Chapter 31
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Yoon Soyoung's Story (1)
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[Yoon Soyoung's Past Perspective]
A few days after taking my college entrance exam, I said to my dad,
"Dad. I'm not going to college."
I didn't have any target university or major in mind anyway.
I hadn't studied hard, nor had I hung out in big groups with other kids. I'd just had a typical senior year of high school.
After royally screwing up the exam, all thoughts of college vanished.
"Alright! You don't have to go to college. My daughter's so smart, she'll excel at anything she tries."
'I'm a total klutz, Dad.'
Dad's face looked a bit forlorn as he tried to comfort his daughter.
I quickly left the house and headed to my aunt's cafe.
It was winter, and the wind was biting cold.
The spicy gusts made my eyes water somehow.
Honk!
I was almost at the cafe, about to cross the crosswalk, when a car honked loudly as it sped by from afar.
This crosswalk didn't have a signal, which was such a hassle.
'I was here first. Honking while a person's crossing? That's too much.'
I grumbled as I stepped inside the cafe.
"Soyoung, you're here!"
My aunt, who was brewing coffee, greeted me warmly.
After the exam, I'd been working part-time at her cafe.
"Sorry I'm late. I was talking with Dad."
"No worries. There aren't many customers anyway."
It was still before lunchtime, so the cafe was quiet.
I took off my coat and put on the cafe apron.
"I told Dad I'm not going to college."
"Oh..."
Auntie fell silent for a moment, then just smiled.
"Good for you. College isn't all that these days. Just find what you want to do."
"Yeah. But all my friends are going to college. Dad seemed a little disappointed too."
"It's fine! You're still so young. Auntie has to step out for a bit, so have something warm to drink."
"Okay. See you later, Auntie."
I warmed some milk with the steamer.
'Coffee's too bitter.'
My taste buds were still childish; milk was better.
One sip of the hot milk melted away my gloomy mood.
'It's morning, but there are really no customers.'
Auntie's cafe mostly drew office workers, so it got busy around lunch.
Mornings were dead quiet.
Right now, the only customer was a guy in his early twenties sitting by the window, working on his laptop alone.
'Maybe I should whip up some whipped cream.'
As I opened the fridge, the customer suddenly bolted out the door.
'What the...?'
Where he'd run to, an old man with a limp was standing.
The guy supported the grandpa and stopped oncoming cars to help him cross the street.
He must've seen the old man struggling to cross from the window and dashed out.
Once they made it across safely, the guy came back in and resumed his laptop work like nothing happened.
'So cool...'
That was the day I first met oppa.
The day a solo girl from an all-girls middle and high school started crushing hard.
After that day, the guy never showed up at the cafe again.
I'd planned to chat him up next time with some free cookies as an excuse.
Maybe he wasn't a regular, just a one-time visitor.
'Should've asked for his number.'
I regretted it.
Though it was only once, that brief, intense encounter lingered in my mind.
All day, I thought only of him.
Even on the bus ride, his face kept popping up.
His face looked a bit dopey, but that kind smile he gave the grandpa was so warm and handsome.
Of all the expressions, why did it have to be that one?
People streamed by outside the window.
Guys my age all dolled up now that exams were over.
College girls with heavy makeup, wearing short skirts even in winter.
The dopey-faced guy.
'...Dopey face?'
It was him.
No way.
There he was, the exact guy from the cafe, walking alone across the street.
"Driver! Let me off!"
The bus, which had just started pulling away with me aboard, screeched to a halt at my shout.
The doors opened, and I sprinted out like a madwoman.
'He was around here. Where'd he go? Please... please...'
I scanned around frantically for ages.
Then, in the distance, I spotted that dopey face walking toward me.
'Found him!'
He passed right by me without a glance.
Of course he wouldn't recognize me.
Still, it felt disappointing somehow.
I kept following him from behind.
He headed straight for the university gate.
'XX University? He's a college student. Must be smart.'
But wasn't it vacation time?
Did college kids have to go to school during breaks?
I trailed him right onto campus.
I wasn't a student here, but since no one stopped me, it must be fine.
He entered the admin building and asked a security guard,
"I'm here to apply for reinstatement. Is this the place?"
So he was reenrolling.
I decided to ask for his number when he came back out.
'This might take a while. Better hit the bathroom quick!'
A little later.
I waited out front forever, but he didn't emerge.
Had he already left?
"Sir, did that guy who went in earlier come out?"
"Oh, the dopey-looking kid? He's been gone a while."
But he said he was applying for something.
Did it end that fast?
While I'd stepped away to the bathroom, he'd vanished again.
I wandered the campus searching, but no sign of him.
'Idiot. I lost him again.'
At least I'd found out his school. Small victory.
I took a deep breath and looked around. The campus scenery hit me.
It felt weird.
