It’s a modeling job… . Suddenly, Kang Tae-wan passed through her head. What about he who specialized in modeling? Will he be happy? Or will he be satisfied? Ha-yeon became confused, and turned her head towards the window.
Through the window on the second floor, a man with long legs was passing by with long strides. Even though it was from a distance, she could quickly discern who it was. She thought to herself, “Isn’t that, Kang Tae-wan?”
Ha-yeon’s gaze turned to her aunt and asked in a curious voice, “Aunt, do you know Kang Tae-wan?”
“Well. We worked together only once. It wasn’t long after he started modeling.” Her aunt’s gaze looked towards Kang Tae-wan, who was walking some distance down the road. There was a momentary regret for not being able to capture that scene on her camera.
“Oh yeah?”
“How do you know him?”
“He attends our school.” She didn’t even mention being classmates.
“Oh, you’re the same age. He’s also in the same school as you; the world is too small. Kang Tae-wan, is a natural model too. Highly in demand.” Her aunt eyed him greedily.
“Kang Tae-wan, is he good?”
“Yeah. He’s very good at it. He looks good and his charisma is good too. It’s a waste to just be a model. Uh, If only his parents lived long enough… .” Her aunt’s words were vague.
“What do you mean?”
After taking a cool sip of bottled beer, her aunt opened her mouth. “Someone said his parents committed suicide over debt. I heard that it’s a pretty big deal too. It wasn’t a debt that they personally acquired while doing business.”
“… … .”
“It must be inherited debt then. Fortunately, I don’t have to take responsibility for my parents’ debt, but I guess I might acquire some debt in the future. He said he has to work hard because of that. Surviving on basic living expenses and paying off the debt with modeling work. In addition, he has to care for a sick grandmother, so the burden he carries isn’t just himself alone.”
“… Is that right?” Ha-yeon asked with an incredulous look in her eyes.
Kang Tae-wan wasn’t cheery, but he didn’t look despondent. She herself, wasn’t chronically indifferent. Occasionally, when the wind blew, she still had the time to turn her head and enjoy the breeze*. (* = meaning able to enjoy one’s life a little)
Because of his general behavior and demeanor, Kang Tae-wan looked like the son of a rich family. In general, everyone at school perceived him in the same light. It was the same with her.
“It’s true. I’m close to the head of his model agency. It’s a story I heard while drinking because I was so drunk no one thought I’d remember. So you just pretend you don’t know. I happen to do that too. It’s better if you forget it. Aren’t you two close anyway?” Her aunt now had a worried look on her face.
“Huh.” Ha-yeon replied lightly.
Far from being close, there was no relationship.
After graduating, they will only be former classmates, and she would be fortunate if he remembered her. If she was very lucky, he might even remember giving her banana milk. But even the ‘Oh, that was ….’ would be forgotten at the moment one’s head turned.
“It is hard, at that age. Ugh, I hear that his grades are pretty good… .” her aunt muttered in a low voice.
“Yeah. It is difficult.” Ha Yeon replied so, but she couldn’t figure out what his pain was like. Maybe it is incomparable because her life and his life are completely different.
“I’m glad though. He has such a natural face, body shape, and charisma, so he’s going down a path that no other kids have a chance at.”
“Is that right?” Ha-yeon gave an ambiguous answer because she couldn’t agree on that part.
Would it be possible to attach the word ‘fortunate’ to pain? That being said, somehow he managed to persevere through it.
Ha Yeon’s gaze again turned towards the view outside of the window. Tae-wan disappeared and was no longer visible. Her gaze paused in the direction where he disappeared and then fell.
* * *