A strong vibration was felt inside his clothes, but as Kim Cheolsoo gripped the watch tightly in his hand, it quieted down once more.
He didn’t know why the pocket watch was acting this way… but he felt tense.
This watch was truly something mysterious. He couldn’t simply call it a watch.
It was as if the watch had a will of its own—there was always a reason for its behavior. Since it was ringing now… there had to be a reason.
What could it be? Kim Cheolsoo pondered deeply, but no answer came to him.
He shook his head and decided to stop thinking about it.
At that moment, Ha Saebyeok answered Kim Cheolsoo’s earlier question—the one he’d asked about the jaechup-guk.
“Yes. I added coarse salt to season the soup… Is it too salty? That would be a problem… Should I add more water and boil it again for you?”
Kim Cheolsoo shook his head as he spoke to her kindly.
“No, it’s perfect. The seasoning in the jaechup-guk is just right, and it’s delicious. I didn’t know clear soup could taste this good… You’re really good at cooking. I had no idea.”
“At Hampyeong Hospital, you ate the cafeteria food… and in Seoul, you always ate out. That’s why I never had a chance to cook for you. But I always wanted to serve you a meal. Seeing you eat with such enjoyment makes me happy.”
“You put such deep thought into it… I’ll eat well. Saebyeok. Ah! And I know you let me into your room last night. Thank you for laying out the blanket, too.”
“Hehe, it’s nothing. It may still be warm, but it is September. I was worried you might catch a cold.”
“I see. Thank you so much.”
“Oh, it’s nothing at all. Please finish your meal before the soup gets cold. Would you like some more?”
“Yes, I’d love that. It’s not often I get my appetite up first thing in the morning. I can’t believe you made such a delicious breakfast…”
“Here you go. Have another bowl and clear your head.”
Kim Cheolsoo was moved as he poured the freshly cooked, steaming rice Ha Saebyeok had just made into his bowl of jaechup-guk, where the clean taste of the clams and fresh chives blended perfectly.
The grains of rice were alive—this is why rice cooked in an iron pot is the best, isn’t it? The white rice rolling in his mouth, mixed with the refreshing flavor of the jaechup-guk, was exquisite.
To be served such a delicious meal from early morning… Even a magical helper couldn’t do better than this.
While enjoying his meal and popping a piece of hot rolled omelet into his mouth, Kim Cheolsoo asked her,
“By the way, you’re a really great cook. Weren’t you busy with your singing career?”
“My situation made it impossible to live with my father. As an illegitimate child, I couldn’t reveal myself publicly. So I often had to eat alone from a young age. That’s how I got better at cooking. What would you like for lunch? Today’s Sunday, so you’re not going to work, right?”
“Yes. I don’t have to go to work, but there’s farm work to do. But… lunch? Will you be here at lunchtime, too?”
When Kim Cheolsoo asked in confusion, she nodded with a pretty smile, as if it were only natural.
Even the way she nodded her head cutely was lovely… She was truly a top star. Or perhaps, Kim Cheolsoo was starting to see her in a new light.
Suddenly, Kim Cheolsoo realized just how small her face was. Celebrities really are something else—her head was no bigger than a fist.
Ha Saebyeok spoke with a smile.
“Of course. I’ll be living in this house until my father’s surgery is over, is that okay? I checked, and it’s hard to find a place to stay around here. Please let me stay just a little while. Please?”
She pleaded sweetly, her request sincere and full of charm, making it impossible for Kim Cheolsoo to refuse.
Still, was it okay to live together with a top star? He felt a bit uneasy. If reporters found out, there would be chaos…
But there was nowhere else for her to go while she watched over her father’s recovery and surgery.
He couldn’t ask her to check back into the hospital, since her father was already recovering… and this was the only place in town with a spare room.
There were also safety concerns for a top star…
After thinking for a moment, Kim Cheolsoo finally said, as if there were no other choice,
“Let’s do that, then. I have a spare room, and with a bit of cleaning, it should be fine for a few days. You can stay there for the time being.”
“Oh my, the weather’s getting cold already—wouldn’t it be better to just share a room? We slept side by side last night anyway…”
As she spoke with a sly smile, Kim Cheolsoo drew a clear line.
“…That’s not possible. We’ll sleep in separate rooms.”
At that, Ha Saebyeok nodded, suddenly looking disappointed.
“Alright. I’ll sleep in the other room. Geez! We already shared a room last night, you’re being so strict.”
Kim Cheolsoo, still feeling awkward about sharing a house with her, hurried out to tend the fields.
About three hours later, Ha Saebyeok came out to meet him.
“Teacher—time for lunch. Please come quickly—the food’s getting cold!”
Kim Cheolsoo was flustered, not expecting her to come all the way to the field.
“Ah… it’s fine, you go ahead first. I’ll follow.”
“Oh my, we could just go together, what’s the fuss? I’ll wait here until you’re ready.”
Kim Cheolsoo’s face turned as red as a carrot, and the village chief, surprised at the sight of her, spoke.
“What a pretty lady! Who is she?”
While Kim Cheolsoo stammered, Ha Saebyeok darted over and greeted the chief politely.
“Hello, sir! I’m singer Ha Saebyeok. I stayed at Teacher’s house last night.”
“Wha… What? You stayed together?”
“Yes. And I’ll be staying a few more days as well.”
“…I see. Please look after Cheolsoo.”
Looking at her, the village chief turned to Kim Cheolsoo with an expression full of envy.
“Hoho… I knew you had the looks of a courtesan’s son, but you’re really talented at winning over women. Kids these days are fast, I tell you. Already spent a night together… Ahem!”
