Even though I was driving on asphalt, my stomach churned as if I were driving on a dirt road. But I finally understood what it felt like to drive on asphalt. Mingyu, behind the wheel, opened the passenger window. A breeze blew through the open window. It wasn't spring, but it felt like spring, and it wasn't bad. In fact, it felt good. As Wonwoo felt the wind, a thought suddenly occurred to him.
"But where are we going now?"
"Just anywhere."
"Wherever? Let's not set a destination. Something like that?"
"That's right. That's it."
They simply ran aimlessly along seemingly unrelated roads, seemingly unsure of what their future held. When they got hungry, they'd stop at rest stops. When they saw the ocean, they'd take in the view. When they were too tired, they'd find lodging and settle in for a night's sleep. Even though they were running without a destination, they felt no anxiety because they could see the path ahead. They knew that someday, if they continued along this road, they'd find a destination they'd want to stay at.
I ran and ran again.
-
1 year later
It's been a year since I escaped that underground stench. I've escaped that bottom, enough to feel the air above. As time passes, the world, accustomed to forgetting, has forgotten Wonwoo, the man who wielded the jackknife. Even though the underground and dark world I once roamed still remember Wonwoo, they don't bother to seek him out. No matter how much I rested, those who knew of his abilities wouldn't dare attack me.
Thanks to this, Wonwoo and Mingyu live peacefully. Just like when they used to live together, they started each day together and ended it with a toast, filling each day with small joys. Wonwoo, who previously wouldn't smile when he came home from a walk, now smiled readily. Seeing his smile, Mingyu smiled back.
Today was no different. A peaceful morning greeted Wonwoo and Mingyu. When Mingyu woke up and opened the window, Wonwoo's wind blew in, so he hugged the blanket because it was cold. Then Mingyu shook Wonwoo.Hey, wake up. I have to go to work.He woke Wonwoo up. Wonwoo rubbed his eyes and roughly straightened his messy hair as he got up.
It's been about three months since I last saw this table Mingyu had so lovingly laid. Mingyu, who'd seen Wonwoo go to work without eating thanks to a job he'd worked so hard to secure, woke up earlier than Wonwoo and prepared breakfast. Because of this, he had to wake up early and clear the table Mingyu had so lovingly laid. Today, after washing up, Wonwoo picked up his spoon and began eating. Mingyu smiled in relief only when Wonwoo started eating. But getting up at 5 a.m. wasn't easy. When Mingyu, sitting across from Wonwoo, yawned, Wonwoo chuckled.
"Min-gyu, if you're tired, you should have slept more."
"A person who doesn't even eat while I'm sleeping."
"I don't think that's something someone who's tired should say right now."
"So, are you okay eating well without me?"
When Mingyu grumbled, Wonwoo put down his chopsticks and patted him. Mingyu's ears turned red in embarrassment, and WonwooSighHe let out a laugh. It was probably a token of his gratitude. He's a sleepy guy, but he fought back his slumber to make breakfast for me. It wasn't easy, but since he started living in this house and was caught skipping meals, he hasn't slept in once. That must be how much Mingyu cherishes Wonwoo.
Wonwoo wasn't unaware of those feelings. Now, he'd become someone who needed to be looked after even if Mingyu didn't. But he still had his own way of being childish, a way he couldn't act when he was younger. It was because he still longed for a warm meal on the table when he woke up.
Wonwoo, who had finished breakfast, walked toward the front door. As he put on his shoes and reached for the doorknob, Mingyu came running towards him in a hurry.
"Hyung, wait a minute!"
"uh?"
"You have to come home early today, okay?"
"Today? What day is it?"
"Okay? Come in early!"
And then, Mingyu opened the door himself and saw Wonwoo off. Wonwoo, who had been pushed by Mingyu and forced to go to work, was flustered.What day was today...Wonwoo's entire commute to work was occupied by that thought. It wasn't Mingyu's birthday, and it certainly wasn't his. Even if he felt like it was some kind of special day, it was just another ordinary day for him. With only these questions left, Wonwoo finished his commute.
-
Where did Mingyu go, who'd told him to come home early without even giving a reason? The house was so dark from outside that it was hard to tell if anyone had come in. Judging by the parked car, he must have gotten off work. Thinking he'd be home soon, perhaps just out for a bit, Wonwoo went inside.
Tit, tit, tit, tik, tiririk!
As I tried to turn on the light in the dark house, the door opened and a faint light appeared inside. It didn't seem like there was anything like it when I looked outside earlier. So this guy had prepared it. He's so tall and handsome, but he's doing something cute. Wonwoo watched Mingyu emerge from his room.
Min-gyu was holding a cake. ThenWonwoo hyung, wish you a quick success!He thrust the cake at Wonwoo, saying that. Wonwoo stared at the lit candles. He closed his eyes, thinking he'd just keep the beat. What should he wish for? It seemed like the dark world he'd lived in wouldn't disappear easily, so he couldn't hope for world peace. His wish for happiness seemed to have already been granted.
Then what kind of wish would be good? Wonwoo opened his eyes. Then he lit the candle.after-And he turned it off. Mingyu turned the lights back on in the house and placed the cake on the table. Wonwoo was still puzzled. Why was the cake blown out when it wasn't his birthday? And why was there only one candle? He asked Mingyu. The answer wasn't hard to understand.
"Is it your birthday, hyung?"
"My birthday is July 17th?"
"It's been exactly one year since my brother was liberated from the organization."
"Do you remember that?"
"Isn't this quite a commemorative day?"
"...That's right."
Wonwoo laughed. They started eating cake while chatting about who else would take care of something like this.Oh...hey Min-gyu, this is so delicious.Mingyu looked satisfied as he watched Wonwoo's eyes widen. Then, they shared a drink, chatting about the past. It was like that back then. This was the exact atmosphere.
I was so absorbed in the atmosphere that I couldn't even remember when I fell asleep. When I opened my eyes, we were both lying in bed. Since it was the weekend, I decided not to wake Mingyu. I decided to lie down and sleep a little longer before the afternoon sun, which had been shining brightly in their eyes for a while, began to shine brightly in their eyes. Wonwoo closed his eyes again.
I will repeat this again and again. Open your eyes and close them comfortably. This is the greatest gift freedom can give.
Their stories will be special, even if each day is similar. Everything they feel now will be new to them.
-
"Min-gyu. Thank you."
"What are you suddenly thankful for?"
"You finished me off."
"I see. I ended my brother's dark past."
"Of course, to be exact, it's Jeonghan hyung."
"Tch."
"Still, I'm glad you're here. Thanks to you, I don't have to worry about the future. Thank you."
"There will be more to be thankful for in the future. So let's continue to be together."
"You must do that, Min-gyu. We crawled through the rock bottom, so we'll be able to get anywhere."
-
Bittersweet
The End