Over The Seas [Kim Sunwoo The Boyz]

Chapter Fourty-Eight

I can feel the summer weather slowly creeping in. It is mid-May now, a few weeks after I had last seen Sunwoo. The Boyz had their single album comeback a few weeks ago so he has been busy with promotions and music shows. Thankfully, he is able to contact me more now that the company trusts him again. While I would prefer to see him face to face, it's still nice hearing from him every now and then.

Jihoon finally made his debut with his group named FATE. My family and I were invited over to a congratulatory party at his company so I got to spend some time with my brother and his members. They were a lot closer than when I last saw them so I'm glad my methods helped. There was a moment when Chansuk and Danny popped in to congratulate Jihoon, but they didn't stay long enough to have a proper conversation with them. They seemed well and happy. Seeing them definitely gave me nostalgic feelings from when I first arrived to Korea almost a year ago.

. . .

During our break time in school, Sewoon, Areum, and I decided to walk to the snack bar together. Neither Sewoon nor Areum have confirmed any of their feelings for the other to me yet and it's killing me. They don't bully each other as much anymore but they often tease the other over small things. As much as I want to butt in and make them date, I have much more important things to deal with right now.

"So," Sewoon awkwardly begins his question. "Have you heard anything back about the photography contest?"
I shake my head. "Not yet."
It's been well over a month since I sent my submission for the contest. The deadline was a while ago and they still haven't announced a winner. The winner is chosen by highest votes but those aren't public. Just thinking about it makes me feel anxious.
"Well, we all know you already won so there's no need for a huge announcement." Areum claimed.
While I'm glad that she thinks so, it would still be nice to know if I really have the talent to become a photographer.

We arrived at the snack bar and grabbed a few snacks to eat back in the class rooms. When we went up to the register, we saw Areum's pile of snacks.
"Are you really going to buy that many?" I ask in wonder.
"Why? Do you want some?" She hands me a chip bag.
"She's asking because we all know you need to start eating healthier." Sewoon nags.
Areum's face completely changes almost immediately after Sewoon's comment.
"You're just jealous I can actually afford this." Areum said and proceeded to stick her tongue out at Sewoon teasingly.
I let out a chuckle louder than I meant to.
"Okay, I see how it is with you two."
Sewoon has been extra sulky lately because Areum still hasn't chosen what color she wants to dye his hair. She's really taking her sweet time.

It's later in the school day and we happen to have gym class today. Some people were playing basketball, others playing volleyball, but Sewoon and I decided to stray away from the rest of the class and pass each other a soccer ball back and forth.
"Are you starting to plan your big party for your one year anniversary since coming to Korea?" Sewoon asked.
"Kind of. We're probably not going to do something too big, just a small house party." I replied without much emotion.
"Shouldn't you do something big, though?"
I shrug. "It's not for another week. I have other things on my mind right now."
Sewoon stopped the ball. "It's Sunwoo still, isn't it?"
I sigh. "I don't want it to bother me but I can't help but feel bothered."
"When was the last time you talked to him?"
"Earlier this week. He sent me a meme."
"That's certainly something though." I could tell Sewoon was trying not to laugh.
"I don't want to complain but I just wish he wasn't so busy all the time." I admit.
"Why don't you want to complain?" He asks.
"You know he's a kpop star so it's not surprising that he's busy right now. It's also not really in his control but it still feels wrong to be upset by it."
"Do you want my advice?"
I nod.
"Well, you kinda knew that this would
happen when you first started dating him, right?"
I didn't respond.
Sewoon continued. "I know he's not doing this will a malice on purpose to hurt you. Things will get better and will turn out in the end. You just have to be supportive of him."
Before I could express my thoughts, the gym teacher yelled at us for not doing any activity. We both got back to passing the ball and moved on to talk about other things.

. . .

