After seeing Sol A watching, Professor Yang pushed Professor Park away.
“Sol A, it’s not what you think. Professor Park wasn’t sober, that’s why she did that.”
“Umm.”

Suddenly, Professor Park came from behind and hugged Professor Yang. Sol A couldn’t stand to look any longer, so she walked away crying. Professor Yang tried to push Professor Park away to chase after Sol A, but the more he pushed, the tighter she held on. Sol A walked down the street in tears, crying so much that everyone around stared at her. This time, she was truly heartbroken after witnessing the person she liked being kissed by someone else.

Professor Yang called Sol A many times, but she didn’t answer. When she returned to the dorm, she saw Ye Sul and broke down in tears again.
“Waegudae?”
“Why? Why are you crying?”

She couldn’t answer because her tears kept flowing. When she finally calmed down, she told Ye Sul what happened.
“Today, I accidentally saw the person I like being kissed by someone else.”
“Professor Yang? You like him?”
“How do you know I like him?”
“I’ve known for a long time. But who was it that kissed Professor Yang?”
“Professor Park.”
“Are they lovers?”
“I don’t know. I just saw them having breakfast together.”
“Then… does Professor Yang like you?”
“I don’t know.”
“If the two of them aren’t together, then that’s good.”

Wanting to comfort Sol A, the two of them drank and talked together until morning.

The next day

Because Sol A and Ye Sul drank a lot last night, Ye Sul took the day off, but Sol A went to school because she was afraid of missing class. When she entered the campus, she saw Professor Yang standing there. Not wanting to talk to him, she went straight to class. Professor Yang texted her again and again, but she didn’t reply.

During class, as usual, Professor Yang walked in. His first glance was toward Sol A’s seat, but she wasn’t there.
“Kang Sol A didn’t come today, Joon Hwi?”
“She did.”
“Then why isn’t she in class?”
“She’s in the infirmary.”
“What happened to her?”
“She suddenly had a stomachache during class, so I took her to the infirmary.”

Hearing that, Professor Yang rushed to the infirmary after class. Pulling the curtain aside, he saw Sol A lying there. Their eyes met.
“Waegudae? Gwaenchana?”
“I’m fine, just a little stomachache, nothing serious.”

Worried, Professor Yang asked the school nurse, “What’s wrong with her?”
“She often skips breakfast and doesn’t eat properly, so she has gastritis and calcium deficiency.”

After hearing that, Professor Yang scolded Sol A.
“Why do you skip breakfast? Do you know how important it is?”
“Joesonghabnida.”

Seeing her eyes, Professor Yang softened his tone.
“Come eat with me.”
“Nae?”

The two of them left together, leaving the nurse staring in surprise. “Looking at them, you’d think they were a couple.”

Professor Yang took Sol A to a nearby restaurant.
“Two bowls of beef soup, please!”
“But you still have class. If you leave like this, who’s going to teach?”
“I already asked another professor to cover for me. Don’t worry.”
“Nae.”

While eating, Professor Yang suddenly brought up last night.
“What happened yesterday isn’t what you think. I don’t have anything with Professor Park.”
“Then why did she kiss you?”
“I was forced.” He answered with an innocent look.
“Jinjja?”
“Nae.”
“Then when I kissed you, was that also forced?”
“Well…” Professor Yang looked flustered, not knowing what to say.
“Did you like it when Professor Park kissed you?”
“Ani.”
“Then did you like it when I kissed you?”
“Hmmmmm.”
“So that means you did, right?”
“Isn’t it you who liked it more than me?”

Professor Yang suddenly turned the question back at her. Sol A didn’t know how to answer, so she changed the subject.
“The soup here is so little. I’m still hungry.”
“Eat mine then.”

They ate in an awkward atmosphere, even spilling water because of their nervousness.

After eating, the two walked back together. Sol A saw a claw machine by the roadside and ran to it.
“Yaaa Sol A, you still have class.”
“I know, I just want to play a bit.”
“Yaaaa.”
“Come play with me.”

Professor Yang walked over and stood beside her, watching her try.
“Why is this machine so hard to win?”
“You’re too bad at it. Watch me.”

Professor Yang tried once and immediately got a panda doll.
“You’re so good at this.”
“There’s nothing I’m not good at.”
“Nae nae.”
“Yaa Sol A.”
“Nae?”
“This panda looks just like you. The dark circles under its eyes are the same as yours.”
“Yaa Gyosunim! I’m much prettier than it!”
“Nae, you’re always pretty.”

The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward. Professor Yang’s sudden compliment made Sol A blush, and he himself didn’t know what to do. Feeling too embarrassed, he blurted out something he shouldn’t have.
“Let’s go watch the ocean tonight.”
“Siro.”
“Wae?”
“I already have plans tonight.”
“With who?”
“Joon Hwi.”
“Yaa Kang Sol.”
“Wae?”
“Umm, go ahead. I’ll just go by myself tonight.”

To be continued.