Seventeen, and Spring (7)
I stepped up onto the low retaining wall beside the sidewalk. Aligning my toes straight, I took one step, then another. I spread my arms wide to keep my balance. The sound of my shoe soles tapping against the stone wall echoed upward. Below the wall, Ajusshi walked slowly, matching my stride.
"So, you're just going to a café lightly with Sis?" I asked, turning around on the wall with a little spin.
"Yeah, she said we should just talk. It's our first time meeting alone, after all." Ajusshi hunched his shoulders a bit and smiled.
So he's still on guard with her. A wave of disappointment soured my mood. She said she'd meet him, but it didn't seem like Sis was serious about it. Still, maybe it'd change after they met once. He was even carrying my bag for me—he didn't seem like a bad guy.
I turned my head to the side, and there was Ajusshi's crown, way down below my eye level. The night breeze ruffled his hair slightly. A strange sense of superiority made my lips twitch upward. Right now, I was taller than him.
"Be careful. That ledge is a bit high there." As I walked on with a little huff, Ajusshi pointed at the spot in front of my foot.
I lifted my toes slightly to avoid it and advanced another step. Then, balancing proudly on the wall, I lifted my chin high, as if to say this was nothing. But one of the stones had sunk a little, and my toes wobbled.
The moment my body tipped forward—
"Whoa!"
Ajusshi's hand shot up reflexively and caught my wrist lightly. But it wasn't enough to steady me, and I ended up plopping down on my butt. At least I didn't fall off the wall. Being small had its perks sometimes.
"You okay? Did you hurt yourself anywhere?" His face was full of panic, not knowing what to do. The expression was so funny and grateful that a laugh slipped out before I knew it.
"I'm fine, just a little startled." I giggled, and the worry faded from his face. But sitting like this put our eye levels almost even. It kinda bugged me, so I tried to stand, but my butt throbbed and my calves were shaking a bit.
"Hmm... Can't do this at night. I'll come down." I said that, but I wasn't confident about getting up right away. My legs were wobbly. I looked up at Ajusshi.
"Hey, can I borrow your back?"
He looked puzzled for a second, then nodded as he got it. He turned his back to the wall and pressed right up close. Pretty perceptive guy.
I draped my arms over his shoulders and swung around. Then I wrapped them under his armpits.
"One—two."
I gave a short grunt, my elbows lifting a bit as my fingers fumbled for position on his shirt. Ajusshi took a breath against my back and scooted another handspan closer to the wall. In the process, my body pressed lightly against his. My chest and stomach touched his back. It wasn't a tight hug—just natural contact from balancing.
I gripped my wrists a little harder and lifted my toes off the wall's edge.
"S-slowly now." His voice trembled as he spoke, and I started descending like a very slow elevator. I heard my shoe soles scraping the wall, adjusting my speed by flexing and relaxing my elbows. One handspan, another. Every inch down, his back seemed to tremble a little.
Finally, my toes touched the ground solidly.
"There. Thanks!" I grinned and let go. He gave a wry smile and shook his head slightly.
Our eye levels were back to normal now. I looked up at him, and he looked down at me. He matched my pace with a couple of slow steps. That small consideration made me feel even warmer inside.
"But hey, it's dinnertime now. You really gonna make do with just cup ramen?"
"Probably... it'll be fine."
"No way. You gotta eat a proper meal!"
I scolded him, and he just chuckled softly. I could tell he was trying to laugh it off. No way was I letting him.
"Seriously, eat properly next time. Ramen's a snack, not dinner."
I went on about regular meals, avoiding overtime when possible, the sodium in cup ramen broth—you name it. He mentioned, "But your sister stole the broth," but I pretended not to hear. Didn't wanna be an accomplice.
Our footsteps and voices echoed between the streetlights. As we caught our breath, Ajusshi looked down at me.
"Your sister seems like a fun person."
Fun person? What did I say...?
I tilted my head, then got prickly at "your sister" again. How long was he gonna keep that up?
"Ugh~ You're so distant~" I pouted and grumbled.
"Huh?" Ajusshi blinked.
I sighed and glared at him. "How long are you gonna call her 'your sister'? I told you her name before. At this rate, it'll be 'your sister' forever. I hate that."
He looked a bit awkward, glancing aside, then spoke carefully. "Then... Seojin-ssi."
He hadn't forgotten my name. But I shook my head. "That feels weird too. 'Seojin-ssi' to a high schooler? Just call me by name, casually."
"H-how could I..."
I smiled at his hesitation. "Casual's better. Call me Seojin. Just Seojin."
After a brief pause, he murmured my name very softly. "Th-then... Seojin-ah..."
My lips curved up on their own. I couldn't help grinning. "That's it."
I stuck out my hand. "Shake on it again—nice to meet you, Ajusshi!"
"Ajusshi...?" He looked a little surprised as he repeated it, and I tilted my head playfully.
"Were you hoping for 'oppa'? Wow~ No conscience~"
He was speechless for a beat, then chuckled. "Haha... Yeah, Ajusshi's plenty."
I laughed louder and shoved my hand out farther. "Your hand's gonna fall off—hurry!"
He brought his hand over slowly, still cautious. Impatient, I grabbed it like a hawk.
"Shake!"
I shook it vigorously, hard enough to make his big arm swing. He lost balance a bit, flustered, then finally chuckled.
I let go and walked ahead. My steps felt lighter automatically. The taps on the sidewalk blocks hit a bouncy rhythm, shorter and quicker.
We traded a few more silly jokes after that. It was just plain fun.
We crossed one crosswalk, turned another corner. And suddenly, we were at my building.
I stood at the entrance with my back to him, arms spread wide. I heard his footsteps approach, then he draped my bag straps over each shoulder one by one. Feeling them settle perfectly, I turned to face him.
"Thanks for today! It was fun because of you!"
I smiled as I said it, and he looked a bit dazed before nodding. "Get home safe."
Still not totally casual. Well, it'd come with time.
I nodded and headed for the lobby door. "Uh... Seo, Seojin... ah."
I turned at his call. He was a few steps closer, clutching something in his hand. He held it out in front of me. I cupped my hands to receive it.
It was candy. A small orange one wrapped in orange plastic.
"This... Oh, it's White Day today, right? Sorry, it's all I have to give."
His head-scratching look was a little awkward, but kinda cute.
"Thanks." I rolled it around in my palm and smiled. "I love oranges!"
He smiled back, relieved. I tilted my head with the candy in hand. "You're meeting Sis here?"
He shook his head. "No, we're meeting at a nearby café right away."
"Guess this is goodbye then." I clenched my fist, bent my elbow a bit. "See ya. Fighting!"
He chuckled and waved once. "Yeah, get home safe."
I waved back, watching his silhouette fade between the streetlights. One last wave, and I stepped into the lobby. The auto-door shut, blocking out the outside air.
Before the elevator doors closed, I pulled the candy from my pocket and carefully peeled off the orange wrapper. Under the silver foil was a thick oval orange candy. The moment it touched my tongue, a sweet orange burst hit the tip, tangy and delightful. Maybe because I was in such a good mood, it tasted even sweeter and more sour.
I punched in the code and opened the door. Only the living room light was on. Sis must've already left. No signs of life, just a lone water glass on the table.
"Hmm..."
Being alone felt a bit empty, but Mom and Dad would be home soon, so I should wash up first. I set my bag by the sofa, slipped on slippers with my toes, and quietly sucked on the candy while taking off my uniform.
"Kinda lonely."