The protector

Casual (fatal) encounters

Notes:

As NK prohibit the access to South Korean, the only way for In-ah to stay in Pyongyang was to make of her an overseas korean (that's the reason why she also has a western name) working for one of the few non governative organizations which presence is allowed in the country. In few words "I'm a British diplomat" (quote)

2026, Winter

As per her request, the day after the dinner he entered in her room at the gym to leave the key of her bike lock on the desk.

"Good evening Jeong Hyeok, everything ok? Any sort of hangover? Oh, speaking of it, there will be another dinner next weekend, I hope you are not busy, Saturday I suppose, " and the sunbaenim disappeared in her changing room without giving him the time to reply.

Jeong Hyeok met her again at the National Orchestra after his class like every week, and of course every day at the gym. However, he surprisingly found himself counting down the days. And when, finally, the dinner's day arrived, it was with amazement that he realized to be in her house this time.

It was a big house, in some way similar to his one. Neat, minimal in furniture yet full of books and documents, alternated with few frames.

In-ah was cooking with a dark haired guy when he entered, but she stopped to greet him and apologized "I'm finishing to cook. Mimmi!!!" She called one of the two Spanish girl they had met at the beer truck, and in that moment he realized that she was slightly drunk.

"Mimmi will take care of you, go away from that kitchen, I don't want to kill a musician singing in front of you: I'm a shower singer. And take: this is a typical cocktail of my country, drink, tell me if you like it, " all in a breathe, all with that smile.

It was delicious. Exactly what he was needing. At the third sip Jeong Hyeok started to feel almost a social person. Almost.

Seated in the living room balcony with the Spanish girl and other friends of her - all of them smoking and not allowed to do it inside - the pianist couldn't deny to be feeling a little hint of disappointment. He was good at cooking, he could have helped. Also, from where he was, he could see the kitchen, and seemed that his sunbaenim was having a very good time, laughing and dancing with that guy while passing each other the ingredients. It was a bizarre yet captivating picture.

Surprisingly, when they seated, the woman had recovered her usual manners. Friendly yet composed.

"Oooh, me pongo cercano al guapissimo. I want to sit near to the cutest" said the dark aired guy, the tilting of his head aiming a frame. It was the picture of her with a man.

"Is this him In-ah?" A young guy asked, he should have been new in the group. And being new himself, Jeong Hyeok pricked his hears.

The woman nodded "yes, I join the team 'sad lovers who only spend time together twice a year'."

A conversation about relationships ran all along the table, their words making him dwell.

All those persons had someone at home, and still they had sacrificed their private life just to make the world a better place. Just for his country? Well, that maybe was a rhetorical, childish way to see their job.

Though, even if they were apparently having fun and looked like happy people that night, being able to see the people they loved just once or twice per year – he knew it very well – for sure shouldn't be easy for them. Until that moment he hadn't really considered the sacrifice they were making.