A Trivial Request (1)
After finishing breakfast and leaving Se-hwan’s house, Seol-hwa headed straight back to her own place. He had offered to give her a ride to school on his motorcycle, but Se-hwan refused, so she had no choice but to return alone.
Seol-hwa opened the front door and stepped inside. For a moment she simply stood there in a daze, not even taking off her shoes as she stared down at the floor. After standing like that for a while, the sudden ring of her phone startled her back to her senses.
“Eek… that scared me….”
Seol-hwa checked who was calling. It was an unknown number, but just in case, she answered anyway.
Hello! This is Happy Savings Loan, always making our customers happy—
The moment she realized it was a spam call, Seol-hwa hung up with a sharp click. She let out a heavy sigh and muttered to herself.
“Why on earth did I answer that….”
Normally, when an unknown number popped up, Seol-hwa’s style was to ignore it completely. Yet a moment ago she had picked up without even thinking. It was proof that she was so distracted she couldn’t even behave like her usual self over something so trivial.
“What’s wrong with me….”
Seol-hwa shook her head vigorously, as if trying to snap herself out of it. Only then did she realize she was still standing there fully shod. She quickly kicked off her shoes and stepped inside. The moment she tossed her coat haphazardly onto the hanger, she walked straight into her bedroom, flopped face-first onto the soft bed, and kicked her feet in frustration.
“Ughhh, seriouslyyy….”
The thought kept circling in her mind: why was she so embarrassed? Realizing belatedly that her tail had broadcast every last one of her feelings made her so mortified she wanted to disappear. The memory of how she had clung to Se-hwan yesterday without thinking rose up again. Imagining how obvious her emotions must have been then too, Seol-hwa pounded the pillow with her fists—hard enough that anyone watching might have worried it would burst.
“……Aaaah! Seriously!”
To escape the embarrassment even for a second, Seol-hwa turned on her phone and opened the Ghost Gallery. Maybe scrolling through the usual flood of random nonsense would help her forget.
[I Showed Up at My Own Funeral] [28]
[The Ancestral Rite Table Should Get an MZ Glow-Up Too] [10]
[I Wanna Work Out] [4]
[No Armband? Dropping Some Spicy Pics] [7]
The gallery was lively as usual. All kinds of posts were flooding in real time—some simply venting feelings, some weird attention-grabbing bait, and some that read like meaningless diary entries. The ordinary scenery of the gallery she visited every day helped Seol-hwa’s racing thoughts settle a little.
She clicked on the post that had drawn an unusually large number of comments.
Title: I Showed Up at My Own Funeral
Author: Anon(320.1217)
(Photo of funeral hall interior) Ta-da! It’s seriously my own funeral. Looks like a decent crowd came and went. (Photo of condolence money log) Holy crap, so many people showed up lol. Were my personal connections S-tier while I was alive?
There was a reason the post had so many comments. It was written by a spirit who had gone to attend his own funeral. The very act of showing up at one’s own funeral was unusual, and although the post itself was written in a fairly cheerful tone, the reality behind it was quite heartbreaking. The IP information in particular revealed that this anonymous user had died on March 20 at 12:17.
“…It was only two days ago.”
Feeling a pang of sympathy for something so recent, Seol-hwa left a comment.
She was about to move on to another post when a notification popped up saying a reply had been left immediately. Seol-hwa tilted her head and tapped it.
“Huh?”
The person who had replied was none other than the original poster.
It seemed he wanted help resolving his lingering attachment. Seol-hwa wasn’t the type to ignore something like that. She figured she could help and collect some spiritual energy while she was at it, so she first asked where he was.
Busan was close enough that she could help. Seol-hwa created an open chat room, invited the wandering spirit, and asked what he needed.
She asked what his lingering attachment was. Today was the day Se-hwan had both classes and his part-time shift, so he wouldn’t be able to help her. Jang San was around, but after what happened yesterday things felt a little awkward, so Seol-hwa didn’t want to ask her. If it turned out to be something she couldn’t handle alone, she would have to turn the request down.
