THE TRACE OF LOVE // 양정원

제 10 과

I am surprised. I used to be a bit confident about getting him into the study date before I got to know him. But I lost it when I did.

But when he accepted it when I wasn't expecting very soon, rather than regaining the confidence, I feel weird.

Why did he accept it now?

Or is it that he denied it only because he didn't know the real reason? Now, he has so he decided to help me out?

But my incertitude doesn't stop me from texting him as soon as I got home.

(Do you really agree to let me tutor you?)

He replies rather fast too.

(Thinking about it, you are tutoring me free.)

He's right though. I get paid 40 bucks a week for tutoring the two six-year-old girls of my uncle even though I do it to make my student life effective.

(But you know why I would do it)
(Right?)

The whole plan is to get Daisy and Jay together.

(Match-making. Sure)

I giggle under my breath as I can imagine him scoffing while writing it. I like his message.

(I think it would be better if we meet in some cafe or somewhere like that because your house would be crowded with four of us)

(Can I call you?)

A small jerk of heartbeat befalls imagining talking with him on phone.
Well, it isn't the first time I've ever talked to guys on phone anyways.

(Sure)

But why do I suddenly get nervous when his number enters almost immediately? I pick up and gulp down some weird nervousness.

"Daffodil?"

Dubiously, he calls as if he's checking if it's really me. Or if I am really on the line with him.
The way his clear firm voice sounds my name for the first time somehow ripples my breath.

"Hey" but I manage to sound as usual.

"I'm kinda lazy to text. Is it okay if we just talk? Since we both have each other's number anyways." He talks collectedly.

I smile, "yeah, sure."

A pause comes through. Not to make our conversation awkward, I begin, "so I was saying maybe we should do our study date somewhere outside because you know, it'd be a bit uncomfortable for—Umm, for the four of us, you know?"

It is an innocent truth that I've never been to a guy's house before. Considering Jungwon and I aren't close enough, I would be the most uncomfortable to be in his place.

"I don't like studying outside." He tersely says.

"Oh," I hum, not knowing what to reply.

"My house isn't crowded on weekdays. It's just me all alone. My parents usually come back around 8. I'm assuming me you wouldn't want to tutor me until 8."

The school ends at 3. If we start our study at 4, we can finish it around 6. The time works well. But I am indeed hesitant to go to his place. I wonder if Daisy would be the same too. She's more timid with boys than I do.

"I think about an hour would be fine."

"Will you me tutor me everyday?"

I can't. Three days at most. My family would be suspicious if I come back home at 6 every day.

"Of course not. Maybe—three days a week?"

This is harder than I thought it would. Again, why did I thought me tutoring Jungwon to help Daisy was a good idea. Tutoring him would be more than just a fun plan. It is a commitment.

I guess the urge to cut the cackle of Daisy conquered everything back then.

I frown a bit as his reply doesn't come. A few seconds has passed and I feel weird in my stomach again.

"Jungwon?" I softly call.

"Yeah. I'm wondering how far you will help them. Will you stop tutoring me if they—"

Oh, right. But I suddenly feel bad about the entire plan, realizing it looks like I'm using him to manifest my plan over Daisy.

"—actually, I don't know." I confess.

He pauses for a while then says, "Jay comes to my house every once a week. Maybe you can bring your friend then. For that favor, you have to help me with Physics until this semester exam."

He makes a good idea.

"Yeah, I think it would work." I smile.

"But just so you know," he sighs, "I don't like studying outside and I also, don't like studying with many people around. Not especially in my room."

My heartbeat gets a tad faster as I guess what he's getting at.

"except that one day with Jay and you friend, I want to be alone the other two days."

He nonchalantly adds, "with you."