The Boy From The Bridge - Jakehoon

Chapter 29: Serendipity 4/5

Sunghoon had rushed down the stairs. It was fun to race down them without a backpack for once. Reaching the entrance to their apartment building it was apparent that the rain was heavy. Nighttime had firmly set in and it was dark out. He opened the door and breathed in the rain soaked air.

Sunghoon heard the sound of commotion behind him and he turned to see Artemis bounding for the door. 'Jaeyun' had let go of Artemis's lead as trying to keep hold of her whilst she chased after Sunghoon down the stairs was impossible. 

Sunghoon managed to step his foot down on the lead whilst grabbing her leonine mane to stop her from running out of the building. "Easy girl" he said to her in a soft voice. Whilst waiting for 'Jaeyun' to reach the bottom of the stairs he tried to commune with the dog. Sunghoon had always wanted a dog but it had being something his parents refused. His grandfather has a small white one with whom he had a good relationship with but he rarely gotten close to such a large dog as Artemis. Sunghoon scratched her head behind her ears as he waited.

When 'Jaeyun' had  caught up with them, Sunghoon gave him the lead and asked him, "Why is she so big?"

"JK says it's because she's meant to defend her flock from wolves and bears." 'Jaeyun' said receiving the lead.

"Wolves and bears?" The idea that this dog could match those foes scared Sunghoon a little.

"It's alright, we're her flock" 'Jaeyun' said with a smile and walked out into the rain.

Sunghoon followed behind and immediately felt the rain begin to soak him. "Wow, the rain, it's kind of heavy isn't it?"

"Yeah, we'll do a short walk - just so she has time to pee. Still, you should be used to the water by now. It's kind of like swimming?"

"I don't think this is like swimming 'Jaeyun'"  Sunghoon smiled as he spat out the rain water that was collecting in his mouth.

Their neighbourhood was residential and so was quiet at this time of night. There was a distant sound of traffic but it only provided a backdrop to the rainfall interspersed with distant thunderclaps. "I quite like the rain" 'Jaeyun' said as he skipped over a puddle.

"You do? Why?"

"Look at it" 'Jaeyun' said, gesturing around him.

"Look at what?"

"Exactly. We get the streets to ourselves, it's peaceful despite being in a city of 10s of millions."

"I suppose" Sunghoon wasn't fully convinced  as his shirt, becoming saturated with water, began to stick to his body.  Despite this he was happy. It was nice spending time with 'Jaeyun' even if they were getting drenched. The route they followed was the same  as the walk they took for school and Sunghoon wondered if 'Jaeyun' was going to lead him all the there.

"It's nice walking the streets with Artemis at night. I get to be alone with my thoughts"

"Oh." Sunghoon suddenly became worried that he was intruding on 'Jaeyun' meditative time. "Sorry, I can go..."

'Jaeyun' stopped him with a gentle touch on his arm, "It's cool - you're welcome anytime. I like talking to you"

Sunghoon felt his heart raise a little at the touch and the compliment. "Thanks, I, uh, like talking to you too". Artemis had gone into the gutter to urinate and so the two boys stood there looking at one another in the rain, neither knowing quite what to say next.

Sunghoon enjoyed the moment, he was almost disappointed when 'Jaeyun' spoke again, ending the silence. "So Gi and Jungkook seem to be getting along. I was worried at first that there wasn't any chemistry there"