The Hotel (1)
I tried to push the horrifying image out of my head—the nightmare of Yujin and Jimin meeting face to face. Please, stop tormenting yourself with these ridiculous thoughts. Looking into her worried eyes, I struggled to erase the unease from my heart.
"No, it's just that I'm a little nervous since it's been so long. Don't worry about me."
"...Alright."
As the meeting drew closer, I couldn't hide my growing anxiety. The last time I'd seen Jimin flashed through my mind. The image of her turning away with tears in her eyes, asking me to wait for her, kept haunting me. And then... the sight of her tied to that bed began to flicker behind my eyelids too.
"Jihyun, are you really okay?"
Father, sitting in the passenger seat, twisted around to look at me.
"If you're not feeling well today, you could just go up and rest..."
"No, I'm really fine. Please don't worry."
To keep from burdening them any further, I repeated positive affirmations in my head. It's okay. Nothing bad will happen. It's okay. Really, nothing bad will happen...
The hotel staff opened the car doors for us. All three of us stepped out and followed their escort toward the banquet hall where the academic conference was being held. With every step, my chest tightened painfully. In the distance, I saw staff members bowing toward us at the entrance. Beyond them, countless overlapping voices already made my head spin.
"Jihyun, you're going to be fine. Okay?"
My sister gently took my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"...Okay."
We followed the smiling staff inside the banquet hall.
"Director Choi! It's been a while~ Sorry for all the trouble taking care of my useless daughter."
"...I apologize for what happened before."
Yujin extended her hand to Director Choi, offering a handshake of reconciliation. He glanced at me with slightly surprised eyes before accepting it.
"Oh, not at all. I'm relieved to see that Jihyun seems to be doing a much better job than I ever could."
After releasing the handshake, he patted my shoulder with a bright smile.
"Jihyun, you're truly impressive. I always said you had real talent, didn't I?"
Facing his grinning face, I managed a small smile in return.
"Well then, I'll be on my way."
Yujin left those brief words behind and immediately turned, disappearing with several staff members. The moment she was out of sight, Father sighed and spoke to Director Choi.
"...She's still got that rude attitude, huh?"
"Hahaha! She's improved so much, what are you talking about? Jihyun! I think I need to give you a raise!"
Director Choi laughed heartily and gave my arm a light punch. Faced with his very masculine display of affection, I could only offer an awkward smile in response.
"Anyway, Jihyun, finish up and have fun with the director~ I'll just say a few words and head out, okay?"
"Yes, take care."
Father headed toward the stage prepared for the opening remarks. Director Choi draped an arm around my shoulder and gave it a light massage as he spoke.
"Come on, what would an old man like me do for fun with Jihyun? Just say hello to a few people, then go meet Jimin."
...The moment Jimin's name came up, the opening ceremony began. Father's voice echoed through the vast space, and the noisy, laughing tables gradually fell quiet.
"Let's go quickly."
Director Choi whispered, leading me toward one of the tables. I listened absently to Father's speech and the responsive laughter of the crowd as I looked at the table he was guiding me to.
...Professor Kim.
The professor saw me and extended his hand with a mixture of delight and awkwardness. I politely accepted the handshake and sat down across from him. As the opening ceremony seemed to conclude, the sound of countless handshakes filled the room. I glanced briefly toward Father. He had finished his remarks and was heading for the entrance, surrounded by people seeing him off. I turned back around, exchanging an odd look with Professor Kim, and clapped along mechanically with everyone else's applause.
"This is Jihyun, who works with me. Even though he's young, he's incredibly talented, so make sure you all introduce yourselves properly while you can."
I greeted each of the middle-aged scholars seated around the round table one by one.
"So you're still a university student?"
A question directed at me.
"Yes, I haven't graduated yet."
"I heard you're a student at Professor Kim's university. Is that right?"
Another question.
"Yes, that's correct."
"Wait, so you're still an undergraduate but you're already working with Director Choi? Wow... he must really like you."
"Hahaha! This kid is actually much better than me, you know? I'm thinking I'll end up working under him and taking a salary someday."
Laughter bloomed across the table. In the midst of it, only Professor Kim and I smiled politely, carefully reading each other's expressions.
"But I wonder if this young friend would actually enjoy sitting with us old folks."
"No, no. He has another appointment, so he'll be leaving soon."
"You should enjoy yourself while you're young. Meeting a girlfriend?"
I briefly met Professor Kim's eyes.
"No, I'm meeting a friend nearby."
"I'm jealous. My son is the complete opposite! Even if I tell him to go out, he just plays games at home all day."
"That's how all the kids are these days. They just stare at Netflix or YouTube from morning till night."
The conversation naturally shifted to everyone's children, with various stories being exchanged. Then Professor Kim spoke up.
"My daughter keeps getting into trouble too. No matter how much you learn, raising kids is never enough."
Our eyes met again.
...It was probably time to leave. I leaned toward Director Choi's ear and whispered that I should get going.
"Ah, everyone. Let's let Jihyun head out now."
Director Choi helped create an opening for me. I stood up, bowed, and said my goodbyes. Some people waved, others gave small nods, a few smiled and said they'd see me again... and then there was Professor Kim.
"See you again at school, Student Jihyun."
"Yes, I'll see you then."
After that final exchange with him, I turned and slowly walked away between the tables. All sorts of sounds chased after me from behind—the loud voice of the emcee on the microphone, laughter and conversation from every table, the hurried footsteps of staff and the clinking of dishes on trays. I couldn't tell if my nerves were making every sound sharper, or if my heightened senses were simply amplifying everything. Even the basic act of taking each step felt like something I had to consciously command my body to do. I walked slowly, hyper-aware of every movement.
The sounds from behind faded as those from ahead grew louder. The click of women's heels across the lobby, the conversation of a family waiting by the elevator, and in the distance... the faint sound of a harp. It was the same harp music I'd heard during my first meeting with Yujin.
"Sir, did you make a reservation in advan—ah."
The female employee who had been blocking the entrance looked momentarily flustered before regaining her composure.
"Please come this way, young master."
She led the way, guiding me toward a table. I looked in the direction we were heading. Jimin was sitting with her back against a large chair, gazing out at the scenery outside. In front of her sat a rather large three-tiered tray. As we approached, she was lifting a coffee cup to her lips. She must have sensed our presence, because she turned to look in our direction. Then she smiled brightly and waved.
We drew closer to the table. Jimin's face became clearer. The girl I hadn't seen for several months still carried that youthful, innocent air about her. But there was a strange tension visible in her eyes. We were right next to the table now. Details that had been invisible from farther away came into focus. Desserts were arranged on the tray. I couldn't tell if she'd ordered them in advance for me or if they'd just been brought out, but they sat there untouched. What filled my head with confusion, however, was the other plate and utensils placed on the opposite side of the table from Jimin.
My instincts understood what that meant before my reason or logic could catch up. I instinctively realized that something beyond my control—something completely unexpected—was happening. My steps slowed. An unconscious desire not to witness the dizzying future unfolding before me made my feet drag.
I could see the arm of the person sitting across from Jimin. The clothes gently covering that pale skin looked all too familiar. I already knew who it was. In a situation that made it feel like my breath might stop, I finally reached the table. Jimin, seated on the left, tried to look casual as she waved and greeted me. Then I looked at the woman sitting on the right.
"Jihyun, you're a little late, aren't you?"
Yujin tapped the empty seat beside her, signaling for me to sit down.