Two
봄이 오면 새싹도 피어나
When spring comes, new leaves bud
푸른 나무 반가운 꽃들도 피어나고
Pretty flowers bloom on the green trees
어린아이들의 웃음소리 들려오네
As I hear the sound of children laughing
봄이 오면 가볍게 입고서
When spring comes, I wanna dress lightly
너와 내가 두 시에 만나서
Meet you at around 2
벚꽃거리 구경도 해보고 사진도 찍어주고 싶어
And look at the cherry blossoms and take pictures
매일 따뜻하게 이쁜 너의 손잡을 거야
Every day, I’m going to warmly hold your pretty hands
이 시간 속을 함께한다는 게 너무 좋아
Being together at this time makes me so happy
내 머릿속에 마음속에 기억할게
In my head, in my heart, I’ll remember
지금 이 순간 너를
You, right now
매일 노래할게 나의 마음이 들릴 거야
I’ll sing every day, you’ll hear my heart
이 시간부터 너와 나의 봄을 시작해
From now on, our spring has started
내 머릿속에 마음속에 담아둘게
In my head, in my heart, I will place
지금 이 순간 너를
You, right now
(Yoo Seonho – Maybe Spring봄이 오면)
“Heo Chungdae.”
Chungdae blinked a few times.
“What happened? You don’t seem to be concentrating. Maybe we can continue the meeting tomorrow?”
I was a little worried. Over the past week, I’d noticed Chungdae hadn’t been shouting much, and he even spent some time lost in thought. I was even more worried because he was lost in thought during an important meeting with me. There would be a school sports festival in May, and he was the chairman of the organizing committee, as per the Student Committee meeting. Normally, he would be very enthusiastic about such matters. But today, he seemed preoccupied with his own thoughts.
"Are you sick?" I asked worriedly.
"It's okay, miss. Where were we?"
"Come on, let's just go home. I don't think we'll be able to finish our conversation since it's already late. Unless we need to stay overnight," I said with a laugh and closed my laptop.
"I don't mind staying overnight with you," he said bluntly, "or we can continue at your apartment."
I almost hit him on the head, but in the end, I just stroked the top of his head, holding back my irritation.
"Don't try that on me, Heo Chungdae," I said with a dangerous smile.
Chungdae laughed, and I was relieved to hear that he seemed like himself again. Maybe I was just worrying too much.
“Are you sure you aren’t sick? Are you having any trouble?”
Chungdae seemed to think for a moment. I was almost sure he was going to say something, but the next second he shook his head, making me frown.
“I’m okay, miss. Don’t worry.”
“Remember you can come and talk to me anytime. And about anything, okay?” I assured him with my sincere smile this time.
“So it’s okay for me to go to your place?” he asked, raising and lowering his eyebrows.
I rolled my eyes as he tidied up my desk, and he also tidied up his papers. I felt like I didn’t need to be so nice to him.
"What I meant was, let's go home together, miss."
"Okay. We both have to take the subway anyway," I agreed.
We walked together, making small talk, and suddenly I remembered the assignment. I'd just given all my third-grade students their monthly assignment.
"Oh yeah, where's your assignment? It's due in three days."
Chungdae slapped his forehead hard, "Miss! Thank goodness you reminded me. I almost forgot."
"Have you actually started on it yet? I remember last week. When I checked on your progress, you'd only done about half of it," I said, putting my hands on my hips. "I won't accept your assignment if you're late."
“Miss, are you that cruel to me?”
“Yes. I won’t give you any leeway. All students are equal in my eyes.”
“I guess I’ll have to stay up late tonight,” he complained as we walked out the school gates.
“You wouldn’t have had to stay up late if you’d been working on that homework since last week.”
We entered the same subway station and boarded the same train, as our destinations happened to be just one station away on the same line, but I’d arrive first. The station was a bit quiet tonight, but the train we were on was quite full.
“Excuse me, could you let this lady sit?”
Before I could stop him, Chungdae had already instructed one of the young men who was busy playing with his phone to stand up. I nudged Chungdae with my arm and shook my head. The young man looked displeased, but Chungdae just kept smiling until he stood up.
“Chungdae, don’t worry. I can stand,” I snapped.
Chungdae was already holding my shoulders and helping me, or rather, forcing me to sit.
“Miss, you still have to teach tomorrow. Sit down.”
I looked up and stared at his smiling face. Whatever you’re thinking, Chungdae, that makes you look sad and pensive, I hope you forget it soon. I’m more used to seeing you like this. I like that smile. WHAT AM I SAYING? I LIKE IT… Ah, I must be going crazy. I cleared my throat and pretended to grab my phone. If he wasn’t wearing his school uniform and I wasn’t wearing formal attire, maybe we’d look like a couple… Oh my God, what am I thinking? I need to distract myself.
"Miss, get off now before everyone else gets on."
I just realized I'd arrived. I stood up frantically and quickly waved to him before walking out the open train door.
"See you later, miss!" Chungdae said with a cheerful wave.
