My voice came out cracked.
– …….
No answer. I exhaled and tossed my body.
“Hello? Who is this?”
– You’ve been sleeping this whole time?
“Uh…?”
The voice ringing from beyond the phone didn’t immediately connect to an image. A voice that seemed familiar but also not. But the low resonance was pleasant to hear.
– Lucky life. Wake up. It’s already 10 o’clock.
Ah.
A face immediately came to mind at the reproachful voice. It’s Kwon Jukyung.
Eyes that wouldn’t open well suddenly opened wide. The still-unfamiliar scenery of Jukyung’s bedroom filled my vision.
“Ah… sorry. Did you go to work?”
I asked while getting up.
– Of course.
Jukyung answered in his characteristic indifferent voice. It was a voice where I could vividly picture the expression he’d be making right now. I scratched my neck with an awkward feeling and cleared my voice with a cough.
“Uh… you should have woken me.”
– I deliberately made loud thumping noises but you were sleeping like you were out of it. At first I wondered if you were dead and if I should call the body disposal team.
“……”
– Hey, Kang Doyun. Are you listening?
I’d closed my mouth for a moment having nothing to say, so Jukyung asked in a slightly urgent tone.
“Yeah. Speak.”
Was he calling to wake me up and send me out? I thought he’d send me out in the morning, but I was grateful he let me sleep in…
– There’s a document I left behind, so I’d like you to bring it to me.
“Oh, okay.”
It seemed he was going to send me on an errand. It wasn’t a big deal, but I was somehow pleased to hear him asking for help.
“Where is it?”
I got out of bed and stretched as I asked.
– It should be on the console table in the entryway.
“Okay. When and where should I bring it?”
– I’ll send you the address by message. Bring that phone with you when you come. It’s not urgent, so wash up and get yourself together and come by 11:40. It’s about a 30-minute distance, so that’s plenty of time.
“Okay.”
I answered the phone and went to the entryway to get the document. As I was about to turn back, I looked at the empty entryway and suddenly remembered to ask.
“But I don’t have any shoes to wear out?”
Actually, I don’t have clothes either.
“Can I borrow yours?”
– How are you going to wear shoes that don’t even fit?
Jukyung snapped at me again. Then what am I supposed to do, I was about to say, when he continued.
– I bought clothes and shoes and sent them by quick delivery. They’ll arrive soon, so receive them, change, and come out.
It was an unexpected gift. My mouth fell open in delight. A thank you naturally came out without my realizing it.
“Wow… really? Thank you.”
– It’s all debt. Pay it back.
Jukyung said coldly, but I just grinned happily.
“Well, of course.”
– There’s some cash in the drawer by the bed, so take that and come by taxi. Don’t wander around trying to take the subway or bus when you don’t even know how, and end up being late.
Ah. I hadn’t even thought about taking the subway. I’d naturally assumed that Kwon Jukyung would have at least one more car. Come to think of it, didn’t he say he bought even his current car on installments? Hmm… honestly, taxis aren’t great either. Of course, I wasn’t foolish enough to say such things out loud.
“Got it.”
I hid my inner anguish and answered as naturally as possible, resolving that once I get my salary, I should buy a car first too. A four-wheel SUV would be better. If I’m going to drive around places. I was spreading my wings of imagination, thinking of a few car designs I liked, when—oh no. I was on a call with Kwon Jukyung right now, dammit.
– …….
Only Jukyung’s breathing was flowing from the phone. My palm somehow felt tingly.
“Is there anything else you want me to do?”
– …No. Just don’t be late.
Then the call abruptly cut off without a goodbye.
Well, I’ll be. Talk about phone manners, living up to the name Kwon Ssakaji.
I stared at the disconnected screen for a moment in disbelief, then smiled wryly. Either way, I felt good. He probably wouldn’t send anything particularly nice, but still, the fact that I was getting new clothes felt refreshing. Was getting new clothes always this heart-fluttering? Somehow lately I feel like I’m experiencing forgotten emotions anew.
