Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Apologies and Cherry Blossoms
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"That was fun."
"Yeah."
"What do you mean 'yeah'? Da-hye, you barely watched any of it."
"Did you apologize to Kang Da-hye, Do Ha-jun?"
"Ah, I did, I did. How long are you gonna keep bringing it up? I was just late because my house is far."
"It's fine. I had fun too."
I really did.
The movie was 100 minutes long, and I only saw the last 30! Just the climax, right? It was pure gold!
"By the way, isn't cherry blossom festival season right now?"
"Should we go too? It's just one bus ride from here to Yeouido."
"No way. Time to study now."
"Ah, Da-hye. It's not even exam season. What study? If you miss the timing, the cherry blossoms are done for."
"I've never forgotten my studies because the flowers fell."
"No, not fell—bloomed. The flowers are blooming right now."
"I've never forgotten my studies because the flowers bloomed."
"You don't listen."
The boy who had excitedly suggested it pouted.
As the group split evenly between those who wanted to go and those who didn't, I checked my watch and said,
"You guys go enjoy it. I've got plans."
And I'd already seen the cherry blossoms.
I thought of the single petal tucked between my workbook pages.
Feeling oddly embarrassed, I clenched and unclenched my fist. Jeong Eun-seong walked quietly beside me.
"Then Ji-su's not going, Do Ha-jun's not going... Eun-seong?"
"I've got practice room."
"Ah."
One of the club members looked at him curiously.
"You go every single day?"
"Pretty much."
"Do you see celebrities there too?"
"When the seniors come down to the basement practice rooms, but not often."
"Got their contacts?"
"I know the ones who debuted from practicing together."
His blunt tone was surprisingly polite and thorough. Once he answered, the kids got excited and chimed in with their own questions.
Seeing this, he seemed quietly kind after all.
"Oh, right. What about our costumes and props?"
"Already preparing?"
"Second semester means prepping stage backdrops, tickets, promo—lots to do, so wouldn't it be good to handle costumes early?"
"Can't we just wear what we have?"
"Sure, but nothing decent... and they stink."
And dirt fell off the costumes. The club member grimaced and added that. Feeling guilty, I pretended not to hear, and so did Jeong Eun-seong.
"We got funding last year because the play did well."
Do Ha-jun, who had suggested PC bang over cherry blossoms to the other boys and gotten shot down, jumped in.
"Costumes! I'll order them! I know a site!"
"You?"
Club activities were as important to me as my grades... for my resume. But you, Do Ha-jun...? I masked my inner thoughts and asked,
"What site...?"
"I was in charge of costumes last year. Found this site then—insane value for money."
"Hmm..."
Strictly speaking, you were just costume transport, not in charge...?
The girls exchanged subtle glances.
One oblivious girl clapped first.
"Sounds good!"
"......"
No, it doesn't.
No choice, so Ji-su spoke up.
"Fine, Do Ha-jun. Pick some from that site and post in the KakaoTalk room. We'll discuss and decide. Gotta stay within budget for props and stuff too."
"Trust your oppa."
Oppa. Has she lost it?
O:ppa
P:ut Ali and break up.
"I'll get off here for the bus."
"Da-hye, heading to the hospital?"
"Yeah."
At the word "hospital," Jeong Eun-seong glanced over sharply, so I told him,
"It's not me who's sick."
"Phew. Thought you were heartbroken from messing up problems."
"Hey..."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "What's this?"
"Ward-off talisman. Han Ji-su's mom gave it before leaving."
"Oh..."
It looked less like a ward-off and more like a bad-luck attractor. Those characters...
"Her mom's nuts. Asked for my birth date, time, grades, parents' jobs, then told me not to talk to Han Ji-su at school."
I was visiting Bang Eun-ji in the hospital. First time seeing her face without makeup.
Without that computer-pen eyeliner, she looked way better.
"So this... magazine with a naked regular woman?"
"Funny, right? Oppa gave it."
"Oppa? Your trash boyfriend?"
Dating a high schooler at 22? At my question, Bang Eun-ji glared fiercely.
"Hey. Trash?"