Rather than thinking about what happened to Chungdae, I guess I should think about what happened to me first. Maybe this is the result of being single for too long. I sighed tiredly. Maybe I need a boyfriend. But I'm too busy, how can I find one? Eunyul eonni and I have the same complaint about this, which is why we're both still single. It seems wanting a boyfriend when your actual profession is teaching isn't a good choice.
"That's the guy! Catch him! Get out of the way!"
Before I could realize what was happening around me, I was bumped hard and fell. My knees and right wrist ached from supporting my weight, especially since my backpack wasn't tolerable today. A group of police officers were running after someone who was running fast, maybe a criminal or something, and unfortunately, I didn't have time to get out of the way. Who would have thought a chase scene like this would happen in a subway station at this time of night?
"Miss, can you stand?"
Chungdae had just knelt in front of me and held my shoulders, making me blink.
“Why are you here?” I asked, confused, still not moving from my embarrassing position.
“I forgot I accidentally took Miss’s notebook and was just about to return it.”
“You can return it tomorrow. It’s not that important.”
“I don’t know if it’s important or not, but thank goodness I’m here, right?” he asked, holding my elbows to help me up.
He helped me up slowly, and I felt a sting in my knees and a strange pain in my wrists. Chungdae must have seen me wince. It was so embarrassing, just a little pain and I looked so weak. Stupid Baek Choeun! Suddenly, Chungdae was squatting with his back to me.
“That must hurt, miss. Hop on my back, let me carry you.”
He even shifted his backpack to his chest. I looked around and saw quite a few people staring at us, some even pointing at us.
“Stop it, this is so embarrassing.”
“Why is it so embarrassing for me to help you? It might look a little weird, but it will hurt my pride if you don’t hop up now, miss,” I heard the urgency in his voice, “so please do it for me.”
I closed my eyes and hugged his neck. Okay, forget it, whatever. I hope no one recognizes us around. Chungdae put his arm behind my knee and stood up. I tightened my grip, afraid he’d drop me.
“I must be heavy, right?”
“You’re a little heavy, but I should be able to carry you. I’m a man, after all.”
It was strange, but I enjoyed it. My heart was winning this time in the race against my logic. I really liked this. Never mind what would happen next.
***
I had just entered my apartment when my phone rang. It was a struggle to reach my phone, which I'd tucked into one of the layers of my small shoulder bag.
"Yeah, just a minute," I said to whoever was calling, even though I knew they couldn't hear me, and then I felt the pain, "Ouch!"
I accidentally pushed the door shut with my right hand because my left hand was busy with my phone. I'd forgotten that my right wrist was sprained and I'd just come home from the clinic. Now my hand was wrapped in bandages and looked abnormally large, but what made me even sadder was that I wasn't allowed to go to school for the weekend until Monday. I'd also been forced to order takeout because I couldn't cook in this condition. I frantically glanced at my phone and realized it was Eunyul eonni calling me, requesting video call access. I rested the phone against a dozens of my favorite banana milk bottles and pressed the answer button.
“Eon…”
“WHAT SICKNESS ARE YOU HAVING? WHY DON’T YOU COME TO SCHOOL?”
That’s Eunyul, eonni, who often speaks before I can say anything. I showed her my right hand with a stupid grin. I saw her bring her beautiful face closer to her phone screen.
“It’s just a sprain. I’ve been to the clinic, and I can go back to work on Monday. But I’m not allowed to lift anything heavier than my laptop until the end of the month,” I reported in one breath so she wouldn’t worry.
“Tell me what happened.”
“It happened so fast, and before I knew it, I fell. Maybe a criminal hit me because a group of police officers ran past me afterward.”
"You're speaking so casually. What if the criminal had a sharp weapon and injured you?" Eunyul eonni asked, frowning.
"Come on, eonni, I'm so unimportant, why would the criminal injure me?"
"Do you want me to go there? Do you want me to send you food?"
"The second idea sounds fun. I can't cook," I replied with a laugh, "don't come here, eonni is busy enough, right?"
"You're right. Unfortunately, I'll be home very late today. Maybe I'll just send you some food later. What would you like to eat?"
"Anything's fine, I've been really hungry lately."
I was silent for a moment. It was hard to keep all this to myself. I tried to glance at the scene behind Eunyul eonni and consider my decision.
"Eonni, are you in the teachers' lounge?" I asked to confirm, as I'd never been inside an elementary school teacher's lounge.
"Yes. Why?"
"Can you go somewhere quieter?"
"Wait a minute," replied Eunyul eonni, agreeing immediately without asking why I asked.
She took her phone into the deserted emergency stairwell and held it up so I could see her face again.
"I'm alone now," she replied, her voice echoing.
I let out a long sigh and closed my eyes.
“Is there a problem? Don’t keep it to yourself.”
I bit my lower lip and said in a soft, low voice, “I think… I’m in love.”
“WHAT? SERIOUSLY? WITH WHO? WHERE, INTRODUCE ME!” she screamed hysterically.
“With… with Heo Chungdae,” I replied in an even softer voice, almost a whisper.
“With who? Heo Chung… CHUNGDAE? CHUNGDAE 3A?”
“Eonni, don’t be so loud!”
