Immediately after getting out of the car, Kwon Taek Joo started walking. He sent Zhenya to Yoon Jong Woo but inside he was not very comfortable, no matter how many times he tried to rationalize that there was no other way.
To be honest, Kwon Taek Joo thought that Zhenya wouldn't sit still if he said he was going to the class reunion. It was clear that he wouldn't let him go or would interfere in ways he couldn't imagine. Zhenya had chased him to his overseas activity location, so there was no guarantee that he wouldn't show up at a group meeting.
According to Yoon Jong Woo's personality of pursuing absolute safety, he will definitely please Zhenya, but he cannot rest assured because Zhenya is too unpredictable. As a precaution, Kwon Taek Joo asked Zhenya to protect Yoon Jong Woo on the grounds that he was in a dangerous situation due to some incident. The openly annoyed guy accepted the request after convincing him that he could complete his job and that Kwon
Taek Joo didn't have to worry if he left it to him.
He felt a pang of conscience when remembering the guy's proud face, it seemed like he had to return as soon as possible. The class meeting location is a traditional pub in front of the school gate. It seems they rented out the entire store. There was only noise but no music was heard outside the
door. Kwon Taek Joo opened the door and went inside. At that sign, several of his classmates turned towards the door.
"Huh? Who is this?
"Kwon Taek Joo?"
"Hey, you're really here."
"Long time no see, buddy."
Kwon Taek Joo greeted everyone, some people came up to him and asked to shake his hand. I don't know how much they drank, but the air was filled with the smell of alcohol. Kwon Taek Joo smiled and asked
"Is everyone okay?"
The hand he held out did not hold tightly but just patted gently. Estimated to be about 30 people in attendance, Yuna Hyun was sitting at the back of
the group and chatting. While exchanging greetings with friends around them, their eyes suddenly met. Yuna Hyun laughed first. Kwon Taek Joo just nodded slightly.
First, he was taken to an empty chair. As soon as they sat down, everyone started drinking. Kwon Taek Joo drank it all in one go and put the glass down, the wine was immediately filled again.
"Hey, why did you cut off contact like that?"
"Everyone thought you were dead."
"Really . We heard that you joined the special forces but there was no news after that, so
we wondered what happened?"
"How come no one knows you changed your number?"
Everyone scrambled to ask questions, Kwon Taek Joo just laughed. When entering NIS, for security purposes, he changed his contact number frequently . Even his colleagues at NIS asked if it was necessary to do so, but he always wanted everything to be carefully prepared. It is a world where if personal information is leaked indiscriminately and if Kwon Taek Joo himself is careless, his identity will soon be revealed, meaning he will soon lose his status as an agent.
After a few glasses of wine, the atmosphere becomes closer. Everyone present at the table was curious about Kwon Taek Joo's current situation. It seems everyone has run out of things to say to each other.
"What do you do now?"
"I just do this and that."
"Do you work or do your own business?"
"Kwon Taek Joo, I heard you haven't graduated yet? I was very surprised to hear that today. I thought you got into a big company ."
"Ah, so it is."
"Huh? In today's era of technical specifications, even if you die, you still have to get a diploma."
"Let's look at something that has nothing to do with specifications. Are you a professional soldier now? Did you get these muscles after serving in the army?"
"Hey kid, look at his beautiful body. Do you do any physical work?"
People did not hesitate to touch Kwon Taek Joo's thighs and biceps. For him, this is the most difficult time. After seeing each other for a long time, people often ask about each other's careers. Kwon Taek Joo often gives short or evasive answers, and it's awkward when people ask or ask for business cards about work. This also seems to have the
biggest impact in the narrow relationships between people.
"Are you doing manual labor? Why can't you say that?"
Some people jump to conclusions without getting a definitive answer . Others seemed to guess that Kwon Taek Joo was doing something that was not easy to say, and that was why he hesitated. In fact, the main characters attending gatherings often do things that are recognized by society , or they are people who consider friendship to be the joy of
life. Kwon Taek Joo does not fall into those categories. If it weren't for Yuna Hyun, he probably wouldn't have appeared here.
