By Zephyria 
If we weren’t going to bury the novel as if it never happened, there was no reason to hesitate. Even if we met Lee Beom, there were still many people we hadn’t seen. Jeon Jae-hyung, Ban Pyo-ran, Ban Seo-yi.
We couldn’t constantly worry and agonize over whether they would welcome or reject the memories of the novel.
Do Yun-hyeok chuckled softly.
[I guess I won’t be bored.]
“I guess so.”
A soft laugh escaped me, and my tension loosened. It was strange. Why did Do Yun-hyeok’s words make me feel so at ease?
‘Is this the original?’
My worries felt trivial, and I felt a sense of freedom. Gratitude and a fluttering heart for Do Yun-hyeok rushed in like the wind, filling the space where tension had been.
[Seong Hae-min must have a lot on his mind too.]
“He’s always been a worrier.”
[Still, he wouldn’t be worried because he didn’t want to regain his memories.]
“How did you know?”
[Of course, that’s why. Because he met you.]
“Ah, dammit.”
[Hahaha.]
My fingers curled up at the sudden, unblinking remark. Do Yun-hyeok burst into laughter at my disgusted reaction. I knew I’d been tricked again.
Do Yun-hyeok would throw out cheesy lines without a hint of embarrassment. How many times had I fallen for it today alone! No matter how often I heard it, I couldn’t build up immunity. It felt like he deliberately said more cringe-worthy things because my flustered reactions amused him.
“What would you do?”
[Me?]
“Have you ever wanted to meet a friend from a novel again? Ban Seo-yi….”
[Hmm, of course, I’m curious.]
“What if Ban Seo-yi doesn’t remember you at all?”
[Well…….]
I could hear Do Yun-hyeok pondering for a long time over the mobile phone. Gazing up at the night sky, I also drifted into thoughts of Ban Seo-yi.
The encounter where Do Yun-hyeok confessed to me in the middle of the street, saving me; the texts we exchanged while laughing at the Four Heavenly Kings’ boasts; our secret meeting at the amusement park; and the moment I watched a bleeding Do Yun-hyeok, feeling helpless as he was subdued, only for him to appear like a hero, spraying a fire extinguisher from behind the building…….
Do Yun-hyeok’s answer, which he finally managed to give, was surprisingly lukewarm.
[I don’t think I’ll be able to meet Ban Seo-yi, so it’s hard to imagine.]
“…Why?”
I wasn’t really asking out of curiosity. Even as I asked, I knew the answer. Do Yun-hyeok also knew that I asked despite knowing.
Ban Seo-yi didn’t know about the existence of the ‘real world.’ That alone was enough of a clue. Ban Seo-yi was a character within the novel, endlessly repeating its narrative.
Late at night, only the steady sound of breathing filled the silence. My heart, which had been beating sadly, gradually slowed.
I… missed Do Yun-hyeok.
If we had been facing each other, we would have surely hugged when this conversation came up.
Being unable to see him before my eyes, only hearing his breathing, was lonelier than I had imagined.
[It’s dawn in Korea. It’s late today, so….]
“Yeah….”
Do Yun-hyeok changed the subject. Without needing him to say it, I felt his emotions and silently agreed.
Perhaps it was because we had spent so much time together during the semester. Today, Do Yun-hyeok’s absence felt particularly profound. We had indeed been too inseparable….
Still, I felt too shy to say I missed him, so I grumbled, telling him to send more travel photos, pretending to be petulant. He was already sending them every single day, but I was just being childish.
[Next time, let’s definitely go on a trip together.]
“Okay.”
Do Yun-hyeok smiled faintly and promised a future meeting. I quickly shortlisted a few travel destinations in my head, estimated the budget, and replied that I understood.
After ending the call, I tiptoed back into my room, closed the open window, and tidied up my sleeping area. Before turning off the light and lying down, I picked up the desk calendar again and checked the date.
I gently picked up the calendar and touched the marked day with my lips before pulling away.
I missed Do Yun-hyeok.
❖ ❖ ❖
As soon as the cafe door opened, three pairs of eyes darted towards the entrance. The person who entered this time was a common university student with a haggard face, carrying a laptop. Seeing that it wasn’t Lee Beom, their eyes quickly returned to their original positions.
Soft music played inside the spacious and comfortable franchise cafe. At other tables, people were engrossed in their own tasks, enveloped by the music. However, the atmosphere at our table was anything but that.