“But how could…” Enyul eonni seemed to stutter, “how could that be?”
“I know. I’m so stupid,” I said, and suddenly the tears slowly fell uncontrollably.
I'm so stupid, now I'm crying. Crying over my feelings and my honesty, which makes me ashamed.
"Calm down. Be patient, explain it to me slowly. There's no need to cry!"
"But I feel guilty..." I sobbed, "I know this shouldn't have happened... but I still..."
***
I checked my appearance in the mirror and realized my eyes looked a little puffy. Oh my gosh, had I cried that badly during the video call with Eunyul eonni? It must have been so embarrassing. Luckily, it was just Eunyul eonni, not someone else. Suddenly, I was startled by the ringing of my doorbell. Oh, maybe it was dinner from Eunyul eonni.
“Yes, wait a moment.”
I wasn’t expecting to see Heo Chungdae at my door, carrying a package from my favorite chicken restaurant. He was smiling broadly, and his hair was slightly damp, as if he’d just showered. I didn’t move from my position in front of the door, just staring at Chungdae’s face.
“Miss! I missed you!”
"What are you doing," I snapped, blinking. "We only just met yesterday and haven't seen each other this morning."
"I'm your special delivery man tonight. Aren't I welcome to come in?"
It would be inconvenient for the neighbors if he stood outside like that, so I stepped aside and let him in. So for the second night in a row, he came to my place, even though last night I only let him accompany me to the front door. I couldn't understand why the food Eunyul eonni had promised was in this kid's hands. Chungdae casually sat on the floor on a cushion on the carpet, placing the food package on the coffee table, and his eyes were busy looking around, investigating the interior of my apartment.
“How could that be…?”
“I told you, I miss you,” he replied carelessly.
I rolled my eyes as I walked to the kitchen to get him a drink. When I placed the glass on the table, I folded my arms across my chest, demanding a serious answer.
“Miss Hwan was looking for me earlier and asked for my help. Besides, it’s my job to make sure my homeroom teacher is well cared for while she’s sick.”
I sat across from him, slowly, so as not to bump my knees against the table legs. I raised an eyebrow and eyed him suspiciously.
“I can take care of myself.”
“Yes, to the point of hurting her knees and spraining her wrist,” he said casually, “she really takes care of herself.”
I pouted, which made him laugh. Damn, I was starting to have weird thoughts again when I saw him smile like this. I needed to ask Eunyul eonni what she meant by sending Chungdae to my house, but not now. Chungdae was now unwrapping my food and setting it before us.
“Miss Hwan is so thoughtful, she even bought two portions, which I think is the right portion for me.”
“No, I can eat two portions.”
He shook his head, “Oh no, no. This must be my payment.”
I pouted even more at his statement. I picked up a chicken drumstick with my left hand. My stomach was starting to rumble with hunger.
"Where can I wash my hands?" Chungdae asked, looking over my shoulder.
"Go straight ahead and turn right, there's a sink in front of the bathroom," I replied before greedily biting into chicken thigh.
Chungdae quickly walked away, and I stared at my chopsticks in despair. It was hard to even hold them with my dislocated hand, so how was I supposed to eat the rice?
"Okay, let me do it."
Chungdae took the chopsticks from my hand, surprising me, then replaced them with a spoon and ladled out some rice for me.
"Aaaaa~"
"What are you doing?" I asked sternly.
"I'm feeding you, miss."
"You don't have to do that!"
Chungdae glared at me, seeming really pushy. I had no choice now. I ate rice from his spoon, and he smiled with satisfaction, as if he had just successfully fed a baby. I immediately regretted my actions.
"Good girl," he praised, smiling proudly.
"I'm not a girl!"
"Then a good woman?"
"YA, HEO CHUNGDAE!" I shouted as my anger reached its peak.
Before I could hit him with my chopsticks, my doorbell rang again. And Chungdae had already opened the door before I could even stand.
“Donghyun?”
In my haste to get up, my knee hit the table leg, causing me to scream in pain, “Ouch!”
Chungdae and Donghyun ran in frantically and asked almost simultaneously, “Miss, are you okay?”
I could only blink in confusion. Chungdae being here tonight was already surprising, but now Donghyun was even more so.
“Oh, here, I just wanted to deliver some soup… from my mom. As soon as she found out Miss was injured, she made this for you,” Donghyun explained, placing the package on the table.
The Min Brothers' eomma is quite familiar with me, as I've been to their apartment several times over the past two years, when they've asked for my help translating documents into English. I even call her "eonni" because she's just turned 40.
"Oh, give her my thanks, Donghyun."
"Then I..." Donghyun pointed to the front door.
Chungdae put his arm around him. "No, you can't go home. Stay with us and join us for dinner. The more people, the merrier."
"Yes, Chungdae is right. Wait here, I'll get you a bowl."
"I'll do it, miss," Chungdae said casually, as if this were his apartment.
And Chungdae had already dashed in. It was nice spending time with those two cheerful people. At least things weren't as awkward as they were when I was alone with Chungdae. But I needed to meet Eunyul eonni in person to hold her accountable. There had to be a motive behind her sending Chungdae to me.
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