Episode 18
6 March 2025, Thursday. Afternoon. SNU's park zone.
The moment Den turned away from the fork in the road, he realized he wasn't alone.
Yu-ra was standing just behind him.
Not close. Not intruding.
As if she had deliberately slowed her steps—giving him space, waiting until the farewell was over.
Den reflexively leaned back a fraction.
"Oh—Yu-ra. Hi."
Her lips curved upward immediately. She clearly enjoyed the way she had caught him off guard.
"Hi."
She tilted her head slightly.
"What's with that face? Aren't you happy to see me?"
By then, Den had already pulled himself together.
"No, I am. I just… didn't expect to see you."
He gestured vaguely toward the path Mi-yeon had disappeared down.
"I was just saying goodbye to Mi-yeon. I didn't realize I wasn't alone."
Yu-ra watched him with theatrical innocence, masking the small satisfaction she felt at his momentary confusion.
"Should I have come over right away?"
Her voice was gentle, almost considerate.
"I thought it might be rude to interrupt. The moment looked private."
Den smiled and shook his head.
"No, it wasn't anything like that," he answered simply.
"Mi-yeon just had a… rough day. I walked with her so it wouldn't feel heavier than it already was. That's all."
There was a short pause.
Then, almost casually, he added:
"Want to get some ice cream?"
Yu-ra didn't admit it—not to him, not even fully to herself—but the suggestion made her a little happier than it should have.
She slipped her arm through his with easy familiarity and turned them toward the small ice-cream café near campus.
"I do."
She smiled, eyes bright.
"Why not enjoy some strawberry ice cream in the company of a handsome guy?"
They walked off together, their steps naturally falling into sync as the evening light settled over the campus paths.
6 March 2025, Thursday. Afternoon. SNU's Ice Cream & Sweets CaféClouded sky settled softly outside the windows.
The café was almost empty now—only a few scattered students, low music, the quiet clink of spoons against glass. Den sat across from Yu-ra, slowly eating pistachio ice cream straight from a paper cup.
Yu-ra had opted for strawberry in a cone.
She bit into it delicately, then smoothed the melting edge with her tongue—seemingly unconsciously, naturally, just a little more alluring than she would have been if she were eating alone.
Den watched.
Not aggressively staring or devouring her with his eyes.
His expression was the same one a person wore while watching a sunset over the sea, or a clear night sky filled with stars—open, appreciative, unguarded.
Yu-ra noticed.
A spark flashed in her eyes.
"You're looking at me too directly, Den-ssi. I'm starting to feel shy about eating ice cream," she said, deliberately over-polite.
She tilted the cone toward him.
"Do you want some too?"
Den blinked, momentarily pulled back to himself—but he didn't look away. That alone was enough to make Yu-ra's heart beat a little faster. Most boys would have dropped their gaze immediately.
"What? No—I still have mine…"
He hesitated, then smiled faintly.
"It's just… you."
He exhaled a soft laugh.
"Here in Korea, I learned that it's generally a bad idea to pay compliments the way they appear in my mind. So let me put it this way. If I were casting a commercial for strawberry ice cream, I'd ask you to be the model."
Yu-ra snorted, but not without pleasure. She understood everything hidden between the lines. Their laughter overlapped, easy and warm.
Then she stilled.
Her expression grew just a shade more serious.
What she said next was bold—even for someone as confident and popular as she was. She framed it politely, formally, so it could pass as a joke, though it wasn't one.
She wanted to provoke him. To see him flinch.
To hear him retreat, scold, joke it away.
Anything that would let her tell herself: See? He's the same as the rest.
"Sokolov Denis-ssi," she said, mock-formal.
"Am I correct in understanding that you were thinking inappropriately about my lips just now?"
She met his eyes steadily.
"Perhaps you were even thinking of kissing them?"
From a Korean girl—even a senior—this was unexpectedly bold.
But Den didn't retreat. This kind of game he could play comfortably.
"Yes," he answered just as formally, using her full name. "Oh Yu-ra-ssi."
Her breath caught.
She had been ready for any kind of excuse or hint, but not such bold confirmation. Her throat dried, but she still asked:
"So why wouldn't you?"
Den gave her a long look, deciding how much he could say without ruining the moment, and then spoke.
"Besides the fact that I'm terrified of making a mistake, because I have no idea whether I'm supposed to kiss you first and then ask you to date me, or the other way around?"
The question was hypothetical. He wasn't waiting for an answer.
She laughed quickly, amused by his raw honesty.
Den continued his thought:
"It's simply not a worthy decoration for a first kiss. No romantic view, no intimacy, too many people around. The girl is perfect, but the moment is rather meh. Not worthy of her lips."
Yu-ra smiled again, this time with a trace of tension beneath it. She swallowed nervously.
"If you keep saying things like that, Den-ssi, even as a joke," she replied softly, "it'll be hard for me not to take them seriously. So don't speak so flatteringly about me, unless you mean it."
She added:
"I hope you'll come prepared next time. Do your homework on Korean dating culture."
Den went quiet.
I like this girl a lot.
His heart, strangely, wasn't there yet. Not ready. Not sure. For no logical reason at all, Mi-yeon's name drifted through his thoughts.
Then what about me?
After a moment, he spoke, quietly clearing his throat.
