After my unwanted move, I suddenly became more mature. I lost all my pretense and stopped adding bad words to the end of my sentences. I wasn't cool at all. I also got rid of the misconception that punching someone made me look strong. Now, nothing made sense. I transferred to a new school at my parents' request, and I lived my life holding my breath. When someone spoke to me, I just gave them a casual response. I thought that this is probably how I'd live my life even after going to high school. It was so boring. But I couldn't help it. I didn't want to be pointed at and called a monster. I never watched superhero movies again. I threw away all the posters that had hung up all over my room and the figurines that had filled them with them. I didn't want to see them anymore. Superheroes were no longer something I admired.
And so my middle school years passed. By the time I reached high school, I had grown so much that my middle school friends would have been astonished. In height and in spirit. I had calmed down considerably, having overcome the days filled with hurt and anger. I no longer got angry over small things, and my emotions no longer fluctuated. I simply began to think, "That's just how it is," and "That's how it is." That's just how people are. In high school, I started talking to my friends more than I did in middle school. We joked around, ate meals together, and even walked home together. But I never told anyone about myself, because it would be a hassle. I didn't want to talk about my parents, which I didn't even want to talk about, or why we were moving, why I was living alone, or why I didn't have a single friend from middle school. I didn't want to make things difficult. Being bored was better. I was lonely, but it wasn't so bad.
After school, I spent time on the roof of a nearby building. There was a building near my school that looked like it was about to collapse, but no one was there, so it was the perfect place to spend time alone. I tried not to go home early because it made me feel sick. I didn't want to be alone. I felt lonely, so I purposely avoided going home. That day was just like any other. After school, I went up to the roof and lay down. I tossed my bag far away. The sky was overcast, probably because it was the rainy season. It was a natural phenomenon beyond my control. I wondered if it would rain today. I yawned and stared blankly up at the sky. Even if it did rain, I wouldn't get wet. It was as if there was a film around me that repelled the raindrops. At first, it annoyed me, like a monster, but now I'm used to it. Not getting wet isn't so bad.
After a while, as expected, rain began to fall from the sky. A plop. The rain made a sound as it hit the ground. I was fast asleep, but the sound woke me up. It's so noisy... should I just stop? I thought about it for a moment, but then I quickly closed my eyes again. Making a wish was too much trouble. I didn't want to use my powers if possible. I tried to go back to sleep, thinking it would stop soon, but the rain mercilessly started falling harder and harder. This wasn't a sudden shower. It was wetting the whole world. It was a strange feeling. While the whole world was getting soaked, I was the only one who stayed dry. Everyone else was holding umbrellas to avoid the rain, but I was just standing there in silence, not even trying to avoid it. I was the only one who could stop the rain. It was as if I was special. I smiled wryly. Even after all that terrible experience, he still hadn't learned his lesson. To others, I was just a monster anyway.
I blinked lazily, gazing out at the rainy world. People rushing out in a panic at the sudden rain, the ground absorbing the rain, leaves covered in water droplets, the gray sky that stretched across the sky - all these things. I enjoyed gazing at the world. As I did so, I felt like a normal person, and it made me feel at ease. Then, the iron door on the roof, which had never been opened before, slid open with a loud noise. My heart nearly jumped out of my mouth. What was that? Startled, I sat up. Suddenly, a girl came into view. A round head with brown hair. That was the first thing that caught my eye. The girl sat down on the roof in pain. She covered her ears with her hands and her body was trembling.
"...Stop."
And then she said, "Stop." The heavy rain drowned out her voice. I concentrated my senses to hear what she was saying. The girl was sobbing and curled up in a ball. The sight was so pitiful that my heart ached. Her small body was so unstable it looked like it might collapse at any moment.
"Stop. Please…"
「……」
"Stop the rain..."
Concentrating on the voice, I understood in an instant. What did she want to stop? It was the rain. This rain that continued to soak the world. She clasped her hands, which had been covering her ears, and prayed desperately. Her body was still trembling. I stared at her, and clasped my hands together as if possessed. If she wanted it to stop, I had to stop it. I didn't know why I did it. I had never stopped the rain for someone before. In fact, it had been a long time since I had used my ability. I wondered what would happen if she forgot her own voice and didn't stop it. But I had no choice but to pray. I wanted to help her. The method was the same as always. I closed my eyes, clasped my hands, and chanted.
"Stop the rain."
Perhaps the sky hadn't forgotten my voice, as it answered my wish. The rain stopped in an instant, and the sunlight poured in. I guess my skills weren't rusty after all. I gave a small laugh. When the rain stopped, the girl stopped shivering as well. She took a heavy breath and gently raised her head.