Fortunately, just as he had written in the comments, the spirit said it was nothing major.
If it was something simple, Seol-hwa could handle it by herself. She asked again.
After listening to the spirit’s story, Seol-hwa immediately replied that she understood. It really was a simple matter. She was a little curious what meaning the action held, but still.
The phrase “someone I’m grateful to” only made Seol-hwa more puzzled. ‘The kind of person you’d leave a lingering attachment over just to repay them…? This guy?’
Though she found it strange, she replied that she understood and rose from the bed. It was a little odd, but right now her head was such a mess that doing anything at all seemed like it would help clear it even a bit.
“I’ll find out when I get there.”
After the afternoon lecture, Ju-hyuk—who had been in the classroom next door—called out to me as I stepped into the hallway.
“Yo, Se-hwan! You heading to your part-time shift again today?”
“Yeah, I have to.”
“Skip it today. Free up some time for me.”
“What?”
Out of nowhere telling me to ditch work? When I looked at him in confusion, Ju-hyuk clasped both hands together and started begging.
“Please. Just this once.”
“Stop with the ‘please’ and give me an actual reason. I need to know why I should give up 38,480 won I’d earn from four hours at 9,620 per hour.”
Realizing blind begging wasn’t going to work, Ju-hyuk finally spoke in an honest voice.
“Dude, Se-hwan. Aren’t you lonely?”
“What?”
“I’m asking if you’re lonely. Be real—you haven’t dated once since starting college.”
…It wasn’t that I hadn’t dated since starting college; I had never dated anyone in my entire life.
“Right?”
“…I haven’t, but why are you suddenly bringing that up? You’re making me sad.”
“Exactly, it’s sad. We’re in the same boat.”
“But isn’t it hard for returning students to date anyway? If I was going to date, I should’ve done it before the army…”
“What are you talking about! Plenty of returning students date just fine!”
“That’s only for people who are good-looking, funny, or have something going for them.”
In contrast, Ju-hyuk and I were the very definition of ordinary. Even if you generously called our faces “decent,” if you asked whether we were funny the answer was no, and if you asked whether we had money, both of us were on very friendly terms with poverty. On top of that, we were returning students who had only been back a short while. They were conditions that made it impossible for girls to be interested even if they wanted to be.
“We’re screwed.”
“Yeah, normally that’d be true. But listen, Se-hwan.”
“What.”
“Even if an opportunity comes, are you just going to let it pass?”
“…Opportunity?”
He still hadn’t gotten to the main point, but I was starting to guess why he wanted me to skip my café shift. Even so, I honestly couldn’t believe it.
“This hyung has set up a mixer.”
“Bullshit.”
“What bullshit? Would I lie to you?”
“It is a lie. Who the hell would agree to a mixer with a guy who’s only been back in school for a month? Especially when your network isn’t even that wide, you idiot.”
“I’m telling the truth! The other day I got a girl from the dorm’s number over the weekend. She asked what department I was in, then suggested a 2-on-2 mixer?”
“…If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable, Ju-hyuk. That story doesn’t even make sense. Just tell me what you really want.”
“No, Se-hwan, I’m serious!”
This guy was really sticking to his story to the end.
“Even as a joke, it’s not funny anymore, Ju-hyuk.”
“Wow, this bastard really doesn’t believe me at all.”
“I would if it was believable. You got a girl’s number?”
“I did! Look!”
Ju-hyuk showed me his contact list.
“Chae Min-ha. See her?”
“…You even went to the trouble of saving a fake number. That’s some dedication.”
“Dude, ease up…”
Maybe I went too far. But I genuinely couldn’t believe it. How on earth had Ju-hyuk gotten a girl’s number? Were there girls who were into his kind of face?
“No, I’m telling the truth?”
“Then it must be true. Would I really tell you to skip your part-time job just to trick you?”
…That would be too much effort even for him.
