Chapter 5 – A Tremendous Cost (Part 1)

A night with Tae Seo-jun.

A month had passed since that event.

Although it was a series of ordinary days with nothing special, So-yeon often suffered from unusual symptoms she had never experienced before.

Of course, when she was busy, she had no time to think about it, but whenever she had a little free time or was alone, she inevitably became absent-minded.

Sometimes, a hollow feeling similar to depression kept creeping in, as if a cold wind was blowing through a hole in her heart.

And that wasn’t all. Lately, she had been suffering from inexplicable pains and had not been eating well.

Despite this, So-yeon did not realize that all these symptoms were the beginning of a terrible longing, the aftermath of stepping into unfamiliar territory, and a tremendous cost.

But Eom So-yeon was not one to waste time idly. With a tenacious style, she was spending a fruitful time as a student during the winter break before her senior year, preparing a short film for submission to the graduation exhibition with her classmates.

And today, there was a schedule to shoot the poster for the submission film.

The shooting was delayed somewhat as Jo In-ha, the lead actor in the graduation project and So-yeon’s counterpart, was late to the set.

Despite this, the classmates, who were envious of Jo In-ha who had received early attention from the broadcasting entertainment industry and many people, were understanding of his busy schedule.

After finishing the poster shoot in the evening, So-yeon and her peers moved to a pork belly barbecue restaurant near the school for a wrap-up party.

As the appetizing meat sizzled on the grill, about twenty people ignited conversations about travel while clinking soju and beer glasses at a long table.

“Our department’s graduation trip destination is Long Island, right?”

“Why, are you already excited about going next fall?”

“Of course. I’m finally going to see the dreamy New York where tall buildings and beaches coexist.”

“Ah, money is the enemy! I’m ashamed to still be asking my parents for money to go out, even though I’m an adult.”

“That’s why we need to succeed soon.”

It wasn’t the case for all universities, but the acting department So-yeon belonged to had a tradition of going on an overseas trip for graduation. While discussing this, the department representative, sitting next to In-ha, clinked soju glasses with him and asked.

“By the way, Jo In-ha, you can’t go on the graduation trip, can you? Because you’re busy?”

“I’m not sure if I’ll have the time.”

After finishing his sentence, In-ha grimaced as he swallowed the bitter soju. Even with a frown, he was handsome, and as an actor and model, he was tall too.

As he put down his empty glass, a female student grilling meat across from him placed a well-cooked piece on In-ha’s plate.

Picking it up with chopsticks and bringing it to his mouth, In-ha’s gaze was not on the junior who had smiled and provided the side dish, but sideways towards So-yeon, whose face seemed unusually pale these days.

“Lucky bastard! Are you already acting superior just because you’ve become a bit famous? So you’re not going, right?”

“I’m still thinking about it, but if Eom So-yeon goes, I might go too.”

This unexpected remark made everyone around turn their eyes towards So-yeon, following In-ha’s gaze.

“What, you two had good chemistry acting together during the shoot. Have you been dating without us knowing? Since when?”

The department representative added fuel to the fire, linking In-ha and So-yeon as if they were really dating. Of course, it was just playing along with In-ha’s joke.

“That’s not funny, senior.”

Although So-yeon usually enjoyed and liked pork belly, the smell was repulsive today. Holding back her upset stomach, she dismissed the sudden remark with a single comment.

Jo In-ha and the department representative were two years her senior, having completed their military service. Maintaining a proper senior-junior relationship with them, So-yeon took the opportunity to clarify to the department representative.

“I won’t be able to participate in the graduation trip. I might even take a leave of absence.”

“A leave of absence? Why?”

“It’s a personal matter.”

“So, what is it? Can’t you speak properly? Is it because of tuition fees?”

“There are various things overlapping.”

The department representative persistently asked, but So-yeon did not reveal her circumstances until the end.

“……”

As expected, she’s a tough nut to crack…

In-ha, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, snorted softly and drained his soju glass.

The only reason the generally uninterested in school Jo In-ha had postponed important schedules to appear in a trivial short film was because of Eom So-yeon. The graduation trip was for the same reason.

“Then, I guess I shouldn’t go either.”

“This guy, really interested in Eom So-yeon, huh?”

“It’s more than just interest.”

“What?”

As the department representative widened his eyes alternately towards the two, In-ha suddenly revealed his true feelings.

“Eom So-yeon. Let’s have a meal together, just the two of us. A date would be nice too.”

“…!”

So-yeon, who hadn’t touched the alcohol or meat, just drank water. However, the unexpected confession made her discomfort churn even more violently. Swallowing hard to keep down the rising bitterness, So-yeon drew a line with a composed attitude.

“Senior In-ha, everyone thinks you’re serious. And I have someone I like.”

“That can’t be true.”

Scratching his forehead with his index finger, In-ha chuckled. He had been watching all along, but there had been no such indication. Moreover, it was hard to believe So-yeon, who invariably built walls against men.

“I should get going. I feel chilly, might be coming down with a cold.”

As So-yeon slung her backpack over her shoulder and stood up, In-ha also rose, grabbing his coat.

“I’ll go with you. I’ll take you home.”

“No, thank you. I have a car.”

“Let’s go in my car.”

“What are you talking about? You’ve been drinking, Senior. You can’t drive under the influence.”

So-yeon firmly declined and left the place without looking back.

***

“Wait, let’s talk!”

So-yeon was stopped in front of her car. In-ha, feeling ignored and not in the best of moods, had followed her to the vacant parking lot.

“You say you have a boyfriend? Why are you lying?”

So-yeon looked up at In-ha with resignation.

“It’s true.”

“Okay, let’s say it is. If you break up with him, would you give me a chance?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Why are you acting like this all of a sudden, Senior?”

It wasn’t sudden.

Even with a smile resembling spring sunshine, Eom So-yeon was a woman who couldn’t be approached, as if wrapped in a solid shell. Because of that, there were numerous seniors and juniors in the department who harbored silent crushes.

Two years ago, on the first day back from leave, Jo In-ha, blinded by the mysterious appearance of Eom So-yeon, was no different from them. Although the timing was a bit delayed, it wasn’t due to a lack of courage. He had merely been waiting for an opportunity like today.

But now she says she has someone she likes?

It might have been partly due to the alcohol, but it could also have been an outlet for his frustration at being rejected so easily. In-ha pulled So-yeon’s wrist tightly towards him.