17.
After sending Professor Yang off, Sol A returned to the dorm. That night she thought a lot about him.
The next morning
As soon as she opened her eyes, Sol A picked up her phone and sent a message to Professor Yang. Even though she knew he wouldn’t receive it, she still wrote: “Have you arrived yet? Did you eat?” along with many other caring words. With only two months left until exams, arguably the most important ones for law students, everyone was nervous. Sol A was no exception. She studied hard while waiting for Professor Yang to return.
After breakfast, she went to school with Ye Sul. On her first day without him around, everything felt dull. When it came time for the criminal law class, it wasn’t Professor Yang who opened the door but another professor. Everyone was excited, except Sol A, who forced a smile so as not to spoil the atmosphere and tried her best to focus on Professor Han’s lecture.
“To wrap up today’s class, I’ve prepared a question for you all.”
“What kind of question, professor?”
Professor Han posed a tough question that made everyone think hard, but no one could answer.
“Is there anyone who can answer?”
“Me.”
“You?”
“Nae.”
“Alright, go ahead.”
She stood up and analyzed every angle of the problem, speaking with the confidence of a lecturer addressing her students. Her mannerisms were almost identical to Professor Yang’s. When she finished, the entire class clapped in admiration. Even Professor Han applauded.
“What’s your name?”
“My name is Sol A.”
“Well done.”
“Nae, kamsamida.”
The praise gave her new motivation to study. She slowly began adapting to life without Professor Yang beside her and, at the same time, left a strong impression on Professor Han.
That was how Sol A’s days went by. Whenever she missed Professor Yang, she would send him messages, hoping that one day he could read them. After another long and exhausting day, she went to a convenience store to buy a few cans of beer. She walked straight to the cooler, grabbed some cans, and went to the counter. Suddenly, a voice beside her startled her.
“How much is mine?”
“Professor Han!”
“Sol A? You came here for beer?”
“Nae. Did you come for beer too?”
“Umm, what a coincidence.”
“Nae.”
“You’re drinking alone?”
“Nae.”
“Then come sit and drink with me.”
The two of them sat outside the convenience store, drinking beer and talking. Since Professor Han had just arrived at the university, there were many things he didn’t know, so he asked Sol A for guidance.
“Lucky I had you to drink with tonight. It makes me less lonely.”
“Me too.”
“By the way, you were really impressive this morning. I thought no one would answer, but you did brilliantly.”
“I’m that good, but I still get scolded.”
“Who scolded you?”
“Professor Yang. He’s very cold and always picked on me.”
“So it was Professor Yang. He was actually my senior back in university.”
“You studied at the same school as him?”
“Yes, back then he was really famous, handsome and smart.”
They kept talking until 1 am.
“It’s late, you should head back. I’ve got class tomorrow.”
“Then I’ll go.”
“Yeah.”
After walking a short distance, Professor Han caught up with her.
“Why aren’t you going home yet?”
“The streets are empty. I’ll walk with you part of the way.”
“Nae.”
The two walked in silence. Suddenly, memories of strolling down this road with Professor Yang came flooding back. They had walked this path countless times. But this time, the person beside her wasn’t him. Before she realized it, tears began falling. Seeing this, Professor Han quickly stepped ahead to stop her.
“Wae? Why are you crying?”
“I…”
The words caught in her throat; she didn’t know how to explain. Professor Han sensed she had unspoken pain, so he gently wiped her tears. Sol A looked up at him, her eyes heavy with sadness. All she could see was Professor Yang’s shadow, and before she knew it, she had embraced Professor Han and cried in his arms. He didn’t think too much about it and just patted her shoulder to comfort her.
“Don’t cry. I’m not your lover, so don’t cry in front of me like this… otherwise, I might start falling for you.”
When Sol A realized the person she was holding wasn’t Professor Yang, she quickly pushed him away.
“Joesonghamnida, gyosunim.”
She hurriedly apologized and ran back to the dorm, leaving Professor Han standing there, gazing after her. It seemed he had felt a slight stir in his heart for this girl.
When she reached the dorm, she stood in front of the elevator, exhausted and blaming herself for hugging someone she barely knew, someone she’d only met less than three times. She didn’t know how she would face Professor Han tomorrow.
To be continued.
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