Separation Anxiety

20.

#Graduation

“You’ve worked hard for all three years of high school. No, if we count from elementary school, is it 12 years? Anyway, well done. Those going to university, keep working hard there, and those retaking the exam, get your act together and make sure you pass next year. Don’t come visit on Teacher’s Day. I’m tired of seeing your faces.”

The students burst into laughter at the teacher’s joking words. Even so, some students were sniffling, feeling sad that their high school life was really over.

Dawoon gazed out the window, barely listening to the teacher’s final address. He couldn’t remember clearly how his senior year had passed. From the end of his junior year through senior year, he had been constantly preparing for mock exams, school exams, more mock exams, and the college entrance exam, and before he knew it, a year had gone by.

‘Are you really going to apply for this department? Not Business Administration?’

When Dawoon applied for the Media Communications department, his homeroom teacher double-checked several times. The teachers all knew that Jeong Dawoon was the second son of the Haedo Group, so they naturally assumed he would go into Business Administration or Economics and then pursue an MBA. Given his good grades, they even suggested considering studying abroad in the U.S. or U.K.

However, Dawoon applied for Media Communications, which had nothing to do with business management. The homeroom teacher said he should consult with his parents, but then remembered that both his parents had passed away and looked uncomfortable. He said it would be good if either his grandfather or brother could come to the school for consultation, but Dawoon replied that they were both too busy to come.

‘Did you talk with your brother? Did he say it was okay?’

‘He told me to apply for whatever I wanted.’

It wasn’t a lie. Hayun really did tell Dawoon to do whatever he wanted, regardless of the department. No one in the family told Dawoon that he had to study Business Administration and learn about the company.

Dawoon felt a strange emotion, unsure whether to feel relieved or hurt. Even though he had no intention of joining Haedo Group, when even Hayun didn’t mention Business Administration, he felt oddly unsettled.

‘Do you have somewhere in mind? Whatever it is, it’s fine. I want you to do what you want to do. That’s enough for me.’

Dawoon had consulted with Hayun when he was writing his college applications. However, he didn’t mention that his homeroom teacher had talked about universities in the U.S. or U.K. He felt he couldn’t say it because Hayun would probably tell him to go if he wanted to study abroad. He couldn’t speak up for fear that Hayun would too easily say it was okay.

After the teacher’s final address, the students were busy gathering in groups to take pictures. Parents waiting in the hallway came into the classroom, creating a bustling scene as they took photos of their children.

“Jeong Dawoon!”

Dawoon turned at the sound of Ui-hyeon calling him, seeing him waving his arm widely. His parents were standing next to him. Dawoon approached and bowed politely first.

“It’s been a while. You’ve grown so handsome. I hear you’re in the same class as Ui-hyeon this year too, your fate must be intertwined.”

Ui-hyeon’s mother greeted Dawoon. It had been three years since she last saw him at the middle school graduation ceremony.

“I heard you’re going to the same university as Ui-hyeon? Please take care of our son in the future too.”

“What do you mean take care of me? I’m the one looking after him.”

When Ui-hyeon objected to his mother’s words, she poked him in the side. Unlike Ui-hyeon, his parents seemed conscious of the fact that Dawoon was from the Haedo Group.

“Where’s your brother?”

Ui-hyeon asked, looking around at the parents.

“I’m not sure.”

While Ui-hyeon had assumed he would come, Dawoon wasn’t certain. He hadn’t even mentioned that today was the graduation ceremony because it was a weekday. He wasn’t young enough anymore to call such a busy person for this.

“The others are all going to karaoke, want to come?”

Ui-hyeon gestured towards a group of students who were already planning to go out.

“It’s the last time, shouldn’t you join in a bit?”

Expecting Dawoon to refuse, Ui-hyeon tried to preemptively convince him.

“You’re going out somewhere instead of having a meal with mom and dad on your graduation day?”

Ui-hyeon’s mother scolded him, but he paid no attention.

“I’m not a kid anymore, what meal? It’s fine.”

At Ui-hyeon’s sulky reply, his mother lamented that this is what happens when you raise a son.

Should I join in since it’s the last time? Dawoon was a bit conflicted since Ui-hyeon said he was going too.

“Big brother!”

Dawoon’s eyes widened at the familiar voice. Haram came running through the crowd of adults. Everyone turned to look at the small child running and clinging to Dawoon’s legs. Worried he might get knocked over by the adults crowding the classroom, Dawoon quickly picked him up.

“How did you get here?”

When Dawoon asked Haram, the child turned his head and pointed towards the hallway.

“With big brother!”

At the mention of Hayun, Dawoon turned his head too. He could see Hayun standing beyond the hallway window. How long had he been there?

“Let’s go eat jajangmyeon!”

