The Smile You Bring Me

Who holds his smile?

Ji Pyeong kept on smiling as he sat at his desk. He still cannot believe that Dal-Mi called him by his name so casually while they were in Sandbox. And on top of that, Dal-Mi did that in front of Yong San, one of Do-San's best friends. Dong-Chun was confused as he saw Ji Pyeong's mood change, "You were just anxious earlier, but now you are happy," he said while he looked at him.

"Me? I am not!" Ji Pyeong tried to deny it. But the smile on his face was the evidence of his true feelings.

"Yes! Yes! You're certainly not happy!" Dong Chun sarcastically replied.

Ji Pyeong ignored his sarcasm, but instead, he asked him.

"If someone that is always so formal around you when you're in a—let's say work, has suddenly become casual to you, what does that mean?" he asked— already anticipating the answer.

"Hmmm, Isn't that person has become more comfortable around you now!" he replied. 

Ji Pyeong became more cheerful as he heard the words he wanted to hear, "Right?!?" he boastfully said. His deep dimples were showing. And in his mind, he's already dancing uncontrollably out of joy. But despite the excitement he felt— at that moment, he was still very composed.

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

Ji Pyeong was checking all the clocks around him— almost every second. He couldn't wait for office hours to be over and see Dal Mi, but the time seemed— very— slow.

While waiting, his phone vibrates. When he checked his phone, he saw Min-Ah had sent him a  message, and his smile disappeared.

—I'll be going abroad today. Sorry, I forgot to tell you about this yesterday.—

Ji Pyeong sprang out of his office and called Min Ah's number.

Ring...Ring

After it rang two times, she answered her phone.

"Ji-Pyeong!"

"Min Ah, why didn't you tell me about this? Where are you going? When are you coming back?" he bombarded her with questions as soon as she answered.

"I am doing another study in Germany. It was already planned even before we met. However, it was not finalized until yesterday evening. I don't know when I will come back! So, why bother to tell you? But now I feel truly sorry that I didn't! Maybe— a part of me doesn't want sad goodbyes,"  she explained.

"Is that guy coming with you?" he hesitantly asked again.

After a deep breath, she answered, "No! he was not..." 

Ji Pyeong couldn't tell if she was disappointed or relieved that the guy was not coming. 

Good afternoon passengers. The boarding announcement for flight 429G to Frankfurt. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. Thank you.

"Ji Pyeong, they are calling us now. I hope that when I come back, you'll have good news for me," she said in a hurry.

"Message me whenever you need someone to talk to. I am always here for you," Ji Pyeong reminded her.

"Yeah! I know! Thanks," she said and hung up.

Ji Pyeong entered the office and silently sat back at his desk. Dong-Chun could see the change in his mood again, "Director Han, Are you okay?" he asked. 

But Ji Pyeong didn't answer. He was lost in his thought that he didn't seem to have heard him. He didn't expect that [—with] her leaving would affect him that much. And though she said her reason, he couldn't help but think; it was just her excuse. 

"Is it because of him?" he asked himself, but he didn't know the answer. 

Ji Pyeong then realized how much he didn't know [anything] about Min Ah, that she was —always the one that gave him advice.

"Maybe it's true! " he convinced himself, but he wasn't confident.

He looked at Dong Chun, "Dong Chun, didn't Min Ah tell you why she's leaving?" he asked him.

"She's leaving again?" Dong Chun replied with a surprised voice. 

"Yes! she just calls," he relayed. 

"I see! She'll probably be doing another study abroad. I don't know about her, but—for me, studying constantly is tiring!" Dong Chun said.

"Does she often do studies abroad?" he asked again.

"Yes! She often goes abroad to do her studies," Dong-Chun relayed.

 "I see! Ahm...Do you happen to know Dr. Jun-Ki Lee?" Ji Pyeong hesitantly inquired.

"Mr.Jun-Ki, the handsome doctor? Yes! I've seen him several times already. Why? " 

Ji Pyeong was somehow surprised that Dong Chun knew Jun-Ki—too, "What does he like?" he asked more.

"He is a well-mannered and respectful fellow...Oh... And not only is he handsome, but he is also fashionable." Dong Chun relayed fondly. 

Ji Pyeong couldn't explain why he felt worried when Dong Chun complimented Jun Ki.