Chapter 36
The kittens, which seemed to have grown quite a bit since I last saw them, looked tiny again like toy dolls when next to Joo Kwon-oh, who was over 180cm tall. They also resembled keychains you might attach to a phone.
I couldn’t help but save this photo too. It was like a gift set containing only the subjects I liked.
[Me: You’re like a human cat tower lol]
But as I was looking at the second photo fondly, a question came to mind.
[Me: Who took the photo?]
[Joo Kwon-oh: Another part-timer on the same shift]
[Me: A woman?]
[Joo Kwon-oh: Yeah lol]
[Joo Kwon-oh: Ah]
[Joo Kwon-oh: We’re not anything]
After answering, Joo Kwon-oh hastily added, as if he realized something.
[Joo Kwon-oh: I didn’t give her my number]
But from the moment I knew the photographer was female, my lips were protruding forward.
While I was wondering how to reply, another message came from Joo Kwon-oh.
[Joo Kwon-oh: Ah I shouldn’t have sent the photo ㅜ]
[Joo Kwon-oh: What are you doing?]
[Joo Kwon-oh: ?]
[Me: I did recycling and laundry.]
[Me: I had a lot of housework piled up ㅠㅠ]
[Joo Kwon-oh: How much was piled up?]
[Joo Kwon-oh: I’m really good at housework]
[Joo Kwon-oh: Leave it to me next time lol]
[Joo Kwon-oh: I’ll come running if you call]
After thinking for a moment, I took a photo of the living room with laundry hanging on the drying rack. I chose an angle that looked as clean as possible while hiding my underwear.
[Me: (photo)]
[Me: The house got cramped because of the laundry]
[Joo Kwon-oh: Is that your pajamas?]
[Joo Kwon-oh: ?]
[Joo Kwon-oh: Ah it’s so cute]
Pajamas? At Joo Kwon-oh’s words, I hurriedly checked the laundry. There were no pajamas over there. What was he talking about?
As I stood dumbfounded looking around, I soon discovered my reflection in the full-length mirror attached to the wardrobe in the middle of the living room.
When I zoomed in on the photo I sent to Joo Kwon-oh, sure enough, I could see myself reflected in the mirror. I can’t believe I didn’t notice this…
Embarrassed, I cleared my throat in my empty studio apartment.
These were childish sky-blue pajamas that my mom bought on sale at the supermarket a while ago. I grumbled when I received them, asking why she bought such a thing, but they turned out to be comfortable and thin, so I often wore them to sleep.
Of all things, Joo Kwon-oh had to see this. Moreover, my hair was all sticking out because I hadn’t combed it yet, and it was all exposed in the photo.
[Joo Kwon-oh: Send more photos]
[Me: No..]
[Joo Kwon-oh: Why ㅜㅜ]
[Me: It’s embarrassing]
[Joo Kwon-oh: What’s embarrassing? I’ll send one too]
And not long after, Joo Kwon-oh sent a photo. It was a selfie of him wearing the brunch cafe uniform. From the background, it seemed to be inside the staff room.
[Joo Kwon-oh: Now you send one too]
[Me: I can’t send one now]
[Me: It’s weird ㅠ]
[Joo Kwon-oh: No running away]
“Ha.”
Who’s running away? He sent a selfie on his own…
I was at a loss for words due to the unfairness. However, when I looked at Joo Kwon-oh’s selfie again, the solidified unfairness melted away like liquid.
It was a photo worth keeping because he was so handsome.
[Me: Um..]
[Joo Kwon-oh: Hurry]
[Joo Kwon-oh: My break is almost over]
[Me: Wait a moment]
Finally, pushed by his urging, I had no choice but to respond.
But the problem was how I, who had been rolling around in bed all day, could take a selfie like Joo Kwon-oh’s.
Suddenly feeling rushed, I went to the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror. He had already seen that I was just wearing pajamas with my hair all sticking out, so it seemed ridiculous to change clothes and try to look stylish now…
Ah. Why did I send a photo of the living room so unlike me? If I had just stayed still, it would have been better.
I stomped my feet and roughly combed my messy hair with my hands. But my hopeless straight hair never settles neatly once it’s sticking out.
Should I just say I can’t take a photo?
[Joo Kwon-oh: Waiting patiently]
“……”
At the timely message, I bit my lower lip. Joo Kwon-oh is definitely a fox.
With no other choice, I took a photo of myself reflected in the bathroom mirror. But I covered about half of my face with the hand holding the phone.
[Me: (photo)]
As soon as I sent the photo, the 1 disappeared. My face was burning. Not knowing how he would react, I felt my insides drying up.
My stomach was tingling and my fingertips were prickling, making it difficult to endure even just a few seconds. My heart had been beating unnecessarily fast for a while, making me breathless.
