I, who was so reckless, am looking at you again.
(For reference, both Yeo-ju and Yoon-gi are set to be 24 years old!)
- "......Huh? What are you... talking about, Yoongi?"
- "........."
A man and a woman on the other end of the line. She clutched the phone with a trembling hand, and asked again in disbelief. "That... That can't be true. What kind of relationship do we have?"
I don't know what I heard, but tears were welling up in my eyes and my breathing was shaky, as if I was about to burst into tears at any moment. I checked the caller, hoping it wasn't you, even though your voice was clear.'shine.' When I saw what was written, my heart felt like it was sinking to the cold floor.
- "...It's exactly as I said."
- "......Let's break up."
I thought the world was falling apart. ... Was it a dream? Better yet, say it was a dream. We met beautifully. How could a four-year relationship end with a one-sided announcement over the phone? I still like you. And you like me, too.
The sudden announcement of our breakup made me search for the reason why you said this to me. No matter how many ways I think about it, the only thing that comes to mind isJust one thing.
My parents' opposition. Yes, it was our parents who threw stones that ruined our perfect relationship. Yoongi's parents called me an obstacle, saying that I, who had never missed a college entrance exam for four years, would become a great person, and my father opposed me for absurd reasons.
- "You... Is it because of your dad?"
- "...I told you. I'll leave the house to see you. You're enough for me in my life."
- "......So,"
I waited for you to speak, but after blurting out "so," you remained silent. Or perhaps you couldn't? The important thing is that you had something to say later. There must have been some unavoidable reason for you to break up with me. ...No, if there were any.
- "...Why are you suddenly doing that?"
- "There's no special reason."
- "...Just,"
- "...I just want to end my relationship with you."
...lie. You can't even lie, so how can you be lying? I knew your expression would show if we met in person, so I spoke on the phone. You. Your voice was shaking like that...
Your attitude made me even angrier. Why did you act like this when you knew I'd notice? You speak harshly, but why does your voice... say, "Are you trying to catch me?" You're really bad, Min Yoongi. You're good at playing with people's hearts.
- "What kind of behavior is this? Do you think a four-year relationship can be ended with a single phone call?"
- "Stop talking nonsense and let's meet up and talk."
- "I don't like it."
- "......What?"
- "I'm a bad kid. You can curse me until I die."
- "......Yoongi."
- "...Let's stop, I'm serious."
- "......"
I was speechless, and by the time I came to, the call had already ended. I clenched my fists and thought, "Why you? If you suddenly do this...what am I supposed to do? You might have calmed down and informed me, but I haven't...
When I came to my senses, what remained was an unchanging reality.You and I broke up.The reason doesn't make sense. No, was there even a reason in the first place? I could never understand why you suddenly acted like this. How could you do this to me...
I, who was so reckless, am looking at you again.
From parting with you4 years later.If you ask me if I forgot... well. Rather than saying I forgot, I just forgot the existence of you.I erased it.It was too painful to forget, but I was still young and immature to live with it.
Just... I erased your existence, one by one. I started running through life without even thinking about you, and I confidently got a job at the company I wanted.
Erasing you was quite a difficult task for me, but time heals all wounds. At 24, you and I were both just entering the workforce, and I had just returned from about three years abroad after graduating. You were interning at some company or something.
Now, I've decided to turn my attention away. Of course, being abroad, I can't hear it even if I wanted to, but it would have been the same even if I were in Korea. After entering university and spending four years together, you and I parted ways in vain.
I erased you from my life.
.
.
.
"......Wow. I'm going crazy."
Kim Yeo-ju, 28 years old. A fresh graduate, about to start her first day at work. She'd been preparing for months upon arriving in Korea for the company she'd always dreamed of working for. It seems like only yesterday she was crying and making a scene after being fortunate enough to pass the exam, but now it's her first day as a full-fledged office worker.
...Wow, who is that guy?There's this sweaty, awkward-looking guy standing there. ...I should've adjusted to life in Korea sooner. I finished studying abroad for three years and have been back in Korea for about three months. I'm still not quite used to it...
