Chapter Text
May 1999
Song Hwa bounded down the steps of Seok Hyeong’s house and peered excitedly over the banister. There he is! In her excitement, she did not notice the somewhat pensive expression on Ik Jun’s face as he strummed on his guitar softly. She eagerly invited him out for dinner; it was his birthday and she wanted to celebrate it with him.
Ik Jun was silent for a moment before declining the invite, saying that he had a blind date to go to. Surprised, she asked if there was any chance of postponing it. No , he said, trying to avoid her eyes. The date has been arranged by a friend and I cannot reschedule it. Let’s do dinner another time. Song Hwa felt tears slowly welling up behind her eyes. Okay , she said, putting on a forced smile. Let’s do it another time. She turned and walked away just as her tears began to fall.
Ik Jun stared blankly at Song Hwa's back and watched as she started up the stairs. His mind raced as he contemplated the two options before him - remaining exactly where he was or running after her. What am I doing , he thought. He dropped the guitar, grabbed his bag and ran up the stairs after her. He caught up with her as she was walking out of the gate. Ik Jun tapped on Song Hwa’s shoulder and when she turned around, he found himself looking at a tear-stained face. His heart broke when he saw her hurriedly trying to hide the fact that she had been crying.
“I’m sorry, I lied. I don’t have a blind date and I would love to have dinner with you. But there is someone whom I really have to meet tonight. Can we meet tomorrow instead? I will explain everything to you then,” Ik Jun pleaded, handing her his handkerchief and praying that she would not turn him down.
Song Hwa was silent for a moment, wiping her left cheek and staring at her shoes. “Okay,” she said softly, not looking at him.
“Let me send you home,” Ik Jun said. Song Hwa shook her head. “It’s ok, I’ll make my own way home.”
“Song Hwa-ya, let me send you home. Please. I really want to.” He tugged gently at Song Hwa’s sleeve, hoping to lighten the mood somewhat. “I am really sorry. Please don’t be angry with me.”
Song Hwa finally lifted her head and saw Ik Jun looking at her with his tender imploring eyes. She sighed and nodded her head, how could she say no to Lee Ik Jun? Especially when he was looking at her like that.
Ik Jun didn’t realise he was holding his breath until he saw Song Hwa nod her head. Relieved, he followed after her as they made their way down the hill to the bus stop.
From: Ik Jun
To: Seok Hyeong
Hey, you busy later? Can we go for drinks? I need to talk to you.
From: Seok Hyeong
To: Ik Jun
Tonight? You are not celebrating your birthday? Is everything alright?
From: Ik Jun
To: Seok Hyeong
I really need to talk to you. 8pm at our usual pub?
From: Seok Hyeong
To: Ik Jun
Ok, sure, see you then
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Ik Jun nodded at the bartender behind the counter as he walked in. He ordered a beer and walked straight to his usual table in the corner.
“Everything ok? You seem out of sorts,” the bartender asked as he placed the beer and bar snacks on the table. “Yes, everything is fine,” Ik Jun said with a tired smile, “I am just waiting for my friend.”
“Ok, let me know if you need anything else.” Before walking away, he glanced at Ik Jun and patted him on his shoulder. “Ik Jun-ah,” he said kindly, “you know, sometimes our minds conjure up worries that do not exist in reality.”
Ik Jun took a deep breath when he saw Seok Hyeong making his way towards him.
It was going to be a long night.