1.
May, the birth month of the early summer with pleasing temperature, perfect sunshine and the coziest warmth after all.

It was supposed to be a good day to tread the green. After a lazy afternoon, Eunseo finally went out to buy some food ingredients and started to work in the kitchen when the sun was about to set.

More possibilities could be done in such a leisure holiday but after Seola received a phone call and rushed back to the company in the morning, all the posibilities have turned into zero.

Having her fine imagination became disappointment, Eunseo prepared the meal even more enthusiastically.

At least treat your tongue and appetite better, she thought. Having a good meal can make up sorrowness.

Non-stop chopping sound from the board and stir-frying music from the pan were being played. Eunseo speeded up and sprinkled the cut green onions into the pot. The fragrant of green onions was accompanied by the sizzling sounds as if Eunseo was orchestrating a lively concert in the kitchen.

It was so loud that Eunseo did not realize the return of Seola until she was hugged from the back, feeling the girl's chin on her shoulder. Eunseo felt that Seola is so thin that she could sense the sharpness of her chin.

"You're back. Has everything gone smoothly?" Eunseo slightly turned around and she could feel the breath of Seola.

"En……"

The way Seola replied in a heavy nasal voice and how she being clingy at that moment which she seldom will behave so, Eunseo knew, she has had a hard time confronting her works.

"You must be exhausted." Eunseo held out her hand, wanted to pat Seola but then realized her hands were stained so she picked up the salt bottle and sprinkled the seasoning powder into the pot instead.

"Hungry……"

"Take a bath first, dinner will be ready once you're done." Eunseo said softly.

The warmth disappeared together with Seola once she walked away. Eunseo was a little lost with tangled feelings. She understand Seola was so distressed with her works, however, she couldn’t help but cling to her arms. If it was not she was really tired, would Eunseo ever get her hug?

The musk of shower gel after Seola took her bath mixed up with the aroma of the food, a little imcompatible with each other.

"Why did you cook so many dishes today?" Seola was surprised to see four different dishes on the dining table.

Eunseo turned back and answered with a smile, "Today is holiday but you have to return to your company to work. Just take this mini feast as the reward for your hard works."

"Thank you." Seola smiled.

"Come on, let's eat and take a rest."

Seola looked at Eunseo, whenever she smiles, her eyes will be narrowed into smiley eyes and seeing this, half of the fatigue of her will disappear. It is good to have her.

2

Eunseo was on her way to the college. She looked completely drowsy with her eyes half opened.

Having lecture classes at eight in the morning is one of the most terrible things to Eunseo as she has to wake at six for breakfast preparation before rushing to college at seven.

"Eunseo!"

Eunseo turned back and saw Meiqi was greeting her passionately. So she pulled herself together, smiled and waved back to Meiqi.

Meiqi ran towards Eunseo and rounded Eunseo with her arm. She handed a beautifully wrapped box to the latter with another hand, "Hey, happy birthday!"

"Thanks, Meiqi." Eunseo smiled and accepted the gift, not forgetting to make a little complain. "Don't always hook my neck when you're short, my waist sores."

"Oh--" Meiqi also realized that Eunseo had bent over to accommodate with her height. She was quite embarrassed to make any rebutment so she let go of her. "So where did you go yesterday for your birthday celebration?" 

"Just... visited the food market."

"What? You can go there even on weekdays, you went there during your birthday?" Meiqi elbowed Eunseo with little dissatisfaction. "You should've gone to the amusement park with me if you're bored. It's the wisteria season and I heard they're blooming prettily."

"We've had a hard time rushing our assignments, just take a good rest since it's holiday."

"Come on! Everyone knows how energetic you are all the time and you said you need a rest?" Meiqi rolled her eyes. "Seola eonnie didn't celebrate with you? Take you for a meal or whatever?"

Eunseo shrugged, pretended indifferently. "She's very busy with her works and was called back to the company yesterday morning."

"It's still your birthday no matter how busy she is!" Meiqi sniffed hardly and came out with another possibility. She grabbed Eunseo's shoulder, stopping her from continue walking. "Wait a minute, don't you tell me she forgot your birthday?"

A nearly unsensible flicker flown through Eunseo's eyes and Meiqi knew she was right about her guessing. "Eunseo, it can't be..." Meiqi felt bad for her bestie.

"She's really busy so I think she accidentally missed my birthday."

"That's not an excuse! Everyone is busy! I'm busy, so are you! It's not only her being that busy!"

"Why are you so angry..." Eunseo gently shook the box in her hand. "Let's see what gift you get for me."

"Hey, that's not a brilliant way how you change the topic..Unboxing the present just in front of me..Seriously?"

Eunseo ignored Meiqi. Once she done unpacking and saw a polaroid camera, she could not hide her joyfulness.

"How did you know that I've wanted this so much?"

"I saw you staring it from the window when we went to shopping last time. I'm not like your girlfriend with such bad memories." Meiqi could not help but to taunt Seola again.

The last sentence was neglected, Eunseo happily embraced Meiqi. "I know you're the best!"

"Only now you realize?" Meiqi grinned. Seeing how silly Eunseo was smiling, she felt glad that half of a month was well spent on working part time to get that birthday present for Eunseo.

3

Mid of June, the period when finales are approaching. Undergraduates are always busy during this time, no exception for Eunseo.

However, it seemed like Seola was even busier. She often worked overtime recently. Even if she got off from work on time, she continued to face the monitor once she returned home.

Eunseo got up quietly, trying to let Seola have more sleep.

Seola wakes up whenever she smells the coffee. Just like usual days, Seola woke up to see Eunseo has had the breakfast prepared and put the food on the table.

Eunseo silently waited Seola to make up. Once Seola sat down, she asked, "You're terribly busy these days?"

"A colleague resigned." Seola took a tuna sandwich and had a small bite. She then drank a sip of coffee. She knew she will be nagged by Eunseo if she drinks coffee with an empty stomach.

"Has the human resources department recruited someone else?"

"Well, there will be interns coming in during the summer vacation. Two more months then I can finally end this hectic period."

It is very common to remain busy in advertising industry, Seola has get used to it.

"Is there anything I can help?"

"No." Seola answered without hesitation. "You don't know anything about advertising." she added.

Eunseo was still thinking she would be rejected because she is taking her finales soon. What she did not expect was the reason of her being rejected to be so direct.

"You're right. I might be more of a hindrance than a help to you." Eunseo lowered her head and ate her sandwich. Seola does not seem to know one of the reasons Eunseo majors in multimedia communication is to work in advertising industry someday.

Seola felt the emotion of Eunseo and lifted her metal-framed glasses. "End of this year, I should be able to apply leaves. Let's go to the States for Christmas."

"U.S.?" Eunseo raised her head back in surprise.

"Well, isn't that what you want, to visit the States? By that time, you'll have graduated and be free." Seola took another sip of coffee, found that Eunseo was not responding. 

"Eunseo?" She has to make another call to have Eunseo come out from her trance. "What are you thinking?"

Eunseo tilted and smiled. "Nothing, maybe a little too excited thinking of going to U.S., wondering the places to go and the food to hunt."

"You have another half year to plan for them, no worries."

"Yeah, I got to go. I've ironed your blouse and hung it behind the door."

"Alright."

Eunseo grabbed the unfinished sandwich and bit it in . She took she bag and went out hurriedly. 

After closing the door, her expression darkened. She let out a long  sigh and dragged her steps. She threw the sandwich away while passing by a trash bin.

What hurts the most? It hurts the most when the wound is made unconsciously. Eunseo dejectedly bowed her head and stared at her long shadow. She is still a shadow, after all.

To be continue...