Ga Eun sat at the big auditorium where Yeungjin High School held their graduation ceremony. Myung Hwan was the MC, announcing one event to the next. The ceremony was held professionally like any other grand events. The choir sang beautifully and the speeches from the headmaster and the student's representative were heartwarming.
As she looked around, she felt immensely grateful. She could follow every phases of his life like this, though she's not a part of the family. She stood up with her father and his family when he received his certificate and clapped along with them.
Kim Sang Ok disappeared when everybody started to leave the place through the numerous exits. He came back when the family was waiting for Myung Hwan to take pictures.
"Here," he gave a bouquet of flowers to her. "Give this to Doryeonnim."
"Appa, you give this to him," she shove the roses back.
"No, it's customary. His parents didn't remember to bring this."
"Ahrasseo."
Somehow, she felt embarrassed holding flowers for him. Though actually she didn't need to. 12th Grade students who just graduated receive bouquets of flowers from their family and friends, so it was completely normal for her to give him the flowers.
Lee Myung Hwan came out with his best friends, joking and laughing with them before he saw his grandfather calling for him.
"Come here, Myung Hwan-ah, let's take a picture together," Lee Dong Sun called.
He left his friends and received his mother's hug and pats on the back from his grandfather and father.
"Congratulations, Doryeonnim," Kim Sang Ok offered his hand.
"Gamsahamnida, Ahjussi," he grinned happily.
"Congratulations, Doryeonnim," Ga Eun bowed, "And this is for you," she gave him the roses.
He beamed, "Thank you! Flowers! Glad you remembered. It'll be embarrassing if I have no flowers at all!" he laughed, "I have a feeling that my friends will compare who got more flowers than the others. Well, at least I have one."
"Alright. I'll take a picture of you all," Kim Sang Ok announced, readying the digital camera.
The family closed in and Ga Eun stepped back.
"Ga Eun-ah! Where are you going? Come stand here, this is not the time to get shy! Myung Hwan only graduates from high school once, you know?" Kim Ae Mi called.
Awkwardly, she walked back. Kim Ae Mi had her arm around her when they posed.
"Ahjussi, you too, please!" Min Ho asked after three pictures were taken.
"I'll take the picture, Appa," Ga Eun offered.
Myung Hwan caught her hand and said, "No. I'll ask a friend to take it for all of us."
He hurried and grabbed somebody, ran back to his family and together they smiled to the camera.
I need a copy of these pictures, Ga Eun noted in her mind.
"Min Young-ah!" Myung Hwan suddenly called out loud. "We haven't taken pictures together!"
A pretty girl with long hair and gentle smiles walked to them.
"Is this his girlfriend?" Lee Chung Ho whispered to his wife.
"Seems like it," Kim Ae Mi answered.
"Hm. My son has good taste."
Kim Ae Mi chuckled.
"It takes more than looks to match him," Lee Dong Sun observed.
Lee Chung Ho sighed, "Abeoji, don't be complicated. He's still young."
"I know, I am merely saying that he needs more than just a pretty girl. His life is not going to be simple. He needs a woman who could make him stand firm on his feet. Someone who he could share his troubles with" he lapsed in silence for a while before smiling gently to his daughter in law, "Just like Kim Ae Mi here."
"Aigoo. Abeoji is getting melancholic again."
Lee Dong Sun laughed, "Maybe, Ae Mi. Maybe I am. Old age, I presume."
Ga Eun heard all of this as if she was in a trance. Her ears processed it while her eyes stared at Myung Hwan who took pictures with that lovely girl. He was smiling widely and his hands were placed on her back. His eyes told he really was taken with the girl beside him.
Like a silly slow motion, she saw him moving her hair away so he could put his hand on her shoulder. They also took turns taking pictures with their phones, posing sweetly to the camera.
Nobody noticed this.
Except her father.
One glance at her, following where her eyes were looking, and he knew.
He knew what his daughter was feeling and that what she was looking at was breaking her.
When did this start? Why didn't he knew it early enough to prevent it?
But maybe, it's not something he could avoid anyway. His heart ached as he thought about the improbability of it.
He walked to her direction, effectively blocking his vision.
"Ga Eun-ah...."
Her look pained him. She looked lost and very, very helpless.
He held her hand, "I think you better wait in the car."
Ga Eun just followed as her father guided her there.
He opened the door and let her sit inside.
"Ga Eun, I'm going to say this only once," he began, as she looked at him in surprise, silently begging he would no what she didn't want to hear.
"Don't wish for someone you can't have. I don't want to see you get hurt, my child."
She started crying.
"Have your time. Make sure you're calm and composed when the family get back in the car. Ahrasseo?"
He didn't wait for her answer. He just closed the door and walked back to the Lee family.
**********************************
Kim Ga Eun - 10th Grade
As he drove out from the main gate, Myung Hwan saw a high school boy standing near the gate. He knew it was a high school boy because he wore the same uniform as Ga Eun. He looked the same age as her, and he glanced hopefully to the gate as Myung Hwan went out, only to look dejected when it was he who came out.
When he came back from college that evening, that boy was there again.
When he got in, he asked the security, "Who's that boy standing in front of our gate?".
"Oh. He's a.....friend of Ga Eun-ssi."
"Ga Eun's friend?"
The ahjussi bent closer to Myung Hwan's window and continued in a low tone, "I think that boy likes Ga Eun-ssi. He's been here in mornings and evenings. But Ga Eun-ssi is always with that tall friend of hers."
"You mean Seo Ki Jun?"
"Ne, Doryeonnim."
"Has she ever spoken to him?"
"Oh, she always does when she sees him. Greet him politely and everything. Ki Jun even asked that boy to go together to school one day. But I think it's only once."
Myung Hwan was silent so the ahjussi continued, "Well, it's about time that boys stand in line, I guess."
"Ne?"
"I mean, Ga Eun is growing up and she is becoming a really pretty girl. I'm sure if I'm her age I'll chase her too. Soon there might be more boys trying to court her."
Myung Hwan frowned, "Watch your mouth, Ahjussi! She's Ga Eun. She could be your granddaughter!"
The ahjussi stood straighter and then bowed low. "I'm sorry, Doryeonnim. I was behaving rudely."
"I'd like to go in now."
"Ne, Doryeonnim."
Myung Hwan closed his window and moved his car.
When he went to the second level, he saw Ga Eun holding several dresses of his mother, all neatly pressed and covered with plastic cover.
"Good evening, Doryeonnim."
She waited for an answer. But he didn't give any.
"Doryeonnim?"
He blinked and responded with a "Yes?"
"Do you need anything?"
"...Not now, Ga Eun. Maybe later."
"Ne. I'll be in Samonim's room if you need anything."
She bowed and moved in the direction of his parent's bedroom.
"Ga Eun?"
"Ne?"
"If....you ever need my help, you will tell, right?"
"Ne?" she uttered in a higher tone, out of surprise, "But—"
"I mean if you have trouble. Any kinds of trouble....."
Ga Eun frowned in confusion, "I don't have any trouble, Doryeonnim. Everything is alright."
"No trouble at all?"
"No. In fact, I'm really happy lately," she explained, smiling widely.
"Oh."
Ga Eun wondered why he looked like that.
"Alright then, I'll be in my room," he said, before turning around and entering his room.
***********************************************
Author's Note:
Hello, everyone! I hope you like the first five chapters of Cruel Oppa.
Have you been in Ga Eun's place? Crushing someone you can't have? Or were you the one people can't have?
I'd love to hear your comments on this story. Please add this to your library too.
Twitter/X: luna_priestess8