Chapter 7. Please Give Me Your Number
The next morning, 9:11 a.m.
Hyunwoo Kang kept checking his wristwatch far more often than usual.
9:11 a.m.
Nine minutes left.
Hyunwoo stood beside the workbench, pretending to organize his tools.
Normally, he should have been checking the piping positions and preparing for the next task around this time.
But for some reason, he couldn't focus today.
"Hyung."
Jaehoon Kim called up to him from below.
"What."
"Time not moving?"
Hyunwoo lowered the hand that had been checking his watch.
"What time?"
"9:20."
Jaehoon grinned.
"Thought so."
"What do you mean, thought so?"
"You're waiting."
"I'm checking the work schedule."
"You've already checked it three times since 9:11."
Hyunwoo glared at him.
"Do you work while staring at my wrist?"
"You make it way too obvious."
Just then, Taesik Park approached from behind them.
"How many minutes left?"
Jaehoon answered immediately.
"Nine minutes."
"Hey."
Hyunwoo said it under his breath.
Taesik snickered.
"Your coffee date's at 9:20?"
"It's not a date."
"Then what is it?"
"She's giving me coffee."
"If you set a time to meet, then give each other coffee, how's that any different from a date?"
Hyunwoo was left speechless.
"We're still inside the job site."
"A job-site date."
"Lead."
"What?"
"Don't mess with me first thing in the morning."
Taesik laughed as he picked up a tool.
"All right. I get it."
Hyunwoo turned back toward the work area as well.
Then, almost without thinking, he glanced toward the passage.
No one was there.
9:14 a.m.
Six minutes left.
Hyunwoo sighed inwardly.
Why am I like this?
It was just handing her a cup of coffee.
And yet, the closer the promised time got, the more his heart inexplicably fluttered.
He had stopped by a convenience store on the way home yesterday and bought two lattes.
One in case it was too sweet.
The other in case it didn't taste good.
In the end, he put both in the refrigerator and brought them with him when he clocked in that morning.
And now...
There were two lattes sitting side by side inside his tool bag.
Hyunwoo checked his watch again.
9:17 a.m.
"Hyung."
Jaehoon called to him again.
"What."
"Three minutes."
"Are you trying to die?"
Jaehoon laughed and ran off.
Hyunwoo clicked his tongue.
At that moment.
A white hard hat appeared in the distance.
Hyunwoo's expression softened on its own.
It was Jia Seo.
This time, Jia seemed to spot Hyunwoo from afar too, because she immediately raised a hand in a small wave.
Hyunwoo dipped his head once, pretending not to care.
But the corners of his mouth were already rising.
Jia approached.
"I'm not late, am I?"
Hyunwoo checked his watch.
9:19 a.m.
"You have one minute left."
"Right on time?"
"I'll give you that."
Jia smiled.
"Where's the coffee?"
Hyunwoo opened his tool bag.
"Here."
He pulled out the two lattes.
Jia's eyes widened.
"Why are there two?"
"One's less sweet."
Hyunwoo held one up.
"And one's a little sweeter."
"So you bought both?"
"I didn't know exactly what you liked."
Jia fell silent for a moment.
Hyunwoo looked away for no reason.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Jia smiled.
"You're more thoughtful than I expected."
Hyunwoo answered immediately.
"I'm not."
"You are."
"It's just two coffees."
"Most people would just buy one."
"They were two-for-one at the convenience store."
Jia checked the cans.
"These aren't two-for-one."
Hyunwoo froze.
Jia's smile grew wider.
"Why are you lying?"
Hyunwoo rubbed a hand over his face.
"Just drink it."
"You're cute."
Hyunwoo's hand stopped.
"What did you say?"
Jia realized belatedly what she had said.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Nothing."
"What did you just say?"
"I didn't say anything."
"I heard you."
"You heard wrong."
"You said I was cute."
Jia's face reddened slightly.
"It just slipped out."
Hyunwoo let out a quiet laugh.
"Am I cute?"
"No."
"You just said I was."
"I said the coffee was cute."
Hyunwoo looked at the latte cans.
"The coffee?"
"Yes."
"This?"
"Yes."
Jia hurriedly picked one up.
"I'll drink this one."
"Which one?"
"The sweeter one."
Hyunwoo smiled.
"So you like sweet things."
