Embedded Files
Psst! We're moving!
Ra-on gazed at the massive 100-ho canvas that dominated one wall, her expression steeped in nostalgia.
Her eyes then scanned the smaller but equally elegant ink drawings displayed alongside it. She exhaled deeply. Looking at these works—painstakingly completed over the past year through countless revisions and approvals from her professor—she felt an unexpected tightness in her chest.
“Yoo Ra-on, what are you doing? Hurry up and come!”
Turning toward the call from behind, Ra-on snapped out of her reverie.
The day before the exhibition, they had gathered for a small farewell party with their professor and classmates in the exhibition hall where their works were already hung.
“You’ve all worked hard these past four years.”
Professor Park Eun-taek’s words set off a wave of reflections on the past and encouragements for the future. Champagne bottles popped open, candles were lit on cakes, and small fireworks crackled as heartfelt sniffles began to fill the room. It seemed everyone was finally realizing this would be their last moment together like this.
Ra-on also looked around the space, once their studio, with a bittersweet expression. The spot where she used to sit was now covered in pristine white wallpaper, displaying someone else’s artwork.
“I honestly thought you’d never finish that piece,” remarked her advisor lightly.
“…Professor.”
Clinking champagne glasses together, Ra-on offered an awkward smile as the professor approached her.
He glanced at the painting, which had only been completed just a month before the exhibition.
“So, what changed your mindset? For four years, no matter how much I begged or pressured you, you didn’t budge.”
“Hmm.”
“Could it be love?”
“What?”
Ra-on choked on her sip of champagne, startled by the unexpected question.
Always warm and approachable, the professor playfully nudged her arm.
“Han Do-kyung, perhaps?”
“No, it’s not…!”
Flustered, Ra-on’s face flushed red. Chuckling knowingly, the professor continued.
“I really liked that student.”
Ra-on groaned, covering her face with her palm.
“In my fifty years of life, I’ve never seen anyone as handsome as him. And I heard he practically lived in the gallery every day—all because of you.”
How did he even know about that? Lowering her hand, Ra-on sighed heavily.
“That night after the celebration, he couldn’t take his eyes off you. His intense gaze made even me feel shy—it stirred emotions I hadn’t felt in ages.”
“…”
“Of course, that’s not the only reason I liked him.”
The professor turned his gaze from the paintings back to Ra-on. Her eyes softened into a faint smile under his kind and gentle gaze. This professor always reminded her of the maternal warmth she had long forgotten.
Patting her shoulder gently, he said,
“He seems to have helped you pick up your brush again. That’s why I liked him so much.”
“...”
“You’ve worked hard these four years, Ra-on-ah.”
Tears welled up in Ra-on’s eyes.
________________________________________
The exhibition lasted three days. Many visitors came on the first day and left impressed.
Ji-an and Hye-sung, who had returned from abroad just days earlier, also visited on the opening day. They lingered for a long time in front of Ra-on’s paintings.
“Uncle and your parents said they’ll come tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah.”
“So we should come again tomorrow. But seriously, why did you hide them like some kind of hide-and-seek?”
Ji-an rubbed her tired eyelids after staring intensely at the artwork.
Beside her, Hye-sung, who had been counting the animals depicted in one of the paintings, chuckled softly and asked,
“Seventeen total?”
Ra-on shook her head.
“Twenty-one.”
“Four more than I counted?”
Hye-sung widened his eyes and examined the painting again. Ra-on reached out, pointing to a cat camouflaged among the foliage. A soft sigh escaped Hye-sung’s lips.
After viewing all the paintings, Ji-an asked,
“They said if we want to purchase any pieces, we should contact the department office. Should I go ahead and express interest now?”
“Oh.”
Ra-on scratched her cheek awkwardly.
“That one isn’t available.”
“Huh?”
Ji-an crossed her arms, frowning at the specific painting Ra-on gestured toward.
“But I really like that one. I want it.”
“…Someone has already agreed to buy it.”
Ji-an pouted like a child, then squinted suspiciously between the painting and Ra-on.
“Just checking, but…”
“Hmm.”
“Is that Han Do-kyung?”
Unable to respond, Ra-on simply smiled.
---
On the final day of the exhibition, Ra-on stood alone in the now quiet gallery, gazing silently at her paintings. Few visitors remained, and the space felt calm, almost reverent.
Her eyes first landed on the towering pine tree that split the massive canvas in half. Beneath it, a figure leaned casually against the trunk, exuding an air of quiet confidence.
[So you actually drew a person for once?]
Ji-an didn’t know why Ra-on avoided drawing people, but she was well aware it had been a near-phobic avoidance lasting nearly a decade. Initially surprised by this unfamiliar addition to Ra-on’s work, Ji-an chalked it up to some emotional shift as graduation approached. But she never imagined Han Do-kyung was behind it all. Still, without pressing further or questioning, Ji-an clicked her tongue and walked away—though not before issuing a playful threat that all the other paintings were hers.