“That’s not it! You’ve got the wrong idea!”
“If not, then why get upset? Seems to me she’s a catch for you… Pretty face, well-mannered! Anyway, treat her well. Hoho! What a time in your life. Enjoy it! Back in the day, my wife and I were madly in love. Hohoho!”
“Let’s go, Saebyeok!”
Blushing all the way to his ears, Kim Cheolsoo hurried away.
Having such a beautiful woman constantly approach him left him feeling more lost than ever.
Kim Cheolsoo found himself wondering, could she really like me? As he climbed the hill, pondering, he soon entered the haunted house.
The scent of scorched rice spread in every direction. Kim Cheolsoo looked at her in surprise.
For her, this was a rather old-fashioned dish to cook.
After all, Ha Saebyeok had a sophisticated image befitting an idol.
“Is this nurungji porridge?”
“Yes. Since I cooked rice in the cauldron, some nurungji formed at the bottom. Do you not like nurungji? That would be a problem…”
“Of course not. I used to eat it all the time at my grandfather’s house when I was little. Thank you, I’ll enjoy it. You’ve gone through so much trouble for me today. Even a top star getting her hands wet in the kitchen…”
“I’m fine. Please, have a taste.”
Kim Cheolsoo thought that Ha Saebyeok was the cutest woman in all of Korea.
Never mind that countless men adored her… she could cook, and was kind as well.
He felt truly happy as he scooped the nurungji porridge into his mouth.
The flavor ran deep. Since it was nurungji from the cauldron, it wasn’t hard at all—on the contrary, its depth and softness melted in his mouth. As Kim Cheolsoo was reminded of when his grandfather was alive, he felt a surge of emotion.
“It’s really delicious. Saebyeok, you should try some too.”
“Yes, I will. Mmm! It’s so good! I made it, but even I’m surprised how tasty it is!”
The two sat on the porch, chatting as the cool breeze blew in.
They only talked about small things, but it was enough to make him happy.
What mattered wasn’t the subject of the conversation, but the person you were talking with.
Smiling broadly, Kim Cheolsoo said,
“It’s your first real vacation in a while—if there’s anything you want to do, just say it. I’ll do it with you.”
“Huh? Is this… a date invitation?”
“…It’s not that. Just tell me if there’s something you want to do.”
After thinking for a moment, she gave an unexpected answer.
“Hmm… I want to go to Gwangju to watch a baseball game. But it’s probably hard to get tickets, right? Especially on the day…”
It was an unusual request, but Kim Cheolsoo smiled. Coincidentally, one of his patients was on the Gwangju baseball team.
Wearing a confident smile, he said,
“Then let’s go to Gwangju this evening and watch a baseball game.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful! We can stop by the market on the way and buy groceries, too. Who knows how much longer I’ll be staying at this house, after all.”
“Let’s do that.”
Feeling almost as if he were married, Kim Cheolsoo called the village chief’s son, Player Go, and asked for a favor.
Naturally, Player Go agreed to get tickets, so they drove into Gwangju in the luxury sedan she had brought.
-Buaaaang!!
The feeling of driving again after such a long time was exhilarating.
Ha Saebyeok was focused on the road.
“The roads aren’t crowded, so we’ll get there quickly. What should we do if we arrive too early? There’s still a while before the game starts…”
“Yawn—good question…”
Just then, Kim Cheolsoo let out a yawn, showing his fatigue.
He’d drunk last night and worked in the fields this morning, so he was exhausted.
Sensing this, Ha Saebyeok spoke considerately from the driver’s seat.
“You can sleep for a bit if you want. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”
“No, it’s fine…”
“You can’t sleep at the stadium. We need to cheer for the Gwangju team together. Even a short nap will help you recover.”
No matter how you looked at it, she seemed like an angel descended to earth. She earned plenty of money and was incredibly popular, yet she was so kind.
Unable to resist her suggestion, Kim Cheolsoo soon fell into a deep sleep.
And… his pocket watch began to glow with a golden light once more.
No one noticed.
*****
“Kim Cheolsoo! Are you sleeping in class? Are you crazy?”
“Uhh… just a bit longer, please, Saebyeok. I’m still tired…”
-Smack!!
“Ow!! That hurts! Wh… who is it?!”
A sudden jolt shot through his brain, and Kim Cheolsoo shot upright in his seat.
All around him, he heard suppressed laughter.
What on earth is going on?
Kim Cheolsoo realized he was back in a familiar classroom.
But something was different.
It wasn’t the trauma surgery Professor Cha from before—another professor was glaring at him and wielding a stick.
“Do you need more punishment to come to your senses? Kim Cheolsoo? You’re only a second-year medical student and you dare sleep in my lecture?”
A quirky female professor in a short skirt.
Professor Lee Yoona, a beautiful woman in her early thirties from the plastic surgery department, was scolding him.
What’s going on? She looks so much younger! When I saw her two years ago, her face was different…
Her skin was taut… and other parts, too… were fuller.
“Hey! Are you listening? How dare you sleep in my class?!”
Professor Lee Yoona, who was much too pretty for a professor.
Uniquely, she was wearing a blue dress sparkling like stars, and looked absolutely enchanting.
Her attire accentuated her voluptuous figure and drew every eye—but that wasn’t important right now.
Startled, Kim Cheolsoo glanced at the calendar on the wall and exclaimed in disbelief,
“February 13th, 1987? Crazy!! I’ve traveled to the past again? And to the tumultuous days of the Fifth Republic military dictatorship! What is going on?!”