cirque [choi yeonjun]

twenty-one

as the two gets off the train after about two hours and some minutes of ride from seoul to busan and walks some miles further, yeonjun breaks the gnawing silence, "should i buy you ice cream?"

"it's fine." she unwillingly answers, not wanting to deny the offer but too shy to accept it.

"are you sure?" he asks again and this time she replies, "actually, i would love to."

he giggles, "okay! shall we go to that famous ice-cream shop where you always went before?"

"can we visit my family first?" she breaks the eye-contact with him and looks around to have a view of her homeland and that's when a train of nostalgia hits her.

too much nostalgia starting out delectable but eventually turning out hollow.

everything changed. she sighs. it feels different, surely being on earth and having to live like a normal person with someone as understanding as yeonjun beside are more than what she dreamt for in those past four years, however, last night when she was told that she would be meeting her family made her feel much more than what she is feeling right now.

she couldn't sleep out of excitement until yeonjun did his magic with headpats but now, she is only nervous and afraid, given that she knows she is just a stranger to anyone in this earth.

afraid, anxious and abandoned;
three words enough to describe her state.

yeonjun notices her silent suffocation and holds her hand firmly, giving her a comforting look.

and the tender gesture has just actually helped her to vacant her mind where chaos always ensues.

although nothing feels the same anymore, she is happy to be here. just some years ago, she passed through this very same lane, running errands and her friend giving her company.

at least, i have not forgotten anything.

she smiles and immediately looks back at yeonjun, "is my home safe now? are my mom and granny there?"

"yes, i told beomgyu to secure this city before letting them be here again. they do not remember anything related to unusual things as the memories are erased from their minds." he explains.

"you are so cool and nice, thank you so much."

yeonjun gives her a 'whatever' look, "why on earth would you say this with no expressions."

she frowns, "right." and slaps on her left cheek quickly before repeating but with liveliness in her voice and face this time, "you are so cool! and nice! coolest and nicest actually– thank you, thank you so much, i'm so grateful."

okay, it was a light slap but she just overdid it.

"welcome." he rolls his eyes.