Chapter 6

“I came because I missed it.”

“Hm?”

“I missed it.”

“Missed… what?”

She tilted her head, puzzled.

“…Korea. Korea University.”

It sounded like there was more he wanted to say, but Sunwoo stopped there and simply smiled.

“I see. Korea University should be grateful to Professor Jin. A world-class university wanted you, yet here you are.”

She nodded with a wistful smile.

Part of her wondered if things might have been different for her too, if she’d had the option to study abroad instead of getting married. Maybe becoming a psychology professor would have been easier.

But realistically, even without marriage, studying abroad had never been an option.

She had barely managed her tuition as it was.

She continued the meal with Sunwoo, glancing at her phone from time to time.

In truth, she had been checking it constantly.

She couldn’t help wondering if Jooheon might call or text her late, even just once.

But the phone remained eerily silent.

The result was that their conversation stretched on endlessly.

They reminisced about the past and found so many things to talk about.

Ayeon laughed so much she couldn’t even remember the last time she had laughed like this.

“Sunbae, just a moment.”

Sunwoo stepped out to take a call, and Ayeon stared at her phone again. She thought of calling Jooheon, then let out a quiet sigh and put the phone down.

Why hadn’t he contacted her yet.

“Sunbae.”

Sunwoo returned, his expression slightly flushed, different from earlier.

“Congratulations calls?”

“Oh, no. Not that kind of call. Actually, Sunbae…”

“Hm?”

He hesitated for a moment, then met her eyes with a gentle look.

“What is it?”

“You know The Mind Publishing, right?”

“Of course. Any psychology student who doesn’t know The Mind must be living under a rock.”

The Mind was the most famous psychology publisher in the country.

From imported translations of major foreign works to the publications of top Korean psychology professors, everything came out through The Mind.

“They recently offered me a book deal. I just recommended you.”

“As expected of you… wait, what?”

She blinked, not sure she’d heard him right.

“I thought it would be a better opportunity for you.”

He said it with a serious expression.

“Sunwoo…”

She furrowed her brow and shook her head.

No matter his recommendation, there was no way they would consider a mere lecturer as a replacement for him.

“They probably wouldn’t want me. I’m not even a professor yet…”

“When I mentioned your research papers, they responded positively. Don’t worry. Publishing with The Mind would really help your career.”

‘The path I want to follow…’

There was only ever one goal for Ayeon.

To be a recognized psychology researcher.

A psychology professor.

Having published books as well as papers certainly helped in faculty hiring.

And if it was through The Mind, even more so.

Still, his proposal came so suddenly that she didn’t know how to respond.

“I don’t know…”

“At least hear the concept first, Sunbae.”

Before she could reply, he spoke quickly, eyes shining.

“The Mind wants to publish a book analyzing the beginnings and outcomes of infidelity, based on real cases, from a psychological perspective.”

“Ah.”

The moment she heard it, several images flashed through her mind.

The divorce of a celebrity couple had recently dominated the news.

They had been known for their good relationship and public acts of kindness, so the divorce shocked many people.

The scandal spread quickly, influencing many fields.

The social atmosphere had shifted from criticism to outright mockery of the couple’s double-faced image.

The Mind seemed to be targeting this trend with their new book.

As expected, they knew how to capture the public’s attention.

But that made it clear to Ayeon that this would not be easy.

“I’m not sure. Finding people willing to share their experiences won’t be easy. Even if they do agree, there’s no guarantee they’ll be honest. I think it’s going to be a difficult project.”

She couldn’t exactly interview the celebrities involved.

Digging into someone’s pain and making it public again would be wrong.

That meant finding other participants, but who would willingly come forward.

She had experience with many case studies, but this kind of work wouldn’t be simple.

She bit her lip and fell silent in thought.

She slowly shook her head.

It was unfortunate, but realistically it wasn’t something she could handle.

“I’d hate to pass this to someone else. It’s The Mind, Sunbae. Please think it over again.”

Sunwoo wasn’t wrong.

The Mind held immense influence.

Their publications were well known not just among psychologists but also the general public.

Publishing with them could greatly strengthen her position in future faculty applications.

Of course, that also meant a heavy burden to produce a high-quality book.

“Sunbae, please?”

Looking into his earnest eyes, she reluctantly agreed to think about it.

She doubted her mind would change, but she didn’t say that aloud.

Just then, her silent phone finally rang.

But the number was unfamiliar.

[Ayeon, it’s me, Jooheon. I was out of the office and lost my phone, so I couldn’t contact you. Sorry. I’m back at the company now, but I have to work through the night organizing the art pieces we purchased today. Let’s see each other tomorrow evening.]

She was relieved to finally hear from him, but at the same time, something felt strange.

Jooheon had never once pulled an all-nighter at work before, so it felt unfamiliar.

She tried to calm the sudden uneasiness she felt toward herself for being so sensitive.

“Sunbae, did something happen?”

Sunwoo asked, frowning slightly as she did.

“What? Oh, no. Nothing. Just a second.”

She forced a smile and picked up her phone again.

[I was worried when I couldn’t reach you. Working through the night must be tough, don’t worry abou…]

She paused, then deleted the message before finishing it.

[Don’t overwork yourself. Make sure you eat dinner.]

She sent that instead.

His reply came almost immediately.

[You’re the only one who cares about me, Ayeon. Thank you.]

For some reason, that thank you made her let out a quiet sigh.

She couldn’t explain why.

When she looked up from her phone, Sunwoo was watching her quietly. She forced her lips into a smile.

“It’s late. Should we get going?”

He raised his brows, reluctant to end the night, but nodded slowly.

“Sunbae.”

“Hm?”

“I’m really glad I came back to Korea University.”

“Huh?”

“I don’t know. That’s just how I feel.”

He smiled warmly.

“Of course you are, Professor Jin Sunwoo, getting ahead of your Sunbae. That was a little mean, saying that to my face.”

She squinted playfully.

She had always enjoyed teasing him like this.

“Ah, Sunbae.”

“I’m kidding. Congratulations again on the appointment.”

She winked.

His expression softened completely as he looked at her.

“Thank you, Sunbae.”

“If you really mean that, you’re paying for the next meal.”

“Music to my ears. You never let me treat you before.”

They both laughed, sharing a moment of nostalgia.

* * *

The night had grown deep by the time Ayeon headed toward Forest One.

She stared blankly at the dark sky while waiting at a red light.

A halo surrounded the moon, a sign that it might rain tomorrow.

‘You’re the only one who cares about me, Ayeon. Thank you.’

Thinking about Jooheon’s message, she turned the steering wheel away from the direction of home.

She had been so caught up in her faculty appointment that she hadn’t paid much attention to his work lately.

He had thanked her, but she felt a pang of guilt.

She stopped by a bakery, picked out bread and coffee she thought he would like, and got back in the car.

Even if she got home late, it was nothing compared to pulling an all-nighter. She didn’t mind.

When she arrived at the company’s parking lot, she frowned slightly and looked around.

There was only one car in the lot, and it wasn’t Jooheon’s.

Why wasn’t his car there.