Tomorrow is the one year mark since I first moved to Korea with my family. I had finished planning for the party: the food, the decorations, and the invites. My mom wanted to go to the grocery store to grab ingredients for make the food once she came home early from work.
After school, I went up to my room and waited for my mom to arrive.
I got a chance to hear Sunwoo's voice earlier this week. I had texted him the party details in case he wasn't busy the day of or at least give him heads up about it. He called me later that day and we talked for about 30 minutes just catching up on the last few weeks. He's done with his promotions so he has a few days without any schedules. Sunwoo assured me that he would be free the day of my party so I'll see him then. I don't want to get my hopes to high but I hope he's right.

I had been thinking more and more about how distant Sunwoo and I had become. I definitely had a strange feeling hearing from him again and I'm sure it wasn't a good strange. My mind had been swarming with thoughts about our relationship. Trying to take Sewoon's advice and waiting it out doesn't seem to work the best for me. How long will I have to endure not talking to my boyfriend for weeks? How long will I have to go without seeing his face? Hearing his voice right next to me? Seeing his smile or hearing his laugh that always brings me a different kind of joy? How I am supposed to support him when I feel like I've been thrown out? I know Sunwoo has good intentions but does he really not see the problem? Or am just wrong about all of this?
Feeling overwhelmed, I pick up my phone and call someone I know I can trust.
"Hey, Jihoon."
"Hey, sis. Long time no talk!" Jihoon says as he's trying to catch his breath.
"Are you practicing?"
"Yeah, I am actually but we're taking a break right now."
I didn't think they could have their phones during practice. Different company rules, I guess.
"I'll just call you back when you're not busy."
"Oh, is it something serious?"
"Mhm."
"Alright, call me whenever you need to. See ya."
I hang up. I contemplate some more on my thoughts before my mom comes home.

"Which do you think would be better? Red or green bell peppers?" My mom shows me the two options in her hands. I shrug since I have no knowledge of cooking.
"Fine, I'll take both." She happily declared.
We were in the store getting the ingredients and whatever decorations I find appropriate though I'm honestly not really looking.
Since I have yet to reach a verdict on what all my feelings mean and I couldn't ask Jihoon, I take a shot to ask my mom for advice.
"Hey, mom?" I asked to get her attention. "Can I ask you something?"
She continued searching for her favorite sauce.
"So I have this friend who's in a relationship. Um, she's kinds having trouble figuring out a problem in said relationship." I paused to see if she was even paying attention.
"Go on." She insisted.
"Oh, right. Basically her boyfriend is always busy with work and she feels a little bothered that he hasn't really made time for her." I hesitated before asking the main question. "Should she be bothered by it?"
My mom stopped what she was doing and faced at me. "Well my first thought is to talk to him about it. You can't fix a problem in a relationship without addressing it and having a mutual understanding about it."
"What if she really can't get in contact with him for longer than 10 minutes?"
She thinks for a second. "How serious is he about his job?"
"Very serious." I assured her.
"Any good partner should make time for their significant other, no matter what occupies their time." She speaks wisely. "If they can't do that, I think he should rethink why he's in a relationship."
My heart sinks. I can't believe what my mom is saying.
"Um, c-could you elaborate?" I stammered.
"I'm assuming your friend is your age. If her boyfriend already has something he's focused on and clearly doesn't have time for someone else, there's no use in holding on to a girl who should be focusing on school and building her own career."
"People have to know their limitations, especially when another person is involved. It could only lead to bad things if you try to foolishly exceed those limits. You could potentially harm the other person and it'll end with both sides suffering in the end."
I stare at the ground, unable to process the advice my mom has decided to give me.
"I'm sure your friend and her boyfriend are great people and they'll figure this out. It's all apart of the process and I'm pretty sure it's not that serious. I don't think you kids could have serious relationship with serious problems like this." She laughs as she finishes. "We still have a lot more to buy so chop-chop."

On the way home, I think more about what my mom said. Am I going to possibly break up with Sunwoo? It can't end like this. There has to be another solution.
I think about Sewoon's advice again. While his advice was good and reasonable, I don't think it resonated as much as my mom's did. Should I just suck it up for the sake of our relationship? All these questions. I hate to admit that my mom might be right. It's just that I haven't thought about it like that before, or maybe I just didn't want to.