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Chapter 43: "I'd Rather It Be a Beginning Than a Memory"
Hee-Kyung sat quietly in her car, parked in front of Ju-kyoung's school.
She didn't even know why she'd driven there. Maybe it was fate—or her thoughts that had wandered too far.
Her mind flashed back to Ju-kyoung's literature teacher, laughing with a little girl who didn't want to go to school. The girl had ended up following him inside, still giggling.
A smile tugged at Hee-Kyung's lips. Her beautiful face softened, almost glowing with warmth.
"Did you read my mind?" she muttered to herself. "How in the world did you bring me here?"
She sighed and reached for the gear shift—but then froze.
A rusty old car caught her eye, coughing out thick white smoke as though begging to be put out of its misery.
Her gaze drifted to the driver—and her lips curved again.
"Jackpot."
It was him. Ju-kyoung's teacher.
He stepped out of the car, frowning at the hood as smoke puffed in his face. He looked so adorably lost that Hee-Kyung couldn't help it—she was already opening her door.
"Can I give you a hand?" she called as she stepped out, leaning lightly against her shiny red car.
He turned, startled by the elegant woman before him. "Ah—no, thank you. I was just about to call my insurance company."
She raised a brow. "Who has time for that? Aren't you busy?"
Before he could argue, she had already opened her trunk and pulled out a toolbox. The wind played with her hair as she walked toward him, confident and graceful.
He just stood there, watching her.
"What are you doing?" she asked. "Get your spare tire."
"R-right." He rushed to the trunk, fumbling.
She crouched by the flat tire, loosening the bolts. He tried rolling the spare over—but it slipped and rolled past her.
He ran after it, clearly panicked.
Hee-Kyung pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh. When he came back holding the tire like a trophy, she gave him a teasing smile. "You're… not used to this, are you?"
He scratched his head. "Not really. I don't drive often."
She worked easily, her small hands moving with surprising strength.
He blinked. How can she do that with those wrists? She's so strong.
Meanwhile, in Ju-kyoung's classroom, Soo-hoo sat by the window, sunlight spilling across his face.
Ju-kyoung rushed over and yanked the curtain shut.
Soo-hoo looked up, unimpressed.
Ju-kyoung smiled sweetly. "Can't have you hurting those precious eyes."
He just turned away.
"Well, then," she muttered, walking to her seat.
Settling down, she whispered, "He'll take pity on me and won't spread the word."
She glanced at him again—his calm expression, quiet focus, and the soft light around him.
"Look how merciless he looks," she murmured.
He turned suddenly, catching her gaze. She froze, then forced a grin and gave him a thumbs up.
He ignored her completely. She slumped back, rolling her eyes.
Back outside, Hee-Kyung was almost done when the teacher approached with a cup of coffee.
"Please drink this while you work," he said gently.
She smiled and took it. "Thank you."
He watched her sip it slowly, as though time itself had stopped for her.
She wiped the corner of her lips with the back of her hand. "Do you teach here?"
"Yes. I teach literature."
"I knew it," she said with a knowing grin. "You look like someone from the arts."
She tightened the last bolt and straightened up. "Your car disconnected. Are you into classics?"
He smiled faintly. "No. It's just… the first car my dad bought, back in 1995. I have a lot of memories with it. I can't bring myself to get rid of it."
Her eyes softened.
He looked down. "I guess this will be another good memory."
She paused. "I don't like that."
He blinked. "Excuse me?"
Her tone was quiet but steady. "I'd rather it be a beginning than a memory."
The words hung in the air.
For a moment, they just stood there—two strangers with a strange spark between them.
He smiled faintly. "A beginning rather than a memory… that has a nice ring to it. What kind of beginning?"
She brushed the dust from her hands. "The tire's fixed."
He looked—the smoke had vanished.
He bowed slightly. "Thank you. How can I repay you?"
"Buy me dinner," she said smoothly.
He froze.
She held out her phone. "Here. Type in your number."
He set his coffee on the car and quickly did as told, handing it back. Their fingers brushed—just for a heartbeat—but it was enough to make him flinch.
"It was just a spark," he said awkwardly.
She smiled. "If there's another spark, we'll start dating."
Before he could respond, her phone rang. She answered, then looked at him while covering the mic.
"And your name is?"
"Han Jun-woo."
She smiled. "I'll wait for your call, Han Jun-woo."
Then she walked past him, whispering, "Think about what I said—about a beginning."
He turned, watching her go.
A soft, almost disbelieving smile formed on his lips. "Wow… this feels surreal."
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