“But why did she suddenly suggest a 2-on-2 after giving you her number?”
“Dunno. She’s the one who wanted it.”
“How old is she?”
“Same age as us. Third-year.”
She must have taken some time off and played around like someone else I know.
“What’s her major?”
“Korean Literature.”
“……?”
That had way too much in common with a certain someone.
“Who’s the girl coming with her?”
“I didn’t hear that.”
“…So you don’t even know who my pair is.”
“That’s true. Should I ask her to send a picture?”
“Yeah.”
Obviously you had to do recon before a mixer. No matter how long I had been single, there was no need to sit down with someone I wasn’t interested in at all.
“But why did she ask for me? There must be tons of guys in our department who’d want to do a mixer.”
“Come on, I had to give you the chance first. You’re in the same situation as me.”
“…Being lumped together with you feels kinda bad.”
“What?… Oh, she replied.”
“What did she say?”
“Uh… she says she’s sorry but she can’t send a photo. But she says the girl is really pretty.”
…Really pretty? Korean Literature, third-year, same age as me, and really pretty…?
“Hey, let’s go right now! They got there first and are waiting! Guess their class ended earlier.”
“…Wait, if I don’t go then—”
“Hurry up! I already told them we’re on the way!”
Damn it, seriously. He had just decided everything on his own.
“Sigh.”
I had no idea what I was going to tell the café manager….
Still, since I had never ditched a shift so suddenly before, the manager generously understood. I had thought about asking Jang San to cover, but the manager said she would handle it herself, so it was fine.
“Where are we going?”
“We’re almost there, dumbass. Ah, it’s right there.”
…This felt way too familiar in a bad way. The description overlapped too much with someone I knew.
“…No way.”
“What?”
Come to think of it, this guy also knew her, so why did he look like he had no clue? Was there another third-year Korean Literature student the same age as me?
‘I’d rather that be the case.’
Thinking that, I followed Ju-hyuk into the café. It wasn’t the café I worked at, but a chain coffee shop.
“Ah.”
“Huh?”
And as always, my predictions were never wrong at times like this. Just as I had suspected, Jeong Se-a was sitting at the mixer table.
“Wait, it’s Se-a.”
“Se-hwan? Why are you…? Ju-hyuk’s here too?”
“Of course…”
Then the one called Min-ha must be…
“Hiii~.”
She was one of the friends who had been with Jeong Se-a in front of the humanities building last time. It seemed Chae Min-ha had figured out that Ju-hyuk was my friend and suggested the mixer.
‘…She misunderstood the relationship between me and Se-a and even went as far as setting up a whole meeting like this.’
It must be incredibly annoying for Se-a too.
“M-Min-ha!? What is this…”
“Wow, what a coincidence! I had no idea your friend was Se-a’s friend, Ju-hyuk!”
…She clearly knew everything already. Jeong Se-a looked fidgety and uncomfortable, Ju-hyuk had a completely bewildered expression, and the mastermind behind it all was just smiling brightly.
“…Ju-hyuk, let’s sit down first.”
“Uh?… Oh, yeah.”
Well, since we were already here, I figured we might as well chat for a bit and then leave. After all, Ju-hyuk had wanted a chance to spend time with Chae Min-ha, so I could just play along for a while and then slip out. Of course, it was obvious Chae Min-ha—who had created this mixer with an entirely different purpose—had zero interest in Ju-hyuk…
When I sat down across from Jeong Se-a, she kept sneaking glances at me as she spoke.
“Se-Se-hwan. Don’t misunderstand. I really didn’t know.”
“Misunderstand what? There’s nothing to misunderstand.”
“Ah…”
Jeong Se-a let out a big sigh of relief. The straw in her cup shook slightly, making the ice clink.
Oh, I should order a drink too. I stood up first and asked Ju-hyuk.
“I’ll go order drinks. Ju-hyuk, what do you want?”
“…Espresso.”
“What the hell—never mind, just tell me properly.”
“Espresso!”
