Childhood Friend Edification Theory - CHAPTER 4.8 - END

04.Edification – Part 8

To live happily without regret was the only way she could repay them.

“Yes. These days… I’m happy.”

Even though her head was spinning, she smiled brightly. It was a genuinely happy smile, and it soothed the worry on Ji Hyeon’s face.

“Thank you, daughter, for growing up so well.”

There was a comforting scent as she hugged her tightly. Whether it was because she was sick or because her heart was tender, her eyes began to well up. She felt like she was going to cry, so she gently pulled away, only to see a mischievous smile on her mother’s face.

“But remember to practice safe s*x, okay?”

“Mom!”
“Jaeha’s probably pacing outside, so mom really has to go now. He won’t feel better until he sees you taking your medicine.”

Ji Hyeon, who had packed her bag neatly, left without hesitation. For some reason, the daughter left behind felt sad to see her cool mother accepting her daughter’s unconstrained love life. But the void was quickly filled by someone else.

“Mother left early, huh?”

“Mom knows… that we’re together.”

“Ah.“

He walked in, balancing a large tray with several bowls on one hand, and closed the door behind him. It seemed he had been waiting outside until the mother-daughter chat was over.

“Aren’t you surprised?”

“She’s always been quick on the uptake.”

“True. But how come she doesn’t see through your disguise?”

Without answering, Jaeha just smiled. She had expected an arrogant response, like his performance was too perfect for her mother to notice, but he surprised her by focusing on something else. He was busy blowing on the spoonful of porridge he had scooped up. He had even prepared some braised beef, which she liked, and seemed ready to feed her himself.

“I can do it myself.”

“I know. But I want to.”

Supporting the spoon with his hand, he urged her.

“Open wide.”

She had heard the phrase ‘open wide’ so many times lately – whether to open this or that – that her face flushed with warmth. After a moment’s hesitation, Haea opened her mouth. His eyes crinkled into a satisfied smile. He fed her slowly until she had finished the whole bowl of porridge, and gave her the medicine exactly 30 minutes later. He even helped her brush her teeth and patted her gently, urging her back to sleep, looking quite pleased with himself. With his warm hand holding hers as she drifted off, she didn’t feel lonely at all.

“Jaeha.”

“Yes?”
Haea gently rubbed her cheek against the back of Jaeha’s hand. The scent of soap from his freshly washed hand wafted through her nose, mingling with his natural scent to create a pleasant and sweet aroma.

“When I’m sick… you say there’s nothing you can do for me – it’s wrong.”

His fingers twitched slightly. He had gone to medical school because he hated the feeling of helplessness when Haea was sick. But Haea had known for a long time that wasn’t true. He had never been powerless, not even for a moment. He had always supported her with his strong hands. Haea intertwined her fingers with his and held his hand tightly.

“It’s warm.”

He made the cold not entirely unwelcome.

* * *

Haea and Jaeha attended the same university, but unfortunately the medical school building was in another part of town. Nevertheless, Jaeha insisted on living near Haea’s department building. He explained that having a car made the commute easier.

To clarify, Jaeha lived near Haea’s department building, about a 20-minute walk away. Nevertheless, he insisted on picking her up. He was afraid she might get caught in the rain again, and Haea couldn’t convince him otherwise.

So she asked him to at least come in a more discreet car. There were only above-ground parking spaces around her building, and the Maserati or Ferrari he liked to drive was too conspicuous.

Although the fact that Haea’s boyfriend was a fellow medical student and they were childhood friends had already spread through her department and even the university community, she still had hope. She thought that if he drove something more discreet, the rumors might die down a bit.

When he agreed and said he’d get a new car, she felt guilty, but consoled herself by reminding herself that buying new cars was one of his hobbies.

“Wow, this is killing me! Haea’s boyfriend got a Mercedes S-Class convertible this time.”

“It’s probably close to 200 million won.”

But the result wasn’t much different. Though the car’s design was a bit more understated, it was still a super car.

“Oh… Jaeha…”

It was her mistake to trust him.

“Haea.”

Jaeha, standing next to the car, called out to her with a smile. Judging by his playful, sparkling eyes, he seemed annoyed that she had told him to ride in something more subdued.

‘Please, please.’

Haea silently prayed, but he quickly approached her with his long strides.

“I-I should go first…”

“Are you Haea’s friend?”

She tried to slip away, but Jaeha was faster with his long legs. He put his arm around Haea’s shoulder and grinned.

“Yes! Yes, I’m Haea’s classmate!”

As soon as the male classmate casually called out Haea’s name, Jaeha’s eyes turned cold.

‘Please, please.’

Haea begged silently once more. Back in middle school, Jaeha couldn’t stand it when another boy called her name so familiarly. He had a reputation of being ruthlessly vengeful, which earned him the nickname ‘Dog Jae-ha’.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ha Jaeha.”

He greeted his classmate calmly.

“Huh?“

Surprised, Haea quickly looked up at him, but he just smiled brightly as if nothing had happened and walked away. Her heart was pounding so hard that it wouldn’t stop even after she got into the car.

“Are you… really my Jaeha?”

“What are you talking about? You’re not even wearing your seat belt.”

He seemed normal. The cold look in his eyes from earlier seemed like a lie, as he seemed completely at ease. He reached over and fastened her seat belt.

“Didn’t you used to hate it when other men called me by my name?”

“I still don’t like it.”

“Then why?”

“I’ve become more understanding. A well-fed animal is more relaxed. It’s generous enough to tolerate getting rid of a few annoying pests.”

A well-fed animal? Haea tilted her head, not quite understanding his vague words.

“Keep me tamed, Haea.”

“Tamed? What?”

“Me.”

“You?”

“Don’t forget to keep feeding me.”

Jaeha grinned and started the car. The people who had been staring at his car became smaller and smaller until they were just tiny dots.

Haea looked at them absently.

‘Well fed and relaxed?’

‘Don’t forget to feed him?’

It was a concept that didn’t quite make sense to normal human thought. After thinking about it for a moment, she decided not to dwell on it. At least he had become friendlier.

They say that ‘if you get too close to ink, you’ll turn black’. But isn’t the opposite also true? If you keep something white next to you, maybe even black ink can turn white.

After all, it is said that people who love each other begin to resemble each other.

“It’s strange to say… but you’ve grown up, Jaeha.”

“I’m older than you.”

“Yes, you’ve matured.”

Haea looked at him and smiled gently. He returned the smile. It was a relationship that could only be described as intense. They should have grown tired of each other by now, but here they were, starting all over again.

Haea could no longer predict how this relationship would end.

No matter what new relationship they formed next, they would always reconnect, reunite and be bound together. As long as the persistent shadow called Ha Jaeha remained around Yun Haea, it would be forever.

-The End-