27. Minju-ri
The place we headed with Min-ri Min was a nearby park.
“Sit here.”
As soon as I sit down on the bench, Minjoo-ri suddenly holds out an envelope.
“receive.”
“This is the money I gave you, right?”
“You can’t get this much money, so take it.”
To Min-ri Min and her daughter, 10 million won was a lot of money.
Of course, it was the price of gum for Ryu Min, who had hundreds of millions of dollars.
‘Ten million won is a burdensome amount. Well, I offered it because I knew I wouldn’t receive it.’
I already expected that the envelope would be rejected.
‘No matter how poor I am, I’m the type of person who can’t live with debt.’
Personality, taste, favorite food, family situation, etc.
I am confident that I know a certain amount about democracy.
Because we have become that close.
Therefore, Ryu Min was confident that he could get Minjoo-ri on his side.
“Take it quickly. My arm hurts.”
Minjoo-ri shook the envelope she was holding.
But Ryumin had no intention of accepting it.
‘If you receive the envelope, your relationship with Min-ri Min will end with this. ‘We have to use the lottery as an excuse to continue our relationship.’
He just shook his head with a stern expression.
“I won’t take it.”
“what?”
“I told the boss earlier, but I gave it to you out of apologetic feelings. It’s my minimum conscience.”
“But the amount is too big….”
“No matter the amount, I hope the boss accepts it. If not, I feel sorry and will keep thinking about it.”
Although he said this, Ryu Min did not feel particularly sorry towards the president.
In any case, when the next round comes, a large number of people are eliminated and the economy is shaken.
‘In the end, the lottery market will naturally collapse within a few months.’
He simply accelerated the timing by monopolizing the winnings.
If you think about it, isn’t it wrong to use future information?
Of course, I don’t feel sorry at all.
‘Anyway, it’s true that I suffered damage due to my influence.’
Therefore, the plan was to give 10 million won as compensation.
Even if Minjoo-ri continues to refuse.
“It’s my conscience, so take it back.”
“But this is too much! It’s burdensome.”
‘Is this money given for that?’
I laughed on the inside, but kept an expressionless expression on the outside.
If you want to get help from Minjoo-ri, you have no choice but to make them indebted to you in this way.
“Tell the boss. It’s not a lot of money for me, so don’t worry about it.”
When Minju-ri flatly refused, a sigh came out of her mouth.
“Were you always this kind of kid? Why are you so stubborn… haha.”
“If we’re done talking, shall I go?”
When Ryu Min tried to stand up, Min Joo-ri was taken aback.
“Now, wait a minute! Then, since 10 million won is too burdensome, I’ll only accept 1 million won. Okay?”
“Why did you decide that? You should ask the boss.”
“I don’t think Dad would like to receive this much money.”
“dad?”
Ryu Min acted surprised as if he had no idea.
“Was the convenience store owner your father?”
“huh.”
“Wow… I use this place often and it’s amazing.”
“I’m amazed too. The first prize winner of the lottery is my classmate….”
‘Friend… … .’
We didn’t talk to each other, but we were friends because we were in the same class.
Although it was difficult to see him as a friend in the true sense of the word.
“But you really didn’t know I was in the same class? I knew it right away as soon as you entered the convenience store.”
“I’m sorry. I’m really not good at memorizing faces. And this is the first time we’ve talked like this, right?”
“yes.”
Although the two were in the same class all year, it is true that they never had a chance to talk.
It wasn’t easy for people of the opposite sex to become friends, and since we were both introverts, it was difficult to talk to each other.
Of course, Ryumin then and Ryumin now are different.
To the point where he looks like a completely different person.
If you are talking to Minju-ri for the first time, you will not feel any change.
“Then I guess you learned my name today for the first time?”
“I’m sorry, but yes.”
“…….”
Minjoo-ri opened her lips as if she was shocked.
I guess I never thought that I really wouldn’t even know his name.
‘I’m sorry for pretending not to know, but I can’t help it. ‘This is how you’ll get interested in me.’
Sure enough, Minjoo-ri’s eyes changed.
The look in his eyes was not one of disappointment and giving up on the fact that he didn’t even know his name.
Rather, his eyes seemed to be filled with pride.
“As I said before, my name is Minjoo-ri. I’m in the same class as you and my face looks like this as you can see… can you remember?”
“uh.”
“Don’t answer half-heartedly, but look carefully. Remember it clearly.”
Minjoo-ri, who stuck her head out as if to take a closer look, put it back with a puzzled look on her face.
“Whew… you’re suddenly showing off. What are you doing? You’re just talking to your classmates when graduation is just around the corner… I feel sad for some reason.”
“I wish I knew by now. It’s not like I can’t contact you just because I graduated.”
Minjoo-ri’s eyes changed slightly at those words, but Ryumin didn’t notice.
“In that sense, can you give me your number?”
“Burr, number?”
For some reason, Min Joo-ri looks surprised.
A question mark appeared on Ryumin’s face.
“Why? It’s not unusual to ask a classmate for your number.”
“Yeah, that’s right. I’ll take a picture. Give me your cell phone.”
When Ryu Min handed over the cell phone, Min Joo-ri dialed the number.
As soon as she makes a call, Min-ri’s cell phone vibrates.
“That’s my number. Save it.”
“Yes.”
“We met like this because it was meant to be, so let’s keep in touch often.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Then I’ll go first today. I’m busy with work.”
“Now, wait a minute. The envelope is….”
Ryumin waved his hand saying it was okay and left.
Minjoo-ri just stared blankly at that.
* * *
‘In the end, I couldn’t even return the envelope.’
Min Joo-ri, who was staring at the back of Ryu Min who had gone far away, placed her hand on her chest.
