Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Cherry Blossom Wish
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"…I don't know who you're talking about."
"You seem to know."
"……."
"What was it they said? That kids who only study have no tact?"
"That's…"
"You're friends with Kang Da-hye, friends with them too. You already seem to have plenty of friends, so what's the reason to hang out with me?"
"……."
Jeong Eun-seong remained unfazed even as Han Ji-su's expression hardened. He looked away from her silent face and glanced around.
...The mood suddenly got a bit chilly. Am I imagining it?
"Ah, but why isn't Do Ha-jun here yet?"
Right on cue, one of the drama club members chimed in. Checking the time, there were three minutes left until the movie started.
"He's coming, right? Call him."
"He said he's almost here."
"When's he arriving?"
"In five minutes."
"That means it'll take ten minutes."
"No ads before the movie?"
"The three minutes include the ads."
"Ha…."
"Can't we leave the ticket at the entrance and go in first?"
"I already asked, but they won't hold it. Too many people entering right now."
"…Someone should stay behind and wait for Do Ha-jun, then go in together."
But who wants to do that? It's not like you can catch the beginning in the next showing.
Irritation showed on the kids' faces.
Sigh. I let out a breath and spoke up.
"You guys go in first and watch. I'll stay and wait for Do Ha-jun."
"No way, let's all wait together."
"Or I'll wait. I'm the club president; it should be me."
"No need. It's fine."
The truth is, I'd already seen this movie before regressing. With you guys.
And in situations like this, isn't it right for the most adult one to stay behind? …
"Hurry in, hurry. The movie's really about to start."
I pushed the backs of the kids, who kept turning around.
"Leaving Kang Da-hye alone…."
"Go to the bathroom or something. Do Ha-jun will be here soon."
"You really believe that?"
"Nope."
But I always carry my workbook in my bag! He won't come until I finish it!
I waved them off until they were gone, then turned back.
As promised, I stopped by the bathroom and returned to the lobby. Shaking off the water from my hands, someone quietly stepped up beside me.
It was Jeong Eun-seong.
"You didn't go in?"
"Planning to in a bit."
"Why?"
"Staring at the screen tires my eyes."
"Choux cream latte?"
I asked again, thinking he really hadn't gone in, but he looked at me with contemptuous eyes. He stared until I felt awkward, then headed to the franchise cafe attached to the theater.
"One choux cream latte and… milk, please."
"Milk?"
"Yes."
He ordered without even asking me.
"Whipped cream on it?"
"Yes…."
"Lots, please."
"For here?"
"Yes."
"Jeong Eun-seong, Do Ha-jun will be here any minute."
"Tell him to come here."
"Okay."
Better to sit and wait.
The drinks came quickly. I sat and messaged Do Ha-jun.
13:22 Where are you?
Do Ha-jun
>No no, clingy girls lose charm 13:23
13:23 Where are you?
Do Ha-jun
>5 min 13:26
13:26 So where?
Do Ha-jun
>My house is far
>Takes an hour lol 13:30
"What do you mean an hour? I roughly know where Do Ha-jun lives. Bus or subway, he should be here in ten minutes!"
Jeong Eun-seong stuck a straw into the coffee in front of my indignant self.
"Or what, riding a horse? No stable to park it, so he's late?"
"You park horses?"
"No idea!"
Even walking wouldn't take an hour! I slurped the coffee angrily.
In the meantime, Jeong Eun-seong tidied the straw wrapper, then picked up the workbook I'd placed on the table and flipped it open.
I'd woken up early to do today's studying ahead of time, worried I might not get to it after the movie, but I hadn't graded it yet.
"Front part's perfect, no mistakes. But then they start piling up in the middle. Back harder?"
"Not really."
It's because I regressed.
"Still, it gets better as it goes."
Doing it every day without fail revives the memories. But still a long way off.
I don't want better—I want perfect!
Ah, what to do about math? Mock exam's fine, but midterms are soon.
"Why didn't you grade this part?"
