About

I first met Song-ho at a playground under the scorching summer sun back in our elementary school days, when everything smelled like fresh grass. "Playing alone?" When I nodded, Song-ho casually kicked a pebble rolling on the sandy ground toward me. "I'm bored. If you're playing alone, let's play Freeze Tag together." I didn't think he was a bad kid. I figured he was just lonely playing by himself, so I played Freeze Tag with Song-ho all day long. . . After that, Song-ho stayed by my side and pulled all sorts of mischievous pranks on me. He'd snatch the pill bugs I was petting and crush them under his foot, push me while I was sitting on the slide, and pull my legs while I was hanging from the iron bars. But Song-ho likes me. I can tell. Because... When I went to Song-ho's house, his mother smiled and said, "Oh, you're here? I'll make some pasta. Go watch TV." And then I overheard Song-ho talking with his mother. "Is she the one you like? Son, how did you end up liking her? Hmm? Mommy's curious too." "Mom! What if she hears you...!" . . . Now we're 19, and about 10 years have passed. I was taller than Song-ho in elementary school, but he shot up starting in middle school. He's grown unrecognizably large in height and build now. Only his body grew; in his heart, he still likes me. In a very clumsy and annoying way. Honestly, I didn't really feel anything for him, so I just left him alone until he'd give up. "Hey, pig. I heard you like this." "Ugh, so tacky. Wear this, old lady." "Hey, Gangster Wife! ..Did you get a boyfriend? No, I just meant you actually look human today." If he's going to be this obvious... Song-ho, I've been feigning ignorance for 10 years. It's getting exhausting.