By Zephyria 
Sure enough, a photo had arrived from Yoon Tae-hee.
(Photo)
It was a photo of today’s school lunch menu. Once, he had wondered, “What did you eat for lunch today?” and since then, Tae-hee had been taking a photo of the menu and sending it every single day.
Sometimes he sent a photo of the actual meal tray, and other times he only sent a photo of the printed menu. Sending only the menu meant that he disliked every single item on that day’s menu so much that he hadn’t even bothered to get a serving.
Occasionally, he would pick and choose only the side dishes he hated to skip, but today, every compartment of the tray was filled without a single empty spot.
With a serious expression, Jae-gyeom zoomed in on the photo of the tray. Today’s menu was jajangbap, egg soup, chili tangsuyuk, stir-fried sausage and vegetables, and seasoned soybean sprouts. It was perfect for someone with the palate of a child like Yoon Tae-hee.
Jae-gyeom typed a message.
Just the librarian’s taste, isn’t it?
Yesss~ It’s exactly the librarian’s taste. *^^*
I knew it.
In a photo sent the day before yesterday, he had sent a lonely picture of a single bag of potato chips as his lunch. When Jae-gyeom asked why he was eating that instead of a proper meal, the reply was that braised pollack had been on the menu.
Jae-gyeom had given him a piece of his mind, telling him that while he wouldn’t force him to eat the school lunch, he should at least go out and buy a proper meal on days like that.
Eat well. Slowly. Chewwwww. Thoroughly..
Thank you ^^
😊
After sending a reply telling him to enjoy his meal, Jae-gyeom dove back into his studies.
As afternoon arrived, a brief crisis hit in the form of post-lunch drowsiness. Nevertheless, he slogged through all the video lectures he had set as today’s goal.
Now, it was time to solve problems based on what he had learned. Turning the page, he came across the mock exam page that appeared at the end of each unit. Jae-gyeom solemnly began solving the problems. He worked through them with considerable care and then checked his answers, but…
Jae-gyeom let out a deep sigh, holding the graded test paper.
“…….”
He had barely managed to score over 30.
Considering that today’s subject was Korean, it was an absurd score. The passing cutoff was 60 points per subject. With application deadlines coming up next month, a sudden wave of anxiety washed over him.
Since the exam was in August, there were still about three months left, but the wall of 60 points across all subjects felt dauntingly high. If he didn’t pass this time, he wouldn’t be able to take the exam again until next year.
Jae-gyeom scratched his forehead vigorously and muttered.
“I’ll have to ask Tae-hee about the parts I got wrong later.”
Occasionally, there were parts that he couldn’t understand just by watching the video lectures. But that was okay. This was because there were two people in this house—Jeong-ju and Yoon Tae-hee—who had experience with the GED.
Whenever there was a problem he didn’t know or a confusing part, Jeong-ju and Yoon Tae-hee took turns tutoring him. However, at some point, he began receiving tutoring only from Yoon Tae-hee. This was partly because Jeong-ju was currently busy practicing scripts, and partly because Jeong-ju’s tutoring style was the polar opposite of Jae-gyeom’s.
‘I told you, even if you don’t understand it, just accept it as it is and memorize it!’
‘What? How am I supposed to memorize it if I don’t understand it?’
‘Then understand it! You just said you didn’t understand!’
‘Hey, it’s because you’re like that that you can’t explain it to me properly. How can someone who just memorizes and moves on without understanding make someone else understand? Stop living your life so haphazardly. It’ll come back to haunt you like a snowball.’
‘No! Ah!… I don’t know, I’m done. Ask Tae-hee.’
And so, the responsibility of tutoring fell entirely on Yoon Tae-hee.
After marking the wrong answers and the things he wanted to ask, it was past 3 PM by the time he finished the problem set.
He had finished today’s video lectures and the workbook. At times like this, he should have previewed tomorrow’s material or reviewed what he had learned. But for some reason, he couldn’t concentrate today.
I wonder what Yoon Tae-hee is doing right now. Does he have about two hours left until he gets off work?
Jae-gyeom fiddled with his phone and then cast his gaze out the window.
“Hmm…….”
Lost in thought for a moment, Jae-gyeom neatly organized the notebook and workbook spread across his desk. He took out his bag, put in his stationery and study materials, then got dressed and prepared to go out.
He figured that even if he stayed seated, he wouldn’t be able to concentrate anyway, so he thought he might go to the cafe near the school to meet him. He planned to review what he had learned today while waiting for Yoon Tae-hee to finish work.
When he finished preparing and opened his room door, he saw Jeong-ju sitting on the living room sofa. It seemed the script practice was over, as Jeong-ju was sitting with Yu Nam-saeng, knitting while a YouTube video played.
