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December breathed into the city of Seoul. Snow danced about on a holy night where people and their loved ones crowded together in unity. There wasn’t a single soul smiling, save for a young man who rushed through the gatherings.
With the likeness of wind, he rushed through the snow and ice, trying his best to keep his face hidden from the nightlife. He swiftly rushed to a small, three story apartment and with shaking hands, unlocked the door with his keys.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDDNEZyOTo
Silence loomed in the apartment and slowly took a deep breath. His lips opened to say a name, in which there was no reply but the quietness of a sleeping home. As the young man’s brows furrowed in confusion, he found another sound had been existing with the stillness. It was the sound of rushing water spilling from a faucet.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nEa7ckk6M
The young man began to walk cautiously towards the bathroom door, holding tight to his breath. He came closer to the door and opened it gently. When the door was opened, the young man’s eyes widened with heart shattering dread. 261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5z1Xppey4
In front of him was the body of the one he loved dearest in the world, lifeless in the silent night of winter.
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Sobbing hummed over shadow-clad bodies. Grief and regret swayed in the smoke of incense. Chrysanthemums loomed over tearful vessels and mourning begs danced among their trembling bodies.
The young man stood in silence, facing an open coffin. With grayed eyes, he looked at a framed photo of a young man with a comforting smile on his face.
“I was gone for a week when I decided to come back to Seoul,” whispered the young man. His voice was hollow and still. “The atmosphere of my family was stuffy and uncomfortable, so I made plans to spend Christmas with you. You would message me every day, asking how I was and if I had eaten…you looked forward to our holiday…”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcxr9TL8XJ
He clenched his right fist, keeping it by his side. His body began to tremble as his teeth fought away the cries his body longed to release.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd07hmkazw
“Why did you leave me? Why did you leave me, Taeyoung?”
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Cigarettes burned in the sunlight. Bottles and cans empty of alcohol glistened in the sunlight. The quiet buzz of an old radio echoed against framed photographs and matching mugs. 261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTBm8FnN5j
The young man sat on a couch in a slouching position. He wore a white shirt and a pair of black, baggy jeans. Long, unkempt raven hair cupped his thin face and shallow eyes. His unshaven face was greeted by a glass of liquor.
“–More on the case of Taeyoung Yoo, or ‘Hana’, singer of the popular music group ‘Harmo-ni’ has come in,” said the confident and taciturn voice of a radio host.
“The body was found by fellow Harmo-ni member, Yukimi Tsukishima or “Sunghoon” The authorities have stated that after an autopsy of the body. Authorities state the cause of death was from–”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmZioc7lnS
The young man picked up the radio and threw it into a TV screen before him, causing it to crack. His head lowered and eyes closed as the echoes of a memory flooded his head.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIn4V5dp6v
“You know Sunghoon, if they catch you smoking you’ll get in trouble,” said the voice of a young man with short, white hair and peony-hued eyes.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF8MI8FLTW
“And?” chuckled the young man known as Sunghoon. A cigarette balanced between his lips. “It’s not as if Mr. Manager isn’t already a chimney. 261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxtOBjWwRf
“That’s fair,” replied a young man with white hair. He was thin, but not nearly as willowy as Sunghoon. He had a body filled to the brim with happiness that was visible by the glimmer in his eyes.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3rwt86s8e
A stop in the conversation left the faraway traffic to compose its song of chaos. Sunghoon looked at his cigarette and after, towards his friend.
“Hey, Taeyoung…” mumbled Sunghoon. “Don’t you hate the smell of smoke? I know it irritates the shit out of some people and you’ll probably smell pretty bad being near me too.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkUKx6aL5W
“A little bit, yeah,” replied Taeyoung. His eyes matched Sunghoon’s. A gentle smile grew upon his face. “But it’s a moment I get to spend talking with you, so I don’t mind at all. It’s worth it to me.”
