Chapter 2

Seojin tilted his head back as if it might snap, staring at Haji who was looking at him. The image of her from the past, unable to hide her wary look like a herbivore, overlapped with her current self. Her bobbed hair had grown long past her chest, and her chubby cheeks had disappeared.

“Hmm.”

Seojin lightly bit his lip. He almost burst out laughing. He found the tightly clenched fists, ready to step in if he added even one more word, quite amusing.

“Let’s go.”

“Phew…”

As Seojin brushed past her, a long breath escaped from Haji’s mouth. The tension she had been holding in dissipated into the air, warm and scattered.

***

“Seojin, are you starting work tomorrow?”

Seosoo, who was placing a piece of meat on Hyesoo’s spoon, asked his son a question. It seemed like he had something to say.

“Yes.”

“You’re not thinking of returning to the medical field, right?”

“Dear.”

“No, I mean, there’s a shortage of young doctors these days. Just checking.”

Before Seojin could respond, Hyesoo cut him off.

Seosoo added more words, as if he hadn’t expected much. It would be a lie to say he wasn’t disappointed. He had thought his brilliant son, who had easily gotten into the best medical school in Korea, would naturally follow in his footsteps.

It was natural to expect his son, who had an IQ of 165 and had been called a prodigy since childhood, to either follow in his footsteps or take over his wife’s business.

‘I’m joining the military.’

‘Without getting your medical license?’

‘I don’t plan to. And I’m enlisting tomorrow.’

‘What?’

‘You don’t have to see me off. I’ll be back.’

Usually, students in medical school would get their medical license and then serve as military doctors. Seojin did not do what was expected. After two years in pre-med, he dropped out and suddenly enlisted.

Although it was bewildering, they hoped he might change his mind after returning. Since he had always managed things on his own, they waited until his discharge.

But there was no need to wait. After being discharged, Seojin left for abroad, saying he had studies to pursue.

“Where is your company located?”

“Right next to Mother’s company.”

“That’s great! Let’s have lunch together sometimes.”

Hyesoo’s face brightened.

Seojin had only come to Korea a few times a year for short visits, but he never stayed long. She was very happy to hear that he was planning to stay in Korea now that his business preparations were complete.

She wanted to support her son, but it would be a lie to say she wasn’t hurt by how distant he had been from the family.

“Oh my. Then you’ll also get to see Haji often?”

Haji, who was holding her chopsticks, widened her eyes like a rabbit. Hyesoo, not noticing Haji’s reaction, continued cheerfully.

“Seojin, you don’t know, do you? Haji is the owner of the café Dodam Dodam in our company’s lobby. President Ahn.”

“Then let’s have a meal together with President Ahn next time.”

At Seojin’s words, Haji gulped dryly. Embarrassment doubled at being called “President Ahn,” and she lowered her head deeply.

Seojin’s pupils captured this image of Haji.

***

Seonghee, who had brought Haji up to her room, pouted her lips. As she plopped down on the bed, the mattress wobbled for a moment.

“How come my brother hasn’t changed at all?”

“Why?”

“Look at his stiff tone and cold eyes. You can’t read him. He’s so cold.”

Seonghee, who hadn’t said a word in front of Seojin, started badmouthing him as soon as the door closed. This made Haji think of Seojin, who she had just been with.

Was he cold?

He was a man of few words, but she couldn’t say he was cold.

“I’m most scared when he pays attention to me.”

“Huh?”

“It’s so creepy when he brings up past things I’ve forgotten every time he threatens me.”

Seonghee shuddered, hugging herself with both arms. Haji chuckled at the sight.

“That’s because you did something wrong.”

“Tch, still, I don’t like smart people. They remember everything.”

The past events Seonghee referred to were situations like when she tried to run away from home or wasn’t diligent in her studies.

Seonghee was quite curious by nature. She wanted to try many things when she was young, not all of them good. Each time, Seojin would manage her with what could be called threats.

“I’m still scared of my brother, even as I get older. We don’t get along.”

“Did something happen?”

“Well! Before you came, I went out for a bit. When I came back, my brother was in my room. He wouldn’t have entered the wrong room because he didn’t know his own, right?”

Seonghee hugged a pillow tightly and raised her voice as if excited.

She knew they were siblings who lived like strangers, so it was a bit strange that Seojin had entered Seonghee’s room.

“I freaked out and asked him why he came!”

“And?”

“He couldn’t speak for a moment?”

“Sunbae?”

That was really strange. Haji had never heard of Ki Seojin being at a loss for words. In high school, he was the student council president who could handle events alone without trembling even when hundreds of people were watching him from the podium.

“If my brother doesn’t speak, it means he was momentarily flustered. It wasn’t that he was angry.”

Seonghee squinted her eyes as if she were a detective making deductions, and Haji got sucked into it.

“The creepiest part was, he changed the subject?”

“To what?”

“He pointed out that this picture wasn’t here last year, and that there were new books on the shelf, that this is the same, that that’s different, and he doesn’t even come to my room that often. It was creepy.”

“Maybe he was very interested in you…?”

Seonghee shook her head vigorously. The strong denial seemed to stir even the air around her.

