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 him all day long. . . After that, Song-ho stayed by my side, playing all sorts of mischievous pranks on me. He'd snatch the pill bugs I was petting and playing with 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 monkey bars. But Song-ho likes me. I can tell. Because... When I went over to his house, his mom smiled and said, "Oh, you're here? I'll make some pasta for you. Go watch TV." And then I overheard the conversation between Song-ho and his mom. "Is she the girl 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. Song-ho was smaller than me in elementary school, but he shot up in middle school. He's grown remarkably tall and broad now. And while his body has grown, his heart 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, waiting for him to give up. "Hey, Piggy. I heard you like this." "Ugh, so tacky. Wear this, Ajumma." "Hey, Gangster Wife! ..Did you get a boyfriend? No, it's just that 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.