Getting back home hours later “Omma, I’m home”  I called out when I opened the door.

“Welcome home Jin Young” My mom looked at me with a funny expression on her face.

What happened earlier…

“Omma” I said, as I called home. “Ne, Jin Young-ah” my mom answered.

“I’ll be home a little later” I said ruefully. “Oh? Why’s that?”

“Yeah, about that….I’m a little lost” I answered honestly feeling rather embarrassed. Hating myself for caring about my mom so much that I didn’t want to make her worry for being home so late and hating myself for still being a directionless fool.

“PWHAHAHAHAHAHA! Why are you lost!?” her voice blaring from my phone speaker. “Thanks Omma” I sighed. “I walked a classmate home”

“Omo!! My Jin Young walked a girl home!!!” Omma exclaimed into the phone.

“Omma, I didn’t even say it’s a girl” I answered.

“Yah, Jung Jin Young. If she wasn’t a girl why would you need to walk her home for?” Damn, she got me there.

“Ommo!! My Jin Young is finally interested in a girl!” Omma clapped. I can imagine her doing a happy dance in the living room.

“Thanks Omma, I’ll slowly find my way home” I sighed as I ended the call.

Now

“You can laugh if you want Omma” I said as I walked up the stairs to my room in need of a hot shower. The night air out here was no joke. I shook my head as I heard my Omma's uncontrolled laugher, I am so glad she finds joy in my bad sense of direction.

“So…who’s the girl?” Omma asked as I sat down to eat the dinner that she kept for me.

“She’s an assignment partner Omma. Don’t think too much about this.” I answered before putting a piece of tripe into my mouth.

“Jin Young-ah, I never heard of you sending your past assignment partners back home before” she smiled. Keeping silent, I couldn’t deny her because she was telling the truth. I had always been careful not to let assignment meetings to go on once the sun begins to set.  Why had I allowed this to go on so late?

Sighing, the answer was so damned obvious. It was because of Jin Kyung…

After avoiding loads of questions from Omma, I head back to my room to see my phone blinking.

< Hi Jin Young-ah, when is a good time to meet up to practice the song? >

<I’m free tomorrow after class :) > I typed back.

<Really? No music club practice or anything? :) >

<Haha, no. No practice tomorrow :) >

< Good :) We can’t afford to let you have any more bumps to your head >

<I forgot about that :) the swelling went down so much I couldn’t tell when I was washing my hair. Thanks for the cold compress :) >

<You’re welcome :) I’ll see you in class tomorrow>

<Ne, see you tomorrow> I smiled as I sent the text.

**************************************

Waking up the next day, for once I looked forward to school. Walking along the houses to the bus stop, I passed by my Jin Kyung’s home and saw a few vans parked outside.

Watching the people move back and forth, I looked at the vans and it read “CS Cleaning Services”…

*Is it possible? Could they be back?*I wondered.

Getting closer, I approached one of the servicemen and asked “Hi sir, may I know is the owner of the house moving back?” asking politely as I could without sounding strange, I hoped that I would get the answers I wanted to hear.

“We’re not sure kiddo, we’re only asked to clean the place. If you want you can come on Saturday, the person who asked of our services will be around to pay us.” The uncle answered.

*It was better than nothing* I thought. There might be a chance that I might be able to see his Jin Kyung again. I only have to wait four more days…

Walking into class smiling, well not that anyone could see considering the way I wrap my scarf around me.

“You look happier than usual” Shin Woo said as I unwrapped my scarf and put it into my bag.

Looking around to see if Jin Kyung was in class, when I confirmed that she’s not here yet I told Shin Woo “There were cleaning services at the Soo’s residence and the person who hired them will be around on Saturday”

“You do know that the person said ‘the one who hired them’ right?” Shin Woo said putting air quotes.

“Yah, it’s my first solid glimmer of hope in four years. Don’t go bursting my bubble so soon” I answered as I took out my stationary.

Giving me a shrug, Shin Woo went on to sleep on his desk like usual.

*Jebal…* I prayed earnestly. *Please let it be them*

“Morning Jin Young” Jin Kyung’s voice brought me out of my reverie.

“Good morning Jin Kyung” I smiled to her, I was happy that she wore the scarf today as well.

As class went by, I looked forward to our practice session.

Heading to the usual classroom, Jin Kyung pulled out her laptop and passed me a CD.

“Inside is a copy of the song, it’s the minus one track and the scores.” She said. “Use it only on your own laptop alright? The CD itself is password protected, after we get back I’ll text you the password for it” Jin Kyung smiled.

“Is this a little extreme?” I asked her.

“Ani, not that I think so” she shook her head. “I take ownership of my stuff seriously; I don’t want just anyone to be able to access it or to steal it. Protecting my own works is important to me.”

“Are you speaking from experience?” I wondered as I put the CD into my bag

“You can say so” she smiled weakly as she clicked away at her laptop. “Come on, we should start practicing if we want to be as close to perfection as we can.”

15minutes later…

“Hahaha! Jin Young-ah, I-I’m gl-glad we started-d early!” Jin Kyung laughed as she struggled to speak properly, wiping tears from her eyes.

Why is she laughing so hard? That’s mainly because she just heard my weak attempt at rapping. I admit, writing lyrics and singing with emotions do come easily to me but rapping doesn’t.

“Is it really that bad?” I sighed, taking a seat next to her.

“Honestly?” she asked. Nodding for her to give her honest opinion “Yes, it was quite bad…” she trailed off trying hard not to laugh as she clearly remembered my feeble attempt at rapping.

Noticing my sullen mood, Jin Kyung rested her hand on my shoulder saying “Come on, we have a few hours before the sun sets. Let’s work hard at it until then” she smiled.

Smiling back, I did my best to conceal my racing heartbeat. Every little action she does reminds me of her.

Having another go at rapping. In my heart I really hoped that it is her.