Song Hyunji ran up to me, calling from a distance.
She didn’t care that we were in the middle of Myeongdong.
"Am I late? No, I came right on time, didn’t I?"
"You’re not late. I came out early."
Song Hyunji and I couldn’t meet properly a few times because she was preparing for the college entrance exam, and I had a busy schedule.
But now that the exam is over, I have no plans today because of her not-so-subtle threat that we must meet on Christmas Eve.
"Did you get your college entrance exam results?"
"Do you have to ask about that on a day like this? You really sound like an uncle."
"Haha."
I tried to laugh it off, but Song Hyunji seized the opportunity and kept pressing me.
"I told you before, Brother, you think too much. Don’t act like you’re old."
What can I do about actually being older?
Myeongdong, just after sunset, was bustling with couples and families.
"I know a great place to eat! Do you like Thai food?"
"Anything... You choose what you want to eat."
"Let’s go!"
Song Hyunji naturally linked her arm with mine and led the way.
"This place is really good. Have you been to Thailand?"
"Um... a couple of times?"
"Do you like it? I’ve never been abroad. You go to the U.S. often, right?"
"If you want, we can go together next year when you start college. Is there anywhere you want to go?"
"Really? Will Grandpa allow it?"
While waiting for the food to arrive, our conversation didn’t stop.
"Where do you plan to go to college?"
"It might be tough to get into Korea University... Grandpa says if I don’t go to Korea University, I should study abroad."
"Mr. Song?"
Mr. Song didn’t usually send his children abroad for studies.
He would have them graduate from any university in Seoul and then put them to work.
Maybe it was because he believed that learning on the job was more valuable than what you learn in college.
The third generation, adapting to the times, was being sent abroad for studies, but only after graduating from a university in Korea.
"I want to experience college life in Korea."
"You’ll get into Korea University. Don’t worry."
"Yeah, yeah, studying was so easy!"
"......"
Why did I say that?
Soon, the food Song Hyunji had ordered came out.
"Brother, try it. It’s delicious."
Song Hyunji, her eyes on the food, started eating with her chopsticks.
"Aren’t you eating?"
Only then did she look at me, realizing I was just watching her eat.
"I’ll eat. You eat a lot."
"Okay."
After finishing the meal, we went to a nearby coffee shop. It was hard to find an empty seat in Myeongdong on Christmas Eve, but luckily, one was available.
"Let’s have a parfait!"
I nodded at Song Hyunji’s suggestion.
"I’m twenty now."
"Is that good?"
"Yeah. I can do what I want, right?"
I chuckled.
"Why are you laughing?"
"It’s just... you seem to be expecting a college life like in dramas."
"Huh?"
"It’s not like that. It’s just studying, and more studying! It’s an extension of high school."
"Please don’t say that."
"From my experience, that’s what college life is like."
"You’re just boring. There’s so much to enjoy—meetings, MTs, rock cafes, nightclubs... How can you just study?"
"Most students live like that. But you, you probably won’t, right?"
"What’s that supposed to mean? Don’t talk like an old man."
Song Hyunji pouted.
"Are you planning to go to a meeting?"
It bothered me for some reason.
Song Hyunji laughed playfully.
"Why, what’s wrong? You’re not giving me confidence. Don’t you like it?"
"......"
"See. You can’t even answer."
Maybe I’m subconsciously keeping my distance because of the pain from my past life.
"I do care."
"Is that so? Have you really ever been in a relationship?"
She scolded me, but her attitude was oddly cheerful.
"Anyway, I’m against meetings."
"You’re such a funny person. Just say it clearly! You’re so boring."
She was already used to my tone, so even though she said that, her face was full of smiles.
"It’s time to go home. Let’s go. You said you’d stay at Mr. Song’s house tonight, right?"
"Yeah. Until the end of the year?"
"I’ll take you there."
The coffee shop, which was noisy when we first came in, was now mostly empty.