Vinyl Dreams | Nakamoto Yuta

IX.

What is this man really up to? He disappears and comes back and acts like we just met yesterday.

After months of not seeing him, Yuta was back again at Haneul's record store.

"Sky, are you alright?" Yuta snapped his fingers in front of Haneul's face.

"Yeah. You just look like...like a lion."

Yuta laughed so hard like he heard the funniest joke in his whole life. Haneul was confused that he wasn't offended at all.

"Oh this?" He pointed at his white, long hair. "It was a dare. Jaehyun made me do it after losing a game."

Haneul paused for a while, trying to think.

Jaehyun? I think I heard that name before. Right. He was the friend whom Yuta gave the vinyl to. But I think I heard that name somewhere else.

"Well it looks quite good on you."

"Funny thing is, Jungwoo also calls me lion because of this."

She laughed, thinking that he looked like a lion indeed. She thought how he probably got too much confidence in walking in the street with such hair.

"Is this for your friend again?" Haneul took the vinyl he gave her at the counter.

"Yeah. He asked me to buy it for him since he's busy. Next time, I'll bring him here."

"He'll probably enjoy being here. I mean, if he's really into vinyls."

"Yup! I told him about your store and he got so excited. Too bad, he's alw—"

All of a sudden, Yuta stopped speaking, making Haneul curious.

"What's wrong?" She got worried for a moment.

"That song."

"What song?"

Haneul figured that maybe it was the song playing on the store's speaker that Yuta was talking about.

"You know this song?" He asked without looking at her. He was just staring at the speaker the whole time.

"My friend is a fan of the group and she made me listen to their new album. I found the tracks cute, especially this one."

"Day Dream!"

"How did you..." Haneul was literally surprised. "You're into them too?"

"OF COURSE! NCT 127 IS THE BEST!"

Haneul thought that the man was literally giving her random surprises each time they meet.

"That's...cool."

"So, you know them? Like, who's your favorite member?"

"Ah, I actually have no idea about them. I mean, I just listened to their songs when Chaeyeon forces me to do so."

She didn't know why, but Yuta's expression suddenly turned gloomy. Like she said something that made him sad.

"But this song, I don't know. There's something about it that makes me listen to it over and over."

"That's my favorite too." Yuta's smile returned, making Haneul feel relieved. "But seriously, you should listen to their other albums. They have lots of beautiful songs."

"You talk just like my best friend." She chuckled. "But okay, I'll give it a try."

"Great! Thank you, Sky!"

"Huh?"

"Ah, for...for this!" He held the vinyl high and suddenly waved a goodbye. "See you again, Sky!"

She just waved back, confused for the nth time.

After Yuta left, Haneul began reading the notes she made earlier at school. She was so focused that she didn't notice that someone was standing right in front of her at the counter. She jumped when he mentioned her name.

"Hi Sky."

"You're back?"

"Yeah, I forgot to ask you something." His voice was a bit softer and shy this time.

"What is it, Yuta?"

"Sky, can I ask you out?" He smiled brightly again.

Haneul subconsciously stared at Yuta.

Is this smile a scheme for me to say yes immediately?

She snapped back after realizing that she was not dreaming.

"I'm sorry, Yuta, but I think it's late to go out." She pointed to him the store's clock which showed the time, 8:30 p.m.

"Oh, no, not today. I mean, when you're free. I know you're kinda busy with school and work, so I'm asking you in advance."

Haneul looked at him and he smiled again. She thought that his smile was the best smile she has ever seen. It was almost too good to be true for someone like her to be asked out by a guy as pretty as him.

"Okay, I'll let you know when I'm free." Haneul answered softly. She didn't even know what made her feel shy. Maybe it's the fact that this was the first time somebody invited her out.

"Cool. Okay, I'll wait, Sky. Thank you!"

Yuta almost stepped away from the counter but stopped himself as if he forgot something.

"By the way, how can I know when you're free?"

"I can call or message you or something like that."

"Oh, right." Yuta softly laughed.

Haneul gave him her phone for Yuta to save his number.

"I'll just message you. Maybe I can find a free time next week."

"Sure, sure. Thanks again, Sky."

And like the usual, he hurriedly left the store, leaving Haneul alone confused, but happy.