A Women's University
"But I mean it. It doesn't have to be a Cayenne. Even a Macan, I could get you down near the price of a decent full-size SUV."
"Some other time. I know it's a good car. I just don't feel like throwing money around. I'm perfectly happy with a used one."
She'd been staring at me like her soul had left her body. At that, a soft smile settled over her face.
"......You really are something, Shinwoo. You're nothing like the men these days."
"Says the woman who was selling me so hard a minute ago."
"It's my job. Hmm. So you're going to look at Hansung instead?"
"Yeah. I hear the perks there are pretty good, at least."
"They are. Best of the domestic brands. I'll text a friend who sells for them right now, so go talk to her."
"I'd appreciate that."
"And I mean it. I haven't lied to you once. You just don't seem to care about cars."
"Yeah. Not really."
"I'm serious, though. We've got plenty of stock. Put a reasonable set of options on the contract and it'll be out within a week. Our brand would suit you so well."
"How am I supposed to drive a Porsche while working part-time at a café? They'd spit in my coffee."
"......Would you really spit for me?"
"......What am I supposed to do if you like that?"
"......I'd like it even more, actually."
"Oh, enough. I'm busy. I'm going. Have a good day."
If anything, my words had made her flush and turn shy. I waved her off and started walking, and behind me she let out a soft laugh and waved back.
"I'm not joking. You have to ask me sometime. And that watch, Shinwoo...... it looks perfect on you."
"Thanks. I'll wear it well."
It had only been a few minutes of chatter, but she'd come at me as warmly as an old friend. It felt like the first easy gossip I'd had in a long while. I didn't even know her name. Every inch the salesperson. I let out a small laugh, came up under the sign for Hansung Motors, and reached for the door—just as it opened, and a brightly smiling woman greeted me.
"Oh, hello! Jiyeon just texted me...... A-are you Shinwoo?"
"Oh, she did? Hello. She said she'd get in touch."
So the other woman's name had been Jiyeon. I returned the greeting calmly, and her eyes went round. She nodded, looking a little dazed.
"......Ah. Ah, yes. I got the message. Th-this way. I'll help you look."
"I don't know cars very well. I'd like to stick to SUVs."
"Of course. Absolutely. We've got everything from compact to full-size out on the floor."
I turned and nodded at the familiar shapes. Options didn't interest me. A push-button start and navigation would do. I'd thought it would be over quickly.
"......At that point I'd be better off just buying that one, wouldn't I?"
"......R-right. And if you take this as a bare base model, the inconvenient parts are......"
"......If that's how it is, I might as well get the bigger one."
"Y-yes...... Then this model......"
The pitch kept rolling, and I let out a hollow laugh. We'd talked for a moment, and already a mid-trim brochure for a full-size SUV was sitting in front of me. I understood now, in my bones, what people meant by coming in for an Avante and driving out in a Grandeur. The trouble was, I didn't have that kind of time today.
"......I really don't have long. Forget the rest of it. Just show me something under thirty million won with navigation and a button start. Whichever I can get the soonest."
"Then how about this? It'll be out within ten months. That I can promise you."
"......Ten months?"
"Yes. Because of the chip shortage...... B-but it's getting better. The wait has already dropped by two whole months."
"I heard the lines got shorter because rates went up. Not even close, then?"
"It's also our most popular model, so......"
I just sighed. I was the fool for believing Changsu. A used car really would be better. I couldn't see the point of spending the money and then waiting the better part of a year on top of it.
"......Never mind. I should think it over and come back."
"......Ah. I'm sorry......"
"You've got nothing to apologize for. I didn't know cars anyway. I'll just call it a lesson. Thank you for your time."
"No...... I'm the one who's sorry I couldn't find you something you liked."
"I'll get going, then."
Nothing for it. I couldn't wait close to a year. By then the whole situation would have changed. Better to join Dowon, let the benefits stack up, and pick something from the models that actually came out fast.
And in the end, I failed to choose again today.
The thing I hate most. Time spent, and nothing moved forward or got solved. I sighed, left the dealership, and walked. I was a little tight, so I picked up my pace, and before I passed the flower shop I stopped at the café window to watch Ju Hayeong pulling shots.
......Mm.
There was all the time in the world for a moment like this. Then she finally noticed me. She startled mid-pour, saw me, and broke into a bright smile, and the little stress I'd picked up at the dealership seemed to blow clean off.
Work hard.
You too, honey.
It was only a conversation traded in the shape of our mouths, but it was enough. Hayeong's face was bright. I wouldn't have to worry about her today. I moved on to the flower shop beside the café and stepped straight inside.
"Oh, young man. You're here? Here you go."
The owner smiled and held out a bouquet the moment she saw me, but I couldn't even see her face. Good lord.
"......This is gorgeous."
"Right? I put some effort in. Do you like it?"
"Too much. Even I'm in a good mood."
They were all pink roses, but not the same pink. A gradient of deep rose and pale blush made the bouquet striking. It began with a single white rose at the center, and from there the color wasn't overwhelming. Lavish, yes, and beautiful. The greenery had been worked in so naturally that the whole thing felt pure and fresh, the way Hyunji did.
