Between A and B C14

Chapter 14

Watching Jung Woojin get out of the car and stand straight, I sighed inwardly. No mask could hide his face. Even without showing his face, his long legs and considerable height already drew attention.

“Let’s buy it quickly and go.”

Feeling we needed to buy the walnut pie before people noticed us, I quickened my pace. Jung Woojin followed behind me.

The clear jingle of the shop door sounded as we entered.

“Hello.”

“Welcome.”

I greeted, and an elderly lady came out from inside, returning the greeting.

“Oh my, it’s been a while.”

“Yes, it’s been a while. We came to buy walnut pie. Hope everything’s well.”

Happy to see me, she nodded and opened the display cabinet to take out walnut pies.

“Same as always. How many would you like?”

“Um, two?”

I asked while looking at Jung Woojin, who nodded faintly.

“What kind of complimentary treat would you like? Since you don’t like sweets much, would you like to try this? It’s made with steamed sweet pumpkin and chestnuts, with very little sugar, topped with savory crumble.”

“No need, I’ll pay for that too.”

“No, this is only for regular customers. Try it once, and if you like it, buy it next time. We also have sweet pumpkin and black sesame. Which would you like?”

“Then give me sweet pumpkin and black sesame as well. I’ll pay for the black sesame along with the walnut pie.”

“Oh, I wanted to give it for free. Thank you.”

The lady placed two walnut pies and two crumbles into a dark green paper bag. Just then, the bell rang again as a group of customers entered.

“These breads and pies here are all delicious!”

“Is there cake?”

“No cake, only breads and pies.”

“Welcome.”

While greeting the customers, the lady handed me the bag and said,

“It’s 14,300 won, but just give me 14,000.”

“Oh, senior, I can pay…”

“Are you B.B. Segawon?”

“Wow, amazing.”

Surprised, I turned around. The customers had gathered around Jung Woojin with sparkling eyes. Hastily, I took out my wallet and pulled a 10,000 won bill and a 5,000 won bill.

“Wow, it’s my first time seeing a celebrity! Can I take a photo? Would you take one with me?”

“Phone, phone.”

“Is that person really a celebrity?”

The lady handed me a 1,000 won bill and whispered. I smiled awkwardly and replied,

“Grandma, I am a celebrity too…”

“Really? Singer? Actor?”

“Singer. Idol.”

The lady’s eyes widened, and she laughed, patting my shoulder.

“Oh, no wonder you looked so handsome. I don’t usually watch TV, so I didn’t know. You’re famous.”

“Not that famous. I’ll come again next time. Thank you for the extra treats.”

“Yes, yes. Please come again. I’ll give you more treats next time.”

After paying, Jung Woojin came beside me and said,

“I was going to pay…”

“It’s okay. Finished taking photos? Let’s go. Goodbye.”

As I greeted the lady, Jung Woojin did the same. When we opened the door to leave, a customer who had just come followed us out. I sensed them behind us without looking back.

I heard the click of a camera shutter, meaning they were taking pictures from behind. As I got into the car and glanced back, I saw someone holding up a phone a short distance away.

I hoped no strange rumors would start again…

My mind focused on that as I got in and kept glancing at the crowd. Suddenly, an arm stretched forward in front of me. I turned surprised to see Jung Woojin buckling my seatbelt again.

It was the second time this happened, and it still surprised me. I froze again, unable to say a word. This must be what they mean by “eyes open, getting cut.”

Looking at Jung Woojin buckling me, I asked,

“Do you usually buckle seatbelts for passengers?”

His expression was innocent like a child’s. It seemed habitual but made me uncomfortable. I was about to say I’d do it next time when Jung Woojin spoke.

“No.”

“Huh?”

“I’ve never had anyone riding next to me.”

“Oh…”

I nodded, looking ahead.

“…”

“…”

The silence felt strange, so I tried to lighten the mood, smiling jokingly at Jung Woojin.

“So I’m your first?”

“Yes.”

“Ha, an honor.”

