𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 [jonggi]

seven

- Mingi do the shopping before going home tonight.

- Yes, Mom.

The door of the house slams. I start my way, after a bus ride, in the silver streets of Seoul where the drizzle wakes me up wildly.

The morning scent is mixed with smells of cities, rain and pollution. The noises of the sweepers animate this bloody calm.

I watch the old man frantically warming his hands between them, standing in front of the back of his counter where a sweet smelling smoke is coming out.
I sit on a high seat, under his watchful smile.

- You should wear gloves, Mr.Lee.

- Don't worry about me Gi', and I already told you to call me by my first name! My white hair is already quite visible so if you add the courtesy you do not arrange anything! He grumbled while cooking the pancake batter.

I laughed amused:

- I'll think about saving money for your hands, look at them, your pores are all dry with this cold.

- With experience my skin is used to it!

- Thank you," I said, grabbing the small white plate.

- So how are things at the university?

Hisuk, in his sixties, is crazy about American and Western food. He is the manager of the snack bar I mentioned to you the other day. It's a small bar, outside, near the path where I like to wander. It is located in front of the post office, one of the smallest skyscrapers in the capital.
I know Hisuk -or as I like to call him Hisu- since elementary school. Even back then I loved coming here to have a snack with Yunho. My mother often accompanied us before her free time was eaten up by work at irregular hours. I consider him a bit like my grandfather ever had and he does the same.

We worry about each other through teasing and banal discussions about work and studies.
Here the subject of family is never discussed, it is forbidden. You can think of it as a golden rule. Despite our age difference, we have many things in common, like planets and fruits.

- And what about love? He asked innocently.

I choke on my pasty texture before taking a sip of orange juice.

- What?!

- Tell to the old Hisu everything!

I feel my cheeks turn pink before answering him embarrassed:

- ..Um..n-nothing.

- What a bad liar you are, my child! He laughs out loud, your face is as red as beef!

- Hey! You compare me to meat?! ...notice beef is a good meat.

He leans on the counter, his chin resting on the apple of his hand and raises an eyebrow.

- Indeed, then who is the lucky one of your heart?

I stop in my chewing taken of short by a rollercoster of images dating of the old.
And my brain always blows me this same first name in loop accompanied by the brides of its voice vaguely hidden in jovial echoes. Some tingling in my limbs then the rough reality which catches up with me when the orange juice enters in collision with my pants.

- Well, in addition to making you blind, love makes you deaf! It's been a minute you're somewhere else Gi' I hope it's not the same during your classes.

I shake my head negatively.

- No, no! Sorry, I was lost in thought.

I glance at my phone before greeting him:

- I'm going or I'll be late, have a good day Hisu!

- Good day to you too!

***

The spirit still a little in the clouds, I join Yunho who signs me.

- Well, you didn't miss! he laughed when he saw my pants.

- Mm, I said with a pout.

- Did you have lunch at Hisuk's?

- Yes, by the way, he misses you.

Yun nodded.

- Shall we join the others?

- Let's go!

After having crossed different hauls, we find the four others around a wooden table.

- You fell well! Announces San.

- Ah a good news ? I asked.

- Seonghwa suggested we go to the park on Friday afternoon!

I forgot to tell you about that.
Friday afternoons are very often left free, it's a kind of golden rule in our university.
On the other hand, Wednesday afternoons are very often full of classes even if there can be exceptions.
To conclude, this Friday we finish at 12:30 pm San and I, while the others have lunch.

- I propose that Seonghwa and I go to get some food while Yunho and Yeosang wait for you?

Hongjoong.
Leading, guiding, a trait well embedded in his personality, a trait that naturally takes over. Usually people don't like to be guided by someone, they prefer to fly on their own but sometimes alone they crash miserably. Nevertheless the difference is there, Hongjoong takes the lead in a natural and especially unconscious way. His way of creating hypotheses and bringing them to execution never appealed to us. In fact I think that without him we would have been lost and we would have been in critical situations more than once.

Everyone agrees without opposition.

- Great!

- Mingi?

The table turns its attention to Yeosang.

- Uh you know if you can't hold back the layers exist.

I look at him dumbfounded under the laughter of the others.

- Yah Yeosang you really are a mule! San was right! I said indignantly.

- What?! A mule?!

His dark eyes came to rest on the panicked figure of the dark-haired man who shook his hands nervously.

- Yeosang, I think there was a slight misunderstanding.

The brunet started to run under the outraged cries of the blond.

It's this kind of day, cloudy with wet scents, where the strains of our laughter echo, that puts balm in the hearts of all of us.