Just College

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The inquisitive people of Haryung-gu stared in fascination as a black jeep sped down their roads at a reasonable distance. It soon spread like wildfire. Different stories. A lot said it was a government official. Tourists didn't really come in big cars. Even if they did, they went through the main roads of town not the streets.

Or could it be one of their children out there?. Or perhaps a visitor?.

The car that was gossiped about came to a stop in front of the 58th house on its chosen street. The door opened and Nari's black boots met the roads first. She shut the door, looking at the houses on the either sides of the car. She caught the glances peeking at her from those houses. With a smile, she bowed to them even though she couldn't see the people peeping at her.

Johnny came down with her black bag. People suddenly rushed out of their house. "Oh it's the fine man who picked Daya for that school event!"

Johnny gave a polite smile. He waved and earned waves in return. "They are really wary of strangers, aren't they, Ms Nari?", he asked beside her ear and Nari chuckled, nodding. "It's a lovely town", she glanced at the shop next to Daya's house. From the huge sign up there, she could tell it was the shop she heard a lot about. "Let's go"

Nari rounded the car, jogging up the stairs.

"She must be the reason they closed the shop"

"Damin doesn't play with her income. To have locked the shop, she must be special to them"

The door opened and Nari faltered a bit at seeing Daya's grandma. This was their first time meeting. "O-oh hello", Nari dropped her body in a really deep bow.

Seolran smiled warmly. She held the girls shoulders and straightened her back up. "Hello, dear. Come in"

Nari walked in and Johnny followed. Seolran stared at him for a while, confused at why he was coming in. Oh. They must have told him to be with her. That's what she thought and shut the door, nodding. "It could happen. It's reasonable"

Seolran walked infront. "You have to take your shoes off", she said to Johnny and he looked at Nari. "What are you doing?. Take them off. Are the laces stuck with glue?"

Nari laughed. Daya was really right about her grandma. She dropped in a squat at Johnny's feet and he moved back. She grabbed his right foot. "It's okay. I can untie them faster than you anyway", and she set to work, carefully untying the laces of his shoes to avoid forming tangled knots.

"Thank you, Ms Nari", Johnny said. He slipped his socked foot into one of the slippers but Seolran hissed at him. "That's an outdoor one", she pointed at the other section, and Johnny timidly wore one of those but unfortunately, none of them were his size. Seolran gave a sarcastic smile. "What to do?. You have to walk in with your socks. Come along"

Nari had to cover her mouth at the disturbed look on Johnny's face. She slapped his buff arm and walked in first. She suddenly got tackled by a force that came from the stairs. "Unnie"

Nari laughed, holding Dayeon properly. "Goodness gracious, Dayeon-ah. What have you been taking?"

"She eats like a pig, I tell you", Damin said from behind the counter in the kitchen area.

"Hello, aunt", Nari greeted, smiling and holding Dayeon's form to her.

"It was a long journey, wasn't it?. I apologise for the distance". Nari shook her head, saying it was nothing. "Take her... them?. Upstairs". Damin finally noticed the tall form standing awkwardly in her home. "Ah. It's you. The one who picked Daya for that event. Right?"

Dayeon pulled away from Nari. "Ah right. Eomma, he is the one. Hello", Dayeon greeted and Johnny loosened up just a bit.

"Hello", he deeply said.