fragments

Hide and Seek

Strangely, it was a rainy winter. No, it was a strange mix of rain and snow. The child I met that day was trembling with fear. The cause was extreme trauma. I don't know the details, but I remember it was probably from being abandoned multiple times. He suffered a bit because of that.

.

"You... what are you?"
"...ah,"
"what?"
"No, I'm sorry. I'll go. I'm really sorry."

What was so scary? I had no choice but to grab the child who was trying to run away. It felt like he might disappear at any moment.

"No, go and warm up a bit."
"..."

I pour a cup of cocoa and hand it to the child, and he seems wary.

"are you okay."
"I have to go."
"Where?"

No matter how I look at it, it seems like there's nowhere to go.

"Just... a place where no one can find me."
"...what?"
"I don't want to be sick anymore."
"Where does it hurt?"
"My heart aches because everyone I love is leaving me."

Is he dead?

"He's not dead."
"Surprise."
"Everyone thinks so. That's why they take me in and throw me away."
"Because you feel sorry for me?"
"Yes, because I feel bad for you. That's all. Pity, compassion. When you get tired of it, throw it away."
"that..."
"They're treated like animals. No, are they worse than animals?"
"Will you live with me?"
"Don't do that. I've been through it all. This time, it'll be forever, I thought."
"I'm really confident I can take responsibility for you."

I am rich.

"Everyone does. Well, thank you. I'll be going now."
"no..!"
"why?"
"Just one day... go to sleep."
"yes..?"
"Exactly 24 hours. Then you'll want to stay?"

.

"Let's make a formal statement."
"You said you couldn't go out, right?"
"Big... I guess this place is a little better."
"Okay. My name is Kim Seokjin."
"I am the female protagonist."
"What's your last name?"
"no."
"Then do the same as me, Kim Yeo-ju."
"If you promise not to abandon me, I'll do it, Kim Yeo-ju."
"Why do you keep throwing it away?"
"There's nothing I can do. I have to keep checking."
"I really won't throw it away. But why promise something like this?"
"Because every time you say my name, it comes to mind. Honestly, it's too late."
"What's late?"
"It's already stored in my head."
"...her."
"I hope it will be a good memory until the end."

.

"What do you want to eat for breakfast?"

"I'll do whatever you want."

"Are you going to keep using formal language?"

"no?"

"Ah... no, let's just use formal language."

"Sir! Please give it to me quickly."

"You always call me old man."

"If you call me oppa again, I'll shudder."

"Try it."

"Oppa~!"

"..."

"Tch."

It's good, but it's a bit obvious. It's pretty.

.

"Do you like me, sir?"

"uh."

"Why?"

"Just. You?"

"I don't really know."

"You don't like it?"

"I don't know what it means to be good. Is it love or respect?"

"It's love."

"How do you know, sir?"

Just talking to you and seeing you makes me smile. How could that not be love? You don't know it, but you have the same expression on your face as I do. Always.

.

It's gone. I'm sure it was at home, but where did it go?

"Kim Yeo-ju!"
"Don't come. I'm sorry. I, I can just leave."
"No. I came looking for you."
"mister..?"
"I told you not to run away."
"I'm so scared. I'm afraid I'll be abandoned again."
"I won't throw you away."
"I'm sorry. I don't want to run away either..."
"Okay, let's go in."

Why don't you trust me? I like you and I always will.

"I really like that guy. But when I come to my senses, he's outside. And the guy who's calling me is with me."
"know."
"Of course. I guess you know everything. It seems like there's nothing you don't know."
"Go to sleep. See you tomorrow. And how long are you going to be my uncle?"
"I told you not to. Just stay here for a bit. Until I fall asleep."
"Are you leaving the house to ask me to stay by your side?"
"Leaving home is not my conscious choice."
"Don't worry. I'm always here. Every moment you open your eyes and close them."


I will be by your side forever.

I can't sleep😟