#83
After experiencing Kim Jaewoo, Nam Seonwoo understood. There was no ulterior motive in Kim Minhwan’s kindness, no attempt to start something with anyone. It was simply human-to-human goodwill at its foundation.
Nam Seonwoo felt both grateful and sorry that someone who had so many interests and enjoyed hanging out with others had prepared all this with him in mind. Although Kim Minhwan had suddenly become quite burdensome, he was truly a good person. Nam Seonwoo needed to maintain at least a basic level of courtesy with someone like him.
“Let’s go here and here. They look fun. I think we can see two or three places in an hour, right?”
When Nam Seonwoo showed interest by taking a few promotional flyers, Kim Minhwan’s expression brightened rapidly.
But boundaries had to be maintained. Since it seemed this situation had developed because Kim Minhwan was trying to be considerate by spending time just the two of them, Nam Seonwoo now needed to encourage him to mingle with the other classmates.
“And I’m really not uncomfortable being with everyone else. I actually prefer it, so next time let’s go with the others.”
He wanted Kim Minhwan to realize exactly what his feelings were, sort them out, and then define Nam Seonwoo as a good classmate and hyung. After all, Kim Minhwan was quite a good classmate and dongsaeng to Nam Seonwoo as well.
Hoping it was just a passing feeling, Nam Seonwoo decided to hang out with Kim Minhwan alone just for today.
Kim Minhwan darted around the campus like an elementary school student at an amusement park, participating in all sorts of booths. He showed no signs of tiring as he joined various competitions like the Best Lie Contest, the Worst School Uniform Contest, and all kinds of other contests.
Meanwhile, Nam Seonwoo felt like an uncle who had taken his nephew to an amusement park. He felt his energy being drained by the guy next to him. Still, some booths were quite impressive.
“What would you do first if you could go back to your school days?”
Numerous Post-it notes were stuck beneath this large question. Stocks, lottery, dropping out to prepare for civil service exams, confessing to first love… Standing in front of a wall colorful with various regrets and longings, Nam Seonwoo fell into thought about what choice he would make if he could return to his high school classroom once more.
“Here are a Post-it and a pen. Please stick one before you leave.”
Nam Seonwoo hadn’t planned to participate, but the organizer pushed him, so he ended up holding a pen. After hesitating briefly over the blank Post-it, his pen tip slowly began to move.
“I think I would do exactly the same again.”
He couldn’t help but laugh wryly after writing it. Despite all his self-reproach and regret about how he “should never have gotten involved,” he would end up doing it all over again.
But Nam Seonwoo knew himself well. What was meant to happen would happen, and even knowing the big picture wouldn’t change, he would still go help Kang Jihan’s mother, help Kang Jihan with his college entrance exam, and fall for Kang Jihan again.
‘I really was the problem after all.’
He stuck the Post-it with a bitter feeling. Surrounded by others’ colorful wishes, his answer seemed truly uninteresting. Just then, one of the organizers approached with an apologetic face. It was the person who had taken a photo of him with Kim Minhwan earlier.
“What should we do? I’m sorry. We’re out of film so we can only give you two one copy.”
The instantly developed photo showed Kim Minhwan and Nam Seonwoo awkwardly making V signs. Kim Minhwan received the photo with a smile.
“Ah, that’s okay. Can’t be helped! So, um… what should we do, hyung?”
Though he asked “what should we do,” the way he firmly held the photo with both hands suggested he wanted to keep it.
“You take it. I should get going now.”
It was already almost one o’clock. Kim Minhwan nodded with a beaming face. Having been entertained thoroughly and now given the photo, he didn’t seem disappointed at all.
After sending him off to his classmates with encouragement to have more fun, Nam Seonwoo checked his phone. He had received a message from Park Gyuhyeon.
[BbakGyu: Arrived]
[BbakGyu: Korean Stationery by the main gate? Come here]
The place Park Gyuhyeon had sent was a five-story stationery store right next to the main gate. It had a large parking area in front where taxis and other vehicles often stopped.
Nam Seonwoo went outside the main gate but couldn’t see Park Gyuhyeon. A car was parked in the lot with its engine running, as if waiting for someone. His gaze lingered on the vehicle because it was a model not commonly seen on the streets.
The long, high body looked so solid that it seemed like your joints would dislocate just by brushing against it. It was somewhat excessive in size for an ordinary person to drive, and the fact that the enormous thing was completely black made him involuntarily step back.
‘…There really are so many rich people in this world.’
It seemed some wealthy heir was attending Korea University. Come to think of it, this car was the same SUV model that Kang Jihan had once shown him, saying he would buy it someday.
‘I’m going to get my license as soon as the college entrance exam is over.’
Nam Seonwoo shook his head at the voice that now played automatically in his mind. He looked away and scanned the building’s surroundings, but Park Gyuhyeon was still nowhere to be seen. Just as he was about to move toward the stationery store, thinking Park Gyuhyeon might be inside, a car window suddenly rolled down.
