Lovely Runner 2: Finding Grandma

Chapter 32: Mal Ja

Spotting Halmeoni, Sol and Sun Jae race downstairs, brushing past a groggy Min Seok, who barely registers them as he stumbles toward school.

They catch up to Halmeoni's bike just as she pedals down the street. Sun Jae steps in front, forcing her to stop, while Sol grabs the back of the bike.

"Hyah!" Halmeoni yells, her vibrant brown eyes flashing with annoyance. "Let me go!"

This younger version of Halmeoni—called Mal Ja—radiates youthful charm, her mischievous expression daring them to test her patience. She tries to maneuver around Sun Jae, but he blocks her path again.

"Why are you being such a bad boy?" she exclaims, flailing her arms in frustration. "Let me go!"

"Me?" Sun Jae points to himself, incredulous. "We've been looking everywhere for you. Solie and I have been worried sick!"

Mal Ja glances away, her lips curling into a defiant huff. "I don't want to hear it."

Sun Jae's foot taps against the pavement. "You don't want to hear it?" he repeats, incredulous.

"That's right," she snaps, crossing her arms. "Now let me go."

"Ani," Sun Jae retorts, his frustration mounting. "You're not going back alone."

Mal Ja swings off the bike with a dramatic huff and marches down the street. "Fine! I'm going to school, then!" she shouts, waving dismissively over her shoulder.

"Aish," Sun Jae mutters, clutching his nose in exasperation.

Sol watches her retreating figure, an idea sparking to life. Letting the bike drop, she claps her hands. "I know what to do."

After tailing Mal Ja for several blocks, they arrive at the island's three-story school. Students pour through its gates, their chatter filling the air. Sol and Sun Jae crouch behind a wall, scheming.

"Mmm..." Sol furrows her brow in thought. "How do we get in there?"

Their musings are interrupted by the sudden commotion of a man and woman bursting through the back door, pursued by a regal, furious woman. "Hyah! You useless lovebirds!" the woman bellows. "All you ever do is kiss!"

The couple stumbles away, skirting past Sol and Sun Jae.

"Perfect," Sol whispers, her eyes gleaming with mischief. She grabs Sun Jae's hand, tugging him toward the schoolyard.

"What now?" Sun Jae asks, wide-eyed as she pulls him along.

Sol approaches the stern woman with bold determination. "Excuse me, miss!" she calls. "You're the principal, right?"

The woman halts, her sharp gaze fixed on Sol. "Yes. And you are?"

"Well..." Sol hesitates, glancing at Sun Jae for support. Tightening her grip on his hand, she plunges ahead. "My brother and I heard you're in need of teachers. We saw you just lost two, and, well, here we are!"

The principal narrows her eyes, scanning the pair. "Your family's height difference is... remarkable."

"Ha ha ha!" Sol forces a laugh. "You've got such a keen sense of humor, Ms. Principal. I think we'll get along just fine."

The principal raises a skeptical brow but waves them inside. "At least you're not lovebirds. Follow me."

Inside the office, the principal gestures to two chairs. Sol and Sun Jae sit down, though Sun Jae's seat creaks ominously under his weight.

"I have other tasks to attend to," the principal declares. "I'll be back in 20 minutes. Don't waste my time."

"Nae," Sol says brightly. As soon as the door closes, she darts to the desk, her eyes lighting up at the sight of a typewriter.

"Ah!" Sol claps her hands in excitement, spotting a list of vacant teaching positions: P.E. and Chemistry.

"Sun Jae!" she exclaims. "I've got it! You can be the P.E. teacher, and I'll handle Chemistry."

"You don't know chemistry!" Sun Jae protests.

"Sure I do," she says breezily. "I took it in high school!"

"That's not the same," he mutters. "Why are we even doing this?"

Sol spins toward him, her face alight with determination. "To spy on Halmeoni and figure out her romance with Grandpa. She's up to something."

Sun Jae leans back, rubbing his temples. "But what if we're caught?"

"Don't think like that," Sol says, already typing away. "Now help me make these resumes. We've got work to do."