"Trash."
"You don't get it. Oppa treats me great in bed. Always walks me on the inside when we're together, sets the table on dates, books theater tickets— I do nothing. He handles it all."
"If that's enough to date a high schooler, I'd do it too."
"No, really? He's a bit rude to others, but never to me..."
"So he's just odorless trash around you."
Maybe you have rhinitis?
"You're making me mad. Change the subject."
I shook my head and covered Bang Eun-ji's mouth.
I wasn't here to listen to her defend her boyfriend.
My purpose was.
"Bang Eun-ji, you know Song Yeo-reum transferred?"
"...Yeah. She called me cussing me out. That's why I quit the theater club."
"That's all? Even when you come back to school, your position won't be the same."
No more lording over the kids, losing all her friends at this age when friends are everything. She'd worry about who to eat lunch with first.
Just like how you mocked Do-yeon a few weeks ago.
She might have to beg the quiet kids she called losers until yesterday to eat together.
"I know. Yeah."
Fuck. Bang Eun-ji muttered softly and bowed her head. Looking glum, I asked her,
"But why'd you do it?"
You knew it'd end like this.
After muttering curses a few times, what she confessed was,
"Actually, the day before, Song Yeo-reum called me to bring her pants, so I went..."
And so on.
"...Crazy, for real?"
"Yeah."
"That's the worst."
Who touches someone's reverse scale? Even I'd stab Song Yeo-reum.
"Made me stand there... called me a pig, said I'd do well in college sports with legs like these."
"......"
"But the day before that, in the office, you helped me."
"Me?"
"Yeah. Mujin Merchant Guild."
"Ah."
Right. I pitied her getting scolded by the literature teacher.
"Honestly, at first I was embarrassed and annoyed you butted in... thought you were showing off. But looking back, you helped me. My 'friend' Song Yeo-reum humiliated me."
"So."
You betrayed Song Yeo-reum and helped me.
I hadn't exactly helped out of grand goodwill...
"Still, you're impressive, Bang Eun-ji."
"...Impressive?"
"Yeah."
"......"
"Any other kid would've swallowed their pride and kept serving Song Yeo-reum."
Afraid of losing friends.
"But you cut her off for your self-respect. That's impressive."
"......"
"With that courage, you'll have the guts to apologize to the others too. When you return to school, apologize to everyone. Some'll say it's not enough, most won't forgive, but some will."
Compared to betraying Song Yeo-reum, an apology's nothing.
Your pride'll hurt, but that's karma.
"Think it over while resting. The embarrassment now is temporary. Better to make new friends quick and adapt back to school."
"......"
"One burst of courage, and you'll feel free forever after."
Compared to all the pride you've wounded, an apology's a light price. I added that.
Bang Eun-ji said nothing.
I wasn't in a position to advise or comfort more, so I ended the talk.
"I'm off."
I grabbed my bag and stood.
As I headed out, she suddenly called from behind.
"Kang Da-hye."
"Yeah."
"Sorry."
"......"
"For bullying you in middle school, taking your money, mocking your clothes and shoes calling you a beggar... and messing up your locker. All of it, sorry."
"......"
"You helped me even though I bullied you—thanks. I'll repay the money as much as I can from my allowance."
"Told you to be brave, and you show courage to me first?"
"...Yeah."
"......"
"You gonna accept?"
"Hmm..."
You were pretty harsh. If you're calling someone a beggar humanely, at least don't steal their money.
You ate the beggar's liver!
I let go of the doorknob and turned back.
To Bang Eun-ji, who couldn't meet my eyes,
"Bang Eun-ji."
"Yeah?"
"When you get discharged, come apologize to my mom too. Grovel and say you're sorry."
Then maybe.
Someday, you and I could be friends.
"And."
"...Yeah."
"Thanks for coming to tell me that day."
"...Yeah."
"Really going now. Rest. Don't just play 'cause you're hospitalized—study a bit."
Though I need to study first!
Math!
With that resolve, I left the hospital and headed straight to the neighborhood library.
And there,
"...What are you doing here?"
I ran into Seo Jae-kyeom.