#040
“Then there’s no need to watch the play. We should just eat something delicious.”
Jiwoon said, thinking of the snack booths that would be operating during the festival.
Hyung should be studying. Yechan, who had been giggling, firmly grabbed Jiwoon’s hand that had briefly brushed against his, then let go. Jiwoon smiled like someone who had been soaked in water.
Jiwoon literally gave his all to Yechan. Over two weekends, Yechan’s kisses were sometimes cautious, and at other times utterly rough.
However, Jiwoon never scolded such a Yechan. Their conversations had somehow drastically decreased.
The space where language disappeared was filled with eye contact and kisses. Even when they felt like they were going insane, the two chased each other’s eyes and kissed as if they were people who couldn’t breathe unless their lips touched.
The two obsessively focused on each other. Yechan was impatient, and Jiwoon was regretful.
They were at a loss the entire time. And the more they were like that, the more steadily the grave filled up. Each time, Jiwoon’s tears moistened that soil.
* * *
In autumn, with only a few days left until September, the festival began. The first and second-year classrooms bustled until late at night the day before the festival.
Decorations fluttered splendidly from booths set up throughout the school grounds. It was a bright autumn day.
Jiwoon, who had arrived at school passing under the festival banner attached to the school gate, crossed the campus that was crowded with people everywhere.
Students wearing uniforms from other schools were wandering around the campus in small groups. Jiwoon ignored the gazes directed at him and headed to his classroom.
“Jiwoon, Jiwoon! Did you put on sunblock? The autumn UV rays are so strong.”
“I put it on.”
As he entered the classroom, Jukyung approached him with a bright smile. Jukyung was in the middle of applying sunblock with Kyungjun. Choi Min was studying with earphones in.
You have to pat it in while applying. Jukyung, who had scolded Park Kyungjun, spoke to Jiwoon again as he sat at his desk and opened his book.
“Ah, being a senior on a day like this. It’s getting a bit annoying.”
“We’ll play hard for one hour during 5th period. Lee Jiwoon, look here. We need to plan our route quickly.”
Kyungjun tossed the festival pamphlet to Jiwoon. Still, it was a festival, so even the third-years were allowed free time from lunch until 5th period to enjoy the festival. After roughly skimming the pamphlet, Jiwoon said:
“Pancakes. Chicken skewers. Cotton candy.”
“This bastard only mentions food. There’s a dance club joint performance, let’s go.”
“I don’t want to.”
Kyungjun’s eyes lit up as he talked about the dance club performance, but he didn’t give up despite Jiwoon’s refusal and turned his head to ask:
“Yoon Jukyung, Choi Min. What about you guys?”
“I’d rather eat myself to death with Jiwoon-Jiwoon.”
“I want to see the club performance. I know a hubae there.”
At Choi Min’s words about wanting to see the performance, Kyungjun shook his fist in joy.
“Good thinking, you bastard. Then we can split up. If the pancakes are good, pack some for us.”
“You guys come and buy them yourselves. Jukyung can only pack things in his stomach.”
“Fucking stingy!”
“Yeah. Watch the performance well and clap. Don’t scream like a gorilla.”
Waaaah! Jukyung and Kyungjun’s bickering began. Outside was noisy with the festival. Festival sounds came rolling in on the autumn breeze through the open windows.
And a little later, Jiwoon and Jukyung’s work was reduced by one. It was thanks to Han Seungwoo, who sent a message to Jukyung during the break between 2nd period.
Seungwoo, who came through the classroom’s back door carrying a bunch of packed pancakes, had flour on his nose. Kyungjun and Choi Min cheered and stuffed cash into Seungwoo’s pants pockets.
“You’re doing business, so we can’t just eat for free. You did fucking great, Seungwoo.”
Kyungjun looked particularly happy. He had been constantly grumbling that the lines were too long while eyeing the snacks outside the window.
The four of them devoured all the pancakes in no time. After drinking carton milk and listening to the remaining classes, it was quickly lunchtime.
“The cafeteria food sucks.”
“Just eat it roughly.”
Jukyung, who had been poking at his spaghetti, left almost all his food, saying he’d fill his stomach with something delicious. Jiwoon also got up after barely touching his cafeteria meal.
The two who left the cafeteria squinted at the blazing midday sun. The campus was full of booths decorated with international flags, panels, banners, and glitter.
Jiwoon got in line at the chicken skewer booth while thinking about Yechan’s class play that had ended in the morning. Thanks to students moving to the cafeteria for lunch, the line had fewer people than expected.
“Excuse me, sunbae-nim! This is service! Please eat well and ace the Suneung!”
“Wow, thanks.”
The first-year girl selling chicken skewers added two more to the two skewers. The girl who had been selling blushed and bowed her head deeply while watching Jukyung smile brightly in gratitude.
It’s double? Are you sure you’re not losing money? Jiwoon muttered quietly, holding chicken skewers in both hands, and soon found a suitable spot.
It was a bench overlooking the playground. The well-cooked chicken skewers were quite delicious.
“This is way better than cafeteria food. These kids should go into business. Jiwoon-Jiwoon, let’s invest.”
“Sure.”
Jiwoon responded roughly while watching the boys playing mini futsal on the playground. After finishing all the chicken skewers, the two wandered around the campus, taking in the booths with their eyes.