"A little."
"I'll remember that."
Jia looked at Hyunwoo for a moment.
"You'll remember it?"
"I might buy one next time."
The moment the words left his mouth.
They both paused.
Next time.
They were already talking about a next time as if it were natural.
Jia smiled first.
"Then I'll remember something too."
"What?"
"Hyunwoo Kang likes sweet canned coffee."
"You already knew that."
"Still."
Jia lifted the can slightly.
"We're getting to know each other's preferences, one at a time."
Hyunwoo couldn't say anything for a moment after hearing that.
Getting to know each other's preferences, one at a time.
She might have said it without meaning anything by it.
But for some reason, the words stayed with him.
"Jia Seo."
"Yes?"
"Don't you think we've gotten a little closer lately?"
Jia blinked.
"Where did that come from?"
"Just because."
Hyunwoo continued.
"At first, you always called me out whenever you saw me."
"You kept getting in trouble."
"I don't anymore."
"That's because I'm good at training people."
Hyunwoo gave a hollow laugh.
"You really give yourself all the credit."
Jia laughed.
"Am I wrong?"
"I'm just naturally good at my job."
"Sure. I'll let you have that."
They were still laughing when someone behind Hyunwoo cleared his throat loudly.
"Ahem."
Hyunwoo didn't even turn around.
He had a pretty good idea who it was.
Jaehoon Kim.
"Just walk past."
Hyunwoo said it without looking back.
Jaehoon replied in an aggrieved voice.
"I didn't say anything."
"Your face is saying plenty."
"You didn't even see my face."
"I can feel it."
Jia laughed.
As he passed Hyunwoo, Jaehoon said,
"Right on time, 9:20."
Hyunwoo gave him a light smack on the back with his palm.
"Go."
Jaehoon laughed as he walked away.
Jia asked,
"Does he tease you all the time?"
"Every day."
"Why?"
"Who else would it be because of?"
Hyunwoo looked at Jia.
Jia raised an eyebrow.
"Me?"
"Yes."
"What did I do?"
"You keep coming to find me with coffee."
"You bought me one too."
"Exactly."
Hyunwoo smiled briefly.
"We're both a problem."
Jia smiled too.
"I guess we are."
A little while later, a call came through on Jia's radio.
"Safety Manager Jia Seo, please inspect Block 82."
Jia lifted the radio.
"Yes. I'm on my way."
Then she looked at Hyunwoo.
"I have to go."
"Okay."
Jia took a few steps, then stopped.
"Mr. Hyunwoo Kang."
"What is it?"
"Thanks for the coffee."
"Sure."
"And for thinking it over enough to buy two."
Hyunwoo answered immediately.
"Two-for-one."
Jia laughed.
"You're still using that lie?"
"Please believe me."
"I don't think I will."
Jia turned around.
Then she said with a smile,
"See you this afternoon."
Hyunwoo answered too.
"Sure."
Jia walked away.
Hyunwoo watched her from behind for a moment.
"She called me cute?"
He muttered it without realizing.
Taesik spoke from behind him.
"So you heard her."
Hyunwoo flinched.
"Lead, how long have you been there?"
"Since she said the coffee was cute."
Taesik snickered.
"Hyunwoo."
"What?"
"Think you'll get any work done today?"
Hyunwoo pulled his gloves back on.
"I'll get it done."
"Your face says otherwise."
"Let's work."
But Hyunwoo couldn't lower the corners of his mouth for quite a while.
12:37 p.m.
Jia sat at one side of the cafeteria, drinking her latte.
Sohee Han sat across from her.
Sohee stopped eating and looked at the coffee in Jia's hand.
"What's that?"
"Coffee."
"I know that."
"Then why'd you ask?"
"I mean, who gave it to you?"
Jia took a sip, pretending not to care.
"Mr. Hyunwoo Kang."
Sohee set down her spoon.
"You're not even trying to hide it anymore?"
"Hide what?"
"You got coffee from him this morning."
"I bought him one yesterday, so he bought me one today."
"Then what about tomorrow?"
Jia stopped.
"What?"
"Who's buying tomorrow?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know, huh?"
Sohee grinned.
"Sounds like you'll keep taking turns buying it every day."
Jia gave a small laugh.
"Maybe."
She stopped herself after saying it.
