EOFD 44🔐

chapter 44

The water splashed right before her eyes, and Yeonwoo flinched, curling her body instinctively. A sharp pain shot through her shoulder where she had bumped into someone. The size difference was extreme.

“Ah! Oh, are you okay?”

“…Ah.”

A sweet scent tickled her nose—it was coming from her own clothes now. The smell of mixed coffee, steaming hot.

Luckily, her blouse wasn’t clingy; otherwise, her skin would have been reddened in patches. It wouldn’t have been a severe burn, but still painful.

“I’m fine.”

“No, no, your clothes are all ruined. What should I do? I’m so sorry.”

“I’m okay. But your hand…”

It was the man who had spilled the coffee on Yeonwoo. He looked like he was born strong-boned, but his innocent face made his apology seem almost tearful.

He looked silent and serious, just from his physique.

Yeonwoo thought that briefly as she glanced at him. Her clothes were stained with coffee, but the bigger concern was the man’s hand. He had probably poured the coffee straight from the hot pot, and it was dripping down his hand in a stream. No doubt it was burned.

“You should take care of your hand first.”

“My hand is fine! It’s nothing! But your clothes look expensive…”

“They’re not expensive. Really, don’t worry about it.”

“No! I’ll at least pay for the laundry!”

Although he was the one who spilled the coffee, he seemed even more flustered. His face had turned bright red, and he spoke loudly, as if his voice could boil water.

Suddenly, Yeonwoo felt eyes on them from across the hallway. She didn’t like being the center of attention, so she felt uncomfortable.

She was even more determined to refuse.

“Laundry costs are fine. Then, let’s…”

“Then, I’ll at least buy you a cup of coffee!”

“Huh?”

“I feel better if I do something for you. A new café just opened right in front of City Hall… If it’s okay now, shall I go quickly get it?”

The man’s face looked desperate. Seeing him like that, Yeonwoo suddenly thought of the Jindo puppy tied up at Mr. Gyesung’s place in Haedo.

The puppy had exactly the same expression—its eyes wide and innocent like a calf’s.

Perhaps that, or maybe she just wanted to escape the awkward atmosphere a little. Yeonwoo nodded without hesitation.

“…Then shall we go together?”

“Together? If that’s alright with you…”

“I’d rather not just wait and receive it.”

“Then I’ll guide you. This way, please!”

The man, whose face had turned immediately red, led the way. Yeonwoo followed, quietly letting out a soft laugh as she watched his awkward gait.

His arms and legs moved simultaneously, like a broken toy.

“…There are more people than I expected.”

He looked like he couldn’t get much done, but he quickly stopped by his office on the way to grab a coat. It was his own, so it was fine—he intended to hide the coffee stain.

The stiff vinyl coat was completely inappropriate for the season, but it worked well enough to cover the ugly stain, so Yeonwoo put it on.

The oversized coat caused her hands to disappear into the sleeves, but walking to the café wasn’t a problem.

“Is it okay for you to come out like this?”

“I’ve finished my work, so it’s fine. Ah, I’m Kang Sungjun from the Social Budget Department. I’ve actually seen you come to City Hall a few times.”

“Me?”

“Uh, because you’re pretty…”

Despite lacking eloquence, the straightforward young man had a way of speaking that made people feel pleased. Kang Sungjun scratched the back of his neck whenever he spoke.

Yeonwoo looked at him with curiosity and then smiled slightly.

Since being called to Seoul, she had been on edge constantly. With Woo Jeongha, Ssam, Director Won, and even the housekeeper at home monitoring her, she hadn’t had anyone to talk to comfortably, like she had in Haedo.

But Kang Sungjun didn’t give off a bad impression. He didn’t seem to hide his feelings or pry into who Yeonwoo was, so she didn’t feel uncomfortable.

“…I’m Seo Yeonwoo.”

“So, Yeonwoo… Ah, you can also call you Yeonwoo, right…”

“That’s fine.”

Her awkward laugh was drowned out by the sound of machines in the café.

Soon, the coffee Yeonwoo ordered arrived, along with Sungjun’s. Sipping her coffee, she followed him toward the rear yard of City Hall as he guided her.

“The coffee’s good. Thank you.”

Yeonwoo’s simple words brought a flush of happiness to Sungjun’s face. From that moment, he began talking as if a dam had broken.

He spoke about when Yedun City started construction and work.

About being a clerk and fulfilling his parents’ wish for him to become a public servant.

Even that he wasn’t originally from Yedun City.

“You might not know, Yeonwoo, but Yedun City has several islands besides this one. One of them is Haedo…”

“Haedo?”

Yeonwoo’s wide-eyed, raised voice surprised Sungjun as well.

“You know it?”

“…No.”

She had forgotten that her origin from Haedo was supposed to be a secret. Since Yeonwoo didn’t make a big deal out of it, Sungjun continued.

“Oh, I went to high school in Haedo. There aren’t many people on the island, so our high school had only one class with about ten students. You can imagine how rural it was.”

“I see…”

Hearing the familiar and nostalgic name, Yeonwoo’s expression softened.

No wonder she had thought of Mr. Gyesung’s place. Though it was just a puppy, seeing Kang Sungjun brought the same thought to her mind.

Her fondness for him subtly increased. A person from Haedo seemed purer and nicer somehow.

“It’s a good place. There’s not much to do except the work of bringing food by boat. My parents said it was hard to live there, so as soon as I graduated, I came to Gojung-eup. And… Yeonwoo, where’s your hometown?”

“Ah…”

Her expression dimmed like wet paper at the follow-up question. Sungjun, noticing the subtle change, turned his curious gaze toward her.

“…Seoul. I’m from Seoul.”

Her voice sounded faint, somehow distant. The awkward silence was broken by a phone ringing.

Woo Jeongha.

Seeing the name on the screen, Yeonwoo anxiously licked her lips. She had been out for too long.

• Where are you?

“…Nearby. Are you finished?”

She didn’t know how the casual chat with the mayor had gone, but his voice sounded uncomfortable.

• Who’s the person next to you?

“Huh?”

• You two look close.

A mocking tone. Yeonwoo realized Jeongha must be watching them from somewhere. She raised her head to scan the building windows.

The glass made it hard to see inside, so it was difficult to identify anyone. He was probably watching her fumble around.

Satisfied that she was searching desperately, a softer voice followed.

• Come up, Seo Yeonwoo.