chapter 9
1. absurdity
Several days have passed since then.
Kyung-hee was slowly adapting to my own room.
I still insisted on a seat in the corner of the living room, but it was safe to say that everything else was much better.
Above all, the biggest change is that I started to express my likes and dislikes even a little bit.
I like things that are moderately greasy, but a little too greasy.
I like drinking, but pouring it on an empty stomach is painful.
And when I remembered those likes and dislikes and reflected them in the meal, Kyung-hee would smile.
As if she were really happy, she smiled, pricked her ears, and made her hair fluffy.
Now I could say I was addicted to it.
“Can you wash the dishes? I’ll clean it.”
“yes.”
“And after we’re done, let’s hang out some clothes together. After that, would you like to go out for a while?”
“It’s good.”
Kyunghee smiled brightly.
Then I put on an apron and started washing the dishes slowly.
As I had taught you the other day, it seemed to rinse the dishes well with detergent in the basin.
It was important to give them the perception that they were paying a price for doing chores in this way in the future.
So next time, I thought I should teach him how to clean, so I turned the vacuum cleaner.
After that, I even washed the mop and wiped the floor once, and hung out the laundry with Kyung-hee, who took the clothes out of the washing machine.
I found out while hanging out the laundry, but Kyung-hee had very few clothes to wear.
I thought it would be better to buy several sets of clothes, even if they were cheap.
It wouldn’t be too much if I sacrificed a little bit of my pocket money, but seeing as I didn’t have much income, my bones hurt.
I couldn’t even dream of finding a part-time job.
My parents supported me not to study while working part-time, but it was absurd to work part-time because I lacked pocket money.
So I had to find another way to get something extra besides the pocket money they gave me.
Kyeong-hee asked with a puzzled expression if these worries came out to herself by accident.
“You said you were writing.”
“It’s not a profitable article yet. I’m receiving sponsorship, but I didn’t do it because I thought I lacked skills.”
“In that case, I can use it.”
“…….yes?”
“I can’t rely on you forever. I want to do anything if it makes money.”
“aha…….”
“I was interested in either writing or painting.”
“Then, would you like to buy me a practice book? A spring notebook would be nice too.”
“Then thank you for me.”
I was a little overjoyed.
Kyeong-hee, who would have blamed herself originally, is trying to do something else because she wants to help.
If I keep going like this, I feel good because I think I will overcome the wounds I suffered from my family and bloom properly.
Of course, Kyung-hee, who didn’t know why I was in a good mood, felt intimidated while raising question marks all over her face.
It seemed that he understood what he meant by thinking about making money.
So when I properly explained that it wasn’t like that, Kyung-hee’s ears went up.
After doing the laundry, I packed up my things and went outside.
“Siwoo, I think I should buy a hat and wear it.”
“Well, you can’t wear a hoodie forever.”
“Yeah. I think it would be fine if I rolled it up well inside my hat. Rather, the weather is nice.”
“I know.”
Kyunghee naturally hugged my arm and clung to it.
There was a strong will that seemed to never fall away no matter what.
It was nice to be able to care less about how people around me looked, but it was a bit risky.
As I thought once before, I want Kyunghee to be able to stand on her own without me.
I hated being obsessed with me and putting everything else aside.
However, I have already become a big presence to Kyunghee.
So from now on, I needed to lower my presence in Kyunghee.
So, like this.
“I think I’ll have to go to college by myself soon.”
“ah………”
“If that’s the case, I think I’ll go out in the morning and come back in the evening. Can you look after the house?”
“yes……..”
“I want to be with you more, but classes are starting soon.”
“Okay……”
As expected, Kyeong-hee’s eyes widened.
Fortunately, however, there was no violent reaction.
I just expressed my dislike by holding my arms tighter and biting my lips.
Kyunghee seemed to understand.
That I have to go on with my college life, and I can’t stick next to myself forever.
But the heart didn’t seem to understand.
I could see a very selfish thought about why he couldn’t be with me.
I had been thinking of soothing the gloomy Kyung-hee for a day or so, but fortunately, it wasn’t long before Kyung-hee relaxed.
Then he said he wanted to study. The goal is to be able to receive a scholarship.
