Chapter 40

“By the way, Seol-rin, what are you up to these days?”  

At her friend’s question, Seol-rin froze momentarily. Her mouth felt dry.  

“Uh… I’m working as an assistant.”  

“What? An assistant? Did you go to graduate school?”  

“No, I didn’t go to grad school… It just sort of worked out that way.”  

As she fumbled for words, another friend chimed in.  

“Oh, right. Are you working with that professor?”  

“Huh? Which professor?”  

“You know, that super sexy professor. What was his name… Ma Tae-oh?”  

Of course, Tae-oh’s name came up. He was so well-known that his reputation preceded him, even among her peers.  

“Oh, yeah. I work under him.”  

“Wow! That’s amazing, Seol-rin. What’s he like? I heard from juniors that he’s super cold. Like, a total ice king.”  

“Well…”  

Seol-rin swallowed nervously, trying to craft an appropriate response. Even though they were close friends, there was no need to reveal her relationship with Professor Ma Tae-oh.  

“Hey! If you guys knew what’s really going on between Seol-rin and Professor Ma Tae-oh, you’d all be shocked!”  

At that moment, Mi-yeon slammed her beer glass down with a loud clink and began speaking passionately.  

“What? What’s going on?”  

“Tell us, tell us!”  

Thanks to Mi-yeon’s bombshell comment, everyone’s eyes were now on Seol-rin. Startled, she choked on her beer and started coughing uncontrollably.  

“Cough, cough!”  

“Look at her! She’s so flustered. There must be something going on!”

“Wow, Jin Seol-rin, you’re something else! Back in college, we never even saw you date a single guy. Turns out, it was all part of the master plan to snag a young professor, huh?”  

If she stayed silent any longer, Seol-rin felt certain her relationship with Tae-oh would be exposed. Shaking her head vigorously, she firmly denied it.  

“Ugh, what are you talking about? There’s nothing going on!”  

“Really? Absolutely nothing?”  

“There realy is nothing!”  

Why was the line, ‘There’s only air between us!’ from a foreign movie popping into her head in this situation? Even she found it absurd and let out a self-deprecating chuckle. Under the table, she pinched Mi-yeon’s thigh lightly.  

Friend or foe, Mi-yeon could be so infuriating. Finally, perhaps realizing Seol-rin’s discomfort even in her drunken state, Mi-yeon grinned sheepishly and added, 

“Hehe. Sorry, guys. I’m drunk.”  

“Ugh, what a letdown. Just when it was getting interesting.”  

“Geez, Kim Mi-yeon’s drinking habits haven’t changed at all. So, Seol-rin, does that mean you’re still not seeing anyone?”  

“Me? A boyfriend? Where would I even get one…?”  

Even as she spoke, a pang of ache spread through her chest. Her thoughts became increasingly tangled. 

How long would I have to keep my relationship with the professor a secret? 

That small question soon grew into a larger one, gnawing at her from within.  

“Anyway, how’s everyone’s work going?”  

“Don’t even ask. I worked myself to the bone job-hunting to get into my current company, but now waking up in the morning feels like pure hell.”  

Fortunately, the conversation naturally shifted toward their jobs. Most of the talk revolved around complaints about their bosses or how terrible their workplaces were.  

As the chatter continued non-stop, Seol-rin remained silent. She had nothing to contribute. No matter how dissatisfied they seemed with their jobs, she envied them for simply being part of a workplace.  

‘This is why I didn’t want to come…’  

Noticing Seol-rin’s hardened expression and silence, her friends quickly realized her position. Awkward smiles spread across their faces as they hurriedly changed the subject.  

“Don’t worry, Seol-rin. You’ll find a good job soon. Honestly, landing the assistant position was a great move. It’s perfect for job-hunting while earning money. Plus, you might even get connections through the professor.”  

“Exactly. And isn’t your boss that super handsome Professor Ma Tae-oh? With a boss like that, I’d be fine working weekends too.” 

“Well… I’ll be right back. I need to use the restroom.”  

Unable to endure the awkward atmosphere any longer, Seol-rin excused herself. She could feel the stares of her friends burning into her back as she walked away.  

Clenching her jaw, Seol-rin stepped outside the bar. The chill in the air made it seem like rain was imminent. 

“Unbelievable…”  

As if sensing her mood, Tae-oh called her just then. The name “Ma Tae-oh” on her phone’s screen made her gloomy feelings vanish like a ghost. Just seeing his name was enough to send ripples through her heart.  

“Hello?”  

— Are you asleep?  

“No, I’m outside.”  

— Are you feeling unwell?  

“…I’m fine.”  

Contrary to her initial joy, her tone came out curt. Startled by her own response, her heart sank.  

— Where are you? It’s raining.  

“If I tell you, will you come here?”  

— I will.  

Without a moment’s hesitation, he promised to come. Her heart warmed, but her voice remained cold.  

