Chapter Text
Thankfully, only two days go by before a new opportunity appears.
Jake
Hey
So apparently Yonsei is looking for english teachers
Idk if you’ll be able to match their programme
But it’s worth a try
[email protected]
That’s their email
Sunghoon
Hey Jake, thank you so much
I’ll email them immediately
Tell Heeseung-hyung I’m very grateful
Jake
Will do!!!
Good luck
Sunghoon turns on his laptop while Sooyoung plays by his side, too immersed in her toys. He logs into his e-mail and goes through the latest messages, discarding the usual spam and bookmarking important ones, like his bank statement. It’s a nagging reminder.
Even if it’s been a while since he last applied for a job, and his resume looks outdated compared to current trends, Sunghoon reads over it a few times and then starts redacting the e-mail. At the end, he attaches the file and simply prays.
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Application for English Instructor Position
Dear Hiring Committee,
I hope this message finds you well.
I am writing to express my interest in the English Instructor position at the University. Please find my resume attached for your review. I am very interested in contributing to your academic community and would welcome the opportunity to further discuss my qualifications.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Park Sunghoon
Sooyoung stands up and walks to his side. She tugs at his arm and Sunghoon snaps out of the overthinking trance.
“Dad, I’m hungry,” she announces, rubbing her stomach.
It’s then that Sunghoon glances at the clock and almost curses. Lately, he’s been experiencing time in an odd way, it passes by very quickly as the present moment fades away.
“Sorry, honey,” Sunghoon apologizes and holds her hands, “I’ll make dinner now, do you wanna help?”
“Yes!”
They head to the kitchen, and Sunghoon picks Sooyoung up, placing her down on the counter. From there, she becomes the head chef. Her words encourage him, and even if her directions aren’t precise, Sunghoon follows her lead while switching the rice cooker on and washing some vegetables.
“Is that spinach?” Sooyoung asks.
Sunghoon’s aware of the intention behind the question, still, he nods. “Yes.”
“I don’t like it!”
“You always eat it, sweetie, you just don’t know,” he tries to reason with her.
She pouts. “Dad, I don’t want it.”
“If you eat the spinach today, I’ll buy you a cookie tomorrow, okay?” Sunghoon offers. Bibimbap has always been one of Sooyoung’s favorite meals, but she doesn’t usually see the behind-the-scenes.
“Hmm,” Sooyoung makes a pensive face, “okay! Pinky promise?”
“Of course,” he smiles and locks his pinky finger with Sooyoung’s.
She claps, excitedly, and Sunghoon sees her eyes twinkling. It fills him with love, profound adoration. Even if he’s tired from working with children all morning, and also taking care of Sooyoung once he’s at home, her expression is rewarding. Making every single complicated situation worth it, gratifying. Sunghoon would choose her all over again, in every universe and lifetime.
They eat dinner peacefully, exchanging a few words. Sooyoung appears to be drowsy, so she doesn’t say much and eats her food, completely ignoring the spinach. That’s enough for Sunghoon.
“I’m done,” Sooyoung states, then. Sunghoon glances at her plate, just in case.
“Good,” he says with a smile, “go brush your teeth and wait for me, I’ll tuck you in.”
“I can do it myself!” She exclaims and hops off her chair.
Sunghoon will continuously keep picturing her as a three-year-old. She’s grown so much, but he still hasn’t fully accepted it. And now there are no bedtime stories, or putting her to bed comfortably.
“Can I have a goodnight kiss, at least?” Pouting as if he’s the child, Sunghoon asks.
She giggles and drops a kiss on Sunghoon’s cheek. “Done!”
“Wait, you forgot mine, sweetheart,” Sunghoon tells her. Sooyoung huffs yet walks closer so he can kiss her forehead. Once Sunghoon cradles her face and places his lips on her forehead, he lets go.
Sooyoung marches to the bathroom, and Sunghoon sighs, faint but weary. He’s exhausted, which isn’t Sooyoung’s fault at all, it’s the overloading routine and worries that fill him up. The anxiety of the uncertain and unpredictable future, balancing work and bringing up a child. Sunghoon knows that’s exactly what being an adult means, consisting of facing hardships and learning to level each one accordingly. And he has a long way ahead.
He passes by Sooyoung’s room and glimpses inside, seeing her in bed with the lights already off. A smile spreads across his face, proud and delighted.
Tomorrow will be a new day, as always.
-
Sunghoon stares at his closet and exhales, audibly.
Thinking back on his past, he doesn’t remember ever being indecisive about what to wear. Fashion was never a statement for him, and Sunghoon would wear whatever fit and felt appropriate. Now, he glances at his watch and back at his clothes, which are mockingly staring back at him, and feels a bit uneasy.
The reason behind his disquietude, mainly coming from not knowing what to wear, becomes evident when Sunghoon imagines himself in that brown coat again at the coffee shop. Sunoo gazes at him, and Sunghoon feels intimidated, watched. All in his imagination, of course.
Sooyoung knocks on his door, then.
“Come in, sweetie,” Sugnhoon says and grabs a beige puffer jacket from the closet.
