Chapter 137
Chapter 137
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: Minji Gong
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Minji Gong.
She was a friend who transferred in from another school during our junior year, and we only got close toward the very end of senior year.
I had no idea how she'd been doing since we never kept in touch after graduation.
'Who would've thought she'd be working here as a lecturer at our old school.' She'd said she was assisting Professor Im to gain experience before becoming a full professor herself. It had been nine years since graduation already. A bit young for it, sure, but if she'd been hustling, it was totally doable at her age.
"But I had no clue you guys were coming to the school. I did hear that Kanghyeok had stopped by back then, though."
"Yeah."
"Oh, I had some stuff going on at the time, so I had to head back home for a bit. That's why I missed you."
She flashed a bright smile and turned to Daeun.
"You're Daeun, right?"
Daeun's eyes sparkled as she replied.
"Hello! I'm Daeun! Like 'da-seo-ttal'!"
Minji Gong nodded at Daeun's introduction.
"After you visited home, Professor Im showed me the painting you did. Your skill is seriously insane."
"Daeun draws pictures!"
"Yeah, when Professor Im first showed it to me and said a five-year-old did it, I thought she was pulling my leg. Who'd believe a kid that young could pull that off? Right?"
Fair enough—if you didn't know Daeun, you'd totally misunderstand her talent. Even to me, her work didn't look like something a child could produce.
"And I've heard a ton about you too."
"M-Me!"
Why's she been acting like this since earlier? Jungeun Park hadn't said a word since Minji Gong showed up. He was sitting there dead silent, like a mouse. Fidgeting like a puppy that needed to go out, though.
"Yeah, you're pretty famous around here. Any painter with a name knows yours—no exceptions."
"Ah... It's not that big a deal."
"Come on, it totally is. I never imagined you'd actually follow through on what you said at the end there. I was blown away. I kinda stalled out, but you just kept pushing forward."
What was that "end" she was talking about? And "pushing forward"? Their conversation made zero sense to me, but one thing was clear. There was some history between them that no one else knew about.
"So, what brings you here?"
I gave her a quick rundown of why we were there. She let out a disbelieving laugh.
"You're really here just to ask about that?"
Couldn't argue with her, even if she was laughing. It was a pretty ridiculous story. Professor Im was covering her mouth, chuckling like she thought it was hilarious too.
"You two haven't changed a bit since graduation."
"Tell me about it. It's like we're still fourth-years. Now I get why you said what you did back then, Professor."
"What did I say?"
Minji Gong reminded her.
"You said men stay boys their whole lives."
"Did I?"
"Yeah. Even at graduation."
"Well, it's nice to have you two reminding me of the old days and making me laugh like this."
"Yeah, brings back memories."
As she spoke, Minji Gong glanced at Jungeun.
"Right, Jungeun?"
"Uh... Y-Yeah. Sure."
"You wouldn't still be hung up on what happened back then, would you?" What happened back then? Jungeun answered her question.
"Nah, that was ages ago. I've totally forgotten about it."
"Good, all forgotten then."
"Yeah, completely."
"Oh, so you have forgotten. Good for you. We're still friends, though, right?"
The word "friends" made Jungeun look up at her.
"Friends?"
"Yeah, friends."
Something must've definitely gone down between them. Otherwise, neither of them would be reacting like this. Professor Im's intrigued expression—like she was watching a drama unfold—only confirmed it. That's when Professor Im asked, "So, are you two heading there? You asked for directions, so I figured you planned to go, but...?"
"Oh, yeah. We left something important there."
"You left something behind and now you're going back for it?"
She didn't know the full story, so it was understandable.
"Yeah, but it's not a thing I'm looking for. It's a feeling."
"A feeling?"
A little embarrassed, but I explained to the two curious faces what exactly we were after. After hearing it all, they said, "That's too much."
"How could you not go?"
"I told her I never saw the letter..."
"Still, you should've gone!"
"Exactly! How do you leave it sitting there for over nine years?!"
Whoa, they were fully invested emotionally. Their reactions made me chuckle for no reason. It felt just like when Hyorin would chew me out.
"You're right, I messed up."
Nods all around!
"Go get that feeling back now, before it's too late."
"Yeah, don't wait any longer."
That was the plan anyway. Why else would we rush all the way to the school?
"Yeah, I will. I'm dying to know what feeling Hyorin left there too."
Professor Im Hayoung frowned, looking genuinely disappointed.
