The story told by Lee Tae-hwa, who was sitting across from me, began. The narrative aligned with what Noah had mentioned earlier.
And then there was that particular situation.
The story of the situation where Tae-hwa had hurled harsh words at Noah.
“So, why did you do that to Noah back then?”
“…I just wasn’t feeling well at all.”
“Feeling?”
Tae-hwa slowly nodded.
“How could I feel good?”
“…”
“When a close friend ended up like that because of me.”
Saying this, Tae-hwa took a sip of the drink. It seemed as if their insides were boiling.
I intently observed the kid’s expression. Among the various emotions present, the strongest ones were regret and guilt.
Tae-hwa stared at me for a while before asking,
“Uncle, what do you think you would have done in such a situation?”
“What situation?”
“If Noah tried helping you and got slapped and fell down.”
“…He’d be treated like a dog.”
“I’d react the same way.”
Gripping the cup tighter, Tae-hwa’s hand tensed up.
“It’s my fault Noah went through that. If only we hadn’t been friends, maybe he wouldn’t have experienced such things. That’s why… I deliberately did it. I thought if Noah stayed away from me, they wouldn’t bother him…right?”
“There’s no guarantee that would happen though. They actually got worse, didn’t they?”
“That’s right. They became incredibly malicious afterward. From then on, they openly targeted Noah.”
“…”
“No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop everything.”
“Did you try apologizing to Noah?”
“I attempted it after realizing my actions were ineffective, several times.”
“But Noah didn’t accept your apology?”
“It wasn’t about acceptance. Noah kept avoiding me.”
The situation became clearer.
Tae-hwa had acted out of concern for Noah.
Seeing Noah get hit stirred strong emotions, leading Tae-hwa to believe that it happened because they were friends.
Thinking that Noah wouldn’t face such situations if they weren’t friends, Tae-hwa intentionally hurled insults at Noah.
Due to this, Noah, upset, started avoiding Tae-hwa, escalating the situation further.
A sigh escaped involuntarily.
“…Huh… Are you two idiots?”
“Huh?”
“You should’ve talked! In fact, if you had met and had a proper conversation, this would’ve been resolved long ago!”
“That’s… true.”
“To drag something this simple out for so long? I’ll have to say something to Noah too. That guy holds grudges for a long time.”
Most problems are like this. Meeting, talking, and understanding each other resolves them.
If Noah and Tae-hwa had talked, the issue would’ve been settled much sooner.
…Well, considering that even war can break out due to lack of communication, this is pretty cute.
“So, does Noah remain an important friend to you?”
“Of course! I don’t understand why I acted that way. So foolish.”
“You were thinking about Noah. You believed that by doing this, Noah would be able to live well.”
“It didn’t work out, though.”
“That’s result-oriented thinking. Anyway, Noah is still an important friend to you, right?”
“Yes. Truly, very important, my friend.”
With conviction in her voice, I pulled out my phone from my pocket.
Facing the phone still in mid-call, I spoke aloud.
“Isn’t that right? Noah.”
“Huh?”
Tae-hwa’s eyes widened in genuine surprise.
“Uncle, wait a moment… Is that Noah?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you talking to Noah!?”
“That’s because I forgot to end the call.”
“Am I supposed to believe that now-”
“I’m not one to care much about methods.”
With that,
The call disconnected, and a message popped up.
[Noah]
[Wait there, I’ll come right away.]
“Oh.”
“Why are you acting like that?”
“It seems like he’s coming here personally?”
“Uh…what should we do?”
“There’s nothing to do. Since everything has been said, you two need to properly reconcile this time.”
The stage has been set. At this point, I can say I’ve fulfilled my promise quite faithfully.
Now, what matters is the conversation that happens on this stage. It will determine the relationship between Noah and Tae-hwa.
‘I guess I should step back.’
I’ve done all I can. It would be great if Noah reconciles, but…
‘Even if not, that’s Noah’s choice.’
Ultimately, it’s something Noah and Tae-hwa need to figure out themselves. Sipping coffee through a straw, I waited for Noah.
The café door opened, and a girl with white hair entered.
It was Noah.
Right now,
“Wowwww…”
“… Huff…”
Her expression was cold enough to send chills down one’s spine.
‘So this is why she’s called Snow Maiden.’
Looking at her face, I understood why she earned that nickname. I glanced at Tae-hwa.
The look in his eyes was like prey waiting to be devoured.
+++++
“Th-then, you two talk. I’ll leave.”
Shin Hyun disappeared as if fleeing, and Noah took his place.
“…”
“…”
“…”
“…Huff.”
Thirsty.
Noah finished the coffee Shin Hyun had been drinking. Every sip through the straw slightly quenched her thirst.
Still, her expression remained icy.