“Are you ready, Dad?”
“Almost,” he replies, “do you like this jacket?”
Like every child, Sooyoung is honest and shakes her head. “I don’t like it.”
“Why? What should I wear?” Sunghoon doesn’t know why he’s asking his six-year-old daughter for fashion advice.
“Uhm…” She ponders over it, walking closer to Sunghoon’s closet. “This one!”
Her hand reaches for a gray checkered blazer Sunghoon hasn’t worn in ages. Still, he takes it out and places it over his body, checking himself out in the mirror.
“This one?” Sunghoon questions, “I look old.”
“You’re old,” she giggles, already sensing the reprimanding look he sends her way. “I’m sorry! Please wear it, Dad.”
“Okay,” he surrenders, “but I’m only doing it for you.”
They have their usual breakfast and depart, Sunghoon praying Sooyoung doesn’t remember he promised her a cookie. Internally and very at the back of his head, he hopes she sees the coffee shop and reminds him, because Sunghoon wants to see the pink-haired beauty. It’s piteous, the way his mind works.
Obviously, as the coffee shop materializes in the distance and Sooyoung is able to perceive it, she softly pulls at his hand to catch his attention.
“Dad!” She exclaims, “I ate the spinach. Can I get a cookie?”
Sunghoon squints at her. “Did you eat it all?”
“I did!”
“Really?”
“You promised,” Sooyoung pouts. And Sunghoon would never break a pinky promise.
“Okay,” he gives the nod, “but do you wanna save half for tonight? You can have half now.”
“Mmh,” looking up as if deep in thought, she says, “okay.”
The shop is nearly vacant, like almost every morning at the time they visit. But Sunoo is nowhere to be seen, and it scares Sunghoon a little how deep the disappointment settles in him. He looks around, searching for a pink head, and comes up empty-handed.
For the sake of his dignity, Sunghoon pretends to be still deciding what to order. Sooyoung gets close to the cookie display and considers which one to choose, so he ducks his head to her height and observes the pastries with her.
“Dad, is that a new one?” She asks, pointing at one of the cookies.
“I think so,” Sunghoon replies, “I don’t know the flavor, though.”
That angelic voice speaks, then. “It’s an Oreo cookie, very delicious!”
“Oh, hey,” he turns to face him and blushes, glowing.
“Oppa!” Sooyoung jumps twice on her feet, thrilled. “Thank you for the cookie you gifted me!”
It melts Sunghoon’s heart, because he didn’t need to remind her to be thankful, it simply came out of her. That could be the bare minimum, but for a father, it means the world.
“You liked it? I’m so glad,” Sunoo beams at her, and Sunghoon steps back to let them both shine.
“It was very yummy,” she tells Sunoo, “I want that new one, now, please.”
“So, the usual, sir?” Sunoo asks, now facing him. Sunghoon avoids eye contact at all costs.
“Uh, yes, please,” his hands sweat. It’s very pathetic.
“Good! To go, right?”
Sunghoon nods and Sunoo turns around, readily making his coffee. He tries really hard not to stare, at his shoulders, his waist. Now, with Sooyoung by his side, he focuses on her. She appears genuinely happy, and perhaps it’s just the thought of having a sweet cookie, but Sunghoon likes to believe it’s deeper than that. Being a father changed his perception of life, completely.
“Here,” Sunoo hands him the hot cup of coffee, mindfully placing a sleeve around it.
“Thank you,” he says and grabs both the cup and the paper bag with the cookie.
Taking out his credit card and placing it near the device, he waits for the usual beep. When it doesn’t emit any sound, Sunghoon frowns.
“Sorry, I think it ran out of battery,” Sunoo says, followed by a long sigh. “Let me plug in the charger.”
He smiles politely. “No worries.”
Seemingly, the charger doesn’t work either. The device doesn’t turn on, and Sooyoung begins tiptoeing to get a better look.
“You can pay later, sir. I don’t want you to be late,” Sunoo tells him with a panicked voice. “You look really fancy today, so I’m guessing you must have a busy day ahead—”
“Do you like the jacket he’s wearing, oppa?” Sooyoung interrupts, making Sunghoon freeze, and Sunoo lets out a chuckle. “I picked it!”
“It’s very elegant, I like it,” he nods, and Sooyoung giggles.
He’s painfully aware of the heat on his cheeks, probably a scarlet color. Still, Sunghoon composes himself and glances at his watch. If they don’t hurry up, Sooyoung will be late.
“I’ll see if I have cash on me—”
“Sir, it’s fine, you can pay tomorrow or whenever you can, no worries,” Sunoo reassures him.
If he doesn’t stop calling Sunghoon sir, he’s sure he will implode.
“Thank you so much, I’ll be here tomorrow,” the corners of his mouth twist into a grin. Sunghoon can’t help it, feeling overwhelmed by it all. “We’ll get going.”
“See you,” waving, Sunoo smiles back.
As they exit the shop and Sunghoon catches a glimpse of his reflection wearing the blazer, he immediately understands why Sunoo calls him sir and Sooyoung describes him as old.
