The child was said to be a lovely spring bride.
*
*
*
It had been a while since he'd received an invitation from an acquaintance. Min Yoongi thought as he pulled out the elegant white envelope neatly tucked into his mailbox. In Min Yoongi's home, which was utterly black, the pure white envelope, devoid of a single black sliver, felt out of place. That's why he felt hesitant to tear off the carefully affixed seal.
After staring at it for a while, he finally opened the invitation. It was framed in a gorgeous gold-leaf frame and had a sentimental message written on it. Was this the kid's style? I'd thought even the invitations would be sent in a pink envelope, but I guess I was wrong. Min Yoongi suppressed a laugh.
Bride Kang Da-hye
It's a familiar name, but the word "bride" behind it, "Kang Da-hye," feels unfamiliar. "I see. You're finally getting married," she said, singing a wedding song.
The wedding date wasn't far off. Min Yoongi placed the invitation in the most visible spot in the room, so he wouldn't forget the date. He took out a black suit from a corner of the closet, stared at it for a while, and then hung it on the hanger next to the invitation.
*
*
*
Even though the weather was sunny, the cold was still raging. How could this be spring? Min Yoongi shivered even under his thick coat. Normally, he would have worn a long padded jacket, but today wasn't that kind of day. Min Yoongi hummed a tune with his earphones plugged in.
The door opened with a tinkling sound. Min Yoongi stepped through the open door and into the hair salon. The greetings and overly friendly gestures that poured in alongside the doorbell were always embarrassing. As I stood awkwardly at the entrance, the woman at the counter smiled and asked Min Yoongi a question.
โCustomer, is there a designer you are looking for?โ
โNo, thatโs not it.โ
โHow can I help you with your hair?โ
โIโm going to a wedding, and Iโm singing a congratulatory song.โ
Min Yoongi hesitated for a moment before continuing.
โJustยทยทยทยทยทยทmake it cool.โ
I'd seen it written online that if you said that, they'd take care of everything, but it was still a bit embarrassing to say it myself. The woman at the counter asked me to wait a moment and headed off somewhere, and soon a hairdresser with a dazzling array of beauty tools tucked into her apron ushered Min Yoongi to his seat.
It was my first time at a hair salon, just to get my hair done for a special day, just for one day. Min Yoongi put on his robe and stared blankly at the mirror before him. It was okay. It would be okay. He had to keep telling himself that.
*
*
*
Min Yoongi, subconsciously pondering such thoughts, paused for a moment at the unfamiliar and alien sensation. Marriage. Marriage? The very idea of โโ"getting married" felt utterly unrealistic. And that unreality was being demonstrated by Kang Da-hye, right here, right now.
Min Yoongi bit his lip. He felt like he'd attended a party he wasn't invited to. He'd stumbled into the wrong place. He'd walked unconsciously and arrived at the bridal waiting room where Kang Da-hye was. Min Yoongi hesitated and opened the door.
"yunki min?"
At that moment, Min Yoongi raised his head at the sound of a voice calling his name. He slowly lifted his head, searching for the owner of the voice. He knew who it was without even having to confirm it. The voice was so clear it felt like it was etched into his ears.
โยทยทยทยทยทยทKang Da-hye.โ
It's Kang Dahye. Kang Dahye is right in front of her. Wearing a beautiful dress, with a face more beautiful than anyone else's. Min Yoongi stared blankly at her, thinking she was still the same. Still beautiful. It was no different from the last time he saw her, making him lose his sense of reality.
"long time no see."
โMin Yoongi, youยทยทยทโ
Kang Da-hye frowned slightly. She seemed to dislike Min Yoongi's smile and his cliched words. Then she sighed briefly and spoke.
โI thought you wouldnโt comeโฆ Thank you for coming.โ
โOf course you should come, itโs your wedding.โ
โHuh, a guy who cares so much about loyalty would disappear for five years?โ
โYouโre being too harsh to someone who came all the way.โ
The reason I came here. The reason I stopped by a hair salon I don't usually go to, got dressed up, practiced while listening to endless songs, and stayed here. Min Yoongi had been thinking about this moment of reuniting with Kang Da-hye for a long time.
What expression should I make, what should I say? How could I avoid feeling awkward? I told myself it would be okay, but honestly, I wasn't confident. What if I froze up the moment I saw her face and couldn't open my mouth? But when I actually met Kang Da-hye, she was so identical to the girl in my memories that I realized all my worries and concerns were for nothing.
Now I know for sure. Min Yoongi now feels comfortable dealing with her.
โYou promised.โ
โยทยทยทยทยทยทโ
โIโll sing a congratulatory song.โ
Because that's all I can do for you.
*
*
*
Kang Da-hye was smiling more beautifully than anyone else. At that moment, she looked truly happy and overwhelmed. Min Yoongi's eyes were filled with her.
They stood side by side, listened to the tedious wedding officiant, put rings on each other, swore eternal love, and amidst the thunderous applause, Min Yoongi congratulated them with all his might. The couple, so happy, were blindingly paleโฆ beautiful. As the ceremony drew to a close, Kang Da-hye took the microphone and began to sing. Min Yoongi swallowed hard.
"There's one event you can't miss at a wedding: the congratulatory song. Oh, and I'm not singing it. As you know, I'm not a good singer, so it's a big deal."
Laughter rose from the audience. Kang Da-hye's relaxed voice let out a witty laugh.
"He was a close friend from college, but he disappeared after graduation, and then came back to sing a wedding song after a few years? He's a strange guy, isn't he? Still, I guess you should at least listen. Yes, let me introduce you to Min Yoongi-"
Kang Da-hye gestured to Min Yoon-gi, who grinned and rose from his seat. Handing the microphone to her, Min Yoon-gi awkwardly stood before the piano. Kang Da-hye and her groom stood in the spot where Min Yoon-gi was most likely to gather.
Min Yoongi took a deep breath and began to sing, almost spitting it out. His addictive voice filled the room. He called Kang Da-hye's name in his head. Once, twice, three times, over and over again. There were so many things he wanted to say to her, so many feelings he wanted to express, but he couldn't bring himself to say them until the very end. It was because he lacked the courage.
Kang Da-hye. Da-hye.
I reallyยทยทยทยทยทยท
thee,
manyยทยทยทยทยทยท
Min Yoongi looks at Kang Da-hye, and Kang Da-hye looks at Min Yoongi. Kang Da-hye, upon seeing Min Yoongi, bursts into a bright smile. And it was a smile so pure white, it was whiter than her pure white dressโฆ Min Yoongi found it difficult to smile back.
The song, which left a lasting impression, ended quickly. The audience erupted in applause for the unexpectedly high-quality performance, and some guests, deeply moved by the performance, even wiped away tears with the back of their hands.
โDahye.โ
Min Yoongi called out to Kang Da-hye. The sound of the microphone echoed throughout the hall. Kang Da-hye raised her head, which had been bowed, and looked at Min Yoongi. And then, Min Yoongi offered her a flower. A single white bellflower.
โCongratulations on your wedding.โ
You know, Dahye.
I am still in the midst of the rampant youth, in that spring.
Lastly, I have one last thing I wanted to say. Would you listen?
โDahye.โ
Min Yoongi called Kang Da-hye once more.
A story I wanted to tell, but couldn't tell.
ใI love you always. You are my life..ใ
I came here to say this.