Phew~
Today is my birthday. My phone kept buzzing with notifications all day long. Friends, family, coworkers.
But the one name I’d been waiting for never showed up.
I kept turning on the lock screen. Just in case there was a notification I hadn’t seen. But it was always the same screen.
I’d been waiting for that one name for hours.
Lee Sanghyuk. It’s not even been a year since we broke up. I’m still that attached.
Me, who always had “let’s break up” on the tip of my tongue like a habit. And you, who left because you were worn out. Why do I want this relationship to come back when I’m the one who ruined it?
11 p.m.
Before I knew it, the clock had reached 11. The day was almost over now. I figured it was enough—I’d eaten cake after a long time and got birthday presents too.
I didn’t even expect a happy birthday from Lee Sanghyuk. What kind of person sends a congratulatory message on an ex’s birthday?
When dawn comes and there’s no one around, that day always comes back to me.
The day we broke up. That day, I said it like a habit too.
Yeoju: Let’s break up.
Sanghyuk: You’re saying that again? I’m tired of this too. If that’s what you want, then let’s break up. The fact that you’re always the one saying it means you wanted it too.
Yeoju: Ah, n-no...!
Sanghyuk had always apologized whenever I said let’s break up... but that day, as if he couldn’t take it anymore, he left my side.
I was the one who said let’s break up first, so why was I the one crying more that day?
Why was I so stubborn back then, always waiting for Sanghyuk to apologize?
Why was that day...
Was it a night when the stars poured down so beautifully it was blinding?
11:30 p.m.
I need to sleep now. I took my phone and went into my room, then got into bed. The thought that my birthday would end as soon as I closed my eyes felt a little hollow. Even after checking my phone again, there was no new message.
I really need to give up. At this point, I’ve had enou-
Ding-
Yeoju: Hm?
The sudden text woke me up completely. On my phone, one clear notification was shown.
Lee Sanghyuk.
-At home?
-Yeah
Ah, did I send that too fast...?
-Open the door.
Luckily, Lee Sanghyuk replied right away too. But when I looked at the message, I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Open the... door...?
I rushed out of the room. Then the intercom rang.
Beyond the intercom, stood the face I’d missed countless times over the past year. With the brightest smile of the day, I ran to the door.
...Ah. Kim Yeoju, get a grip.
Who gets that happy seeing their ex? I went back with the most neutral face I could manage and opened the front door.
Click-
Sanghyuk: Hi.
Sanghyuk was standing there holding a bouquet. With a blank expression like he’d forgotten everything. But he was a little out of breath.
Yeoju: What’s wrong...?
Sanghyuk: The elevator wasn’t coming.
He caught his breath once.
Sanghyuk: I had to get here before 12.
Sanghyuk glanced at his watch, then looked relieved. And meeting my eyes, he said the words I’d been waiting to hear.
Sanghyuk: ...Happy birthday, Yeoju.
I couldn’t say a word. Even though I tried to hold it in, my tears fell first. All day long, I’d wanted to hear just this one line.
Yeoju: I’m sorry, Sanghyuk... I’m sorry... I’m just sorry for everything...
I collapsed right there and bawled. Sanghyuk helped me to my feet. Then he hugged me tightly. Smiling.
Sanghyuk: You say sorry before thank you.
I buried my face in Sanghyuk’s chest.
Yeoju: Why now...
Sanghyuk: ...I wasn’t going to come in the first place.
Sanghyuk stopped talking for a moment.
Sanghyuk: But I just couldn’t let your birthday pass.
Without a word, he placed the bouquet in my arms.
Sanghyuk: "Thank you for being born."
The moment I heard those words, the time that had been frozen for a year
started moving again, just a little.
///
Oh dear, this is way too unfunny...
(Wasn’t this how they would show up...?)
