Side Story (Part 2)

“After all that help, I still haven’t returned his umbrella. He must think I’m inconsiderate. He probably got soaked because of me too.”

Seung-jo nodded to himself and then let out a brief chuckle before turning his gaze toward the field. His classmates were gathered near the basketball hoop. They had been gearing up for a 3-on-3 basketball game against the neighboring class during lunch, but it looked like they were being thoroughly beaten.

When another point was scored against them, one of his friends, clearly frustrated, spotted Seung-jo and immediately snatched the ball to throw it forcefully in his direction. Seung-jo tilted his head slightly and watched the ball soar toward him before effortlessly catching it with his foot just as it curved downward.

He flicked the ball up with his foot, balanced it on his fingertips, and spun it. The basketball court erupted once again. Though he couldn’t hear the shouts from where he stood, his classmates’ frantic gestures for him to join were clear enough.

Seung-jo glanced at the two middle school girls, who were already walking away, oblivious to what was happening behind them.

“Forget it. Just let it go. You don’t even remember his face, let alone his name. If you hang around here, you’ll just get labeled as flirting with the senior boys and get targeted by the older girls.”

The balloon-haired girl whispered. No matter how many times he saw her, she was unlikable. Did her friend just have no sense? It was pitiful.

“Well, that’s true, but the umbrella didn’t seem ordinary. I feel like I should return it somehow.”

“What? It’s a pricey brand, sure. But just keep it and don’t say anything.”

“……Expensive? The umbrella?”

“Of course, it’s a luxury br—”

Seung-jo flicked his wrist, sending the ball flying lightly. It hit the back of a male student passing by the balloon-haired girl squarely. The boy let out a yelp, lost his balance, and flailed his arms, grabbing the balloon-haired girl in a panic.

“Hey! Watch where you’re grabbing!”

The balloon-haired girl shoved him off, but the two ended up tangled and fell to the ground, creating a chaotic scene. While the balloon-haired girl screamed as if her voice would tear, and the boy awkwardly apologized, the cat girl stood nearby, unsure of what to do. Watching her quietly, Seung-jo finally stepped forward.

“Sorry, that was my mistake.”

The balloon-haired girl, who had been yelling at the boy, froze and turned her wide eyes to Seung-jo, immediately stopping her tears. Seung-jo walked past her and knelt beside the cat girl, who was crouched down, looking worriedly at her friend.

“Isn’t the ground cold?”

“……What?”

“You should stand up.”

Seung-jo helped the bewildered girl to her feet.

“Don’t kneel just anywhere.”

“Ah… Yes…”

She flinched at his touch as he dusted off the dirt from her knees. Her face showed clear signs of embarrassment as she looked up at him. The faint crease between her brows and her slightly parted lips revealed an unguarded, fragile expression, as if caught off guard.

Seung-jo stared directly at her defenseless face. It was hard to believe she hadn’t recognized him that night. Could she really not know who he was, or was she lying?

His gaze sharpened.

“Don’t you have something to say to me?”

“Ah… I…”

The girl blinked in confusion before suddenly bowing her head.

“Thank you.”

“……”

Watching her head lower and rise smoothly, Seung-jo became certain—she didn’t know who he was. A faint smile spread across his lips for a fleeting moment.

The girl, still caught in his grip, cautiously glanced up at him.

“……Um.”

Instead of asking him to let go, her eyes clearly conveyed the message as she gestured toward his hand. Though she seemed nervous, her unwavering gaze was just like that night—firm and resolute, despite her delicate and fragile appearance.

Seung-jo’s hand briefly rested on the girl’s slender shoulder before letting go. His eyes caught the letters that had been hidden. Written neatly in silver ink were three characters: Ji Su-eon.

“Your name is Ji Su-eon?”

“…Yes.”

“It’s pretty.”

Her delicate expression instantly hardened. Seung-jo quickly realized that this comment was a trigger for her. With his head slightly tilted, he smiled faintly.

“Your name.”

“….”

She didn’t respond, but her gaze threw daggers at him. Her pretty face, now glaring, amused Seung-jo, who chuckled.

“See you around.”

Leaving the bewildered Ji Su-eon behind, Seung-jo picked up the ball and turned away. He could feel her glare on his back. Having grown up surrounded by people angry for all sorts of reasons, he found her anger oddly delightful, enough to make the corners of his mouth twitch.

Even he found it ridiculous as he chuckled to himself. By the time he reached the basketball court, both his class and the neighboring class were already hurling complaints and jeers at him for taking his time.

“What’s with you? Do you know the princess or something?”

One of his friends motioned toward him with his chin.

“Princess?”

“That girl you were following around earlier. She’s the track team princess from the middle school division. You might’ve just become the nemesis of every guy in this school.”

