Level up my game? Suho thought. There’s no competition to start with. He declared to himself positively, chest out and stomach in. He had thoughtfully chosen his outfit for the day, a green polo Lacoste shirt, and blue jeans his aunt gave him on his birthday. Not his usual jersey and baggy jeans get-up he frequently put on. It’s for Hana, he mumbled. From that momentous day in the Winter of 1996, he realized she was the one for him. The bus halted in front of E-world Amusement Park. Not a lot of people were on the site. Although he knew Baekhina could have possibly even reserved the entire park if she wished. That’s how rich and powerful her family was. Without a doubt, they can buy the entire place if she chose to. “Don’t you think it’s odd how Baekhina would waste money on Hana?” Kwanghee asked. “I know. I’ve been pondering about it since the last time we met them. Something’s fishy. Can you smell it?” “You bet. I can.” “That’s why I’m here to make sure Hana doesn’t go through
Suho went straight to a convenience store, grabbing some snacks and noodles before heading off to the animal sanctuary. The minute he opened the gate and switched on the light, the dogs hovered around him, wagging their tails. He roared. “Hey buddies,” Suho came down on his knees, “at least you know how to approach me. Unlike some folks I know,” he continued, gritting his teeth. “Woo... woo... Easy!” He guffawed. “Let me put these down so I could give you something to eat.” Suho raised two black plastic bags from the convenience store and Hana’s present away from the dogs’ reach. “Let’s have our own birthday here without the birthday girl.” Suho slithered his way out of the pups and arranged the food, stuff toy from the amusement park, and his gift on the table. Then, he picked up the dogs’ bowls and gave them their treats, which he acquired from the cash he saved during Chuseok. Stroking their head before relaxing on the chair. On the dinner table, Suho set out the food he pic
Brrrring... Brrrring... The noise of the alarm clock echoed throughout the room, enough to rouse the slumbering dragon in its lair. Passers-by looked around, scanning for the origin of the turbulence, but to no avail.But the owner was as oblivious to the commotion, sleeping like a bear in hibernation. In contradiction to the rest who were already up on their feet, bracing to start the day. It had been a strenuous period in Daegu as the country’s economy collapsed at the turn of 1997. The villagers scurry around, struggling to make ends meet. Shoulders hunched, face distraught, people mooching on the pavement like dead men walking in broad daylight. For this reason, most are stepping on thin ice, becoming easily irritated at the slightest discomfort. Brrrring... Brrrring “Ya! Turn it off already! The entire neighborhood is now awake with your alarm,” an old man shouted, his cane pointing aimlessly in the air. A hand slithered from within the blanket, groping in the dark, reaching
Hana choked at Go-Eun’s question. “Us? Of course not. We’re just buddies.” Hana replied, flabbergasted. She reached out for tissue wiping off her lips, and the rice splattered on the dinner table.“Right… very cliche.” Go-eun picked up a Pomeranian, smoothing its fur.“Really... We’re just friends.” Hana gobbled down a glass of water. Wishing Go-eun would just drop the topic.“How about Kang Jun?”Hana froze. “We’re friends.”“Do you think they feel the same way towards you?” Go-eun glanced at Hana, staring absentmindedly at her plate.“I suppose.” Her eyes fleeting. “I don’t know, to be honest.” Or maybe not. Kang Jun had been more upfront with his affections, even when he knew I’m not buying it.Hana was tongue-tied.&nbs
“That was December 1995,” Hana recalled.It was an ordinary day in Hana’s life back in her hometown in the Philippines,IlocosRegion.Unlike her classmates, she had to take a break from school while preparing for their movement to South Korea. Most of her high school friends were in college and dispersed all over the place. All her classmates who are studying out-of-town came home for a Christmas reunion. It was likewise their send-off party for Hana.Hana and her friends all agreed to meet at The Heritage Village for a mini-reunion.The village was incredibly busy with local and foreign tourists alike marveling at the century-old stone houses with windows made ofcapizshells. It was only accessible by foot or by carriage, like stepping to atime warpback in the Spanish era.The group huddled in a circle next to the oldest resid
(Kang Jun’s POV)“Lovely,” Kang Jun replied.“Huh?!”“I said... this diner is lovely.” He lifted his hands towards the waiter, later shifted to her, “order for us.”It’s the only way she could settle down,he murmured to himself.Kang Jun had seen lots of ladies who’d have shrieked and flipped on the floor after a rattling or unpleasant scene.But she’s extraordinary.She sat there in silence, and her aura just shouted not to mess up with her. Even if she cried inside the church, it was brief. Almost like washing her face from the horror and humiliation. When she looked up, he felt a fire burning inside her.Kang Jun sat quietly across from her, his eyes intently examining her quiet and reserved nature as she placed their order with the waiter.&n
“So, that’s how you met?” Go-eun asked Hana.“Yes. Pretty much, I met Oppa Kang Jun first before you fellows. And when I met him again last year on my birthday, we never lost contact.”“Your birthday last year was a dope. Any plans this year?”“None. Well, none that I know of. I’d go for a simple celebration here in the sanctuary with you guys.”“That reminds me. What’s up with you and Baekhina?”Hana gave a deep groan.********A week ago.“Okay, class, listen,” Mrs. Min whacked a long wooden stick, which the teacher’s call a magic wand and kids refer to as a disciplinary stick, on the table.Everyone in the class hushed and twisted to the homeroom teacher.“We’re going to have our annual festival this month.”The class of girls woot and hooted like it’s t
“Hana, Hana,” Go-Eun shouted as she rushed towards the girl standing at the door. “Come instantly,” she continued, grabbing Hana’s wrist, yanking her towards the school grounds.“Wait wait, Go-eun. What’s going on?” Hana asked while she dashed behind Go-Eun.“Baekhina is looking for you,” she responded.“Oh! There you are,” Baekhina turned around and waved towards Hana.She scan their surrounding. Her eyes spotted a glimpse of Kwanghee and Suho from a distance. She shuffled closer to Hana. One of the ladies supported her as she trudged, and the rest of the girls made way for her like the red sea parting.“What is she up to this time,” Go-eun asked Hana while watching Baekhina sashayed amongst the flock. “I have a bad feeling about this.”“Why are you looking for me, Baekhina,” Hana asked with a deadpan expression