Seokjin and Yeoju were a newlywed couple who had been married for three years.
Seokjin is studying for the civil service exam, so he's relatively free, but Yeoju is also a painter and frequently travels for her work. Then one day, she finds herself on a long-distance business trip.
"Honey, don't worry about me and just rest at home. I'm going on a business trip more than once or twice."
"You shouldn't worry about me. I'm a much better cook than I was back then. I'll definitely cook for you when I get back from my business trip."
"Is that really true? If it's not delicious, then our last date might end up at the park near the courthouse?"
"It's too sad to divorce because it's not tasty... Honey, always make sure to video call~ Okay?"
"You think I can't do that? Honey, don't worry about me, okay?"
"Don't worry. The train will be late. Go quickly."
The female protagonist smiled and kissed Seokjin on the lips.
"love you."
"I love you too, honey."
The heroine really opened the front door and dragged the carrier.
When Yeoju opened the door, the view she saw was that of an apartment building, with its cold air. Because it was an old apartment, Yeoju's house, when she opened the front door, had a clear view of the outside.
The female protagonist went out of the apartment and caught a taxi.
Seokjin ate breakfast prepared by Yeoju and immediately began preparing for the teacher's exam. Seokjin and Yeoju, both art school graduates, had a connection that began on campus and led to marriage. Since they were only twenty-seven, their marriage was often packaged as a romance. Perhaps because of this, they felt a deep affection for each other. Perhaps that's why, even while studying for the teacher's exam, Seokjin couldn't focus because he was thinking about Yeoju.
*
It's been over half a year since Yeoju went on a business trip.
The female protagonist said that it was so long that it would take several years.
Seokjin wanted to see Yeoju so badly, but he held on tight.
Because Seokjin got a job as a teacher.
Seokjin, a graduate of an art school, was assigned to an arts high school instead of a regular high school and began his teaching career.
Seokjin was transferred to a private art high school and became the homeroom teacher for the second art class.
“Teacher Kim! The Chairman has called you!”
“Mr. Kim! Could you please take care of this?”
Seokjin spent his teaching career being called Teacher Kim, Teacher Seokjin, Teacher Kim, and Teacher Seokjin.
Seokjin was so busy that he didn't even have time to think about Yeoju.
But eventually, things blew up.
"Teacher Seokjin! Did you see the news this morning? It said a young painter on a business trip to Busan was assaulted and lost his memory!"
“Huh? What’s his name?”
“Of course, I wouldn’t reveal your name to protect your identity. The world is truly scary these days… Last time, there was a murder case… Wow, it’s truly terrifying.”
“I have to tell the kids not to go out in uninhabited places late at night because they might get hurt.”
"I told you I was scared to death, right? Well then, Teacher Seokjin, thank you for your hard work~"
"all right!"
Seokjin called Yeoju to ease her worries, knowing that she had gone on a business trip to Busan.
ddu-
ddu-
ddu-
“If you don’t answer the phone, it will be connected to voicemail and you will be charged after the beep...”
“Son Yeo-ju, why aren’t you answering your phone…?”
"Hey, where are you now? Why can't I reach you? Please call me..."
While Seokjin was feeling anxious, he received a call from Yeoju.
"Son Yeo-ju! Do you know how worried I was? Things are no joke in Busan right now. You have to be careful."
"hello...?"
“Hey, you’re Yeoju? Are you Yeoju? Hey, don’t you remember me? Your husband, Kim Seok..!”
"I don't have a husband. This is voice phishing. Please don't call me again."
“Son Yeo-ju, are you kidding me? Yeo-ju, you know me, right? Yes?”
The phone call suddenly disconnected, and Seokjin urgently went into Yeoju's text message.
When Seokjin was about to text Yeoju, there was a text from Yeoju with the date April 17, 2022.
[Web Sent] A patient at Mirae Busan University Hospital suffered a cerebral hemorrhage due to an assault. This message will be sent to everyone in your contact list.
This was the first time Seokjin had ignored Yeoju, something he had never done before.
“I... ignored the female protagonist’s text...”
Seokjin felt resentful of himself.
It was a time when even acquaintances had cut ties, and Yeo-ju wasn't even close to her friends. Yeo-ju had said that her parents had completely cut ties with her relatives due to their gambling when she was young. So, as long as Seok-jin ignored her, there was virtually no way for her to know. Even her parents, who had been her only connection since she was young and had recently passed away, had no way of knowing.
*
Seokjin rushed to the hospital where Yeoju was over the weekend, and Yeoju was receiving treatment at the hospital.
“Hey lady! Hand lady!”
“Who are you to give me a hand?”
“What..? Heroine, what’s wrong with you? What’s wrong with your hair? What’s wrong with you…!!”
“Are you the patient’s husband?”
“Yes, that’s right, but..”
"Patient Son Yeo-ju has amnesia. She doesn't even know her own name. She doesn't even know if she's married. If her condition improves, we'll contact you from the hospital."
“Still...! I’ll take care of you.”
"Even if you have a husband, it will only hinder your treatment. Just give up... and go back..."
The nurse's words made Seokjin even more miserable, and he went up to Seoul with his eyes empty.
*
Several years passed.
“Teacher Seokjin! The chairman is calling.”
“Chairman? Understood...!”
Seokjin worked as a teacher at Sim Ah Arts High School for several years.
Squeak-
“Chairman, why did you call me?”
"We've decided to hold an exhibition for students at Sim-A High School this time. It's the day after the Sim-A High School Art Festival. Mr. Kim, will you be in charge of the exhibition?"
"I've been doing this for years, so of course I should. Who is the guest artist this time?"
"I don't know if it's possible, but I'd like to take care of Ms. Son Yeo-ju. She had a head injury a few years ago, but I think she'll be able to function in society."
“Hand.. Yeoju-ssi...”
Seokjin's face hardened as soon as he heard the name Yeoju, but it quickly cleared up.
"Just in case, wouldn't it be better to consider another artist? Or perhaps one of the graduates of the art department at Sim Ah Arts High School?"
"As expected, it's Mr. Kim. Then I'll proceed with the exhibition as Mr. Kim suggested. Good work, Mr. Kim."
The chairman praised Seokjin and left, and Seokjin immediately lost all strength.
“My lady... When on earth are you coming back... I’m getting tired now...”
Seokjin held back his tears and looked at the photos on his phone to console his sad heart.
*
On the day the SimA Foundation exhibition opened, students from SimA Arts High School and SimA Arts Middle School visited the exhibition.
“Teacher Seokjin, I donated this, right? Right?”
"That's right. It's right, so don't make a fuss. It's your drawing. 2024.04.14. 25th Graduation Class, Bae Hyeon-ji's work."
“Wow... This is amazing!!”
“I told you you were talented in your first year. Anyway, I told you, you seem to have a head full of rocks.”
“Teacher, are you being harsh?”
“You know I’m joking, right?”
“I know, I know.”
Seokjin was looking around the exhibition when he saw a woman with a familiar silhouette. At first, it didn't seem right, but
As the woman turned her head and started to move to another painting, Seokjin became convinced.
“Hand... Yeoju...?”
That woman was the heroine.
Seokjin's eyes turned red and tears fell.
Yeoju finally returned to Seokjin's arms.