Mint Is Pure Love - Chapter 49
<Seasons of Us.>
The project name was printed across the top of an A4 sheet. Seokyung’s calm voice filled the clubroom.
“Think of it as… swapping seasons through words.”
Spring sunlight, warm enough to make you want to linger, poured in through the window.
“I don’t want us to just snap a few pretty pictures and throw them together like a coffee-table book. This is a year-long project. We’ll rotate teams, gather writing, art, photos—then we’ll each create pieces in our own style, pick a few, and publish those.”
Jeongmin, the club president, raised an eyebrow.
“Doesn’t that sound a little too sentimental? I mean, there’s only so much you can do with seasons.”
Seokyung answered without missing a beat.
“It doesn’t have to be literary. The whole point is cultural exchange, not a writing contest. And we’ve got people from all kinds of majors. Take this, for example—why do you think there are so many couples walking along the Deoksugung Stone Wall Road in spring? You could approach that from a law student’s perspective, linking spring to divorce rates. There’s plenty to say.”
His sly suggestion made Jeongmin smirk.
“Write whatever you want—poetry, essays, columns, short stories, reviews—format doesn’t matter. Whether it makes the final cut will be decided after editing. The most important thing is to use expressions that they can understand. Capture seasonal scenes that only exist here in Korea. This is about exchange, remember.”
Listening, Yeonseo felt a little tense. She’d thought this was just a small school club activity.
But this was actually a commemorative project for the academic exchange agreement between Yeono University and Heston State University. The completed book would be distributed to both schools and placed in their commemorative libraries.
“Oh, and one more thing—everyone participating will get a recommendation letter from the professor for exchange programs, plus a few other perks. But since it’s a long-term project, we’ll be meeting often. There might be weekend meetings, too, so if you think it’s too much for your schedule, let the project leader know by the end of this week. No pressure.”
The club’s online café had already been swamped with posts asking if there were any openings left for this project—most from female students clearly hoping to work alongside someone.
Either way, this was a good opportunity. Even if she didn’t produce anything groundbreaking, finishing this would still look impressive on a college résumé. And that exchange recommendation? Definitely tempting.
When no one spoke up, Seokyung gave a satisfied nod. Jeongmin wrapped up by scheduling the next meeting.
***
“Don’t you think it’s kinda weird?”
After the meeting, Yeonseo ended up with a group of older female club members at a burger joint near campus. She glanced at her classmate Haemin, who was dunking fries in ketchup.
“Why’s Seokyung so into this project? I mean, yeah, it’s fun and a great chance, but… why him? What’s he missing in life?”
Her serious question made the older girls exchange knowing smiles.
“I heard from a friend in business school that his family’s loaded. Both parents live in the States, right? His dad’s some big company president or something.”
“My dad’s in prison.”
The words she’d overheard through a phone years ago brushed against her memory.
“That same friend said he’s aiming for NYU Stern. True?”
“Probably.”
“Then why bother putting so much effort into this?”
“What, you don’t like that he’s working hard?”
“No, no—it’s nice. I mean, I do like seeing a handsome senior around.”
So he was prepping to study abroad. That made sense. Maybe he’d even made up with his mom. The boy who used to deliver newspapers and survive on merit scholarships didn’t seem to exist anymore.
A female senior, one year below him, spoke up.
“He’s not the type to be intense about everything. More like… he only goes all in when it matters. People in his year say he’s been like that every year—super active in March and April, then loses interest, keeps his grades up just enough, and takes the next semester off. Then repeats.”
Another senior, chewing her burger, added meaningfully,
“Yup. March and April are his busiest months.”
Yeonseo and Haemin exchanged confused looks. Haemin, unable to contain herself, asked.
“Why?”
“Why do you think? He’s the freshman killer.”
“…Sorry, what?”
“March hits, and he’s at every single department mixer, eyes wide open, scouting for promising newbies. All those campus-famous girls? He met them that way.”
Yeonseo froze, burger in hand. Seokyung had many titles—Prince of Myungwon High, Kind Seokyung, Top Student Seokyung—but this one fit the least.
Her friend stammered,
“Wait—really? No way.”
“He’s done with Yang Jisoo, right?” Even Eunjoo, who usually wasn’t into gossip, leaned in.
“Looks like it. They dated for, what, a year?”
“I saw her in the café’s old photo albums. She’s gorgeous. Why’s she not around anymore?”
“Jisoo? She joined just to date him. Mission accomplished, so she quit.”
“Wow… guess bold girls really do get the guy.”
“They suited each other. Both stupidly good-looking. Faces like Jisoo’s don’t come around often.”
One senior clicked her tongue and said,
“Seokyung’s great—good personality, polite, handsome, caring. But as a boyfriend? Meh. He’s too… all over the place. And there’s always so much gossip. Dating him’s exhausting.”
“Oh, come on. If even crusty older guys act all high and mighty, then having someone like him around is a blessing. Freshman killer? Hell, I hope he kills me next year.”
“You’re insane.”
The older girl’s joke sent the table into fits of laughter. Yeonseo laughed along, but her head felt strangely noisy. Six years, huh, Seokyung? You must’ve been busy.
***
“Speaking of freshmen, Minseo—when I first saw you, I was shocked. You’re so pretty.”
Everyone’s attention turned to her. Yeonseo quietly set down the untouched burger.
“How’s it feel to wake up with that face? Do you love looking in the mirror?”
“Uh… honestly, in the morning I just think about how much I don’t want to go to class.”
Laughter rippled around the table.
“No need to be modest. You probably had tons of admirers, right? So why no boyfriend?”
Good question. Why didn’t I? Why was I different from him?
“She dated plenty, just not right now. I even set her up on a blind date—perfect timing.” Eunjoo smiled proudly.
That reminded Yeonseo—this Saturday, she had plans to watch a movie with Kim Jawoon.
Right. No point dwelling on the past. It only wastes my breath. She lifted her Coke like making a vow.
“I’m gonna start dating.”
Didn’t matter who—she was ready to meet someone new.
Everyone cheered, and she forced a laugh to swallow the lingering bitterness. That’s when her phone buzzed in her hand.
A new text.
[Sat, Apr 29. Parking lot in front of the student center. 2 p.m. – Seokyung]