Chapter 3. Cherry Blossom

My first day at the lab felt like the true beginning. After the introductions, the other students invited me for lunch. As we walked toward the restaurant, I noticed a striking girl and the male student I had met earlier walking closely together, their rapport obvious.

​Sully, a senior I had met during my first dinner, nudged me from behind.

"They look close, don't they? Isn't it strange?"

​"It happens," I replied simply. "I have close female friends, too."

​Sully shook her head. "No way. A man and a woman can't just be friends-there's always something going on. Is it really that free in your country? Here, it's different." She then called out,

"Hyein! Stop talking to your boyfriend!" It seemed my observation was right; Hyein and Munhyeok were indeed a couple.

​During lunch, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Taehyung, whom I hadn't heard from in two days.

​"Sorry, I lost my phone the day we met. We promised to meet near our school. Can we meet on Friday? I have to meet my grandparents because they are coming today from the countryside."

​He followed up with: "up for my paper anymore! I also like to learn English and Korean with you." And then: "Questionnaire is okay because my professor told me I don't have to make it anymore."

​I was confused. Why the sudden change of heart? Was the questionnaire just an excuse to meet me? I didn't necessarily think he was hitting on me, but some international friends had warned me to be cautious. Lately, there had been talk about cults targeting foreigners to increase their followers. I had only intended to help with his study, and now I felt a flicker of suspicion.

​By the fourth day, my roommate finally arrived. His name is Huen, and he apologized for the delay, explaining he had unfinished business back home. I helped him unbox his things and showed him around the dormitory. We grabbed a meal at the cafeteria and went shopping for his essentials. Though he was a massive introvert at first, he turned out to be quite the chatterbox once he got comfortable.

​Later that week, I met Taehyung at a cafe near campus. Everything seemed normal. He taught me new Korean words and asked me to translate them into English as a learning exercise. Curiously, he didn't ask me for help with his English at all. His English was already excellent-far better than most locals I had met. I figured he just wanted someone to converse with.

​"How old are you?" he asked.

"Twenty-four. And you?"

"Twenty-seven. Let's use 'Global Age,'" he said, referring to the local culture of adding a year to one's age from birth, they believed that someone has alive once in the mother's womb.

"In that case, should I call you Sunbae?" I asked, using the term for a senior.

"Hahaha, Sunbae is too formal," he laughed, his eyes crinkling until they nearly closed. "How about Hyung?"

"Alright, Hyung," I agreed.

"Kiyowo," he muttered. "That means cute. You're cute." He seemed genuinely delighted the moment I used the word Hyung.

"Did I say something wrong?" I asked, puzzled but smiling.

"You just have nice eyes," he replied. "Bigger than mine."

​He then changed the subject. "Spring is starting. Do you want to see the cherry blossoms together?"

"That sounds interesting. I've never seen them in person before. We only have two seasons back home."

"Great. A friend from my church goes to this university too-can I invite him? He lived in America for a long time, so communication won't be a problem. It's good to make more friends."

"Sure," I said. "But... isn't seeing cherry blossoms usually a 'couple' thing? Aren't you going with your girlfriend?"

"My girlfriend is busy," he said quickly. "I'll arrange time with her later. I have to go now for a meeting. See you next week!"

​The local messaging app, Kokonut Talk, usually notifies you of birthdays. On the day we were supposed to meet, I saw it was Taehyung's birthday. Even though we weren't close, I felt it would be rude not to acknowledge it, yet a large gift felt too much. I settled on a small cake.

​When we met, I surprised him with it.

"Hyung! Happy Birthday!"

"ohh thank you! how do you know? Kokonut Talk?"

"yes I just found it through notification"

"you don't need to give me a gift, it is fine!"

"no I should. it would be bad for me to not giving you anything"

"okay thank you. I will treat you a dinner in return. let's meet again next week!"

"shall we take a picture?"

"cool! here in the cherry blossoms on the background"

We took photos and walked among the cherry blossoms. The park was filled with families, students, and... couples. So many couples. I felt a bit awkward, but I reminded myself a friend was coming.

​"There he is," Taehyung said, pointing.

"Hello," the newcomer said in the local language.

"Hello," I replied.

"Ryul, meet Chris. Chris, this is Ryul," Taehyung introduced us. I was curious why he used an English name.

"Why 'Chris'?" I asked. I've always been the type to ask direct questions, even if they border on annoying.

"Just use Chris," he said smoothly. "It's easier for you."

​Taehyung went to the restroom, leaving me alone with Chris.

"Are you older than me?" I asked.

"I heard you're twenty-four," Chris replied. "I'm only a year older. No need for 'Hyung.' Just relax."

"Okay. What's your major?"

"I'm an undergrad, graduating this semester from the Agriculture department. You?"

"Environmental Engineering. So, you and Taehyung go to the same church?"

"Yeah, we've been at the same church for a long time. We haven't seen each other much lately because Taehyung Hyung has been working."

​I froze. "Working? Isn't he writing his graduation paper?"

Chris looked surprised. "He graduated two years ago. He was a Political Science major, but now he works at a travel agency."

​A knot formed in my stomach. Why had Taehyung lied to me? It was possible he was involved in a research project with a professor, but the inconsistency felt heavy. Before we parted, Taehyung asked to meet again next week for dinner-his treat, to make up for the birthday cake. He always asked me in person, never via text. He seemed constantly busy, rarely replying to messages, yet always pushing for the next face-to-face meeting.

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