Childhood Friends: Turning the Tables

So the reason walking to and from school had become uncomfortable was all because of Yoon Tae-seung. If only he responded more actively to Kim Si-hyun’s words, she wouldn’t have to keep reading the atmosphere between them.

…Or was it not?

For a moment, Eun-sae’s thoughts shifted direction.

‘I could just step aside, couldn’t I?’

Now that she thought about it, she was the clueless one clinging to her spot between the two. If she withdrew, they would naturally have to talk to each other, and she wouldn’t have to feel uncomfortable in the middle or excluded whenever they shared a topic only the two of them understood.

‘Ha… why didn’t I think of this sooner? Am I seriously that stupid?’

When they reached the intersection where their paths split from Kim Si-hyun’s, Eun-sae cautiously spoke up.

“Hey, um… starting tomorrow, I don’t think I can walk with you guys anymore.”

“Why.”

It was Yoon Tae-seung, who had been quiet the entire time, who immediately answered. His voice had grown rough, like that of an older man, perhaps because of puberty, and it startled Eun-sae for a moment.

“Wait… is it because of me? Did I intrude without realizing it?”

Kim Si-hyun looked rather surprised by Eun-sae’s sudden announcement. Judging by her reaction, she must have been worried that she was making things awkward between them. Maybe she felt the same way Eun-sae did.

Not wanting Kim Si-hyun to misunderstand, Eun-sae quickly waved her hand.

“No, not at all! It’s just that… I’m starting a math academy now.”

“Oh, really? Math academy sounds tough…”

Kim Si-hyun looked at her with pity, her eyebrows drooping slightly.

But there was nothing pitiful about it. Eun-sae was filled with anticipation, imagining herself soon solving math problems effortlessly.

“It’s fine. I told my mom I wanted to go because I thought it’d be fun.”

“Wow, Go Eun-sae, that’s impressive! Ever since middle school started, everyone’s been going to academies. Maybe I should go too?”

The topic shifted to private tutoring, and for once, their conversation with Kim Si-hyun flowed smoothly. Yet, Eun-sae couldn’t ignore the sharp gaze brushing against her cheek.

If you have something to say, just say it. Yoon Tae-seung simply stared at her silently.

“I’ll go this way. Get home safe, Eun-sae, Tae-seung.”

At the intersection, Kim Si-hyun waved goodbye.

“I’ll text you. Don’t ignore me!”

She added playfully. Since Eun-sae had never ignored her messages, that remark was probably meant for Yoon Tae-seung. After all, it had been quite a while since he last personally messaged Eun-sae.

After parting with Kim Si-hyun, only the two of them were left. Lately, the walk from the intersection to their apartment complex felt shorter than ever. Though there wasn’t much to talk about, Eun-sae always felt oddly reluctant when they reached the entrance.

They had walked this road together since kindergarten. It had always been comfortable, familiar. Even when Tae-seung didn’t talk, it never felt awkward.

Those thoughts grew a little each day.

Back in elementary school, Tae-seung used to carry her backpack for her, but now Eun-sae carried it herself.

Things like that will keep changing from now on. Even if she felt sad about it, there was nothing she could do. They couldn’t stay children forever.

“You hate math.”

They had just arrived at Eun-sae’s apartment entrance when Tae-seung, who had seemed like he wanted to say something earlier, finally spoke. The words were so sudden that Eun-sae laughed in disbelief.

“What are you talking about?”

“Why a math academy all of a sudden?”

Was it that shocking to him? His dazed expression made her laugh even harder before she replied.

“I never hated math. I just didn’t do it because I wasn’t good at it.”

“……”

“But I’m going to try now. You quit taekwondo and started another sport, right?”

“What does that have to do with math?”

There were plenty of things she could have said.

That it felt like he was the only one finding his own path and moving forward. That she still felt like a kid, while he seemed to be growing up faster. That it made her feel left behind, even a little betrayed.

That he at least had something he wanted to do, while she didn’t know what she wanted or what she was good at, so she just signed up for the math academy like everyone else.

But she couldn’t bring herself to say any of it. It was too embarrassing, too vulnerable.

“Just because.”

That was all Eun-sae said.

For a brief moment, she thought she finally understood why Yoon Tae-seung often stayed silent.