physical Education department. The reason he decided on this university was because Haeseung planned to apply to the Electrical and Information Engineering department here. Since Haeseung had excellent grades, Mugyeong was confident he would be accepted, and fortunately, they ended up attending the same university.
After returning their empty bowls, they ordered Americanos at the student union cafeteria. There wasn’t much time to relax since Haeseung had a class at 5th period. The two headed towards the College of Engineering with their takeout coffees.
Spring winds carrying late winter chills played across the campus. Mugyeong was concerned about Haeseung’s attire, which seemed inadequate against the cold. Especially since he was sensitive to cold. Mugyeong clicked his tongue.
“What are you wearing?”
Haeseung looked over his outfit and then gazed up at Mugyeong with a puzzled expression.
“My clothes? What’s wrong?”
“Wear a long padded jacket.”
“That’s sudden. Talking about long padded jackets in mid-March.”
“It’s as cold as the middle of winter, so what does the date matter?”
“Then you wear one.”
“I’m fine as I am.”
“So am I.”
For Mugyeong, the topic was insipidly concluded without any results. As Haeseung’s pace quickened somewhat, Mugyeong matched his stride.
“Dinner together tonight?”
When they reached the place where the four engineering buildings were clustered together, Mugyeong asked casually, pretending to be as nonchalant as possible so Haeseung wouldn’t feel burdened. A troubled expression quickly appeared and disappeared on Haeseung’s face. Mugyeong sensed the rejection coming.
“Ah, I can’t tonight.”
“Why?”
Betraying his will to retreat coolly, his lips moved of their own accord. Mugyeong was newly surprised at how petty the question “Why?” could feel.
“I have plans with a friend.”
“Who?”
“Someone you don’t know. From my department.”
Are you close? Is it a girl? Is it really a friend? Pathetic questions choked Mugyeong’s throat. Swallowing them, Mugyeong nodded with a smile and gestured for Haeseung to go inside. Haeseung disappeared into the building with somewhat hurried steps. Mugyeong stared blankly at Haeseung’s back, ruminating on the words “our department” that Haeseung had uttered. Mugyeong could never be included in that “our.” And Haeseung had spoken as if it was obvious that Mugyeong wouldn’t know someone included in that “our.” Mugyeong’s face had turned as cold as if covered in thin ice as he turned away.
Leaving the College of Engineering, passing through the College of Humanities, and approaching the Law School, Mugyeong was asked for autographs by two female students. After signing, as he was heading back to the gymnasium, Mugyeong rummaged through his pocket to take out a mask.
“Kang Mugyeong!”
Unable to find the mask in his pocket and about to check his bag, someone called Mugyeong’s name. It was a woman’s voice. When he looked up, there was a familiar face in front of him. Mugyeong quickly searched his memory.
“Oh? Rooftop…”
The woman who had lived in Haeseung’s rooftop apartment two years ago suddenly burst into loud laughter.
“I appreciate you remembering me, but my name is Kim Hiyeon, not ‘Rooftop.'”
“Ah, yes.”
“I go to this school too. Social Welfare Department.”
Hiyeon pointed to the College of Social Sciences building with her finger. Laughter pooled in her deep dimples. The dimples that Haeseung liked, or rather, had liked. Though Mugyeong didn’t have much remaining memory of her, the dimples were an exception. Even then, if Haeseung hadn’t mentioned them, Mugyeong would never have noticed she had dimples.
“Ah, right.”
“You’re in Physical Education, right? I heard rumors. That Athlete Kang Mugyeong had enrolled. There are many of your fans in my department.”
“Yes.”
At Mugyeong’s curt response, she made a slightly embarrassed expression. There was a hint of regret for making a fuss alone when the other person showed neither interest nor excitement. She also seemed to gradually realize that Mugyeong wasn’t particularly happy about the unexpected reunion. There was no reason for Mugyeong to have a good impression of this woman, be she “Rooftop” or Kim Hiyeon. She was someone for whom Haeseung had once privately nurtured innocent feelings. What if she appeared before Haeseung again? There was an ominous possibility that a spark might reignite in Haeseung’s extinguished feelings.
Hiyeon moved her lips, seemingly hesitant about whether to bring up a new topic or wrap up this flat reunion where the conversation wasn’t flowing. Mugyeong wasn’t completely obtuse, so he noticed from her regretful gaze that she still had feelings for him.
“Let’s have a meal together sometime.”
“Sure.”
Of course, since neither of them knew each other’s contact information, such words were nothing more than a promise without a date.
Mugyeong left her behind and headed back toward the gymnasium. After walking about 10 meters, Mugyeong suddenly felt strange, stopped, and looked back. He met eyes with Hiyeon, who was still standing in place watching his back. She seemed not to have expected Mugyeong to look back, as her eyes widened slightly. Their gazes crossed for a moment, and a peculiar expectation clouded her eyes. However, Mugyeong just briefly bowed his head and turned around again.
“Kang Mugyeong!”
Hiyeon approached with quick steps, as if afraid to lose Mugyeong.
“Enter your number.”
Hiyeon held out her smartphone to Mugyeong and smiled, creating dimples on both her cheeks.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
