Midterms (3)
"As expected, there are so many people."
Seongsu Station on the weekend was packed with crowds, living up to its reputation as the hotspot hotspot. The throngs of people swarming like they might trample my feet had me exhausted already. It was the same at Hongdae last time—I was pretty weak to crowds.
"She definitely said exit 3."
The passage connected to Seongsu's main street. So there was no need to hunt for a separate exit. I just had to follow the massive wave of people pouring out of the station.
"Where the hell is she?"
Once I got out, I scanned the surroundings. With the crowd everywhere, I couldn't spot her at all. That's when I felt someone poking me from behind.
"Jun-woo."
Kim Ye-eun, wearing a blue cap, grinned mischievously. Her face looked radiant, without a trace of fatigue. Not even the usual dark circles.
"Gotta keep up the maintenance even during exams."
Truly worthy of a famous influencer. Managing herself like this even during exam season. I felt a twinge of respect for her ironclad discipline.
"Ah?!"
Kim Ye-eun suddenly staggered like she was about to trip. On reflex, I grabbed her arm and pulled her in.
Squeeze.
She fell naturally into my arms. Glancing down, I saw a raised sidewalk block. Probably tripped on that.
"You okay?"
"Ugh. Let go already."
She made a disgusted face, like it gave her goosebumps.
Seems okay.
Almost falling and ending up in her childhood friend's arms. I wouldn't like it much either. I let her go, but there was still a heavy sensation lingering on my arm.
"You. Put on some weight?"
"What? You done talking?"
Her face turned fierce in an instant, and she lunged at me with a fist raised. I bolted forward to dodge.
"You... if I catch you... you're dead..."
"Huff... huff..."
How far did we run? Once I confirmed Kim Ye-eun's pace slowing, I finally stopped to catch my breath. My chest ached a bit from the exertion. Me having stamina on par with that Kim Ye-eun? I could really feel what Ji-soo noona meant last time about my lack of exercise.
"Truce?"
"You..."
I extended a hand of reconciliation to her, who already looked wiped out. She was clearly out of gas. Even if she refused, I could just run again. Getting hit wasn't an option, of course.
Memories from back when Kim Ye-eun was bigger than me surfaced unbidden—times I'd teased her like today and got caught and beaten.
She's weak, but her hits sting like hell. Seriously, the spots she'd hit would swell red.
"Sigh... Fine. I'll let it slide this time."
In the end, she took my hand. She looked a bit sulky, but she wasn't the type to hold grudges, so no backstab worries.
"Anyway, where are we now? Didn't you say we had to go to some popup event?"
"Oh, right. Hang on, let me check. Hold this for a sec."
A camera being promoted for vlogs by a famous Japanese company. It had a fluffy fur mic cover on top.
"You remember how to work it and the settings, right?"
"Don't worry."
I pressed the power button on the top right. It whirred to life, the screen lighting up. The familiar weight of a camera after so long. Lately, I'd only shot videos on my phone, so it felt awkward.
"Ye-eun. Look here."
"Huh?"
She turned while fixing her wind-tousled hair from the run. Click—the moment captured on screen.
"Whoa."
Even I was impressed; it came out great. Just a test shot, but my body remembered.
"Looks good?"
"Pretty nice. Wanna see?"
Sunlight filtering through her slightly tousled hair. Below it, Kim Ye-eun's mysterious vibe. Her sharp features stood out perfectly.
"Ooh, nice! Gotta post this."
She checked the photo and hopped in place.
"Boji. Gimme?"
"Likes on the post. Depending on how many, maybe."
She glanced away slyly. Clearly didn't want to give it up. I'd said it half-jokingly anyway, so I let it slide.
"Alright, let's head out. Film well."
"No problem. What about your camera?"
"Oh, right. One sec... got it."
She fumbled in her bag for the tripod and camera. She'd always been clumsy with little things like this since we were kids.
"Now we're really going."
After setting up, she headed toward the event.
"Why didn't you call Min-jun, by the way?"
Photos by Lee Jun-woo, videos by Kang Min-jun. Special skills we'd picked up for her, who'd loved photos and videos since childhood. Today was sponsored video, not photos. Should've called Min-jun.
"Oh, he's been busy lately, skills slipped. Called him last time, but most footage was unusable."
"Ah..."
I got it. Partying with girls left no time to practice, so his skills dropped. I'd subbed in whenever he was busy. Now my skills had surpassed his. Unlike him, I always had time outside school, tutoring, and drinks.
"Almost there. Focus up."
"Got it."
As we walked, the crowds thickened. Faint thumping music echoed from afar.
"Hello."
Behind the popup zone with its long line outside, in the passage. A staffer spotted Kim Ye-eun and guided us in.
"Just as we discussed."
"Yes, thank you."
After checking something with her, the staffer bowed and left. I sidled up and poked her side.
"You look different."
"Different how? It's all work. And not your first time seeing it. Who you teasing?"
"You know it."
She bristled, fist up again. I quickly raised the camera.
"Better get to work, Influencer Kim Ye-eun."
"...Sigh. Yeah, work time."
She exhaled deeply, closed her eyes, clapped twice to compose herself.
"Entered the Maybe popup."
Her expression switched in a flash with the line.
Gotta sneak this in later. Honestly, kinda scary. Like Jekyll and Hyde right in front of me. Had to save it for teasing ammo.
I followed, focused on filming. She toured the popup store, hitting must-haves. Store scenery for b-roll, interior installations too.
"Could I get one photo?"
"Of course. My friend here will take it."
True to Seongsu's trendsetters, more people recognized her than elsewhere.
"Um, is that your boyfriend?"
A guy and girl around our age. We got that often from the combo.
"No."
"Abso. Lute. No."
We denied it in unison every time. Added we were childhood friends to avoid rumors.
"Take care."
Filming done, we exited with staff escort.
"Work all wrapped?"
"Yeah. Wanna check other spots?"
I checked the time at her suggestion.
11:30 a.m.
Perfect for lunch.
"Food first."
"Sure. Cravings?"
"Hm..."
Exam stress? No massive meals. Something simple, greasy.
"Craft burger? Good spot nearby."
"Oh, there. Yeah, sounds good."
She agreed readily. As we walked, I noticed her habit: pressing her thumb on other fingers. Only when deep in thought.
Oh, right. She said she's dieting again. Remembered her mentioning restarting after gaining weight lately.
I thought she could stand more, but if she felt that way... Explained her overreaction to my tease earlier. Probably agreed despite not wanting to, for my sake. Gratitude for today's help.
I stopped.
"Why stop?"
"Just... not feeling burgers anymore."
I eyed her. Upturned lips and brows. Clearly pleased.
"Pasta instead? Craving noodles."
Western places usually had salads too. She'd eat well without guilt.
"If you say so."
Anyone could see she was thrilled.
Burger next time. Not a bad feeling at all.
"Walked too much."
"Seriously..."
After lunch—impressive fresh pasta texture—she dragged me, hyped, through popups and cafes. Now the sky was turning red.
Seeing the darkening sky with my tired body, I just wanted to crash in bed.
"But heading back feels like a waste..."
Kim Ye-eun still had energy. She tapped the ground, looking around.
"That place?"
A shop with a soft-lit sign. Yellow lights inside showed cocktail glasses—a cocktail bar.
Already tired, and booze...
"Cocktail after so long? You earned it today—my treat."
Hard to refuse free high-end drinks. Couldn't pass for a bit of fatigue.
Kim Ye-eun Snapshot (Image)