"Similarly , I risk my life every day."
He laughed to keep the atmosphere from sinking. Everyone thought it was a joke and laughed along.
"Are you married yet?"
"Not yet."
"What are you doing if you don't have a family yet? I already have 2 children."
"I know. I'm like this because I have to work so hard."
"Do you live to work?"
"That must be it."
Kwon Taek Joo laughed again. People at the table are married or about to get married. As if in competition, people show each other photos of their families or future brides. He was certainly old enough to do the same. Every time he faces an ordinary life, Kwon Taek Joo realizes how special his job is. It seemed like he was single-handedly drawing a curve in a similar trajectory of life, but
every time he imagined the end, he was in an unhappy mood.
"Are you still seeing someone though? I'm sure the girls won't leave you alone."
"Looking at him, I immediately saw that he had a lover, written right on his forehead."
"Yes...Yes but..."
"Yes, yes, what are you talking about? How long have you been dating?"
"Probably about a year."
"At that point, it's time to get married. How is that person?
"Just a state employee"
"Ooh? What is the age?
"4 years younger than me"
"Wow, there's a 4 year age gap, you don't even need to look at it to know that it matches. Is that person beautiful?
"Uhm... Objectively speaking, yes."
"Wow, this guy is really fascinated, isn't he? You guys! Kwon Taek Joo's girlfriend is not only normally beautiful, nor subjectively beautiful, but also 'objectively beautiful'!"
(Yes, "she" is objectively beautiful indeed)
One guy suddenly stood up and shouted. Boos and cheers rang out from everywhere.
"Hey, I'm curious what that person looks like. Don't you have a picture? Let's see."
"Alright! We will look and objectively judge whether it is beautiful or not."
"Let me see", the cheerful chatter , they excitedly patted the shoulder as if inciting the person next to them."
"There are no pictures, guys."
It is not difficult to control those who intend to rob the phone. Even when everyone in the group booed and drove the atmosphere, Kwon Taek Joo did not move like a stone statue. Because there was no harvest, everyone's spirit gradually lost.
Then, the topic turned to college anecdotes, the current situation of some seniors, juniors and professors, and social issues.
While laughing and talking, Yuna Hyun and
Kwon Taek Joo made eye contact. He wanted to greet her properly but it was awkward to move right now. Even though they didn't say it out loud, everyone clearly felt the reunion between the
two. If he did anything to attract attention, the crowd would tease him. They won't care about Yuna Hyun getting married or Kwon Taek Joo having a lover. For that reason, he heard news of Yuna Hyun from the people around him.
"Yuna studied abroad right after graduating and received her master's degree in Massachusetts. Do you know company M? Now she works as a senior researcher there."
"Did she meet her husband at that company?Probably a foreigner , right?"
"It's no joke now, after getting married he will get a doctorate. I'm curious how far he will go."
"That's so good."
"But you two don't contact each other? When we were in school, the two of us were together every day."
The surrounding suddenly became quiet at someone's question. Not knowing if it reached Yuna Hyun's ears or not, she also looked towards Kwon Taek Joo.
"I told you. Worrying about my own life is already too much."
The story that everyone was waiting for was interrupted. Then, Kwon Taek Joo changed
the subject by asking about his absent friends. Yuna Hyun also immediately turned away and continued the interrupted conversation. Everyone also wanted to say more about the story, but there was no reason to add or subtract words back and forth.
After about two hours, empty seats appeared one by one. The remaining people also dropped in the gloomy atmosphere. The ventilation system in the store was quite poor, so just breathing Kwon Taek Joo felt drunk. He went outside to get some fresh air. Two alcohol-soaked lungs quickly inhaled pure oxygen. It seemed like his thoughts were finally clearing up a bit.
Kwon Taek Joo suddenly thought of cigarettes. Looking at the convenience store across the street, he was considering whether to buy a package. The shop door opened and someone walked out. That's Yuna Hyun. He looked at her as she came closer. Then, she took out the cigarette pack and gave it to Kwon Taek Joo. He did not refuse and took out a cigarette.