Don’t try to look cool ordering that, you idiot… But Bae Ju-hyuk the try-hard seemed dead set on it.
“……Iced?”
“Yeah.”
“Fine… got it. Do either of you want anything else?”
“Ah, we’ll go with Ju-hyuk. We’re sitting on the outer side anyway.”
“Huh?”
“We’ll go, Ju-hyuk.”
“Oh, sure!”
Chae Min-ha smiled brightly at Ju-hyuk, who had answered with surprising energy. Then she asked me and Se-a.
“Is iced okay? Se-a?”
“Yeah, whatever…”
“I’ll have a café mocha.”
Ju-hyuk followed Chae Min-ha to the counter with an expression that screamed ‘I’m extremely nervous.’ It could have been nice personal time for him, but…
‘…Is this time even meaningful for Bae Ju-hyuk?’
Chae Min-ha’s intentions were so obvious it was almost ridiculous. She had zero interest in Ju-hyuk and was clearly only trying to create a situation between me and Jeong Se-a. Since we were already friends, her efforts were pointless anyway…
“…Is your friend the type who creates work for herself?”
“Min-ha? Ahaha, not really.”
“Really? Then why did you come out? You never seemed interested in mixers before.”
Jeong Se-a was the kind of person whose face was wasted on her. She was pretty and had a good personality, so since freshman year she had received endless requests to join mixers… but from what I heard, she almost never went. There was even talk that because the department’s prettiest face refused to attend mixers, the 2020 cohort of Korean Literature had never managed to set up a proper group date.
The fact that someone like her had shown up to a mixer made me curious about the reason. Jeong Se-a gave an awkward smile, looking a little troubled.
“Min-ha kept begging me, saying you absolutely had to come…”
…So you got dragged out too.
“I see.”
“I didn’t think it would turn out like this…”
“I get it. I got dragged out too. I had no idea you would be here.”
I had suspected it a little, but… honestly I thought there was no way.
“I guess I’ll just chat for a bit and then push Bae Ju-hyuk forward.”
“Ju-hyuk is interested in Min-ha?”
“Apparently getting her number was his starting point.”
“For real? Ju-hyuk?”
Jeong Se-a looked quite surprised.
“You also find it surprising that he got a girl’s number, right?”
“A little…? Haha.”
“I was only planning to fill the seat anyway, so I’ll leave after a while.”
“Then should we just vacate the table entirely? Wouldn’t that be better?”
“Oh.”
That was a good idea.
“Not bad. We can stay a bit, read the room, and then slip out…”
“What are you two talking about?”
“Oh, Ju-hyuk. You’re back.”
“Here, yours. And Se-a’s.”
“Thanks, Ju-hyuk.”
I figured it would be best to chat casually until we finished these drinks and then leave the table. Chae Min-ha, still smiling, began to lead the mixer.
“Should we do simple self-introductions first? I’ll start. I’m Chae Min-ha, Korean Literature 2020 cohort.”
“N-nice to meet you.”
What ‘nice to meet you’—we already greeted each other earlier.
“…I’m Yoo Se-hwan. Also 2020 cohort, same age, Chemical Engineering major.”
“I-I’m Bae Ju-hyuk! Same 2020 cohort, studying Chemical Engineering as well!”
…Even a robot would sound more natural than that.
“Jeong Se-a, Korean Literature 2020. But I already know both of you, so did we really need introductions?”
“Honestly, it wasn’t necessary.”
“Min-ha, you can talk comfortably too. We already know each other, so…”
“Ah, is that okay?”
“…Yeah, let’s do that.”
“O-of course…! I mean, of course!”
Everyone was speaking naturally except Bae Ju-hyuk, who was visibly tense. Honestly, I had been genuinely shocked when he said he got a girl’s number—something I had never heard from him before—but now I could see that he must really like Chae Min-ha.
‘You don’t get nervous in front of someone you don’t even like.’
