Sweet Shot

#2

“Why didn’t you come to the orientation?”

“I was busy. I took a leave of absence right after registering for school.”

“Why?”

“I went to the military.”

“Wow, amazing. You’ve completed your military service? That’s cool. You don’t have to worry about it anymore, right?”

“I guess so.”

“You’ll probably be super popular.”

When Ha-min asked what she meant, she hastily shook her head. As they climbed the stairs to the department building side by side, a few passersby glanced at Ha-min. Eun-soo looked at Ha-min curiously, noticing that he seemed unaware of the attention.

Clear skin and good posture. Neat double eyelids. A perfectly sculpted nose bridge. He’s incredibly handsome… Eun-soo thought to herself as she, too, glanced at Ha-min. His somewhat blank expression and naive behavior seemed to add to his charm. As soon as Ha-min had entered the lecture hall, the surrounding girls had started whispering. Wondering if such a handsome guy had always been in their department.

“Do you have a girlfriend, oppa?”

“Huh? Oh, no, not yet.”

Ha-min answered with a naive smile. Eun-soo grinned and moved closer to Ha-min’s side.

“Then hang out with me. I know a lot of student council members and I’m close with seniors, so I can introduce you to many people.”

Already? Ha-min blinked in surprise. That’s when it happened. As soon as they reached the third floor, a familiar face appeared at the end of the corridor. Someone Ha-min could recognize just by their hair came into his view. Ha-min’s steps came to a sudden halt, and Eun-soo, who had been chattering excitedly, stopped as well. Oppa, what’s wrong? Her puzzled eyes followed Ha-min’s gaze.

“It’s senior Tae-rim.”

Ha-min’s eyes widened at the name that came from her lips.

“Do you know each other?”

“No. It’s more like I know him one-sidedly.”

Ha-min tilted his head, not understanding her words.

“You don’t know senior Tae-rim? He’s famous… He’s the most famous in this school. For being handsome and rich.”

Is hyung no longer just a local celebrity but a national one now? Ha-min let out an “Ah…” with a somewhat surprised face.

“So, senior Tae-rim might not know me, but I know him. I guess most students in this school would be the same.”

Ah…. Ha-min nodded with a serious face. He was surprised by the fame that had spread not just locally but nationally. He had always felt distant, but now he felt even more so. Meanwhile, Tae-rim was approaching, flanked by two friends on either side.

As the three passed by, Eun-soo greeted them politely, saying “Hello.” She nudged Ha-min, who was standing there like a fool, explaining that it’s polite to greet seniors even if they don’t know us. Ha-min, who had been in a daze, nodded as if understanding and bowed his head.

“Hello.”

“Oh, hi.”

The three seniors, including Tae-rim, acknowledged Ha-min and Eun-soo’s greeting in passing. Of course, Tae-rim did the same. As they passed by without a second glance, Ha-min felt an unexpected ache in his chest. He hadn’t expected to be recognized after so long, but still, they had passed by so coldly.

“He really is handsome.”

Eun-soo muttered, looking at Tae-rim’s retreating figure. Ha-min silently agreed with her words. Hyung, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time, looked even more like a sculpture. An air of a young master who anyone could see had been raised well, a height significantly taller than other guys his age. Broad shoulders like a mountain and features so beautiful they drew admiration. His beauty was breathtaking. Moreover, he was perfect down to the tear mole below his eye.

He is handsome…. Ha-min had never seen anyone more handsome than hyung in his life. Even TV celebrities couldn’t compare to him. There was no way someone like himself, who was like a pig, could be suitable for such a hyung, and even if he liked him, it would only be unpleasant. When he was young, he didn’t realize because hyung always called him cute, but as he passed through puberty, he understood.

“But oppa, you’re really handsome too. You know? If senior Tae-rim has an actor’s look… oppa has more of an idol look…. Huh?”

Eun-soo was speaking quite seriously to Ha-min, who was momentarily lost in thought, talking about actor looks and idol looks, when she suddenly paused. Ha-min turned his head curiously at the sudden shadow cast over them.

“Are you Song Ha-min?”

Tae-rim, who had moved away, was now standing in front of them. What’s this? Is it a dream? Ha-min’s eyes widened. Even with his eyes wide open, it was still Tae-rim.

“Is it really Ha-min?”

The one who had just passed by coldly was now standing right in front of him. Both Ha-min and Tae-rim looked at each other with surprised faces. Along with the surprise, the slight feeling of disappointment melted away like snow. He hadn’t ignored him knowingly; he really hadn’t recognized him.

“Yeah, I mean… yes, that’s right.”