“No way. You know we didn’t even acknowledge each other in high school.”

“Maybe he just memorized everything because he’s smart?”

“Even when we were young, my brother told me. He quickly forgets useless things. He has too much to put in his head.”

Seonghee tapped her head, mimicking Seojin’s actions back then.

“Could it be that he covets my painting?”

“Painting?”

Seonghee glanced anxiously at the painting she had bought during her recent trip to Europe, which was hanging on the wall. Watching Haji stare at the painting, Seonghee tilted her head.

“I don’t think so…”

That painting…

Haji swallowed her words and laughed awkwardly. She didn’t know much about art, but that painting seemed quite difficult to appreciate. It looked like something only someone with Seonghee’s strong personality would like.

“Oh, right. Come to my next show.”

“When is it?”

“Soon. I’ll give you an invitation when it’s ready.”

Seonghee, as if suddenly remembering, invited Haji to her fashion show with a bright smile.

Thanks to her strong personality, Seonghee was becoming known as an emerging fashion designer. She was gaining attention for her bold shows and styles that matched modern trends.

“You must come.”

“Alright.”

Haji nodded at Seonghee’s repeated urging. Although Seonghee’s sparkling eyes made her a little uneasy.

***

While they chatted, it was already close to midnight. Haji, feeling regretful, prepared to go home. Tomorrow was Monday, and she had to prepare to open the café early.

“Mother, Father, I’ll be going now.”

“Take care.”

“You can stay over.”

“I have to go early tomorrow. I’ll come again next time.”

Unlike Hyesoo, who hid her regret, Seosoo expressed his disappointment. Grateful for that, Haji promised to come again and left the house.

Unlike the warm daytime breeze, a cool wind brushed against her body. Haji, who had opened the large gate and stepped out, paused for a moment to feel the wind. The quiet stillness and the wind made her feel truly alone.

“Leaving now?”

A voice startled her, causing Haji’s shoulders to twitch.

Seojin, who had been leaning against the wall, came into view. She didn’t know how long he had been there. Though a bit surprised, she didn’t show it and took a step forward.

“Yes, I’m leaving now.”

Does he still smoke?

The Ki Seojin she knew used to smoke in high school. She had once accidentally seen him smoking.

As she nodded and walked past him, a cool mint scent tickled her nose. It reminded her of the past and made her pause.

‘Busted.’

It was what he had said with a lazy smile, holding a lit cigarette in one hand.

The cigarette smell is the same as ever.

“See you tomorrow.”

Huh?

As Haji turned her head belatedly, retracing her memory due to a sense of déjà vu, she saw the door already closed.

Must have misheard.

“Haa……”

She exhaled and habitually looked up at the sky.

***

Monday mornings were insanely busy. It was the time when office workers urgently needed their caffeine transfusion.

“Boss, the receipt isn’t coming out.”

Despite the urgent cry from Sehee, a part-timer who hadn’t been working long, Haji couldn’t stop making the backlog of coffee. Hastily finishing up, Haji stood at the order counter.

“I’ll do it. Go send out the drinks.”

Where’s the label? Ah, found it.

“May I help you?”

“One Americano, please.”

The familiar voice made Haji’s hand, which was exchanging the label, stop. Her eyes widened as she looked up.

“Huh? Why?”

It was a question that popped out unconsciously. Seojin’s eyebrows twitched slightly in response.

“Why are you here?”

“To drink coffee.”

“Ah……”

There was nothing much to say about coming to a coffee shop to drink coffee.

“Aren’t you going to hurry?”

“Gasp.”

Haji noticed the long line behind Seojin.

“One Americano, right?”

Haji hurriedly took the card and processed the payment.

As she continued to take payments and make drinks, the morning passed quickly. Sehee sighed as she washed dishes, evidence of the war-like time they had.

“Monday mornings are really crazy.”

“Indeed.”

Thinking about the upcoming lunch rush, the second war, made Haji even more anxious.

“Boss, who is that man?”

“Who?”

Following the direction Sehee pointed with her gloved hand, Haji saw a familiar person. Looking around, she realized that Seojin wasn’t just being watched by her and Sehee; many others were stealing glances at him as well.

Despite the hot gazes, Seojin seemed completely unfazed.

“He’s really handsome. Not just handsome, but with a kind of sexy vibe that bursts out of him?”

Sexy…?

Haji’s eyes scanned Seojin’s face at Sehee’s admiring words. His prominent features were striking, but perhaps his white skin and red lips added to that impression.

“Oh, and a working man. So cool.”

Maybe it was because of the gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose?

Haji found herself somewhat agreeing with Sehee’s continuous admiration. Seojin, busy on the phone while looking at a tablet, seemed very busy.

Just as she was watching him, the second war approached Haji.

***

“Boss, I’ll head out first.”

“Okay, be careful.”

Sehee, the part-timer, prepared to leave after the lunch rush, the second war, ended. As an opening member, Sehee only worked until lunchtime.

After waving Sehee off, Haji looked around the now quiet café and saw the mess. Tables were encroaching on each other, and small trash was scattered everywhere.

“Need to clean up the tables.”

Haji’s gaze, moving around the store, landed on Seojin. Still sitting in the same spot.