For a while, the two roamed around the gallery, dealing with different guests scattered here and there.

“Yoon Gaeul!”

“Jua!”

“Gaeul, congratulations on your third exhibition.”

“Thank you for coming, Oppa.”

As usual, Dojin and Jua visited TS Gallery to congratulate Gaeul.

Gaeul smiled widely at Jua and Dojin, who came to congratulate her with a bouquet.

“Even if you’re busy, you should come to Gaeul’s exhibition. Aren’t we friends?”

“I feel like I have really good colleagues.”

“Really. Do you know that now?”

Dojin and Jua, who had been busy recently drawing paintings for their first exhibition, and Jua, who had been out of touch lately, finally gathered on the day of Gaeul’s third exhibition.

It was a realization that the time when they could stick together the most was when they were attending university. It was so difficult to synchronize their schedules.

Then, especially today, Gaeul noticed Jua, who was smiling more brightly than usual, and she asked first.

“Jua, did something good happen? Your mood seems lifted.”

“Oh, is it that obvious?”

“Yeah. What’s going on?”

When Gaeul asked, Jua, who made an unexpectedly shy expression, brought unexpected news.

“Actually, I’ve been working at an art academy for some time.”

“An art academy? An art academy means… you’re a teacher?”

“Yeah. I’ve been teaching an adult hobby class with friends from the entrance exam class. Surprisingly, it suits me well, considering my aptitude.”

Jua had never thought she would become a teacher, so Gaeul found her story fascinating.

She explained that she had started working at the art academy a while ago, thanks to a request from a senior she knew. She was enjoying her life at the academy, where she contracted properly after being absent-mindedly commissioned to work there. She shared that she was teaching students who reminded her of her own exam days.

“I never thought I would be teaching someone.”

Gaeul sincerely said to Jua, who looked happy.

“Jua, congratulations on your job.”

I was happy to see a friend who found happiness on her own path.

When Gaeul embraced Jua, who seemed happy but awkwardly responded while being hugged, Jua, who couldn’t help it, said somewhat shyly.

“Yeah. Thanks, Yoon Gaeul.”

“Our Jua, you’re so cool. No, Teacher Jua.”

“Hey… Don’t call me that because it’s embarrassing.”

“But still, what can I do? Being a teacher is cool!”

“Hmm. Really?”

Seeing Jua shrug her shoulders at Gaeul’s pouring compliments, she subtly expressed her honest feelings.

“In fact, I’ve never thought about being a teacher, but I found that I’m better suited to teaching others rather than drawing my own pictures. It feels good to see the kids following me well.”

Still looking at Gaeul with sparkling eyes, Jua eventually burst into a hearty laugh at Gaeul’s reaction and, with a content smile, said, “Well, what can I do? It feels good.”
“In fact… Only the two of them have a contract with the gallery, and Gaeul has already held several exhibitions. I felt like I was falling behind, wondering what I’ve been doing all this time. But now, I’m so happy to have found something I’m good at.”

Unlike the usual lively atmosphere where Jua, who always considered herself a mood maker, was a bit awkward, she deliberately brightened her voice and continued.

“But still! Now that I’ve got a job, I should behave confidently in front of my sister. Ah, it feels so refreshing.”

It was impressive to see a friend who seemed to be crushed but had now found her way. Gaeul also followed Jua’s bright smile and suddenly noticed the bouquet that was only in her hands.

It seems like it’s not just something to congratulate me on.

Having just heard Jua’s news, Gaeul felt sorry for not preparing anything.

“Jua, I’m sorry. I should have prepared a bouquet or something.”

Gaeul felt even more sorry, but Jua coolly responded as if she didn’t care.

“It’s okay. We gathered here today to congratulate you. And I just told you, how did you know about it and prepare in advance?”

“Well, still…”

Just as Gaeul was about to rush out and buy flowers, Jua jokingly demanded something else.

“Then, buy me something delicious next time. It seems like today’s exhibition went well.”

“Really? Okay. Then, I’ll buy you something you want to eat.”

“Really? Can I eat something expensive?”

Of course, she could.

Whatever Gaeul wanted to eat, Jua told her to think about it, but suddenly, someone embraced Gaeul’s shoulders from behind.

While trying to respond to Jua, who asked, Gaeul turned her head to confirm who was hugging her shoulders.

“Would you mind if I treated you? Would you like me to join you?”

“Representative…?”

Whether he came back after chatting with the guests or not, he stood next to her and naturally joined the conversation.

Since their first meeting was a bit awkward, Jua and Dojin discreetly exchanged glances while observing each other for a moment, but thanks to Jua’s sociable nature, the awkwardness disappeared in no time.