It seemed like students had finished eating, as their numbers kept increasing. When even the third-years, who had gained some rare free time, joined in, it became so crowded that there was barely any room to step anywhere. Jukyung put his arm around Jiwoon’s neck.
“Hello! We’ll complete a bracelet for you with your birthstone!”
“Oh~ Is it silver?”
“It’s surgical steel! For allergy prevention!”
Jukyung picked up a bracelet while chatting with a first-year boy who was explaining enthusiastically. It was a simple design bracelet with the clasp decorated with a customized birthstone.
When Jukyung mentioned diamond as his birthstone, the boy put a sample on Jukyung’s arm.
“It’s a real diamond, right?”
“Ah, sunbae-nim, you know… haha.”
Although it was just imitating the color, the cubic stone didn’t look as cheap as expected. Jukyung, who had been reflecting the bracelet in the light this way and that, asked to see garnet as well and extended his hand.
The boy, grinning widely, placed the garnet bracelet on Jukyung’s hand.
“Jiwoon-Jiwoon, what do you think? I think it’s pretty.”
Jiwoon examined the bracelet placed on his wrist. The shine wasn’t too intense and the thickness was just right – it wasn’t bad.
Jiwoon checked the price. Then, thinking that our school kids probably weren’t cut out for business, he took out his wallet.
“Are you buying Jukyung’s too?”
“Just calculate this one.”
“Ah, Jiwoon-Jiwoon!”
“Just kidding, give me both. Keep the change.”
Jiwoon urged him to take it quickly and held out cash to the boy. Jukyung, with a pleased expression, asked Jiwoon:
“Should we buy ones for Kyungjun and Min too?”
“No time. We need to eat cotton candy quickly.”
“Sunbae-nim! Thank you! Ace the Suneung!”
The boy held out the packaged bracelets and bowed deeply. I’ll take care of them. Jukyung grinned and put both bracelets in his pants pocket.
“People are crazy.”
Jiwoon frowned as he left the bracelet booth looking for the cotton candy booth. It was a sea of people.
Jukyung tightened his arm around Jiwoon’s neck so as not to lose him. Making matters worse, all the girls passing by kept their eyes glued to their faces, so Jiwoon’s displeasure steadily accumulated.
“Buy cotton candy and get out immediately. This is suffocating as fuck.”
“Okay, Jiwoon-Jiwoon.”
Tall Jukyung almost embraced Jiwoon as they arrived at the cotton candy booth. They could see a line slightly longer than the chicken skewer one.
Only after getting in line properly could the two catch their breath.
“Fuck. Now I can live a little.”
“I think all the people in Korea are here. Jiwoon-Jiwoon, are you okay?”
Jiwoon didn’t answer and kept watching the front. The line was shrinking at a fast pace. Although escape was urgent, it wasn’t unbearable to wait.
Jukyung glanced at the cotton candy machine and soon took out the bracelets from his pants pocket.
“I’ll put the bracelet on for you. Stop being angry.”
Jukyung lifted Jiwoon’s left arm.
Stay still. Just as Jukyung unwrapped the package, took out the garnet bracelet, placed it on Jiwoon’s wrist, and was fastening the clasp:
“Hyung.”
At the suddenly heard voice, Jiwoon, who had been watching Jukyung’s fingers, looked up. He saw Yechan getting in line behind him and Jukyung.
“Hey.”
Seeing such a Yechan, Jukyung called out to him with a crooked tone. Yechan wasn’t alone. Next to Yechan was Cha Yewon.
Jiwoon’s eyes settled on Yewon. He had only heard her name all this time – this was the first time he was properly seeing her face.
Jiwoon acknowledged it. Cha Yewon was truly beautiful.
“Hello, sunbae too.”
Yechan greeted Jukyung who had called him. He was a bit puzzled because Jukyung didn’t seem to be in a good mood for some reason. Yechan looked at Jukyung’s hands finishing putting the bracelet on Jiwoon and slightly furrowed his brow.
Jiwoon’s gaze, which had been resting on Yewon’s face, moved along her slender arm. Yewon was holding onto the hem of Yechan’s summer uniform shirt around his waist.
Jiwoon blinked silently. The two standing before him looked quite well-matched. And beautiful.
Jiwoon recalled the image of Yechan and himself reflected in the cafeteria glass that he had seen recently. Compared to that image, the two in front of him looked like a work of art.
Having that thought, all the surrounding noise suddenly disappeared from Jiwoon’s ears. He felt as if he had been thrown into silence.
At the shabbiness he was feeling for the first time, Jiwoon gritted his teeth. He was shabby. So very shabby.
In the chilliness that felt like his existence was being denied, his heart froze with a sharp pain. The unpleasant self-awareness cut through his cold flesh and burst blue blood inside his body.
“Did you come to buy cotton candy?”
“Yeah. But who’s next to you?”
Yechan looked at Jiwoon and asked, but Jukyung, who still didn’t seem to be in a good mood, intercepted the answer.
“Ah, hello. I’m Cha Yewon. I’m Yechan’s… friend.”
At Jukyung’s question, Yewon shyly greeted them and blushed deeply. Then she immediately stepped back slightly behind Yechan. It was a movement as if she was hiding.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
