Paper Friendship Chapter 35

Choi Juoon spoke first in a calm voice. I wasn’t sure what to make of it, but I felt so sorry that the words “I’m sorry” wouldn’t come out. I just kept rolling my eyes, scanning Choi Juoon’s face and the atmosphere. Fortunately, he didn’t look angry. He looked just like his usual self. It might just be me being weird, but for some reason, he even seemed to be in a better mood than usual….

Anyway, I racked my brain desperately. Should I hang onto the plane and go? I heard someone already did that. Then, Choi Juoon draped his arm over my shoulder and said.

“I’m hungry. Let’s eat first.”

“Huh? Yeah.”

“There are too many people here, so let’s just get out of here for now.”

“Okay.”

Only then did I look around. The airport was packed with people. I followed Choi Juoon without saying a word.

How could the start and end of this trip be like this…. I fixed my gaze on the ground again and muttered in a very small voice.

“I’m sorry….”

“It’s okay.”

Choi Juoon answered in a nonchalant voice. We went outside the airport and walked side by side on a small sidewalk next to the road.

“Choi Juoon, you know. I’m really not joking, even if I have to carry you on my back and swim across the sea… I’ll do it. I’m sorry, really….”

“Ah, fuck. I imagined it.”

Fortunately, Choi Juoon laughed. But I wasn’t joking; I was being quite serious.

“I’m sorry, truly. And, uh, the money. Of course, I’ll pay for everything.”

Choi Juoon just laughed. I suddenly thought, instead of blaming Choi Juoon, didn’t he also get into the aviation department—so did he not know the boarding procedure time? I debated whether to say it or not, but since Choi Juoon was laughing so loudly beside me, I brought it up carefully.

“Hey, but you, um, did you know we had to enter 30 minutes before? If you knew, you could’ve told me beforehand…. But I’m really, absolutely not blaming you. Truly. It’s my fault for being so relaxed and being late….”

“Sorry I didn’t say anything. I thought we might be able to make it in time.”

“No, it’s okay.”

“But.”

“Yes?”

At his lowered voice again, I turned my head toward Choi Juoon, slightly tense.

“The way you were so restless, it was really funny.”

Choi Juoon laughed again. I looked at him with a disgusted expression, then forcefully pulled Choi Juoon’s arm off my neck. Then, I took out my phone to check flights and asked.

“Should we go right after we eat? When do you have to be home by?”

“I just need to be home by today. What about you?”

“I just need to be home by today, too. Then, the time is….”

“I bought the 7 o’clock tickets.”

“Really?”

Choi Juoon nodded roughly and went into the shop in front of us.

“You must definitely bill me for all of that!”

I shouted at Choi Juoon’s back and hurried after him.

∞ ∞ ∞

There was a ramen shop nearby, so we went in. I didn’t have much of an appetite, but as soon as I smelled the delicious food, I quickly got hungry.

As soon as we sat down, a person who looked like the owner handed us menus directly. Perhaps because the time was a bit awkward, there was no one else except for one person eating. Does he run the shop alone? There was only one item on the menu, so we finished ordering without needing to think.

While wiping my hands with a wet towel, a sigh came out naturally. Either way, this situation happened because I was late getting ready. I should have been on the plane by now.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

I should have said it seriously, but I felt embarrassed without knowing why, and the words kept coming out playfully.

“I hope that heart of yours lasts a long time.”

Choi Juoon said, propping his chin up and staring at the scenery outside.

“Got it, got it.”

“….”

“Thank you, thank you.”

“Stop it.”

“Why are you getting angry, why are… Ah! Sorry, sorry. I won’t do it again.”

Choi Juoon stood up. I apologized hurriedly, and he sat back down. It was fortunate that we were in seats facing each other. I should stop here, but my playfulness kept rising. I looked at Choi Juoon, smiling. But Choi Juoon didn’t give me even a gram of attention. I watched the outside as well, and a plane passed by outside the window.

“There, that’s our plane.”

“….”

“Come back. And give us a ride.”

“….”

“Wait for me instead. Because I have to eat right now.”

“You play well by yourself.”

When we were looking outside like this, the ramen came out. Honestly, I didn’t have high expectations, but with the chashu and egg, it looked even more delicious than what they sell in Japan. It looks so good. I thought to myself.

“Please enjoy your meal.”

The owner left, and I leaned toward Choi Juoon’s side and whispered quietly.

“Choi Juoon, the owner looks Japanese. Or maybe he studied abroad.”

Choi Juoon took a picture once and put his phone down.

“Take a picture of mine too.”

At my words, Choi Juoon picked up his phone again and took a picture of me.

“Itadakimasu (I will eat well). Is this oishii, urai? What was it?”

“Umai (delicious).”

“Ah, umai, umai.”

I picked up my chopsticks while joking around in Japanese. But the owner placed the rakkyo (pickled scallions) and spoke to me.

“Nihonjin desu ka (Are you Japanese)?”

“Yes? No…. No, uh… Sorry…. Korean….”

“Ah, you’re Korean. Yes, enjoy your meal.”

So the owner really was Japanese. There are a lot of embarrassing things happening today. I smiled awkwardly and looked at Choi Juoon. Choi Juoon didn’t have any particular expression.

I bowed my head and focused on the ramen. This one was a bit embarrassing. I took a bite, and it was much tastier than I expected. And I could feel Choi Juoon’s gaze for a while. It felt like I might get indigestion, so I picked up some rakkyo and said.

“Eat quickly. This is super delicious.”

“….”

Only then did Choi Juoon pick up his chopsticks and say.

“It’s never boring when I’m with you.”

With that as his final word, Choi Juoon didn’t say anything more.

∞ ∞ ∞

After lunch, we went to a park near the airport. I wanted to go straight to the airport and go through the procedures, but Choi Juoon dragged me along, saying we had plenty of time left.

As we went further in, there were many large and small stone towers piled up by people. It seemed like they made wishes here before leaving. And Choi Juoon also started piling up a stone tower. I stared with slightly surprised eyes. He likes these kinds of things, too.

But as the stone tower got higher, I started to get increasingly anxious.

“Choi Juoon, let’s go now.”

“Hey, you have four hours left.”

“Even so… our plane is moving at this very moment, too.”

“….”

I looked at Choi Juoon, who was piling them up with such care. I also saw him close his eyes and put his two palms together. I don’t know what kind of wish he’s making to be that earnest.

For the record, I only piled one stone. Actually, I didn’t really pile a stone; I just prayed to the pebbles around me. The power of dispersion is greater. What am I saying? Anyway, I hope my wishes for winning the lottery, world peace, and my parents’ longevity all come true. Just when I was about to rush Choi Juoon again, he finally stood up.

But suddenly, he kicked the stone tower he had just piled up with his foot. The stone tower collapsed helplessly. I stared with surprised eyes. Then Choi Juoon asked while retieing his shoes.

“Why.”

“… Huh? It’s nothing.”

“Let’s go.”

It was so insane… but first, airport procedures were the priority, so I moved my feet without a word.

After we arrived at the airport, that employee from earlier handled my procedures. I felt a bit embarrassed, but she treated me professionally and casually. I made a vow to become an adult like that one day as well.

Inside, we had time to ourselves. I looked around the souvenir shop for a while and bought three boxes of Dol Hareubang chocolates. Two were for my parents, and one was mine. I felt good thinking about my parents being happy when they received them.

When I went at the time we promised to meet, it seemed Choi Juoon hadn’t bought anything. Choi Juoon checked the bag in my hand and said with slightly surprised eyes.

“You didn’t buy any stones?”

After I glared at him slightly, we boarded the plane.