Seung-jo glanced over his shoulder and smirked. Ji Su-eon was walking away with the balloon-haired girl. The term “nemesis” didn’t seem like an exaggeration, as every male gaze seemed to follow her wherever she went, unlike when he had been standing behind her earlier.

“Well, well, look who’s smiling. You go around looking like Gotham City’s resident villain, and now you’re suddenly all smiles because of a girl?”

Seung-jo passed the ball to his friend with a bit more force than necessary, signaling for the game to start.

“So, how far behind are we?”

When Seung-jo asked with a teasing grin, his friend scowled and cursed.

“D*mn it, just get in here already! Hey, everyone, Seung-jo’s here. Let’s start over!”

As soon as the game resumed, Seung-jo received the ball and effortlessly scored, marking the beginning of a satisfying comeback.

***

“Senior, you’re getting soaked.”

Su-eon’s worried voice cut through the sound of the rain. The downpour had started suddenly, breaking the stillness of the night. It began with a few quiet drops and quickly escalated into a deluge that seemed to freeze the world in place.

“Su-eon, come here.”

As the rain poured down, Seung-jo pulled Su-eon close and ran, finally pushing her under the nearest building’s awning. The narrow overhang barely provided enough shelter for one person. Seung-jo pressed Su-eon against the wall and stood in front of her, shielding her with his body.

They had been on their way back after a light evening run from Banpo to Hangang Bridge. Just as they were leaving Jamsu Bridge, the ominous sky broke open, trapping them in a winter downpour.

Seung-jo glanced at his watch. They were still about 7 kilometers from home. At Su-eon’s pace, it would take another 35 minutes to run back. Running for 30 minutes in the freezing rain wasn’t even an option.

“Senior, please come inside too. Okay?”

While Seung-jo checked if he could hail a taxi, Su-eon tugged at him, trying to pull him under the awning.

“I’m fine. Just wait a moment—I’ll call a taxi.”

When he didn’t move, Su-eon stomped her feet anxiously.

“You’ll catch a cold! Look, you’re already soaked.”

She reached out and wrapped her arms around his back. The rain that had been hitting Seung-jo’s back now dripped off Su-eon’s arms, but it wasn’t enough to shield him.

Seung-jo was already drenched from head to toe, his coat clinging to his body and emitting faint wisps of steam.

“What should we do, senior…?”

“Stay still.”

Seung-jo pulled down Su-eon’s hands, which were wasting energy in vain. He removed her gloves, which were too wet to be of any use, revealing her cold, rain-soaked hands with veins slightly raised from the chill.

He guided her hands inside his coat and gently rubbed them to warm them up. Despite his efforts, the taxi app remained unresponsive.

Was it the location?

Seung-jo scanned the area. The quiet, secluded street, far from any bustling areas, offered no shelter or commercial establishments. If there had been even a small café, they could have gone inside.

As he frowned at the darkened shop signs, his eyes caught the faint white mist of Su-eon’s breath escaping her pale lips. Even if a taxi arrived, staying here any longer would put her at risk of hypothermia.

Seung-jo opened his coat wide and pulled Su-eon inside. As he enveloped her in his arms, a wave of cold air rushed in. He tightened the coat around her and removed her soaked hood, gently rubbing her chilled neck.

“Senior, if you catch the flu because of me, I’ll feel terrible…”

Her teeth chattered so much that she struggled to finish her sentence. Seung-jo cupped her cheeks with both hands and massaged her stiff jaw muscles.

“Lift your head. You don’t want to bite your tongue, right?”

He lowered his face toward her trembling lips, gently warming them with his own. Softly, he pressed his lips against hers, gradually bringing warmth to the frozen skin.

Seung-jo tilted his head slightly and deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue into her mouth. Her lips parted without resistance, and he tenderly sought out her tongue, pulling it gently toward him.

As Su-eon’s body temperature rose, her mouth began to feel warmer. Seung-jo kissed her deeply, as if to draw out every last trace of cold from her. Time seemed to slow, and even the sound of the rain faded into the distance. Eventually, Seung-jo pulled away first.

“…Senior.”

“Yeah.”

“I’m sorry… It’s my fault. I insisted we come out…”

“Shh, it’s fine.”

He pressed his lips to her cheek, catching his breath.

“This won’t do. We need to find shelter.”

With a firm kiss on her cold cheek, Seung-jo turned his head. His breath rose in white puffs into the frigid night air as the relentless winter rain poured down. Su-eon raised her arm, forming a makeshift visor with her hand to shield his forehead from the rain.

Just as Seung-jo frowned at her icy, pale skin, a neon sign glowing in fluorescent colors caught his eye through the rain-soaked street.

“Senior, over there.”

Su-eon pointed to the same sign. It read “LOVE” in bright, multicolored lights, marking a nearby motel.