Seventeen, and Patience (5)
Saturdays are no fun. Sure, it's a holiday, which is nice, but there's nothing to do. It's still better than going to school, but even so, it's boring.
With nothing else to occupy myself, I cracked open a book, but studying isn't exactly entertaining, so I only skimmed a bit of review material before closing it again. Back in the day, I'd have spent the entire weekend glued to games, but ever since becoming Seojin, even the games I used to love don't hold much appeal anymore. The only games I play now are puzzle ones on my phone. Besides, the only PC at home is my sister's laptop, and I only borrow it briefly when I need it for homework before handing it right back. Dad has a laptop too, but it's for work, so I can't touch it, and he's always carrying it around anyway, so the timing never works. Not that I had any intention of using it in the first place.
Saturdays are usually just me alone. Mom and Dad are busy even on weekends, and Sunday is their only day off. Friends I meet up with even on days off? Not for me. I don't have any friends who'd make hanging out fun anyway. Things used to feel less boring when my sister was home, but at some point, she started making plans every Saturday and coming back late at night. Lately, the person she's meeting has changed from friends to ajusshi, but the times she leaves and returns are about the same as before. It feels a bit suspicious, but probably just my imagination. Not my business to meddle in anyway. If the two of them spend late nights together, that's a good thing, right?
"Nice weather out. Maybe I should go for a walk."
Peeking out the window, the sun was blazing. Staying cooped up inside on a day like this felt like a waste. I'd baked an apple pie out of boredom earlier and ended up leaving half of it, so I wrapped it in plastic and stuck it in the fridge. Sis would find it and eat it herself later at night. That firecracker loves stuff like this.
No rain in the forecast, so I opened the windows to air out the place, and the air felt instantly fresher. Outside, it was already full summer. Thick clothes were too hot now. But wearing short sleeves meant exposing my scrawny arms, which made me self-conscious for no reason. I compromised with a thin hoodie, pants, and light sneakers. I brushed my hair roughly into place, pocketed my wallet and phone, and headed out.
First, I'd circle the apartment complex. Our place is huge, with around two thousand residents, so even one loop takes a decent amount of time. I like sweating a little, but not getting drenched. No need to rush, so I took it slow.
The flower beds had neat rows of yellow and pink flowers I couldn't name, and along the walking path, a kids' playground and recycling station alternated into view. Sunlight dappled the ground through the tree shadows like spots on a leopard, and from a nearby futsal court, the rhythmic thump of a ball echoed. The landscaping was nice—made it enjoyable to look at and walk through.
Turning a corner past the management office, I spotted a familiar neighbor walking her brown Shiba Inu, Coco. Today, too, Coco had a shiny leash on, ears perked up. The moment she saw me, her tail started wagging like a fan.
"Hello."
"Oh, hello there."
I bowed slightly in greeting, and the neighbor lady smiled and greeted me back. I even bowed to Coco.
"Hey, Coco. Long time no see. You been good?"
No sooner had I spoken than Coco came trotting over, tail wagging furiously.
"Woof!"
Her black nose busily sniffed around my calf. Every time that moist tip touched me, it tickled, and laughter bubbled out.
"Coco, hold on… Pfft, that tickles!"
I crouched down and cupped her cheeks gently with both hands. The soft, squishy flesh and fluffy fur felt just like mochi under my fingertips. As Coco looked up at me with a little whine, I playfully pressed my nose to hers for an eskimo kiss. Her cold nose brushed mine, and she snorted once like it was a hassle, but then her tail wagged even harder, clearly pleased.
"Must be extra happy since it's been a while," the neighbor said with a laugh. Coco licked the back of my hand once before circling my legs, sniffing away. I scratched behind her ears and lightly rubbed the white fur on her chest under the collar. Her eyes narrowed in bliss, tail swishing all the more.
I'm pretty close with Coco and her owner, so I pet her without asking permission every time—it's basically pre-approved. I'm not the type to manhandle someone else's pet without asking.
Dogs really are cute, though. Fluffy fur, that sweet doggy scent, clear round eyes… Just looking at them makes my lips curve up. I've thought about adopting one, but taking care of a life isn't as easy as it sounds. More than that, everyone in our family is out of the house for long stretches. Pets are a no-go. Leaving one alone would make it depressed, and I couldn't bear to see that.
