[Park Jimin] Y.O.U
00. Y .O .U
000
"Let's break up."
The atmosphere between him and her in the cafe was cynical, stemming from a few words she'd uttered. Perhaps it meant their relationship had become deeply strained. It seemed as if they were about to break up.
박지민
'what?'
His distinct features repeatedly contorted and unfolded in a pleasing manner, as if appealing to curiosity.
000
"Do we need a reason, when things between us are already so broken that they can't be broken?"
박지민
'......'
December, the cold winter when the bitter winds blow fiercely. Park Jimin and I cut ties with each other and became strangers.
I'm Park Jimin. Breaking up with that bastard wasn't a problem. The laws of this world haven't changed, and the Earth isn't going to end. But why do I feel so uneasy? I just don't understand.
Perhaps it was Park Jimin's inexplicable, bitter smile, as he lingered alone in the cafe for hours after receiving my breakup notice. It was like he'd swallowed a bitter dark chocolate. It hummed in my head, refusing to leave.
The bigger problem was that the more I tried to forget it and erase it, the more frantically it became, and it became firmly imprinted in my mind, leaving a more vivid impression.
000
"Huh, ha..."
It's been exactly five days since I broke up with Park Jimin. After that, I'd lost all sense of routine, become a slacker, and become haggard, like a vagrant with no goals. Contrary to Park Jimin's own me, just two days after our breakup, I'd found a new partner and shared my situation widely on Facebook.
How can God be so cruel? What's meant to be will be, and what's meant to be not. Rumor has it that Park Jimin not only found a new partner, but also got into a good university. But I ended up going to a faraway university, and I even missed out on my second choice, ending up in JM University, my third choice.
Why is JM University famous? There are three reasons. First, the handsome professors. JM University boasts professors with looks that rival those of celebrities, making it incredibly popular. The only problem is that you might run into them at a club. That's about it.
Second, the facilities and buildings are immaculate. Even if you compare them to other universities, none can match JM University's clean facilities. The design, with its stark white exterior and darker accents, looks like a movie from afar.
Third, qualifications. After graduating from college, students naturally look for jobs. Therefore, JM University, with its close ties to major corporations, helps students find jobs by providing them with qualifications and materials. Consequently, many students come to JM University to build their qualifications.
I came to JM University for the second reason: its clean facilities and buildings. Today, my sixth day since I enrolled, the freshman orientation was held.
000
"...lie."
김예림
"No, no. Seriously? Among the freshmen at this university, there's Park Jimin!"
000
"If he's there, it's a problem, so this is what happens."
김예림
'...Huh? Why is that,'
000
"Of course, Jeonnam, ...!
김예림
"What? Ex-boyfriend? Could it be Park Jimin...is that the ex-boyfriend you were talking about?"
As Yerim continued to ask questions, Jo Yong covered his pursed mouth and nodded repeatedly.
No way. No way. What if Park Jimin really is... a freshman at JM University? I don't even want to think about it. Having to keep seeing my boyfriend, who I only broke up with a few days ago, all the way to college? This wasn't torture; it was unbearable.
Two hours before the freshman meeting began, Kim Ye-rim and I were lost in thought.
Time really flies.
It felt like only two minutes ago that I thought I had two hours left, but I only had 35. Kim Ye-rim and I brainstormed and brainstormed, but we couldn't find a way to avoid Park Jimin. Not a single way.
000
"I'm screwed, I'm screwed..."
김예림
What should I do...?
In the midst of all this ruin, it seems she's fortunate to have one friend. Ye-rim, who grits her teeth and helps even when it's not her own business, and then bites her fingernails when things go awry. Seeing her, my worries vanished, and I burst into laughter.
000
"...Phew"
김예림
"Why are you laughing? Have you given up?"
000
"Yeah. It'll work out somehow, let's just go."
Finally, I arrived at the freshman meeting.
Yerim suggested sitting in the corner, pulling me by the arm rather roughly, and sat down in the far corner. A moment later, a swarm of freshmen and seniors poured into the already crowded restaurant. Oh, and why was Professor Kim Seokjin among them?
Well, it might be better than having Park Jimin.
정호석
'Now~! The 22nd freshman meeting begins!'
Hoseok, a handsome and well-known dancer among the freshmen, rose from his chair and, with a surge of energy, announced the 22nd freshman reunion. That senior... I'd heard he was a tough guy, but why does he look so bright? Is something wrong with my eyes?
김예림
'Uh, ah...'
At that moment, I heard Yerim sigh next to me. Since she wasn't the type to be in a place like this, I instinctively sensed something was wrong and turned my head toward her.
000
"What's going on? Why are you sighing all of a sudden?"
김예림
'...Park Jimin, I saw Park Jimin.'
000
"Is it true?"
김예림
'...Yeah, look over there.'
At Yerim's abrupt announcement that Park Jimin had arrived, I turned my head, my eyes creaking in disbelief. And at the end of my gaze was Park Jimin, smiling and shaking hands with his seniors at the store entrance.
This is the only word that fits this situation. It's fucking shit.
000
"Yerim... I'm ruined."
김예림
'...No, we can just stay here.'
Yeah... Just stay here like Yerim said. When it's over, just run away faster than anyone else. It's okay. Just do what I usually do.
I guess it'll work out somehow.
박지민
'Oh, let's do that.'
Park Jimin, who was tucked away among his seniors, smiled and answered their questions. Perhaps it was because of his striking looks, which were different from mine. Park Jimin, a 10th-grader and a senior, was famous.
박지민
"Yes, sir. Then this way."
박지민
'...sigh'
I guess this is what they mean by "really screwed up." Park Jimin turns his head. Our eyes meet and he lets out a heartless laugh.
And the bigger problem was that Park Jimin was walking towards me with brisk strides.
박지민
'Hello, our 00?'
It's true that it's ruined, that's true.