✓ SIX THIRTY ━ johnny suh

. . . . chapter one.

( ❑❑❑ )

SONG OF THE DAY :
empty pack of cigarettes
— joseph angel

✧ ೃ༄*ੈ✩

[ story is set in december 2019 ]

after unsolicitedly giving herself the privilege to see the visible busyness seoul had from a heightened view, HASEGAWA CHIASA had always treated it as a scenery she could find ease in.

she loved even the tiniest details. from the way decently dressed civilians walk out of buildings and disperse into the streets, to the collectivity of vehicles on the roads causing traffic (that's not surprising, considering how it was a rush hour), and even something as simple as the mixture of colors in the sky as the sun began to set. the physicality fit well with her shuffled playlist she labeled 'life soundtrack' playing in the background.

somehow, despite having 'admiring the city' as a part of her daily routine that's been going on for nearly a year, it was a sight she swore she'd never get tired of.

readying herself to get a third hit for that evening while keeping her eyes on the view of the bustling city, she pulled out a half-empty cigarette box along with a lighter from her maroon shirt's front pocket.

imprinted on the box was a disturbing image of man suffering from the worst stage neck cancer and its effects, labeling the image as an eye-opener to nicotine's harm. just like every smoker, though, she couldn't have cared less. one of the thin sticks was placed in the middle of her two chapped lips, its tip lighting up in an instant.

she had to clear her throat after the slightly itchy sensation brought by the first inhale of smoke, relaxation following like a gust of wind as she did so. her position on the rooftop clouded by the smoke she herself exhaled, with legs hanging off the edge, made her feel like the world was just beneath her feet, the kick of the substance she consumed enhancing the experience.

her moment of peace was interrupted by the sound of the graffitied door that was meters behind her opening with a creak. as an instinct, she turned to the direction, panicked upon finding out that it wasn't just the wind.

it was a guy she definitely did not know whose eyes, despite a large portion of it being covered by his bangs, were noticeably just as wide as hers. he turned the phone he held off as he cautiously walked closer, squinting.

"who are you?"

she pointed the small pink butane lighter with a weak flame to him, it being the only thing she could use to look even the slightest bit threatening.

"damn, chill." for no particular  reason, he threw his hands up, acting as if he was being held hostage in a not-so-intimidating way. "i'll just sit, if you don't mind. for a smoke break."

being one who always took a mental reminder of 'don't entertain strangers' and the importance of distancing socially, chia was not comfortable with the seating distance he initially settled with. she nudged him, urging him to change position.

"move."

he complied to her wish, shifting away until they were about six feet apart.

"can i have one?"

the question caused him to gain the woman's judgmental stare.

"you went for a smoke break without smoke?"

"i meant to bring it, i just forgot."

with pent-up hesitation that caused the entire scene of passing of cigarette to go on for nearly five minutes, she tossed a stick, him catching it on the perfect time.

"esse. nice," he commented. "i usually go for lucky strikes. not that you wanted to know, but yeah."

to start her response off, she shrugged. "i'm not that picky with brands honestly. i just go for the easiest i can point to from 7-eleven counters."

silence followed through their time together. then, to her dismay, her pink lighter went empty, which interfered with her chain of smoking at the worst time. still, she persisted in repeatedly flicking her lighter, hoping dumb luck would make it work for one last time (and it did not).

due to the frustration, she habitually ran fingers through her hair then shut her eyes. "fuck."

"you need a lighter?" the man decided to ask, though it was obvious enough for her to have no need to verbally reply. "here you go."

he extended his arm and even scooted just a little enough for the object to be handed, her nodding her head as a small thank you as she took the lighter from him.

"i'm youngho."

"chia."

youngho looked back at her as in plans to affiliate her name with whatever bullshit he had in mind, the unlit cigarette between his teeth slightly slurring his words. "as in the seed?"

"you're not funny," she said, scoffing.

"but you're smiling?"

"god."

✧ ೃ༄*ੈ✩

( ❑❑❑ )

🕡 gabi's notes !

i start pride month on my account with het content hah i am heartfully sorry <3