Back then: again

04 | Between the Past and the Future

• • •

They must have arrived really early. No one else had come yet. Because of that, Kim Yeo-ju and Kim Tae-hyung were wrapped up in the suffocating silence like a blanket.

Kim Tae-hyung, who had been fiddling with his phone for no reason, got up from his seat first and left the classroom.

김태형

Ugh... so embarrassing.

From Kim Yeo-ju's perspective, Kim Tae-hyung was a complete stranger. To think she cried and said she missed him in front of someone like that.

I was happy yet embarrassed. I was excited yet afraid. If this causes a rift between me and Kim Yeo-ju...

박지민

Kim Taehyung? Why did you come so early?

김태형

........

Just as the thought "what if" was about to drag Kim Tae-hyung into the darkness, a voice he hadn't heard in nearly 10 years reached his ears.

Ah, I haven't been able to hear this voice since Kim Yeo-ju died, either.

김태형

Park Jimin... It's been a long time.

박지민

........

박지민

We saw each other yesterday, why are you making such a big deal out of it?

With that, Park Jimin sat down right next to Kim Taehyung. Park Jimin, who had been staring straight ahead, let out a small chuckle.

Park Jimin slowly shifted his gaze toward Kim Taehyung. Their eyes, locked in a brief moment, intertwined and stretched out deep like a thicket.

김태형

........

박지민

Why? Is something wrong?

김태형

Park Jimin, can I ask you just one thing..?

박지민

Yeah, what is it?

Park Jimin slowly nodded at Kim Taehyung's words. After staring at Park Jimin for a long time, Kim Taehyung opened his mouth.

김태형

Did you come back to the past too?

박지민

.......

김태형

Otherwise, there would be no reason for you to give that look.

박지민

........

Why does that look in your eyes feel so alien to me? The gentle curve of your eyes had hardened into a cold icy stare.

Their eyes met once again. Quietly closed pupils. Kim Taehyung swallowed dryly.

박지민

Why, what would you do if I came back?

박지민

Ah. Are you worried it might be taken away?

At those words, Kim Taehyung's heart sank. Right, you've returned, too.

At that moment, it seemed as though both the wind and the hair fluttering in it were slowing down. Even the breath I was exhaling felt heavy.

김태형

........

박지민

Taehyung, have you been doing well?

박지민

It's been 10 years, right?

Now, how will this fate unfold? The undecided roulette wheel began to spin.