Still, once home, he takes it out and hangs it neatly near his regular clothes.
Fancy, elegant. Those words roam around his head freely.
-
Sunghoon gets dressed decisively this time.
He doesn’t overthink or hesitate. The checkered blazer hugs his body perfectly, and even though Sunghoon isn’t on duty today, he dresses as if he’s teaching his usual hours.
Sooyoung seems to be conflicted about what to wear, now. Sunghoon quietly sneaks a look inside her room, just to make sure she didn’t fall back asleep, and finds her posing in front of the mirror. He chuckles and knocks on her door.
“Yes, come in,” she says.
“Do you know what to wear, sweetheart?” Locking eyes through the mirror, Sunghoon asks.
She shakes her head and turns around. “Can you help, Dad?”
“Of course, show me.”
Holding up a baby pink sweater with small rabbits on it, Sooyoung hovers the clothes over her pajamas, testing the first outfit.
“This sweater,” she presents, then, after a few seconds, switches to a baby blue sweater with a Hello Kitty stamp, “or this one.”
Sunghoon ponders over it for a moment, analyzing each one. She waits, patiently.
“The blue one,” he finally chooses. “You always wear pink, so you can change it up, right?”
“But I like pink!” She exclaims, pouting, as if Sunghoon’s choice was incorrect.
“Why did you ask for my opinion, then?” With a bit of a challenging tone, Sunghoon asks.
“I like Hello Kitty…” Sooyoung begins, “but I really like the pink, too… And rabbits.”
“Then that’s your choice, honey.”
Huffing, she discards the blue sweater and places the pink one on her bed, assembling the final outfit.
“I’ll go cook us breakfast, okay?” He says. “Once you’re done, come to the kitchen.”
“Okay!”
The Gyeran-mari recipe is so engraved in his brain that making it is an instinct by now. Sunghoon finishes it and plates Sooyoung’s portion, leaving it on the table for her along with some banana milk. While she’s still getting dressed, Sunghoon puts some fruits inside the blender and pours himself a fresh shake. It’s really nice and rich in flavor, yet he misses that strong and scorching Americano.
An addiction that shouldn’t have evolved. Sunghoon allows it, anyway.
“I’m ready!” Sooyoung announces, and shows up in the kitchen wearing the light blue sweater.
“You changed?” Sunghoon asks, confused.
“Yes!” She grins and climbs up the chair. “I wanted to look different today and you chose it.”
“Well, you look very nice, sweetie,” he compliments her and smiles back.
They eat and have a pleasant chat about Sooyoung’s progress at school, which Sunghoon appreciates because he doesn’t like meddling in her learning experience without her consent. It’s good to know she does well, doesn’t have trouble adapting, and adores English classes because her teacher is a foreigner.
Sooyoung grabs her backpack, and they depart. Sunghoon’s still getting used to his workload getting cut short, and he almost reaches for his briefcase on their way out.
Evidently, the street is still undergoing public works, so they divert towards the habitual path and follow it until they near the coffee shop, and Sooyoung shoots him a questioning look. Sunghoon simply guides her past it, disregarding the confusion on her face, quickening the pace because he plans on visiting the place later.
“We’re not seeing Sunoo-oppa?” She asks, puzzled.
“You’ll be late,” Sunghoon replies and Sooyoung simply nods, matching his speed.
After dropping Sooyoung off, he makes his way back home, taking the same route. This time, Sunghoon stops in front of the coffee shop and proceeds to breathe in deeply. He mentally prepares what to say, his reactions, and responses. The glass reflects his nervous expression and the crooked lapel of his blazer.
Sunghoon fixes his collar and walks in, pushing the door open. It all crumbles down when he makes eye contact with Sunoo.
The pink-haired stunner beams at him instantly, and Sunghoon doesn’t know how to take such a bright smile. His body goes taut, and he gulps, rummaging through his head in search of appropriate words. Sunghoon tries to remind himself he’s just there to pay what he owes, but each day, Sunoo becomes more and more gorgeous, leaving him speechless. It’s unfair.
“Hello, sir,” Sunoo greets him.
Acknowledging it, Sunghoon smiles and advances to the front counter. “Hey, Sunoo-ssi.”
Somehow, Sunoo’s still startled at the mention of his name. It’s right there, written on a tag attached to his apron, but perhaps he’s not used to people using it. Sunghoon already feels embarrassed.
“The usual?” He asks.
“Yeah, and I’ll pay for yesterday’s order, too,” Sunghoon replies, pulling out his credit card.
“No worries—”
“Seriously, I’m paying for it,” stopping Sunoo from letting him off, he states.
“Okay…” Sunoo grabs the card reader. “An Americano, no cookie today, right?”
“Yes,” Sunghoon nods, “and I’ll have it here, please.”
“Great!”
Once the device beeps, Sunghoon puts his card back inside his wallet and pockets it, waiting in place. Sunoo turns to the coffee machine to prepare his drink, and again, Sunghoon glances down at his dainty waist, hugged by the back ties of his apron. He feels guilty, eyes unable to focus on anything else but Sunoo’s figure, and gets so lost in his own thoughts that Sunghoon doesn’t notice other people entering the shop.
