Side Story 2 (2)

The atmosphere, which had been strangely stagnant since the morning, completely subsided, with the verge of them separating. At Taekyung’s words, Soyoung nodded with a sullen face.

“Come here.”

Tae-kyung opened his arms toward So-young, who was hesitant to go through the departure process. When she always buried her head in his warm and wide arms, the smell that always reassured her penetrated her nose. Taekyung swept her back with a soft force.

“I’ll go over as often as possible as the situation permits. So, you have to do a little better by holding out by yourself.”

“I will. Don’t worry too much.”

“You’re away from me. How can I not be worried?”

At Tae-kyung’s words, So-young rolled up the corners of her mouth, but the smile she forced up did not last long.

She thought she was ready enough, but when the moment of separation arrived, an unknown source of anxiety slowly came. So-young dug a little deeper into Taekyung’s arms as if looking for warmth. He lightly put his lips on the top of her head.

“But you don’t have to overdo it. Tell me whenever you’re tired. Don’t force yourself to endure the limitations.”

“I’ll be able to do well. Seriously, don’t worry.”

“Don’t forget that I love you so much.”

“Me too. I love you, team leader.”

Since then, the two could not take steps for a long time.

As soon as she boarded the plane, So-young was overwhelmed with the emptiness that was rushing in. Suddenly, she was suffocated as if she had oxygen deficiency, and the confidence and confidence she had accumulated so far escaped like a grain of sand scattered through her fingers.

“…Ha.”

When she thought of the 12-hour flight, she suddenly felt dizzy. So-young slumped her shoulders, breathing deeply. The seats were spacious, and the atmosphere was pleasant, but the frustration of squeezing her chest could not be overcome.

It was a strange thing. When Taekyung was next to her, she thought everything would be fine, but the fact that as soon as she separated from him, her heart became so fragile. So-young fumbled in her bag and took out her cell phone.

[Don’t think about anything and rest well.]

[I love you.]

It was a friendly message, as if he had read So-young’s mind. When she repeatedly read the sentence resembling Taekyung, tears burst suddenly.

“Hic…”

Even if she repeatedly said that she was only away for a while, there was no way to shake off the emptiness of flooding like a tsunami. So-young buried her face in the cardigan she brought and cried a little. It was tears ‌she endured all the time in front of Taekyung.

* * *

Everything So-young experienced in the United States came as a fresh shock to her.

She had been determined in her own way, but the vague gap between imagination and reality was difficult to adapt to. Even though she had been preparing for nearly a year, she was overwhelmed to follow the progress because of a lack of listening skills, and she had to struggle every day with how many quizzes and assignments were poured out in each class.

– Was it okay today?

“Today, I was in a hurry and it was over. Haa… I haven’t finished half of the report but yet time already flies.”

When So-young whined, Taekyung in the cell phone screen smiled quietly.

– It’s going to be harder because it’s your first time. Everyone starts like that, so don’t be too stressed out. And as I always say, you don’t have to be too impatient. Sometimes things can only be solved over time.

“I guess so, but if it’s a relief, I think my listening skills have improved little by little. It’s also an atmosphere where international students help each other.

– If you’re studying abroad…… Is it a man?

Taekyung still looked smiling, but his gaze at Soyoung became strangely persistent. Out of jealousy he revealed. She shook her head, swallowing laughter.

“There is a French uncle who is my father’s age, an international student couple from China, and two girls from Spain. Everyone’s biggest goal is survival, so they can’t afford to hang out. So relax your emotions.”

– Haha.

Soyoung talked to Taekyung on the phone every evening. It was only a dozen minutes, but at that time, she could get out of all the troubles that made her confused. She could forget the loneliness, pressure, and stress for a while.

– It’s welcome to get close to people, but let’s not get too close. I don’t want to be filled with jealousy.

“I don’t even want that.”

Tae-kyung did not hide his jealousy, but at the same time, he seemed relieved that So-young held out. She looked quietly into the man on the glass screen.