SIL CH 10

Chapter 10. Soonjung’s Record

Soonjung’s mother, Yeonhwa, had suffered from a chronic illness for a long time before passing away.

It happened not long after they had gone to a department store together to buy her school bag before she entered elementary school.

And not long after that—

A new drug was developed in Germany.

It was called a miracle drug, one that significantly increased the survival rate of patients suffering from that illness.

Soonjung still vividly remembered her father crying—

saying that if the drug had come out just a little earlier, her mother might have lived.

That memory was what led Soonjung to decide to become a pharmacy student.

—But Soonjung, your teacher said it would be such a waste for you to go to D University with your grades.

“…My teacher said that?”

It was the first time she had heard that.

Since student consultations usually happened after parent meetings, she hadn’t yet had a chance to speak directly with her teacher.

—Yeah. He said that with a little more effort, you could get into E University…

At that moment, Soonjung recalled what Taegun had said at the beginning of the semester.

<With your grades, you could aim for E University. At the very least, B University is a safe option. So why D University?

If even her teacher—an expert in college admissions—said the same thing…

Was Taegun right?

But Soonjung didn’t want to apply to E University.

Partly because she didn’t want to follow Taegun’s advice—

but also because the cutoff seemed too high for someone like her, who preferred stability.

And more than anything—

—Dad thinks E University is good.

“Why?”

—It’s a women’s university.

“…”

That was exactly the problem.

Thinking back on her past experiences of being targeted and bullied—

It was only natural that she felt uneasy about an all-girls university.

Besides, she had decided to live more actively in college.

Even if it was just gender, she didn’t want restrictions.

She wanted to make friends, participate in activities—

and maybe even have a boyfriend.

There was no reason she couldn’t experience the same things as others.

For Soonjung, who had quietly dreamed of a slightly exciting college life, E University had little appeal.

On top of that, its pharmacy program was considered the best in the country—

which meant the admission cutoff was extremely high.

So she hadn’t even considered it.

But now—

Taegun, her teacher, and even her father were encouraging her to apply.

—What if you get a boyfriend as soon as you enter college? What will Dad do then?

“…”

—Wait… Do you already have one? A boyfriend?

Soonjung let out a small laugh.

What kind of thing is that to worry about?

Dad, I don’t even have friends.

Forget boyfriends—I don’t have friends at all.

At home, Soonjung was different from how she was outside.

While she was quiet and timid in public, at home she was bright and confident, just like when she was younger.

It wasn’t an act.

It was her natural self in a comfortable environment.

Because of that, Choonghyun believed she was doing just fine at school too.

At home, she didn’t hide behind her bangs—instead, she wore a headband, fully showing her face.

So it wasn’t strange for him to worry like this.

And to him, his daughter—who looked just like his late wife—was the most beautiful person in the world.

He was overprotective—

But Soonjung didn’t mind.

She knew it came from love.

<Right? I think so too.

<At this rate, one day you’ll bring some guy home, holding hands with him…>

<…>

<And then you’ll say you want to get married…>

<…>

<And then Dad will… sniff… Dad will…>

Back when she was little, he would get emotional over things that hadn’t even happened yet.

A classic doting father.

And he hadn’t changed.

Even living far away in another country—

His love for his daughter remained deep.

“Dad…”

She called him with a light scolding tone, smiling—

when she sensed someone beside her.

Still smiling, she slowly turned her head.

And what came into view was—

“…”

Taegun.

Standing there, his face strangely flushed.

Hadn’t he gone back to the classroom?

Why was he still here?

And why did he look like that?

It was an expression she had never seen before.

He looked both flustered and irritated.

But—

He didn’t seem scary.

In fact, somehow, he looked… a little cute.

Not in the usual sense.

But for the first time, he looked like someone her age—

instead of someone who always acted like a cynical old man.

What’s wrong?

Without speaking, she mouthed the word “why” at him.

And then—

His face grew even redder.

His cheeks, ears, and even his neck.

Anyone might think he was embarrassed.

In the empty third-floor hallway of the old building—

Koo Taegun stood there, looking down at her.

Even after seeing him for over a year—

He felt unfamiliar.

At the same time, she had a strange feeling—

like she had experienced something like this before.

Was it a cool season?

The sunlight felt warm against her cheeks.

The hallway had been empty.

And there—

Soonjung tilted her head slightly.

Was this what they called déjà vu?

Why did this moment feel so familiar?

Then—

A stronger gust of wind blew.

She blinked—

and in that instant—

“…!”

Taegun moved.

He strode toward her, long legs closing the distance quickly.

“W-why…?”

Startled by his sudden approach, she instinctively leaned back—

But he followed just as quickly.

His face came close.

Too close.

—Why? Because Dad is worried about you, Soonjung.

“…”

—You’re too pretty to just send off without worry.

Her father continued speaking, misunderstanding her question.

But Soonjung couldn’t hear him.

Because Taegun was right there—

looking straight into her eyes.

“Put it down.”

He spoke quietly, just loud enough for her to hear.

“What…?”

“I said I get it, so put it down.”

She blinked, confused.

What did he understand?

What was she supposed to put down?

Then—

He stepped back.

“The English teacher mentioned it earlier. You’ve been living abroad, right?”

“Huh? Yeah…”

“Ha…”

“…What?”

“I’m annoyed.”

She didn’t know why he was suddenly annoyed—

But he clearly looked like it.

He turned away—

Then, after taking a few steps, he looked back at her and gestured toward his forehead.

“Your bangs.”

“Oh…”

Realizing her bangs had been blown aside, she hurriedly pushed them back down.

Click—

He clicked his tongue.

Wait…

Was he annoyed because he saw my face?

What even is this situation?

By the time she looked back at where he had been—

He was already far away.

—Soonjung?

“Huh?”

—Are you listening?

“…Yeah?”

—Who were you talking to?

“Oh, just…”

—A friend?

“Yeah… kind of…”

She couldn’t exactly call him a friend—

but saying otherwise would take too long to explain.

—Anyway, Soonjung, I think you should apply to E University. You can decide later whether to go or not…

“Uh… well…”

As her father continued speaking,

Soonjung couldn’t focus.

Her eyes kept drifting toward the empty hallway.

She didn’t know what that sense of déjà vu meant.

But one thing was certain—

It didn’t feel unpleasant.

If anything…

It felt strangely nostalgic.