#39
If he kept looking into those pitiful eyes any longer, it seemed he’d never be able to part from him. After gently stroking his soft-hearted friend’s head, he averted his gaze.
“This one is orange flavor, this is strawberry, this is made with pie, this is…” While rummaging through the pile of snacks and continuing his explanation, Imun gently grabbed Hajun’s hand.
“Hyung, could you come a little closer?”
There wasn’t a hint of playfulness on Imun’s face. After briefly trying to gauge his intentions, Hajun decided to indulge him and awkwardly narrowed the distance between them. Only when there was just enough space for a fist between them did Imun smile brightly, as if satisfied.
“Your bag seems quite heavy. You could have just given it to me as soon as we met.”
“This isn’t heavy at all. Actually, I wanted to give you something better, but I was afraid it might burden you since it’s our first meeting.”
“No, I’m really grateful. Who else would give me side dishes and snacks as gifts?”
“Even my mother doesn’t send me things like this.” After carefully tucking away the paper bag, it was now his turn as he took something out.
“Actually, I have something too, though it’s nothing special.”
Inside the paper bag he handed over were several On The Sky albums and a scarf neatly placed. As Hajun picked up one of the albums, Imun added with much embarrassment:
“From here to here are all for you, hyung. I brought all our albums released so far. They all have my signature and the members’ signatures inside.”
“…Thank you.”
It was already touching that he had prepared a gift, but to go through the trouble of getting all the members’ signatures too. Sniffling as his nose became emotional, he opened the album with reverence.
[Thank you so much for coming from so far away. I look forward to our continued friendship – Imun]
[Please take good care of Imun in the future – Rai]
[It’s not too late, run away quickly even now – Sura]
[My Legend of Legend account is ‘sasarasaha’! Keep your duo promise! See you again! – Saha]
“Why is he telling me to run away?”
“Haha, I wonder why?”
Imun hastily closed the album and glanced at him nervously. It seemed that even he was just now seeing what the members had written.
“By the way, this album…” His effort to change the subject while smiling innocently was admirable, so Hajun decided to let it slide this time. After listening to brief stories about each album, he pointed at an item that still puzzled him.
“Is this used? Is it… yours?”
The scarf clearly showed signs of use, visible at a glance. Although any gift from him would be welcome, Hajun was curious why he would give a used item.
“Mari, right? Your younger sister who likes Saha?”
“Huh? Uh… Wait, don’t tell me.”
“Haha. This is Saha’s scarf. He said he doesn’t wear it much anymore… This album too, please give it to Mari. Saha signed it specially for her.”
“Wow, Mari’s going to love this! Thank you.”
On the page featuring Saha’s photo was a signature and comment for Mari. Given how she gets excited even over Saha’s social media posts, she would surely jump for joy upon seeing these two items. While Hajun was smiling as he imagined Mari’s reaction, Imun awkwardly added:
“…Come to think of it, I only brought something for Mari. Hyung… would you like to have my scarf?”
“Me? Your scarf?”
It was an offer that made his whole body tingle just hearing it. He reflexively wanted to refuse but momentarily fell silent.
It might look quite nice on the shelf with the albums. After completing his mental image of artfully arranging Imun’s gifts in a display cabinet, he solemnly nodded.
Imun’s hands moved slowly as he unwound his scarf, which seemed rather difficult to untie. Who would have thought a man’s scarf could be so desirable? After briefly reflecting on his empty life, Hajun couldn’t stand the slowness and helped with Imun’s hands.
“Why are you… taking off your scarf, hyung?”
“Huh? To give mine to you. You need to cover your face on your way back.”
Even with his neck only briefly exposed, the tips of Imun’s ears turned red, confirming that he was quite sensitive to the cold. Well, it is chilly. After wrapping his own scarf around Imun and touching his now-bare nape, Imun picked up his black scarf.
“I don’t want you to catch a cold…” His movements as he wrapped the scarf around Hajun’s neck and up to below his eyes were incomparably faster than before yet very careful. With every breath, Imun’s scent wafted up strongly. Though it should have been an unfamiliar smell, somehow it was comforting.
“…Compared to the big gift you gave me… I’m sorry mine is so insignificant.”
“What big gift? Are you making fun of me now?”
“Why, isn’t you coming to Korea a big enough gift in itself?”
“It’s like a gift bringing a gift.” After making this joke, Imun lowered his head and suddenly became quiet. There was no way to understand why his bright eyes suddenly became vacant. “Are you… okay?” After enough time had passed to cause worry, he abruptly flinched.
