We decided not to cross the line.

Episode 68. A Fateful Encounter

It's been a little over six months since I came to Spain,

and finally, the

translation work on the first novel I brought with me from Korea was finished.




This piece was a little more special to me.




Every day, I commuted to Miguel's cafe,

in a new atmosphere and a new environment

it was the first work I finished here.




So I wanted to celebrate it in some special way.



I told Miguel first.





"We should have a special celebration party today!!"





Miguel was as happy as if it were his own achievement.





"Oh... no...

I wasn't saying that to put any pressure on you."





"Pressure? I’d be disappointed, actually."





"Then should we have dinner together?

I'll treat!!

Let's celebrate while we eat something delicious.

You can invite Miguel's friends too."





"No. This time, let's celebrate just the two of us."





That evening,

Miguel drove a little farther than usual

to a place.




He said it was his favorite spot.




It had been a long time since I'd left the town I saw every day,

so it felt even more special.





Steak and wine.

And a friend who sincerely celebrated me...

It was an evening I'd remember for a long time.





"Are you starting the next project already?"





"No... I want to rest a little first.

I also have plans.

I'm thinking of taking a trip to celebrate."





"Where to?"





"Hmm... I was thinking of going to France. What do you think?"






"Do you mean together?"





"No.. no.. that's not what I meant,

I was asking what you think of France?

I've been there before, but other than the Eiffel Tower,

I can't really think of anything else.

Ah!! The Louvre Museum. That place is memorable too."





"I've been to France often since I was little, so

I'll recommend a few places

that Sophie would like."






"Miguel... I have something I'm curious about...

Can I ask?"




There was one thing

I'd always wanted to ask Miguel.





"What is it?"





"Are you going to keep running this cafe like this

and stay in this town?

I've also heard you studied in the US,

so I feel like you must have a dream you want to achieve,

and I just thought it would be a little wasteful

to stay here only."





Miguel listened to my question,

then looked at me for a long time, his eyes shining.




I wondered if I'd made some mistake

and tensed up a little.





"What's your dream, Sophie?"





He finally spoke after a long while.





"I... came here because that dream had faded.

I wanted to dream again, make plans again, and make them come true...."






"Ah... I see.

You came here to find your dream.

So, did you find it again?"





"I'm not sure yet..

For now, I just want to enjoy this time

without thinking about anything."





"I... that's my dream.

To enjoy my days...

Not some grand goal or dream or anything like that,

but feeling happy with the time I have now."





This time, I stared at Miguel for a long while.




'That's a dream?... Just enjoying each day?'




"Sophie thinks it's cool that I have some big dream

and work in a bigger place,

right?"





"No.. well, yes, actually..."
 




"Someone has to have dreams like that

for the world to develop and change.

That way, people like me

can enjoy each day like a dream."





Miguel said it with a bright smile.





I couldn't understand him completely,

but I could respect his dream.




'So a dream doesn't have to be something huge and amazing...'




After that day,

Miguel, who was ten years younger than me, no longer seemed young.





After getting information from Miguel,

I searched the internet hard

and planned a one-week trip to France.




 
And then, the day I finally arrived in Paris.



After coming here on a backpacking trip in college,

to be coming back to Paris...




When I first came to Paris,

I was determined to see the night view in front of the Eiffel Tower,

but I got tired of waiting for the sun to set

and fell asleep lying on the grass.




Back then, I was carrying a 10kg backpack

around on my back, groaning the whole time.



If I came here again,

I'd travel luxuriously, dragging a suitcase,

and maybe that dream had already come true.





I went straight from the airport to the hotel.




I was walking toward the front desk

to check in.




Someone called out to me.




"Teacher!"




At the sudden Korean form of address,

I turned to the side in surprise.





It was Hoonji's manager.




"Manager?"




I was so shocked I couldn't close my mouth.





"Manager, how are you here...

No, why are you here?"





"I came for Hoonji's ad shoot.

I arrived yesterday."

What brings you here, teacher?"





"No... what is Hoonji doing there..?