Sohee didn't miss it.
"Maybe?"
"No."
Jia hurriedly changed the subject.
"It's just coffee."
Sohee stared at her.
"Jia."
"Yeah?"
"You've been acting different lately."
"How?"
"When you talk about Mr. Hyunwoo Kang."
Jia looked away.
"What are you talking about?"
"You normally don't even remember workers' names."
"I keep running into him."
"And..."
Sohee pointed at the coffee.
"You're really enjoying that."
"It's coffee."
"You don't usually even finish half a latte."
Jia's hand stopped.
It was true.
Normally, even when she bought a can of coffee, she often left half of it.
But today, she had already finished almost all of it.
"I'm just tired today."
"Sure."
Sohee smiled.
"The coffee must be extra good."
"I'm telling you, it is."
"Not the person who gave it to you?"
Jia turned to Sohee immediately.
"Sohee Han."
"What?"
"Don't say weird things."
She said it, but there wasn't much force behind her voice.
Sohee's playful expression faded a little.
"But seriously, be careful."
Jia stopped.
"About what?"
"Rumors at the job site."
"They already went around once before."
Jia slowly turned the coffee can in her hand.
Sohee continued.
"You're in safety management, and Mr. Hyunwoo Kang is a worker."
"I know."
"Whether there's something between you or not, people might see whatever they want to see."
Jia said nothing for a moment.
Sohee wasn't wrong.
Jia had known that.
From the beginning.
But lately, she had been forgetting a little.
When she talked with Hyunwoo.
When she handed him coffee.
When she laughed.
In those moments, she hadn't thought much about the eyes around them.
Jia answered quietly.
"I know."
"I'm not telling you to be scared."
Sohee said,
"Just keep it in mind too."
Jia nodded.
"Okay."
But it was strange.
She had just been told to be careful.
Yet the only thing on Jia's mind was what Hyunwoo had said a little earlier.
I might buy one next time.
Next time.
That word kept lingering in her heart.
3:08 p.m.
Hyunwoo was holding a section of piping from a high work platform.
"Raise it a little!"
Taesik called from below.
The piping moved slowly.
Hyunwoo reached out.
"Stop!"
Clank.
It lined up perfectly.
Hyunwoo leaned forward slightly.
At that moment, his safety lanyard pulled taut.
Hyunwoo straightened up.
In the past, he might have unclipped it for a moment because it was a hassle.
But he didn't do that now.
For some reason, Jia Seo's face came to mind first.
Clip in your safety lanyard.
Hyunwoo smiled to himself.
"I've really been brainwashed."
Jaehoon asked from below,
"What did you say?"
"Nothing."
He finished the task and climbed down from the platform.
That was when he spotted Jia walking from the opposite side of the passage.
Hyunwoo spoke first.
"Jia Seo."
Jia looked up.
"Yes?"
Hyunwoo lifted the safety lanyard with one hand.
"I did good, right?"
Jia smiled.
"What did I tell you?"
"Are you going to take credit again?"
"I deserve it."
"Seriously."
Jia approached him.
"Still, you're doing well."
"It makes your job easier now, doesn't it?"
"A lot easier."
Jia checked her inspection sheet.
Hyunwoo asked,
"How was the coffee?"
"I finished it."
"Already?"
"Yes."
"Must've been good."
"It was."
Jia looked at Hyunwoo for a moment.
"Better than I expected."
"Better than you expected?"
"Considering you picked it out."
Hyunwoo smiled.
"Was that a compliment or an insult?"
"A little of both?"
They laughed.
Just then, two other workers passed by a short distance away, stealing a glance at Hyunwoo and Jia.
It only lasted a moment.
But Jia noticed.
The smile on her face stiffened slightly.
Hyunwoo noticed right away.
"What is it?"
"Nothing."
"What is it?"
Jia glanced around.
Then she lowered her voice a little.
"We should probably be a little more careful at the job site."
Hyunwoo's expression shifted slightly.
"About what?"
"Talking for too long."
Jia continued.
"People might start rumors again for no reason."
Hyunwoo said nothing for a moment.
Just a moment ago, the mood had been good.
But suddenly, it felt as if a line had been drawn between them.
Of course, Jia was right.
They weren't anything yet.
And rumors spread fast at the job site.
Hyunwoo nodded.
