Not Just A Memory | Ko Kyung-jun

Eleven.

Ah, it was clear he had no intention of letting me go.

“Eun-kang, are you heading to the city center?”

“No. I’m going back to my hometown in Eunpyeong to see my family. Are you heading to Busan, Kyung-jun?”

“…I’m going to her place.”

He glanced at me.

“It seems she’s not feeling well.”

“Is that so? Sorry for keeping you. I don’t know if this is appropriate, but would you like to have this?”

With that, he pulled out a wooden box of premium grapes from the cardboard box, with an envelope attached to the outside, looking very luxurious.

“…I’ve never seen such high-quality grapes before,” I remarked.

“I received it as a gift at today’s event. I heard there are 10 different types of grapes, two of each. But my family doesn’t really like grapes, so I was planning to take them home. Do you like grapes?”

“Yes, I do… but such an expensive gift, can I really accept it?”

“If you enjoy it, I’ll feel grateful.”

I noticed Kyung-jun looking at me gently. That gaze made me a little flustered.

“Thank you, Eun-kang—ssi. I’ll take it.”

“Ah, take care of yourself.”

As we got into the taxi that had just arrived, Eun-kang smiled and saw us off.

He really is a good person, I thought, and I felt happy to have met the player I had admired for so long.

“It’s still a long way to go, why don’t you take a nap?”

“…But…”

“I’ve already given the driver the address, and I’ll stay awake, so it’s fine.”

Kyung-jun gently touched my head, as if encouraging me to lean on his shoulder.

The warmth from his body made me feel strangely happy, and sleepiness washed over me immediately.

“Rest for a bit. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”

“Sorry, and… thank you…”

As the car swayed, I gradually fell asleep.

Being next to Kyung-jun felt so comfortable.

.

The apartment we arrived at by taxi was just a small, simple one for a single person.

“We’re here.”

“Mmm…”

Her tired eyes barely opened. Every gesture of her felt familiar, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

“Ah, Kyung-jun–ssi, you can stop here. Thank you for bringing me back. I’ll take a taxi to the station…”

“Huh?”

Without giving me a chance to react, he quickly paid the fare and got out of the taxi with me. His complexion seemed a little better.

“………”

“…Ah, do you have practice tomorrow or—”

“No. I’m off.”

“Do you… have anything else to do…”

“No.”

I could clearly sense that she didn’t want me to come inside. I felt a heavy weight in my chest from being rejected.