MISSING EXAM

Thee night sky hung dark over the school as I finished my self-study session in the study room. As I walked towards the gate, a chilly breeze blew gently, carrying the damp scent of asphalt in the quiet surroundings.

At the guard post, a security guard greeted me warmly.

"Heading home now, kid?" he asked, sipping his coffee from a plastic cup.

I nodded with a small smile. "Yes, sir. It's already late."

The security guard sighed. "Be careful on your way. Lately, there have been thugs roaming around. They're crazy, attacking people without reason."

I let out a small chuckle, trying to push away any fear that might creep in. "I'm used to going home late, sir. So far, nothing strange has ever happened."

"Still, stay alert. This world is unpredictable," he said seriously.

I nodded before casually walking to the bus stop outside the school. Tonight felt quieter than usual. The streetlights flickered dimly, casting long shadows on the pavement.

As I waited for the bus, my phone suddenly rang. The name "Dad" appeared on the screen.

"Hello, Dad?" I answered the call.

"Sweetie, where are you?"

"I'm on my way home, Dad." At first, I ignored the odd static in the call, but then I noticed my father's voice sounded weak and broken.

"S-sweetie... I didn’t want to trouble you, but... can you... help me... at the playground? Hurry..."

Then, the call cut off.

My heart pounded. What was happening? "Dad?"

Panic surged through me as I tried calling back, but there was no answer. Again and again, I tried—still nothing.

Without thinking, I sprinted toward the playground he mentioned. There was only one playground in this area, so I was sure he meant that one.

My breathing grew ragged, but my mind was filled with fear.

What happened to Dad? What if what the security guard warned about actually happened to him?

When I arrived at the playground, my eyes darted around. "Dad!" I called out, but there was no reply.

Suddenly, a scream of pain echoed from the dimly lit corner of the park.

I instantly turned in that direction. In the distance, two figures stood—one slumped on the ground while the other crouched over them.

Without hesitation, I grabbed a wooden plank lying nearby. That must be the crazy thug attacking my dad!

Fueled by rage, I ran and swung the plank with all my strength at the back of the person looming over my father.

Thud! Thud!

The person cried out in pain. I struck again, harder, determined not to let this wretched creature walk away after threatening my only family. But just as I was about to land another blow, my father’s voice stopped me.

"Narin! Stop! What are you doing?"

"Stay calm, Dad! I'll protect you from these cursed devils!" I shouted between breaths and raised the plank once more.

"The devil?!" my father barked. "He was helping me!"

I froze, my fingers trembling on the plank’s handle. Devil? I called him a devil? How stupid!

Slowly, the man I had just attacked turned around, and my heart nearly stopped beating.

It was... Do Hwan.

I must have completely lost my mind.

Do Hwan grimaced, his hand clutching his injured back. His expression was tense, but his eyes held more surprise than anger.

I stood frozen. How was this even possible?

---

"So, she's your daughter, Uncle?" the man who just caused chaos asked while helping my father walk back home.

If I thought about it, I was the one who caused the chaos. I had suddenly appeared and attacked him, even though he had kindly helped my father after he fell due to his injured leg.

"That's right. I apologize for my daughter. She's always been a reckless child," my father said with a slight laugh.

"Dad!" I whined in protest.

"It's no problem, Uncle," Do Hwan replied with a friendly smile.

"Oh, by the way, are you okay? It looks like this naughty girl hit you pretty hard," my father asked with concern.

"Seems like it." He chuckled and glanced at me. I quickly averted my gaze.

When we reached our house, it was time to part ways.

"Alright then, tomorrow I’ll send this naughty girl to treat your wounds," my dad said, patting his shoulder.

Ugh... What choice do I have? I have to take responsibility, right? Besides, who told him to dress like a criminal? Wearing all black from head to toe—no wonder I mistook him!

"Hey, naughty girl!" my dad called, smacking my arm playfully.

"Yes, I get it," I responded immediately.

"Get what? I haven't said anything yet."

