Chapter 42

“You’re really mean. I don’t know anything. I don’t know why you’re acting like this all of a sudden. I just liked that you brought me along, and I wanted to spend my life together peacefully.”

The slightly trembling voice sounded pitiful. Naru didn’t back down and honestly spoke his feelings. Every now and then he swallowed the tears that wanted to burst out, which made his voice sound strained.

“I didn’t do anything wrong. You did, so why should I be the one who gets hurt more?”

• You’re right, I did do something wrong. So please, let me apologize to your face.

Gyu-yeon, whom he expected would stubbornly insist otherwise, admitted it easily. He even bowed, saying he’d apologize in person. Surprised by the unexpected answer, Naru pursed his lips. He wanted to say something but couldn’t get any words out.

Should he tell him to do that? What do you even do in a situation like this? While pondering, Naru blurted out the words he had been thinking.

“What good is an apology. It doesn’t mean you’ll like me again. I’m really sick of living trapped, just waiting for someone’s feelings. I’m not going to be taken advantage of.”

This time Gyu-yeon’s voice didn’t snap back immediately. Naru waited for an answer, his hands trembling. It was the first time he’d said such things to someone he acknowledged as his owner, and his heart pounded so hard it felt like he might stop breathing.

A small sigh came through the phone. It was the sound Gyu-yeon made when swallowing his frustration. Naru didn’t add anything and waited until he replied.

• I want to like you.

“…Huh?”

• So I want to apologize. So just tell me where you are right now.

The bomb of words landed with a thud in the blink of an eye. Naru kept chewing over Gyu-yeon’s words.

I want to like you. So I want to apologize.

“I want to like you”—does that mean he’ll like him again? While zoning out, Gyu-yeon’s voice came through a couple more times. Things like “Hello?”

Staring vacantly at the field, Naru nodded gently. Even though Gyu-yeon wasn’t in front of her, he acted as if he were.

• Are you listening to me?

“Yeah….”

• I’ll come pick you up now.

“Uh, ah, no. You can’t.”

• Why not? You don’t want to see my face?

Naru was in a bind. The idea that Gyu-yeon would come pick him up right now made his head spin. He had to go pick potatoes again tomorrow morning. He hadn’t even told the farm owner he was leaving yet…

Gyu-yeon, whose voice had revealed his upset, waited for Naru’s answer. He seemed puzzled as to why he was refusing.

“I have to go pick potatoes in the morning.”

• What…?

“I work in the mornings. But if I tell the uncle, it might end quickly…”

Gyu-yeon’s astonishment came through the phone. Why did he suddenly say he had to pick potatoes? His worry multiplied at the unexpected answer.

Having become a diligent farm part-timer, Naru prioritized picking potatoes over the immediate problem. It was the first job he had gotten, and he didn’t want to run off in the early morning without notice.

The farm owner and his wife had treated him fairly well, and although he wasn’t overly fond of them, he had made a friend named Geon-hu, so leaving on a whim felt wrong.

“Come pick me up in the morning.”

• Sigh, you have somewhere to stay, right?

“Yes. I ate.”

• Just send me the address in advance. I’ll pick you up first thing tomorrow morning.

“…Okay!”

Naru hung up first and stamped his feet. Although the call had continued awkwardly, Gyu-yeon’s words still felt like a dream and were hard to believe.

He said he wants to like me, he wants to like me! He thought he’d never see him again. Yu Gyu-yeon likes me.

Running to the farm entrance, Naru snapped a photo of the street name sign and sent it to Gyu-yeon. His previously resolute expression had already softened like cotton candy.

Despite everything, Naru liked Gyu-yeon. He vowed to keep the firm attitude he’d shown earlier when he saw his face tomorrow morning, but now, alone, he wanted to revel in happiness.

At last, at last, the words “I like you” escaped from Gyu-yeon’s mouth. How many people could remain resolute after hearing a confession from someone they liked? Probably none.

Bzzz.

As soon as Naru sent the address, a reply came from Gyu-yeon immediately.

[See you tomorrow. Sleep well.]

It was a simple message but full of concern. Instead of replying, Naru pressed the hold key and returned to the lodging. He had to wake earlier than usual tomorrow. He needed to finish picking potatoes so they wouldn’t be short-handed and to say goodbye to the farm owner and Geon-hu.

Back in the dark room, Naru found a corner and lay down. He was usually sensitive from not sleeping well, but for some reason tonight he fell asleep easily despite the same surroundings.

At five in the morning, before dawn. Woken by the smell of grass and birdsong, Naru washed his face and stepped outside. Walking along the path beside the field, he spotted the farm owner and his wife in the distance. Naru hurried over and gave the owner a morning greeting.

“Good morning!”

“You’re up early again today. Truly the most diligent.”

“Um, today is my last day working here.”

Naru blurted out the main point without preamble and smiled awkwardly. The farm owner, momentarily surprised, nodded gladly and patted his back. It had been a short-term job, and it was impressive that someone young like Naru had stuck it out this long.

After all, being a farm, some young people lured by the pay would rather go back than take the money. Even repetitive work, farming is generally tough. But Naru got up earlier than anyone to pick potatoes and even fed the neighborhood dogs.

The farm owner, who thought well of Naru, smiled as he let him go and even packed some potatoes for him to take. They were truly kind people.

Naru placed the potatoes he’d been given in a corner and took his hoe to the field. His attitude of helping to the last moment was so admirable it looked endearing.

Having been up since early dawn picking potatoes, Naru greeted the men who were gradually gathering. The unassuming greetings were met with casual waves, but when they heard he was leaving they showed regret. They’d been territorial at first, but now that he was leaving, they seemed sad.

“Yawn, you came out early again?”

“Yeah. I’m not a lazybones like you.”

Naru teased Geon-hu, who had come out yawning, and smiled playfully. Geon-hu, watching his face, had a look like he’d noticed something.

An unusually bright smile, a face free of worry. Naru’s expression had changed a lot in a day.

“You talked on the phone with that person yesterday, didn’t you?”

“How did you know?”

“I can tell just by looking at your face. So, you’re leaving today?”

“And how do you know that?”

“It’d be weird if I didn’t know. Your face is glowing.”

Geon-hu was quicker-witted than Naru thought. While he was spacing out, he snatched his phone from the pocket and repeatedly pressed to save his number.