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In a still café hosted an older gentleman with bushy eyebrows and rectangular glasses. He combed through his dark, neatly trimmed hair. His foot tapped on the ceramic tiling of the floor and his elbows pressed into a minimalistic wooden table. Turning his head, he was greeted to the portrait of the waking world washed in its gentle gold.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xbBghygPc
A wind chime sang with the sound of an opening door. Sunghoon stood in a leaned position and kept his hands in a midnight fleece jacket. Sleepless eyes met the gaze of the older man, who turned in his chair to sit more professionally.
“Ah, there you are, Sunghoon,” called the older gentleman. He glared at Sunghoon with a look of intention. “I was starting to think you weren’t gonna come. It’s been some time, you know.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIOaVnzPZF
“Yeah...I considered not showing up again, but I’m really tired of your calls,” replied Sunghoon.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TQb4P5wRi
“Thank you…I suppose,” said the older gentleman.
Sunghoon stood beside a chair, leaning on it. 261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaItNdywh3
“So what’s this about, Manager Han?” said Sunghoon bitterly.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BnhmiJrKC
“I think you know what this is about,” replied Manager Han.
Left dumbfounded, Sunghoon turned away from Manager.
“Look I don’t really…”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RRWWlLILQ
“Some of the higher-ups are anticipating some sort of answer on how you’ll continue your career.”
Sunghoon’s eyes darted towards Manager Han. A sweat broke from his brow as his face grew wild with confusion.
“What the fu-” started Sunghoon, near breathless.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzspdOAXiq
“Look, I don’t want you to be pressured to do anything,” stated Manager Han, folding his hands together. “You can take your time, you can go on hiatus, but they just want to hear something from you. Anything at all.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlz1lweoJea
“Did you tell them to piss off?” said Sunghoon with a scoff of unbelief.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOzNoMY44D
“You know, I thought of that, but I value my job too much.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKA0wkK6Hr
“We all know they didn’t offer a hiatus, so why are you offering it?”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf9v17ADP1
“I don’t know, maybe because I care?” Manager Han shifted his glasses and exhaled deeply. “Look…it’s a hard time for you. I understand that. So just tell me what you want, and I’ll find a way to get you some time.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOOzS821PG
“And what if I just wanted to quit?”
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The café went quiet as Sunghoon glared at Manager Han. The older gentleman became tense in the hair-raising silence.
“I thought so,” said Sunghoon at last. He turned towards the cafe door.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4H3EFPQen
“Tell them this–leave me alone. I’m not writing or singing another damn song.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnC1Mju9Mhy
“Sunghoo-” started Manager Han.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxyh5BZkIc
“ You wanna know how I’m thinking of continuing my career?” scowled Sunghoon.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcBUHXFsIR
“How…”
Silence entered the café once more as Sunghoon looked to his left middle finger, where a ring sat. He winced for a moment, wishing to shut out all the frustration and pain.
“…Nevermind,” replied Sunghoon after a moment. He walked closer to the café door and opened it without looking back at Manager Han. “Just don't ask again.”
As the door closed behind Sunghoon, Manager Han let out a trembling sigh as he let his head fall into his hands.
"He's really lost without you..." he whispered solemnly.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgu10mAxPJ
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The train creaked on the rails. Sunghoon pushed in a pair of earbuds into his ears, hoping to cut the chaos from. Passengers swayed back and forth like sailors on a boat. In his eyes, there were all souls passing through the ocean like schools of fishes. The ocean in his mind formed around him, muffling the conversations that swarmed around him.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaTTJUuj2C
Tightly, Sunghoon closed his eyes and began to ruminate in past memories, where there was warmth. The millions of lights of Akihabara lit the path down memory lane. The smells and voices of the sleepless city buzzed around a rested Sunghoon.
“Damn,” began Sunghoon. “Our Tokyo trip in middle school really brought the nerd in you to life, huh?”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Th10RKMKW
“I’ve always been a nerd, you know that,” replied Taeyoung.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6docoUwfpV
“Yeah, but after that trip, you became more…eccentric?” said Sunghoon with a smile of mischief.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81EjTvD73O
“Will you stop picking on me because of my hobbies?!” cried Taeyoung. His face reddened as he grabbed onto Sunghoon’s hoodie.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvVYl9ufGD
“Sure, once it stops being fun,” teased Sunghoon.
