Chapter 18 : The Meaning of white (2)

A girl wakes up from a deep sleep.
Bright summer sunlight streamed through the curtains, and the chirping of sparrows filled the air.

‘Why am I here?’

She frowned. Her mind was blank, as if she had lost her memory.

She looked at herself in the mirror beside the bed.
Where am I? Who am I?
Curiosity gnawed at her.

Her eyes fell on a small chalkboard by the vanity. A message was written on it:

[Your name is Seol. You’re a beautiful 17-year-old girl. You must be confused because you don’t remember anything. Follow the yellow sticky notes.]

The number “17” looked like it had been erased and rewritten several times. She frowned.

‘Seol?’

Apparently, the person described on the chalkboard was *her*.
She looked around the room, her eyes falling on a yellow sticky note on the wall next to the vanity. A baby photo was attached to the note.

[The day we first met. Baby Seol!]

She followed the trail of sticky notes. They led out of the room, each one accompanied by a photo.

[Seol, already so interested in the news! Is our daughter a genius?]
[The terrible twos. This was a tough time.]

The notes and photos chronicled a life shared between a mother and daughter. Seol realized the notes were arranged chronologically, a year apart.

The girl and the woman in the photos gradually grew older.
She found the sixteenth note.

[Seol, already in high school? Kids these days grow up so fast. You look so pretty in your uniform.]

The photo showed a girl who looked exactly like Seol’s reflection in the mirror, posing with a woman whose face now bore wrinkles.

She looked around for the next note, but there wasn’t one.
However, she spotted a bulletin board in the living room covered in sticky notes.

[If you’re hungry, heat up the lunchbox in the fridge. Instructions for the microwave are attached.]
[The bathroom is the door with the blue sticker. Toilet paper is in the living room cabinet!]

*
*
*
[Never open the bedroom door.]

‘Bedroom door?’

She turned and saw a closed white door. Another sticky note was attached to it.

[Don’t open.]

An unpleasant smell wafted from under the door.

The woman had clearly underestimated the girl’s curiosity. Seol turned the doorknob and pushed the door open. She tilted her head, confused.

The curtains billowed in the breeze from an open window. A chair lay overturned, and the floor was dirty.

And then she saw it.
Something familiar, dangling from the ceiling.

***

I frowned at Park Saeron.

“That’s… disturbing.”
“Disturbing?”
“So, the woman is the protagonist’s mother, and she committed suicide?”
“You got it.”
“That’s a pretty heavy opening scene. Aren’t you worried about the audience’s reaction?”
“The audience who would be bothered by that are probably watching blockbuster movies. I’m making an independent film for a reason.”

He was making an independent film so he could do whatever he wanted. I nodded. Money talks.

“What happens next?”
“She meets a guy, and they spend the summer together.”
“That’s vague. I don’t get it.”
“There are still a lot of parts that aren’t fleshed out yet.”
“The ending is blank too. Don’t you usually start with the ending and then fill in the middle?”
“That’s the beauty of our project.”

I sighed, closed my eyes, and shook my head. This writer was living in his own world.

“I have a question.”
“Ask away.”
“What does the title, ‘Hundred,’ mean?”
“Ask something else.”
“But you said ‘ask away.’”
“I did. I never said I’d answer.”

I glared at him. His flippant response was starting to annoy me.

“If you keep this up, I might have to ask in a different way.”
“Go ahead. But if you hurt me, I won’t just sit there and take it.”

Park Saeron flexed his bicep. I gulped and shook my head, picturing myself as a literal ‘snow white’ after being hit by his fist.

“Wow… you’d hit a woman?”
“Hey, in this day and age, a writer can’t discriminate.”
“I don’t think that’s what people mean by discrimination.”

Despite his intimidating appearance, he was surprisingly articulate.
This was why you shouldn’t mess with people who wield pens.
I frowned and took a sip of the cola he had brought earlier.

“I *am* the lead, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Then why am I being treated like an extra?”
“I’m not telling you *because* you’re the lead. That’s how important your role is.”
“So, I have to figure it out myself?”
“Bingo.”