“Excuse me,” a man taps his shoulder, “are you in line?”
“Oh,” Sunghoon snaps out of it and moves aside, “I already ordered, sorry.”
“You can find a table, sir,” Sunoo suggests to him, “I’ll bring it to you.”
Nodding, he heads towards the table area and chooses the one by the window. The sun is strong but not harsh. Sunghoon feels it on his skin, warm and golden, and so he basks in the sunlight while waiting for his coffee. It seemingly gets busier, as Sunoo takes the orders of the incoming customers, and a woman in the back finishes making his drink.
She approaches his table once Sunoo indicates where he’s seated and smiles politely, placing the cup in front of him.
“Here it is,” the lady says, “sorry for the delay.”
“No worries, thank you.”
Sunghoon notices she doesn’t have a nametag like Sunoo, so he just takes note of her face. For now, he sits upright and sips on his coffee. It’s hot and rich in flavor, which he needed. This eternal and icy winter makes Sunghoon want to stay in bed all day, forget his responsibilities, simply snuggle under the blankets, and rest.
Rest is for the weak, though. Sunghoon can’t allow himself to slow down and relax when he has a daughter to care for. Sooyoung is sort of his anchor back to earth, whenever he feels sad and unmotivated, her bright smile pops into his mind. And Sunghoon keeps on moving, trying, living.
He looks outside the window and zones out, completely. It happens often, his mind turning blank. Because he’s not lost in thought or daydreaming, Sunghoon simply tunes out of reality.
His phone vibrates in his pocket, bringing him back to the present moment.
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Application for English Instructor Position
Dear Mr. Park,
Thank you for your application for the English Instructor position and for your interest in joining our academic community.
After reviewing your materials, we are pleased to inform you that you have been shortlisted for the next stage of the selection process. We would like to invite you to attend an interview with the Hiring Committee tomorrow, at 10:30 a.m. The interview will take place at the teaching department of Yonsei University.
The interview will last approximately 30-45 minutes and will include a brief discussion of your teaching experience and approach. If applicable, you may also be asked to provide a short demonstration of your teaching methods.
Kindly confirm your availability at your earliest convenience. Should the proposed time not be suitable, please let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate you.
We look forward to speaking with you soon.
Sincerely,
Hiring Committee
Yonsei University
Sunghoon smiles. It’s a huge step forward, having the interview, doesn’t matter the outcome. Ideally, they give him a proper workload and a formal pay which allows him to live comfortably. Still, Sunghoon quickly writes a reply to the e-mail, confirming his attendance.
Contentedly, he finishes his coffee and remains seated as the sunlight touches his skin softly.
Then he witnesses an unexpected occurrence. During all this time, Sunghoon was convinced Sunoo worked full-time, except now he sees Sunoo removing his apron and coming out from behind the counter.
“Text me later, honey,” the woman who served his coffee says, seemingly to Sunoo.
“I will, Mom,” Sunoo replies.
His brain makes the connection, but Sunghoon is too entranced by Sunoo’s tight white shirt to realize. The way he moves and walks is hypnotizing.
The shift switch happens quickly, Sunoo exits the shop and his mother takes over. Sunghoon glances at his watch and realizes he definitely should go home, do some lesson planning, and have lunch.
He gets up and leaves, catching a glimpse of his reflection again. His collar is uneven, but Sunghoon doesn’t even bother fixing it now. Walking determinedly, he ignores every nagging thought.
Once home, Sunghoon opens his laptop and dives into work. It clears his mind, or fills it with teaching-related material, so he becomes immune to daydreaming or overthinking. He creates a timetable, too, including his current workload and free time, which is useful to keep in mind for his interview tomorrow.
Sunghoon hasn’t had a job interview in quite some time. The idea terrifies him, freezing as words get stuck in his throat. It’s still a challenge he must face.
For Sooyoung, for their future.
-
It becomes some sort of lucky charm, the checkered blazer.
Sunghoon wears it because it’s formal and somehow academic. And it also makes him look older than he actually is, according to Sooyoung, and in a way, Sunoo. It fits, it’s comfortable, and this time Sunghoon makes sure to adjust the collar properly.
“Why are you wearing that jacket?” Sooyoung questions during breakfast.
“You chose it, remember?” He reminds her.
“Yes…”
“And it looks good, right?” Sunghoon searches for his daughter’s validation because, at the end of the day, kids don’t lie.
“Yes! You look good, Dad,” she replies and takes a sip of her orange juice.
He obviously didn’t tell her about the interview and possible new job, as he’s not sure of the outcome and how she’d react. Not even Jake knows. And Sunghoon isn’t even nervous yet, because if he gives it enough thought, he will surely lose any composure left in him.
After they finish eating, Sunghoon grabs his briefcase and hands Sooyoung her backpack, departing.
The coffee shop is tempting, but he has to walk by and guide Sooyoung past it, as time is very valuable and Sunghoon knows he’s overcaffeinated because of last week. Now, he drops off Sooyoung and heads to work, only two hours left for the evaluation.
