SELA - 56

“No, it’s fine. We were going to meet anyway. Just think of the appointment being a little earlier. And I had something to apologize for.”

“Apologize?”

“About the message.”

“Ah, that.”

It was about the message Ji-hyuk had sent without her knowledge. Seo-won, who understood immediately, chuckled.

“You don’t have to apologize. It’s not your fault.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t apologize.”

Sa-hee was rather taken aback by Seo-won’s firm tone. She ended up saying “Okay” and looked straight ahead. Even though it was past the usual commute time, the roads were as crowded as ever.

“Oh, by the way, Teacher, do you remember Ji-min?”

“Ji-min?”

“Park Ji-min. He briefly took lessons from you with me for two months when I was being tutored. He used to laugh at anything, and we had to stop class because of him.”

“Ah, right. Park Ji-min! Yeah, but why all of a sudden? Is he doing well?”

“I ran into him the other day. He was curious about you. Is it okay if I tell him about you?”

Even though there was nothing special to tell, Seo-won asked for permission before saying anything. He had grown up so well, a good student. She felt proud.

“Sure. You can tell him. You can even give him my contact information if he asks.”

“I’d rather not.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll tell him myself.”

The car fell silent again. When Seo-won asked if he should turn on the radio or some music, Sa-hee shook her head, saying it was fine. She had gotten used to the quiet while working with Ji-hyuk.

Seo-won’s car seemed to be particularly unlucky with traffic lights today. They kept getting stopped. Sa-hee, who was stretching lightly in the slowly moving car, inadvertently turned her head and looked at Seo-won. He was staring straight ahead, waiting for the light to change.

“...”

She had only ever seen him from the front, never his profile like this. It felt fresh. As she was looking at him, she noticed the scar above his eyebrow.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Falling for me again?”

“Don’t be silly.”

“What is it then? Why are you making my heart flutter?”

“You still have that scar on your eyebrow.”

“Ah, this.”

Seo-won nonchalantly touched the scar on his eyebrow.

“Right. The wound was pretty deep back then, and there was a lot of blood. I remember you crying.”

“Me? Crying?”

She didn’t remember doing that. When Sa-hee asked, Seo-won, still looking straight ahead, spoke slowly.

“You probably felt sorry for me, coming home covered in blood and having my bag stolen. Or maybe it was just pity.”

Seo-won turned to Sa-hee when he said “or maybe it was just pity.” His expression was the same as usual, but there was a mix of anticipation and anxiety in his eyes. It was like he was anticipating the answer he wanted or the answer he didn’t want.

“To be honest, I don’t remember crying. But it wasn’t pity. I still vividly remember being shocked when I saw you. I felt so sorry for you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Even though you said you were weak and your friends bullied you, I thought you were just joking. I never imagined you were being bullied that badly.”

“It wasn’t just a one-time thing. I wonder if those guys are doing well. I’d love to see them again.”

There was a hint of resentment in his smiling face. The light changed, and the car smoothly started moving again.

“Oh, how are your parents doing?”

“They’re doing great. They’re both healthy and enjoying their hobbies. Especially Mom, she’s almost never home, she’s so busy. By the way, Dad said he wanted to see you.”

“Me? Why?”

“He remembered what happened when I told him we met again.”

“It wasn’t a big deal.”

“It was. I almost died. It wouldn’t have ended with just a scar if it wasn’t for you.”

It wasn’t just flattery; he meant it sincerely. Seo-won saw Sa-hee as a kind of savior in his life. And for good reason. Sa-hee had found him and saved him when he was covered in blood.

Seo-won had been beaten up by his peers and was on the verge of passing out when he barely managed to get home. But that day, his parents had gone on a trip together, so the house was empty. There was no one to take care of the young boy who collapsed as soon as he entered the house.

Sa-hee was the one who found Seo-won. She had stopped by for a tutoring session and happened to find him. Shocked, she calmly called 119 and Seo-won’s parents, even though she was trembling. Then she dragged the limp, heavy Seo-won into the house and treated his visible wounds with the first-aid supplies his parents had told her about. In reality, his internal injuries were much worse, so it was almost pointless. But Sa-hee did everything she could at the time. She asked people for help, treated his wounds, and held his blood-stained hands, sincerely hoping he would regain consciousness.

“I think that’s when it started.”

“What?”

“My feelings for you.”

“...”

“People are like that. It’s only natural. You can’t help but be drawn to someone who’s kind to you.”

“...”

“You took the same bus as me every tutoring day from the stop in front of my school, right? Was that on purpose?”

“Huh? No, why would I?”

“You were worried I’d get dragged away by those guys again, weren’t you?”

“It’s just that my house and the stop were close...”

Sa-hee trailed off, unable to finish her sentence. She had tried to be subtle, but Seo-won knew all along, and she was speechless. Seo-won was going through a sensitive period at that time. She wondered if her actions had hurt his pride. A belated worry washed over her.

“Almost a year of doing something even parents wouldn’t bother with.”

“...”

“Thank you. I’m still grateful.”

Surprisingly, and thankfully, Seo-won had taken Sa-hee’s actions positively. Sa-hee breathed a sigh of relief. Seo-won smiled and looked at Sa-hee.

“How could that little kid not like you?”

“...”

They had arrived at Sa-hee’s house.

As Sa-hee’s eyes traced the familiar alleyway, a thought suddenly crossed her mind. She didn’t have the time to meet anyone right now. Not just because of Ji-hyuk, and not just because of Seo-won, but anyone. Sa-hee didn’t intend to blame anyone or make anyone the cause. She simply didn’t have the time. So...

“Seo-won.”

“Yes.”

It would be better for everyone if she pushed away any unnecessary kindness.

“I don’t want things to be awkward between us. That’s why I’m being honest.”

“Go ahead.”

“I don’t see you as a man.”

The car stopped, and the engine was turned off. Complete silence fell.

“Is it because of the person you’re seeing?”

“Well, putting that person aside, that’s how I feel. Then or now, you’re just a student to me...”

“Wait a minute.”

Seo-won interrupted her, took a deep breath, and opened the window. The cold air rushed in, clearing his stuffy feelings a little.

“Okay, take your time.”

“...”

“Whether it’s acceptance or rejection, if it’s too fast, the time I have with you will disappear quickly.”

Sa-hee’s heart stung a little, realizing that this was the only reason he was talking.

“Seo-won.”

“I understand. I understand, so let’s stop for today.”

“Okay. Let’s stop. Thank you for the ride.”

“You’re welcome. I was happy to give you a ride.”

Smiles appeared on both of their faces. It was a somewhat bitter smile. Sa-hee put her bag on her shoulder and opened the car door. Seo-won quietly and persistently followed her movements with his eyes.

“Teacher.”

“Yes.”

Sa-hee, who had gotten out of the car, bent down and turned to Seo-won’s call.

“...”

“Don’t, Seo-won.”

“Should I? Should I say nothing?”

“It’ll be sad if we drift further apart. So don’t.”

She knew how painful the needles in those words were without having to be pricked. As expected of her exemplary and intelligent student, Seo-won didn’t say anything more and just smiled quietly.

“I’ll go. Good night.”

“Go well, Lee Seo-won.”

“Yes, I’ll go, teacher.”

The car door closed, and Sa-hee waved. Soon, the dark tinted car window rolled down, and Seo-won’s face appeared. He had returned to his usual bright self and waved back.

The car soon drove away. Sa-hee, who had taken a few steps after it, turned and headed home.