19 – Graduation Ceremony (1)

“Ah, stick around a little longer.”

Cold winter in early February.

On the contrary, in a store overflowing with warm heat, Song Soo-yeon showed a familiar nervousness today.

Jeong-gyeom didn’t move as he imagined, so a sharp tone came out as a reflex.

“This… like this?”

Jeong-gyeom raised an awkward V and leaned over the food Song Su-yeon made.

“No, ha… it doesn’t have to show your face in the picture. I want you to put your face in why are you being so stupid Are you stupid?”

Of course, Song Soo-yeon was pretending to be annoyed, but her heart couldn’t be warmer than that.

The last few months had been the happiest days for her, and they were the same now.

Even at the moment when I felt like I was going to be really angry, my heart calmed down when I thought that this future would continue.

The subtle bullying at school was no longer a concern. It couldn’t hurt her happiness.

She found stability.

“Ha… Soo-yeon. It’s already been 5 minutes… No, it’s almost 10 minutes. Can’t we just eat it? Food photos are so important.. everything will cool down…”

Jeonggyeom complained.

“…and you’ve been taking too many pictures lately… even if you skip it for a day-“

“-Ah, shit…”

Song Soo-yeon gritted her teeth and calmed Jeong-gyeom’s complaints in one blow. Hearing her cold voice, he stopped rebelling.

As Song Soo-yeon got used to Jeong-gyeom, she appropriately used his Hogu-like appearance.

Perhaps it was because he liked himself, but when he got angry, Jung-gyeom lowered his tail in most cases.

Song Soo-yeon raised her voice to drive the momentum.

“…is this for me right now?”

“……”

“You’re doing this for your shop. He asked me to help promote the store.”

“No…I understand-“

“-If you understand, just shut up and follow my words. Don’t you know I’m taking a picture to post on social media?”

“…No, so…why do I have to show my face too…I need my face to promote…?”

“……”

“Looking at it, I don’t post pictures of my face on social media. Photos of only food are uploaded. Why the hell are you asking me to take a picture… isn’t this a waste of time?”

It was a natural question. I was bored too.

So far, Song Soo-yeon has taken hundreds of more photos of his face, but none of them have been posted on social media.

Because it was all collectible.

These were the pictures she took to see at night.

After washing his body, getting into the bed where his scent has faded, covering himself with a cozy blanket, and looking at his photos taken throughout the day, I feel warm and reassured as if he were by my side, and I laugh at his innocent appearance. I was happy to be able to recall the moments that exploded.

So, it was like a new hobby for her.

But, of course, it was also a fact that could not be revealed.

‘I’m taking a picture of you before going to sleep, right?’ can’t say the same thing

shameful, ashamed

In the first place, I couldn’t convey my heart properly.

His social skills, which he used to be in his infancy, have grown, but he is now at the level of an elementary school student.

Like elementary school kids, if you were shy and rough on the contrary, it was still difficult to express yourself honestly.

Saying thank you is a word that can only be said when the plate is laid, and you can’t even say it normally.

Rather, it was Song Soo-yeon who thought that Jeong-gyeom, who expressed a crush on her, was more amazing.

Even so, I didn’t want to give up his photography.

In the past, I installed a camera application that could turn off the shutter sound and took pictures of him secretly, but I gradually felt regret.

The quality of the photos was not good.

The angle was weird like one, and there were many times when the picture quality was blurry.

So I started filming him with the excuse that it was for social media promotion, and it worked so well.

Not only could he openly take pictures, but he could even pose for him.

A photo of him smiling. A photo taken with food. A picture of him cooking. Good quality pictures…and so on.

She was able to take all the pictures she wanted from using the lie of SNS.

“……”

But I guess I was a little greedy.

Song Soo-yeon looked at Jeong-gyeom, who was downcast. I wanted to take a picture of that expression, but now I realize that it’s not the situation.

Song Soo-yeon sighed.

“……Ah, okay. It’s okay, I can’t bring it up. It sucks.”

“……”

“The reason why you don’t post pictures of you on social media is because there aren’t any properly taken pictures, right? If you get caught, all the food looks tasteless. All of them look like steamed-up dogs.”

“….So. Then you can just not film it.”

“I don’t know. I might get a picture of my life.”

“…I don’t think I need that-“

“-Ah, that’s okay, you said you want to eat, eat.”

