We decided not to cross the line (Season 2)

Episode 74. Jeong-a's First Love

By the time I was almost at the cafe,

a call came in from Suyeon.





"Suyeon..."





"Why does your voice sound so weak?

Do you have something going on?"





"Hoonji’s sister... and our unnie too..."

have both been telling me to break up with you.

I'm getting less and less sure of myself..."





From the other end of the phone,

I could hear Suyeon sigh.





"Jeong-a!! Why were you trying to get a younger handsome guy

so easily?

What you get after working hard to earn is precious, just like that

love you worked so hard to build is valuable."






"You're not Suyeon, are you?

Who are you? Is this a voice phishing scam?

Our Suyeon isn't the kind of girl who says

things that romantic!"






"I do have moments when I say

romantic things like this, Jeong-a."





Even Suyeon seemed awkward with himself,

and let out an embarrassed laugh.






"You know... Suyeon.

Actually, lately...

I kind of miss the time when I met Taehyung."






"Why? Do you still have feelings for him?"






"No... it's just...

Back then, I felt at ease.

He was around my age too,

and there wasn't anyone opposing it.

He just matched everything to me."






"Doesn't Hoonji match you at all?"






"Hoonji...

I'm the one who has to be considerate a lot."





Thinking of what happened yesterday,

I went on.






"After taking your advice,

I taught Hoonji's nephew, didn't I?

I thought I was showing some sincerity...

but I guess even that didn't sit well with him."






"Our Jeong-a, what are we going to do if you're suffering like this..."


"Jeong-a... n-no..."





She seemed about to say something,

then hurriedly closed her mouth.





"What is it? Why stop halfway?"





"How about finding out

Hoonji's sister's weak point a little?"





"What, should I send someone after her?"





"Casually ask Hoonji about it.

You never know, maybe he knows something."





"Do I really have to get that sneaky?"



As I talked, I remembered yesterday's call with my older sister.





"Come to think of it...

when I was talking to my sister yesterday,

I did shut her up a bit

with a weak point of hers that I knew."





"See?

Everyone has weak spots, one way or another.

Think it through carefully."





"Okay.

I'm at the cafe now.

I have to get ready to open,

so I'll call you back. Suyeon."





"Cheer up, our Jeong-a!"






"Hng... bye~"





Only after I hung up

did Suyeon's words keep lingering in my head.





'A weak point...? '





Then a message came from Jinseo.


[Teacher, why can't you do my lessons?

My mom won't tell me why, she just says I can't

take your lessons anymore...ㅠ

I really want to keep studying with you.]




'Hoonji's sister's weak point is...

Jinseo might be it.'




[Jinseo... I'm sorry.

I like teaching you too...

but your mom said to stop,

so I can't do anything about it.]





'Parents can never be beaten by their kids, they say.

And she said she's a hard-won only daughter, so... '




I fell into thought for a moment.


Jinseo sent another message.





[Then I'll try talking to my mom

one more time!! Teacher!!]





'Jinseo. Fighting!'




I pinned my last hope on Jinseo

and started getting ready to open.





Not long after I opened the door,

the first customer came in.





"Welcome."




I turned my gaze toward the door.





"Could it be... Jeong-a?"





"Yeah. Oppa...?"





"Jeong-a, what are you doing here?"





"I run this cafe."





"Did you quit translating?"





"No, I'm still translating too.

An part-timer mostly handles the cafe work..."





"It's been so long since I've seen you like this,

I'm really glad. Jeong-a."





"Yeah...

It's the first time I've seen you since we broke up, I think.

Right?"





Out of nowhere,

I ended up meeting my first love as a cafe customer.





"Mm. Probably.

I recently changed jobs, and my office is nearby.

Let's see each other often from now on."





"Sure...

So, what would you like to drink?"





"You already forgot my tastes in that short time?

Well, it has been a while...

One cappuccino, please.

Make it hot."





"Ah... I remember now.

You always drank cappuccino, Oppa."





While I was making the coffee,

he looked around the cafe and asked,





"Are you married?"





"Not yet."




I wanted to ask too,

but I didn't, worried it might cause some needless misunderstanding.




A moment later, he asked,




"Aren't you curious whether I'm married?"






"You probably are... how old are you..."





"I'm back."




At his words, my hands stopped for a moment.




"My marriage only lasted a year."





"Ah... I see.

Here. Your cappuccino is ready, sir.

Pay next time."





"No. You should keep business and personal separate."





"It's fine.

This is my way of saying welcome back."





Looking at him,

I was reminded of my twenties.

Before I knew it, a smile formed on my face.





"Are you opening your heart to me...?"