Epilogue #2 (Part 1)

“Seowoo.”

“…….”

“Yoon Seowoo!!”

“Yes?”

Startled by the voice calling her, Seowoo turned her head. The senior from another department, with whom she was working part-time, was looking at her with a puzzled expression.

“What are you thinking about? I was calling you but you didn’t hear.”

“I’m sorry.”

For several days, Seowoo had been like this. Spacing out at work, spacing out at home. It was all because of the kiss she had shared with Jiwook.

“Over there.”

“…….”

The senior nodded her head in a certain direction, making Seowoo’s gaze follow. There sat Jiwook, laptop open in front of him.

When did he come? 

She hadn’t even noticed him coming in while she was doing the dishes. As always, he was sitting by the window, working diligently like a painting.

“He’s not here to see you, is he?”

Since he had come before, her sunbae seemed to think he had come to see Seowoo again. It was the first time seeing him since their first kiss three days ago. He hadn’t contacted her at all since then. Seeing Jiwook’s face again made the memories of that day vividly resurface. The moist, soft, and warm sensation.

“He ordered two drinks. Take them over.”

The sunbae abruptly handed Seowoo a tray. Seowoo smiled lightly looking at the tray. There was a strong Americano and an iced chocolate. He seemed to have ordered her share again. As she walked towards where he sat by the window, she paused for a moment. 

What should I say? Should I say, “Hello”? Or ask, “What brings you here”?

It was all so awkward, she couldn’t bear it. Her face felt flushed, embarrassed.

‘Your lips are sweeter than I thought.’

Recalling his sweet words made her face heat up again.

“Hah.”

Acting nonchalant, as if nothing had happened, Seowoo took a deep breath to steady her racing heart as she approached him. His eyes were fixed on the laptop screen, looking sharper than usual. He seemed so focused that he didn’t notice her arrival. After a moment of hesitation, Seowoo chose the safest words.

“Your coffee is ready.”

After taking a small breath, Seowoo placed the cup in front of him and spoke. Only then did Jiwook look up. Seeing Seowoo, he crossed his arms and stared at her silently. 

His direct gaze made Seowoo’s dark eyes dart around, unable to find a place to settle.

“How busy are you?”

“Uh, well…”

“I thought you might have time for a quick coffee break. But since you’re working, that’s probably not possible, right?”

“Yes, it is a bit…”

Because I have to work. 

Seowoo mumbled in a small voice. Feeling embarrassed, she couldn’t meet Jiwook’s eyes and instead focused on the cup.

“……”

Then Jiwook waved his hand in front of her. Startled, Seowoo widened her eyes and looked at him.

“Where are you looking? Look at me.”

Jiwook’s eyes were full of mischief. Even the corners of his eyes curved upward. After a moment of staring, Seowoo blushed and looked away first. 

“……!”

At that moment, a large hand reached out and grasped her small hand. The heat from his touch made Seowoo’s face flush even more. As he gently rubbed the back and palm of her hand, Seowoo, thoroughly flustered, bit her lip. Jiwook took the cup in front of him with his other hand and drank half of the coffee in one go. Then he stood up.

“I only have just 30 minutes. I had some free time.”

“……”

“That’s why I came.”

He still held her hand. Seowoo quietly listened to him.

“Drink this while you work. Now that I’ve seen your face, I’ll go.”

He gestured towards the drink he ordered for her. His voice, dripping with regret, echoed in her ears. Jiwook released her hand to gather his belongings. As the warmth of his hand disappeared, a sense of emptiness washed over her. Seowoo subtly clenched her fist.

She wanted to talk to him a little longer. As she hesitated, Jiwook finished packing up his laptop and gave her shoulder a light tap, leaning down to meet her gaze.

With him so close, their gazes entangled.

“Before the semester starts, will you buy me a cup of coffee?”

“Huh?”

“I’ll buy you a meal.”

“……”

It was the same pattern of conversation as last time. In other words, he was indirectly asking her out for a meal.

Unable to respond, Seowoo just stared at him, and Jiwook lifted the corners of his lips, forming a sly smile. Her heart began to race uncontrollably at that effortless smile. With just those words, Jiwook left the cafe.

“Oh, my God! Are you dating Kwon Jiwook?”

From behind, the sunbae who had been watching rushed over, making a fuss. Seowoo turned her head and looked out the window. Jiwook was getting into the car parked in front of the cafe.

“Wow, I’m jealous. No wonder he often comes to this cafe.”

Amidst the barrage of questions about how they met and when they started dating, Seowoo awkwardly smiled. She kept staring out the window until Jiwook’s car disappeared from sight.

***

Two days before the start of the semester, there wasn’t even a message from Jiwook. He had asked for coffee, after all. But Seowoo felt a bit awkward about calling him first so she spent the whole day just checking her useless phone.

“Tomorrow’s the first day of classes…”

Should I call and ask when I should buy the coffee? 

He did the same thing last time. She felt pathetic for not being able to initiate contact herself. 

While still staring at her quiet phone, it suddenly vibrated. A tinge of disappointment flickered in Seowoo’s eyes as she saw the caller ID.

It was Han Yoon-mi’s call.

“Hello.”

• Where are you? When are you coming?

“I’m on my way now.”

Receiving a call to come to the department office, she was on her way. 

Even though the semester was about to start soon, why did they insist I come? 

