Peach Blossoms in the University Yard
Peach blossoms were blooming around the university building, encircling it like a fence. As Siheon gazed out the window at that sight, a faint smile lifted the corner of his mouth. Those yellow, chick-like flowers were so similar to Dayeon.
‘Is Peanut doing well in school life?’ The university, which had been open for quite a while, was bustling with students. Siheon, recalling Dayeon among them, let out a wry smile and swept his mouth.
He thought of Dayeon again. Why did that little mouse-like creature keep coming to mind? It was probably because of the photo she had tucked into her wallet. Since it was a photo with her face clearly visible, he couldn't just throw it away. The photo he had to carry around, which showed up every time he calculated something, subtly nagged at him. Yes. It was probably because of that that he was thinking of Dayeon just by seeing peach blossoms.
Fortunately, Dayeon seemed to be doing well. After that, he had looked for the places where she worked a few times, but she didn't seem to have made any mistakes or caused any problems. Since she was adapting well and was diligent, once this matter was settled, there wouldn't be anything more to worry about. Thinking that, Siheon tapped his knee with his fingertips.
“Excuse me... Are you listening to me?”
A voice calling out to him came from the opposite side. When he turned his head, the department head of the Korean University Medical School was tilting his head, looking at him.
“I heard you.”
Siheon nodded as if nothing had happened.
“Although we informed the students as requested, since this is the first time for an individual, especially someone without legal ties to a student, to fully bear the tuition fees... We also don't want to create any issues on our side...”
The department head raised his glasses while speaking. Looking at him, Siheon naturally placed his clasped hands on his knee.
“Individual? We're establishing a scholarship for a promising student at the company level, Dean. It seems you said Dayeon student's admission grades are sufficient for the scholarship.”
“That’s true, but...”
“The requirements are simple. Please bill us for Dayeon student's tuition and all other costs required by the school.”
His voice was clear.
“Hmm...”
“...And don't mention to Dayeon student at all the reason this scholarship was created. That's all.”
It was a content that wouldn't cause problems at school, and if additional documents are needed, we will handle everything from our side. There won't be anything problematic or anything you can raise issues about.
It was a clear matter of handling. There was conviction in the man's voice. A strong confidence that he could handle everything you want.
The department head clicked his tongue inwardly. Even though he had dealt with many people so far, he had never seen someone so without gaps.
“I’ll go with that. It’s a proposal we don’t have to refuse.”
“Then, please take care.”
He took out his business card and placed it on the table, giving a light greeting before standing up.
The dean’s eyes sparkled as he looked at the business card left behind.
“Samjeong Pharm Managing Director.”
He thought that no matter what Dayeon had done, he had saved a guy with legs like a model.
* * *
After leaving the dean’s office, Siheon slowly walked the campus. New sprouts were budding on the branches of March, which had left winter, like spring. The lively voices of students who had come to the school for the new semester were pleasant to hear.
‘Peanut is probably attending classes somewhere here right now.’ If he wanted, he could call her to meet, but Siheon had no intention of doing so. He didn't want to raise her expectations with a meaningless encounter. It was actually something for Siheon himself. If it wasn't a real meeting, he shouldn't have given any hope from the beginning. It was better for both him and Dayeon. He had failed a few times in the past.
Siheon, steeling his heart, walked among the passing students, when someone approached from behind and hugged him as if bumping into him. Frowning, he turned around, and in the glaring eyes he saw a round forehead whose owner he didn't know. Long hair reaching down to the waist, the early peach scent that brushed the tip of the nose. Even though her face wasn't visible, he could guess who was running to him and hugging him.
“...Dayeon?”
“Hehe. How did you know?”
Hearing his name called, Dayeon looked up with a cheeky grin and smiled. Siheon sighed looking at Dayeon. He didn't want to see her, but why did she appear again?
Siheon removed the arm Dayeon had wrapped around his waist and asked.
“Where have you been? I didn't see you while walking.”
Dayeon, who had been separated from Siheon, clicked her tongue in disappointment and replied.
