Reunion

Sungwook hyung looked at me and at the hall alternatively with a blank face. He seemed to say, “Why did you come even though I didn’t call you?”

I knew why Sungwook hyung was in such a hurry. It was because all the real deals including Jang Yoonsung were sitting in the hall.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

When I rolled my sleeves, unable to understand, Sungwook hyung asked me absurdly.

“You don’t know Jang Yoonsung is here?”

“I know…that’s why I am here.”

“What?”

“He knows that I’m here.”

Only then Sungwook hyung leaned on the counter with a visibly relieved face. Whenever Sungwoook hyung did that, my curiosity would take a toll on me. How much money was the stake and what did Jang Yoonsung tell him that made Sungwook hyung look like that? I didn’t think it was my place to know so I didn’t ask until the end.

Today was Friday and Jang Yoonsung was looking forward to it. It wasn’t just that I wasn’t looking forward to it. We weren’t supposed to do anything special and we were used to spending time having silly conversations. Besides, there was no need to treat a Friday night especially. It was a time when I had no choice but to wait, as I had rusted down guarding the house alone all weekday.

In the later afternoon when I was hoping that the time would pass by quickly, I left with old film to the developers near to Jang Yoonsung’s house. I asked for the pictures I wanted from Jang Yoonsung’s film camera. The developer said the film was old but fortunately, there would be no problem in printing the photos. It was then that I sent a text to Jang Yoonsung to tell him about it. The cell phone grabbed in my palm vibrated then and three familiar words appeared on the screen. It was a call from Jang Yoonsung.

Jang Yoonsung said in an apologetic voice that he would be late. Seo Kijoon was asking for a  favor for a while. He wanted to be congratulated on the successful completion of his first project which included yesterday’s event. I didn’t want to intervene in Jang Yoonsung’s interpersonal relationships but it was unfair to spend time home alone as well. So I suggested that I wanted to tag along at the bar as well.

Of course, I didn’t come to the bar to work from the beginning. But just as Jang Yoonsung settled into interacting with his friends, I came to greet the people at the bar. However, it was a Friday night and no one would hang out with me.

In addition, Seo Kijoon, the VIP of the store, brought an exceptional number of friends that day. There were several tables of alcohol and snacks to be served. So when I was forced to roll up my sleeves after examining the situation, Sungwook hyung looked at me worriedly.

“This is for Jungho and Hakyung.”

However, as soon as he heard that Jang Yoonsung had agreed to let me work, Sungwook hyung handed over the plates and glasses to Jungho and me as if he had been waiting. We picked up the tray that was heavier than usual and headed for the real deal’s table. Seo Kijoon wanted to receive so many people’s congratulations that there were some people around the table that I have never seen before. As I stood next to Jang Yoonsung and tried to put down the tray on the table, Kijoon asked.

“Hakyung, do you want to have a drink with me?”

Others looked at me as if I was a spectacle and that Kijoon knew me was amazing.

“No. I have work to do.”

Even if I didn’t work, I was not good enough to drink with strangers. When I smiled and lightly refused the offer, others seemed to think Kijoon was being different.

Meanwhile, Jang Yoonsung accepted the tray I was holding without saying anything and began to put it down on the table. A woman named Cha Yeonju, who was sitting next to him, scanned Jang Yoonsung with her eyes as if she was looking at the stars. He didn’t seem surprised but Seo Kijoon burst into laughter.

“Hakyung must be popular among men, huh? Last time I saw you receiving a rather passionate confession of love from that person.”

The person he pointed to was Jungho who was calmly putting down the plate and I shrugged as if I couldn’t understand what he was talking about.

“Last week, he made you a heart with his arms over his head, Hakyung.”

Heart? When I heard that it happened last week, that was when I remembered. Was it the day when I borrowed Jung Yoonsung’s car and Jungho talked about winning the lottery? Seo Kijoon was telling Jung Yoonsung something that Jungho and I couldn’t remember well. The story that I looked like Jang Yoonsung’s ex-girlfriend was already famous among the real deals. So he was using me to make fun of Jang Yoonsung but someone other than Jang Yoonsung responded.

“Why? I think he is popular with women too.”

The woman who spoke with a little sarcasm was the first face I had seen among the real deals. Seeing how she could enter this place meant she was an adult however she had a face that looked younger than Jang Yoonsung and Seo Kijoon.

“It’s your first time seeing her right, Hakyung? She is my sister.”

Seo Kijoon introduced the woman sitting next to him. The woman interrupted Kijoon with a slightly sulky face.

“No, oppa. I think we’ve met before.”

Then she looked at me and introduced herself.

“You’ve seen me before, haven’t you? My name is Seo Hyejin.”

Seo Hyejin. It was her name. I glanced away to see how Jang Yoonsung was in that conversation. It was impossible to determine whether the “before” Seo Hyejin was referring to was the time we met at Gunwoo’s university or seven years ago.

Seven years ago came to me. It was enough time for a child who went to school at that time to become a grown adult now. Seven years ago, a girl visited the villa.