I could understand the feeling, but constantly showing how nervous he was wasn’t good either. Especially since once Se-a and I left, the atmosphere would become even more awkward…
‘…Why am I worrying about this when I’m a lifelong solo myself?’
I needed to take care of my own business first. After that, I listened to Ju-hyuk—who was trying his best to speak despite his awkward tone—and Chae Min-ha—who showed no sign of tension and kept laughing cheerfully—while Se-a and I did our best to actively play the role of supporting cast.
Still, as the conversation continued, Ju-hyuk seemed to loosen up; the awkwardness decreased a lot compared to the beginning. Of course, Chae Min-ha—who had arranged the mixer—kept giving us looks that said she wished Se-a and I would do something more, but since both of us had the same idea, we didn’t move according to her intentions.
“…Hm?”
It was right then, when I had finished my coffee and was wondering whether to order another. Our table was by the café window, and through the glass I saw an extremely familiar face.
There was no way I was mistaken. In this country it was very difficult to find a beauty with pure white hair.
“…Baek Seol-hwa?”
“Huh?”
Having heard my mutter, Jeong Se-a looked at me with wide eyes and a puzzled expression.
“Ah…”
Wait. This could be a good opportunity to leave the table. I immediately sent Se-a a message with my thoughts.
I just saw Baek Seol-hwa outside. She looks like she’s heading somewhere to do an exorcism. Let’s follow her and use it as an excuse to leave the table. I’ll head out first, so come out a little later.
Fortunately her phone was on silent, so there was no notification sound. Se-a was quick-witted and didn’t check her phone immediately; she waited a bit before turning it on and reading the message.
Okay.
It was about time to get up.
“Ah, I’ll go to the restroom real quick.”
I walked in the direction of the restroom, then quietly slipped out a side exit. I placed my empty cup on the counter and left the café first. Although we had been sitting by the window, the back wall blocked their view of me leaving.
Was it okay to sneak out in the middle of a 2-on-2 mixer? It would probably be fine. Se-a would come out soon anyway, and Chae Min-ha would probably think the two of us had left to do something together. Of course we weren’t actually going to do anything… but it would be up to Ju-hyuk now to deal with Chae Min-ha, who would believe she had achieved her goal.
Since I had left the table at an appropriate time, he would just have to handle the rest. The moment I stepped outside I called Baek Seol-hwa. Earlier I hadn’t seen her bike, so she probably wasn’t riding.
Sure enough, she wasn’t driving. After a few rings she picked up.
“H-hello?”
“Hey, are you near school? I just saw you walk by.”
“You saw me?”
“Yeah. I was in a café. I saw you passing by.”
“What are you talking about? I didn’t go near Idea…”
“I took the day off from my part-time job. I’m at a different café.”
“What? Why did you take the day off? Then I ended up moving alone for nothing…”
“Did you get another request from a spirit?”
“They said it was a really simple favor. I’m on my way to meet them now.”
She had eaten plenty yesterday, so she shouldn’t need spiritual energy. It seemed she had received a request that her kind nature simply couldn’t refuse.
“If you’re still on the way, want to go together?”
“Huh?… S-sure, that would be nice and convenient for me.”
“Got it. How far have you gone?”
“I’m… in front of the Adidas store here.”
“Okay. I’ll head there.”
“Finished your call?”
When I hung up, Jeong Se-a was already standing beside me. I nodded.
“She’s up ahead. We’re going to meet up.”
“I see.”
“You head back carefully. It’s right in front anyway.”
“Se-hwan. From what I overheard earlier, it sounds like a really simple request.”
She must have heard that too. Had I turned the speaker volume up too high?
“Can I come with you?”
“Why do you want to come?”
“I’m curious what kind of things you usually do.”
“You saw a bit of it last time, didn’t you?”
“That was because I asked you. It’s not what you usually do.”
It actually was what I usually did, but…
“…Fine, okay.”
Since she said it was a simple request, and if Se-a went back to the dorm alone Chae Min-ha might find it strange…
“Let’s go.”
It seemed better to go together for a little while.