14 Days of Winter: A Journal by Kim Hajoon

Day Four: Hyung

KIM HAJOON'S JOURNAL ENTRY
WED, DEC 16TH, 2020. 10.15 AM GMT.
The Savoy. Junior Suite. My Room.

Before recapping the things that happened today before and during breakfast, I have a confession to make to you, Journal-nim.

I'm having regrets.

I know I wished for Minjeong to not sing again after dinner last night, and my wish was fulfilled. She didn't sing, and instead spent the night talking to her three friends. Maybe she was discussing this new song with her schoolmates. That's good. I had time to make good progress on my thesis too.

But, Journal-nim, as I laid down on my bed past midnight last night, I found myself wishing that I hadn't wished for it. (Am I being weird?) I missed her voice. I missed that voice.

Still, I had a good night's sleep, and I woke up today feeling refreshed. I think my tiredness from the long flight is completely gone. I did my morning routine, before going out to have breakfast...

Who am I kidding? I went out to say hi to that cute girl again. (Kekeke)

Minjeong woke up earlier than me today, and I found her already exercising in the living room when I went out. She looked up and smiled when she saw me exiting my room. She appeared in a great mood (again) today. That's good.

"Morning, Hajoon-ssi!" she initially called me, but then she giggled. "Ya... I shouldn't keep calling you that formally, right?"
"Eh? Why?" I asked instinctively, feeling confused. She stifled a laugh. (So cute).
"Because... Just because," she said casually while shrugging, continuing her exercise.

When she said that, I found myself wondering about the meaning behind her words. She clearly wanted to be more comfortable with me, but maybe she was unsure if I would respond kindly to her request.

But... Was I right? What if that wasn't what she meant? Should I take the risk?

Me being me, I decided to take the risk. I plopped myself on the living room sofa, and I smiled at her as she was exercising.

"What do you want to call me, then?" I asked her, trying to sound as casually (read: coolly) as I could.
"I shouldn't call you 'Oppa', right?" she said, not looking at me.

Then, she chuckled before speaking again.

"That might give you the wrong idea..." she uttered.

I couldn't help but laugh. Wrong idea, my foot. She was confident. I liked that!

Hang on...

What wrong idea?

"I should call you 'Ha Joon-hyung' then!" she suddenly exclaimed confidently (with Banmal).
"Ya..." I protested, but again, I couldn't stop myself from laughing. She must be joking.
"It's decided! Hajoon-hyung!" she announced.

So she was serious. I didn't know how to reply. No one had ever said these things to me. Correction: No girl had ever said these things to me.

Me not answering her for a few seconds alarmed her. Slowly, she stopped exercising and stared at me.

"I mean... If you want to stay formal, I don't mind. Sorry, Hajoon-ssi... Maybe I stepped out of line," she suddenly said apologetically, waking me up from my thoughts.

I panicked.

"No-no-no! Of course not! We're only 6 months apart anyway, we should talk comfortably!" I said while nodding repeatedly.

Hearing this, Minjeong smiled. And that, Journal-nim, was when my heart stopped.

These past four days, I've seen her smile a few times... But... I only realised it now.