Too immersed in teaching children new vocabulary, Sunghoon doesn’t notice time going by until the kids are putting their belongings away, heading to recess. He peeks at his watch and hurriedly makes his way back home, still ignoring the pressure on his chest as the time nears.
Sunghoon checks himself in the mirror three times, making sure the lapels of his blazer are even, his collar straight, and his hair is neatly styled. As soon as he gets into his car, it dawns on him. This job position has great potential, to grow as a professional and also financially, given that the University is very prestigious. Yet, as high as its status is, as demanding and exigent they are.
It could all go sideways, but Sunghoon isn’t giving up.
There’s a barrier at the entrance, and swiftly, a security guard comes up to him.
“Where are you heading, sir?” He asks.
“Hello, the teaching department, I’m here for a job interview,” rolling down his window, Sunghoon replies.
“Name?” The man takes out what appears to be a tablet.
“Park Sunghoon.”
“Great, come in,” the gate raises, seemingly by whatever the man puts in the tablet. “You should follow the path a few kilometers and then turn to your right, all the way to the back.”
“Thank you,” Sunghoon says and drives in.
The place is huge, Sunghoon has heard of this University before, but he had never seen it in person. Or a picture. Now the fame and reputation make sense. It’s well taken care of, seemingly by the vegetation and beautiful flowers along the road. Sunghoon feels inapt, as if he won’t be able to fit the institution’s image.
Still, he’s on a mission. As afraid and anxious as he currently is, Sunghoon pushes on through.
Pulling up at what appears to be the teaching building, Sunghoon gets out of the car and locks it. Before he can overthink it, an elderly woman comes out the front door.
“Park Sunghoon?” With a welcoming smile, she asks.
“Hello,” Sunghoon bows, “that’s me.”
“Nice to meet you,” she respectfully inclines her body. “My name is Min Eunjung.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too.”
Signaling for him to come inside, the woman holds the door open. Sunghoon follows her inside the building, a bit overwhelmed by the massive structure, and waits for her to guide where the interview will take place.
“So, I’m the language coordinator at Yonsei University,” Eungjung begins explaining. “Would you like a tour of the establishment while I tell you a bit more about the job?”
A tad confused, Sunghoon nods, doesn’t show it as he puts on his best smile. “That would be great!”
“Great,” she says, “follow me.”
Sunghoon obeys and walks behind her, but she waits for him to catch up. Once he matches her pace, they begin roaming around. The place has a sort of gothic, historic look to it, tall pillars with a high ceiling. He’s amazed, inspecting from afar the complex architecture.
“We’ve been active as a merged university since 1957, and we’ve tried our best to maintain a certain structure, not only architectonically but also in our beliefs,” Eunjung tells him. “You will realize with time that we pride ourselves on being loyal and truthful.”
“I can see, just by looking around, that the place is very well-kept,” Sunghoon comments.
“It is, we give every building the same attention, as the appearance of the university is very important, too,” she says, and they enter what appears to be the main hall. “As the language coordinator, I believe communication is a fundamental value, and so connecting with each student becomes essential.”
A group of students walks by, bowing deeply. Both Eunjung and Sunghoon bow back, though he tenses a little. He feels watched, being examined.
“So, your job as an English teacher is crucial,” as she continues talking, they move to another area, “you currently work with kids, right?”
“Yes,” Sunghoon nods, “I teach first grade.”
“Well, that is already challenging, but working with adults brings a different trial to the table. I believe it can be incredibly rewarding, because you’re shaping their future, preparing them for the difficulties that lie ahead. Some may think that since they’re adults, they know everything. The key is, they don’t. Adults still have a long way to go to learn, specifically a language,” her speech leaves Sunghoon wordless, since he hadn’t thought about the struggles that come with adult learners.
He looks around, and the hallway is endless. “I agree, we’re constantly learning. It’s a never-ending lesson.”
“And well, Heeseung-ssi told me great things about you,” Eunjung now glances at Sunghoon, “how dedicated and even-tempered you are, matching exactly to your work experience on your resume.”
Smiling softly, Sunghoon thanks God for putting Heeseung on this earth. He doesn’t have a clue what he said, but it’s apparently working.
“I do take pride in my patience,” he says, “working with kids is basically learning to have composure.”
“I can see it,” she admits, and suddenly, there’s a door she opens, revealing a private office. “Come in, make yourself comfortable.”
Many bookshelves and different diplomas are hanging on the walls, along with probably prestigious prizes Sunghoon doesn’t even know about. He takes a seat on the chair in front of her desk, and she sits behind it, pulling out a laptop and turning it on.
“I have a slideshow I want to show you,” she says, and while waiting for the computer, Eunjung continues delineating the job. “Currently, there are positions available for International Relations, Business Administration, and Journalism. The programme for these three includes two 50-minute classes, which would be within the core curriculum, and an English workshop, which is extracurricular and optional for students.”
“The two classes are two modules, right?” Sunghoon inquires.
