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Join the ServerI went to lunch with Song Yu-min, who had been in my morning class. The cafeteria was more bustling than I’d expected. Each time I encountered a familiar face, I exchanged greetings, and in the process, the line kept growing longer.
After finally getting my lunch, I was searching for an empty seat when someone waved in our direction.
“Wow, are you two still inseparable even during vacation?”
“You two aren’t so different yourselves.”
It felt as though, with each passing year, everything remained the same, yet the number of acquaintances only grew.
Moreover, for some inexplicable reason, there had been a noticeable increase in couples lately. It seemed everyone was more preoccupied with finding a partner than with their studies, leading to frequent pairings among the few Koreans on campus.
The pair who had just spoken to me were no exception. They had met in the same class last semester and had become a couple at lightning speed.
Four months in, this particular couple was notorious for their unabashed displays of affection, even in public.
“Gi-hyeon, your next class is Physics, right?”
“Yeah.”
“You’ll be in our class, then.”
“You two have Physics next, too?”
“Yeah.”
“Both of you?”
“Yeah.”
“Wow… that sounds absolutely thrilling.”
The thought of having to endure a couple I found irritating even during a brief lunch break for an entire class was nothing short of dreadful.
“What class are you taking, Jeong-woo?”
“Something about leadership, I think.”
“Business Leadership.”
“Ah, right.”
Since summer classes required three hours per subject, I could only take two courses in total. This meant that after attending one morning class with Im Jeong-woo, I had to attend the other half of my schedule alone.
I was silently lamenting this minor disappointment when an unexpected voice suddenly spoke up beside me.
“Oh? I have that class next, too.”
It was Song Yu-min, who had just been with us in the morning class.
“What? Are your schedules identical?”
“Looks like it.”
“This is unbelievable. Let me join you!”
“We could let you join if it were possible.”
Im Jeong-woo’s calm voice seemed to amplify my sense of disappointment. When I feigned a whine, a large hand gently patted my back a couple of times.
In the end, the nauseatingly affectionate couple and I headed down the right hallway, while Im Jeong-woo and the other person went down the left. Despite it being only three hours apart, I found myself turning back several times, feeling a pang of regret.
It was utterly impossible to focus on the lecture.
I couldn’t comprehend it.
Could it truly be that wonderful?
I had unwisely sat behind the couple and was now witnessing sights I wished I hadn’t. I should have sat next to them instead.
Though the couple’s public displays of affection decreased during class, they didn’t cease entirely. Intermittently, they would exchange smiles and glances, their shoulders gradually drawing closer.
Then, seeking to escape prying eyes, they dropped their arms below the desk, subtly caressing each other’s hands throughout the entire lesson.
‘When on earth do they take notes?’
I knew I should simply ignore them, but their blatant presence kept drawing my gaze. Each time I looked, the same thought occurred to me.
‘What exactly is this feeling of liking someone so intensely it becomes unbearable? Is it a racing heart? A flutter of excitement? There are far too many interfering factors to explain it as a mere heart rate.’
‘In the first place, the human brain can only express primary emotions like joy or fear. There is no brain region dedicated to showing love to humans. Even if there were, not every emotion that defies logical explanation could be defined as love.’
Everyone who saw me inevitably asked the same question.
‘Why don’t you get a girlfriend?’
There was only one answer to that question.
‘Because I haven’t found a reason to.’
‘Why should I even bother creating such a specific connection? Isn’t it obviously better to know many people and meet them broadly rather than singling out one person?’
‘While I enjoy meeting new people and growing closer to them, I have never once desired a feeling beyond friendship in those relationships.’
When Jang Gi-jae heard my answer, he remarked with a pitying expression, ‘Poor guy.’
At the time, I argued back, asking if everyone who couldn’t date was to be pitied. But now, a year later, I wonder if it might actually be true. Aren’t the happy couples right before my eyes proof of that?
Suddenly, I felt a little sorry for myself.
****
The rustle of turning pages filled the air. As the crisp sound of writing joined it, a profound sense of peace settled over me. To find such pleasure in the sound of someone else’s diligent efforts—perhaps I possessed an unusual preference.
Im Jeong-woo always used a pencil. He was the only person I knew who did. When a simple click would produce lead effortlessly, why bother with a pencil? What’s more, Im Jeong-woo meticulously sharpened each pencil with a knife. When I thought about it, pencils seemed like the most manual of objects.
I had once asked him if it wasn’t bothersome, and he had replied that he enjoyed tidying up the blunt lead. Was that why he so readily tidied up the messes I often made?
The hand holding the pencil kept moving back and forth before my eyes. Though considerably larger than my own, each joint of his thick fingers appeared remarkably well-ordered.