"Yu-ra…"
He met her gaze with hesitation.
"I promise to do my homework before next time."
The words settled between them, setting an unspoken, temporary truce that hummed softly in the air as the evening deepened outside.
She needed to be sure he was serious.
He needed to be sure of the same thing.
Both needed time.
She smiled lightly, trying to compose herself and joke the conversation away.
"What is happening to me? Isn't ice cream supposed to have a cooling effect? Why do I feel so warm?"
She laughed—beautifully, femininely—making the moment lighter, making Den smile.
When they were ready to leave, Den offered Yu-ra his hand.
Just a quiet, practiced movement. Basic gallantry.
She reached out, took his hand, and stood.
His grip was firm, but not possessive.
When it was time to pull away, Yu-ra didn't.
On the contrary, her fingers curled around his palm a little tighter, as if the simplicity of the gesture pleased her more than any declaration could.
They stepped outside.
Cool evening air brushed their skin, carrying the faint scent of asphalt, trees, and a city settling down after a long day.
They walked.
Den didn't ask, "May I walk you home?"
He didn't frame it as permission.
Instead, every so often, he simply asked:
"This way?"
And she would answer.
"Left."
"Straight."
"Here."
Yu-ra had never liked being "walked home."
Usually, she refused.
But tonight, she didn't stop him.
And the thought slipped into her mind, uninvited:
What am I even doing?
She kept her tone light, teasing.
"Den… have you ever kissed a girl after a first date?"
He answered immediately, without thinking.
"I try not to."
Yu-ra glanced at him, surprised.
He continued, calm, almost amused:
"No matter how good I might be, that kiss won't be as impressive as the one she'll imagine that night. So I prefer leaving the first kiss to imagination."
Yu-ra slowed for half a step, then caught up.
She looked at him with open curiosity now, no mask.
"So you're saying tonight I'll be lying in my room while you're kissing me in my own imagination?"
She clicked her tongue, half-laughing.
"That's dangerous. I should be afraid of you. You're sly. Like a fox."
Den smiled, meeting her eyes for just a second.
"Yeah. That's about right."
She laughed again, softer this time, noticing how he tried to keep a serious face while smiling only with his eyes.
They stopped.
A modest apartment building. Warm light in a few windows.
"This is my place," Yu-ra said.
"Thank you for walking me home."
She waited.
Instinctively, she expected more.
But Den didn't linger.
He let go. Stepped back half a pace.
Smiled.
Gave a small, polite bow.
"Tonight was wonderful, Yu-ra. Sweet dreams. See you tomorrow."
And then he turned and walked away.
Just like that.
Yu-ra remained standing on the doorstep, watching his back disappear down the street, her heart inexplicably unsettled.
Was it a date? Or not?
Ugh… jjajeungna!
You've got to be kidding me!
6 March 2025, Thursday. Afternoon. Bus stop near SNU's upper campus.
He arrived first this time.
The bus stop was almost empty when he stepped onto the platform, stopping near the bench. He didn't sit down right away. For a moment, he just stood there, looking down the road, as if timing himself with the traffic.
She wasn't here yesterday.
Maybe she left earlier, before I came.
Or maybe she came later, after I had already gone.
What if she waited at a different stop?
Or went to a café with friends.
But today I came straight here after the last lecture.
I won't miss her today. I'm sure of it.
He finally sat down.
A bus pulled up to the stop, brakes hissing softly. He lifted his eyes, assessing it without thinking.
Blue again. So that's two to zero in favor of blue.
Students stood up and boarded. He stayed seated.
I won't take this one. What if she comes a little later?
I should give green buses another chance.
The bus pulled away.
Time stretched. Another bus came. And another.
When the next one approached, he counted automatically.
Three to five in favor of green…
Alright. I'll take this one.
There's no point waiting anymore.
She's probably already home.
He leaned forward and stood up just as the bus slowed down at the stop.
And at that exact moment, she appeared.
She stepped onto the platform, slightly out of breath, as if she had hurried.
Oh—there she is!
He froze for half a second, bowed awkwardly in greeting—too shy to say anything out loud.
She bowed back just as awkwardly.
Their eyes met for a brief instant—then both looked away at the same time.
The bus doors closed. The bus pulled away.
The girl quickly and discreetly looked at her classmate when he was looking away.
That's strange… Wasn't that his bus? I am sure he took this one last time.
Yes! I am pretty sure he took 501 on Monday.
I remember because Se-a takes it too. But she wanted to walk through the university park and catch a bus at the main gates.
I wonder why. She could take it from here.
Maybe she wants to spend a bit of time with someone while walking. Who might that be?
She glances at him from the corner of her eye.
He is sitting next to her, looking at something across the road.
Again he is ignoring me. Unbelievable! Boys are so mean.
Maybe I should…
Oh—there's my bus!
She glanced at him once more, smiled with a touch of confusion, and boarded the next bus. After finding a seat, she turned her head and looked at him through the window as the bus began to move.
Hm... He didn't get on this bus either.
Where is he going, if not to the subway and not to Nakseongdae?
He sat back down on the bench, placed his palms on his knees, and watched the wheel of the departing bus spin as it disappeared down the road.
Gone like a summer breeze.
Forty minutes of waiting for one minute of happiness.
I'm hopeless.
Her bus was green… three to six.