The Past
"That could be. Then go ahead and sign me up."
"Ah. Ah, right..."
Go Yewon, who had been staring at me in a daze, jolted back to herself at my words and rose from the sofa. From the desk she brought an old registration form printed on cheap coarse paper and set it down in front of me with a pen.
"Been a while since I've seen paper this cheap."
"Ah, should I replace these too?"
"You feel like spending money right now?"
"...Hehe."
The laugh was a little foolish. Between that cute little sound and the bright, open look on her face, a snort escaped me before I knew it. I filled out the form and handed it over, and the moment I moved to take out my card she waved me off.
"Ah, no! I heard you were going to help us—how could I take your money..."
"Are you going to snap out of it? Do you have any idea how much you still have to pay back? Take it. Put me down for about three months up front. Ah, and we ought to rethink the membership fees too. For regular members, something reasonable—around a hundred and ten dollars a month."
"Still..."
"If it really bothers you, bump Rahi's cut a little later."
Twenty percent was plenty, but I had no intention of refusing what was freely offered. It was Rahi's money.
"...Okay. But, Teacher."
"Yes?"
"Couldn't you call me Yewon too?"
"...Isn't it a little soon for that?"
"Aing. I'm the same age as Rahi. Please, be comfortable with me."
"...All right. I will."
No wonder the two of them were friends. If Rahi had a bulldozer in her, Go Yewon was a tank. Being direct wasn't a bad thing—not at all—but still.
She does know how to tell friend from foe... right?
A glance at the clock told me it was already well past eight-thirty. I looked at Rahi and jerked my chin toward it; she smiled softly and nodded.
"Then I'll go change. Rahi wants to go for a run."
"Ah, okay. And you haven't eaten, have you? I'm actually amazing at tossing a salad."
"...I'll give you that. Better than I am."
"Will you eat here too?"
"You could say I practically live here. The rooftop storeroom's too cold..."
"I bet. It's stifling, and you can't just sit still in a place like that, can you?"
"...How. How do you know that so well?"
"...Let's just say I was in a similar spot until not long ago. Anyway, I'll be back."
I picked up my bag, left the office, and followed the locker-room signs along the wall. It was a new building, and I liked how well the little things were done. Clean, too.
The moment Lee Shinwoo stepped out, a silence that seemed to have been waiting for him settled over the office. Go Yewon, quietly regarding her teacup, called out.
"Rahi."
"...Yeah?"
"...Really, did I actually see that? A man like that exists in real life...?"
"I get it. Sometimes I can't believe it either..."
"It's amazing he doesn't even swear, and—ugh, you can feel it from every angle, that he came because of you... And it's obvious he actually thought it through. Seriously."
"...Yeah. He's a good man, really... I feel like I only go deeper in his debt every day."
"And. There was something. Huh? There's definitely something going on. What's a highball?"
"...Th-there is something like that. Don't dig. I told you everything yesterday."
"...I'll be honest."
"About what?"
Rahi rose from the sofa with her teacup and headed for the tea table. Watching her go, Go Yewon sank back into the cushions. She stared blankly at the ceiling, stroking her own arm as she muttered.
"Yesterday, the truth is I didn't believe a word of your story. An angel in everyday life and a beast in bed—where does a man like that exist outside of porn? I thought you'd finally cracked from the stress and started hallucinating."
"...Honestly, sometimes it doesn't feel real to me either."
"...I'm sorry. I've fallen for him..."
"There goes Go Yewon, falling in love at first sight again. Every time you so much as look at a man."
"...This time it's real. I'm a mess down there right now, you know? I've never been like this before..."
"Ah, come on. Gross."
"...Like you're any different. The way you were walking, I'd say the floodgates opened."
"Sh-shut up. Don't look at Shinwoo like that."
"See? You're the same. That look in your eyes earlier had my heart pounding."
"I-I can't help it... Just looking at him feels good... And that gentle side of him, too..."
"...Fair. I've never felt like I could lean on a man before..."
"It's even more in bed... You just don't know, that's all... These days I can't see anyone but him..."
"Haa..."
Go Yewon let out a hot, heavy sigh toward the ceiling, and Rahi hesitated a moment before speaking.
"...Do you really like him?"
"...Yeah. Want to check how hard my heart's beating?"
She caught the hand of Rahi, who had come to sit close, and drew it to her own chest. Rahi laid the back of her hand against Go Yewon's breast without a fuss and quietly studied her face.
"...You're really going to treat Shinwoo right, aren't you?"
At that, Go Yewon, who had been leaning into the backrest, shot upright, slid a little closer, and seized Rahi's hand. Eyes sparkling, she nodded so hard it was almost a shake.
"O-of course. I mean it. He's so cool... so sexy... I don't think I'll sleep tonight."
"It's morning and you're already thinking about bed?"
"That's not what I meant. Okay?"
"...I'm the senior here. You admit it?"
"I admit it. I completely admit it. I told you I'll look after him properly."
"And there's one more—Lee Hyunji—so later, if Shinwoo takes you in his arms, I'll introduce you then. She's incredibly kind, and cute. Just try treating her carelessly. And if Shinwoo doesn't want this, there's nothing I can do. I'm sorry, but he comes first for me."
"...That stings a little, but I understand."
"Even if it stings, it can't be helped. If you don't like it, quit. I'm telling you, I already feel guilty toward Hyunji and Shinwoo."
"Ah, no! I said I'll do it right. Do you trust me that little...?"
"...If you mess up with Shinwoo, I will actually get angry."
"I got it. So... will you really let me? Can I... try getting closer...?"
"...If Shinwoo's all right with it."