I washed up in the bathroom in the living room and was lounging around for a bit when the quick delivery arrived just in time. When I unpacked the huge shopping bag bundle I’d brought to the living room, my eyes widened. Jeans and sneakers, a bright-colored summer knit, and even a bag. Not only was it surprising that it was a full set, but they were all brands I regularly wore.
It was unexpected.
The matching brands were probably a coincidence, but aside from that, I thought he’d just buy cheap stuff from anywhere, but he spent quite a bit of money. As expected, even though he talks about beggars and whatnot, he doesn’t seem to think I’ll run off with his money.
Or does he think that even though I’m being stubborn like this now, I’ll eventually go home? Then this much is pocket change anyway. He wouldn’t know what kind of family mine is, but since I spent quite a bit at Leroy, he wouldn’t think I’m poor. Still, what if my family went bankrupt and that’s why I’m in this state now—why would he do this?
“……”
No, separate from that, it’s a bit troublesome if he believes that when I have no intention of going back. Or does it not matter? Whether I go home or not, all that matters is that I pay back the money anyway. But then, if he thinks there’s no way I’ll run off with the money, why is he being so harsh to me?
“……”
Who could understand what goes on in his head? That perverted bastard’s mind. If you turn it inside out, it’s probably all pitch black.
I gave up on thoughts that had no answer and decided to just focus on the pleasure of trying on new clothes for the first time in a while.
***
With the size fitting perfectly as if I’d tried it on before buying, I was in high spirits as I caught a taxi and went to the meeting place Jukyung had sent me.
“You’re late.”
As I got out of the taxi, Jukyung, who had been pacing anxiously at the building entrance, greeted me with a frown. I glanced at the time and saw I was 2 minutes late. It’s not even a business meeting, what’s with making a fuss over 2 minutes? It’s not like I’m going to run off somewhere with the documents. I thought he was being picky, but since I was in the best mood wearing new clothes, I decided to generously let it pass.
“Sorry. Here, the document.”
“Document?”
“Yeah. The one you told me to bring. Isn’t this it?”
“Oh, right, that. Give it here.”
With a slightly flustered face, Jukyung practically snatched the document from my hand. Then, without even checking the contents, he rolled up the envelope and stuffed it into his coat pocket.
What’s that about? As if he’d forgotten he’d asked me to run this errand. Wasn’t it an important document that he told me to bring?
An awkward silence flowed between the flustered Jukyung and me, who had nothing to say. I didn’t know what to say. It was also awkward to just say goodbye and leave after receiving clothes and all, and come to think of it, it got too late last night so I didn’t even get to talk about borrowing money. But bringing up that topic in this situation seemed too shameless… what should I do?
“Um… are you busy right now?”
“Huh? No, I’m not busy.”
Jukyung answered, somehow flustered.
“Then buy me a meal. I’m hungry.”
In the end, I said something that sounded like a glutton. But it was lunchtime, and I had nothing else to say.
Jukyung’s face twisted in displeasure.
“Do you get hungry every time you see me? Do I look like a meal ticket?”
I shrugged my shoulders.
“It’s lunchtime.”
“Just when I feel like it, the feeling disappears.”
Jukyung clicked his tongue and grumbled.
“I keep telling you, I’m not buying, I’m lending. This is all debt. Got it?”
“Got it. Then I’ll borrow it, and I’ll buy lunch. What do you want to eat?”
When I spoke with a smile because I was in a good mood, Jukyung looked at me with an incredulous expression.
***
For the first time in a while, I ate a neatly prepared bibimbap set meal at a clean Korean restaurant. The side dishes neatly placed in ceramic bowls, including jeon, tteokgalbi, japchae, and various vegetable dishes, made my mouth water just looking at them. I couldn’t understand my past self from just a month ago, who would pick at such food with a few chopsticks half-heartedly.
