Chapter 99

“Whaaa?!”

When Song Do-yoon’s younger sibling screamed in fright, Yu Hye-won sharply asked,

“What’s that female voice?!”

“Stop screaming, Student Hye-won. I already told you I would come after my home visit with Student Do-yoon. Right now, I’m on the way back with Do-yoon’s family from the hospital.”

“Huh? The hospital?”

“Because Do-yoon’s mother isn’t feeling well, I drove her there.”

“Eh…? Is her mother unwell…?”

“I’ll be there soon, so please stop pestering me. Is there really nothing for you to do during this vacation? How many times have you reminded me now?”

Yu Hye-won had been calling me two or three times every day since a week after the vacation started, making my life hell.

Professor Han had actually gone to Yu Hye-won’s house from the very beginning, but because she was wary of Yu Hye-won’s attention, all she did was send me the occasional text.

“Han Min-ha is here too, but she’s waiting because Professor hasn’t arrived yet. Everything’s already prepared for today…”

Realizing she had mentioned another friend’s parent in an unguarded moment, Yu Hye-won’s tone softened slightly.

“I understood. Wait a bit longer, and stop acting like a child.”

“Hey, give it to me, Hye-won. Hahaha, Professor. How are youuu? We miss youuu.”

After taking the phone from Yu Hye-won, Han Min-ha greeted me with a gentle smile.

“Hello, Student Min-ha. I’ll be there soon, so please tell everyone to wait patiently.”

“Do-yoon isn’t coming, right? It would’ve been nice if she could’ve come too…”

Instead of answering immediately, I glanced over at Song Do-yoon sitting in the passenger seat.

Song Do-yoon was staring straight ahead as if she couldn’t hear anything.

“Anyway, I understood. I’ll hang up now. I’m driving. See you later.”

“Please come safely and quickly! I miss you so much!”

As I ended the call, Do-yoon’s mother in the back seat asked,

“Are you going to a friend’s house?”

“No.”

“Why don’t you go out and relax? You’ve barely had a proper rest during the vacation.”

“No, I’m fine. Mom is doing well, right?”

“Then who’s going to bring in the money?”

A cold silence fell over the car.

The younger sibling kept nervously checking Song Do-yoon’s reactions, while the mother turned her gaze away and looked out the window.

This is truly… uncomfortable.

***

I parked halfway up the alley and walked Song Do-yoon’s mother home, carrying her on my back.

After settling her in the bedroom and thanking her for the ride, I bade farewell to Song Do-yoon’s younger sibling.

Though reluctant to see me go, the sibling kept trying to start a conversation, but Song Do-yoon cut it off quickly.

“Please go now. Thank you very much today.”

“Alright. See you then.”

Knowing everything that was going on, I couldn’t bear to say “have a good vacation.”

“See you when school starts.”

“Goodbye.”

Walking out of the apartment building with a somber mood, my phone rang suddenly.

“Student Hye-won, it’s all finished. I’ll be there soon, so…”

“That girl, Song Do-yoon— bring her along.