Chapter 123

* * *“So you guys had an argument?”“A little bit. I should apologize first, right?”“Apologize if you mean it.”Inside the swaying bus, she was recounting what happened in her class to Maru. The argument started when her friend borrowed her manicure. Even close friends have these moments, no? She felt like she needed to say sorry but dreaded taking the first step. She felt some of that dread lift off her shoulders as she spoke to Maru. She now felt that she could approach her friend.“There’s nothing more than this, right?”“It’s not like I’m person who dutifully stores past slights. This sort of thing rarely happens. I usually resolve it right then and there.“Yeah, you do tend to do that.”At that moment, the bus came to a screeching halt. Her body started to sway to the point of losing control despite tightly grasping the overhead handle. Right when she was about to collide with the guy next to her, Maru grabbed and supported her arm.“Be careful.”“… uhuh.”She looked at her right arm. Maru, who was looking out the bus window without a care in the world, steadfastly held and supported her. She felt like there was a safety net wherever she went with him. It was these little things that Maru was always good at.“Karaoke this weekend?”“I can’t this weekend. I have practice. Doesn’t Woosung have practice too?“Yeah, but I can just say I’m sick.”“Ugh, it’s one week before preliminaries. At least show some effort.”“I’m actually putting in a lot of effort, but you know sometimes too much effort causes bodily harm. It’s just as important to get some rest.”“Then rest at home yourself instead of causing trouble for others,” she playfully said while letting out a laugh and sticking out her tongue.Maru really did have a direct way with words, but that’s what made it easy for her to talk to him. It seemed like yesterday that they first met, but she felt that their relationship extended far before then.With Maru supporting her arm, she didn’t worry about the bus swaying. She took this bus to Myungdong 3 to 4 times a week. Without fail, Maru was always with her, as if he and she were attending the same school. She glanced at Maru and noticed his light pink lips curved upwards into a smile.‘He’s changed a bit recently.’She noticed that he previously acted cold to every other amateur acting group member except her. Maru was like a government employee who limited his words and actions to limit personal exposure.However, the Maru now opened up and joined others in conversation. She knew how talkative Maru was, so it didn’t come as a surprise when Maru immediately started getting along with others in the amateur acting class.She felt deep down that Maru always truly listened. Her heart stirred whenever she talked and looked into Maru’s calming eyes. Maru was like a professional psychologist, listening wholeheartedly and sympathizing with empathetic nods.“What?”“Nothing. You’re smiling more often now.”“Have I?”He didn’t seem to realize the change himself. When he lifted his hand to his face in thought, she saw his surprisingly toned neck. She felt it every once in a while, but Maru really had a developed body, being 178cm and all.“Have you been working out?”“Just some boxing with my dad here and there.”“Wow, boxing?”“My dad was an amateur boxer. He won quite a few times too.”“Really? That’s amazing. Have you ever competed?”“Just sparring.”“Oho! You must be pretty good at fighting?”“If a fight breaks out, I’m the first to run away,” Maru replied as he broke out another smile.She really liked this about Maru. He didn’t put up a fake bravado front nor did he take every chance to complement himself like other guys. Whenever she saw this side of Maru, she could picture him saying ‘So what?’ It was tiring to be around guys who flaunted their fighting prowess. It’s not like being good in fights or hurting others is a good thing.“Have you ever fought with your classmates?”“Nope, not once. I’m too scared and cautious to let things get to that point.”She saw Maru flex his shoulders subconsciously. She asked half-jokingly,“If I get implicated in a fight, what are you going to do?”“Knowing you, I don’t think you’d ever let yourself get in that position.”“If, what if it happens.”“Then I’ll work it out with all the parties involved and try to bring a non-violent resolution,” Maru stated with a smirk as if pleased with his answer. She saw this and poked his side, only to see Maru avoid her by twisting his body.They didn’t talk much after that. Everyone on the bus must have been tired too as it was silent inside. The only sound came intermittently from a couple girls talking at the back of the bus. She heard the bell for the next stop and saw out the window. Maru’s stop was the one afterwards.“It’s your stop soon.”She extended her arm and pressed the red button to signal for the next stop. A notification went off in the bus to signal that a passenger wanted to get off. There were only a few blocks left before Maru gets off. As she was mentally preparing some parting words, Maru turned his head and said,“If a fight ever were to break out, I’ll stand in front and take everything… you make sure to run away. If you can, call the police too.”Maru’s gently patted the pink hat atop her head and then got off the bus. She peered out the window and caught Maru waving his hand with a large grin on his face.