She evades Jeong-gyeom’s wish and refuses.

Fortunately, when the permission to eat food is given, Jeong-gyeom smiles as if he never did.

Because of such a sincere point, Song Soo-yeon was able to set the blade comfortably.

“I will enjoy it.”

Jeonggyeom said.

Song Soo-yeon swallowed a smile inwardly at the greeting, which was routine, but also defeated loneliness.

“Mm, it’s delicious.”

In order not to get fired at the store, Song Soo-yeon taught herself how to cook, and there are many good videos on the Internet, so she was able to improve her skills quickly.

And every time I improved my skills like that, there was Jung-gyeom who complimented me too much with excessive reactions, which was a stimulus.

He never got tired of hearing his compliments. I haven’t even noticed this though.

“Really delicious.”

In the past, when she forcibly praised her while eating ramen she made for the first time, praise comes back that is incomparably natural.

Song Soo-yeon felt full just by watching him eat.

I also wanted to watch mukbang like this. When he fills his stomach, he himself becomes happy.

“……”

Could this be the reason? He fed himself, who had nothing but his appearance.

I feel happy that I can understand his heart a little bit.

Song Su-yeon looks at Jeong-gyeom while she is eating and then clears her throat.

“…Me… Mister.”

“Well?”

“……Please listen to me.”

she said bluntly. While hiding the heart that started to thump.

“What is it?”

“……”

Song Soo-yeon could not speak easily and only moistened her lips.

“…..Why are you so lazy? Is it a difficult request..?”

“……that…”

“…..Well?”

“……It’s the graduation ceremony soon…the graduation ceremony…wouldn’t you like to come?

Jeong-gyeom doesn’t waver at all and asks lightly, pushing food into his mouth.

“When?”

Song Soo-yeon feels that he will accept it so easily, so she wants to hide her happy feelings for no reason.

And there was always only one way she hid her shyness.

“Ah, when talking about people, stop eating, really.”

“Speak, because I am listening.”

“No, why are you in such a hurry to eat? Who wants to take it away?”

“…You said you starved for taking pictures.”

“…that one?”

Because of the insignificant title, the annoyance that was acting becomes a reality in an instant.

The expression is distorted arbitrarily.

It’s been like this lately. I get upset with him over the smallest things.

“Did you just say ‘that side’ to me?”

“……Well, it could be.”

“Mister, do I have a name too?”

“Okay, okay. Soo-yeon, do you want to eat?”

“….tooth.”

His surrender calmed Song Soo-yeon’s emotions.

In fact, she knew too.

That the small scuffle that just happened was all my fault. It’s a fight you’ve caused.

That this method needs to be corrected.

If she could, she wanted to use a more affectionate way of speaking, just like Jeong-gyeom did to herself. that was her sincerity.

I look at his picture every night and say ‘thank you’ or ‘how are you today?’ I also practiced the same small compliments, but it didn’t lead to practice.

It was not so easy to break down this speech, which had been created as a defense mechanism over a long period of time.

“…….”

On the other hand, she was also satisfied with the situation.

It wasn’t a big problem except for the occasional fight like the one I just had.

I was so satisfied with my status quo that I was afraid of change.

That’s why you can’t hand him even the compliments you practiced.

It would be difficult if he confessed.

Because I don’t know how he will change.

And, while there are downsides to this way of speaking, there are also upsides.

One is, of course, that it is easy to hide the inside.

After reading other people’s minds, she had a strong resistance to revealing her true feelings to others.

Second… I also had the illusion that this kind of rough conversation was a kind of proof of trust.

It feels like tapping on a stone bridge. It is to be relieved and satisfied by seeing the legs that do not shake.

Just like boys who curse each other and play with each other, but in the end they become friends.

It was reassuring to see how he still lost despite harsh words to him, as if he witnessed his affection for him.

But she’s also human, and there were times when she felt guilty for thinking these undetectable thoughts. At such times, Song Soo-yeon eventually justified herself by pulling out the last card.

she thinks

‘…..so who likes me?’

she had pushed him away. That’s what kept coming. It’s the fault of the person you love.

So, Song Soo-yeon calmed her heart with thoughts that brought out a smile.

“No, so I have to tell you when to go.”

Jeong-gyeom asked with an expression as if he had just brushed off his previous work.

