What You Truly Desire
"Next up is the entrance ceremony address from Lee Da-eum, the current CEO of Eum Food Products."
I never imagined I'd see Lee Seo-yeon's father in a place like this. Yoo Seol-ah, sitting next to me, exchanged a quick surprised glance with me too, but since no one else knew he was her dad yet, she quickly looked away. I'd seen a photo of him before, and just like that, he had a genuinely kind face that suited a warm smile perfectly. Nothing like the heavy, authoritative image people usually picture for a big corporate CEO.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Lee Da-eum, a '99 graduate of Korea University, and currently running a company called Eum Food Products."
I figured the university address would come from someone affiliated with the school, and sure enough, he was a Korea University alum. Eum Food Products is pretty famous, so amid the bursting applause, there was a bit of murmuring too—mostly surprise that he was from here. His smiling face matched his soft-spoken tone perfectly, coming across really well. It even felt subtly similar to Lee Seo-yeon, making me think, like father, like daughter.
"Class of 2023 freshmen, I sincerely congratulate you on your admission to Korea University."
There had to be over a thousand people here, but he carried himself with such relaxed poise—you could really feel his experience. He looked so youthful it created a slight disconnect, though.
"I'm truly honored to give the address at such a meaningful event."
After some standard greetings, the speech proper began. But unlike the typical formal address—or even the university president's earlier one—it unfolded in a surprisingly light atmosphere. Not in a bad way at all; the gym filled with laughter.
"Any guesses on what department I was in when I attended Korea University?"
Most speeches just monologue straight through without questions, but his vibe drew a few responses. Guesses split between Food and Nutrition—fitting for a food company exec—and Business Administration. He smiled faintly.
"Sorry, no correct answers. Surprisingly, I majored in Psychology."
It was such an unrelated field that everyone looked a bit shocked.
"And back in my college days, I had a notorious reputation with the professors. For skipping classes."
What followed were some hilarious college anecdotes. Skipping every class that day to go have fun, or being such a troublemaker that even professors who never saw him knew his name. He joked that since they'd suffered back then, it was fine to goof off now—but swore us to secrecy from the profs. With all the faculty intros earlier, the whole gym erupted in laughter for a moment.
In that fun mood, his tone shifted subtly after a bit.
"You've all made it here through bone-grinding effort. Countless hardships, I'm sure. I was the same, but my wandering back then stemmed from achieving my biggest goal."
Sounded like burnout. They say tons of people flounder after getting into college.
"But university admission is not the finish line. Humans are animals who rarely find happiness in what they've already achieved. You were thrilled at your Korea University acceptance, but now it's probably old news."
His smile held, but his voice gained a touch of intensity.
"Don't rest on your past path. Look to the distant future and design your life proactively. If you think your current road is wrong, turn back boldly. You have plenty of time. My one plea: never let yourself be dragged along by someone or something else."
Seemed aimed at those who picked unwanted majors just to get into Korea University. Felt personal, sincere.
"If you find what you truly desire, Korea University will be the perfect launchpad. With brilliant professors and peers, you'll grow in ways beyond academics—new connections, personal insights, failure's lessons. Doesn't matter if it's slow or circuitous. Just don't stop stepping toward the destination you chose. Once more, heartfelt congratulations on your admission. Thank you."
The applause went on for quite a while. With the ceremony wrapping up right at lunchtime, we decided to step out briefly.
Yoo Seol-ah asked Park Harin one thing.
"Can I invite a friend?"
"...Did college change you? Making friends now?"
"Hey, I could make friends! ...I just don't."
"Fine. Invite her."
Had to be Lee Seo-yeon. Sure enough, she'd attended the ceremony and found us quick.
"Hi. I'm Lee Seo-yeon."
"Park Harin."
Both easygoing, so no awkwardness as we chatted our way out of school. Stomach rumbling a bit, Yoo Seol-ah spoke first.
"What do you wanna eat?"
"Whatever you want."
"Me too."
"Same."
All three of us synced up perfectly, and Yoo Seol-ah's face twisted in complicated amusement.
"Come on, why treat me like a kid? Eat what you guys want..."
"But you've already got something in mind. I eat anything."
"Same here."
"......"
Park Harin's words hit the nail on the head. We all orbit Yoo Seol-ah, so we know her too well and end up spoiling her naturally.
"...Then curry? Everyone cool?"
How could we say no when she swallowed hard suggesting it? She led us to a Japanese curry spot she'd apparently scoped out.
"...Your dad?"
"Yeah, my dad. Keeping it secret from most people for now."
"...Won't say a word."
We'd all dropped to casual speech. Maybe because she was Yoo Seol-ah's friend, or just from chatting a bit—Lee Seo-yeon seemed trustworthy, so she revealed it quick. Park Harin rubbed her temple like her head hurt again.
"...Too many surprises today."
Childhood friend shows up with a fiancé out of nowhere, and that friend's buddy is a chaebol heir? Yeah, fair reaction.
Since she'd spilled first, we could relax too.
"But that speech was killer. Really drew you in."
"Dad's used to those gigs."
Speeches fade fast usually, but his skill made "find what you truly want" stick from an otherwise forgettable event.
"Not that you two needed to hear it."
Lee Seo-yeon was blunt—maybe 'cause it was her dad. Me and Yoo Seol-ah, side by side, shot her puzzled looks. She laughed lightly, continuing.
"You've already found what you want most."
"......"
"......"
Thought it was deep, but nah—she was just teasing. Spot-on, though. Back when I got accepted, sure, but now I attend because of Yoo Seol-ah. Even she just blushed without retorting.
Lee Seo-yeon got flustered instead.
"Not even denying it now? What happened to Seol-ah? Baek Sion, what'd you do..."
"...No idea."
I could shrug it off, but the tsundere queen herself not fighting back? Huge shock. Her guard was down more than usual today, but honestly, she'd softened a bit since our first date.
Yoo Seol-ah, who'd been quiet, finally chimed in.
"...He didn't do anything special. But you already knew that, Lee Seo-yeon."
"......"
...She just ended it. No need to argue the obvious. Now I felt hotter than the composed Yoo Seol-ah. She hates me lying about us in front of others... The two stares up front—slightly furrowed brows—were getting heavy, so I grabbed the menu to dodge.
"...Gonna get the spiciest curry."
"Me too. This one's fire-chicken level—I'll take it."
They teamed up instantly. Yoo Seol-ah eyed her menu slowly, then hit me with:
"Hey, want this? Couple set."
"...If you want it."
Couple set was just two curries plus karaage and an ade—basically 'cause she craved karaage and it was discounted. But today, it felt loaded with extra meaning. Was Yoo Seol-ah changing, or was I? Couldn't tell anymore.
Five days really was too damn long...