“Noah, did you hear everything?”
Nod.
“Even the reason why I acted that way?”
Nod.
“Um… Are you still really mad?”
Shake.
“…Not that much anymore.”
“You sure were.”
Instead of answering, Noah closed her mouth. Seeing this, Tae-hwa, anxious, couldn’t hold back any longer.
“…Sorry. My method was wrong.”
“…”
“To hurt you like that wasn’t right.”
“…”
“I did it for you! But giving you pain… I must seem like a huge idiot, right?”
Shake.
As Noah shook her head, Tae-hwa unknowingly smiled.
“…No.”
It felt like the ice was melting slightly.
Once the mouth opened, the rest flowed smoothly. Tae-hwa repeatedly bowed her head while Noah quietly maintained her expressionless demeanor.
The earnest apology and her inner thoughts.
There were tears welling up slightly in Noah’s eyes.
They were drops formed from melting ice.
“Why are you crying?”
“…”
“You haven’t changed.”
“…What?”
“You’re the same as before. You looked like an Ice Witch on the outside, but inside, you were so soft that you cried a lot.”
“I never did that.”
Even as Noah denied it, her voice carried moisture.
“I was just a little sad.”
“Sorry.”
“You did it for me, right? Then, saying those things to you wasn’t right either.”
“It was my mistake. I thought if I did that, they wouldn’t bother you.”
“…You’re an idiot.”
“Yeah, an idiot.”
Noah chuckled inwardly at this.
Who was calling whom an idiot?
The uncle’s words from earlier came to mind.
“Have a proper conversation! If you had met and had a proper talk, this would’ve been resolved long ago!”
“…Huff… I’m sorry too for being upset and running away.”
“I’m sorry too… For saying those unnecessary things…”
The two girls continued their conversation. About the grievances and apologies.
In doing so, the conversation flowed naturally. It was strange.
It had been almost two years since they last had a proper conversation, yet they were still best friends whose chemistry clicked perfectly.
It made you wonder why they didn’t do this sooner.
It was somewhat anticlimactic.
“What were we doing all this time?”
“Hmm… Actually, I’m still a little upset.”
“Sorry, Noah… What should we do? Should I make it up to you with this body?”
Tae-hwa slightly lowered the collar of her top.
Noah made a displeased expression.
“No.”
“Ah… Right, you have a boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend?”
“The uncle. Isn’t he your boyfriend?”
Taking the opportunity, Tae-hwa asked the question she wanted to ask.
“Is that uncle really your boyfriend?”
“…”
“Was the uncle your first love?”
It didn’t make sense.
First love? Boyfriend?
After pondering for a while, Noah remembered. The day she re-met Tae-hwa, she introduced the uncle as her boyfriend.
‘This fool!’
She hurriedly needed to clarify.
If she didn’t, they might really think the uncle was her lover.
‘Uh…?’
But why didn’t she want to deny it?
This shouldn’t be happening. They’re just a good uncle and young niece kind of relationship.
Caught off guard by the strange feeling for a moment, Tae-hwa’s eyes sparkled.
Apparently interpreting the silence as affirmation.
“A first love and a lover… How romantic.”
“…He’s not my first love.”
“Huh? Then what?”
“I’ve never been in love. Therefore, he’s not my boyfriend. The uncle is not my boyfriend.”
Surprised by these words, Tae-hwa showed a startled expression.
“He patted you, fed you food by mouth, and you seemed really happy.”
“That’s… Don’t people who are close do that…?”
“Noah.”
“Yes?”
“How far did you go? Tell me quickly.”
Noah instantly felt the tables turn.
Startled by that tenacious gaze, Noah began hesitating.
After much deliberation, she confessed everything to Tae-hwa about their encounters.
“Patting, hugging, and even sleeping in the same bed… and you say you’re not dating?”
“…”
“Is the uncle really okay, Noah?”
Tae-hwa started worrying about Noah.
Perhaps suspecting some sinister motive.
Upon reflection, it was understandable.
Doing those things to a minor and frequently visiting their home, not to mention sleeping in the same bed last night!
“He’s a good person.”
“Specifically?”
“He took care of me when I was sick, bought me soup, often pats me…”
“And?”
“Yesterday, when I cried, he even let me use his arm as a pillow!”
“Did you enjoy it?”
“…Yes. My heart raced, and my body felt like it was floating on clouds…”
“But you say he’s not your boyfriend or your first love?”
“…Yes.”
Hearing this, Tae-hwa said to Noah while staring at her intently,
“We call that love.”
“L-Love?”
“Yes, Noah’s first love is that uncle.”
“Wha—”
Noah’s face turned as red as a strawberry.
“No way.”
“Huh?”
“If my first love is that uncle, it absolutely cannot be.”
