Chapter 43 (1/2)
Chapter 43
Hyoyoung asked curiously, ”What do you mean?”
”I sometimes meet people like that. You know, people who don't have to do anything to shine. People who aren't greedy at all, yet have everything without trying. People who make you feel like life isn't fair because they have everything. To me, Hyunsuk and Hyojun are those people. I'm guessing that to Mikyung, you are that person.”
”No way! That doesn't make sense. Why would she think I have everything? Or anything at all?”
Jiwoo just smiled and patted her head. He replied patiently, ”You just don't know. You have no idea how beautiful your smile is and how it makes everyone around you happy. It's not a matter of your looks. It's not about being pretty, but it's about the way you are. Someone who grew up well-loved and trusted. Someone who sees the world with clear and joyful eyes. Someone so genuine and innocent you feel inadequate. Those people make you unhappy, yet you can't help but be drawn to them because you hope that by being with them, you will become clean as well. Of course, what usually ends up happening is that you end up getting even more hurt because you realize it's not how it works.”
”…”
”These untainted people shine wherever they go. They don't have to try at all to look like they have everything. This can be very annoying and frustrating for those of us who always need to try our best just to survive. We want to boast about our success and achievements, but we always end up becoming envious and jealous of people like you.”
”And you… felt like that too?”
”At first, yes. But soon, I realized something.”
”What?”
”I realized that I am also a person who can shine. I learned that everyone can be that person. Someone worthy. It's greed that destroys the person. If you learn to be happy being who you are, that is when you can become the person you want to be.”
”That's deep. And it sounds like it would be very hard to achieve that.”
”But it's not. It's actually the easiest thing in the world. It's all about learning to love yourself. Once you admit that you are the most important person in your life, then you can feel assured of yourself. With good self-esteem, it comes easy for you to be kind and genuine. It's the key to everything.”
”And how do I explain that to Mikyung…”
”Don't tell her. You have to show it to her.”
”I will do my best. By the way, this side of you is… very unexpected.”
Jiwoo grinned and replied, ”Oh, you mean my serious side? Well, I have many interesting sides to me!”
***
It was a perfectly beautiful day. The sun was shining brightly, and the sky was clear without any clouds. It seemed like the world was a happy place, except for Hyoyoung.
All the guys were asleep as it was very early in the morning. Quietly, Hyoyoung got ready and left the house to go to the nearby playground. She looked and acted like a hooligan, playing on the swing, hanging on to the metal pole, and kicking the sand.
After goofing around for a while, Hyoyoung laid down on a bench.
Suddenly, someone said to her from behind, ”You could've just asked me to go for a walk with you.”
”AAAHHHHHH.”
”Sorry if you were expecting Jiwoo.”
It was Kiwook.
He continued, ”Jiwoo was right. You must have many sins since you get shocked so often. Why did you scream?”
Kiwook smiled and hugged her gently. Hyoyoung replied, ”You know who makes me commit these sins.”
”I know. It's us, the guys.”
”If you know, why do you bother asking?”
”Cause I feel sorry. I feel guilty and horrible that we are making you take on the whole burden on your own.”