Sunjoon sits on the porch of the dorm and calls one of the children (“jaejiks”). He runs towards Sunjoon, looks at him, and runs right back to the group of jaejiks.
“I saw him. I saw his face. He’s very handsome, even more so when you look at him up close. I’ve never seen anyone like him. I thought my heart my stop.”
“Really? Really?
It looks like the jaejiks are all talking about Sunjoon’s appearance. He smiles but is embarrassed. Yoonhee comes out to the porch, laughing because she understands the jaejiks’ reaction.
“It’s understandable that they’d be surprised by your good looks. I was surprised too at first.”
Sunjoon feels that “he” is making fun of him. Another jaejik runs to see Sunjoon’s face, and falls to the ground. When the jaejik gets up and runs to tell his companions, Yoonhee tries to suppress her laughter, but another jaejik who approaches her, suddenly blushes and runs off.
“He’s so pretty! He’s even prettier than my neighbor’s sister. Much prettier. He has a small face too.
This time it’s Sunjoon who makes fun of Yoonhee.
“It’s true that you are pretty. It’s normal to compare you with a woman.”
Sunjoon puts on his shoes and walks towards the jaejiks. They all come towards Sunjoon and Yoonhee. He squats down to their height and asks them:
“Do you know who else lives here at the Joong-ee-bang? (the name of the dorm where they are staying).
“Crazy Horse”. Immediately upon blurting this out, the jaejik who said it bit his lip, realizing what he had said
“What did you say?” Sunjoon asks politely, but the jaejik who spoke continues to keep his mouth closed, just shaking his head. Calling a nobleman “Crazy Horse” is an insult, and the jaejik fears the consequences. Sunjoon, kindly allows the jaejiks to leave, but one brave child tells him what he knows:
“I think he’s a good person.”
“What? Who?” asks Sunjoon.
“The person who lives in this dorm. They call him “Crazy Horse” but I don’t think he’s bad. I haven’t seen him up close, because I’ve been afraid.”
“Really? Well if you say so, then I’m sure he must be a good person.”
Sunjoon smiles at the jaejik, but Yoonhee can’t smile. Crazy Horse? She’s afraid of sharing a dorm room with someone who is called by that name.
Some of the students begin to arrive at their dorms, and one of them looks at Sunjoon and Yoonhee.
“Ah, you two are the new students that the whole school is talking about?”
They both look at the student who has spoken. He walks towards them with very expensive clothes. He’s dressed in the finest silk, and his shoes are leather sewn with golden silk thread. In his hand he holds carries a very fancy fan.
“Are you the one who lives in this dorm room?”
“Didn’t you hear the jaejik say “Crazy Horse”? Do I look like a crazy horse?” Sunjoon and Yoonhee look at each other apprehensively, but the young man smiles.
“Ha ha ha, I’m just joking. I’m in the neighboring dorm, the Joong-il-bang. I’m Saengwon, although some call me Yeorim. My real name is Goo Yongha. I’m 23, so I’ll address you informally. You don’t need to introduce yourselves, I’ve already heard all about you.”
Heard what? thinks Yoonhee. It’s true people must have heard of Sunjoon, but her? Yoonhee worries what others may think of her. Her hope is to stay invisible to others, and she’s not happy to hear what Yongha has said. Yoonhee greets Yongha. “Pleased to meet you.”