The car started moving, and I looked forward again.

Silence returned, and I fiddled nervously with the paper bag on my lap, making a rustling sound. Jung Woojin spoke,

“I was going to pay.”

“Really, it’s not much. It’s okay.”

“But I wanted to pay this time. Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. Want some walnut pie now?”

Opening the bag, I pulled out the pie. I looked for wet wipes since crumbly foods tend to fall everywhere. Jung Woojin asked,

“Looking for something?”

“Wet wipes?”

“I’ll buy some with my drink. There’s a convenience store nearby. Do you want coffee? Wait a second.”

He unbuckled his seatbelt in a hurry. Surprised, I asked,

“You’re going out? No, I’ll go.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

I started to get out but my lap was full, so I put the pies back in the bag. Jung Woojin got out without turning off the engine or closing the door.

“Hey! Mask!”

Looking at me, Jung Woojin raised the mask he had put down before. His eyes curved in a smile.

I looked at him with an incredulous expression and said urgently,

“Come back quickly. Don’t go far.”

“Okay.”

The door closed, and I saw Jung Woojin crossing a narrow street without a crosswalk. Next to the convenience store was a small takeout cafe where he ordered then entered the convenience store.

After a while, Jung Woojin returned with the bag, followed by four or five people like children following the Pied Piper.

I watched nervously. Jung Woojin held the bag and coffee, and as he crossed back toward me, the crowd grew larger.

I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt and reached over to open the door.

“Wow, it really is Segawon!”

“Oppa, I love you!”

“I’m a real fan. Can I take a photo?”

“Please sign for me!”

“Gaon! Please look over here!”

As Jung Woojin got into the car, I heard him say something, but their voices overlapped and I barely heard. Thankfully, no one tried to get in or hold the door, so after quickly closing it, the noise stopped.

“Is this iced americano with three shots?”

“Yes.”

“Bought tissues, wet wipes, water just in case. And grape-flavored Polar Pops since you like those, and kkokkalcorn snacks…”

The car started, and the crowd looked disappointed. I glanced back, amazed at how quickly the crowd shrank. Celebrity life clearly exceeded imagination.

Watching Jung Woojin with a mix of admiration and wonder, I looked inside the bag: snacks, ice cream, dried filefish, water, and wet wipes.

“Why did you buy so much?”

“In case you need other things…”

There were even peanuts for snacking, which I found hilarious. Laughing ironically, Jung Woojin asked,

“Why?”

“Did you buy alcohol?”

“Alcohol? Should I go buy some now?”

“No, I mean why buy peanuts?”

I asked holding peanuts; he looked puzzled.

“Don’t you like those? Then I’ll eat them all.”

“No, I do like them.”

“…”

Checking the bag, I took the ice cream out first. It was slightly melted. Jung Woojin carefully wrapped the handle with the wet wipes before peeling the wrapper to reveal purple ice cream.

“You didn’t buy ice cream?”

“No.”

“You only bought one coffee? Don’t you like ice cream or coffee?”

Feeling sorry he bought things he didn’t eat, I asked. He shook his head.

“No, I like them.”

“Then why only one?”

“I’ll buy mine next time.”

I nodded and took a big bite of ice cream. Small ice grains broke as I chewed.

“The ice cream’s good.”

“Let me know if you want more. I’ll buy it.”

“…”

Chewing, I thought about Jung Woojin’s odd speech. His actions and tone felt strange in ways hard to explain.

Maybe his overly polite language made it so? Also, he didn’t buy his own treats and kept helping with seatbelts, making me feel like a strict old man. Is he still uncomfortable?

He called me hyung on Instagram but senior face-to-face, so maybe I was still difficult for him.

“Senior, have some snacks too.”

“Oh, you like walnut pie too? Want me to unwrap it? Or find a nearby place to park?”

“Shall we take the outskirts route? I know a drive course; I’ll head that way first.”

“Yeah, sure.”

I nodded and replied, suddenly remembering—

…Why were we meeting again?