“What’s wrong? Are you tired?”
“Ah, no. I think I shouldn’t have had coffee so late at night. Just, my heart is a bit… It’s nothing. Today… I was so happy to meet you, hyung. Thank you for coming.”
“There you go again. Saying embarrassing things. What’s there to be thankful about meeting a friend?”
“Haha. What are you planning to do tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow I’m thinking of doing some sightseeing around Seoul… and visiting the neighborhood where I used to live.”
After speaking casually, Hajun closed his mouth. The concern and worry directed at him were clearly visible in Imun’s furrowed expression.
“You don’t need to push yourself too hard.”
“No, if it feels like too much, I’ll turn back. Don’t worry.”
“Alright. You promised me you won’t… overdo it.”
Have you always had this face? As Hajun recalled how Imun would occasionally fall silent during their calls, a pinky finger was extended before his eyes. When he just stared blankly at this puzzling action, Imun urged him:
“Hurry, promise me.”
“Ah, that’s what you mean?”
Cute, he’s so cute. Hajun hurriedly hooked his finger with Imun’s and shook hands for a while, as if playing house. “Haa, I really don’t want to leave.” As Imun whined again as if seizing an opportunity, Hajun comforted him and glanced at his wristwatch.
It’s later than I thought. The last train might stop running soon. While hiding his urgency, he helped Imun to his feet.
“Let’s really go now. …You go first.”
“Where’s your hotel, hyung? I’ll take you there.”
“Take me where? I deliberately chose a hotel right in front of the subway station. Hurry up and go, I’ll leave after watching you go.”
After repeated firm refusals, Imun’s eyes became moist. “You, earlier too, this is just a jo-” Before Hajun could finish his sentence, Imun spread his arms wide this time. Hajun once again followed his puzzling action but it seemed that wasn’t the right answer.
“What is it this time?”
“For our final goodbye, a hug.”
As if that explained everything, Imun pulled Hajun into a tight embrace. After a few seconds of being frozen with excessive surprise, Hajun chuckled and hugged him back.
Does he dislike parting that much? “Hyung, see you next time.” His voice tickling Hajun’s ear seemed to convey regret. Hajun silently gave a bitter smile.
*
The next morning. Hajun left the hotel at the crack of dawn. As he wandered around places he had wanted to visit like Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insadong, and Sejongdaero, the sun had already passed its zenith and started to tilt.
It would have been more fun if Imun had come along. He scrolled through the photos he had taken today, starting with a selfie at the Hanok Village.
In the verification photos, he looked as excited as a student on a field trip. For tourist spots that were hard to capture in selfies, he had asked passersby to take pictures of him striking playful poses. Thinking they looked quite funny even objectively, he sent all of them to Imun.
“Maybe this will… reassure him.”
[(Photo collection)]
[(Photo collection)]
[Let’s definitely go together next time lol]
Now, it’s time to head out. He opened the map app and entered his home address. His old neighborhood wasn’t too far from where he was now. Hajun stared at the bus stop in front of him with a hardened expression.
*
The streets were so different from his childhood memories. With unfamiliar stores and apartments lined up everywhere, it was hard to even get his bearings without looking at the map. As he slowly walked through the neighborhood that felt more alien than familiar, his feet stopped automatically.
“Ah…”
Although according to the map he had definitely arrived at his destination, the scenery was still unfamiliar. Standing in front of an apartment complex that had taken the place where his house should have been, he burst into laughter without realizing it.
“This is, too different.”
After laughing heartily for a while, ignoring the gazes around him, he exhaled with a sense of emptiness. I should have come earlier if it was going to be like this. While vaguely recalling his old home that now existed only in his memories, having vanished without a trace, his KaTok alarm rang repeatedly.
[Hyung you look like such a mischievous kid lol]
[Let’s definitely go together next time ã… ã… ã… ]
[There’s no one as brave as you hyung, I’m not teasing, it’s true]
[You must have had a tough day]
[I’ll contact you in the evening]
Unexpected comfort. Holding back the tears that threatened to spill, he sent a message but quickly deleted it before it was read. He didn’t want to upset Imun further, who was already sad about their brief meeting.
[(Deleted message) I miss you]
[Make sure you eat properly while working lol]
[Sure, I’ll wait for your call lol If it’s too late, don’t push yourself lol]
Why is Korea so cold? After carefully rewrapping Imun’s scarf, he moved on with a refreshed heart.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
