cabinet

fifty.

4 years after
14:23

cold.

it didn't feel the same from the last time he went to the beach, instead, he feels empty and cold. something about the air just feels incomplete and he knows exactly why, but he doesn't want to put his finger on it as it would cause him to feel sad.

however, it would be absurd that he'd make his way to the beach knowing that he would be miserable. regardless, he wanted to see it before he prepares for summer festival he'll be performing with his band.

so, as a way for him to say he had a reason to go, he brought his friend with him.

"mister, you're awfully quiet today." the little girl, who's not so little from four years ago, spoke beside him. though he's seen her at least once a day, he's still surprised at how much she's grown.

he shuts his eyes, feeling the wind past him. "wasn't i always quiet?" he smiled, remembering how much he couldn't form words, to a point where frustration would take over him.

she stares at the tall boy who towers greatly over her, curiosity filling even if she already knows what had taken place, she can't help but be curious about the boy being solemn since he acts as if nothing happened. still, she can't figure him out no matter how much she'd stare. she thinks he would end up saying, 'you have to grow up to understand' when she's aware it's nothing she has to grow up for.

humming as she leaned back, the wind pulled strands of her blonde locks - that he constantly nagged her about, since it's a flashy color - away. "i guess so, you were really shy the first time i met you." she said, "or you were probably just dumb."

his breath hitches at her remarks, it was definitely spot on and like an arrow to the heart. "yes,"

she was more confused than earlier, as the latter would keep the conversation going like usual, but the short response took her by surprise. "what, just yes?" she turns to look at him again, quizzing a brow while he remained nonchalant.

nodding with a soundful hum, "yes."

her confused look didn't go away, but she pouts at the limited response that was given to her as she turns her gaze away. "you'd come back with a roast, or something." she mumbles, but enough to let him hear.

right, he just soaked it all up. a simple three word sentence was the only thing he wanted to tell to the person who made him feel home, safe, and everything that describes of such. at the time, he wasn't able to figure out what he felt, despite the amount of romance series he used to sit for.

which makes him wonder, it was so long ago; the day he almost said it, yet he can't exactly remember when he was about to. could it be the day we cried at the kitchen counter? he thought.

the past has been a little bit of a blur ever since he started getting treatment, but he always kept his memories about younghyun in check. he doesn't want to forget him at all.

"it's been four years, right?" he turns to yerim, who has her eyes flickering shut.

she realizes she almost dozed off from the silence, and jaehyung's voice brought her back to her senses. "uhuh, right." she rubs her eyes, yawning as she did so. "that weed dude is probably out by now."

weed dude. he smiles to himself now that he's aware of what it was unlike before. "i guess, do you think he still smells like weed?" he jokingly asked.

"if he does, he would've served for nothing, then." she remarked, her tone falling into a deadpan. "i wonder why he served, it's just weed." adding on, but her curiosity doesn't reciprocate with jaehyung. he could only assume that he understands, especially from what he's seen.