It felt colder than yesterday, perhaps because it was still morning. Heewoon headed to the bus stop, feeling his scarf around his neck. It felt like it’s been a long time since he last took the bus.
Heewoon stood behind the first two people at the bus stop, peeking at the screen to confirm that the bus would arrive in 10 minutes. Hmm. As if contemplating, he made a sound, and a white smoke escaped. It wasn’t very cold, but Heewoon decided to take a taxi.
He reached the school quickly. It was congested at the main gate, caused by cars lining up, so he got off a bit early.
“Please take a look at these bouquets.”
Someone who looked like a student shouted while holding a bouquet. Heewoon briefly stopped and looked around. The flower stalls extended all the way to the main gate, selling similar bouquets.
“This is only 15,000 won.”
Something white suddenly intruded into Heewoon’s peripheral vision. It was a dried Sinensis bouquet.
“It’s originally 20,000 won.”
“…”
Do people really buy dead things for 20,000 won? Heewoon glanced around. Everyone who was heading to the main gate had a bouquet in hand. He pondered. Would Seo Kangwoo like it if he bought a bouquet? But does he even want Seo Kangwoo to like it right now? Heewoon’s forehead wrinkled slightly.
When the man thought Heewoon wouldn’t buy it, the man put down the bouquet. Rustle, the sound echoed. Inside the brown wrapping, the delicate flowers shook slightly. Heewoon’s gaze lingered there.
“I’ll take this.”
It’s only polite to give a bouquet during graduation.
Holding the bouquet, Heewoon headed towards the campus. The green foxtail brushed against his chin. Wiping his chin, he adjusted the bouquet, and the wrapping made a nice rustling sound.
As he occasionally grazed against the cotton flower inserted between the flowers, he took out his phone. There was a message.
[Come to the front of the Department of Business.]
Okay. He replied and crossed the main gate.
Inside the campus, there were many people. Those wearing graduation caps and taking pictures looked happy, having a celebration with their family, friends, or lovers. Heewoon’s steps quickened a bit.
Near the Department of Business, he encountered many familiar juniors with faces. Looking away, he tried to find Kangwoo.
And he found Kangwoo quite easily.
Heewoon couldn’t not see him because he stood out so distinctly alone. Amidst the excited peers, there was Seo Kangwoo with an indifferent expression.
Heewoon didn’t approach and stopped where he was, just watching Kangwoo. Next to him, the graduation gown, reaching down to the calf of one male student, only swayed around Kangwoo’s knees. A large hand holding both the graduation cap and certificate, the blue sky, sunlight breaking through the leaves, casting shadows on his face.
Then Seo Kangwoo lifted his head and glanced around. Heewoon, for reasons unknown, hid behind a tree. He watched as Kangwoo, looking at his phone, walked to somewhere. Kangwoo’s peers expressed disappointment.
“He looks handsome today too.”
He could hear the admiration in the voice. It was from someone who had been with Kangwoo. Only then did Heewoon realize that he was following Kangwoo from behind.
“….”
Heewoon stopped.
“I heard Seo Kangwoo has a girlfriend?”
“Yeah, Minhee heard Seo Kangwoo talking to someone on the phone. He was being really affectionate.”
Heewoon breathed quietly, in and out. The green foxtail was tickling at his chin.
Kangwoo happened to stop too. It was because a professor greeted him warmly. Even while conversing with the professor, Kangwoo glanced at his phone.
The bouquet made a rustling sound. There was no fragrance at all. Whether it was because dried flowers naturally lacked fragrance or if it was due to him not being able to smell anything now, Heewoon couldn’t be sure.
After bidding farewell to the professor, even the courteous smile on Kangwoo’s face disappeared. Then he made a call and brought the phone to his ear.
“….”
“….”
Their eyes met. Simultaneously, there was a vibration from Heewoon’s coat pocket. The vibration near his hips resonated up to his chest. Heewoon pulled the bouquet tightly into his arms.
While looking at the bouquet in his arms, Kangwoo’s eyelashes lowered slightly. When they rose again, Kangwoo sighed, and a white smoke escaped his mouth.
“When did you arrive?”
He was just a few steps away, but Kangwoo closed the distance in a breath. Just a moment ago, Heewoon mumbled. He felt strange.
“You should’ve called.”
“I found you right away.”
Kangwoo stared at him so intently that Heewoon looked away.
“Do you want me to take a picture?”
“Ah, a picture.”
Kangwoo nodded as if he hadn’t thought of that yet. Heewoon extended the bouquet to Kangwoo and reached into his pocket to take out his phone, but Kangwoo pushed the bouquet back to him. Heewoon ended up carrying the bouquet again.
Click.
The camera sound echoed. Heewoon blinked in surprise, looking up at Kangwoo. Kangwoo’s motionless face spoke volumes.
