Embracing The Memories | COMPLETED | KOREAN STAND ALONE #1 ✒

제30장: Oh Heejun: Patience is Key

Note before reading: If the scenes feel rushed, that means that the book still needs to be revised after completion. As I said, feedbacks are highly appreciated if there are mistakes or anything that you want to let the author know. Lovelots! 💕

▬▬▬▬ ❤️ ▬▬▬▬

The match was already finished and Naehyun had won the final round. It was a bit sudden for Gunyeo so he took it a bit personally at first before he just smiled and told Naehyun that it was a great match. The title of a champion had already been passed and Naehyun was celebrating.

To be honest, I didn't expect that he had studied before. I always see him sleeping in class and most of the time, he always play games or even watch dramas right before classes start. It was rare to see him picking up a book from the library unless there was a project.

I guess there was something more than meets the eye.

As soon as the bell rang, this time, I told the two that I would stay behind to clean up a bit. They were a bit hesitant but I told them to go ahead without me. After all, Heejun and the two were still arranging and putting the seats back in stacks.

Walking towards them, I saw Heejun looking surprised and even waved his hand at me. "Oh? I didn't expect you here. Why weren't you with Gunyeo and Naehyun?"

Immediately, I saw Jihun and Yoonwoo raising their eyebrows at me and also gave a confused gaze. I then explained that I had to stay behind so that I could help them a bit and that I didn't want to leave them alone since most of the students had already gone home.

He only smiled at this and decided to let me help. Since I couldn't really carry all the heavy stuff, I was the only one trying to pull out the decorations on the stage. Some banners, curtains, and even balloons. It took us almost an hour to take it all off before we also got the seats and put them right in the storage rooms.

The two immediately rushed out, bidding goodbye since they still had to pick up some stuff on their way home. Heejun and I then nodded, waving as we saw them leave in a hurry. Heejun only sighed and I then raised my eyebrow at this.

"Why? What's wrong?" He then shook his head, cheekily smiling as he looked around.

"I just didn't expect that today would be fun, that's all. On most occasions, students were only competing to get additional points for their grades," Heejun explained as he lets out a happy sigh.

"Today was a bit different though. It seemed like everything had changed as time passes."

So, before, it wasn't like this? I'm guessing that most students were only given incentives, that's why they had joined those games. But now, even if there wasn't any, there were a lot who participated and a lot of students who cheered loudly during the matches.

"How did you handle being a vice for years? I'm just curious..." I trailed off as I noticed him stop on putting on the chairs and looked at me with a blank look. He then put his fingers under his chin as if he was thinking.

"I guess as long as you keep on making memories while you do your work, you won't notice the time that you spent much," Heejun simply answered before he shrugged.

I only nodded and smile with him to agree. It was true that as long as you enjoy or have a hard time each moment, you either have a lot of fun or learn from what you had experienced. It's just the matter of how you act on that present that makes it alive.

As soon as I blinked and looked around, I then saw that there wasn't any stuff left to pack up. The chairs were already stacked, the decorations had already been in the boxes and carried to the storage rooms, and the floor had already been swept earlier. All that's left now is to close the doors.

"Heejun, I think it's time to go now. It's already 5," I mentioned and Heejun snapped out of his thoughts.

"Ah, is it that late already?" We then agreed and walked out, closing the gym doors before going right to the field. The sun had already begun to set and I still had a bit of homework to finish. Since we were already in the school field, we decided to walk fast in order to get home on time. As we were about to reach the gates, a sudden bark rang out and I almost ran away — not knowing if we were the ones being chased or barked by.

"Oh, 현우? Wait, why are you here?" Heejun suddenly recognized the Akita dog that was running towards us. It kept on running in circles and I just stood like a statue — not wanting it to bite. I was kind to dogs, sure, but I don't want to take chances of getting bitten.

I've already got chased by a dog since childhood and it was not a good memory.

"I thought that she was supposed to watch over you..." Heejun trailed off as he looked at the dog confusingly. "Ah, really, she should put a leash so you can't escape and get lost."

The dog only barked and suddenly put its attention towards me — making me a bit scared. Once the dog had stopped right in front of me and sat down, I only gave a slight smile and maintained distance. It was for the best.

Heejun noticed and immediately laughed a bit, waving his hands. "Don't worry, he doesn't bite."

I only gave a slight nod before trying to pet the dog. "I sure hope so. The last encounter I had with a dog was that it almost bit me."

Though, I was surprised when it only stuck his tongue out and let me pet him.

"See?" Heejun pointed out and I just smiled. I guess he was right on this one.

As soon as I was done, it immediately went back to Heejun's side and walked with us. It doesn't seem to mind that it had to walk back again to where he just went as long as its owner was here.

When we finally reached the bus station, we were about to separate ways since I had to take the bus, and since he was already near the area though Heejun called me back before I could even get in.

"Right, about your question earlier about me being the vice..." He then smiled as he gave me a look.

"Patience. That's all about it. Even if there's a rough sea ahead, you have to keep on sailing and making good memories. As long as you learn and endure, you won't have any troubles in the future."

After that, he gave me a salute as a goodbye sign before walking back home with his dog. What he said didn't leave my mind until I got to my seat.

Patience, huh.