He grinned, revealing his unnervingly white teeth. I rubbed my forehead.

He was using his own money to pursue his artistic vision, so what could I say?
He scratched his chin.

“Here’s a hint: I left the ending blank on purpose. The ending, and some other parts, will be shaped by your input.”
“How about a sudden gate appearing and destroying the world?”
“I might consider it. If you can convince me.”
“So, you’re telling me not to get my hopes up. I’ll try my best.”

As we were talking, Saeron’s hand started trembling.

“Why is your hand shaking? Are you having withdrawal symptoms or something?”
“Ah, I haven’t had a cigarette in a while.”

I saw an overflowing ashtray on the table.

“Then go ahead and smoke. I heard smokers have a hard time holding back.”

He frowned at me.

“Do you smoke?”
“I’m still in high school.”
“Kids these days start early.”
“I don’t smoke. Why?”
“Then I won’t smoke. I don’t usually smoke in front of kids.”

Despite his appearance, he had a surprisingly strong moral compass. I smirked.

“That’s unexpected. Do you drink?”
“Only enough to loosen up. I have to stay sober to take care of people like Haerin Noona, who lack self-control.”
“Wow, you’re full of surprises.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.”

I checked the time. It was getting late. I said goodbye and was about to leave when Saeron grabbed his coat and followed me out.

“Where did you say you lived?”
“Gangdong.”
“That’s like a 40-minute subway ride, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, but it’s pretty quick.”
“I’ll give you a ride.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I’m going that way anyway. I have a car, but I don’t really drive much, given my… profession.”

We went down to the parking lot, where a sleek Mercedes-Benz was waiting.

“…I guess you weren’t kidding about the money.”
“It’s more trouble than it’s worth. So much maintenance. Don’t buy a car until you absolutely have to.”

The ride was quick. We arrived at my house in no time. I thanked him and got out of the car.

Just as I was about to head inside, I remembered something and turned back. I knocked on the window, and Saeron rolled it down.

“What?”
“I just thought of something. How about a bet?”
“A bet? On what?”
“If I figure out the meaning of ‘Hundred’ before summer break, I win. If I don’t, you win.”

He chuckled and nodded.

“Sure, I’m in. What are the stakes?”
“I’m a broke student, so I can’t offer anything material. How about a wish?”
“A wish?”
“Yeah, the loser grants the winner a wish.”

He stroked his chin, his eyes scanning my body.
His gaze lingered on my legs. He beckoned me closer and whispered something in my ear. My face turned pale.

I watched his car drive away, biting my lip.
I couldn’t afford to lose this bet. I replayed our conversation in my head.

“If I win, can I kick you in the shin?”
“…You’ll pay the medical bills, right?”
“Deal. Just be ready.”

***

The auditorium was filled with drama club members rehearsing their lines.
Junseok walked over to me.

“Hey, Temporary President, how’s it going?”
“Temporary President? The class elections are over. It’s time for a promotion, don’t you think?”

As I was talking to Junseok, Dojun called out to me.

“They’re starting the read-through. The instructor wants all the actors to gather.”
“Okay. Hold on, I’m coming.”

I followed Dojun. The instructor was standing with her arms crossed, scanning the room. She brightened when she saw us.

“The leads are here already? Just give us a minute, we’ll start as soon as everyone arrives.”

I wasn’t thrilled to see her. She was the one who had sent me to that…interesting individual last weekend. I hadn’t forgotten the curses I muttered in apartment 404.

“Instructor, I need to talk to you.”
“About what?”
“It’s not something for other people to hear. Could you come closer?”

She approached without hesitation. I whispered in her ear,

“Haerin wants more drinks?”

The instructor’s head snapped back as if she’d been hit.

“You… heard that?”
“I saw it.”

I smiled sweetly. The instructor’s face hardened. She grabbed her phone and stormed out of the auditorium.

The screams from outside were… surprisingly loud.