15-2

by Han Yong-un

In fact, Sun-young knew.

That there was no way a reply would come the very next day after sending the letter.

There would be time to get to Hamheung, and Dae-cheol would need time to read the letter and write a reply.

Yet—

Sun-young waited all day for the postman.

Even the shadow of a person made her heart race for no reason.

If she caught a glimpse of the postman's hat, she would jump up from her seat in joy.

But if that person went to another house—

It felt as if the world was cruel for no reason.

Sun-young chuckled softly.

“Why did I end up like this…”

But even while laughing, she soon found herself looking back at the door.

It was then that Sun-young realized.

Writing a letter was difficult, but—

Waiting for news from a loved one was far more agonizing.

Time strangely flowed slowly.

A day felt like two days, and an hour felt like a day.

And—

On the third day.

Finally, the telegram arrived.

〈Arriving tomorrow afternoon〉

Four short characters.

But the moment Sun-young read that telegram, she felt like she could truly fly.

Her heart raced so much that it was hard to breathe properly.

“It's coming…”

She held the telegram tightly with both hands.

“It's really coming…”

Sun-young wandered around the room in a daze.

She was so happy that she didn't know what to do.

Then, after calming her heart, she went in front of the mirror.

The face in the mirror looked a bit gaunt after a few days.

There were even slight shadows under her eyes.

Sun-young stared at her face for a while.

‘What will the teacher say if they ask why I look so gaunt…’

She laughed to herself for no reason.

‘I should say it’s because I was waiting.’

Just thinking about it made her face turn red.

Sun-young took out some cream and applied it to her face.

As she gently rubbed it with her palm, her skin quickly became radiant.

It looked a bit fluffy and soft.

Then, another worry arose.

“Should I show my pale face without makeup...?”

So that Dae-cheol can see how long I’ve been waiting at a glance.

Or—

Should I dress up as prettily as possible and show him a good face at first sight?

Sun-young pondered for a while.

But while she was thinking, her hands were already moving between the perfume bottle and the powder puff.

When she came to her senses, her makeup was almost done.

Sun-young chuckled softly.

And she unfolded the telegram again.

“Tomorrow afternoon at Chakt.”

“...Ah.”

Only then did she realize.

It was tomorrow.

There was still a day left.

Sun-young felt embarrassed for no reason and lightly wiped off her makeup with a dry towel.

The slightly faded makeup looked even more natural and pretty.

It was then.

“Where are you going?”

San-wol asked in a gruff voice, leaning against the doorframe.

Sun-young turned around in surprise.

“Where am I going?”

“Then why are you getting all dressed up?”

San-wol narrowed her eyes.

“Are you expecting someone?”

“Who’s coming?”

Sun-young pretended to be indifferent on purpose.

San-wol chuckled.

“What a strange time to be dressing up.”

“What do you mean it’s a strange time?”

Sun-young snapped back.

“It’s broad daylight, you know?”

“If it looks strange in broad daylight, then it’s strange at any time.”

San-wol continued to tease her.

“You got a telegram, didn’t you?”

Sun-young’s gaze wavered for a moment.

“So what?”

“Is it from your beloved?”

Sun-young blushed for no reason.

And she replied curtly.

“Yes. It’s from my beloved. Why?”

“Oh my, you’re really crazy.”

San-wol laughed heartily.

“So that’s why you were putting on makeup all alone?”

“You really...”

Just as Sun-young was about to turn away in embarrassment—

They heard Sook-ja’s voice from outside.

“San-wol!”

It was Sook-ja’s irritated voice.

“What are you babbling about over there? Aren’t you coming out soon?”

San-wol laughed and dashed outside as if fleeing.

Sun-young, left alone in the room—

carefully unfolded the telegram once again.