I could see why. You have to study to be able to enter university, so you can stick with me.
It seemed to show that strong will, so I was in a good mood, but at the same time I was anxious.
He was trying to distance himself so that he could live without me gradually, but I wondered if it would make things worse.
But there was no better way than this to think about it.
For now, I had no choice but to wait and see what the outcome would be.
That’s how I went to Daiso and bought a manga practice book for drawing, and also bought some spring notes.
I bought a sharpener and a lead to use at home, and I thought of buying household items while I was there.
You will have to buy bathroom products, and you will also have to buy sanitary products. I thought I should buy women’s products too.
I started to buy them one by one, smiling, saying that there were many places to go for money.
Kyunghee seemed apologetic when she saw that.
So after saying that there was nothing to be sorry for, I headed home.
I wanted to go around at least once since I hadn’t been out in a while, but I thought it would be better to put down my luggage and come back.
Then I heard a familiar voice from behind.
It was Park Jin-soo, a high school classmate.
It was the guy who came to the same university and was living in a relative’s house.
They were so close that they often came to my room to play and have a drink.
And Park Jin-soo opened his mouth, pointing directly at Kyung-hee.
“Hey, is that your girlfriend? Siwoo, did you succeed?”
“Well, that’s how it is. He’s the one who stayed with me for a reason. They’re the same age.”
“Ah, hello… My name is Kyunghee Choi…”
“Park Jin-sup. He’s my friend. My high school classmate. hahahaha.”
Park Jin-soo teased him with his eyes, saying that he had a good girlfriend.
He secretly sent me a look, saying that sesame seeds would spill out, so I glared at him not to joke.
Then Park Jin-soo changed the topic with a big smile.
“Siwoo, classes will start soon. Should I buy a book?”
“Oh, did you?”
“Yes. Grab me and go to the local bookstore together.”
“It’s good.”
“And have a drink. Let’s hang out after a long time.”
I could feel Kyunghee’s gaze.
Deep down, it seemed that I wanted to reject that opinion and come early.
But I had already made my decision.
When I told Park Jin-soo that it was okay, the grip I felt in my arms got stronger.
“Huh? Let’s go to a karaoke room and a PC room.”
“Five.”
“Of course, if you want to go in early, tell me. I should be that kind of consideration! hahahaha.”
“It’s okay. It’s been a while since I met my friend, so Kyung-hee will understand.”
“yes………..”
Kyunghee nodded helplessly.
It was like before. I understand in my head that it is only natural that I can play with a friend I haven’t seen in a while.
But he didn’t understand with his heart, so he whined at me.
I didn’t know if this was to be taken as a good omen.
But since it’s about expressing one’s feelings, wouldn’t that be a good sign?
Anyway, after finishing the conversation with Park Jin-soo, I headed back to my room.
As they walked, Kyunghee continued to look at them.
A sorrowful look asking if it would be okay if you continued to be with me.
He didn’t seem to have the courage to speak directly.
Well, if there was, I would have already told Park Jin-soo.
I wondered if I was expecting too much from Kyung-hee, who was still barely able to express her likes and dislikes.
Still, it was extraordinary to see Kyung-hee, who entered her room, sorted out the things she bought, and opened the notebook right away.
All you have to do is move forward as you learn one by one.
Then you will be able to overcome everything.
Of course, I couldn’t stay still, so I texted my parents and told them that I would visit them soon.
There are still books I used to write in my senior year of high school, so I thought of bringing them.
It gradually faded away, but I thought it would work somehow if I reviewed it.
Then, I opened the book I had written in the previous semester and started studying.
Some of the subjects to be learned after the beginning of the semester had to be reviewed as essential to the subjects learned in the previous semester.
Since the seniors said it was a prerequisite subject, it must be certain.
So I opened the book and started studying.
how long has it been like that
Maybe it’s because I’ve been concentrating on it for a long time, so I’m hungry.
As I slowly went out into the living room, I saw Kyunghee sleeping.
He seemed very tired, so I picked him up and put him on the bed and covered him with a blanket.
Then I opened the exercise book and looked at the picture.
It was as I had guessed.
Several pages were filled with my face drawn.