HIBISCUS | Bang Chan of Stray Kids

Track 12

"I am YOU, I see me in you. I know when I'm with you. In the same place, in the same time. I can overcome anything."

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Track 12

          "Hwang Hyunjin! Slow down! I'm going to fall!" Hwayoung exclaimed for the umpteenth time as she bent forward, trying to regain her balance. She was dragged out of JYP by the overly excited Hyunjin and hauled directly behind him for the past five minutes. Hwayoung pouted, tapping his slim shoulder, "Can you at least tell me where we are going?"

          Hyunjin looked back at her, flicking his small pony and shook his head with a cute voice, "Nope!"

          From the look on Hyunjin's face illuminated by the yellow lighting of the street lamps, Hwayoung could easily tell that he was enjoying her frustration. With a sigh of defeat, Hwayoung ceased her struggles, allowing Hyunjin to fully navigate her, "Fine, but if anything bad happens and I end up dead, I'll haunt you forever."

           "You're not going to die, trust me!" Hyunjin led the way through the numerous narrow, winding alleyways of South Korea. At some particularly darker streets with spookier shadows and crevices, Hwayoung's sense of paranoia heightened. Unlit buildings loomed into the dark sky as its rusty, metal staircases clung onto the sides of the exterior. Small pockets of steam rose from the sewer grates, adding to the already mystical atmosphere. Water droplets from dewy rooftops refracted against the asphalt. Watching Hyunjin carelessly walk through the dimly lit alleyways baffled Hwayoung as she jumped at almost every sound or movement from the corner of her eye, "Hyunjin! Did you see that? I think it came from over there!"

          Hyunjin groaned, "Stop it! That's like the sixty-seventh time you've freaked out over nothing. Look, it's just a trash bag!"

           Hwayoung's eyes followed Hyunjin's gesture, "Oh, well, maybe I wouldn't be so scared if you just told me where we were going. Even better, use the main roads instead of taking these creepy alleys."

           "The alleyways aren't creepy, scaredy cat," Hyunjin rolled his eyes then proceeded to loop his arm around Hwayoung's, "Stay by me and you'll be just fine. Come on, we're almost there."

            Hwayoung did not protest when Hyunjin suddenly held onto her. Not that she would ever admit it but Hyunjin's warmth comforted her against the chilly autumn night and the creepy atmosphere. The sense of familiar security was what she needed to stay calm.

           Just as they emerged from the dreadful alleyway and into the main street, Hwayoung's eyes were captivated by the bright lights of the endless strip of street food vendors. The orange tents lined up against one another appeared to go on forever past her eyes could see. An elderly woman to Hwayoung's right flipped her kimchi jeon to crispy perfection before bagging it and handing it to a little girl. The savory goodness wafted from the stand to Hwayoung's waiting nose, successfully making her salivate with anticipation. With a breathless awe of amazement, Hwayoung tightened her grip around Hyunjin's arm, "I've never seen so much food in my life before!"

            Hyunjin turned his head, shooting her an adorable eye smile. He gently tugged Hwayoung, guiding her towards the tents, "Have you eaten yet?"

             Hwayoung looked at the menu banners beside the tents, mouthwatering at every picture. Shaved ice captivated her as she fantasized about the taste of the dessert topped with syrup and fruits. She snapped out of her desires at Hyunjin's question with a sad pout, "No, I haven't, but Manager An put me on a diet recently."