“Exactly,” she nods, “each major consists of two mandatory modules. It’d be for first and second year, except Journalism, where you will only cover for first-year students. If I’m not mistaken, your availability on your resume is basically the entire afternoon, is that correct?”
“Yes,” he looks at the screen of her laptop, where she presents a timetable. “I’m currently only working in the mornings.”
Eunjung nods, acknowledging, and points at the graph. “See, this is basically the programme we’ve built.”
Sunghoon gets lost in the diagram, numbers and names he’s unable to absorb. Still, the grid is so well-structured that it slowly begins to make sense. There’s a lot to discuss, but if they give Sunghoon that workload, he’ll happily accept it, no matter the exhaustion.
“I see,” after a few minutes, Sunghoon utters, “this looks very well-thought-out. I’m confident I can adapt to it.”
“We think that, too. That’s the reason we called you.”
“Well, I’m honored,” he smiles, Eunjung putting the computer away.
“You’re a great choice, Sunghoon-ssi. We’ll contact you very soon. For now, I’ll send you this slideshow so you can take a closer look at it, build your own schedule based on it,” she adds. “Thank you for coming. I really appreciate your interest.”
“It was a pleasure,” Sunghoon gets up and bows, “thank you so much for the opportunity.”
“I’ll walk you out.” Getting up, she accompanies him through the hallways and lobby, up to the door, which she holds open for him.
“Thank you,” Sunghoon repeats and smiles politely.
“We will see each other soon, Sunghoon-ssi.”
Once inside his car, he remains seated as the adrenaline rushes through him. The anxiety and excitement meet inside his body, making Sunghoon nauseous, worrying about the possible outcomes, but being proud of having made it through the interview. It’s a heavy workload, though very rewarding. Sunghoon is aware that there are sacrifices he needs to make.
He drives home, listening to the radio, trying his best to avoid overthinking. As he arrives and heads to the kitchen to make lunch, his phone is forgotten inside his briefcase while he distracts himself cooking.
Sunghoon takes it out once he sits down to eat, and scrolls through his notifications.
+82-2-6180-3518
Hello, Sunghoon-ssi
I’m Eunjung, I just wanted to attach the file I showed you earlier for you to read through properly
[ENGLISH_PROGRAMME.pdf]
Sunghoon
Hello, Eunjung-nim!
Thank you so much, I’ll go through it as soon as I’m free
Now relaxed, he opens the programme and reads through it. According to it, he’d be working from 1 p.m to 6 p.m, including the workshop. Which, apart from being an arduous job, overlaps with Sooyoung’s school time. And that’s a problem.
He won’t be able to pick Sooyoung up in time, as her own workshop finishes at 3 p.m. And giving Jake that responsibility, every day, as well as taking her in until he’s done at work, can be a double-edged sword.
Sunghoon doesn’t fret. It’s all tentative, nothing has been decided yet.
And certain things happen for a reason, too.
-
“Dad!” Sooyoung calls out for him from the living room.
Obviously, panicked, Sunghoon runs to check on her. She’s sitting on the floor with her toys, holding the remote control in one hand.
“What happened?” He asks.
“Can I watch TV?” She blinks repeatedly, putting on her best innocent expression.
Sunghoon sighs. “Honey… You know I don’t like you using screens too much.”
“I just wanna watch Pororo,” Sooyoung pouts, knowing how much it affects Sunghoon’s judgment.
“Okay…” He gives up, “I’ll play it for you, but only until dinner is ready, okay?”
“Yes!”
Opening Netflix on the TV, he searches for the show and presses play. As soon as the little penguin appears on the screen, Sooyoung grins and drops her toys. She sits on the sofa and happily watches the adventures the character and its friends embark on. It’s a cartoon Sunghoon allows, even if it means Sooyoung’s screentime goes up.
Back in the kitchen, Sunghoon starts preparing one of his favorite dishes, Daegu jorim. He cuts the radish and onions, puts the pan on the stove, and separates the two pieces of fish. Even if he loves spicy food, and Sooyoung does too, he adds just a tiny bit of gochujang, to give it the proper flavor.
As the vegetables marinate, Sunghoon glances at the living room, and Sooyoung continues entranced by the TV. Sometimes, he wishes he could be constantly present for her, believing what he does isn’t enough, but he’s aware that being a single father isn’t easy.
It’s never easy to be alone.
Sunghoon overthinks while placing the fish on the pan and his phone vibrates in his pocket. He takes it out, watching the fire, and turns off the rice cooker before the alarm goes off. Then he glances at the screen, and it feels as if his heart beats against his ribcage firmly.
Min Eunjung
Hello, Sunghoon-ssi
I am very sorry to contact you at this time of the day, but I wanted to inform you we’ve decided to move forward with the hiring process
I am very excited to have you on our team and start as soon as possible, so I’ve sent to your e-mail the paperwork you need to submit so we can legally hire you
Please, present the files at the earliest opportunity
Thank you for trusting the academic community and me
Good night
“Fuck,” he mutters. It’s completely involuntary, he drops the cooking and rereads the messages.
“That’s a bad word,” suddenly, Sooyoung is by his side.