“……But can’t you come anytime, Mister? Why are you pretending to be something? Do you know that it looks more like a steamed-up girl?”

“Because I have an appointment too.”

“……?”

As soon as she heard those words, Song Soo-yeon forcibly straightened her face, which began to wrinkle. But he couldn’t hide his bewildered eyes.

She didn’t understand why she was doing this either.

I just knew that my body was reacting on its own.

“……Promise…is…?”

Song Soo-yeon checks again to make sure she heard it correctly.

“yes. promise.”

His answer did not change.

And, negative emotions filled my heart.

As much as I don’t know why I feel this way, I’m embarrassed and frustrated.

Could it be that he was unknowingly expecting him to come to the graduation ceremony?

…..not. It wasn’t. It was for an oddly different reason.

Jeong-gyeom asked if she couldn’t hide her serious expression.

“Why do you want me to come that far? The fact that I might not be able to go makes me very serious.”

“That… it’s not like that.”

“then?”

“Ah, I was surprised when he said he had an appointment.”

“What is there to be surprised about?”

“……I… have no friends other than me.”

“…why are you poking me where it hurts again?”

“……”

“……So, when is it? graduation. Let me know from that.”

Jeong-gyeom’s efforts were colorless, and no sound came to Song Soo-yeon’s ears. The question of when the graduation ceremony was overwritten with another question.

“…that…with whom?”

In a voice mixed with coolness, a question pops out. This wasn’t even what she was thinking.

I just asked the mouth first.

“yes?”

“You said you had an appointment. with whom?”

Her eyes did not miss any of his movements. Suddenly, concentration seemed to pierce the sky.

Time seemed to stretch indefinitely.

“…No, it’s because of work, work.”

“…..Work?”

“Yes, work.”

“…is it related to the store?”

“Can you do that?”

His words broke Song Soo-yeon’s thoughts. A cool wind blows in your chest.

A long sigh and laughter came out at the same time.

“Ah…what else am I saying?”

“What are you doing all of a sudden? Surprised, embarrassed, laughing.”

Even when Jung-gyeom teased her, Song Soo-yeon just laughed. I couldn’t even reciprocate his words.

After a long time passed, Song Soo-yeon was able to speak again.

“It’s Thursday in two weeks. Uncle, are you okay?”

“I shouldn’t have talked about that. It’s okay, I think it will work.”

Song Soo-yeon smiled at his answer. This time I couldn’t afford to hide it.

I thought he wasn’t expecting it, but the fact that he was coming made my heart tickle for nothing.

*****

Saturday morning.

I texted Song Soo-yeon.

‘Today is one of those scheduled days, so I’m not there. The store was also closed. If you’re hungry, you can go to the store and make rice. Do you know the door lock password?’

After hitting send, I scratched my head for a moment.

I just added one more word.

‘Even if I come into the store, there is no daily wage today!’

As much as I gave Song Soo-yeon the lodging and rested at the store, I got up and stretched.

After arranging the shop chairs, which are my own bed, I come out and face the cold dawn air.

In fact, I’ve been running out of money lately.

From the original fixed expenses, Song Soo-yeon’s salary and her food expenses were separately paid, so the bleeding was greater than expected.

However, Song Soo-yeon cannot be kicked out yet.

Anyway, I want to protect her until she graduates.

I’m an adult, but I need to get out of my student status.

Well, after that, she will be able to write the employment contract that she couldn’t write by herself, so maybe she can do it on her own.

I’ve saved some deposit, so I’ll just have to hold out for a few more months.

I gave a long yawn.

The body is tired, but the heart is relieved.

Honestly, if you put your mind to it, you can save money to live on for the rest of your life within today.

However, the money I earned through hard work was more rewarding than that.

If he commits another crime, he will face Solas. I had no intention of using my ability itself. Reminds me so much of the return…

However, despite this commitment, the exhaustion of honest labor bothered him.

The habit of solving with power for a lifetime is not going anywhere.

At that time, I imagined the moment Song Soo-yeon graduated.

I picture the girl who was supposed to be a villain giving thanks to me as she makes a fresh start.

“….kukkuk.”

A laugh came out.

Thinking of that, I was able to gain strength today.

I energized my body.

…..Song Soo-yeon Let’s go and earn a salary.