“Look here.”
“…Huh? Why me…”
It was strange to be the one getting photographed instead of taking pictures of the graduating person. Heewoon furrowed his nose, and Kangwoo chuckled. Kangwoo’s eyes softened as he looked at the picture.
“Thank you for coming.”
Kangwoo said as he put his phone in his pocket. Heewoon awkwardly handed over the bouquet, and Kangwoo smiled slightly. His briefly touched fingers felt cold. Heewoon trembled and bent his fingers.
“I’ll take the picture… for you.”
“Nevermind that. Want to go to eat something warm?”
Looking at Heewoon’s reddened fingers, Kangwoo suggested. Heewoon nodded, but he couldn’t understand Kangwoo. Wouldn’t only photos remain after the graduation?
It was when Kangwoo, an academic cap in his hand, took a step away.
“Oh, Woo Heewoon!”
Someone called Heewoon. He quickly turned to see who it was and then looked back at Kangwoo.
“You punk. You don’t reply on KakaoTalk these days.”
Jihwan walked over, looking upset. Heewoon glanced at Kangwoo and quietly said.
“Hi.”
“What hi?”
Jihwan nagged while placing his hand on Heewoon’s shoulder. Heewoon stayed still, then startled and stepped back. He collided with Kangwoo. Kangwoo, looking down at the round forehead, gently took Heewoon’s arm and said.
“Hello.”
“Oh, right. Congratulations on your graduation.”
“Thank you.”
“This guy doesn’t play with me but sticks to you like glue.”
At Jihwan’s playful remark, Kangwoo chuckled softly. Heewoon glanced at Kangwoo’s hand holding his arm. He was concerned that the mentally-twisted Kangwoo might eliminate Jihwan or harass himself. He had told Jihwan not to meet him, but this was an coincidental encounter, so there was nothing he could do.
“Anyway, see you after the semester starts.”
Heewoon nodded vaguely to Jihwan. He watched Jihwan run to his friends for a moment and then turned his head.
“Kangwoo, this was just a coincidence.”
“I know.”
“Yeah… right.”
Kangwoo seemed to understand this much. Heewoon felt a little relieved as he saw Kangwoo casually inspecting the bouquet.
“But, Sunbae, you seem quite nervous, so I feel a bit sour.”
“…Huh?”
Kangwoo, lifting his head, looked at Heewoon intently.
“Why are you nervous just meeting a friend? Did you two really have sex or something?”
“No! I just don’t like Ji… I mean, I don’t like meeting him.”
Heewoon felt unjustly accused. Kangwoo glanced at the downturned corners of Heewoon’s mouth. You’re almost crying. Kangwoo lightly tapped Heewoon’s cheek.
“You won’t do what I don’t like?”
“Yeah.”
With a slight frown, Kangwoo pulled Heewoon’s shoulder. Kangwoo’s gaze lingered on Heewoon’s face, the light rose-colored lips on the fair skin.
“If rumors spread that there’s a gay guy in school, it wouldn’t be good, right?”
Heewoon tensed at Kangwoo’s subtle tone. Kangwoo chuckled lightly and lifted Heewoon’s scarf enough to cover his nose. Heewoon widened his eyes, and Kangwoo playfully messed up Heewoon’s hair with his large hand before distancing himself.
They were on their way to the parking lot after returning Kangwoo’s graduation gown and cap. While still glancing around the bustling campus, Heewoon spoke up.
“Kangwoo, do you have a girlfriend?”
“…What nonsense are you talking about?”
Kangwoo responded as if it were absurd. Heewoon thought. The person Seo Kangwoo was talking to on the phone earlier, the one those guys assumed to be Kangwoo’s girlfriend, was actually him. Although it might not be completely true, Heewoon was convinced.
“I heard it from the others.”
“You didn’t need to hear such nonsense.”
Kangwoo clicked his tongue. Observing Kangwoo’s steps in line with his, Heewoon continued.
“But if you happen to get one…”
Kangwoo abruptly stopped, interrupting Heewoon’s words coldly.
“If I get one, what will you do?”
“…”
Heewoon stayed silent, and Kangwoo let out a short sigh. He only wanted to ask what would happen if Kangwoo got a girlfriend. Heewoon didn’t know what response he expected or what he should do based on the response.
“This is getting annoying, so hold onto this.”
Kangwoo roughly handed the bouquet to Heewoon. Glancing at the bouquet for a moment, Heewoon followed Kangwoo.
When they were about to get in the parked car, Heewoon looked back. He saw a trash bin not too far away.
“About this, Kangwoo.”
“Why?”
Kangwoo responded in a lower voice than before. Heewoon looked at Kangwoo slowly with the bouquet in his arms.
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