"Long time no see. It's been 10 years since we last saw each other, right?"
"Yes. Around that."
They stood next to each other and just blew smoke. The conversation began in earnest just after lighting a cigarette.
"How are you doing?"
"I live a busy life, sort of."
"Is your mother okay?"
"Yes."
"You said you're not married yet? Nothing special? You guys probably want me to marry you more than anyone."
"What are you talking about? You can get married just by making eye contact."
"But why aren't you married yet? I heard earlier that you have someone you're dating, 'objectively beautiful."
"Hey, are you still teasing me?"
Kwon Taek Joo pretended to be angry and smiled at the same time, that smile didn't seem to change.
"No, I just want to make it less serious if you introduce yourself. Does your girlfriend feel
pressured?"
Everyone believes that Kwon Taek Joo's lover is a woman. Kwon Taek Joo himself didn't know that he would be involved with a man until a year ago, so it was natural.
"It's not like that. Everyone already knows each other, they're almost close friends. That person sees my mother more often than I do."
"Then it's even stranger . Is your lover ready to propose? Kwon Taek Joo, have you ever
acted imprudently?"
"What do I do?"
"I'm surprised you didn't know."
"Everything is fine now, why does it have to be like that? That person also doesn't think about getting married."
"Have you checked?"
"Should we definitely check that out?"
"You think you can see everything but sometimes you don't. You're a bit careless."
Kwon Taek Joo didn't know if he was getting love counseling or if Yuna Hyun was venting old resentments when they met again after more than 10 years.
"Marriage does not prove sincerity . Each person has a different way of loving each other, as if marriage is the only right answer and a happy ending. I don't understand either. We can be together if we like, right?"
"...."
Yuna's face was bewildered. Cigarette butts that have not yet been shaken fly in the wind.
"What was that reaction?"
"Oh my god, Kwon Taek Joo. The words that come out of your mouth are filled with love... That is something that can be used to live a long life."
"No, I didn't say anything about love? I just mean it in general."
"What's not to love anymore? Why are your ears so red?"
"Why are my ears red?"
Kwon Taek Joo covered his ears. It's not that it's not, but why is it so hot behind his ears? Maybe because he drank too much? He grabbed the cigarette pack from Yuna Hyun's hand. He took out another cigarette, put it in his mouth and lit it. Yuna Hyun continued to smirk next to him.
"Talk about another story."
"Why is it fun?"
"Do you want to come in yet?"
"I know, I know."
Yuna Hyun grabbed the medicine package in Kwon Taek Joo's hand as if giving him a hand and told her story.
"This time I came back to completely arrange my life in Korea."
"Really? Are you planning to permanently settle abroad?
"Yes. Maybe. My future husband is American."
"What about your relatives?"
"After graduating from university and studying abroad, my relationships with them became even more sparse. So far, I have only returned to Korea twice. My mother's 60th birthday and my brother's graduation day. Now I just consider them as distant
relatives. That way I don't have to be sad anymore, and my mother and younger brother are less inconvenienced. Maybe they will come to the wedding. My mother said she would help me with postpartum care after giving birth, but I don't know anymore. I don't know how things will turn out."
Kwon Taek Joo just nodded without saying a word. That's the way it is, what more can others say? From the beginning, Kwon Taek Joo was the type of person to quietly listen no matter what people said. He does not carelessly interfere in other people's affairs or impose his own ideas as a solution. That's why Yuna Hyun also freely shared her inner situation, like a solid bamboo forest where you don't have to worry about secrets being revealed.
Yuna Hyun suddenly turned to Kwon Taek Joo and looked at him meticulously from head to toe. She gave a mischievous smile. Kwon Taek Joo's expression was a bit uncomfortable.
"What's up?"
"You have become more handsome, Kwon Taek Joo. Now you look so manly. I was very curious about how you changed and how you lived. I really want to meet you at least once before going to America, but on the other hand, I'm also nervous. What should I do if my first love turns out to be a pot-bellied uncle?"