“…”
Ra-on reached out, her fingertips brushing the rough texture of the canvas. It felt grounding, familiar.
At that moment—
“Did you miss me that much?”
Startled by the sudden voice behind her, Ra-on flinched. Her hand froze mid-motion over the painting.
“When did you get here?”
“Right about when your longing hands were touching me.”
Turning around, she saw Do-kyung standing there in a sleek black suit, holding a bouquet of flowers and flashing a mischievous grin.
As she accepted the bouquet, his pheromones—sharp, refreshing, and intoxicating—washed over her like a wave.
Taking a slow breath, Ra-on let a faint smile play on her lips. Without hesitation, Do-kyung pulled her gently into his arms, checking her reaction. But instead of pulling away, she leaned into him comfortably, resting her back against his chest. His eyes widened in surprise, then softened with delight.
A broad smile spread across his face. Tightening his embrace, he rested his chin atop her head and turned his gaze to the painting before them.
The figure in the painting stood with one hand casually tucked into a pocket, smiling faintly at something unseen. There was a hint of roguish charm in the posture.
“Handsome,” Do-kyung murmured.
The slender body in his arms trembled slightly at his words.
“Aren’t you embarrassed saying things like that yourself?”
“Not at all.”
Do-kyung replied nonchalantly, his voice dropping lower as he added:
“I thought I’d have to wait longer.”
Though he spoke lightly, the truth was, he had hoped for this outcome the entire time. He knew how much Ra-on had agonized over this particular piece. Still, he had tried to suppress his expectations, fearing disappointment—and not wanting her to see him so eager.
Yet here they were, at what should have been her celebration, and he found himself receiving the greatest gift of all.
Feeling a lump rise in her throat, Ra-on leaned further into his embrace and asked softly:
“So… you’ll keep drawing me every year, right?”
Her question carried an implicit challenge: You’re not going to take back your promise, are you?
Caught off guard, Do-kyung’s mouth hung open for a moment before he burst into laughter. Overcome with happiness, he buried his face in the nape of her neck, murmuring:
“Yes.”
________________________________________
“Is Ra-on taking the day off today?”
At the stage manager’s question, Ra-on, who was just slinging her bag over her shoulder, nodded. Her face was pale from staying up all night. Unfortunately, even if she went home now, there wouldn’t be much time to rest.
“Yes. It’s graduation day.”
“Oh my!” The manager and surrounding staff murmured among themselves at the mention of graduation.
“Already graduation season?”
A passing designer chimed in.
“Didn’t you hear? They finished recruiting interns a month ago.”
“Who has time to think about that stuff?”
“Feels like Ra-on just joined us as an intern yesterday.”
Now no longer an intern but a full-fledged team member, Ra-on chuckled softly at their teasing banter. Glancing at the time, she quickly excused herself. If she didn’t leave soon, she wouldn’t even have time to shower.
“Well, I’m heading out now.”
“Alright, take care and see you tomorrow!”
Three years after her own graduation, tomorrow would finally be Do-kyung’s turn to walk the stage.
[Bring me a proper diploma. Then I’ll seriously think about it.]
[But don’t slack off and just scrape by with a degree. Your GPA needs to be above 4.0—that’s my standard for a ‘proper’ diploma. Otherwise, we’ll just stay as we are.]
That was the condition—and ultimatum—Ra-on had given Do-kyung when she left school.
And now—
Han Do-kyung
(Photo)
3:01 PM
Arriving at the agreed-upon location, Ra-on smiled as she glanced at the photo on her phone. Clearly impatient, he had sent the screenshot of his grades the moment they were released at 3 PM. The numbers “4.13/4.5” were unmistakably clear.
Below it, Ra-on sent a quick message confirming her arrival. She slipped her phone back into her pocket, adjusted her coat, and looked around.
Returning to her alma mater after so long, she saw banners congratulating graduates hanging everywhere. Students in caps and gowns bustled about, posing for photos and celebrating.
She soaked in the nostalgic atmosphere, lost in thought.
Then, suddenly, a flood of pheromones—one that now made her heart race just from its presence—enveloped her from behind. A cap was placed gently on her head.
And then—
“Ra-on-ah.”
Turning around, she saw Do-kyung in his graduation gown, holding his diploma with a confident smirk.
He strode toward her and pulled her into a tight embrace. Wrapping her arms around his back, she clung to him as his hold tightened.
Burying his nose near her pheromone gland, Do-kyung whispered hoarsely, his voice thick with desire:
“I love you.”
--- The End ---
Google Sites
Report abuse