"Any woman would love this. I'll stake my name on it."
"I believe you. I'll have to ask you again."
"Anytime. I was so happy making it."
I said goodbye and stepped out of the shop, and every eye nearby locked onto me and the bouquet. The hardest stretch of giving flowers. I held it still, went out to the main road, caught a taxi, and headed for Hyunji's school.
......Of all things, me walking into a women's university.
It was rush hour, so the traffic was badly jammed, but the lights were kind, and I made it when I'd hoped to. I let out a short breath and steeled myself. I could already feel a crowd of eyes on me.
A bigger event than I thought.
It must have mattered more than I'd assumed. A banner was up for the dance department's performance, and quite a few people who looked like they'd come to watch had gathered. All of them women. Which meant I stood out just by standing still. As at a graduation or an entrance ceremony, vendors selling bouquets were lined up in numbers by the main gate.
......Hmm.
I looked around, but I didn't know the layout of Ewha. She'd said the main auditorium would do. Of course I wasn't going to ask Hyunji. That would spoil the fun. Then I spotted two women off to one side, eyes round as they looked at me and whispered to each other. They had the fresh, green look of college students.
"Excuse me."
"Ah—ah! U-us?"
"Yes. I was invited to the dance department performance, but I don't know my way around. Where's the main auditorium?"
"Ah, i-it's right next door......"
"If you take that path!"
"I see. Doesn't look like I can go up there. Thank you."
"N-no, it's nothing......"
I smiled quietly at the two of them, faces burning, thanked them, and walked slowly in the direction the student had pointed. That famous staircase was a shame, but I didn't think I'd be climbing it. Dating Hyunji around campus sometime would be fun, I thought, as I headed up toward the auditorium.
So many people.
I'd taken it lightly, figuring family wouldn't turn out in a world like this, but friends, acquaintances, and women who looked like mothers had gathered in force. What sat oddly in the middle of all that was how few of them looked like men. So far I'd seen only two, and neither was anyone you'd call young.
Even so, they're college women. Wouldn't it be harder not to like this......? Ah. Right.
I remembered what the actors had said, teasing Hyunji back at that little theater. This place was what the military used to be, or an all-boys' high school. To me it was no different from heaven.
"......It's a man."
"God, he's so pure...... Is he a celebrity?"
"Seriously. Not a trace of makeup, and he's unreal. I want to hear his voice."
"......And a bouquet. Must've come to cheer for someone in the show."
"Unreal...... I'm so fucking jealous. When do I ever get flowers?"
"Reincarnating would be faster. Just stack good deeds this life."
"What, did you attain enlightenment or something?"
"Give up and it's easier. I already gave up."
"Hey. Should we sneak a photo and post it on Everytime?"
"Why? Come back from the army and get used to being locked up? You trying to see the inside of a police station too?"
"......Fuck, I'm so jealous. Somebody gets a guy coming to cheer for her. How pretty does she have to be? Who is it?"
"Whoever. What are you gonna do about it?"
"......Ask to be introduced."
"You crazy bitch. If it were you, would you introduce a good man who shows up carrying flowers like that? The walk over must've been embarrassing. He's seriously cool."
"He might have other friends, you know."
College was college, all right. Talk laced with swearing drifted into my ears. I'd been the same with my friends at that age, so I understood. The fact that I was the subject was a little much, but I'd adapted enough that it didn't really get to me.
Where do I...... Ah. There.
It didn't seem like I could go into the auditorium yet. I looked slowly around the side of the hall and found an entrance with two women standing guard in front of it. A sign was posted over the door.
STAFF ONLY
Those two had also gone round-eyed and were staring at me blankly, so meeting their gaze was easy.
"Hello."
"Ah, hello......"
"I came to cheer for someone in the performance. Could I see her for a moment? I was told I could come in."
"Ah, o-of course. Which of our seniors are you looking for......?"
From the way they spoke, they were dance majors. Fresh faces, soft young skin—first-years, probably. From the first year on, they really did feel completely young. There was a gap in years between them and Hyunji. Would they even know her?
"Lee Hyunji. I know her as a third-year here."
"Ah, S-Senior Hyunji...... You mean her?"
"Must be. Oh my god. He actually came. Unreal."
"A-are you really him? The one Senior Hyunji brags about so much......"
Eyes wide, face flushed—the look was cute, but I had no idea what she was talking about. Hyunji, someone's senior. That was funny on its own. These girls looked older than she did.
"How would you know that. Ah, hello. We've heard so much about you."
"Have you? What did Hyunji say?"
"......That you're a really wonderful person."
"Senior Hyunji brags about you every single day. Seriously. I was so jealous......"
"You're even more handsome than we heard......"
"Sounds like she only said the nice things. I give her a pretty hard time, too."
"......Ah. We know......"
Looking at the two of them, faces burning, I could roughly guess what stories they'd heard. It wasn't that I didn't trust Hyunji. The talk had just leaked and spread. I was starting to feel a little embarrassed myself when a voice came from behind.
The two girls jumped and spun around at once. I looked back as well, met a familiar face, and with a quiet smile offered a greeting.