Wow, it's beautiful.
That was my first impression when I saw her face. She was so beautiful. I couldn't help but stare at her. The sunlight reflected off her face, making it shine brighter than anything else. The girl, who had only been blinking, timidly stood up. She was staggering, as if she had no strength. She picked up the bag that was lying beside her and left the rooftop. Her whole body was soaked. I wanted to ask if she was okay, but I quickly realized that this was not the time. I wondered if I would ever see her again. It was almost funny how I found myself thinking about it.
I went over to where the girl had been. There was a name tag lying there. It was my school name tag. I knew it immediately from the shape. I didn't recognize her face, so she must be a junior. I scrubbed the wet name tag with my clothes. I traced the three letters of her name with my fingertips.
"Yoon Areum"
Her name is Areum. Yoon Areum... I muttered that name several times, and suddenly a thought occurred to me. Maybe I was someone she needed. Someone who wouldn't think of me as a monster even if I revealed my abilities. Someone who needed my strength. Someone who needed me. Someone I could be by her side. Maybe I could escape my endless loneliness. Maybe I could sleep peacefully even when I returned to an empty house. I felt bad that I was taking advantage of her pain, but I thought it would surely be beneficial for both of us. I would have someone by my side, and she would be able to avoid the rain.
I put my name tag in my pocket. I put the bag I had been throwing on my back and left the rooftop. My heart was beating fast for the first time in a long time. A new beginning. A new starting point. I made up my mind that I would become destined to be with her.
6.
I was so eager to go to school, a place I had so longed to go to, that I was kicking my feet all night. What would I say to her if I saw her tomorrow? "Hello?" -- That was too normal. "You're Areum, right?" -- That sounded like I was stalking her. "I've heard rumors about you." -- What would I do if she asked me who it was? "You're so cute, aren't you?" -- That was stupid, that sounded completely weird. No matter how much I thought about how to greet her, I couldn't come up with an answer. In the end, after much deliberation, I decided to improvise tomorrow. And then I overslept. It was because I went to bed too late. I couldn't even put on my uniform properly, and I ran until I was out of breath. But I was still late. I even received a penalty point in homeroom guidance. It was the worst start ever. As soon as I entered the classroom, I collapsed onto my desk. My heart was beating so hard from running so hard.
"Choi Beomgyu, are you okay?"
"I overslept and will be late."
"Did you come running?"
"Yeah... I feel like I'm going to die."
The kid sitting next to me smiled and offered me a glass of water. I thanked him and drank it. My mind felt a little clearer after my daze. That's right, I need to pull myself together today. I'll go to the second-year classroom during recess. I wonder if I'll see him... I thought, resting my chin on my hand. I was so eager to see him that my limbs were shaking. As if to completely betray my hopes, Yoon Areum was nowhere to be found. I'd walked back and forth to the first-year classroom dozens of times, but I'd never seen anything even with a hairstyle similar to his. His brown, round head. I should have recognized him right away. Had I read the name tag wrong? But no matter how I looked at it, it was definitely a name tag from my school. I stroked the name tag I'd picked up yesterday again. Even though I was just tracing the three letters of his name, I felt a sadness for some reason.
I went looking for it during lunch break, but it was no use. Before I knew it, it was almost time to go home. I'd go one last time. This time it would really be the last time. What if he wasn't there...? I wonder if he'll come tomorrow. All sorts of thoughts crossed my mind as I was only going down one floor. It was just fate. I nearly fell down the stairs. My twisted ankle was throbbing with pain. Sigh, I'm really unlucky. The second-years were also busy getting ready to go home. I looked for the round head in the crowd, but again it was empty. Where on earth is it hiding? It's not even raining today. I was grumbling to myself. Just then, the bell rang. I'd give up for today and come back tomorrow. Just as I turned the corner to trudge up the stairs -
"a…"
"Ah."
I bumped into someone. We both lost our balance in the sudden collision and fell. The ankle I'd twisted earlier throbbed again. My brow furrowed. My luck today was really the worst... But it wasn't anyone's fault. I was also at fault for bumping into him. Textbooks, notebooks, and writing implements were lying on the floor. They were things the other person had dropped when we bumped into each other. I quickly got up and picked them up. The other person started picking them up in silence as well. Unlike my tattered textbooks, the other person's textbooks were spotlessly clean. Wow, they really are meticulous. Not a single page was bent, and they were in perfect condition. Their writing implements were also without a scratch, and looked brand new. I felt like I could tell their personality without even looking. As I was picking up the notebooks, I suddenly noticed a name written on the cover. The handwriting was neat and tidy. And the name written in those handwriting was-
"...Yoon Areum?"
