Stranger

Yeon Woojeong didn’t show any particular response to the words I added. Thinking that he might not believe me, I got on edge.

“I really do. I’m not lying.”

When I extended my right hand in a flash, he glanced down at my watch and then burst into laughter.

“I didn’t give it to you to use it as a lie detector.”

Yeon Woojeong grabbed my fingertips and lowered his head. My fingertips touched his lips. Touching my fingers to his smiling lips, he squinted his eyes,

“Yeah. I got you.”

The place touched with his lips was hot. When my fingers flinched, Yeon Woojeong pulled back and turned his head.

“Don’t be afraid. Afraid if I’ll be disappointed in you. Even if such a thing happens, that’s not the end.”

“Were you afraid, Mr. Yeon?”

“I was always afraid.”

“Because of that teacher?”

Yeon Woojeong didn’t answer and smiled. His smile was the answer.

“That teacher, is he a bad person?”

“No. He’s a good person. But sometimes, a very good person… made people around them bad. Well, this, too, is an excuse made by a bad person.”

I couldn’t believe Yeon Woojeong thought of himself as a bad person. I’d like it if he didn’t think like that. I didn’t like Yeon Woojeong lowering himself because of that man.

“Is that person such an important person?”

I felt like I would lose no matter what kind of answer he gave. So I hoped he wouldn’t say anything. As if he knew my feelings, Yeon Woojeong quietly caressed my head. I turned my head and looked outside the window. The Ferris wheel, which had reached the top, was descending.

It was darkening in the distance. Even if he said that person is a kind and important person, I didn’t think I could like that person for making Yeon Woojeong have such a thought.

I thought about the relationship between him and me. Does Yeon Woojeong also think of that man as his family?

“Mr. Yeon.”

“Hmm.”

“Are you going to get married?”

There was no answer heard. When I looked at Yeon Woojeong, he raised his brows.

“Why are you asking that?”

“Can’t I ask?”

“Why would I get married?”

He laughed. I captured Yeon Woojeong’s face clearly in my eyes.

“You promised.”

“… Haha, alright. I promised.”

I looked outside the window again. Yeon Woojeong’s gaze was also with me. Until we got off, we engraved the view of the darkening lake into our eyes. For some reason, it felt like I would remember this moment for a very long time.

***

“Good morning.”

“Good morning…”

Stealing a glance at Seo Jihee, who somehow looked down, I wore the vest. When I walked to the counter, she put her hand on her chest and let out a sigh.

“Jiho…”

“Yes.”

“Today is the day of the contest announcement.”

“The one you told me last time?”

“No, that one isn’t yet. There’s another one I submitted before it. The prize is…”

Seo Jihee swallowed her saliva and showed five fingers. Fifty? Five hundred?

“Five million won!”

“Woah.”

“I will treat you if I win the grand prize. Ah, I’m nervous. Erm, if I win, can I go home a bit earlier? I did get permission from the boss, but…”

“Yes, you can.”

“Thank you.”

I nodded cursorily to her, who sincerely said thank you. It wasn’t such a big help compared to when she helped me at work.

As if she was truly nervous and excited, Seo Jihee sighed and checked her phone a few times while working. It was amazing to see someone challenge themself on something, focus on it, and be nervous and excited. Won’t it work for her? I guessed she will succeed someday even if she fails this contest. She did her best after all.

The supply arrived. While I was waiting at the counter, Seo Jihee inspected it. When she finished inspecting, I helped her move the boxes and sort the display.

“Isn’t this the opposite?”

The one with a short expiration date should be placed in front, but it was in the back. For a while I wondered if I remembered it wrong, so I asked. Seo Jihee approached me and slapped her forehead.

“Ah, why am I so absent-minded today? You’re right. I have to sort it again.”

“I’ll do it.”

It wasn’t difficult. After sorting back the triangular kimbap, I returned to the counter. I helped a customer to pay the bill, then I took out my phone to check if there was any call from Yeon Woojeong, but then Seo Jihee groaned.

“Jiho, why are you so good at work?”

“Sorry?”

“Is this really your first time working at a convenience store?”

It was unexpected. I put back my phone.

“You don’t have to feel sorry.”

“Huh? I’m sincerely praising you, though?”

“… Seriously?”

“Yes!”

“But I made a lot of mistakes.”

“Ay, everyone made the same mistakes. Look at me. I made mistakes, too, today.”

It indeed sounded like she said it not to cheer me up. Am I really?

“Jiho, you have a good memory, are strong, and also responsive, so I learn a lot too.”

I had nothing to say. When I nodded, Seo Jihee smiled and told me to not be embarrassed. I didn’t feel embarrassed. 

As the announcement time Seo Jihee told me came closer, she couldn’t stay still. It bothered me that she noisily shook her feet or sighed, but I didn’t say anything. What should I do if she ended up losing? I don’t think I could console her even if she was sad.

“Haah, why won’t it show up? I was told the announcement would be at 6 p.m.”

I also began to check my watch following her. It was about half-past six.

“Gasp, it’s up, it’s up, it’s up.”

Seo Jihee stamped her feet. Watching her, I swallowed dry saliva.

“Ahh!”

Ah, that surprises me.

I was shrugging, but Seo Jihee suddenly turned to me and hugged me.

“Grand prize!”

I had no idea where this kind of power came from. When I was about to step back because I was uncomfortable, the bell rang.

Yeon Woojeong, who opened the door and just entered, stopped like that. He and I looked at each other absentmindedly. In the meantime, Seo Jihee let go of me.

“Jiho, I’ll treat you next time!”

She hurriedly took off her vest, and ran off the counter. After taking her coat and bag, she said farewell to me.

“Oh, hello!”

While leaving, Seo Jihee bowed her head to Yeon Woojeong, who was standing next to the door. After she left like a wind, it was quiet inside the convenience store. It got me out of my mind, too.

“You’re early.”

“Yeah.”

Yeon Woojeong walked slowly, then he walked behind the counter and sat on a chair. He looked up intently at me. When I looked back at him, he scanned the vest I wore and the name tag on it. After a long time, he opened his mouth.

“Alright, explain yourself now.”

“About what?”

“Why was she hugging you?”

I scanned his expressions. It felt like he was just asking. Although the ‘explain yourself’ word was a bit strange.

“She said she won a contest. The prize is five million won.”

“Is that so? … Then I have to understand it.”

I swallowed a snort at the words he said as if he was showing mercy. He spread his legs, put his hands in between, then leaned his upper body to me.

“So, how old is Miss Jihee?”