When my grandmother was alive
He told me the story of his first love
Why isn't there such a saying?
'You can't forget your first love.'
Grandma still
He says he misses that person so much and wants to see him again.
•
•
•
"Grandma, who is that person?"
"It'd be boring if I told you already~"
"I'm still curious..."
"By the end of the story, you will be able to guess who he is."
"Then tell me now!"
"okay."
"Where should I start..."
•
•
•
When my grandmother was 20, she fell in love with photography.
It was when I went to a photo studio to buy a camera with the money I had saved.
At that time, as soon as I saw a man, my heart started pounding and my mind went blank.
I've never felt like this in my life.
Still, I tried my best to come to my senses
I focused on buying a camera.
Then the man approached me.
"Do you like taking pictures?"
"Yes, I like it.When you try to forget a memory, looking at a photo from that time brings it back to life."
“That’s why I like photos too.”
We had a nice chat while looking at the photos on the wall of the photo studio, and through that conversation, we discovered many other interests and commonalities. In fact, even as we talked, I kept thinking to myself, "This person is my destiny."
We met many times after that day. And the camera was always a part of those memories.
I went flower viewing and just walked around the neighborhood.
Small happiness continued.
Click-
"Huh? When was this taken?"
"Just now. When you were looking at the flowers."
"Want to see a picture?"
"Yeah. Here."
"Isn't it pretty?"
"It's pretty."
"But why did you talk to me that day?"
"That day?"
"The day we first met"
"Because it's pretty. My heart is racing so much."
"Honey, should we open a photo studio?"
"suddenly?"
"Yeah. I've been wanting to bring it up for a while..."
"I'm fine."
"Taking a picture?"
Click-
"Do you think it's coming out well?"
"Yeah. The composition and lighting go well together."
We run a photo studio
It gave memories and happiness to many people.
When did those people's happiness disappear?
It becomes our happiness and such.
But then a black fog began to settle over those happy days.
"Newspaper! Newspaper! Please spread the word!"
When I looked to see what was going on, it was a newspaper containing a declaration of war from a neighboring country.
About two days passed after hearing the news
pop-
pop-
At around 4 am, an explosion was heard from somewhere.
Every time an explosion is heard, dozens of people start screaming.
"What are you talking about..?"
"They've already started dropping bombs in the neighboring country."
"what..?"
"I have to leave here right now.
Let's pack as little as possible and go right now."
"huh."
I just carried my two children and luggage on my back and left home with him.
How much had he run and walked? His feet were covered in scrapes and blood.
"Shall we take a short break?"
"Yeah... I guess I have to feed the kids too."
"Let's eat, rest a bit, and then head out again."
"Does anything hurt?"
"I'm okay... oh my..."
"Does your shoulder hurt?"
"I guess my muscles were a little startled. It's okay."
"It's okay... My shoulder was already in bad shape."
He said he massaged my shoulders, making sure the wounds on his hands weren't visible. I still can't forget that warmth.
"thank you"
"Shall we set off again now?"
"Okay then"
We stayed with his relatives in another area. But the war isn't over. While we don't hear any explosions, the rumors persist.
"Yesterday, Sooni's second son..."
"Don't be ridiculous... I still haven't heard from Hee-mi's children..."
at that time
pop-
Tadadang- Tadadang-
Gunshots and explosions began to be heard.
The look in his eyes when we met was unreadable.
Because there was so much in it.
"...I'll be back"
"..A real store..?"
"I have to go.."
"Please... can I not go?"
He answered with a smile instead of words.
"Take the kids and run away towards the mountain behind you."
"If you keep going like this, you'll see a bamboo forest. Remember Jeongguk? The friend I introduced you to before. You'll see Jeongguk there..."
"Let's go together.. Let's go together.. Okay..?"
Knowing full well what would happen if I jumped in there now, how could I let you go? How could I leave you alone?
"We can go together... please..."
"I'll definitely be back. I swear."
He kissed the foreheads of the two children I was holding.
He looked into my eyes for the last time, kissed me, and left the house.
But he never came back even after several years.
Bad guy. You said you'd definitely come back...
•
•
•
"Grandma... are you crying..?"
"No~ Why is Grandma crying~"
"Do you know who the man I'm talking about here is?"
"grandfather..?"
"Oh my, our heroine is so smart. That's right, she's my grandfather."
"I heard you had a photo studio! Do you have any pictures of your grandfather??"
"I wonder what Grandpa looks like..."
"Wait a minute... Where is this... Ah, I found it."
"The photos that were somehow preserved during the war"
"They said they made it into an album"
"Wow.. when was this??"
"I'll explain it to you one by one."
"This was before my grandfather opened the photo studio."
"This is to check if the camera and lights are working properly."
"This is... Grandpa's best friend and Grandma's lifesaver."
"This person is bamboo..?"
"That's right. He's the one who saved my grandmother in the bamboo forest."
"This is... even before we get married..."
"So, Grandma, you married your first love?"
"Yeah, right."
"wow.."
"It's probably because it's my first love, but it lasts an awfully long time..."
"Grandma is crying..?"
"Even if it's not like that~?"
If I see you again, I'll tell you every day
love you