Before she knew it, the clock was pointing to 8 o'clock, and since it was her first day at work, Yeo-ju left the front door with a fluttering heart, hoping that her superiors would be nice people.
"...Phew. Let's do our best, Kim Yeo-ju!"
Yeah! It's probably nothing special. It's a human world, after all. Surely nothing would happen on the first day? Let's just go with the flow and do our jobs well. ...Ah. I'm nervous. What should I do?
I, who was so reckless, am looking at you again.
"Hello! My name is Kim Yeo-ju, and I'm a new employee. Please take good care of me...!"
"Ahahaha - what should I do? You look so stiff because it's your first day at work... you're cute."
"Please take good care of me too, Miss Yeoju."
"Hey, relax, Miss Yeoju. We're not bad people."
"Oh, my name is Jeong Ho-seok. As you can see, my rank is Assistant Manager."
The employees I'd be working with, my supervisors, all seemed like nice people. It wasn't just because they were my bosses, but because they were all younger than I expected, and more than anything, I felt reassured by their kindness and care for me.
Okay. Things are going well. A good job with good people. Wow, what could be more perfect than this? ...By the way, the team leader's seat was empty. It looks like he never showed up for work... What the heck.
"I... but, the team leader..."
"......ah."
"Aren't you here yet?"
In the otherwise cheerful atmosphere, my question struck a stern note. ...Why? Did I do something wrong? What kind of person is the team leader?
"...The team leader is out on business. He'll be back around lunchtime."
"iced coffee..."
Ah, field work. That could be. Everyone was a little frozen, and I was the only one nodding. The assistant manager and manager who had greeted me when I arrived were nowhere to be found, and they seemed to be wary of each other, reluctant to speak. As the atmosphere froze, excluding me and Deputy Manager Jeong Ho-seok, Manager Jeong opened his mouth, trying desperately to avoid the chill.
"The team leader has a bit of a cold personality. That's why everyone has a hard time."
"Don't worry, he's a good person. He can be a bit harsh sometimes, though... haha."
"Sometimes...! You're like an ice rink every moment."
"At least I'm friendly with the station manager. I was so scared when I went to submit documents last time."
He's not a nerd, but a difficult person. As someone who's already lacking any social skills, I started to feel nervous again. I tried to remain composed, clasping my hands together, and imagined the team leader. He must be a wild, savage tiger.
.
.
.
"What are you doing, Miss Yeoju? Aren't you going to eat?"
"...ah,"
I briefly wondered what kind of person that ice-cold team leader was. As I was busy with the tasks assigned by the assistant manager, it was already lunchtime. Does time really fly by this quickly for office workers? I was quite content with the job, which suited my aptitudes. Of course, today was just the beginning.
I think my life is finally starting to work out. Honestly, during my study abroad trip, which I ran away to, I tried my best to act cool, but in reality, I wasn't. Whenever I saw the beautiful scenery, I kept thinking of you.
"Come on, Miss Yeoju. Today, I'll treat you to something special."
"Ah... well, actually, I have some paperwork left to sort out."
"Sir, please eat first!"
"But it's important to eat on time..."
"No! Actually, I wanted to take a look around the company a bit during my free time."
"Oh, really?"
"Then, after you eat that meal, let's go together. I'll introduce you."
"I think it'll take about 40 minutes. Can you finish all the paperwork in that time?"
"Oh, yes! I think that will be enough. Thank you."
Jung Ho-seok. He was truly a good person. He was meticulous and quick-witted, the kind of person who would be loved in any society. Even just seeing him for a moment, I could tell by his personality that he was a good person. That's probably why the team leader liked him so much.
I felt sorry for refusing, but I also felt grateful and gave an awkward smile. The station manager gave me a leisurely smile and said, "Then I'll be back. Thank you for your hard work, Yeoju." and left the office.
"What a... respectable person."