"Man, what a shame. If it weren't graduation exhibition season, I'd drive you myself. The air up there's amazing, at least. You could heal a bit while you're at it."
She even remembered that? What a legend.
"No, I can go alone. Holding Daeun's hand the whole way will be fine."
"You don't have a car."
"Well, bus it is. Worst case, rent one..."
Jungeun sighed at that.
"How many times have you driven since getting your license?"
"Uh..."
I racked my brain, but I couldn't recall properly driving... ever. In my whole life...
"Like five times?"
Everyone shook their heads in disbelief. Faces screaming, don't drive. That's when Minji Gong clapped her hands.
"Or I could drive you."
"You?"
"Yeah, it's graduation season, so most classes are hands-on now. I talked to Professor Im too—she said to scout a spot for a group outing before the students graduate. I could check it out. What do you think, Professor?"
"Oh, that's perfect. I was gonna treat the kids to some R&R after exhibitions anyway, and the air's killer up there. They'd love it."
Minji Gong's unexpected offer had me nodding vigorously. I wasn't one to turn down kindness. She must really want to help to offer like that. Accepting graciously was the polite thing.
"Whew! That'd be amazing. I was stressing about how to get there. Right, Daeun?"
"Yeah! Thank you!"
Daeun bowed cutely, and Minji Gong beamed.
"No biggie. Let's have fun!"
"Yes!"
"So, when? Not today—got stuff to do. Tomorrow?"
"Ah, tomorrow works. No other plans."
"Cool. Send me the address, and I'll swing by your place tomorrow, Kanghyeok."
Just like that, everything was settled. Then... Someone unexpected raised their hand. Jungeun Park. 'I thought you were busy.' * * *
The next morning, Daeun and I got up early and hurried to get ready.
Jungeun was already waiting outside at the crack of dawn.
"Hey, didn't you say you were swamped?"
"Yeah, swamped."
"So how're you tagging along? What'd you tell work?"
"Work?"
He looked almost enlightened as he answered.
"Took vacation days."
"You can just take them like that?"
He was so essential, people exaggerated that nothing got done without him.
And not just one day—two.
Well, yesterday was half-day, but still.
Missing two days from work was shocking.
But his explanation made it click.
How he'd gotten the time off.
"I said if I couldn't take vacation, I'd quit."
"What? Q-Quit?!"
"Yeah, had to show 'em I meant business."
Quitting? Extreme.
It was baffling, but his face was more determined than ever.
"You sure that's okay?"
"If the temple rejects the monk, he leaves. What else can you do?"
He'd really dug in his heels.
One thing bugged me, though.
"But do you really need to come on this trip? If it's guilt over not delivering that letter back then, don't sweat it."
"Oh, guilt..."
So it was guilt?
"Yeah, guilt. If I'd delivered that letter properly back then, I wouldn't feel this guilty now."
"Guilt, huh?"
"Yeah, guilt."
Sure, guilt made sense.
But why did it feel like a lie?
"Why are you grinning?"
"Oh."
"Yeah?"
"Nope."
He turned away, quickly schooling his expression.
"Guilt, for sure."
Yeah, right!
Clearly, there was more to why Jungeun was coming along.
I wasn't sure exactly what, but I had a hunch.
Why he was so desperate to join.
Ding-dong.
Whip!
"M-Minji must be here."
Probably because of Minji Gong, who was riding with us today.
Normally, he'd insist on driving his own car, but he'd left it behind this time. Obvious.
Ding-dong!
We rushed downstairs at the doorbell.
Minji Gong was waiting at the entrance.
"Ah, you didn't have to come up. We could've come down."
"The neighborhood's so pretty, I wanted to see it. Plus, curious how you and Daeun live."
She glanced around our place as she spoke.
"A bit cramped, huh?"
"Nah, not at all. I'm shocked how cozy it looks."
Daeun shot her hand up and yelled.
"Daeun's house is super super nice!"
"She's right. Kinda jealous now."
Eeee!
Daeun grinned ear to ear at "jealous."
I grabbed our bags quick.
"Let's hit the road then. It's a ways off—even leaving now, we'll get there around lunch."
"Checked the nav too—yep. Fine by me, but someone's busy..."
She glanced at Jungeun.
He knew what she meant but played dumb, avoiding her eyes.
'You were all hyped when Minji arrived.' No idea what was going on in his head. Each with our own motives... "Daddy! Daeun so excited! Going on a trip! Woo-hoo!" We set off for the MT spot holding memories from ten years ago.