episode_0066

Episode.66 Twelfth month, 25th day

-Snap. -Snap.

Take a weak step.

I wonder if I might be dreaming.

I felt like Minseong would greet me cheerfully when I went to school tomorrow.

I, Han Si-woo, actually, this isn’t my first breakup.

‘Even when my parents left me…’

No, because I can’t even remember faces anymore.

I didn’t really feel it.

“… Can’t you call that a breakup? ”

Different people have different perspectives, but to me, it doesn’t feel like a breakup.

This is the first breakup in my life.

The friend I was closest to, the friend I breathed the same air with.

That bond disappeared overnight.

I continued heading home, denying reality in my mind.

As the weather warms up, the snow around me melts, making it as muddy as a swamp every time I take a step.

When I saw my reflection in the glass of a nearby convenience store, I looked so depressed that anyone could tell I was downcast.

‘Oh… that look…’

I looked at my reflection in the glass and then saw Jena’s reflection behind the glass.

Yena was so surprised that she saw me and ran out of the convenience store.

He ran towards me, wrapped in the blanket he had been wearing at school.

“Siwoo, you! I should wake you up and go with you!”

“… I’m sorry, but… isn’t it cold? I think I might catch a cold with just a blanket dressed like that…”

I was wearing long padding, so I was sure I was protected from the cold.

However, Yena was wearing her school uniform dress shirt under her winter skirt, not wearing a vest, and was immediately covered in a blanket.

“Well, that’s why you were inside the convenience store, right? You don’t have any sense…”

She gently grabbed my long padding with her index finger.

Then he looked up at me, covering his mouth with his other hand.

“Hey, I’m cold… Hug me.”

“Huh? Yes…”

I was embarrassed by Yena’s sudden behavior, but I immediately opened my arms.

Then Yena jumped right into my arms.

I reflexively hugged Yena.

I felt her cold skin inside my long padding.

I couldn’t help but laugh as I watched Yena keep taking away my warmth.

This reminds me of something my teacher once told me.

He says that first love does not come true and that the pain of separation is covered up by another love.

I knew it well after experiencing it myself.

“Ha… It’s warm.”

Every time Yena’s voice came out, I got pleasant goosebumps.

I held her tighter.

Then I felt Yena’s entire body.

Where to come out, come out, where to go in, go in.

Perhaps because she wore a school uniform shirt that highlighted her S-line figure under her skirt, her lines felt even more knife-like.

Their development is so excellent that just looking at them would be considered a crime by others.

The plain black hair actually makes Yena’s charm even stronger.

“… Pervert, where are you groping?”

“I didn’t stutter. And I wish you would say those words a little smaller. Other people pass by and look at me like they’re going to kill me…”

“Chi, I don’t mind if my boyfriend is a little more perverted. Rather, it is better to be proactive like that…”

Yena continued to make eye contact with me, her eyes sparkling.

Seeing her as if she didn’t want to miss even a single moment of my appearance, I looked at her with a rather serious attitude.

Under the setting sun, we were under a spell where we couldn’t see anyone around us.

I know very well that making love or expressing deep affection in public places like this can be a nuisance.

‘But for now…’

My heart desperately needed healing.

In front of Yena, I pretended like nothing was wrong, but in my heart, I still have a best friend that I can’t let go of.

“Yena.”

“Yes, tell me.”

I gently grabbed her under the chin.

Yena naturally accepted my touch.

We looked at each other.

I said with a smile seeing Yena like that.

Her smile is cute.

“Every moment I spend with you is so special and precious… Those moments have great meaning to me.”

A smile spreads across Yena’s lips after hearing my serious words.

“Me too. Let us… continue to understand and support each other… and draw the future together.”

‘Yeah… because I think any more separation… would be hard to bear.’

I answered in my heart.

Because Minseong told me to keep it to myself.

He even dropped out of school because he didn’t want people around him to know.

So, you shouldn’t betray those expectations.

“Yena, I always dream of a future with you, think about it… and feel grateful.”

“Yes, I also want to cherish imagining a future with you… I’m happy that I can love you.”

“I love you.”

“Me too.”

I made eye contact with Jena and kissed her.

Her lovely, soft lips cover my mouth.

She and I shared a promise to each other about our future.

They promised each other that they would protect each other.

Even at this moment when we kiss, I can feel her affection being passed from mouth to mouth.