I met a good boss.And then I turned back to the monitor. Everyone was busy enjoying their lunch break, so I was left alone in the office, and I too, was busy typing away at the keyboard, trying to finish what I had been working on within 40 minutes.
After about ten minutes, I began to hear footsteps coming from somewhere. The clean, yet not heavy, clatter of shoes made me turn my head in the direction of the sound.
You're not the station master, are you? Is this Deputy Manager Lee? I frowned, curious as I saw the silhouette that seemed to reveal something, and I looked closely. ...Oh, oh. He looks familiar. I've seen him somewhere.
"Are you the new employee who just joined today?"
"........."
"...nice to meet you,"
"Team leader, this is Min Yoongi."
"......crazy."
A familiar tone. A familiar voice. That unique, cold tone that felt so dear to me.
It was Min Yoongi. Min Yoongi, my first and last love, whom I broke up with four years ago. The person I erased from my life. Countless words that could define him flashed through my mind, and for a moment, my mind went blank.
Why is this kid here... With so many thoughts racing through my head, the only thing that came to mind was, "Why is this kid here?"
At my job, where I thought everything would be perfect, with great people and doing what I wanted, I thought, oh, my miserable life is finally going to end... Damn it. Why is that kid here?
"...What about you? Is there anything?"
"......ah."
Why are you asking when you already know, you punk? All the things I wanted to say to you almost spilled out, but... I held it back. There was no reason to ruin my job, my first day at work, because of my ex-boyfriend, Min Yoongi.
"...Hello, I'm a new employee."
"........."
"Kim... this is Yeoju."
You, whom I thought I'd erased, boldly appeared before me. What symbolism does it symbolize, asking even though you already know? ...Is it fortunate that you don't pretend to know? After that brief, meaningless statement, an awkward silence flowed. So what could I possibly say to you?
I was the first to avert my gaze from Min Yoongi, who was fixated on me. No, actually, I was the one who felt complicated when you, whom I had only imagined for four years, appeared before me in person.
How should I respond to you, someone I'd missed for four years and perhaps couldn't forget? Long time no see? How have you been? No, I couldn't say anything right then and there.
...and,
I don't know why the insignificant conversation I had with you passed me by at the time.
.
.
.
'Yoongi, you're so pretty.'
'Yes, my lady.'
'What would you think if Yoongi broke up with me?'
'Well, I've never thought about that.'
'Hey, I'm talking about what if, what if!'
'...um, I think you'll miss it.'
'...What is this lukewarm answer?'
As you spoke without changing your expression, I pout, feeling a bit dejected. Seeing my indifference, you, perhaps sensing my indifference, smiled at my outstretched lips and gave me a quick kiss. Then, asking if I was pouting, you patted my head.
...Tch, Min Yoongi. Anyway, I can't stand to be even a little upset. The female protagonist, who had just calmed down, asked Yoongi again, her once sullen eyes sparkling again.
'I'll meet you somehow.'
'Really? What if I just run away?'
'What should I do? I have to go catch Kim Yeo-ju.'
'Where are you going, leaving me behind? I'm so sad.'
'Wow, if Min Yoongi comes after me, I'll be reported.'
'I'm looking for what's mine, are you dissatisfied?'
'Wowㅋㅋㅋ Look at Min Yoongi's possessiveness... It's driving me crazy, seriously.'
'Why, should I run away?'
'No? Hahaha where else can I leave you? You have to stick right next to Min Yoongi.'
"Really? I promised, Kim Yeo-ju."
'You keep your promise,'
.
.
.
"How is it being your first day at work? Are you experiencing any inconveniences?"
"...Yes, not yet."
"......thank god."
'I'm sure you'll come find me.'
Why that awkward conversation?
Whether it brushed past me during our reunion... I still don't know.
But one thing was certain.
I liked you more than I thought.
.
.
.
ㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡ
I wanted to try a reunion...💖
I... really... like reunions...
I wrote it so absentmindedly that I didn't pay much attention to the last part, but please look at it kindly anyway 😻😻
🌸 Sonting 🌸