“Jeong-woo.”
“Hmm?”
“Hold my hand for a moment.”
I stretched my arm out, still sprawled across the table. Im Jeong-woo, who had been intently studying his textbook, lifted his head. He looked at me, then at my hand.
“Do you want me to help you up?”
“No.”
“Then what do you need?”
“You.”
“……”
“…I need Im Jeong-woo.”
“……”
“……I said I need you!”
I was completely ignored.
I narrowed my eyes and intently scrutinized the face seated opposite me. His skin was smooth, with a slight tan. His eyes were sharp, with deep double eyelids, a prominent nose, and full lips. Sculpted with perfect proportions, his face exuded an air of neatness from every angle. Even with his sharp jawline and strong facial features, his overall image was soft, making even his expressionless face appear endlessly gentle to my eyes.
“Are you going to stay like that?”
After a long moment, Im Jeong-woo expressed concern about my awkward posture. It seemed uncomfortable to him, lying with one arm stretched out and my head resting on my shoulder.
“But it’s actually really comfortable like this. I even feel like I could fall asleep.”
“Just go inside and sleep. Staying like that is bad for your neck, your back—everything. Your arm will get tingly, too.”
“Ah, now that you mention it, my hand does feel a bit tingly.”
With that, I subtly extended my hand.
“Could you massage it for me?”
“Do it yourself with your other hand.”
“I’m too tired to.”
Im Jeong-woo put down his pencil and looked directly at me. I could almost hear his unspoken reprimand: ‘What is it this time?’
“You should ask your partner for things like that.”
“Then let’s date.”
My answer was out in a second.
“If we date, we can hold hands. So let’s date and hold hands.”
“……”
“Come on, what do you say?”
“……”
“What? Still thinking? It’s okay, I can wait. But if we date, you have to marry me too.”
“……”
Once again, I was ignored.
****
As it became daytime in Korea, messages started pouring in.
[Park Jun-sung: [what’s everyone doing]]
[Me: [gaming]]
[Park Jun-sung: [your roommate]]
[Me: [sleeping]]
It was a group chat, but no one spoke except for me. My roommate, who went to bed promptly at 10 PM even during vacation, was an exception, but I was certain that Jason, a night owl like me, and the other two in Korea were awake.
[Park Jun-sung: [so bored]]
[Me: [go out and wander around]]
[Park Jun-sung: [nowhere to go]]
[Me: [this is Korea, why is there nowhere to go? go to a PC cafe]]
[Park Jun-sung: [tired of going]]
[Park Jun-sung: [I should’ve just taken summer classes with you guys too]]
To complain of boredom in a place overflowing with entertainment—what a carefree remark, I thought, just as a previously quiet participant joined the conversation.
[Jang Gi-jae: [on my way to meet my girlfriend]]
[Park Jun-sung: [OMG what girlfriend]]
[Jang Gi-jae: [?]]
[Jang Gi-jae: [A girlfriend is a girlfriend]]
[Park Jun-sung: [where did she suddenly appear from]]
As a surprised Park Jun-sung began his interrogation, Jang Gi-jae, who had acquired a new girlfriend in Korea in the interim, proudly boasted about his happiness index. To meet someone in just two weeks? To fall for someone so quickly? Was that even possible?
[Park Jun-sung: [happy?]]
[Jang Gi-jae: [yep]]
‘Yes, be very happy now. What will you do when you come back to America?’
I muttered to myself as I watched their conversation.
[Park Jun-sung: [someone to play with]]
[Seo Gi-hyeon: [if you show up in front of me now, I’ll play]]
[Park Jun-sung: [hey]]
[Seo Gi-hyeon: [what]]
[Park Jun-sung: [f*** nevermind i wasn’t even asking you]]
[Seo Gi-hyeon: [what’s with the attitude from so far away]]
[Park Jun-sung: [when did I]]
[Kang Se-hyun: [Hyung]]
[Kang Se-hyun: [I’m free today, maybe we could meet]]
A new name appeared in the chat window. The belated participant was a junior I had gotten to know last year. Se-hyun wasn’t living in the dorms due to personal circumstances, but he became close to us by persistently sticking around school. He was the type who kept people at arm’s length, even claiming he ostracized everyone, but after opening up to us to some extent, we met frequently.
[Park Jun-sung: [you free?]]
[Kang Se-hyun: [only until 6 PM]]
[Park Jun-sung: [what are you doing after that]]
[Kang Se-hyun: [gotta meet my girlfriend]]
Couples everywhere, here and there.
They said autumn was the season of love, but it wasn’t. For college students, it seemed summer was the season for love.
The adventure continues! If you loved this chapter, Jinho's Story is a must-read. Click here to start!
Read : Jinho's Story
