It was summer Episode 5. To My Youth [Side Story/over]
—
While I was busy with an appointment since morning, my phone rang. When I checked the caller ID, the person I was with was saved under the name ‘Park Jimin💜’ and was calling me.
“Hello~”
-Yeah, it's your honey~
… Ha, really. I don’t know where they get these comments from.
Since I didn't answer, Park Jimin asked me if I was okay.
“Huh? Oh, it’s okay.”
- No, you can’t even play when you’re sick…
“No, I’m fine, really!”
- Really?
“Oh, really!”
A brief laugh was heard over the phone, and then Park Jimin spoke nonchalantly.
- Okay, so today is 10 o'clock, right?
I looked at the clock and the second hand was already approaching 8:50.
After thinking that I would be able to go out almost on time if I go out a little later, I answered Park Jimin.
“Oh, right. I’ll be leaving later. What about you?”
- I'm going out soon.
“Then I guess I should hang up?”
- Yeah, it's a shame, but I guess so.
“Okay, see you later at 10.”
- Yeah, right.
“…”
- …
Snap—
Phew… In the end, I still can’t say I love you over the phone.
Actually, I'm in the end of my second year of high school now, and the second semester has already ended and winter break has begun. So today is the day I go see Park Jimin for the first time in a long time. Our vacations started around the same time, and we hadn't seen each other recently, and winter break was long, so meeting for one day wouldn't interfere with our daily lives.
Would it be okay if we left around 9:10? Seriously, I'd feel so guilty if I did that. I don't even know where he lives, so we ended up deciding on a meeting place near my house and meeting there.
…Whatever, if you tell me your house next time, I’ll definitely choose a place nearby.
While thinking about this and that, no, I was thinking about Park Jimin anyway. Well, anyway, while thinking about various random things, I looked at the clock and it was already past 9:05.
I guess I should go out now.
I left the common entrance of the apartment, thinking about Park Jimin again, wondering where he is, what he's doing these days, what his grades are like, and what I'll talk about first when we meet.
“Kim Yeo-ju.”
…Huh? Who called me?
I looked around wondering where he was, and a familiar person appeared in the blind spot of my vision. I couldn't confirm it right away because he was wearing a hat, but for a moment, it felt familiar.
“Kim Yeo-ju, what is it? Don’t you recognize me?”
Ah, now I get it.
“…There’s no way I wouldn’t recognize you.”
“Yeah, anyway, it’s been a while.”
how have you been doing?
At that question, I was surprised and dumbfounded, and tears welled up in my eyes.
“What, are you crying? Don’t cry.”
“You really… I… You don’t even know how much I’ve suffered because of you…”
“No, please forgive me. I was planning to tell you about it today.”
“Where?”
“Later, there’s a sequence~”
“…Okay.”
Where should I start? It feels strange to see Park Jimin after such a long time.
But then, Park Jimin asked me.
“…Then shall we go, honey?”
The same atmosphere as back then. However, at the time of the confession, it was dark so I couldn't see his expression well, but now it was daylight. When I looked at Park Jimin, I could see his expression very clearly.
…a brightly smiling face. Yes, I really like your smile.
“…Yes, honey.”
Keep smiling like that. Your smile will soon make me smile too.