Autumn Calculus

Ch.4.

The weekend arrived, and Eun-ji found herself waiting nervously by the main gate of the university, double-checking her phone to see if she'd missed any last-minute texts. She adjusted her backpack and glanced around, watching other students go by with their own weekend plans. Then, just as her stomach began to churn with nerves, she heard her name.

"Eun-ji!" Ji-hoon waved as he walked toward her, casual in a hoodie and jeans, carrying a water bottle and looking effortlessly cool.

"Ready for the hike?" he asked, his voice cheerful and light.

Eun-ji nodded, smiling despite her nerves. "As ready as I'll ever be."

They set off together, leaving the campus behind and heading toward the nearby hills. The early morning air was crisp, carrying the earthy scent of fallen leaves, and the trees along the path glowed with the reds and golds of autumn. It was almost picturesque, like a scene she'd only seen in movies or read about in novels.

"So, you really never take breaks from studying?" Ji-hoon asked as they walked, his tone more curious than judgmental.

Eun-ji let out a small laugh. "It sounds boring, I know. But I always thought that if I just focused and worked hard, everything would eventually pay off."

Ji-hoon gave her a thoughtful look. "And is it?"

"Is it... paying off?" She considered his question, then shrugged. "I mean, yes and no. Sometimes I wonder if I'm just working on autopilot, missing out on things without realizing it."

Ji-hoon nodded, his expression serious. "It's easy to fall into routines. But once in a while, it's good to shake things up. Reminds you that life isn't just about ticking boxes, you know?"

Eun-ji felt an odd sense of relief talking to him, and for the first time in a while, she felt like she was doing something for herself, not just for her parents or her future.

They walked on, passing other hikers and enjoying the quiet of the forest around them. Ji-hoon started telling her about his part-time job at a coffee shop, making her laugh with stories about the quirky regulars and the oddly specific orders he had to memorize.

"Some people are really passionate about their coffee," he said, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "You wouldn't believe the number of times I've had to remake drinks just because someone thought their latte wasn't hot enough."

Eun-ji chuckled, feeling more at ease. "Sounds like a challenge."

"It is, but it's fun. I like feeling like I'm part of something," he said with a grin. "Plus, it beats sitting in a library all day, right?"

She rolled her eyes playfully. "Hey, some of us enjoy libraries."

As they continued walking, the path gradually opened up to reveal a scenic overlook. The city of Seoul lay below them, nestled between the hills, with the river glinting in the distance and the autumn trees creating a mosaic of colors.

"Wow," Eun-ji breathed, unable to look away from the view.

"Worth the walk?" Ji-hoon asked, his voice warm with satisfaction.

Eun-ji nodded, taking it all in. "Definitely worth it. I've never really taken the time to come up here."

They found a bench nearby and sat down, enjoying the silence and the view. After a while, Ji-hoon glanced over at her. "You know, I think you worry too much about studying."

She let out a soft laugh. "Maybe you're right. My parents have always emphasized working hard, and I guess I got used to it. Sometimes it feels like if I take one day off, I'm throwing away all my chances."

"Trust me, one day won't ruin everything," Ji-hoon replied with a reassuring smile. "You're allowed to have a life too."

They sat quietly for a few moments, and Eun-ji found herself telling Ji-hoon about her family—how her parents had always worked hard to support her education, and how she wanted to make them proud.

Ji-hoon listened intently, nodding along as she spoke. "Sounds like they really care about you," he said softly. "But I think they'd also want you to be happy."

Eun-ji smiled, touched by his words. Talking to him felt surprisingly natural, as if she could finally express the things she'd kept bottled up. She realized that she hadn't talked to anyone like this in a long time—certainly not her other classmates, who only seemed interested in discussing grades or upcoming tests.

"Thanks for saying that," she murmured.

"No problem. Everyone needs someone to remind them it's okay to take a break," he replied, grinning. "And if I have to be that person for you, I'm happy to do it."

By the time they started heading back down the trail, Eun-ji's cheeks hurt from smiling so much. She hadn't realized how much she'd needed a day like this—just talking, laughing, and enjoying the world outside her textbooks. She felt a renewed sense of energy and lightness.

As they reached the main gate of the university again, Eun-ji hesitated, not wanting the day to end. She glanced at Ji-hoon, who seemed just as reluctant to say goodbye.

"This was... really nice," she said, feeling a bit shy.

Ji-hoon's face softened, and he nodded. "I had a great time too. I'm glad you came."

Eun-ji couldn't help but laugh. "You make it sound like I was forced to come along."

"Well, I thought you might run off halfway through, honestly," he teased, chuckling. "But I'm glad you didn't."

They shared a warm smile, and for a moment, Eun-ji thought he might say something else. But he just gave her a small wave and started to walk away.

"See you in calculus?" he called over his shoulder.

"Yeah," she replied, already looking forward to their next class.

That evening, Eun-ji returned to her dorm room and attempted to study, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the hike, to Ji-hoon's laugh, and to the way he'd looked at her like she was more than just another student. For the first time, calculus wasn't the most exciting part of her weekend.

She sighed happily and put her pen down, realizing she hadn't felt this at peace in a long time. For once, she didn't feel the crushing pressure of expectations or the weight of deadlines. Instead, she felt a quiet joy, a new thrill, and maybe, just maybe, a small spark of something more.