"WHAT TIME DO YOU THINK IT IS?! I TOLD-"
"ALRIGHT ALRIGHT, I KNOW!"
Hyunji hung up the phone while snorting in annoyance. She scratched her head, making her tousled hair look even more messy. With her eyes still half closed, she glanced at the clock on the wall. It's still eight in the morning. The sun was still peeking shyly behind the drifting clouds. In winter, the sun does rise a bit late.
It makes Hyunji lazy to do activities. The most enjoyable thing to do on this calm and chilly morning is to dive back into dreamland. But unfortunately, her intentions had to be suppressed because Jimin's nagging had already adorned this beautiful morning. Made Hyunji couldn't help but get up from her soft bed while grumbling. At times like this, she wanted to transform into a bear and hibernate during the winter.
Finally, with a heavy heart, she walked towards the bathroom. Washing her face, brushing her teeth, and combing her hair. She ended her preparations by changing her clothes. Her choice fell on black jeans, a thick sweater, and her oversized jacket hanging in the closet. Wearing shoes, she then went out after grabbing her phone on the nightstand.
"Where are you going?"
Hyunji's movement stopped when she was about to walk across the living room. She turned her head to find Jungkyu's presence sitting on the sofa sipping hot coffee. His eyes focused on the phone. Hyunji couldn't understand who the man had just spoken to. "Are you talking to your phone?"
Jungkyu didn't heed Hyunji's words. He put the glass on the table. "Where are you going?"
Hyunjin rolled her eyes. She stepped closer. Without the owner's consent, she took the cup of coffee on the table and drank it down. Realizing that, Jungkyu immediately averted his gaze from his phone with his eyes wide open. "YOU-"
"Nag me later. I'm in a hurry."
Hyunji spurred her legs to hurry. She ignored Jungkyu's shouts of disapproval back there. The most important thing right now was to get to campus as soon as possible, before Jimin nagged her again.
"Jimin Hwang sucks!" she grumbled.
***
Jimin looked at the girl in front of him flatly. White smoke billowed out along with a sigh that escaped his lips. "Ten minutes late."
Hyunjin clicked her tongue.
Not wanting to procrastinate any longer, Jimin immediately pulled Hyunji's hand into the campus library. Rows of tables, chairs, and bookshelves greeted their arrival. There were only the two of them there—considering it was still too early to start activities in the middle of winter like this.
After all, most students would prefer to spend the rest of their vacation at home rather than coming to campus. Especially in the middle of January, where Korea is at its lowest temperature. Rolling up on the mattress with a blanket covering the body or sitting in front of the fireplace while sipping hot chocolate are certainly better options.
"I don't get it." Hyunji rested her chin, staring at Jimin who was picking books on the shelf. "It's still winter break, Jimin. Why do you care so much about my assignments? We can work on them later when the temperature is warmer. After all, it makes no difference working now or later. In the end, I'll keep repeating for next semester. "
Jimin didn't answer. He was still busy struggling with the rows of books neatly arranged on the shelves. After finding the book he was looking for, he returned to his seat. Sitting opposite Hyunji who still maintains a sour face because she doesn't accept the fact that her sleep has been disturbed.
Hyunji glanced at the pile of books Jimin had placed on the table. The five books as thick as a dictionary made Hyunji's mood even worse. "Professor Lee doesn't have much to complain about. But why are you the one being so fussy?"
Handing a book from the top of the pile to Hyunji, Jimin then said, "This isn't my first time tutoring you. Is there a teacher who likes to see their student repeat semester, huh?" He looked at Hyunji who just listened silently. "Soon, I will be a final year student. I will be more and more busy with thesis and assignments before graduation. Even when I'm around, you still ignore your assignments like this. What will happen if I'm already busy with my assignments? No one will watch over you. Do you want to repeat another semester?"
"I don't care. Besides, I've never been interested in going to college in the first place." She reached for the book that Jimin had handed her. She just flipped through the pages without interest.
"Therefore, hurry up and graduate so you don't have to go to college anymore."
Hyunji took a deep breath. She turned her head, busy gazing at the view outside the window. Almost everything that is visible is just white. The campus yard seemed to be covered in snow at some points, as were the benches there. The trees wither away, leaving only their trunks and branches that are still standing firmly—awaiting the arrival of spring. Meanwhile, the view of each faculty's buildings looks like a silhouette because the white fog blocks the view.
