Once Upon A Spring

CHAPTER 6

*Jong Hyun's POV*

''This is your newly cooked food. Don't starve.’’

''MOTHER, can you stop doing this!''

My friends and I were shocked at her sudden struggle.

This was the first time she had done that.

Does she have a problem with not telling us?

We, students in this neighborhood, followed her. Even though we attend different schools, we still call each other friends. We followed her because we worried she would go anywhere and not to school. It is still alarming since she just had a drink one night.

She also became a frequent drinker when her father died. It must have been too heavy for her. Until now, she still can't forget.

I still remember that she was also taken to the psychiatric ward because it was said that her actions could not understand, especially when she found out that her father was dead. Maybe her brain was affected due to the impact of the truck that hit her.

When I saw her in the middle of the road, I hurried to pull her over.

''You're disgusting!''

''I'm not going to be chill with rude people like you! You made my hands hold your chest, and then you held my arm without my permission!''

''ME? RUDE?!'' I replied to his accusation.

I did not expect that she would react that way.

I'm just a gentleman here.

''Jong Hyun? '' she asked.

''Is that your name?''

Why she doesn't seem to remember us. Ever since then, we have attended school together.

We started walking and also separated because we went to different schools.

We were the only two left to go to Hwang Hoo International University when she suddenly spoke...

''I'm sorry about that earlier. I'm just really deep in thought.''

''If I can just open your brain, I'll eat it so it can end your trouble!'' I replied.

''Your imagination is too wild,'' she said while smiling.

''You should not be like that. You should say what your problem is because of the look. That's hard when you're alone. If you tell us, it will make you feel better!''

''Thanks anyway. My problem is just a superficial one. Maybe I was just emotional a while ago.''

''By the way, are you having a fight with ahjumma?''

''Ahjumma? Is that what you call her?''

''Ahjumma, Ahjussi, that’s the way I call them. I mean, thats our culture and also, remember? I'm stupid when it comes to memorization.’'

''Ah, Nothing. I just remembered something, that’s why I did it. We didn't fight. I'm not angry with her either. She's okay, and we're okay. I'll just explain to her later,'' she replied.

''Take a break if necessary,'' I said while smiling at her.

We were at the entrance gate of Hwang Hoo International University when we said goodbye to each other.

''HYUNG!''

''Sshhh. Do not be noisy. We are already too late. You're still making noise in the middle of campus,'' he replied coldly.

''Why are you late too?'' I asked him.

''Long story! Come on, let's get an admission slip!''

*Yoo Jeong's POV*

Before Jong Hyun left me here, it was good that it looked like Seong Yoo Jeong had friends who also came and called me to just go with them.

They are also late.

When I entered the University, I couldn’t immediately explain how beautiful it was.

You will first notice the cleanliness of their campus. They seem sensitive to a speck of single dust.

The floor is shiny, and there is a statue holding a torch, perhaps a symbol of the excellence of this school.

Because of the conversation with Seong's friends here, I discovered that the school is also suitable for sports.

Why don't I try?

Their laboratories also seem to be technologically advanced.

All rooms here have air conditioning…

Seong is so lucky to be in this school.

There are also large training rooms for every sport here. There is room for taekwondo, pole vaulting, basketball, volleyball, and archery. They have an open arena for outdoor activities and track and field.

They are also fully equipped. All the dreams and skills of the students here will improve because of these.

Even in today's age, there are schools like this.

I expected the classroom to be the one we were going to when we changed direction. I overheard that we are going to the Guidance office today.

''W… wait. Where will we go? Why are we going to the Guidance office?'' I asked them.

''We did something wrong. Remember?'' one of my companions replied.

''Then? Why was I included?''

Even here, at other times, I was also reported to guidance. This is just too harsh.

''Yes. Why? You are late too, right?'' said another.

''Hello, Jong Hyun!'' called one of my companions.

''Wow! You are here, Yoo Jeong?'' Jong Hyun asked.

That asshole is also here. There was nothing I could do, so I had to pretend to be Seong.

Why does this have to happen?

"Bro, I was with this chic earlier," he said proudly.

...

''Here is the admission slip for you two. Go to your classroom. Once this is repeated, there will be consequences,'' the guidance officer interjected.

It's good that the officer came out because it looked like winter here where we were standing. Jong Hyun's friend didn't even reply.

''Are you next? You again? Are you late again? Oh my, the commensurate consequence will be the punishment for you. You, Ms. Seong, why were you absent yesterday?''

"I just feel so sick."

'' But you know, Miss Seong. We don't accept the excuse that I just feel bad. I just feel sick because you should have a medical certificate to prove you are sick. ''

''But---''

''I'll take care of it,'' Jong Hyun's boyfriend said.

I thought he was a quiet man. He is also a gentleman.

Not just a gentleman, but also a handsome and tall guy. It looks like all the standard that the ladies are looking for in a man is already in this guy.

''I… I mean, didn't you leave your medical certificate at home, Yoo Jeong? Your neighbor, Jong Hyun, told me. Let's get that later since Jong Hyun will not be available later. Your body also looks sluggish. They don't care what happened to your body as long as you show a medical certificate. These are the rules at this school. Even though the rules are like garbage, we can't do anything to get over it.''