Sitting blankly, we nervously flinched every time the cafe door opened, our eyes scanning the person entering.
Just as we were about to relax, the heavy cafe door opened again, and I sensed someone entering. My eyes shot over again.
Despite repeatedly being disappointed, I felt tense. I clenched my fists and narrowed my eyes.
A familiar silhouette was entering the cafe.
‘He’s here…!’
Min Si-hu mouthed something, but I recognized him before I could hear his reaction. Min Si-hu’s words weren’t an exaggeration when he said he could spot Lee Beom from afar, even when standing on a stage looking down at a hall full of students. It was a strange experience, like being drawn by a magnet, my gaze pulled towards him.
Lee Beom, clutching the strap of his messenger bag, entered the cafe, looking around. Min Si-hu waved enthusiastically. Spotting us, Lee Beom nodded slightly in greeting.
“Beom-ah!”
“Hello, Teacher.”
“You found us well. Should I have come to pick you up?”
“No. I found it quickly.”
Lee Beom, when he spoke, had a much more ordinary demeanor than I had imagined. Was it because he politely called us ‘Teacher’ and used formal language? However, unlike Min Si-hu, who was boisterous from our first meeting, Lee Beom was calm, making him seem similar to his reserved and taciturn portrayal in the novel.
Just as Min Si-hu had said, he didn’t remember us at all. It wasn’t something to be upset about. Perhaps I had developed a tolerance from Seong Hae-min and Min Si-hu’s previous experiences.
“These are the teachers who said they’d come today. You remember, right? Friends who took the liberal arts entrance exams are coming to help.”
Min Si-hu, taking on an awkward teacher-like role, made me roll my eyes.
“Hello.”
“Hello.”
After greeting Min Si-hu, Lee Beom then bowed to me and Seong Hae-min, who were sitting opposite him. Seong Hae-min politely returned the greeting in formal speech.
“Please speak casually.”
“No, no. It’s fine. I’m more comfortable with formal speech.”
Seong Hae-min’s gentle smile was unreadable; was he setting boundaries or being considerate? He seemed stiff with tension. I, too, felt awkward, as if I had a mouthful of honey.
“Uh, hi.”
“Hello.”
After exchanging greetings, Lee Beom sat down quietly next to Min Si-hu. We couldn’t take our eyes off him as he took off his bag and placed it on the floor.
“So… you’re a high school student?”
I swallowed and asked. Min Si-hu, sitting beside him, looked triumphant. I didn’t know why Min Si-hu’s shoulders puffed up when Lee Beom was the one asked.
“Yes.”
“19 years old?”
“Yes.”
“Really?”
Lee Beom looked puzzled. I stammered, feeling like a thief caught red-handed.
“No, um, of course, it’s real, but…”
“…Do I not look my age to that extent? Many people tend to see me as older than I actually am.”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
I waved my hand apologetically, feeling bad for making him seem like an old man when he was young. I just couldn’t believe Lee Beom was a high school student, even seeing him with my own eyes!
Lee Beom’s appearance was far from looking old. His eyes, nose, mouth, and cheeks were youthful, and to us, who only remembered his stoic face, his expression with a sheepish smile was unfamiliar and surprisingly young.
“First, shall we order drinks? The teacher will treat you. Hard-working students preparing for exams deserve to be treated!”
Min Si-hu, sensing the mood, changed the subject and led Lee Beom to the counter.
Seong Hae-min and I, left at the table, finally breathed a sigh of relief. We looked at each other and whispered.
“His face is definitely Lee Beom.”
“Yes, though his personality is a bit different.”
“To speak so politely with that face. It’s creepy.”
“He doesn’t remember us….”
Seong Hae-min murmured. I nodded in agreement. Lee Beom’s pure and bright eyes showed no ulterior motives.
There was no reason for him to pretend not to remember, nor did he seem to be acting. Just as Min Si-hu had said, he seemed to have no memory of the novel at all. Lee Beom was an ordinary and calm student.
“It’s probably for the best.”
Considering he was a student preparing for exams, it was better for him not to remember.
“For the best….”
Seong Hae-min nodded bitterly.
“Yes, it’s for the best.”
“If he remembered the novel, would his personality go back to being broken?”
“He was taciturn, but was he broken?”
“Don’t you remember? When we went to the karaoke room.”
“Karaoke room? Ah.”
“Why, back then, to Ban Pyo-ran…”
We quickly shut up as we sensed them returning, having been whispering. We straightened our bodies and smiled awkwardly.