If pain has a forecast

24

윤여주

Author, I'm a little late. I'm sorry.

김석진

are you okay.

Today, as always, I was the first to recognize the author and greet him. The moment he saw me, he smiled brightly. Of course, I was happy, but I couldn't express it out loud.

김석진

how have you been?

윤여주

Well... I was busy.

김석진

ah···.

윤여주

Let's get to the point... Should I just get right to it?

I didn't feel like sitting across from the author and exchanging greetings. Since I'd already made up my mind, I wanted to speak quickly and leave.

김석진

······.

윤여주

Author···?

The author stared at me, his expression suddenly darkening, as if he knew everything I was going to say.

김석진

Can't I just not say anything?

윤여주

···You know what I'm going to say···.

김석진

I thought I knew... I was so oblivious.

윤여주

I'm sorry. Let's break apart again. Then you'll forget me again, and I think I can... forget too.

김석진

Are you sure you're really thinking this through? Was this... the best you could do?

윤여주

I think we were best together when we just didn't know each other...

I felt like the tears were about to overflow, but I held them back. I knew that if I cried here, I would become weak again.

김석진

So you're saying we should never meet again? Am I understanding this correctly?

I nodded, keeping my gaze down, not on the author's face.

김석진

Look at me and tell me. Are you serious?

윤여주

...Yes. If we don't see each other for a long time, our feelings for each other will fade, and we'll forget each other's faces. Everything will go back to normal.

Seriously, if you asked anyone, they'd all say I'm an idiot. I've finally been able to achieve what I've always wanted, and I'm wasting this opportunity so desperately.

I just wanted to forget all the painful memories and go back to the way things were. Even if I met the author now, I didn't think he'd be that happy or excited. I was also afraid I'd ruin him... I hated that.

Now, I hope the author meets someone other than me and is happy.

김석진

If the curator says so... then let's do that.

김석진

However, I don't really understand why the curator makes this choice.

윤여주

···I'm doing great.

I couldn't respond to the author's last words. Then, after saying goodbye, I stood up.

김석진

Really... are you going?

윤여주

Be well, be happy. ···I mean it.

With those words, I simply left. Tears flowed uncontrollably, overflowing. We were destined to never love. We were destined to cross paths, to fall apart, and to repeat the cycle of sorrow.

I really like the author, but I've lost confidence. I don't have the confidence to make him happy. More than anything, I'm so exhausted that I don't have the courage to start a new love like this.

.

..

…

[3 years later]

For three years, I've lived diligently, focusing solely on my work. Even now, whenever I hear the name Kim Seok-jin, his face still comes to mind.

Forgetting him... I've lived in the same neighborhood for three years, and we've never even run into each other. We've never even passed each other, so much so that it's hard to believe that's even possible.

.

I went out for a shopping trip to change my mood after a long time. But then I saw a huge crowd of people gathered in one place, perhaps for some idol fan signing event.

윤여주

What the...? Why are there so many people? Huh...!!

It was someone I hadn't expected, so I peeked out and quickly pulled back. It was writer Kim Seok-jin. In that short time, many thoughts came to mind.

윤여주

"What? Why are you having a signing event here of all places?"

윤여주

‘You’re still doing a good job as a writer…’

I realized belatedly that there was no need to hide, since the author probably wouldn't notice me anyway. Near the end, when I'd squeezed through the crowd and found a spot with a clear view, he announced we were having a photo opportunity.

While everyone else was frantically snapping away, pulling out their phones and cameras, I quietly watched the author. Seeing him like this after so long made my heart flutter.

윤여주

He was still handsome...

At that moment, my eyes met the author's. For a moment, I was startled. He looked at everyone nonchalantly, then turned his head sharply toward me.

윤여주

‘What the...? What, why are you coming to me...?!!’

The author suddenly approached me with a puzzled expression, and I was so flustered that I quickly ran out of the room and fled to the bathroom. My heart was beating so fast.

윤여주

You weren't supposed to recognize me, so how did you know it was me and come to me...?

The author of the past wouldn't recognize me. Especially among so many people, he would never recognize me.

I barely managed to escape to the bathroom to catch my breath, but then, unable to do any shopping, I went outside and waited for the traffic light. Then, a man approached me and spoke to me.

B

By any chance... are you Ms. Yoon Yeo-ju?

윤여주

Yes...? How did you do that... Who are you?

매니저

Oh, I'm writer Kim Seok-jin's manager. The reason is that the writer wants to meet Yeo-ju. Could you come with me for a moment?

It was true that he recognized me. I was so curious about how he recognized me and why he even sent his manager to find me, but I couldn't go.

윤여주

...I'm sorry, but I'm busy. And please tell him this: If you ever see me again, don't come looking for me like this.

매니저

It'll only take a moment...

윤여주

Sorry. Well then...

I bit my lip and turned away. Because of this coincidence, I didn't want to see the author again. I thought things would be okay after three years, but the tears streaming down my cheeks explained everything.

윤여주

under···.

.

As I was almost home, the sun had already set, and as I was trudging along, exhausted, a familiar voice came from behind me, stopping me in my tracks.

김석진

Curator...

I knew who it was just by hearing the voice. I pretended not to hear and took another step forward.

김석진

Let me talk to you for a moment.

Seriously, he's been recognizing me for a while now. He seems to know me like a ghost. But right now, I'm not curious about it, I just want to avoid this place.

I didn't look back until the very end, and I didn't say a word. If I spoke to the author here now, I knew the same thing would happen again.

김석진

I know the curator now. The disability... is all better.

MEY메이

Long time no see. 🥺 I came to finish it! 😁