Taeyoung let go of Sunghoon and began the two began to walk alongside one another. Sounds of anime songs and happy crowds flowed between them, reverberating within the empty alleys between the urban forest. . Sunghoon stole a look from Taeyoung and reached out for his hand amidst the sea of faces.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLYDU8oS47
“Say, it's been some time since you've been in Japan right?” asked Taeyoung.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDU1Fe7InM
“Uh..yeah,” stammered Sunghoon, retracting his hand. “My mother's mother is Japanese, so I'd visit her family in the summertime. Last time I visited was with you.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QRweqYlYF
“Ah, that’s right. Where does she live again?261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1awFsoxQ6
“Honda. It's a small prefecture in Chiba.”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwcTLJrF49
“That’s so cool!”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJpGRmHG1b
“Sure it is, if you were a kid who was allowed to make friends and play outside. I wasn’t allowed to go far, alone or not.” 261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBDFtArbNQ
“Did you visit Tokyo often as a kid?”261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzjVNob0ls
“From time to time, yeah. My grandmother would sometimes pack some travel money in my pillow, so my parents wouldn’t find it.”
Taeyoung grinned mirthfully and grabbed for Sunghoon’s hands with his own.
“Then you'd still know your way around the city, right?” asked Taeyoung. His eyes glowed longingly, yet Sunghoon stood paralyzed by the excitement oozing from his friend’s tone.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecGkAM2GV8
“No, no, I really don’t-”
It took no time for Sunghoon to find himself in charge of holding collector items and plush toys. He stood as a crab on the shore, unwilling to run from the excitement for its beloved ocean. 261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHoqPNRsKF
Wrapped around Taeyoung’s finger would always and forever be the ever so exhausted yet willing Sunghoon.
Sunghoon sighed and looked forward to Taeyoung. His eyes were overflowing with youthful wonderment. Warmth spread over the cheeks and ears of our observer. A smile bloomed from his heart to his lips and a distinct feeling of exhilaration and serenity washed over his body, swimming in his chest and fingertips.
Never was a moment so heavenly than one where Taeyoung smiled.
“Sunghoon, come over here so we can take a photo together!” he called.
Without a further thought, Sunghoon ran towards him to capture memories with his dearest friend in the universe. 261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aUm8Y3Wpn
Flash by clash, click by click, he took the moment and kept it in the pocket of his soul.
Every moment, distressing or wonderful, was Sunghoon’s to keep.
They were all he had to keep, now that Taeyoung was gone from his arms.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrCPybm502
The train stopped suddenly, and Sunghoon stood alone to leave for his apartment. Sounds of crunching of snow was piercing under the weight of Sunghoon’s boots. He slouched and treaded slowly, drunk on concepts of anguished implosion.
The silence stabbed through his veins as he arrived towards his old, three story apartment. He went up with heavy, creaking steps, towards a door at the very end of the second floor.
“Damnit, I forgot to turn the light again…” gruffed Sunghoon as he took out his keys. He tried one by one, shivering at every attempt to open the door.
“I can’t remember…which key…”
Darkness descended upon the evening snow as the sound of clacking heels echoed in the second story hall. A figure stood 6 feet away from Sunghoon, preparing her dark lips to speak.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUpWhQbVyN
“Sunghoon.” 261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU07TKJFDZ5
A shiver sent his body into tremors. The night became more lightless and the air became dense. With wide rabbit-eyes, he turned to look at the familiar voice that called his name.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgApr0af7f
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He faced a woman in a black tweed coat and a woolen, gray skirt. She glared at him with aged eyes. Her long onyx hair and the sharp hostility exuding from her body mirrored Sunghoon’s.
He knew as long as he lived, he would always be her shadow.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ttKfFbB23
As long as he grieved, she would always return to be the voice that recalled the night in which he lost Taeyoung.
“What the hell do you want, Mother…?” said Sunghoon, grimacing.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgicWIn8GW
"I believe it's time we finished visiting, don't you think?" she replied grimly.261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xvjvDOMHP
"So hurry dear, before we both die of cold."261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RDB8LZx1K
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