Autumn Calculus

Ch.9.

Eun-ji tugged nervously at the hem of her sweater as she stepped out of the bus, feeling the cool breeze of the autumn evening. The downtown area was already buzzing with excitement—streetlights glowed softly, casting a golden hue over the sidewalk, and the faint strum of guitar music floated from the nearby open mic café. For a brief moment, she wondered if she should have stayed home to study, but the anticipation of spending time with her new friends quickly overrode the anxiety.

Ahead, she spotted Min-seo and Ha-rin chatting excitedly just outside the café, with Ji-hoon leaning casually against the wall, hands in his pockets. He caught sight of her and waved, a bright smile breaking across his face.

"You made it!" he called out as she approached. "And on time, too. I'm impressed."

Eun-ji rolled her eyes. "I'm not always late."

"True, but I half-expected you to bail for some calculus." He smirked, nudging her playfully as they all headed inside.

The café was cozy, a warm blend of mismatched furniture and fairy lights strung along the ceiling. The stage at the back was lit by a single spotlight, where a performer was setting up with a guitar. The group managed to grab a table near the stage, the perfect spot to see the show. Eun-ji settled into her seat, feeling the comforting hum of chatter around them and the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the air.

"This place is so cute!" Min-seo exclaimed, flipping through the menu. "I've heard the desserts are amazing."

Ji-hoon looked over at Eun-ji. "What's your poison? Coffee or something sweeter?"

"Just coffee," Eun-ji replied, her lips twitching into a small smile. "I'll need the caffeine."

He chuckled, waving down the waitress. "One coffee for the study queen, please."

As they waited for their drinks, the performer on stage started strumming a slow, gentle melody, and the crowd hushed. Ha-rin leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she whispered, "I love live music. It's always so... real."

Eun-ji nodded, feeling an odd sense of contentment settle over her. She wasn't sure what it was—maybe it was the way Min-seo and Ha-rin had accepted her so easily into their circle, or the way Ji-hoon's teasing somehow managed to make her feel seen without judgment. It was a kind of warmth she hadn't experienced in a long time, and she wasn't quite ready to let go of it.

As the night went on, performers came and went, each bringing their unique energy to the stage. Some were soulful, some were upbeat, and a few were awkward and off-key, but the audience clapped and cheered for each one. Eun-ji found herself laughing more than she expected, losing track of time in the easy flow of conversation and the pulse of the music.

When Ji-hoon volunteered to perform a song—much to Eun-ji's shock—the group cheered him on. He playfully bowed to them before making his way to the stage, where he took a seat on a worn stool and adjusted the microphone.

"Is he good?" Eun-ji asked Ha-rin, who grinned.

"Oh, he's great," Ha-rin said. "He does this all the time."

As Ji-hoon began to play, Eun-ji watched him, genuinely curious. He had never mentioned that he was musically inclined, but the moment he strummed the first few chords, the room seemed to quiet, hanging on every note. His voice was smooth and relaxed, carrying a warmth that seemed to wrap around the room. Eun-ji was struck by how different he seemed in this setting—focused and sincere, a far cry from the carefree and teasing sunbae she had come to know.

The song was simple but heartfelt, and Eun-ji found herself caught up in the melody, her heart beating just a little faster. When he finished, there was a brief silence before the room erupted in applause. Ji-hoon gave a playful bow, grinning from ear to ear as he returned to the table.

"Not bad, right?" he said, sitting down and taking a sip of his drink like it was no big deal.

Eun-ji tried to play it cool, shrugging. "I guess you have some talent."

Min-seo and Ha-rin burst into laughter, and Ji-hoon shot her an exaggerated look of disbelief. "Wow, high praise coming from the ever-critical Eun-ji."

She felt a flush creep up her cheeks and quickly hid her smile behind her coffee mug. "Don't get used to it."

They continued to talk and laugh long after the last performer had left the stage, ordering desserts to share—rich chocolate cake, soft macarons, and buttery pastries that seemed to melt in their mouths. For once, Eun-ji didn't think about homework or upcoming exams. She was too busy enjoying the simple joy of good company, the warmth of the café, and the feeling of belonging.

Eventually, the evening began to wind down. They left the café, stepping into the crisp autumn air as the night deepened around them. The streets were quieter now, with only the occasional passerby and the distant sound of a car. Ji-hoon suggested a walk through the nearby park to let the evening linger a little longer, and to Eun-ji's surprise, she agreed.

They walked in comfortable silence for a while, the cool breeze carrying the scent of fallen leaves. Min-seo and Ha-rin walked ahead, talking animatedly about their favorite performances, while Ji-hoon matched Eun-ji's pace, his hands casually in his pockets.

"Did you have fun?" he asked quietly after a moment, glancing at her.

"Yeah," she admitted, the honesty surprising even herself. "I did."

He smiled at that, a genuine, unguarded smile. "I'm glad."

They caught up with the others as they reached the edge of the park, the bright city lights visible beyond the trees. Min-seo and Ha-rin waved them off, promising to meet up again soon, and Eun-ji felt a slight pang of sadness as the group split up. But there was also a sense of anticipation—like the door to something new had been cracked open, and she was curious enough to step through.

As Ji-hoon walked her to her bus stop, she found herself feeling unexpectedly at ease. They chatted about little things—the performances, a funny mishap with one of the waitresses, and the ridiculousness of some of the song choices. It was light and easy, and when the bus finally arrived, she was almost reluctant to leave.

"Thanks for coming tonight," Ji-hoon said as she turned to board the bus. "We should do it again sometime."

Eun-ji hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, maybe we should."

He grinned. "I'll hold you to that."

She gave him a mock salute before stepping onto the bus. As she found a seat and looked out the window, Ji-hoon was still standing there, hands in his pockets, a smile on his face as the bus pulled away.

For the first time in a long while, she didn't immediately reach for her notes or phone. Instead, she leaned back in her seat, a small smile tugging at her lips, and let the memory of the evening replay in her mind.

Maybe, just maybe, this year wouldn't be as predictable as she had thought.