My heart is pounding –
My heart is pounding as if it’s broken.
‘Suddenly asking for my number… … .’
I was scolded because my heart was pounding.
Of course, I don’t know that I asked for it as a friend.
‘The problem is that I don’t see him as a friend… … .’
Although she didn’t tell anyone, Min-ri Min liked Ryu-min.
When I first saw it, I wasn’t that interested.
I just thought he was a quiet kid because he didn’t do anything particularly noticeable.
Then I saw it by chance.
Ryu Min is being harassed by Hwang Yong-min’s group in the alley.
‘At that time, I couldn’t bear to come forward and just reported it to the police… … ‘You still don’t know I reported it, do you?’
You won’t know.
I just watched from behind as the police came and sorted things out, but I didn’t take action.
After that, Min-ri Min secretly followed Ryu-min.
‘I wonder what I was thinking at the time… … .’
Was it because he felt pity?
Or was it because of a sense of responsibility as a reporter to follow through to the end?
‘If I think about it now, they’re both the same.’
Min-ri Min followed behind to see if Ryu-min got home safely.
I was planning to report it again if another group of soldiers appeared.
But the place Ryu Min headed to after shaking off his pants was a small meat restaurant in a back alley.
Minjoo-ri thought to herself when she saw her doing part-time work there casually.
‘You’re strong. ‘What you see is not everything.’
Although he may appear small and weak on the outside, he is stronger than anyone else on the inside.
That was my friend Ryu Min and that was his way of living.
‘It’s been since then. I started to become interested in Ryumin.’
During recess, I watched what Ryumin was doing and secretly followed him on his way home from school.
In the process, I unintentionally found out that I had a younger brother and saw a new side of me.
‘It seems like you have a good relationship with your younger brother.’
When I saw Ryumin taking care of his younger brother, I became more interested.
I developed a crush.
As we continued to chase after them, another group of people appeared and we reported them a few more times, but we were unable to come forward.
‘… … ‘Because I didn’t have courage.’
I just watched from behind and helped.
If I had had the courage, I would have tried it right away.
‘It’s too late to say anything. Because she has already grown uncontrollably fond of me… … .’
The interest that started by chance soon developed into a feeling of liking.
When I saw Ryu Min living steadfastly like a tree that never falls, I admired him and my heart pounded.
But I didn’t have the courage, so I stopped talking.
‘But I wanted to talk to you before I graduated… … .’
Maybe it was because it was in front of someone I liked, but things didn’t go as planned.
I was so busy helping my dad at the convenience store that I didn’t have the chance to do that.
‘But I never thought we’d meet here.’
I never imagined that I would meet the man I had a crush on at a convenience store.
I didn’t even know you would ask for my number first.
‘It was unexpected. I never thought I would come out so actively as a friend… … .’
As expected, his eyes were not wrong.
Just because he looks small and weak doesn’t mean he has a timid personality.
There was something else that was unexpected.
‘I never thought you would know my name… … .’
Even if you have never had a chance to talk to a man or a woman, do you not know your classmate’s name?
Even if you’re not interested, isn’t that too much?
It couldn’t help but be a bit of a shame to my pride.
‘You’re not good at memorizing faces? Then I’ll make sure you memorize it.’
We will meet in the name of friends and get a face stamp.
Don’t forget your face.
I will keep in touch with you and make it clear to you.
Don’t forget your name.
‘I need to gather courage and push myself now. ‘This is a heaven-sent opportunity.’
I missed opportunities because I didn’t have the courage before, but not this time.
You can’t miss this genius opportunity to become friends with the person you like.
‘I have a lot of questions. How did you spend your vacation, is Iljin still bothering you, how did you win first place in the lottery, was it not difficult to catch the goblin, how much did you level up… … .’
It was a shame that we couldn’t talk much, but we had plenty of opportunities.
Because Ryu Min’s number was clearly stamped on my cell phone.
‘You can’t pretend not to notice even if you receive 10 million won.’
I wanted to return it, but since I didn’t receive it, I decided to consider myself in debt.
‘That way I can keep in touch with you under the pretext of 10 million won.’
A pleasant smile bloomed on Minjoo-ri’s lips.
* * *
[Minjoo-ri: Have you eaten? I have something to talk about. Can I see you around 1 o’clock? I’ll buy you lunch!]
[Ryu Min: Okay, let’s meet. I’ll buy it for you.]
[Minjoo-ri: No, if I want to live, I have to buy it. lol]
[Ryu Min: I have a lot of money haha]
[Minjoo-ri: But you can’t shamelessly take advantage of it. What do you like?]
[Ryu Min: What about you?]
[Minjoo-ri: I’m good at eating anything, so choose what you like.]
Ryu Min, who was exchanging text messages with Min Joo Ri, raised the corners of his mouth.
‘I think I owe you something, so I’m going to buy you food first.’
It was a good sign.
If you get involved with Minjoo-ri in this way and build a natural friendship, you will be able to make her an ally.
‘I didn’t pay attention to it before, but not this time. Somehow, we will save Minjoo-ri and take her away.’
All the way until you reach round 20.
‘It’s time to go.’
Ryumin checked the time and changed into his going-out clothes.
My younger brother saw that and asked.
“Where are you going, brother?”
“Meeting a friend.”
“You sure it’s not a woman?”
“Why do you think not?”
Ryumin smiled while looking at his younger brother with a confused expression.
“I’m going to eat outside, so I’ll eat lunch alone. Do you keep the card I gave you?”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s go.”
As Ryu Min left, Ryu Won, standing in front of the entrance, muttered quietly.
“Could it be something…?”
