Campus Log - Chapter 55

There wasn’t anything particularly special about my birthday. I received a birthday phone call from my parents, drank a free cup of coffee using a birthday coupon, and received praise from Professor Kim Ki-jung that my report was excellent.

Aside from meeting Yang Soo-bin, the rest of the day went according to my plan. Now, if I study in the study room, which was packed with dormitory students, and greet midnight, my birthday would end uneventfully and peacefully.

Since there were no empty seats left in the study room, Ryu Eun-seok was using the desk right next to mine. The man, who seemed to be concentrating well even after eating dinner, rustled and got up about an hour later.

-Come to the acacia tree in 10 minutes.

After Ryu Eun-seok left the study room, a message arrived from him. I typed “Why?” but then deleted it. Because I thought I knew what he was calling me out for.

The day wasn’t over yet, and there was a high chance that the guy who had even given me a panda doll wouldn’t let this day pass like this.

Instead of asking a question whose answer I could already see, I sent a reply saying okay. I didn’t know what exactly he was expecting, but my heart was already racing at an alarming speed. The letters on my page weren’t registering—I just stared at the slowly changing numbers on the clock.

When I had filled those 10 minutes to the second, my walk took me half a circle around the dormitory building. The thick trees at the back carried the night breeze. Scattered streetlamps stretched the visitor’s shadow long.

The acacia blossoms, weary from the heat, were now getting ready to hide their traces.

And beneath it sat a cake glowing with a round, yellow light. Together with Ryu Eun-seok.

“Hurry up. The candles are melting.”

Ryu Eun-seok gestured for me to come quickly. The man with the cake resting on his thighs was shining alone like a lighthouse beneath the dark shadows of the trees.

As I walked over hesitantly, I couldn’t stop feeling that I was being quite hypocritical. I had already roughly expected this kind of situation from the moment he suggested we meet separately in 10 minutes, yet now that I was face to face with the man holding the cake, I felt embarrassed—it didn’t add up.

“There’s mosquito repellent over there. Watch out.”

As Ryu Eun-seok said, mosquito coils were smoldering at both ends of the bench. The only downside to this cozy and secret spot was the bugs, and the man had already prepared perfectly for even that.

I sat down between Ryu Eun-seok and the mosquito coil. The fresh cream cake topped with plenty of tangerines made my mouth water just by looking at it. Whether because of the candles stuck in it, the yellow fruit glistened even more appetizingly.

“Make a wish first.”

Ryu Eun-seok lifted the cake up to his chest. I just moved my lips wordlessly, glancing back and forth between the candles and Ryu Eun-seok. I knew that the proper way to make a wish was to close my eyes first, but because of the shy feeling that had been chasing me since earlier, I just fluttered my eyelashes for no reason.

As for wishes—first, I hope to get first place again this semester and receive the scholarship; I hope to get a good job before graduation; I hope my parents stay healthy, and the panda family stays happy…

I glanced at Ryu Eun-seok and added one more wish in my heart.

*I hope Ryu Eun-seok continues to do well bravely in the future.*

It was only right that I could wish at least this much for the person who had prepared not only a doll but also a cake for me.

I took a deep breath and blew out the candles. The streetlamp was still emitting light, but with the candles extinguished, the surroundings felt darker than before. Ryu Eun-seok, who had been holding the cake, opened his mouth wide.

“What the—? I hadn’t even sung the song yet. How could you blow them out?”

“Song? What song?”

The two of us sitting side by side while I listened to a one-sided birthday song? Was that a new form of torture designed to make my whole body squirm?

“You’re disregarding someone’s sincerity like this.”

Ryu Eun-seok let out a dissatisfied sigh but silently handed me a disposable spoon. He also placed an iced Americano with a straw in it next to me.

“It’s decaf.”

Just how far had he prepared? I felt embarrassed empty-handed, as if I was only receiving without giving anything back. Unable to look directly at Ryu Eun-seok’s face, I kept busy with constant sideways glances.

“I’ll eat well.”

The tangerine cake was sweet and refreshing. The combination of the fruit that squished softly in my mouth, the soft sponge, and the fresh cream sandwiched between them was absolutely amazing.

I had already received a full birthday spread at home over the weekend—sea mustard soup, cake, and a generous allowance… …aside from my family, the corners of my mouth kept lifting on a birthday celebrated with someone else.