City Wall | K.Sn

Epilogue

April 1990

I let out a small sigh as I stopped outside the big brick building, immediately grabbing Sunoo's hand with the one that didn't hold it as well.

"Are you sure you're alright?" he softly questioned and I just nodded at him.

"You're gonna go with me, right?" I questioned and he just nodded, making me suck in a deep breath, "then I wanna visit my dad."

"Then let's go," he urged and nodded his head towards the entrance of the building.

Once inside Sunoo did all the talking for me, explaining who we were here to visit, why, and signing some papers in order for us to go in and visit my dad. He even sat calmly beside me and waited while they fixed our papers.

He didn't say anything to me, instead he just sat with my hand in his, mindlessly looking at the people passing us as he once in a while would have to pry my hand off of the fabric of my pants - which I had come to have a habit of clutching a bit too tightly.

I didn't even notice when they came out to lead me down to where my dad's room was, it was only because Sunoo pulled me up along with him that I realized I actually was going to see my dad.

"I think I'm gonna be sick," I whispered as we rushed after the nurse.

"You'll be fine," he softly assured and gave my hand a small squeeze, "you've looked forward to this for so long, we can leave as soon as you want."

I quietly hummed as the nurse we were following stopped outside a room, sending us a tight smile as she pushed the door open and walking inside the room.

"You've got visit from your daughter," she announced and I hesitated to enter.

"I can't do it," I whispered to Sunoo, who just looked down at me, simply giving me an encouraging smile.

"I don't have a daughter," my father's voice echoed from the room and I slowly went blank.

"Yes he does," Sunoo whispered, holding onto my hand as he hesitantly walked into the room, pulling me after him.

"That's not a daughter," my father commented as Sunoo stood still in his steps.

Looking over at me Sunoo sent me a wide grin, pulling on my arm so that I stumbled in front of him. I immediately directed my eyes to the floor, scared to see what my dad was looking like.

"Not familiar to your sir?" the nurse questioned and I hesitantly glanced over at her, before up at my dad - who was sitting by a canvas, which was only partly covered in paint.

"Only slightly," he replied and I slowly nodded, pursing my lips to keep my tears in and myself calm, "were we neighbours?"

"It's fine miss, I don't know what I expected," I waved it off to the nurse as she looked to me in confusion.

"Quite a nice couple, aren't they?" my dad questioned the nurse who just nodded, "I like the way he looks at her."

"I think I'd like to leave," I murmured as I grabbed onto my elbows, turning to look at Sunoo.

It was clear his eyes were sad, but he didn't hesitate one bit before nodding in agreement and wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

I don't recall what happened when we left the place, I just know I ended up sitting on a bench in a random park. Looking at the ground I could only focus on counting the grains as Sunoo's arm around my shoulders slowly warmed me.

"Lin?" Sunoo called out, only earning a small hum from me, "are you gonna say anything?"

"I think... I don't know..." I shrugged as I leaned forward and placed my elbows on my knees, "I'm not surprised... but I was kind of hoping for a happy reunion," I quietly admitted, "I don't have anything left now."

"You do," he assured and I looked over at him, silently reminding him my mom was already dead and now my dad only remembered me as a possible neighbour, "you have me... and my dad, Seojun, Jungwon, Riki... they get so excited the days you come to school. Now, don't tell me the Park twins don't adore you either."

"You are aware that I haven't adjusted completely, right?" I questioned him and he stayed quiet, "I know they're there, but they're there for the Western appearance I put on. I still get scared just by the thought of the walk to school. I feel like I'm constantly surveillanced and can never relax."

"Why haven't you told me?" he softly whispered and pushed my hair back over my shoulders, "you should've told me."

"It's almost been half a year... shouldn't it be alright by now?" I whispered and he just shook his head in return.

"People handle things differently," he pointed out, "your dad forgets things, Mark is - as far as I can hear, a lot calmer than usual. You're just still worried about how things will turn out."

I hummed quietly as I looked back down at the gravel under my shoes, which acually were quite new and my own.

"I want you to tell me from now on... we can do daily check ins on how you're feeling that day," he pointed out and I looked over at him, "so some days you might feel a bit more worry than others, and then we can try and figure out what makes you worry less and make sure your days is filled with that instead of those things that make you worried."

"It's too much work," I shook my head and waved it off as I leaned back on the bench.

"It isn't Lin," he sternly insisted, "I am not gonna have you go around and be worried and scared all the time."

I looked over at him, only to have him stare back with a genuine look painted onto his face.

"Okay," I whispered and he nodded while a happy grin spread on his face, "we'll do that."

"Good," he nodded, sitting up straight as well, pecking my cheek softly as he did so, "I love you."

"I love you too," I murmured as a small smile grew on my face.

Once I looked back at Sunoo it was clear he was genuine in wanting to help me, and I believed it. Once with him it seemed like everything was gonna be fine, I think he was the safe haven I needed - maybe I should build a city wall around him to ensure he stays mine forever,  but then again I don't think that is needed by how he looks at me.