Walking alone on campus made me feel like a college student myself.
The vibe of this random university strangely captivated me.
Back home, I told Dad,
"Dad, can I retake the exam?"
"Huh? Retake?"
"Yeah. I want to go to college now. Sorry for changing my mind, but I really do. If you let me, I'll study hard."
Dad happily agreed, and just like that, I dove back into exam prep.
Today marked my move into my new studio apartment, where I'd live independently.
I'd nagged Dad until he caved.
He grumbled about repeaters not needing their own place.
But I convinced him living near XX University would motivate me more.
I'd wanted to live alone after graduation anyway.
I unpacked, cleaned up.
It was a tiny one-room, but lying there alone felt like true adulthood.
Bzzz.
The alarm blared.
Time for my part-time shift.
I'd landed a gig at the nearby convenience store.
It wasn't too busy, and they let me study or read when alone, so I jumped at it.
The owner was this fluffy-haired cutie. Seemed nice.
Ding-a-ling.
"Welcome."
A customer came in.
I set down my book and looked up.
"One pack of Marlboro Reds."
......Oh my god.
It was him.
This couldn't be real.
How was this guy standing in front of me right now?
My face burned.
I avoided his eyes, kept a straight face to hide my feelings, and said flatly,
"4,500 won."
I must've been too nervous.
My hands shook, and I dropped the cigarettes.
'Ugh... I'm such a moron.'
He left the store indifferently.
'No! I need his number!'
I wanted to chase him, but another customer walked in.
Too bad.
Would he come back tomorrow?
'Please come again.'
The next day.
He showed up for smokes again.
"One pack of Marlboro Reds."
Yes!
Coming back meant he lived nearby.
'So I'll see him often from now on?'
I still couldn't meet his eyes properly.
But the hope of seeing him regularly lifted my spirits.
Thud.
I dropped the cigarettes again.
His expression soured.
'Oh no... I didn't mean to drop it. What do I do?'
I was shaking so bad I couldn't speak.
Desperate to lighten the mood, I blurted something dumb.
"What model phone is that? Never seen one like it."
I tried chatting about his unique-looking Retro Phone.
Did I catch him off guard?
He looked puzzled.
"A Retro Phone? Haha! What's that? Looks so outdated."
I'm the outdated one.
He stayed expressionless at my lame attempt.
I forced a laugh alone.
'Embarrassing...'
Why did this guy get to me so much?
Sure, I fell for people easily, but...
Was I a goldfish in love or something?
No.
From that first meeting, it hit me too hard.
And these coincidences kept piling up.
Maybe it was fate.
After that day, he consumed my thoughts even more.
I had a dream.
I was sucking the dick of the guy I liked.
His thing, which I'd never seen before.
So that's what it looked like.
Kinda gross.
But why was I sucking something so nasty?
Anyway, he looked pleased.
The guy I liked was smiling contentedly because of me.
I wanted to make him even happier.
Does this feel good?
I licked harder at the thing in my mouth.
Splurt!
'Eek! What the hell!'
A sticky, fishy liquid filled my mouth.
I gagged.
'Ugh... wanna spit it out.'
But for some reason, I didn't want to.
It was just a dream anyway.
I swallowed the white, cloudy stuff.
Just as nausea hit my stomach, I woke from the dream.
'Whoa... what a steamy dream.'
Moans came from the next room.
Had he brought a girlfriend?
So damn loud.
My studio's soundproofing sucked.
Those noises had been going on for days.
'That's why I had this naughty dream. Gotta complain next time I see him.'
I drifted back to sleep.
After my shift, I got home.
Microwaved some milk; sipping it warm chased away the fatigue.
Now to shower and study.
That's when a huge black thing zipped past my eyes.
"Eek!!"
A cockroach!
Startled, I slammed my paper cup over it on instinct.
Had I really caught it?
Proud of myself.
But now what?
I couldn't bring myself to move it.
I called the landlord.
"Oh dear! Poor girl, you must've been terrified. Next door's got a guy who's great at squashing roaches—ask him! I'll let him know."
Next door, huh.
Perfect timing; I'd planned to complain about the moans anyway.
I rang the doorbell, and a guy came out.
...Not some old dude?
'!!!'
My crush stood before me.
This was beyond coincidence. I had to believe in fate now.
My heart pounded like crazy.
Had I come out looking sloppy?
I schooled my face and mustered courage.
"There's a bug in my room. Can you get it for me?"
He looked annoyed and started closing the door.
What now?
Tears welled up.
If he went inside, I'd never get to talk to him again.
I grabbed his arm.
Holding back tears, I looked at him pleadingly.
He sighed and met my eyes.
"Sigh... Lead the way, then."
His words eased my anxiety.
For the first time in front of him, I beamed.
"Yes! Thank you so much. Really."