Not Just A Memory | Ko Kyung-jun

Eight.

“...I’ll keep loving him unrequitedly for the rest of my life.”  

“What’s that? I’m really curious now.”  

“Are you in love with some idols or something?”  

Well, I guessed it’s kind of like an idol.  

I can see him on TV and in magazines, but he’s still someone infinitely distant from me.  

I’m just a small fan wishing for his happiness, but even that is enough to satisfy me.  

Meanwhile, a fairly large event was being held. There were many sponsors, and they even rented a large hall for the event, so the “funeral and cremation” department of our company had to help out, and everyone was quite busy.  

Although I didn’t know the specifics of the event, we’ve been busy preparing perks for guests and training the juniors, so by the time the event day arrived, everyone was exhausted.  

“Hey, standing here attracting customers for so long is really tiring, huh? Can you go out and buy some drinks?”  

“You’re saying that means you’re really tired too, huh…”  

“Yeah, of course.”  

Geum-sul couldn’t leave his post, so I was given money to buy drinks for both of us.  

Suddenly, I noticed a box of strawberry orange juice. Hyun-ho once bought this exact one for me, so I unconsciously smile. Hyun-ho has now been selected for the national team and is currently playing in Chuncheon. When I returned to the hall feeling a bit better, the atmosphere was much livelier, and Geum-sul pointed toward the entrance.  

“So, Eun-kang is here. He’s popular with the elderly and is from this region too.”  

“What?!”  

I almost dropped the box of juice in my hand.  

I quickly took out a flyer and, of course, in the bottom right corner it says, “Famous basketball player! Handshake event with Eun-kang of the Schweigen Adlers.”  

When I was looking down at the list of sponsors, the parent company of the Adlers was also listed.  

“Looks like you can shake hands and take photos with Eun-kang. Ever since he represented South Korea in the Olympics, Eun-kang has been really popular with the older generation.”  

“...”  

“Eun-kang is the best choice. Way better than Kyung-jun or Jong-hun.”  

I glanced at Eun-kang, and surprisingly, our eyes met.  

“...Hey, wait, wait, Eun-kang is coming over? That’s scary, why, why?”  

“Whoa, that’s terrifying. This atmosphere is giving me goosebumps.”  

Eun-kang ignored them and kept walking, glancing between me and Geum-sul, then suddenly fell silent. I subtly stepped back and hid behind Geum-sul. 

“Have we met before?”  

“I played basketball in high school. Back then, I was the small forward for Hyundai.”  

“Ah. Jimm-yeong’s teammate.”  

Then he looked at me.  

We’ve met before. That time was when I went to cheer for Kyung-jun, but we only exchanged nods. Geum-sul has faced him before and he didn’t remember, so he probably didn’t remember me either…  

“...”  

“...”  

“...”  

“...”  

Staring like this is really awkward, but Eun-kang didn’t look away, so it felt like we’re having a staring contest. While I was unsure what to do, Geum-sul cut in.  

“This girl is a basketball fan. By the way, want to take a photo?”  

“Ah, no, I don’t need a photo…”  

“Sure.”  

Eun-kang said something to his manager, and in the end, we still took a photo. When I tried to avoid it, everyone urged me on.  

“You’ve been reading Basketball Monthly all the time, so the chance to take a photo with Eun-kang doesn’t come often.”  

“It’s a reward for your hard work!”  

“That’s great, I’m so jealous.”  

And so, I can’t escape.  

I didn’t want my mother to find me, so I had asked the media not to publish the photo and repeatedly reminded Eun-kang’s manager.  

“Can you make a peace sign?”  

“Ah, sure.”  

I shyly made a peace sign, and the manager said, “You can get closer!” and pushed me so close that our shoulders touched. “Smile!” and the photo was taken with Geum-sul’s camera.  

“I’ll send it to you later.”  

“That’d be great, but I left my phone in the break room.”  

“Ah… now that I think about it, you know Jimm-yeong, right? I’ll send it to him, and he can forward it to you.”  

“That works.”  

Jimm-yeong…? Geum-sul quickly responded to my confusion, “My high school friend. It’s just one photo, and he’s not the type to do anything shady. Don’t worry.”  

I was a bit concerned about the photo being shared around, but if Geum-sul assures me… then it’s fine.  

Eun-kang is really kind. When someone said, “By the way, can we get an autograph?”, he signed my notebook. I didn’t expect him to be so good with fanservice.  

After that, the event got even busier, and I was so occupied that I completely forgot about the photo with Eun-kang.