With those thoughts, I gave Coco's cheek one last gentle squeeze, brushed off my hands, and stood.
"Take care. Bye, Coco~"
I bowed to the neighbor and kept walking. After that, I exchanged light greetings with a few more neighbors on the path, and time flew by before I knew it. I'd worked up a decent sweat without meaning to, and my throat was parched.
"Maybe hit up a cafe."
Craving something cool like iced coffee, I headed slowly toward the main road outside the complex. After crossing one crosswalk, a neighborhood cafe sign came into view. As I approached the automatic door, through the glass wall, I spotted a familiar face in the back corner.
It was my sister and ajusshi.
So this is the nearby cafe they meet at often.
But something was off. It'd been two or three hours since she left home, right? Were they just sitting in a cafe the whole time? Do they have that much to talk about?
Curiosity piqued, I stepped back from the door and leaned against the wall by the window. Twisting my body slightly to watch them, it looked even stranger. Just two coffee cups sat abandoned on the table, and neither was looking at the other—they were both glued to their phones.
They'd sip their coffee now and then, but their eyes stayed fixed on the screens, phone-zombied out. They weren't even making eye contact, like total strangers.
What the heck are they doing?
As I kept watching, my sister suddenly stood up. She downed the rest of her coffee in one go and gave ajusshi a casual wave goodbye. He raised his hand in response but didn't try to stop her or leave with her. He just leaned back in his chair and watched her go.
Panicking that she'd spot me, I whipped around. I peeked out just enough to confirm her heading out the door and down the main road until she was out of sight.
What was that? They didn't seem like they'd fought, but the vibe wasn't exactly great either.
Glancing back inside, ajusshi was still parked in the same spot, staring intently at his phone screen. Earphones in—probably watching a video. If I kept peeking from outside, I'd look like some creep, so I went into the cafe.
I ordered my usual hazelnut iced blended at the counter. When it was ready, I grabbed just the cup—no tray—and headed straight to the back corner.
Thud!
I stopped in front of ajusshi's table and deliberately slammed the cup down loud enough to make a noise.
"Mind if I sit here?"
Maybe because I was inwardly annoyed, my voice came out icy cold. I glared down at him half-lidded.
"Se… Seojin… uh?"
Ajusshi's eyes went wide, and he stammered. His pupils shook like there was an earthquake, then he dropped his gaze.
I pulled out a chair and sat. He scooted back against the chair rest, hands neatly folded on the table edge. Anyone could see he was tense.
I propped my chin on my right hand and stared him down. Even the cafe music felt distant.
"Ajusshi."
I called him in a somewhat angry tone, and he awkwardly lifted his head to look at me.
"Uh… yeah?"
"You hiding something?"
I snapped it short, and his eyes flickered at those words.
"N… no, it's… well, you see…"
Ajusshi couldn't even make excuses—just stammered. I let out a sigh. This guy cannot lie. He sucks at it. His face, voice, eyes—everything gives it away.
"I saw you with my sister just now. But how come you two didn't say a word to each other? She said she was meeting you, right? Isn't that weird?"
His shoulders visibly flinched at my words. I sighed shortly and tilted my head a bit.
"Haa… Ajusshi, mind telling me what the hell's going on? The truth?"
Ajusshi clamped his lips shut and stared down. In the black reflection of his darkened phone screen, his trembling pupils were faintly visible.
He hesitated for a long while. Growing impatient, I stuck my straw in and sucked deep, hollowing my cheeks. The cold, sweet coffee slid down my throat. As the level dropped, the ice clinked. Half was gone now.
"Well… actually…"
Ajusshi finally spoke cautiously. I listened silently to what he said—everything they'd been doing, what they'd talked about. At first he stammered, but under my wordless interrogation, he eventually spilled it all.
The more I heard, the more displeasure built up and wouldn't fade. After draining the cup, I slurped down the melted ice water twice more, never breaking my glare. Each time, he'd avert his eyes but keep talking.
When he finished, I crossed my arms and stared at the ceiling for a while. Ajusshi kept his head down, silent.
"Haa…"
I slowly lowered my gaze to him and let out a long sigh.
"Are you two insane? In your right minds?"
Ajusshi flinched and turned his head.