"I understand."
Jia studied his expression.
"Are you upset?"
"No."
"Really?"
"She's right."
Hyunwoo tried to smile.
"The Lead told me the same thing."
Jia nodded, seeming a little relieved.
"Then that's a relief."
An awkward silence briefly settled between them.
Jia said,
"I'll get going."
"Okay."
Normally, she would have said something like, See you this afternoon.
But not today.
Jia turned around.
Hyunwoo headed back toward the work area as well.
After walking a few steps, Jia turned to look back.
Hyunwoo was already walking away with his back to her.
Jia's expression grew complicated.
Even though she had said the right thing, she felt strangely unsettled.
5:31 p.m.
Quitting time.
Hyunwoo stepped outside the gate.
The conversation he'd had with Jia earlier kept replaying in his mind.
We should probably be a little more careful at the job site.
She was right.
But it bothered him more than he expected.
What had I been expecting?
Hyunwoo laughed to himself.
They weren't anything.
They had only gotten a little closer lately.
Naturally, from Jia's perspective, rumors could be a burden.
He was thinking that as he walked when his phone rang.
It was an unknown number.
Hyunwoo looked at the screen.
One text message.
[Is this Mr. Hyunwoo Kang's number?]
Hyunwoo stopped walking.
Who is this?
After thinking for a moment, he replied.
[Yes. Who is this?]
A reply came within seconds.
[It's Jia Seo.]
Hyunwoo's eyes widened.
Jia Seo.
Hyunwoo stared at the screen for a long moment.
Then he immediately typed,
[How did you get my number?]
This time, the reply took a little longer.
[I asked Jaehoon Kim.]
Hyunwoo let out a hollow laugh.
Jaehoon.
He decided he'd have a word with him tomorrow.
Another text came in.
[I feel like I made things awkward for no reason earlier.]
Hyunwoo's expression softened a little.
[You didn't. You were right.]
Jia replied.
[Still.]
Then, a moment later,
[Let's be a little careful at the job site.]
Hyunwoo stared at the screen.
The next message followed.
[But outside of work, let's talk comfortably.]
Hyunwoo's hand stopped.
A smile spread across his face before he knew it.
He slowly typed a reply.
[Then can I save your number now?]
A few seconds later:
[I might be hurt if you don't.]
Hyunwoo snickered.
Add contact.
He entered her name.
Jia Seo.
He paused just before saving it.
For some reason, he wanted to add something beside her name.
But in the end, he saved it as it was.
Jia Seo.
Hyunwoo sent another message.
[Saved it.]
Jia replied right away.
[Me too.]
Hyunwoo hesitated, then sent one more sentence.
[So what do we do about coffee tomorrow?]
Her reply came faster than he expected.
[Weren't you saying we shouldn't talk for too long at the job site?]
Hyunwoo smiled.
[Then no coffee?]
A moment later:
[No.]
Then another message followed.
[We can have it after work.]
Hyunwoo stopped dead in his tracks.
After work.
That was different from before.
It wouldn't be a brief meeting inside the job site.
They wouldn't be talking while conducting an inspection.
After work.
Time alone, just the two of them.
Hyunwoo stared at the screen, unable to write a reply for a long while.
Then another text arrived from Jia.
[Why aren't you answering?]
Smiling, Hyunwoo typed,
[I was thinking because I was happy.]
He stopped after hitting send.
Because I was happy.
That sounded a little strange.
He hurriedly sent another message.
[I mean, I'm happy about having coffee.]
There was no reply for several seconds.
Hyunwoo grew nervous for no reason.
Finally, his phone rang.
[I know lol]
Below that:
[Then I'll see you after work tomorrow.]
Hyunwoo looked down at the screen and smiled.
Then he sent a short reply.
[Okay. See you tomorrow.]
He put his phone in his pocket.
After walking a few steps, he took it back out.
Jia Seo.
He checked the saved name once.
Now the two of them had a way to contact each other.
He no longer had to search for her because he didn't know where she was working.
He didn't have to wait around the job site using coffee as an excuse, either.
If he wanted to, he could message her anytime.
Hyunwoo didn't know it yet.
Learning one another's phone number would close the distance between them much faster than he expected.
And he didn't know that the next day, for the first time, the two of them would sit across from each other alone outside the shipyard.