“It was the way to the library, and I saw the teacher. I ran from far away.”
Dayeon pointed to the building in the distance. Following her finger, Siheon's brows furrowed as he checked the location of the building.
“You saw me from far away?”
Dayeon spread two eyes and stuck them to the side of her head, smiling with the corner of her mouth raised.
“I have a teacher radar, you know. I can find out where the teacher is.”
It was half joke, but half sincere. On the way, she had heard students in suits talking loudly about a super handsome man in a suit at the school. Thinking it couldn't be, but thinking maybe, she turned around, and the teacher's face came into view with a snap.
Honestly, Dayeon herself was amazed by her own ability. Even though it was a distance where identification was difficult, she had crossed that distance to recognize Siheon's face. However, how could she have missed such a handsome face. With his height and legs that could be a model's, it was noticeable from far away.
Dayeon felt her heart racing at the sight of the teacher and slipped her arm into his.
“This time, you really came to see me, right? I'm curious if you're doing well in school life or not.”
Her eyes sparkled with subtle anticipation. Maybe the talisman in her wallet had really worked.
However, Siheon's defense was quite solid. Siheon twisted his body and quickly pulled out the arm Dayeon had swallowed, replying.
“That’s not it.”
The arm that had been hugging him disappeared in an instant, and disappointment filled her. But Dayeon quickly regained her composure. ‘Don’t get discouraged. Since I decided to slowly conquer him like rain on a clear day, clothes getting wet.’
She walked slowly beside him without giving him a glance. Her mouth kept twitching as if something was particularly pleasant, and with a slightly embarrassed expression, she told Siheon her story.
“I have good news.”
“Good news?”
“I was selected as a scholarship student. It says it's based on admission grades...”
“Scholarship?”
“Yes! So I can receive tuition support for as long as six years.”
Dayeon was smiling brightly because she was in a good mood.
“...Really?”
It was something everyone knew. But Siheon let out a dry voice as if he hadn't heard. “I didn't know such a good thing would happen. It seems thanks to the teacher.”
Hehe. Dayeon lowered her head, smiling as if embarrassed but happy. “I’ve been relieved a bit. I’ve been worried about tuition fees all this time.”
“Yes. Good. Congratulations.”
“So, speaking of which. Teacher, won’t you have lunch with me?”
Dayeon asked cautiously, looking at him.
“Lunch?”
“I haven’t eaten even one meal today.”
She said it with a laugh as if joking, but it was true. Because she was balancing difficult major classes with multiple part-time jobs, there were many days when she couldn't even have one meal a day. In the house where she went while watching her dad's eyes, she only got a shrimp nap and came out, so the fatigue she couldn't hide on her face was fully revealed.
Siheon, seeing Dayeon's emaciated appearance, looked a bit troubled, but she vaguely realized that this hesitation wouldn't last long. The teacher always looks cold, but in critical moments, he wouldn't easily turn his back.
“There’s a delicious kongnamul gukbap place over there. I’m really hungry, teacher.”
Dayeon put her hand on her stomach and made a face as if she was going to die.
Siheon, who had been ignoring her pleas, took a small step.
Was he going to eat with her? Just as a sly smile was about to rise on Dayeon's excited mouth.
“Cha Siheon? Is that you, Cha Siheon?”
A person who suddenly appeared spoke to Siheon. When he turned his head, the face of a woman smiling at the teacher with her eyes half-squinted came into view. The owner of an appearance that stood out. Tall, wearing a well-tailored two-piece suit. With long, wavy, voluminous hair and a voluptuous figure.
Seeing the woman speaking to Siheon, Dayeon slowly blinked her eyes.
‘Is the teacher someone she knows?’
In Dayeon's gaze towards Siheon, the teacher's face appeared with a slight smile.
“Long time no see, Han Jiwoo.”
Between the two people who were chatting casually as if close, Dayeon's lips hardened. For some reason, she had a bad feeling that she wouldn't be able to have lunch with the teacher today.