“Sweetie—”
“Why are you saying it?” She questions, mischief in her eyes.
“It was a slip-up—why are you here? You should be watching TV!” Sunghoon reprimands her, then, while controlling the fish and vegetables don’t burn.
“You shouldn’t say bad words,” Sooyoung fights back, arms on her waist. Even if she defies him, Sunghoon will find the patience within himself to be fond of her.
The rice cooker alarm still blares, and Sunghoon drops the pan to turn it off. He’s overwhelmed and overstimulated, and he doesn’t want to snap over literally nothing.
“Park Sooyoung,” he simply says. Sooyoung silently retreats to the living room, aware of her father being irritated.
When dinner is finally ready, Sunghoon calls out Sooyoung’s name and she comes back to the kitchen. He can still hear the TV playing in the background.
“Can you turn off the TV?”
“Are you mad at me, Dad?” With glimmering eyes, she questions, and Sunghoon melts.
“Oh, no, baby,” his shoulders drop, not realizing how tense he was, and he strokes her cheek. “I would never be mad, go turn off the TV while I plate your food, okay?”
“Okay!”
The silence is healing. Sunghoon and Sooyoung eat almost quietly, as she grows tired, and Sunghoon searches for peace and relaxation. Still, she compliments his cooking and comments on the cartoon show she was watching.
Sunghoon loves spending those small moments with her. And then it all dawns on him, the timetable, the new job, the lack of freedom and leisure time.
He simply won’t be able to do this on his own.
-
Dealing with the obsessive thought that Sunghoon won’t be able to provide for Sooyoung is consuming him.
And after dropping Sooyoung off at school, as he’s not working, Sunghoon heads to the coffee shop, just to unwind and have a warm drink. Nothing to do with Sunoo, at all. Yet his heart skips a beat as he distinguishes a pink head, religiously there.
Sunoo greets him with a bright smile. It’s better than any hot, engulfing coffee. Like a warm hug.
“Hey,” Sunghoon says, “it’s good to see you, Sunoo-ssi.”
This time, he doesn’t seem taken aback by being called his name. Sunghoon senses some sort of comfort around them, as if this is a routine they’re used to.
“Good to see you too, sir,” he replies.
Considering telling Sunoo his name, Sunghoon stays silent for a few seconds, processing the information and methods to do it without being blunt. Sunoo seemingly feels enabled to continue the conversation, taking his silence as a sign.
“The usual?” Sunoo asks, already grabbing a cup.
“Yes, please,” so Sunghoon nods, defeated, “no cookie.”
“Great! For here or to go?”
“I’ll have it here,” he replies, signaling to the tables.
And it somehow becomes routine, because Sunghoon locks his gaze on Sunoo’s shoulderblades moving, his waist, the gray shirt that envelopes his body perfectly. Exactly like he’s been doing for the past week. It doesn’t change.
Finding the same table he sits at every single time, with the sun on his skin just right, Sunghoon waits for Sunoo to bring the coffee to him.
Habitual, standard practice by now.
Sunoo approaches his table and sets the cup on it. “Here it is!”
“Thank you,” with a smile, Sunghoon’s hands wrap around the moderately hot cup, warming up his blood circulation.
The coffee shop gets crowded by the time Sunghoon is finishing his coffee, yet he doesn’t hurry, takes advantage of the free time he has before it’s too late. And that reminds him, there are pending matters to deal with.
Sunghoon
Hey Jakey
I was gonna text you yesterday but
I’m kinda overwhelmed
Just wanted to thank you and Heeseung-hyung
I got the job
Jake
OMG you serious???
Thank god
Tbh it was a given like you’re perfect for it
Now get ready to deal with university students
Sunghoon
Yes, it will be hard to adapt to them
But I’m so thankful
Jake
You’re gonna do great bro
Anyw
What’s the workload?
Sunghoon
That’s the problem
I mean, not exactly the problem, they assigned like three different majors to me
But… My first class is at 1pm
Sooyoung’s workshop finishes by 3pm
I don’t know what I’m gonna do
Jake
Oh
I’d offer to take her in but my shift ends at 5
And you already know Heeseung-hyung works like crazy
Sunghoon
I know, and it’s a big deal to baby sit her for the entirety of the day
So I’m kinda lost
Jake
Bro baby sit her
Exactly
You need a babysitter
Sunghoon
I actually haven’t even thought about that
Do you know anyone?
I don’t want to leave her with just anyone
Jake
I know
Ask Jay
He knows so many ppl
I’m sure he can help you
Sunghoon
Ok yes
Thank you for everything
His cup is empty as well as his mind. Sunghoon sighs and leans back, stretching his body. Then, he catches Sunoo staring. It ignites his entire being.
Still, he focuses on the matter at hand.
Sunghoon
Hey Jay
I need to ask you something
Jay
Heyyy
tell me
Sunghoon
I need a babysitter
And you know too many people, so I’m guessing you can find one for me
I want someone who’s trustworthy and caring
Jay
On it!!
I’ll ask Jungwonie
Sunghoon
Who?