I blinked, then heard a suppressed chuckle. When I looked at Do Hwan, he quickly turned away. Annoying!

"Oh, by the way, kid, what’s your name?" my father asked, now looking at the young man more kindly.

"Lee Do Hwan," he answered casually, smiling.

"Wow… your face is no joke," my dad commented, waving his hand as if to ward off overwhelming handsomeness.

"Huh?" Do Hwan frowned.

"I mean, you're good-looking."

I scoffed. "Good-looking, my foot." Boring. Everyone must say that. His ego is probably as inflated as Pluto.

Dad elbowed me. "Let’s chat again sometime. I’m getting old, so I need rest."

"Ey, Uncle, you're still young and handsome. Who’s the blind person calling you old?" Do Hwan responded smoothly. Hm, not bad.

"Hahaha, you're funny." Dad laughed heartily, looking slightly embarrassed. I shook my head, but deep down, I smiled. It had been a long time since Dad laughed like this.

"Dad, let’s go inside!" I urged, reaching for his arm.

But he brushed my hand away. "You have to treat your friend first."

"Huh?"

"You hit him. If his parents see their precious son all bruised, what will you say?"

"I thought we’d do that tomorrow?"

"Now, before the bruises get worse."

"But it's late." I showed him my phone. "Look! It's already 10:30 PM. It's too late, right? He probably wants to go home." I glanced at Do Hwan, hoping he’d back me up. But the annoying man just stood there silently, pretending to be clueless. Ugh!

Dad clicked his tongue. "No excuses."

---

A few minutes later, I was at the pharmacy.

"I need something for bruises," I told the pharmacist.

She handed me a small tube of ointment after I explained the cause. "Apply it thinly twice a day."

"Thank you." I paid and stepped outside.

Do Hwan was busy texting, his face serious, brows slightly furrowed. Was it the brightness of his phone screen, or… was he dealing with a problem?

I stood there for a moment, watching him. He always seemed fine. But… was he really?

Before I realized it, he had finished texting and was staring at me curiously. I quickly walked over and handed him the ointment.

He took it and began applying it to his arm. I just sat beside him, waiting in silence.

When I saw the bluish bruise forming on his fair skin, guilt washed over me. "Is that… because of earlier?"

Do Hwan glanced at me, his face blank, then suddenly let out a small chuckle. "Relax. It'll be gone in a few days."

For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then he looked at me, eyes sharp and teasing. "Were you just worried about me?"

I swallowed hard and quickly looked away.

"Who’s worried?"

I heard him scoff lightly. He was definitely laughing at my stupidity. Whatever. This was officially the dumbest night of my life. Let him enjoy it.

Silence enveloped us again as we ran out of things to talk about. The night breeze blew gently, brushing away the fine dust that had settled on skin already weary from the day.

Then, I broke the silence. “Do you often hang out with older people?”

“Why?”

“You seem to know exactly how to please them. Like what you did with my dad.”

“Hmm… I don’t really hang out with older people. But I’m used to attending business meetings dominated by adults. Many of them like to impose their will as if they know what’s best for us. Over time, I realized that sometimes making others happy is easier than thinking about our own happiness.”

I fell silent. His words felt too deep for such a casual conversation.

“What are you doing?” he suddenly spoke, breaking the quiet. “You’ve been staring at my face all this time. Can’t take your eyes off my handsomeness, huh?” He stroked his chin smugly.

“Are you crazy? I’m only here because I was forced to! And you didn’t even help me at all.”

“When?”

“Don’t play dumb! I gave you a signal so you could tell my dad, ‘I have to go home because it’s late.’ But what did you do? You just stood there, clueless!”

“Oh, I see.” He chuckled. “You should’ve just said, ‘Please save me.’ Then I could’ve granted your wish.”

I frowned. “Wait! If you knew, why didn’t you say anything earlier?”

He stood up with a sly smile, then leaned in slightly before pulling away again. “Well… I got caught.”

“You’re completely unreliable!”

I shouted in frustration.

***