“What are you doing?”
“Oh, this? I’m trying to make a pot cover with some yarn.”
“A pot cover?”
“Yeah. I thought I’d give Mesan’s pot some clothes. What do you think, sounds good, right?”
Jae-gyeom nodded in agreement.
“But where are you going?”
“Yeah. I’m just heading out for a bit.”
“Where to?”
Jae-gyeom spoke as if trying to act nonchalant.
“…The cafe in front of the school.”
“Are you going to meet Tae-hee?”
“Well… among other things….”
“Sure, have a good trip.”
He felt somewhat embarrassed to admit openly that he was going to meet him, and he worried that Jeong-ju might think it was strange, so he replied in the most casual tone possible, but Jeong-ju didn’t seem to mind.
“Farewell, my lord.”
“Be careful on your way. Watch out for cars.”
“I will.”
Jae-gyeom opened the front door and left the house. Although it was May, the temperature difference between day and night was still significant, so it felt a bit chilly as evening approached. It felt more like late spring than early summer.
Jae-gyeom zipped up his hoodie all the way to his neck.
As he used to, he went to the stop at the foot of the mountain and boarded the number 17 bus heading toward Daeryung High School. Come to think of it, this was the first time he had gone to the school since the day he visited the library with the flowerpot.
Watching the scenery flash by outside the window, he felt strangely lighthearted.
He’ll be surprised if I show up without calling.
After riding for about thirty minutes, Jae-gyeom got off the bus and headed toward the cafe located at the intersection.
It was the same meeting spot where he had once stood up Yoon Tae-hee. As he opened the glass door and entered the shop, the employee at the counter greeted him.
“Welcome. May I take your order?”
Standing in front of the counter, Jae-gyeom looked up at the menu and pondered for a moment. Since he had often visited cafes following his team members during his time at the Exorcism Bureau, there were a few drink names that didn’t seem unfamiliar.
Hmm… I’d prefer something not too sweet.
“Five-grain latte, please. Make it a bit less sweet.”
“Would you like that iced?”
“No. Hot, please.”
He finished ordering and paying smoothly, and it wasn’t long before the drink was ready. Jae-gyeom took his drink and took a seat at a table by the window.
Mhm! Natural.
Satisfied with himself, Jae-gyeom nodded and took the workbook out of his bag. He intended to study as planned while waiting. But for some reason, the letters wouldn’t enter his eyes. It felt as if his mind was wandering elsewhere.
The seat Jae-gyeom took had a full glass window, providing a clear view of the outside. Perhaps that was why he kept unconsciously lifting his head to look out the window.
The cafe was located directly to the left if one walked straight out of the main gate of Daeryung High School; it was close enough that the cafe and the school were only a five-minute walk apart.
If Yoon Tae-hee were leaving work, there was a high probability he would pass by here.
Whenever he felt like a long time had passed and checked his watch, only a few minutes had gone by at most. Even though they hadn’t promised to meet, every time the glass door opened with a ting of the bell, he unconsciously turned his gaze toward the entrance. Even when he realized it wasn’t the person he was waiting for, the faint sound of the bell lingered in his ears like an auditory hallucination.
Jae-gyeom suddenly thought.
The time spent waiting for someone is so full of anticipation.
How much time had passed?
Jae-gyeom’s eyes sparkled as he checked the time on his phone.
5 o’clock! Finally, it was time for Yoon Tae-hee to get off work.
By this point, studying was the furthest thing from his mind. Jae-gyeom practically pressed himself against the glass window, forehead touching the pane, as he watched the outside.
A few minutes passed in that state.
Someone very tall walked out from the direction of the main gate. Though they looked small due to the distance, Jae-gyeom recognized him instantly.
It’s Tae-hee!
As the distance closed, the figure became clearer. The characteristic slouch and the way he walked slowly with his bag hanging long over one shoulder were cute.
Although it was early May and chilly in the mornings and evenings, while many people were wearing light long sleeves, Yoon Tae-hee—who was sensitive to the cold—stood out even more because he was bundled up. He had definitely left the house in just a long-sleeved shirt this morning, but it seemed he had brought extra clothes, as he was wearing a thick-looking fleece over it.
When a nearby student recognized Yoon Tae-hee and bowed in greeting, he waved his hand gently. Jae-gyeom had felt it before, but he seemed to get along well with the students.
Before long, the distance was close enough that his expression was fully visible.
If he just crossed the street, he would be in front of the cafe. Jae-gyeom called Yoon Tae-hee. Hearing the ringtone, Yoon Tae-hee pulled his phone out of his pocket. He looked at the screen. A smile touched his lips. He answered the phone.
— Yes, hello?