Haram exclaimed brightly.

“Jajangmyeon?”

Dawoon wondered why he was suddenly talking about jajangmyeon.

“Big brother said today is jajangmyeon day.”

Dawoon laughed at the child’s answer. Ironically, Hayun had never taken him for jajangmyeon on any of his graduation days. It seemed he was planning to use Dawoon’s graduation as an excuse to treat Haram, who had been constantly asking for jajangmyeon since trying it for the first time recently.

“Is that what you wanted to eat so badly?”

“Yes!”

Haram nodded vigorously. As the child looked at Dawoon with a broad smile, a smile naturally spread across Dawoon’s face too.

“Wow.”

Ui-hyeon, who had been watching from the side, made an incredulous expression.

“I feel like it’s been a while since I’ve seen you smile like that?”

Feeling a bit embarrassed at those words, Dawoon cleared his throat, then realized that not just Ui-hyeon but other students were looking at him too.

“You should do that more often.”

“There wasn’t much to smile about.”

When Dawoon replied that there wasn’t much to smile about in the repetitive life of a high school senior, Ui-hyeon shook his head, saying to forget it.

“I won’t be able to go to karaoke.”

Looking at Haram in his arms, Dawoon spoke, and Ui-hyeon easily backed down, saying he understood.

“Call me when you’re going to the freshman orientation. Let’s go together.”

Dawoon agreed and carried Haram out to the hallway.

“Congratulations on your graduation.”

Hayun, who had been waiting, held out a large bouquet of flowers. As Dawoon couldn’t take it while holding Haram and just stared at it, Hayun approached and took Haram with one hand.

This is kind of embarrassing.

It was a completely normal scene for a graduation ceremony, with parents bringing flower bouquets for their children. Yet something felt awkward. For one, the bouquet Hayun was holding was too big. It definitely wasn’t a size sold at flower shops near the school. It was obviously a special order.

The fact that Hayun was the one holding the flowers was also an issue. He was too young to be a parent, and his striking appearance drew everyone’s attention. Although his presence was already well-known at the school from dropping Dawoon off every day, so no one openly whispered about who he was, today was the graduation ceremony with many parents seeing him for the first time, so whispers started up again from all directions.

“Let’s get out of here quickly.”

Dawoon held the bouquet with one hand and pulled Hayun, who was holding Haram, with the other. Hayun asked why, but Dawoon didn’t answer and just hurried his steps.

“This way.”

As Dawoon was about to head towards the main gate, Hayun, whose arm was being held by Dawoon, pointed in another direction. It was towards the school parking lot. Understanding that he had parked the car there, Dawoon followed obediently.

“We didn’t even take proper photos.”

As soon as they got in the car, Hayun spoke regretfully.

“We don’t need to.”

“Don’t you want to keep photos with your friends?”

“They’re all in the yearbook.”

Hayun chuckled at the indifferent answer and grabbed the steering wheel.

“Big brother, jajangmyeon!”

Haram, sitting next to Dawoon, leaned forward and shouted for jajangmyeon.

“Are you okay with that?”

Hayun checked with Dawoon. When he answered that it was fine, the car started moving.

“Open the armrest. Your graduation gift is inside.”

At Hayun’s mention, Dawoon opened the storage compartment in the middle armrest of the back seat. Inside was a box slightly larger than a palm. When he opened it, it was the latest model smartphone.

“I haven’t had my phone for that long…”

It seemed like he had only been using it for about a year. It was too good to replace.

“I installed some security programs. Carry that one around.”

“Security programs?”

“You’re not a student anymore. In case you get hacked or something.”

Dawoon quietly swallowed at the words “not a student” and “hacked.” It meant things were different now that he wasn’t under the protection of the school as a high school student. In other words, it was like saying to be aware that he too was now part of the Haedo Group.

“Is it just security programs?”

He asked, just in case.

“Should there be something more?”

Hayun asked back with a smile. Dawoon briefly thought of various possibilities but decided that there was no need for such measures for someone who wasn’t the heir like Hayun, so he shook his head, saying it was nothing.

“Big brother, big brother.”

Haram tugged at Dawoon’s clothes to get his attention. Hayun glanced through the rearview mirror at Dawoon listening to Haram’s chatter.

Something other than security programs. Hayun almost laughed when Dawoon said that. It made him think that even though Dawoon pretended otherwise, he still had an underlying awareness of being part of the Haedo Group.

It was as Dawoon had said. The phone he gifted to Dawoon had other things installed besides anti-hacking security programs. But Dawoon wouldn’t know because they didn’t show up on the home screen or in the basic programs.

Because he’s not a child anymore.

The fact that Dawoon had become an adult meant many things for Hayun as well.