The seniors who had come to the school early were constantly inviting her to dinner, so she ended up being dragged along. Anyway, she had nothing to do today. As she passed the Central Library, the Humanities building came into view. The moment she was climbing the stairs in front of the building-

“Mom!” (Starled expression like ‘Oh, My!’)

Seowoo yelled, startled by the shadow that suddenly loomed over her. A familiar scent hit her nostrils. Her eyes widened and her head snapped up.

“Going for dinner?”

“Huh?”

“The other students in our department are going too. Are you joining them?”

“Ah, that…” 

Seowoo was so flustered that she stammered out a gibberish answer. Jiwook grabbed her small hand and started walking away.

“No, where… where are you going!”

Worried that someone might see them, Seowoo hurriedly looked around. It would definitely look strange if they walked hand in hand like this… 

But unlike her concerns, Jiwook paid no attention. He just walked quickly as if he had a destination in mind. 

Fortunately, there were no people around due to the vacation, and it was dark, so faces weren’t easily recognizable. 

With Seowoo in the passenger seat, he quickly got into the driver’s seat.

“Hey.”

• Where are you? Are you coming?

Just as the phone rang, Jiwook answered the call and immediately started the engine.

Looking out the window, Seowoo saw Yoohyun and his friends walking ahead.

Oh no.

Afraid they might spot her, Seowoo quickly reclined the seat, lying down.

“I have an urgent matter to attend to, so I don’t think I can make it.”

Glancing at Seowoo lying next to him, Jiwook let out a faint chuckle. Worried about what they were going to talk about, Seowoo’s wide eyes darted around.

• Hey, you said you’d come. They said Yoon Seowoo is coming too.

“Oh, really?” 

Yoohyun’s voice came out of his cell phone, his voice quite loud.

Why is my name being mentioned…?

• Yeah. Yoon-mi said she’s coming.

“I see.”

“……”

Han Yoon-mi, seriously.

She didn’t know what was said behind her back. She had just come out because they asked her to join them for dinner. Jiwook just looked at her with an amused expression.

“But I don’t think I can make it. I have someone I need to meet.”

• Who?

“It’s nothing. Just someone I’m going to ask to buy me some coffee.”

• What?

“I’ll see you on the first day of class. I’m busy right now.  Bye.”

After hanging up the phone, there was a moment of silence. Seowoo averted his gaze first, but she could feel his stare, making her swallow hard.

“Yoon Seowoo.”

“……?”

The first kiss she had shared with Jiwook. Recalling that scene, her heart started pounding again. As she subtly chewed on her lower lip, remembering the feeling, his voice reached her ear.

“Are you just going to keep lying there?”

“……”

Startled by his words, Seowoo shook her shoulders.

It was only then that she realized. She had laid the seat down to avoid being caught by Yoohyun just a moment ago. She didn’t even realize she was still lying down. 

How embarrassing.

“Ah….”

Seowoo laughed awkwardly as she turned her body to try and sit up. She started pressing various buttons.

Whirr. Wing.

“This isn’t it, is it… No….”

But no matter how many times she pressed, the seat only reclined further instead of rising up. With him watching her from the side, Seowoo felt cold sweat running down her back.

Other cars are easy, why is this one….?

As she muttered to herself in frustration, suddenly, he leaned forward.

Whirr.

She heard a click, and the seat slowly moved,  but before it was fully upright, it stopped moving.

What’s wrong? Why isn’t it moving? 

The woodsy scent brushing her nose only increased her uneasiness.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Seowoo slightly lifted her eyelids, and her eyes met his. Startled, Seowoo’s eyes grew wide, and she became utterly flustered.

His gaze intensified as it swept over her face. Whether it was because of the backlight or not, even in the darkness, Jiwook’s face was clearly visible, making Seowoo feel uneasy.  Hurriedly, she turned her face towards the window.

“……”

But soon, her chin was held by him, and her head turned back. Holding Seowoo’s chin lightly, Jiwook slightly furrowed his brows and opened his mouth.

“How have you been?”

“Um… Just, you know, just fine.”

Even breathing felt embarrassing, making her breath even more erratic. His scent was so overwhelming that it made her head throb. Unable to endure it any longer, Seowoo tentatively grasped the hand holding her chin.

“……!”

His lips touched hers for a moment, then pulled away. It happened so fast that it left Seowoo frozen in place. 

Their second kiss. Her heart jumped like it was going to jump out of her chest.

“What are you doing right now…?”

“I thought you were lying down because you wanted me to kiss you again.”

“Huh? No, no, no that’s not it!”

Seowoo’s voice rose in embarrassment. But she stumbled through her words, looking even more awkward. Her face flushed with heat. Then Jiwook responded nonchalantly with a teasing look in his eyes.

“Well, since you’re already lying down, might as well do it, right?”

“What? No…!”

Their lips met again.

No, why is he so skilled at this? 

Seowoo’s eyes widened in surprise, and she remained frozen. After briefly sucking on her plump lower lip, he pulled away and whispered in her ear.

“Are you going to keep your eyes open like that while we kiss?”

Only then did she realize that she had her eyes open. 

Ugh, Yun Seowoo. Get it together.

As Seowoo frantically shook her head, his mischievous voice rang in her ear again.

“If that’s your preference, then that’s fine too. I don’t have a problem if you might want to look at my face while we kiss…”

“That’s not it, I told you!”

After saying that, Seowoo quickly squeezed her eyes shut. Jiwook silently smiled as he looked at her, her brow furrowed. And then he slowly leaned in, deeply capturing Seowoo’s lips. It was the sweetest kiss ever.