Graduation day finally came. Ga Eun spent it listening to speeches and choirs, and afterwards came up to the stage to get her diploma when her name was called. Ki Joon texted her --from the guest's seat somewhere at the back-- "I know I'm a genius. My make up on you was perfect. It's confirmed when you're up there and appear on that big screen."
She had only one second to giggle at the text before she was pulled and being hugged by Jin Yang, who was full of smiles and said "Congratulations!". His parents also came to congratulate her, as that was also his graduation day.
"Gamsahamnida, Imo, Ahjussi."
Pictures were taken, with formal and funny poses, before Ki Joon approached with his mother. "Happy graduation! Now take off that stupid black robe and let me take pictures of you in the dress I made for you!" he ordered.
She laughed, but she obliged by unbuttoning her robe, as he readily gave a hand. The dress was beautiful. It was green, because Ki Joon said, "We need to make you wear colors, Gaeunnie, colors!". It reached above her knee and made her feel like a royalty.
"What is this? This is gorgeous!" she praised when he gave it to her a couple of days ago.
"I know. Don't bore me with obvious things."
"Ki Joonnie! Seriously! Thank you so much! When did you have time to make this?"
"I prepared this for three months. I mean, it's for your graduation day."
She had thanked him over and over again, and wore it that morning feeling really proud with her best friend.
"Imo. How are you?" She greeted his mother, and they had a quick chat about how the others were doing, how his father kept on refusing to talk to him, but secretly following his son's improvement.
"I know he'll never say it, but I'm sure he sees now that this is the right path for his son."
"Stop the nonsense, Omma. And take a picture of me and Gaeunnie."
"Aigoo! I haven't seen her for a long time!"
"That's not my fault. Take pictures, Omma, now!"
His hand hugged Ga Eun's waist, and she gave a peace sign, as his mother took the photos. They changed poses to funny ones, until his mother protested, "Yah! When will I have my turn?"
"I'll ask someone to take a picture of all of us," Ki Joon offered.
And she saw Myung Hwan approaching. His suit was blue, he's holding a flower bouquet in his hand, and there was a smile on his lips. She didn't realize she was holding her breath. But she did, as he walked closer and closer, her heart beat immediately quickening, the whole crowd was muted within her hearing. She forgot Jin Yang and his parents were standing close. She didn't listen to Ki Joon's mother's comments about people around them. He's the only one she saw.
Ki Joon frowned seeing her expression and turned around.
"Oh. Doryeonnim is coming."
She had said nothing, and he already reached them.
"Annyeonghaseyo," he greeted and bowed to Ki Joon's mother and Jin Yang's parents, before giving the bouquet to her.
"Chukkae. Sorry for coming late. But I was on time to see you got up on the stage when they called your name."
Her thank you was said so low it sounded like a whisper and he was the only one who could hear it.
"You've worked hard. Good job. I heard your GPA is 3,8."
She blinked her tears. She was so happy to see him there, on her graduation day. He was indeed the person she wanted to see and witness all of her achievements in life.
"Nice dress, by the way."
She breathed in and made the effort to speak, "Ki Joon made this for me."
"Oh," he exclaimed, sweeping a thorough gaze on the dress. "He is talented, I'm sure," before turning to him, "Nice dress, Seo Ki Joon-ssi, a marvelous gift for a girl on her graduation day."
"Gamsahamnida, I think the girl deserves it," Ki Joon answered instantly, bowing and smiling to him.
"I agree," Myung Hwan nodded. "I heard you were going to find someone to take your picture? I can help with that."
"That's a good idea," Ki Joon replied, as his mother happily stood beside Ga Eun.
"But, why is it Doryeonnim who has to—"
"It's okay," Myung Hwan cut her, letting the three of them pose together, before Jin Yang and his parents joined and he helped take a picture of them all with Ki Joon and Jin Yang's phones.
"Would you like to take a picture with Ga Eunnie?" Ki Joon asked out of the blue.
Myung Hwan and Ga Eun exchanged a glance before he agreed, "Of course. I'd like that."
After giving his cellphone to Ki Joon, he stood beside Ga Eun and they both smiled at the camera.
"Tsk! You look like strangers. The picture is going to be awkward."
Myung Hwan chuckled before circling his hand on Ga Eun's waist and pulled her closer.
"That's better," he announced, "Now, smile for me."
Ki Joon took the picture, while she tried not to let her heartbeat to be heard as she felt Myung Hwan's arm around her. Ki Joon looked at the picture. "That was good."
"Thank you," Myung Hwan said, reaching out for his phone.
"Wait!" Ga Eun begged, taking her phone out from her bag. "Would you—do you mind, Doryeonnim?"
"Not at all," he smiled at her, before Ki Joon took their picture again.
"Done!" he said, showing the picture to Ga Eun.
She looked at the picture. A treasure, she decided.
"I....have a meeting in 30 minutes, so....."
"Oh, yes, Doryeonnim, thank you very much for coming!"
"It's your graduation, Ga Eun, of course I'll come. Sorry I can't stay."
She shook her head, "It's okay, Doryeonnim, I hope you won't be late because of this."
"Do you want me to...take you home first?"
"Ne? Oh no! We have a—celebration. Together, at a restaurant nearby."
"Ah. You're not inviting me?"
Her eyes widened, "But, you're having a meeting, Doryeonnim and it's only in an—"
He chuckled. "Just kidding. Enjoy your time with your friends. Once again, I'm sorry that my parents can't come."
"I understand, they are very busy. I'm already very grateful that you came."
He nodded before taking a look at his watch, said that he really had to go, bowed to everyone, and went on his way.
The next time she looked at Jin Yang, he was looking at her with a sad, disturbed expression which she pretended she didn't see. She just chose to walk beside him in silence while his parents chatted together.
"Ki Joon-ah?"
He looked at his mother, following the group in front of them to the Japanese restaurant.
"Is Ga Eun...in love with her master?"
He took a heavy sigh. "Yup. For a long time already."
Ki Joon thanked God that his mother didn't ask, "What about Jin Yang?", he would find it hard to answer.
Instead, she asked, "Does he...love her too?"
"Why do you ask that?"
"He seemed...attentive....."
"To Ga Eunnie?"
"To me! Well yes, to her, who else?"
He was silent for some time before he responded with, "If he loves her, then why is he engaged to that girl who owned Clover Cosmetics?"
"Oh. Oh dear. That's...unfortunate for Ga Eun."
"I know. But she prefers to live in torment rather than leaving that hell."
"Are they not treating her well?"
"Hm? No, they are. Don't worry. But...I'm just worried she won't be completely happy there. Well, unless her Doryeonnim reciprocates her feelings. Which seemed hopeless now that he's going to marry someone else."
His mother waited, knowing there's more to be said.
"I've tried.....to make her change her mind. To make her see that this world is not only occupied by just one man, one Lee Myung Hwan. But she's not listening to me, Omma."
His mother frowned seeing his serious expression. But Ga Eun called him, as they arrived at the restaurant. "Ki Joonnie!"
"Coming, Ga Eunnie!" he answered, his tone cheerful, completely different to the worried tone he had earlier.
And with that, Ki Joon hurried to his friend, leaving his mother looking confusedly at his back.