It was Yoon Areum. Surprised by the sudden calling of her name, Yoon Areum looked at me. Our eyes met. They were big, beautiful eyes. My whole body trembled.
"It's really...him."
"...Do you know me?"
Damn. I blurted out what I was thinking. I hadn't expected this encounter to turn out like this. I racked my brain for something to say, but it was all blank. All I could think about was my eyes, darting about. Yoon Areum stared at me expressionlessly, then went back to silently picking up her things.
"...I'll pick it up. Sorry for bumping into you."
"No. I'm fine."
"But it was my fault that you fell."
"Don't worry about it."
With that, she took the bag I was holding. It was only for a moment, but my hand touched hers. The place where she touched me felt strangely ticklish, and I felt a tingling sensation deep in my stomach. I didn't even know why.
"I'm sorry too."
"No, you don't need to apologize..."
"Is that all you have to say?"
"picture?"
"Well then, I'll be off then."
A problem arose. Yoon Areum was incredibly guarded. Ever since our eyes met for the first time, she never looked at me properly. Her eyes were emotionless and her expression was cold. It was hard to believe she was the same girl I saw yesterday. After a quick greeting, Yoon Areum leisurely walked past me. I wanted to stop her and say something. But what should I say? My body moved before I could think. The next thing I knew, I had instinctively grabbed her wrist as she tried to pass me by. I felt her warm body heat. Perhaps surprised by my sudden grab, Yoon Areum's eyes were wide open. She looked like a squirrel. Just like yesterday, she was beautiful. And at that moment...
"Hey."
「……。」
"My name is Choi Beomgyu."
These were the words I managed to stop him and say. Introducing myself. I was so embarrassed that I wanted to bite my tongue and die. Stupid Choi Beomgyu. I never expected that the thing I was so excited to talk about would be my name. Yoon Areum looked at me with a questioning look. But still, I couldn't let go of his wrist.
"Um, so..."
「……。」
"...Remember my name."
"picture?"
"Choi Beomgyu. My name. I want you to remember it."
"...Why?"
Her voice didn't waver in the slightest. What should I say next? I couldn't stop sweating as she stared at me with those big, clear eyes. Why were they so big and beautiful? I had a premonition that if I said something wrong, it would all be over before it even began. But there was no other option. I had no choice but to just go for it.
"I want to be friends with you."
「……。」
"I've known you for a while."
「……。」
"I want to become friends with you, so I'll tell you my name..."
「……。」
"It might seem strange, but I'm serious. So, I want you to remember that."
It was an incredible first meeting. It was a surprise even to me. I had never been so nervous before when getting to know someone. I had never been so nervous. But now, I was so nervous that my back was soaked with sweat. There was a moment of silence between Yoon Areum and me. I swallowed hard, my saliva dry. After staying silent for a while, Yoon Areum gently removed my hand from her wrist. Then she said,
"I don't want to get along."
"Huh?"
"I have no intention of becoming friends."
「……。」
"Don't waste your efforts."
I'm sorry for bumping into you. Thank you for picking me up. Well, excuse me. This time, I really couldn't hold you back. It was a clear rejection. A lot of time had passed since the bell rang, but I couldn't go back to the classroom. I froze on the spot. ...So this means I've been rejected. Before it even started. Slowly, my mind started to turn. The moment I realized the situation, strangely, laughter welled up in me instead of tears. Just like that time I broke my arm trying to imitate Superman.
"Seriously hilarious."
After hearing his story, far from disliking him, I liked him even more. My body, which had been stiff with tension, suddenly relaxed and my mind became lighter. He was so cute. If you ask me what made me so cute, I can't really explain it. He was just cute. The way he opened his eyes wide and said what he wanted to say so clearly. Yoon Areum said he didn't like me, but I was sure he wouldn't forget my name. It's hard to forget someone who suddenly asks you to remember your name. In fact, maybe it worked out. If I was going to give up so easily, I wouldn't have spent the whole day looking for him. My heart was pounding. I was being incredibly optimistic, even though I'd been rejected. But it was all good.
Fate always strikes suddenly. At the most unexpected moment, at the most unexpected time, it appears out of nowhere and turns your daily life upside down. I knew that all too well. I wondered how fate that arrives like that could change your life. As I returned to the classroom, I vowed to myself. I would become Yoon Areum's "sudden destiny." I would become someone who would turn her life upside down. I would become someone who could bring smiles to her faces. With every step I took, Yoon Areum's name tag rattled in my pocket. Even that made me happy.
The sky was clear and cloudless. It was a new beginning.