“I’m with some friends. Philosophy department friends. Can you still come?”  

— …  

As expected, Tae-oh said nothing. She knew better than anyone that he couldn’t come to such a gathering. She was fully aware she was being unreasonable.  

“I’m having so much fun with my friends. You don’t need to worry—”  

“Professor! We’re at the izakaya near Sinchon Station, Exit 2. Come quickly!”  

Before she could finish her sentence, Mi-yeon snatched her phone and began giving detailed directions. Panicked, Seol-rin tried to grab her phone back, but Mi-yeon wasn’t an easy opponent.  

After finishing the call, Mi-yeon handed the phone back with a smirk.  

“He’s on his way.”  

“…Hey! Are you crazy? What’s wrong with you tonight?”  

“What’s wrong with you? Why are you trying so hard to hide it? Did you commit a crime? Seriously, what’s so shameful about two adults dating?”  

“Do you think it’s that simple? You have to consider his position too! What will people say if they find out he’s dating me?”  

“And what will they say?”  

“…”  

“Answer me. What will people say if he’s dating you? Why are you so desperate to deny yourself?”  

Standing outside the bar, their voices grew louder and louder. Passersby began to stare, and Seol-rin, unable to come up with a response, avoided Mi-yeon’s gaze.  

“…Forget it. I’m leaving.”  

Grabbing her bag, Seol-rin walked away from Mi-yeon as if fleeing.  

***

Swoosh—  

The ominous sky finally unleashed a heavy downpour. Before she could reach the bus stop, Seol-rin was drenched. She quickly sought shelter under the eaves of a nearby building.  

Hoping the rain would pass, she stood there for what felt like hours. But the rain only grew heavier, showing no signs of stopping.  

“Ugh…”  

Though it was March, the cold rain and wind chilled her to the bone. Shivering, she rubbed her arms and pulled out her phone. The first name that caught her eye was, of course, Ma Tae-oh.  

“Will he really come…?”  

Worry crept in. She had already strayed far from the bar Mi-yeon had mentioned. Calling him again to update her location felt wrong, especially after snapping at him earlier. Guilt and regret began to weigh on her.  

“Ugh, I’m such a mess.”  

She had always thought of herself as someone free of insecurities. She had never envied others much, believing that people succeeded because of their own efforts.  

But tonight’s reunion made her realize just how deeply her insecurities ran. It was a harsh revelation.  

Her prolonged job search and inability to secure a stable position had led her back to campus, and she was secretly ashamed of herself. Confronting this hidden truth left her feeling raw.  

With a sigh, Seol-rin kicked at the ground with her shoe. The bus stop was still a five-minute walk away.  

“Haa…”  

Taking a deep breath, she clenched her fists, ready to sprint. Just as she was about to run—  

“……!!”  

A large umbrella was suddenly held over her head.  

“You didn’t go far. Thank goodness.”  

A low but gentle voice flowed into her ears along with the sound of rain. She couldn’t believe it. 

Could it really be…?  

“Professor?”  

The person standing there, holding the umbrella like a prince from a fairy tale, was indeed him—Professor Ma Tae-oh.  

“How did you know to come here?”  

“I went to the bar.”  

“……!”  

His answer was completely unexpected. She had assumed he wouldn’t dare appear in front of her friends.  

Seol-rin looked up at Tae-oh with a worried expression.  

“Then you saw all my friends?”  

“Yes, I did.”  

“Then… my friends must know now that we’re dating, don’t they?”  

Even as a graduate, it would only take a moment for rumors to spread. If her friends happened to tell others… Seol-rin’s mind went blank, unsure of how to handle the situation.  

Unlike the anxious Seol-rin, Tae-oh remained completely composed. With a leisurely smile, he asked, 

“Jin Seol-rin, are you ashamed of me?”  

“What? Of course not!”  

“Then why do you keep hiding me? You won’t even introduce me to your friends.”  

“That’s because… I’m worried it might cause trouble for you. If rumors spread at school…”  

“Ah, so that’s why you ran off before I even got there?”  

“Professor… I just thought, with your paper reviews coming up and this being such an important time for you…”  

As her voice trailed off, Tae-oh’s large hand gently rested on her head. The warmth and affection in his touch as he stroked her hair sent heat coursing through her entire body.  

“There’s nothing more important than you.”  

“Professor…”  

“No matter what happens, Jin Seol-rin, you are my top priority.”  

Ah, so this is what it feels like to be someone’s number one priority. 

It was as if butterflies had taken flight in her heart, fluttering their wings. Her eyes grew hot. She was so happy, yet tears began to fall.  

“Sniff…”  

“Why are you crying again? Stop.”  

“I don’t know. I just… I love you, Professor.”  

In the end, it all came back to love. The worries and concerns that complicated her life didn’t matter anymore. Wrapping her arms around Tae-oh’s neck, Seol-rin buried herself in his embrace and whispered endlessly, 

“I love you. I love you. I love you…”