FBF chapter 23 part 4

The kiss was quick, like lightning. Before I could gather my thoughts, my body had already turned away. Lee Jihoon had bent down and was changing into another pair of shoes. Incredulity washed over me at the realization that he had chosen the exact pair of shoes he had worn earlier.

“Jihoon is off to work, kiss kiss.”

As Lee Jihoon replaced the shoeshine tool back to its original spot, the tune he hummed to himself was oddly familiar. I belatedly recognized that it was a repurposed children’s song.

“Even when Jihoon comes back, kiss kiss.”

…Surely he doesn’t sing like that outside.

While I was still in shock, I caught the eye of the guy who had turned around to grab the doorknob. The humming stopped, and he wore an unexpectedly serious expression. It was enough to make me forget the absurdity of the moment and focus on him.

“Seon-uk, next time we go to the hospital, ask that. No, I should go with you to ask.”

“…About what?”

“Is there a limit on the frequency of strenuous exercise?”

As soon as I understood his words, Lee Jihoon opened the door. I anticipated his reaction and prepared to make a run for it.

“Sweetie, I’m going to make a lot of money!”

I could hear his playful voice through the closing door. He seemed so pleased to toy with me until the end. It wasn’t until I heard his footsteps fade away that I covered my face with my hands. Honestly… being able to say things like that starting from 11 AM is quite a talent.

Yesterday, I’d confirmed at the hospital that my condition was good, and the frequency of visits from the caretaker lady would be reduced to once a week starting this week. I grabbed my car keys, planning to buy some necessities in advance. It was the first time I was driving after three months. As I adjusted to the slightly unfamiliar feel of the car keys, my steps halted abruptly.

Something felt off. It was definitely my car. The model, the license plate… but what on earth was that wording stuck on the back of the window? I didn’t remember attaching anything.

Feeling puzzled, I approached the car. The wording became clearer as I got closer. I stood still for a moment, unable to believe my eyes, then finally composed myself to pull out my phone. There was only one person who could pull something like this off, the person who would know where I parked my car and think to sneakily stick something like this on.

It wasn’t long before I heard the click of the call connecting. I skipped the greetings and went straight to the main point.

“Did you put this on my car?”

I rubbed my forehead and glanced at the wording that was still hard to believe. I also kept checking to see if anyone was around, my heart sinking at the thought of someone witnessing me in front of the car displaying such wording. The large, white letters gleamed as if mocking me.

“There’s a baby inside.”

– Wow, you checked quickly. Did you drive it out that fast?

Lee Jihoon answered nonchalantly, showing no sign of remorse.

“Seriously, what? When did you… what on earth were you thinking… why?”

– I figured that would be the only way to find out if you took my car without telling me?

“……”

– You would have definitely called if you saw it, just like now.

What kind of person sticks a sticker like this to spy on their partner’s commitments? It was outrageously unheard of, and I couldn’t even figure out where to start reprimanding him. Seizing on the brief moment of confusion, he slyly questioned.

– So, where’s my baby going right now?

I reflexively hung up. When Lee Jihoon called back, I rejected the call every time, eventually ignoring him. As I contemplated how to remove the sticker, five missed calls stacked up. Surely, he would learn a lesson about this kind of prank. By the sixth call, I decided to pick up. As soon as the connection was made, he immediately yelled into the phone, as if to prevent the call from being cut off again.

– Ah, I won’t! I promise!

Though his laughing voice irked me, I knew that cutting off his call again would only be to my detriment. According to the flight schedule he had shared with me, he would soon be boarding a plane. Still, I wouldn’t let this absurd situation slide. I glanced around once more as I approached the car. After confirming that no one was around, I swiftly grabbed the edge of the sticker and peeled it off. The text “There’s a baby inside” now read “There’s a kite inside.”

It was utterly ridiculous. With gritted teeth, I warned Lee Jihoon.

“Don’t ever pull… this crazy thing again.”

– What’s wrong? Baby?

“…I’m hanging up.”

– Hey! I was just checking, police officer! You sure are impatient.

“Speaking of which, stickers like this are supposed to be for people who really need them. If you misuse or forge them…”

– I got it, police officer. I promise I won’t do it again, just please stop scolding me.

His voice sounded more exhausted than mine, which made me finally chuckle. It seemed like he laughed with me when he caught onto that chuckle. After we shared a laugh, he spoke again, his tone no longer playful.

– Will you come pick me up tomorrow? I want to see you soon.

I held onto my phone just a bit tighter. Just as I had waited to hear that, he must have been waiting to say it. A tingling feeling began to rise from deep inside me, settling at my throat. I expressed that tingling in the way I could articulate.

“Sure. I’ll go.”

– ……

“You’ll find me there when you arrive.”

When I went to pick him up tomorrow, I would first reprimand him for this ridiculous act and then ask how his flight had been. As our conversation flowed, I might even ask first. How was Australia? Did he manage to visit any famous attractions during the long layover? I imagined what he might have done and had already watched all the documentaries about Australia. I learned the name of a well-known restaurant that served freshly deep-fried fish and chips from the sea there and the name of a beach that surfers preferred due to its large waves. I could say that over the past three months, I had researched over ten countries in this way.