Nothing interesting.
"Hey!" Jimin poked Hyunji's forehead. "Don't just daydreaming! Hurry up!"
Hyunjin pursed her lips. She didn't even care if her assignments was completed or not, but why was Jimin the one making a fuss all this time? Even if she has to repeat another semester, that's her business, not his.
With one hand supporting her chin, she reached for another book on the table. She didn't even read the title first and immediately opened it. In the end, she ignored the book as before. Just flipped through the pages without interest. "If I had this much assignment, I can't imagine how much yours would be."
"There's a lot for sure. But what can I do? If I don't finish, I won't graduate. Do you think I'm not bored with college either?"
Hyunjin smiled faintly. "Yeah, then ... cheers! I'll make sure to come to your graduation with a bouquet of flowers."
Jimin shook his head without looking at Hyunji. "No need. My mother will definitely bring it. It's troublesome to carry a lot."
"That's not the flower I meant." Hyunji paused for a moment to blow her bangs which made her eyes itch. "Funeral flowers. I'll bring them later. Who knows you might die from stress or overwork."
Jimin glared. He wanted to hit the thick book in front of him to Hyunji's head. But he didn't—remembering how scary that girl was when she was angry. If he messes up, Hyunji can repay him many times over.
On the other hand, Hyunji chuckled at Jimin's expression. Hyunji always takes Jimin's annoyed face as entertainment for her. Jimin was clearly holding back all the curses that might have been looming in his mind for a long time. So funny.
"But seriously." Hyunji stopped laughing, leaving a faint smile on her face. "I'll definitely come on your graduation day. I'll bring you a big bouquet. If necessary, I'll also bring the flower shop for you. Think of it as a thank you for being my tutor all this time and wanting to replace me—getting scolded by my professor."
After hearing that, Jimin's expression changed instantly. His annoyed expression faded, replaced with a blank stare right at Hyunji. Completely expressionless and unreadable. Making Hyunji gone silent with a furrowed forehead.
"Jimin ...?" called Hyunji. She was about to hold Jimin's hand which was on the table, but Jimin immediately pulled his hand and hid it under the table.
For the second time, his expression changed in mere seconds. The corners of Jimin's lips pulled up, causing his eyes to narrow like crescent moon. "I told you, there's no need to bring flowers. Just bring yourself. You can wear a ribbon on your head too if you want."
"Why?"
"Because if that day really comes, I want you to be my present. How about it?"
Hyunji chuckled. She considered for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "Okay. Since it's an important day for you, so, I'll do it."
Jimin smiled again.
Hyunji didn't really think about Jimin's strange behavior. She chose to drown again in her own world. She put the tip of her index finger on the glass, felt the cold air creep between her fingers, then painted something abstract on the dew that was stuck there.
"Hey, Hyunji Kwon ...."
Jimin's call brought her to a halt. She was silent for a few moments. She didn't immediately turn around or answer him because her head was filled with big question marks. She felt a little strange because he didn't usually call her full name. "Yes?" she said as she turned her position to face Jimin completely.
"You'll coming, right?"
Hyunji raised one eyebrow. If he had called out her full name like that, usually Jimin would have asked something serious. But no, all he asked was about the conversation earlier. "Why asking? Of course I'll come."
"Alright then ...."
"Is there something wrong?"
Jimin shook his head. "Nothing. Just wanted to make sure," he replied casually.
Hyunji snorted, then resumed her delayed activities.
Meanwhile, uunder the table—unbeknownst to Hyunji—Jimin was desperately controlling his hands that wouldn't stop shaking. His hands clenched into fists, turning his knuckles white and almost hurt by his own nails. At the same time, he tried to hold back the dizziness that suddenly hit his head. It felt like he had just been hit by something hard and heavy. He even had to close his eyes tightly to get rid of the pain.
At this time, he just hoped that no one would notice his condition, especially Hyunji. It can get complicated later. So, there was no other way to calm himself down other than by took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. He did that over and over again, until the dizziness went away and his hands stopped shaking.
When he opened his eyes, his focus was straight on Hyunji who was still busy painting dew. With empty eyes, he smiled and said in his heart, "I hope you really come."