Jay
Current situationship
I need to fill you in lol
Sunghoon
Yeah
Thank you
He pockets his phone and gets up, feeling a bit nervous. Sunoo appears to be on a break, since Sunghoon isn’t able to spot his pink head anywhere. Surrendered, he heads home. It isn’t time for lunch yet, and the coffee he drank is still moving inside his stomach, so Sunghoon sits on his desk and turns on his laptop.
Lesson planning doesn’t come easily to him, ever. Now, Sunghoon opens a template and begins filling it with ideas, prompts, different projects. It flows, out of him and onto the document. Adult learners require a whole separate plan, and he would need to check the programme sent to him, for now though, he writes.
His phone lights up, then.
Jay
[Contact Attached]
Talk to him!!
He’s Jungwonie’s bestie
And he’s great
Sunghoon
I trust you
I’ll text him
Thank you
Jay
No worries man
Good luck!!
Sunghoon creates a new chat with the contact Jay sent him and ponders over what to send.
Sunghoon
Hello, I’m Park Sunghoon
Jay sent me your number, I think he’s friends with your friend Jungwon
I’m looking for a babysitter, I have a 6 year old girl
She’s the sweetest but since I’m a single father, I need to work more hours
And I’m finding it difficult to take care of her in the afternoon
+82-2-3110-1502
hello!!!
yes, he told me you’d text me
my name is kim sunoo, it’s nice to meet you!
i’d love to baby sit your daughter
i’m free from uni and work after 3pm
The name resonates inside his mind. There is a big percentage of people named Sunoo in South Korea, so Sunghoon doesn’t panic. For now.
Sunghoon
Oh, that’s great
My daughter finishes her workshop at school at 3:30pm
So I’d need you to pick her up and bring her home, until I’m done with work at around 6:30pm
Kim Sunoo
sounds good
i’m up for it!!
Sunghoon
I believe it’s better to talk in person, though
Are you available to come by my place, so you can see the apartment and also meet her?
We can discuss this further, then
I’m sorry if I seem desperate, I truly am
And I trust Jay that you’re a good person
Kim Sunoo
lol no worries
i understand perfectly
just send the address and i’ll be there
tomorrow after 3pm i’m free
Sunghoon
Great!
I’ll text you the address
And you can come by at 4pm
Thank you so much, really
Kim Sunoo
thank you for the opportunity!
see ya
And he stands by what he said, Sunghoon trusts Jay completely, his judgment and unbiased opinion. So he sends him the address and silently prays. Maybe he’s rushing into it, jumping blindly into the first babysitter offered to him, but he has a hunch. Instinctive decisions aren’t always recommended, Sunghoon still tries.
Time will tell.
-
Sooyoung is in her room playing with toys when Sunghoon knocks on her door.
“Come in,” she says.
It’s hard to find the words, and Sunghoon almost didn’t sleep a wink last night picturing this scenario, repeatedly playing out inside his head. Sooyoung means the world to him, and the mere thought of leaving him with a stranger makes his stomach churn.
“I have to talk to you,” he tells her, kneeling down beside her, “it’s important.”
She frowns. “What is it?”
“You know… My job gives me money, right? The kind of thing that helps us buy food, toys, and more,” Sunghoon starts explaining, and his heart hurts. “So, working is important.”
“Yes, I know that,” nodding, she says.
“But Dad doesn’t make enough money just working in the mornings, and now, he’s been offered to work in the afternoons, too,” as Sooyoung tilts her head expectantly, Sunghoon continues. “I won’t be able to pick you up from school anymore, or spend the afternoon playing with you.”
“Oh…” The disappointment is evident. Painful to see, too. “Who will pick me up? Uncle Jake?”
“Well, Jake needs to work too, honey. Someone else will do it, and you’ll meet him today, so you can judge yourself! Is that okay with you?”
Sunghoon bites his bottom lip, nervously. She makes a pensive face, and then blinks repeatedly.
“Who’s gonna tuck me in?” The question pierces Sunghoon’s heart, breaking it, so he holds his breath and attempts to smile.
“I’ll do it. I’ll cook your favorite and tuck you in, every single night, okay?” He offers.
Sooyoung nods and smiles. “Will he play with me?”
“Yes, he will! You can tell him what you wanna do, but don’t try to sneak in any sweets,” Sunghoon warns.
She giggles, and the wound heals, gradually.
“I love you, sweetie,” he mutters. Sooyoung’s eyes crinkle and she leans closer, head on Sunghoon’s shoulder. Like that, he drops a kiss on her forehead and runs his fingers through her hair.
“Love you too, Dad.”
The bell rings, interrupting their small moment. Sunghoon doesn’t feel ready to face the situation, having to gauge the possible babysitter for his daughter, explain everything to him. His rules, Sooyoung’s habits, her schedule. Simply understanding their rhythm or life is complicated, he’s aware. Not everyone is suitable.
“He’s here,” Sunghoon tells her, “wanna meet him?”
“Yes!”
They head to the living room, and Sunghoon holds her hand tightly. Sacrifice is necessary, he knows. Still, he trembles a little as he unlocks and opens the door.
There’s pink hair.