Chapter 44
“Eun Serin, what the hell have you been doing all this time?”
Taeyoon’s expression was hard to define. At a glance, he looked angry — but there was also a hint of concern in his eyes.
“Do you even know how many times I called you?”
Serin silently looked at his face.
His tall nose, sharply defined eyes, well-shaped jawline, and neat forehead — features she had known since childhood.
Even after they met again, she had often avoided eye contact with him. Most of the time, she turned her head or looked away. But he had always been the same Seo Taeyoon she had known since she was little.
When her mother died, he had even skipped school to walk with her to the funeral.
From elementary through high school — even when their schools and routes changed — he always accompanied her on the way to and from school.
And for the past 20+ years, he had been the Seo Taeyoon she liked.
She had liked him. She never said it out loud, but just as he had feelings for her, she had feelings for him too.
Even though she knew she shouldn’t, her heart was drawn to him — so much so that she let him shake her world however he pleased.
Now that it truly felt like the last time, she could finally see his face clearly — a face that was hurting just as much as hers.
“Shall we go for a walk?”
“…What?”
Taeyoon’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, as if to say, What are you talking about?
Serin smiled faintly, just slightly lifting the corners of her lips.
“Just a short walk, the two of us.”
HONK HONK!!
A loud honk came from behind Taeyoon’s parked car.
As if trying to read her mind, Taeyoon carefully studied Serin’s face.
Behind them, the horn continued to blare.
“Hey, is that your car blocking the way?”
A driver stuck his head out and shouted.
Taeyoon sighed and motioned to Serin.
“Get in. Let’s talk in the car.”
Worried she might run away in that short moment, Taeyoon personally walked her to the passenger seat and opened the door for her.
But contrary to his worries, Serin quietly got into the car.
The car, with the two of them inside, soon began climbing up the hill with a soft engine hum.
They had no destination, no place they wanted to go — just driving on empty roads.
Taeyoon was silent, struggling to find the right words.
Serin also didn’t speak — savoring the final moments she would spend with him.
As Serin quietly stared out the window, a familiar view flashed past.
“Ah, over there—”
Taeyoon caught where her gaze landed and smiled faintly.
“Been a while since we’ve seen that place.”
It was the middle school they both graduated from.
They hadn’t attended at the same time because of the age difference, but just having gone to the same school gave them a sense of shared memory.
Especially since Taeyoon had frequently visited the school when Serin attended — almost daily.
“I wonder if the teachers are still there. I remember they were talking about rebuilding that old building.”
Perhaps hearing her mumble, Taeyoon slowed the car and changed direction — heading toward the school.
Serin gave him a curious look, silently asking Why are you going there?
Taeyoon replied casually, as if it were the most natural thing.
“If you’re curious, let’s just go see it. What’s the problem?”
She had to admit — that made sense.
They’d decided to spend today doing as they pleased, after all.
After parking nearby, they walked side by side toward the school.
From the playground, the distant voices of kids playing soccer could be heard.
Listening to the cheerful shouts, they walked while eating ice cream they bought from the convenience store in front of the school.
Under the blazing midday sun, the cold, sweet ice cream was refreshing.
Taeyoon devoured his popsicle in just three bites.
By the time he finished, Serin had only just reached the chocolate-covered tip of hers.
Taeyoon always consumed things that way — taking big bites, quickly, as if someone would snatch them away if he didn’t hurry.
Still chewing unmelted ice cream, he flicked the wooden stick into a trash bin a little distance away.
It landed inside cleanly.
Looking past the trash can, Taeyoon smiled as a familiar scene came into view.
“That’s still there… more than ten years later.”
He pointed toward a large shade structure supported by thick pillars.
Originally not built for that purpose, it had become a green canopy covered in ivy — providing shelter in a secluded part of the field.
It had once been Serin’s secret hideout.
Faded memories flickered in Serin’s mind.
After her mother passed away, she often came there when her heart felt too heavy to bear.
She didn’t want her dad to be even more heartbroken by seeing her cry, so she tried to act okay in front of him.
But when it became too hard to pretend, she would run there and cry quietly, alone.
The school was still open after hours, and that spot was secluded — no one could find her there.
No one but one person.
“You always held back in front of others, but cried here all the time.”
That low voice…
The one who always managed to find her — as if by instinct — and stood by her side was Taeyoon.
“If you want to cry, do it. Don’t hold it in. But not in front of others.”
She wasn’t sure if he meant that as advice or a warning, and Serin paused, confused.
He squatted in front of her and looked at her sincerely.
“You even look damn beautiful when you cry. You’re so delicate and pure — crying just adds to that. It triggers all my protective instincts. So only cry in front of me, okay?”
That ridiculous, over-the-top statement made Serin chuckle.
“You’re really weird sometimes.”
She wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and smiled faintly.
Taeyoon, not smiling at all, placed his large hand on her slender shoulder.
“I’m serious. I’ll always be on your side. So don’t show that face to anyone else.”
As Serin recalled that fragment of memory, she furrowed her brow slightly.
It struck her again — how deeply Seo Taeyoon had been embedded in her life.
Even though they didn’t attend this school at the same time, traces of him were everywhere.
Not just the school — the roads they walked, her house, the academy, even the little stores down the alleys were overflowing with their shared memories.
Except for the four years Taeyoon was in the U.S., there was barely a single moment in her life without him in it.
The realization was… strange. Surprising.
How could he do that? How could someone stay so persistent and loyal for over 20 years?
A strange emptiness filled her heart.
Now that her mom and dad were both gone, and if she were to lose Taeyoon too… then she would truly be all alone.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Noticing her somber gaze, Taeyoon squinted and asked.
Serin quickly shook her head.
“It’s nothing.”
But Taeyoon stared at her a bit more seriously, clearly sensing there was something more.
She couldn’t meet his eyes.
If she lingered any longer, he might figure out exactly how she felt.
So Serin decided to end their brief escape.
“Let’s go back now.”
“Already?”
“I’m tired. I haven’t been out in a while. And I have things to do at home.”
Taeyoon looked disappointed but nodded in understanding.
Considering Serin’s condition lately, he let it go.
“Alright, I’ll take you home. Let’s go.”
Side by side, they turned and slowly walked back — emerging from the tunnel of their shared memories.
It was a dazzlingly clear afternoon, so beautiful it brought tears to her eyes for no reason.
On the way home, Serin remained silent.
Taeyoon didn’t try to force a conversation either.
There was no longer any need to ask why she had avoided him.
Because now, Serin was beside him again — sitting within reach if he simply extended a hand.
Even though he didn’t yet know what she truly felt in her heart.