Rahi looked into the face turned toward her in quiet desperation, then sank into thought. Something occurred to her, and she bit down on her lip. Meeting those pitiful eyes again, she slowly began to speak.
"...I'll give you a hint."
"Yeah. Wh-what should I do?"
"Don't even think about lying. Seriously, he's scary good at reading people—he'll know right away. And... like I told you yesterday... whatever he does for you... accept it. Don't refuse. Ah, he'll take care of everything himself, so..."
"Gulp. Yeah. A-and...?"
"...You have a tank top, right...?"
"Yeah, yeah."
"H-he likes breasts, so... something with a little skin showing..."
"Ah, r-really...?"
"Yeah. What size were you again?"
"...A 34C... H-he doesn't dislike them big, does he...?"
"No. He'll like them. Just..."
Rahi swallowed, scratched at her cheek, and went on.
"...Just brace yourself. From what I saw of Shinwoo earlier, he didn't seem to dislike you."
"R-really?!"
"Yeah. Just be careful. You slip up sometimes when you get excited."
Saying so, Rahi gazed quietly into Go Yewon's eyes.
"I hope Shinwoo takes a liking to you. This sense of safety, this warmth... I want you to know it too. Because I want you to be happy."
"...I'll really do my best."
"Then I'm going to change too. Don't overdo it. Just follow his lead."
"Yeah, yeah."
And then, neither waiting to see who would move first, the two of them smiled softly, shared a light embrace, and left the office.
"Hoo."
"Is it too much?"
"No. This is good. Do you usually run at this hour?"
The morning run Rahi and I had started in front of the gym was as refreshing as anything I could remember. It was a neighborhood I'd never seen, but the well-kept paths, the storefronts, the roads themselves made me want to run.
So this is why people run.
I'd put plenty of miles on a treadmill, but jogging through an actual neighborhood was a first. The impact through my knees and legs was definitely harsher. People said a treadmill's give was kinder to the joints, but for the feel of really running, the road won. And I could tell, unmistakably, that my stamina had improved. A full twenty minutes without a break, and aside from being a little short of breath, my legs felt no strain at all.
"You run pretty well, but it's your first time today, so let's rest a bit. The route's new to you too. Once you're used to it, we can go without breaks."
"Sure. Want some water?"
"Yes."
I sat on a bench about halfway through the park and, from the small bag on my back, passed a water bottle and a towel to Rahi, who was loosening up. She took the bottle, accepted the towel as well, and settled into a short rest.
"Um, I'm sorry, but I need to use the restroom."
"Sorry for what. Take your time. Take this with you."
"...Ah, okay."
I pulled Rahi's plastic bag from the pack and held it out. She flushed, avoided my eyes, and took it.
"I-I'd forgotten, too."
"That's why I've got to be the one who remembers. Go on. Take your time."
"...Okay. Thank you..."
"It's nothing."
As she set the bottle and towel down beside me, her profile caught my eye. Fine hairs clung together with sweat, and a bead of it slid down her faintly flushed cheek. I quietly took that cheek in my hand and drew her in. Her eyes went round, and then she let herself be led, slowly, by my touch.
"Haah..."
It was only a light kiss, but it seemed to satisfy her too. Her eyes went a little soft as she looked at me and stroked my cheek.
"Because you're pretty."
"...Do it again."
"All right."
I kissed her lightly once more, and Rahi smiled gently as our eyes met. Her faint scent, and the sweet tint on her lips, made me wet my own without thinking. I was starting to have a hard time holding back myself. But I had to, didn't I.
"Go on, then."
"Ah, okay, okay..."
At my words Rahi, plastic bag in hand, started off with visible reluctance. I unfolded the towel, draped it over my face, and leaned back against the bench. Sunlight lay over my whole body with the warmth of spring, and a cool breeze arrived as if it had been waiting to bleed the heat away. I was just catching my breath.
"Sparrow."
"Cheep-cheep."
"Duck."
"Quack-quack."
From the left came a woman's voice and the bright, bubbling laughter of children. It had been so long since I'd heard a sound like that that a smile formed at my mouth before I knew it. The squeak of little shoes was homey, too. A kindergarten out on a spring picnic, maybe.
Been forever since I heard that. That little chant hasn't changed a bit.
I couldn't stand not seeing the cute scene I was already picturing. I lifted the towel, and passing before my eyes were two women who looked like chaperones or teachers, and a dozen pint-sized kids. The tiny yellow backpacks on their shoulders were so small they were almost absurd, and unbearably cute for it. The children weren't in uniform, either—they were in their own clothes. Money practically dripped off those neat little outfits. I could have bet this was a wealthy neighborhood.
"Hellooo."
"Yeah, hi."
The child bringing up the rear met my eyes and bobbed that oversized little head in a bow. I waved back. The sight was so cute my smile only deepened—but it was a smile that couldn't last.
It was the moment my eyes met one of the teachers I had taken for a chaperone. The hand I had been waving at the child curled in on itself and became a fist. The fresh, easy mood collapsed all at once, like a sandcastle taken by a wave, and vanished. She had been surfacing in my thoughts lately. I hadn't known that was my gut sending a warning.
"...Gayoung?"
"...Um, Teacher Choi, just a moment..."
"Ah, of course. A friend of yours?"
"Yes... It's been a long time... I'll just talk for a minute and catch up."
"All right. We'll go on ahead, Teacher Song."
The middle-aged woman who seemed to be with the group looked back and forth between me and the woman standing stock-still in front of me, then led the children off down the path to the right. But neither I nor the woman before me did anything except hold each other's gaze. I simply hadn't wanted to say anything harsh in front of those cute kids.