In the past, he used to follow him around calling “hyung, hyung,” but now things were different, and he was confused about how to address him. Watching Ha-min stammer and fumble, Tae-rim let out a pleased laugh.

“It’s been so long.”

“…”

“But why have you gotten so thin? Did something happen?”

He stroked Ha-min’s face, looking both happy to see him and worried. Ha-min’s neck stiffened at the sudden intimate touch. Eun-soo, who was watching the scene from the side like a spectator, was equally surprised. She looked back and forth between Ha-min and Tae-rim with curious eyes.

“I almost didn’t recognize you, Ha-min.”

Tae-rim smiled softly. It was the same smile from when they were young. Like a trigger, Ha-min’s heart started to race. He pulled the trigger and hit him directly. It was an incredible shot.

…I thought I had forgotten, Ha-min bit his lip gently. Now as then, his heart always moves in the opposite direction of his head.

**

Chubby Song Ha-min had the most friends in the neighborhood. The reasons were firstly because he was the son of the supermarket owner, secondly because of his easy-going personality, and thirdly because he always knew how to take care of others and was considerate – in other words, he was a bit of a pushover.

He always roamed the neighborhood with his friends, making a ruckus, and Tae-in was among them. While Song Ha-min was just the chubby son of the supermarket owner, Tae-in was the handsome rich kid living in the biggest house in the neighborhood. Despite being described so differently, the two were the closest. Tae-in liked Song Ha-min, who played with him unconditionally despite his weak body and sensitive personality.

Tae-in, due to his weak health, often couldn’t go to school and didn’t have many friends, and other children tended to avoid him because of his sensitive personality caused by his poor health. To Tae-in, Ha-min was like a savior friend. The sensitive friend and the easy-going friend were a perfect match.

So the two played together every day, and when there was nowhere suitable to play, they always played in Tae-in’s yard or Tae-in’s room. As befitting the son of a rich family, his room was overflowing with toys. That’s why Song Ha-min always begged to go to Tae-in’s house, but there was actually one more reason.

‘Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it.’

To peek at Tae-in’s older brother.

He secretly watched the image of the older brother ending a phone call irritably, hiding behind a wall with just his head peeking out.

Lee Tae-rim, Tae-in’s older brother, was handsome but also pretty. His eye smile that melted people’s hearts was by far the best. One day, while playing at Tae-in’s house, he caught a glimpse of Tae-rim sitting in the garden. It was rare for him to be out in the garden, so Ha-min thought it was a good opportunity and watched intently. At that time, Tae-rim was a middle school student. He was wearing a well-fitted middle school uniform and had a cigarette in his mouth. And in the house garden, no less. Seeing that, Ha-min was shocked. The supermarket owner’s son knew better than anyone that smoking was bad. He had seen his mother sternly scolding underage kids who came to buy cigarettes at the supermarket more than once or twice.

‘…Shit.’

He looked unhappy, and Ha-min wanted to make him feel better. Ha-min ran out of Tae-in’s house and rushed to the supermarket. Then he filled his bag with chocolates, candies, and snacks, and headed back to Tae-in’s house. His mother’s scolding voice rang out loudly behind him, but that wasn’t important.

‘Huff, huff.’

Breathing heavily, he returned to Tae-in’s house, but Tae-rim was no longer visible in the garden. Greatly disappointed, Ha-min’s shoulders drooped. He had brought so much…. With a face full of regret, he headed back to Tae-in’s room. Then he paused in front of Tae-rim’s room. Since I brought it anyway… because it’s a shame, Ha-min took out the chocolates and candies and placed them in front of his room. Then he tore off a page from a notebook and left a note.

[Hyung eat]

**

Suddenly, old memories came flooding back. A time when he knew nothing about love or anything else.

“Oppa, do you know senior Tae-rim?”

In the middle of the next class, Eun-soo, sitting next to him, asked in a whisper. The class was in full swing, and even though it was the first day, the professor was talking enthusiastically. Ha-min, who had been lost in thought for a moment, opened his eyes wide as if startled by Eun-soo’s words. Ah, right, we’re in class….

“Well… yeah. He’s my friend’s older brother.”

He whispered quietly, just enough not to be noticed by the professor.

“Your friend’s brother, you mean senior Tae-in? Do you know senior Tae-in too?”

“Yeah…? Yeah. We’ve been friends since we were young.”

“Wow. Oppa, your connections are amazing.”

Rather, she seemed more impressive, knowing this person and that person. Ha-min stopped further chitchat and looked at the professor who was speaking passionately. Of course, he couldn’t hear what the professor was saying. He kept seeing only that smiling face in front of him.

Hyung’s smile. What he had loved most since he was young.