[Joo Kwon-oh: Your hair is sticking out lol]
[Me: Because I was lying down ㅠ]
[Joo Kwon-oh: My break is over now]
[Joo Kwon-oh: I’ll contact you later]
Joo Kwon-oh disappeared as soon as he got the photo he wanted. His typo showed how rushed he was.
[Me: Bye]
As the chat window became quiet, I turned on some music and looked over our conversation from the beginning. While feeling an inexplicable embarrassment, I found myself smiling without realizing it.
Ah. Why am I so excited? It’s just KakaoTalk. How did time fly by so quickly after exchanging just a few messages?
The leisurely and relaxed Sunday morning passed in an instant.
It felt completely different from my usual weekends, where I’m always in the studio, lounging at home, or having late lunch with classmates living near the school.
My world has been completely turned upside down since yesterday. Why does my mood keep rising endlessly? Shouldn’t I stop getting so excited, Ryu Jeong-ha?
I couldn’t keep my body still. I kept fidgeting my hands and feet like someone experiencing anxiety symptoms.
And an hour later.
[Joo Kwon-oh: Learning how to make pasta in the kitchen]
[Joo Kwon-oh: (photo)]
[Joo Kwon-oh: It’s easy lol]
Joo Kwon-oh sent another photo. It was a tomato pasta topped with cheese and parsley.
[Me: Oh it looks delicious]
[Me: But you don’t like pasta lol]
[Joo Kwon-oh: I don’t dislike it]
[Joo Kwon-oh: I eat it well]
[Joo Kwon-oh: I’ll learn and invite you over lol]
[Joo Kwon-oh: Come over and have it for breakfast]
Why do I keep laughing for no reason even though it’s not that funny?
I was looking at the KakaoTalk messages when I noticed my face reflected on the phone screen and was startled into lowering the corners of my mouth. But not long after, the corners of my mouth rose again on their own as if they weren’t part of my body.
Ah, it’s ticklish. But I don’t know where exactly it’s ticklish.
I lay down on the bed, scratching my cheeks and neck. Still holding my phone in my hand.
[Me: When does your part-time job end?]
[Joo Kwon-oh: In the evening]
[Joo Kwon-oh: ㅜ]
[Me: Wow that’s a long shift]
[Joo Kwon-oh: What are you doing, Jeong-ha?]
[Me: Listening to music haha]
[Joo Kwon-oh: What music?]
[Me: This]
[Me: (photo)]
I captured and sent the music currently playing on my AirPods Max. It was “Lie To Me” by Marphil. It’s a gentle and cozy song like a fresh breeze on a spring afternoon, and it matched my current mood perfectly.
A few minutes after sending the KakaoTalk message, Joo Kwon-oh’s reply came.
[Joo Kwon-oh: (video)]
This time it was a video, not a photo. When I pressed play, “Lie To Me” that I recommended was playing in the store where he works.
[Joo Kwon-oh: The song is good]
I took a quick breath, feeling a flutter in my stomach. Even though it was my own emotion, I couldn’t control it at all. It felt like I was being swept away entirely towards Joo Kwon-oh.
I shouldn’t fall any deeper. Unaware of my anxious feelings, Joo Kwon-oh was constantly pulling me in. Because of this, I also felt extremely powerless. I had no choice but to be drawn in as he pulled.
[Me: What songs are you listening to these days?]
[Joo Kwon-oh: I often listen to this]
[Joo Kwon-oh: (photo)]
I immediately searched for the music Joo Kwon-oh shared. “Going up the Coast” by Clay and Friends. Looking at the album cover with white birds flying against a blue background, it seemed like it would be a bright song.
As soon as I played the music, a cheerful melody flowed out as expected. Surprisingly, it was a song that made me think of driving to the sea on a clear day.
It’s amazing how even the music we listen to is so different. Yet it was fascinating that we were still attracted to each other.
Without realizing it, I tapped my toes to the lively melody and sent a reply to Joo Kwon-oh.
[Me: The song is good.]
[Me: I saved it to my playlist]
[Joo Kwon-oh: Me too lol]
I listened blankly to the song playing on my Max for a while. Then I gathered courage and quickly touched the screen.
[Me: I wish it was Saturday already so we could watch a movie together..]
Joo Kwon-oh must have gone back to work, as the 1 in the chat window didn’t disappear for a while.
I lay on the bed, lounging around, then took out my notebook and added the new information I had gained today. I also spent some time sketching quick drawings of Joo Kwon-oh working at the cafe.
That evening. Joo Kwon-oh uploaded a new Instagram story.
When I clicked on his profile to check the content, the pasta photo he had sent me during the day was uploaded.
With this caption:
—Recipe memorized