"No time."
"When'd you do it?"
"Before coming here."
I'll do it now. As I pulled out my pencil case, Jeong Eun-seong alternated looks between my beat-up case and workbook, then teasingly offered.
"Want me to grade it?"
"No!"
"Why not."
"Too embarrassing with all the mistakes."
"I'll do it."
"Beat it."
Hand over the workbook. I reached out, but he whisked it away. This guy?
Reached again. Whisked again. Leaning back, he fluttered the pages.
"Oh, already wrong. Answer's 3."
"What're you talking about."
"Oh, this one's wrong too. Answer's 1."
"You don't even have the answer key!"
"This wrong, this wrong, this…."
"Give it!"
"Kang Da-hye got zero?"
"Hey!"
Hand it over now. I leaned my upper body over the table, arm extended. He grabbed my twisting wrist with one hand.
Jeong Eun-seong grinned, fangs and all. I was doing the same.
"……."
"……."
"Coming all prepared with studying done ahead, and now can't watch the movie because someone’s late."
"Yeah."
"That's him, right? Your desk mate?"
"Don't call him my desk mate. Don't link him to me in any way."
"Okay."
"…But y'know."
"Yeah."
"You and Ji-su aren't on good terms?"
I asked directly, but he played dumb. Lightly shaking my held wrist, he replied.
"We're not at a level where it matters."
"Then why'd you say that earlier."
"Say what."
"What you said to Ji-su."
"That was a compliment. Said Han Ji-young has lots of friends."
"Not Han Ji-young… Anyway, nothing happened between you two, right?"
"Why would anything happen. We're not close."
So why aren't you close….
"Get along. You two are the leads."
"Actors can film a drama fine even if they hate each other."
"You're saying you won't even if it kills you."
Come to think of it, he's subtly exclusive.
"Oh, Do Ha-jun."
Perfectly timed, my phone on the table buzzed. I retrieved my wrist from his grasp and answered.
"What? Can't find it? Just come into the mall and take the elevator to the sixth floor. Ugh, stay put. We'll come get you."
This guy's hopeless.
"Do Ha-jun's at the station square out front. Let's go get him. You done?"
He eyed the milk he'd ordered but hadn't touched. Following my gaze, he picked up the cup, took a few perfunctory sips, and set it down. A milky mustache formed on his plump upper lip.
"You have milk on your face."
Pointing it out, he paused mid-lift of his hand to wipe, then smirked.
"Wanna wipe it off?"
"You're crazy?"
"Why? Didn't you wipe it for that ugly kid last time?"
"Ugly kid… You mean Seo Jae-kyeom?!"
Hey, that was different!
"Eat this instead."
I scooped up the round dollop of choux cream whipped cream left on my cup with the straw and held it out. He leaned in carefully and took it with his mouth.
"Tasty."
"Right? Let's go."
"Can't leave 'til you wipe my mouth."
"Ugh!"
I grabbed nearby tissues and roughly wiped his mouth, then shouldered my bag. Only on the way to the first floor did I notice he'd taken the thick workbook that had been killing my shoulder.
"Wow."
Cherry trees in pink lined the square in front of the shopping mall where the theater was. Some were fully bloomed, others just starting. Petals fluttered down in the spring breeze.
"Y'know that? Catching a falling petal grants your wish."
"Superstition."
"No romance in you."
I glared at the dismissive Jeong Eun-seong.
People in noticeably lighter spring clothes stood under the trees, taking photos.
As he slipped among them, it was like…
A page from the 'ideal youth' people imagine.
Another breeze, more petals scattering.
"Where the heck is Do Ha-jun…."
As I looked around, Jeong Eun-seong stepped a few paces ahead and stretched his arm. He even took off his hat, tucking it under his arm with the workbook, waving vigorously.
Soon he returned, opening his palm to me.
"Here."
A single pink petal inside.
"For you."
Ignoring his mussed hair, he grinned triumphantly.
"From now on, don't miss any—get them all right?"