“Nam Seonwoo, where are you going? I’m right here.”
It was Park Gyuhyeon. He was poking his head out from the backseat, not the driver’s or passenger’s seat. That meant he had come with someone else.
“Get in. I contacted you about going together, and it turns out there’s a car. They’re offering a ride.”
Nam Seonwoo tried to recall the guys who hung out with Park Gyuhyeon playing games, but couldn’t think of anyone specific. He approached the vehicle with a dubious expression. The sound of a door unlocking came from the passenger side.
Come to think of it, why was Park Gyuhyeon sitting in the back instead of the passenger seat? The question flashed through his mind, but he went ahead and opened the passenger door. The door was heavier than expected and only opened on the second attempt.
“Ta-da, surprise!”
But as soon as he saw who was in the driver’s seat, Nam Seonwoo’s expression froze.
“Look at Nam Seonwoo’s face. He didn’t expect this at all? Why, when we met that time, I contacted Jihan… Hey, wait! Why are you closing the door?!”
Park Gyuhyeon hurriedly stuck his head out the window at the sound of the door slamming shut. He shouted with a flustered expression.
“You’re not planning to just leave, are you? If you go like that, what does that make us who are left behind?”
“You two go ahead. I’ll greet the homeroom teacher separately.”
“No, hey, Seonwoo!”
Park Gyuhyeon quickly stretched out his arm to grab Nam Seonwoo. His grip conveyed desperation, as if he had imagined being left alone with Kang Jihan.
“How can you embarrass people like this? Since all three of us came wearing uniforms, wouldn’t it be nice to greet the teacher together? Jihan even brought his car like this.”
Is this really Kang Jihan’s car? Nam Seonwoo’s gaze swept over the vehicle again. It wasn’t the level of car a mere college student could afford. He didn’t know how Kang Jihan, who wasn’t even a doctor yet, had managed such an extravagance, but that wasn’t his concern right now.
‘…Wait.’
Park Gyuhyeon had just said “all three of us.” That meant Kang Jihan was also wearing a uniform. Nam Seonwoo had reflexively closed the door as soon as he saw Kang Jihan’s face, so he hadn’t even noticed what he was wearing.
Just then, a horn blared from behind. A truck that had squeezed into the parking lot entrance was as large as Kang Jihan’s vehicle. The truck driver rolled down his window and asked in a booming voice:
“Hey! Are you going to move that car?”
His waiting posture seemed to urge them to get out of the way quickly, and Nam Seonwoo scanned the parking lot. He wondered why, out of all the available spaces, the truck wanted this particular spot, but then realized this was the widest space available. It was the only place where such a large truck could fit.
But Kang Jihan showed no intention of moving. To make matters worse, another car was trying to enter behind the truck. The truck driver muttered something like a curse. Only Nam Seonwoo felt urgent at the impatient honking.
“What are you doing, kid? Can’t you see behind you? If you’re getting in, get in quickly!”
The harsh voice and honking drew the attention of passersby, with their stares landing on Nam Seonwoo. They were piercing gazes. In their eyes, it seemed like all this trouble had started because Nam Seonwoo wasn’t getting into the car.
“Hey, hey, Nam Seonwoo. Just get in, okay?”
Park Gyuhyeon lowered his voice, apparently aware of the situation. The most calm one here was Kang Jihan, sitting behind the darkly tinted windows. The vehicle didn’t budge at all. It looked like he absolutely wouldn’t move unless Nam Seonwoo got in, so finally Nam Seonwoo swallowed a curse and climbed into the passenger seat.
There was a familiar air freshener scent. But there was no time to dwell on memories because Kang Jihan still showed no intention of moving the car, despite the truck continuously honking. Nam Seonwoo finally turned to him and asked:
“What are you doing? Move it.”
“Seatbelt.”
“I’ll put it on. Just move the car first.”
He quickly pulled at the belt, but it was caught on something and wouldn’t come out. The truck driver’s fierce expression visible through the window made Nam Seonwoo feel even more hurried. The more urgent his gestures became, the less cooperative the seatbelt was.
“Why is this so…”
“Let me.”
As if he hadn’t heard the request to move the car first, Kang Jihan took his hands off the steering wheel and pulled Nam Seonwoo’s seatbelt for him. The belt that had been constantly getting stuck now extended smoothly as if nothing had happened. Outside, the honking created a chaotic atmosphere. Regardless, Kang Jihan focused on securing the belt as if it were the most important task.
With a crisp click, the belt locked into place. But Kang Jihan still didn’t move away and carefully examined the passenger seat where Nam Seonwoo sat. Nam Seonwoo avoided his gaze, which was uncomfortably close. Though he had only put on a seatbelt, he felt strangely as if he were completely bound.
