✔︎𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 || 𝐘𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧

6. Souvenir Photos

The path to the playground seemed so long and exhausting from where we stood, but why did I always find it amusing to climb it with him? That day, like so many others, my feet hurt, my breath was short, and I couldn't wait to reach our destination. It was a chilly spring day, and the wind blew the freshly bloomed cherry blossoms all over our great, old Busan. It looked just like a painting.

My heavy feet took another step before realizing that his steps were no longer audible. I turned around, only to find Jeongin standing still, staring at the landscape. From that hill, you could see every cherry blossom tree, every house, every road, every car, every person, and, most importantly, every wave of the sea. The sea had always been the most beautiful thing about Busan—so blue, so majestic, so clear. Every time I looked at it, memories of the past washed over me. The view had always been breathtaking, but with the cherry blossoms in full bloom, it was so beautiful that it made me want to paint it.

I could tell Jeongin was thinking the same thing. His eyes were fixed on the view, lost in thought. His expression was so inspired, and I couldn't help but find his face as captivating as the city itself. Then, he pulled something out of his black backpack. His precious polaroid camera—black and white with the classic rainbow stripe—was his most cherished possession. Jeongin loved taking pictures, and wherever he went, he captured whatever inspired him. I loved how passionate he was about it.

"Are you going to take a picture of the view?" I asked.

He looked at me, a bit surprised, as if the beauty of the scene had made him forget I was there.

But then he smiled. "Of course. This can't be missing from my collection," he said, bending down to prepare for the perfect shot.

I watched him as he positioned his left eye against the camera, his finger gently caressing the button, ready to press it, his lips slightly bitten in concentration as he waited for the right moment.

"I never understood why you like taking pictures so much..." I murmured, but I was sure he heard me.

A bright flash and the familiar 'click' echoed, as a small polaroid emerged from the camera. Jeongin took it, smiling proudly, waiting for the image to develop.

He turned to me again with that usual bright smile, taking a few steps closer. My heartbeat quickened as he stood just centimeters away.

"What do you usually do when you're sad, Y/n?"

I blinked, surprised by the question. "Well, I guess I listen to music, take a walk, eat... anything that helps me forget."

He listened intently, his gaze never leaving mine. "That's the difference between you and me," he said, handing me the small photo, now revealing the landscape. "I take these pictures because, whenever I'm sad, I can look at them and remember all the beautiful things I've seen in my life. That's why I only take pictures of things that inspire me or that I think are beautiful. So when I look back at them, I remember there are still good things in the world."

I noticed how Jeongin's eyes sparkled as he spoke, his passion practically radiating from him. He was right—there was a difference between us, between the way he lived and the way I did. He was strong, and I wasn't.

I turned back to the view, facing the stunning landscape once more. "Whatever, Yang Jeongin. Sometimes I wonder how your mind really works-"

My words were cut off by the loud sound of another 'click,' followed by a flash. I turned around, shocked, to see Jeongin still holding the camera. He lowered it, smiling warmly as he took the polaroid that emerged.

"I told you I take pictures of whatever I find beautiful," He said with a smirk, waving the picture in the air, waiting for it to reveal what he just captured.