"That's how it should be."
Joking but not laughing, Yuna Hyun hit Kwon Taek Joo's back as if punishing him. He was also against letting her keep some beautiful memories in Korea.
The wind blows. The two were silent for a moment to let the wind calm down. A slight smile crossed his lips. People who have shared time together can reminisce about that time even without saying anything.
"You know what I said about you to my fiancé? There was a man who kicked me 11 times. After that, he was very curious. He said he really wants you to come to our wedding."
"So naughty . What's so funny about jokes when you're young?
"Is it like a joke? I mean it every time."
"What kind of joke is this again?"
"It's not a joke. I just pretended not to be embarrassed because I kept getting rejected."
Kwon Taek Joo clicked his tongue and thought he was heartless. He didn't know if Yuna Hyun really asked him on a date 11 times or not. But it was clear that he never accepted that confession seriously . To Kwon Taek Joo, she is a friend, a competitor , and someone who shares the same pain. He has never drawn any other relationship.
However , that doesn't mean Yuna Hyun doesn't have charm. Even compared to the women Kwon Taek Joo met and broke up with, they were not unattractive. But why is that so?
"The last time was probably at your brother's funeral, right?"
That was the time when Kwon Taek Joo had just been discharged from the army. A phone call came in the middle of the night, and he was extremely scared. For no reason at all, Kwon Taek Joo remembered the last phone call he had with his brother . The omens did not go astray. That's how Kwon Taek Joo received his brother's death notice.
His mother was not conscious during the process of moving to the designated location. As if possessed, she muttered unintelligible words to herself.
Kwon Taek Joo prayed to all the gods that this was just a mistake, prayed for a miracle to happen, and prayed over and over again. But that desperate prayer had no effect. His brother returned with a cold corpse. Even the body is no longer intact. The mother could not bear it and collapsed. Kwon Taek Joo couldn't do anything. He only tragically realized his weakness and helplessness. After hearing the news, teammates came to offer their condolences. Yuna Hyun was also in the crowd that day. Even after everyone left, she stayed. She was in no hurry to approach Kwon Taek Joo or try to comfort him.
The next morning, Kwon Taek Joo found her.
Yuna Hyun continued to reflect on that moment.
"I said 'I want to be by your side'. Do you know what you said?"
The memory is not clear, because it happened a long time ago, and Kwon Taek Joo intentionally forgot what happened during that time. It seemed like the first time he didn't think her confession was a joke.
"You said 'My mother is the only one left. I wish you could meet someone who thinks of you first and cherishes you, so I can't accept you.' I know why you said that so I didn't try any more. How is the person you are dating now? Did that person grow up and receive a lot of love? That person doesn't depend on you and doesn't need you to take
care of her all the time?"
Kwon Taek Joo could not answer the next questions. That story is far different from Zhenya. Looking back, his situation hasn't changed at all. But why is it okay for Zhenya but not for Yuna Hyun?
"If that person is like that, congratulations, even if not, congratulations."
Kwon Taek Joo looked at Yuna Hyun with confusing words. She just laughed.
"That person is the one who defeated the stubborn Kwon Taek Joo."
As such. Zhenya was just as needy as Yuna Hyun, maybe even more so. Maybe that's why he always tries to cling to Kwon Taek Joo and follow him wherever he goes, no matter how far or how dangerous. If it wasn't Zhenya, no one would have been able to do it. No one will understand a lover who has many secrets, often goes on business
trips and rarely gets to rest.
Zhenya even left everything behind and went to Korea. The boy has no past, interests or acquaintances in Korea. He can ignore the rest of his life, purely to be with Kwon Taek Joo. It would be much easier if Zhenya lured and captured him.
But he didn't, just because Zhenya didn't want to be hated by Kwon Taek Joo himself. He felt sorry for his patience and desires that were not human at the beginning. For some reason, Kwon Taek Joo felt restless, like he had done something bad to
Zhenya. And strangely enough, he missed Zhenya.