Jiseok Short Story Collection

A lifelong bond atop the fence

The red-burning sunset settles over the dry earth and over our faces, leaving behind a gentle warmth. The feelings I’d kept hidden behind the name of being nothing more than comfortable friends for so long slowly ripen red beneath the orange glow of dusk. Sitting side by side on the fence and looking up at the distant sky, I can’t hold back the overwhelming emotion and call out happily to Jiseok.

"Let’s make a vow!"

"Huh...? You mean, suddenly, like a marriage vow?"

For a moment, Jiseok’s cheeks flush even redder than the sunset. His innocent reaction is so cute that I can’t help letting out a soft laugh.

"Ah, no! Not that vow! I mean, let’s make a 'promise to each other.' This isn’t just a verbal pledge—it’s our promise that it’ll always be real."

"Tch, ah... that’s what you meant? Fine, then let’s make a vow. But... if you really wanted to marry me, I wouldn’t object."

A heavy sincerity hidden beneath the casually grumbling tone as if he were trying to act unbothered. That unexpected, direct confession makes my heart start pounding as if it might burst. To hide my embarrassment, I playfully poke Jiseok’s shoulder.

"Hey~ Kim Jiseok, what’s with you, seriously!"

"You started it first."

As Jiseok rubs his shoulder and turns back to look at me, a huge smile he can’t hide spreads across his lips. It was a night where Jiseok’s radiant smile and dazzling promise filled the last gap in the silence, seeming to wrap my cold shoulder in warmth.