''What are you talking about, Mister---,'' the Guidance officer interrupted.

''She will give the medical certificate to you later. Can you consider that? Will you still increase the punishment on her? Give us time. What time will your class end, Miss Seong?'' he asked immediately.

''Ah, no---''

My companion interrupted what I was going to say.

''We have the same schedule. We're until 3 PM. ''

''Is that so.'' he said while thinking. ''Miss Seong, I'll see you around 2 PM. Is it okay with you? Just the two of us.''

''O… Okay!'' I didn't hesitate to reply yet.

"Just the two of us?" Jong Hyun asked in astonishment.

''Don't be malicious. I’m just being gentleman here,'' he said with a wink.

It sounds stupid. Even now, being a gentleman will only be used to attract women.

''Oh, alright. If you can give me a medical certificate, give it to me before I go home. 4 PM. You four girls, get an admission slip. It's enough to talk for a long time. You will be even later for class,'' the guidance officer replied.

''It's good that our Professor did not enter our class at 3 PM. So, does it mean you can continue your 2 PM date,'' my friend teased.

"What a lame joke," I replied.

''Just kidding. All right, I'll go first,'' with a flying kiss.

Seriously? I am not used to this kind of life, home, weather, friends, and clothes. Fortunately, I did not live at this time. I would be even more grateful if it was all just a dream. I don't want to take this long or too far.

''Hello,'' he said suddenly, which startled me completely.

''It's good to talk to you well,'' he told me with a smile.

It is not hidden to my knowledge that many female students here liked him. Women around us were staring and quietly cheering, and many men looked stunned, too.

''Let’s go?'' He asked. I was suddenly pulled out by him out of the school.

''Where is your house? We will run and go there,'' he asked.

"In Sangin-dong, Dalseo-gu. The alley next to the nearest alley."

He held my hand as we ran faster and faster. We are in a dire situation. We are already sweating. There is shortness of breath and tiredness, but we can't feel it.

Maybe because I’m an athlete and I’m used to it. It looks like he's even more active than me. He looks like an athlete. He may be an athlete.

Just now, I was holding a stranger's hand. But the ease of my heart with him, I didn’t know that even in the blink of our gaze, I felt a heartbeat. I can't explain why I feel this way.

It’s impossible for me to just fall for someone. Do I really feel the love?

I also noticed people looking at me. Their eyes are following our footsteps. Others look at us from top to bottom and bottom to top.

''Can you still run?'' he said to me as he sighed.

He stopped briefly and looked at me, '' I thought you were a frail woman. You do not even feel tired. Is it okay to run --- ''

''It is alright. I really like it better. Because actually, my trainer is only with me when it comes to jogging and running,'' I accidentally explained.

''Are you an athlete? What sport do you do?'' he asked.

I have to pretend I am Seong here.

''Sport? Taekwondo. But I'm not that too good,'' I replied.

''Really? Woah! After meeting Jong Hyun, I thought I would never see a brave athlete again. I did not expect to see you. Unbelievably, a woman.''

''You know, I rarely see a woman like that. I thought you were clumsy because of your face, you know. Unexplainable face. The face is the basis of personality today. It looks remorseful that I judged you without knowing anything from you,'' he continued.

I saw that we could no longer see the school, which meant we were already close to our neighborhood.

''There's no time we need to go to my house,'' I replied.

''Who said we're going there? We will go to the clinic nearby. That's where we're going. My uncle is a doctor, maybe we can ask him for help. It's easy to get what you need. Trust me.''

I could do nothing but follow his command. We also ran a long way, and I had to do it so that Seong would not receive community service punishment.

Seong, this is the problem you have given me. But it's good that there are still people who are willing to help you when it comes to this.

The man got along well with his uncle and some of his relatives. They look kind. The good thing is that I got what I needed.

We also went to school and submitted the medical certificate before 4 PM.

''Thank you for your help,'' I replied with sincere gratitude.

''It is nothing. I'll go home first,'' he said with a smile.

''Bro, good luck with the training,'' Jong Hyun said as they passed each other and simultaneously did high five.

''Oh, Yoo Jeong. Come on, let's go home together,'' he added.

''Are you still waiting for me?''

''Of course, it is bro’s order.''

As we walked home together, Jong Hyun inserted a topic.

''You're one of the luckiest,'' he said.

"Why did you say that?"

''Did you know that he is a famous Taekwondo player? Then do you also know why he is doing things like that?'' He asked.

''You are gibberish,'' I said with no interest.

''Honestly, he is very inspired because her girlfriend is so beautiful,'' he replied.

I stopped walking, ''He has a girlfriend already?''

''That's always the scene I see. The women he helps get emotional when they find out that guy, my friend, already has a girlfriend.''

''Do you know that even though they plan to force them to separate, they can't even do that? Do you know why?'' He asked.

''Don't ask too many questions. Just said it to me, directly.''

''The most popular actress today. Cha Hyeon Sil, she's the girlfriend.''

'' Who is that? What's the man's name?'' I stammered.

''You're not familiar? I thought you knew him.’’

‘’Son Chang Hyun is his name. Why?’’ he continued.