I have her, she has me.

We deeply confirmed our affection and trust for each other.

The future was promised.

This beautiful moment will never be forgotten in my memory.

Because… it was.

Because it was said that separation is covered with love.

**********

A lot of time has passed since then.

The snow melted, the cherry blossom petals bloomed and fell, and after enduring the strong sunlight and unpleasant rain, it was once again the season of pure white snow.

Minseong’s third year of high school is now starting to come to an end, with the vacancy in his mind being felt.

I will count the months as I miss my childhood memories with him.

Twelfth month, 25th day.

The day before Christmas on December 25th.

People call that day Christmas Eve.

We were always at school that Christmas Eve.

Even at the end of the second semester of my third year, Yena was sitting next to me.

Junseok was sitting alone in the front seat.

“Ha, I’ve already achieved platinum, but where has it gone? Did he at least transfer schools? Were you scared by the promise of a one-on-one fight with me and ran away?”

“He dropped out. You told me about it before, right?”

“I see, that Minseong guy, where is he and what is he doing now? I’m curious.”

‘… Wouldn’t he have left for a better place by now?’

Because a lot of time has passed.

Was it buried in a sunny place?

Or is it cremated or in a charnel house?

If I knew the location of the cemetery, I would at least visit it.

Perhaps it was Minseong’s last act of consideration, but he made it impossible for me to care about him even if I wanted to.

‘It would have been nice if I could at least go to the funeral…’

“Didn’t you drop out and go study abroad?”

“Maybe.”

“Hey, what is the answer? Your mindset has changed a lot since you got a girlfriend. It’s a pity.”

“Nothing has changed for me.”

“No, it’s changed a lot?”

I only saw Junseok and Minseong, who were always bickering, from behind.

Now I was taking Minseong’s place.

“There, Siu and you. It’s noisy.”

Yena looked at us with an annoyed expression, as if telling us to be quiet.

Junseok pushed the chair towards me and whispered in a low voice.

“Your girlfriend is sensitive today. Do you have menstruation-”

“Shut up, I have something else to say. They must be sensitive because they are currently searching for the awakened person screening. Right now, on January 1st, we will also be evaluated as awakened people.”

Junseok took a step back and continued his sentence, agreeing with what I said.

“I see, I just inherit my father’s business, so I don’t have to worry about it. Ah~ I want to finish my high school life quickly.”

“Get away from me you damn bourgeoisie.”

Jun-seok chuckled obnoxiously and returned to his seat.

“Ah, this part is difficult…”

Yena glanced at me and spoke as if she was talking to herself.

“Who wouldn’t help a little…”

“… What is it?”

“No, there is a problem with this part.”

“… Spouse?”

“Yes, it is one of the pieces of information you need to use to register as a member on this association site. Do I need to enter my spouse’s information? Well, we’re engaged… we’re in a similar relationship, right?”

Yena smiled softly and handed me her smartphone.

But I pushed the smartphone away and responded to her words.

“Write that it is not there now.”

“Uh, huh? Why…”

Yena’s face hardened little by little.

I quickly continued before she misunderstood.

“… I will propose properly later.”

“Ah… Yes, I’ll wait.”

“It may take a while, but.”

“Pheup, what is that? Even if you hadn’t said that, I would have been touched. Is it okay to waste an opportunity to look cool like that?”

I stroked Yena’s head as she smiled sweetly.

At the end of what Yena said, I felt like she was implicitly expressing anxiety.

“Oh, my hair is getting tangled… Idiot.”

The pat on the head was also meant to reassure him.

“I will always be by your side, so don’t worry too much.”

“Ha, who said you were worried? I always believed in you. You still believe it?”

I held Yena’s pretty hand.

“Hwiyu~ The atmosphere is nice. I’m sorry, but please know that I’m here too and be considerate. Are you guys really crazy? Just take a very romantic picture.”

We hastily took our hands off the interference Jun-seok had made.

Despite the fact that our life as ordinary, yet unusual high school students didn’t last long, we had a pleasant time.

So, beyond Christmas, I waited for the New Year on January 1st.

Yena and I were looking forward to the day when we became adults at the same time rather than Christmas right now, so we promised to skip Christmas this year and meet again in the New Year.

I’m 19, but I can’t do it on Christmas.

You can do this in the new year when the first digit of your age changes.

To experience such adult play.