Childhood Friends: Turning the Tables

When Eun-sae walked a few steps ahead of Tae-seung, it was because she had no outlet for her anger. Holding it in made her face hot, and she felt like her mouth was filled with frustration.

Eventually, the sparks flew toward Yoon Tae-seung, who had been silently following her.

“Why didn’t you say anything when he said that?”

Even after they entered the apartment complex, her anger didn’t subside. Tae-seung’s silence made her even more irritated.

He had a backpack on both his front and back but still kept quiet. His expression didn’t change, but Eun-sae noticed a faint furrow at the corner of his eyes.

“This isn’t even the first time. Every time someone sees us walking together, they ask if we’re dating. I always say no, that we’re just friends, but you never say anything! Why am I the only one who has to explain?”

“……”

When talking to Tae-seung, Eun-sae had her own rule: wait three seconds. Three, two, one…

“They just say that because they want to tease us.”

It was always fascinating that if she waited long enough, he eventually responded. She just couldn’t understand how someone who moved that slowly could still do taekwondo.

“That’s the point! Why don’t you say anything when they tease us?”

“Why bother? It’s not even true.”

“If I don’t say anything, they’ll think it is.”

“But it’s not.”

“Of course it’s not! Ugh… forget it. I’m done talking.”

Eun-sae turned and walked toward the main entrance. Normally, Tae-seung handed her bag over here and went home since he lived in another building. But today was different. Before the door closed, Tae-seung slipped inside after her.

She didn’t feel like talking anymore. Even as they rode the elevator up, Eun-sae didn’t glance at him once.

She swung the front door open with an irritated hand. Tae-seung hesitated, then followed her in. Eun-sae’s mother, who came out to greet them at the inner door, smiled warmly when she saw Tae-seung.

Eun-sae brushed past her mother and went straight to her room. The door slammed shut with a loud thud, and voices could be heard outside.

“Tae-seung came with you today?”

“Yes.”

“Here to play with Eun-sae? Is today not a taekwondo day?”

“I’ll just stay for a bit, then go.”

Lying face down on her pillow, Eun-sae snorted. He was quiet and had no knack for talking.

He had been that way since they first met. She understood him because they’d been friends for so long, but every new school year, her classmates always whispered about Yoon Tae-seung.

He doesn’t talk, so he’s weird.

He’s just acting tough because he can fight.

He’s scared if you mess with him.

He’s actually weak and pretending to be strong.

He’s easy to pick on.

Eun-sae, who could easily talk to anyone and make friends fast, always found those rumors strange.

He was just quiet and not good with words, but somehow people had so much to say about him.

So, it became her yearly ritual to go to his class and clear up the misunderstandings.

“Yoon Tae-seung doesn’t talk much, but it’s not because he can’t. If you talk to him, he’ll answer. He just ignores nonsense sometimes because that’s his personality. He’s not a loser or a fighter. He’s good at taekwondo but never hits people. So stop spreading weird rumors about him.”

She hated that her closest friend was being misunderstood. Tae-seung never seemed discouraged about not having many friends, but she always felt bad that he didn’t get along with others easily.

Eventually, a few months into every school year, Tae-seung would make friends. It just took him a while.

“I’ll make some snacks. You two go play in Eun-sae’s room.”

Her mother’s voice came from the living room. That meant it was time for Tae-seung to come in. Eun-sae wiped the smile from her face and pretended to sleep.

The door creaked open quietly. She held her breath. Tae-seung came in, as silent as always.

There was the sound of him setting her bag down, the scrape of the chair, and then the cushion sinking as he sat.

Should she suddenly scare him when he least expected it? He’d be so startled. Imagining his wide eyes and shocked face made her stifle a laugh. She pressed her lips together tightly, trying not to make a sound.