Right now, I'm smiling happily in front of this agency that seems both small and big. Why? I just got hired, that's what they mean... Hehehe... I'm supposed to start work in a week!! I can't hide my ever-growing cheekbones, so I cover my cheeks with my bare hands in this cold weather where my breath is coming out.
"Oh really.... Im Yeo-ju succeeded... Good job, good job!!"
He rummaged through his pockets, as if he wanted to brag, and pulled out his phone. It showed a few incoming text messages.
"Huh, why Kim Na-yeon?"
I got three text messages from my best friend, who I never used to contact. What the heck, is he terminally ill? No matter how hard I think about it, there's no way that's happening... I tilt my head and click on the message box.
Kim Na-yeon
- Hey, did you really get a job????
- Hey, Emma, are you sleeping right now?
- Did you drink during the day? No way??
"Wow, Kim Na-yeon... Do I look like someone who would drink alcohol during the day???"
Well then, there's no way he'd text me;; I sighed and replied.
- Is it real??
- You're saying that I'm standing in front of my future workplace right now?
A reply arrived that left me feeling extremely absurd, along with a 1 that disappeared as soon as it was sent.
- What are you talking about? You're being annoying.
- You lost your job and now you're full of shit?
"This guy is really...."
Forgetting the cold, I quickly pulled out of my inbox with trembling hands and pressed the camera button. "Yeah, if you don't believe me, why don't you show me?" I muttered, pointing my phone camera at the building. Hmm... It looks too far away... I scratched my head for a moment and zoomed in. Oh, now it looks better. Just in case you don't believe me, I took a picture with my hand making a V sign below.
Click,
I zoom in to see if it looks good, and then I stop after checking the photo by moving my hand here and there.
"uh...?"
"This... isn't it a person...?"
It was nothing more than a face captured on the back of a building. It was quite handsome. I checked by repeatedly zooming in and out with my hand, and it was a real person. And it was really handsome. Wow, daebak, is he a celebrity? I'm not really a big celebrity fan, so I'm not sure. I'm lucky today, I'll meet someone like this. I stared at the face for a while and unconsciously walked towards the building.
"...Uh...what was I thinking..."
When I came to, I was at the building entrance again. Oh, what was I thinking?? I'm still an employee... well, I'm an employee, but... anyway!! Since it's not my official day to come to work, I'm considered an outsider. Just as I'm about to turn around, gathering my composure, I hear sobbing. Ugh... crying? From here?
I looked around in confusion. Where is that sound coming from... Seriously...
I sneaked into the alley next to the building, and sure enough, there was someone crouched down, head buried in his legs, sobbing. I felt like... I wanted to offer some comfort... but I held back. I don't know him... Is he okay?
"Uh...Uh over there..?"
I'm screwed. I'm usually the type to act timid without knowing anything, but why am I acting timid today!! I feel embarrassed again and shake my head from side to side. As if he heard my voice and the presence, he looked up slightly. Gasp, I quickly covered my mouth. Wow....He's really handsome....Come on, what are you doing, Im Yeo-ju....There were tears as clear as dew welling up in his reddened eyes. But with his white skin and hair that I can't tell if it's dyed or natural brown...I thought you might think he was a foreigner. Those dark, bright eyes seemed to hold some story....sad.
"........"
"Ah...ah...that's..."
"....Uh...why..."
A soft voice flowed out, as if she'd cried a lot. She glared at him, as if to restrain him. Oh, don't misunderstand...
"No... I mean... it's not a private life... but... I heard a sound..."
"..yes?"
"Uh...Are you by any chance a famous person..? No, I'm not interested in celebrities! I don't really know..."
Shut up, Im Yeo-ju is acting like an idiot all by herself and causing a scene!!! I don't know how funny it looks, but at least this person has lost the feeling of restraint and just... looks at me...
"Ugh.."
"??"
"Oh, sorry lol"
The tears hadn't yet dried, but I must have been so funny that the corners of my mouth went up and I let out a small laugh. I scratched my head awkwardly and chuckled back.
"Of course you don't know me. I'm a trainee."
"Oh.. Ah! I see.."
What are you talking about again, Lim Yeo-ju? Just stay quiet... The chaos in my head is swirling without stopping.
"...the thing we met today..."
"?"
"...You'll keep it a secret...right?"
"...Oh, of course! If you want!"
Thank you. How can you look so sad when you're smiling so brightly... Ah, so that's what a sad smile is. I've finally learned what a sad smile is. The mouth is smiling, but the eyes are teary-eyed... Such a strange expression. I didn't think I could let myself feel at ease. Something, something to comfort her or make her smile... such a strange desire welled up in me.
"Oh, wait a minute. This agency...are you a trainee?"
A silent nod. Ah, someone I might meet in the future.
"Oh, I'm planning to join this company..."
What the....what were you thinking when you took it out? Oh my gosh again. Ah, Im Yeo-ju, really, I forgot to think and speak, I don't know again, I thought to myself as I hurriedly searched through my pockets.
"Okay, here you go!"
"?"
He looked at the hot pack and made a face like, "Why this..." I hastily added, "It's November, aren't you wearing too little?" Only then did the puzzle come together and I let out an exclamation of "Ahh."
"Ah, this much is okay... Achoo!"
"Look, you're coughing... Dress warmer next time."
I wonder if I'm being too hasty... but this is all I can do. I gently pressed the hand that was holding the hot pack.
"And...um..."
I hesitated slightly. I glanced into his increasingly reddening eyes. I thought I could offer a word of comfort...right?
"You don't have to force a smile. I've experienced it myself, and forcing a smile doesn't make things better. Haha... Sometimes, just share your feelings with someone around you..."
He seemed to be surprised for a moment by what I said, then smiled prettily again.
"...Thank you hehe...."
He lowered his head again, as if tears were welling up in his eyes again. "Oh, I should step aside."
"It's nice to hear that after a long time... Are you going to be joining us soon?"
I answered when he asked quietly in a moist voice.
"Yes, that's right. Starting next week."
"Well...then I ask for your help in advance."
"Oh, I'm just an employee lol. What can I ask you?"
After a moment of hesitation, I took off my scarf and offered it to him. Uh...uh...the person who had been hesitating remained still. "Wow, I've never seen someone this skinny before. I wondered if he'd collapse if I touched him." After wrapping everything around him, an awkward silence flowed, and the tears hadn't yet completely dried.
"See you next time... please! Bye..."
He nodded and left in a hurry. He muttered that it was hotter than he thought, even though it was November.
Only after the building disappeared from sight did he take on a serious expression.
"ah"
"I didn't even ask his name...?"
I clutch my head again in despair. This idiot, this idiot... I didn't ask that. Ugh... Again, I stiffly raise my head like a grasshopper. No, I think we'll meet again.
The heroine decided to trust her feelings.
"If it's fate, we'll meet."
-
"......he"
I wiped my eyes with a soft, delicate hand. The kindness I hadn't felt in a long time warmed my heart again. Yes, there are still people like this out there...
"....smells good..."
A sweet scent wafted from the scarf. I stood there for a moment, eyes closed. It was our first meeting, but I remembered her, who had brought me back to my senses. Her bright, pretty smile and encouragement never left my mind.
"ha..."
His breath vanishes into the air. And soon, he turns and slowly walks toward the building. He carefully touches the hot pack she gave him, his lips slightly quirking up and then down again.
