Chapter 20
20. All the Way to Busan While We're At It
It was an incredibly innocent remark. Yet hearing that she had no boyfriend somehow made him want to laugh.
"Who would investigate whether you really have a boyfriend or not? Just say you broke up at some point."
Naeun was even more surprised by his words.
"If you receive such an expensive car while dating and then break up, don't you have to return the car?"
Kangwoo burst out laughing at that.
"That's a first. What kind of pathetic guy takes back a gift he gave? Would you do that, Naeun? When you date a guy, do you make him hand over everything he gave you upon breaking up?"
She had never dated a man, so she didn't know. But Kangwoo teased her once more.
"Or did an ex-boyfriend do that to you? Demand back all the gifts?"
"No."
Naeun hurriedly denied it first. If she dated a man, would he really give gifts like this?
If the conversation dragged on, it might get awkward, so Naeun greeted him.
"Thank you for the car."
"I didn't buy it. No need to thank me."
That was true too. It was his mother who bought it. The air grew even more awkward with his indifferent reply. Naeun
"I'll head inside now."
"Have you driven before? The kids seem to be bathing with Yeosa right now."
"Ah, yes."
She did want to try driving. Now that she had a car. Then Kangwoo said,
"Then get in and try it. You have a license, right?"
"Yes, I have a license."
"How long has it been since you last drove?"
Suddenly, Naeun clamped her mouth shut.
"Why? It's been a while?"
As Naeun blushed without answering, Kangwoo started laughing in disbelief.
"No way—you got your license but have never driven?"
Naeun nodded. She had never had the chance. No car, and raising a baby kept her too busy.
"Then what gave you the nerve to ask for a car?"
"I can take lessons and learn."
It was true she was a closet license holder, so she had nothing to say. Kangwoo spoke again.
"Lessons? Get in first."
As Kangwoo opened the door, the new car smell wafted subtly. Like it had just rolled off the assembly line, the scent of leather seats mixed with freshly coated metal parts. The aroma intensified with temperature,
filling the car with a fresh, slightly cool new-car feel.
"It might be a bit chilly, but since it's new, better to crack the windows."
Turning to the front, Kangwoo in the driver's seat fastened Naeun's seatbelt. In the embracing position, Naeun's heart pounded wildly. But pushing him away would be awkward.
"Don't think random thoughts. Watch carefully."
"Pardon? Random thoughts? I never think random things."
Kangwoo let out a hollow laugh at Naeun's sudden indignation.
"I'm about to give you driving lessons, so no random thoughts and watch carefully, Teacher Han Naeun. But it's suspicious. What were you thinking to get so defensive about not having random thoughts? People always get prickly where it hurts,
right?"
With that, Kangwoo started the car without another word.
"No. Let's start."
"Press this to start the engine. Try it once. Feel the sensation with your fingertips." Then
press once more. The engine turned off.
"Press once more."
While turning the engine on and off, she heard her pounding heart and the car engine. Her heartbeat felt much louder than the engine.
It was sudden driving lessons. She hadn't expected lessons right after getting the car. The two had come out lightly dressed and moved to a quiet spot. Kangwoo parked on one side. Naeun looked around.
"Where is this?"
"This road doesn't have much traffic. Perfect for first driving lessons, right?"
At Kangwoo's words, Naeun lost confidence. Sudden lessons were one thing, but at night!
"Wouldn't it be better during the day?"
Kangwoo shot back as if it were nonsense.
"You'll drive day and night once you start, so what's the difference? And you have a license."
"Yes, I have it. See?"
Naeun pulled out her license from her card wallet in her pocket and showed it. Kangwoo laughed again seeing it. Naeun in the photo looked much younger.
"Why laugh?"
"No. The photo came out pretty."
Naeun snatched back the license at his words. She knew exactly how it looked. Short, stubby hair from a hasty photo, not even one she liked. She hadn't planned to change it since no one would see it, but she ended up showing it unwillingly. Humiliating.
"Brake, this one, right?"
"Now try it yourself?"
Pointing with her foot, Kangwoo nodded.
"This is the accelerator."
"Yes, right. Know that and you can drive. And you said you'd drive since you remember somewhat? Just turn the wheel to get the feel. Start the engine."
Naeun took a deep breath and started the engine.
"Okay. Gently press the accelerator."
At Kangwoo's encouragement, Naeun breathed deeply and pressed the accelerator. As the car began moving slowly, her face mixed tension and excitement, staring ahead.
The car is moving. I'm driving right now.
Naeun was thrilled. But then a snide voice rang in her ear.
"Naeun, you know this is slower than a bicycle, right?"
"Huh? Is it?"
"If you're going this slow, why not ask for a bicycle instead of a car? Press harder."
Naeun bit her lip slightly and nodded.
"Got it."
As Naeun pressed harder, the car finally started moving forward slowly.
Kangwoo shook his head, glancing out the window.
"Hmm, bicycle speed a bit faster now. You'll cause an accident like this. Other cars go faster. This isn't a bike lane."
As soon as he finished, other cars overtook hers swiftly. Naeun finally pressed harder on the accelerator, and the car smoothly gained speed, gliding onto the road.
Naeun's eyes sparkled with a smile.
"Wow, this is easier than I thought?"
Kangwoo nodded satisfactorily at her expression.
"Right. It's easy. Be confident."
Kangwoo smiled seeing her gripping the wheel tightly with both hands.
"Get the feel slowly."
Naeun breathed steadily, pressed the accelerator harder, and the car now sped refreshingly along the road. Naeun's eyes sparkled with excitement, and Kangwoo beside her couldn't hide his pleased smile.
The speed built up. Naeun's face was exhilarated.
"This is really fun?"
"Turn signal on, change lanes."
Naeun turned on the left signal and changed lanes naturally.
"Like someone who's driven a lot."
"Right?"
Naeun changed lanes once more. Continuing straight would enter the highway, so another change was needed.
"One more lane change..."
But as Kangwoo spoke, another car whizzed by, startling Naeun into missing the change. Speed was still high.
"Reduce speed a bit."
But while Naeun hesitated, the car had already entered the highway.
"Oh no, oh no! This is the highway?"
"Yes, the Gyeongbu Expressway to Busan. Were you planning to go all the way while we're at it?"
At Kangwoo's teasing, Naeun's face fell.
"What do we do."
"What do you mean? Turn around midway."
Naeun's exhilarated face turned to dismay. Kangwoo found her expression so cute.
"Can't reduce speed."
Suddenly, Kangwoo covered her hand on the wheel with his large one and said,
"Keep going at this speed. Stopping here is more dangerous."
