Legend [YEONBIN] ✓

forty-five ; yeonjun

My phone buzed with messages as I rode the bus. The first came from Beomgyu: What are you thinking?! Leaving alone? I’m never talking to you again, Choi Yeonjun!

Though I’d expected it, I still felt guilty, but if I’d left with Beomgyu and his mother, they’d have tried to persuade me to come home with them. And I wanted to be alone right now.

The next text was from Detective Hae: Stay out of trouble. Call me if you get sick.

I smiled at the message: Be good, be healthy.

A minute later, Beomgyu’s follow-up message arrived: There’s soup in your fridge. Eat it or you’re dead meat.

I laughed. Beomgyu knew him too well.

The walk up the steep hill to my apartment was not easy, and I almost regretted making the trip alone.

“Yeonjun-ah,” Park Halmeoni called as I approached. She sat on the small deck outside her shop despite the chilled February air.

I sat on the deck. It was an excuse to catch my breath, which puffed out in heavy clouds.

“You look tired.” Park Halmeoni frowned.

“I’ll recover.”

“Why isn’t that policeman with you? He’s handsome.”

“Park Halmeoni, are you cheating on me?” I asked, adding a huff of indignation.

She chuckled, a twinkle in her faded eyes. She reached behind her and pulled out a small vial of golden liquid, a thick root suspended in it. “Here. It’s medicinal wine, ginger root from Palgongsan.”

“I’m not old enough to drink,” I reminded her.

“When I was your age, five-year-old kids could drink wine.” She held out the vial, and I graciously accepted it, bowing low.

“Oh, and there was someone looking for you earlier.”

“Huening?” I asked.

“No, cuter.” She winked.

He frowned, hoping it wasn’t more creditors.

•    •    •

The restaurant’s front windows were dark. Chairs turned over, stacked on top of the empty tables. A handwritten sign was taped to the door: CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. If I concentrated hard enough, I could imagine the scent of one of my halmeoni’s jjigaes permeating the air, the clatter of dishes, the laughter of customers. But I didn’t. Because the memories stung, knowing I’d always taken that life for granted. Taken my halmeoni’s presence for granted.

Bujeoks fluttered along the door frame of the apartment as I let the door swing shut. I took off my shoes and laid them neatly next to my halmeoni’s, her favorite pair of worn black work shoes.

Though it had only been a month, it felt like the space missed Halmeoni’s presence as much as I did. Nothing had been moved but everything felt a little duller. I almost expected to see Tofu come running down the hall, barking her happy greeting. She was better off at Somin’s, where she’d get daily attention. I spent more nights in Halmeoni’s hospital room than in the apartment.

“This place is a mess.”

I whipped around as a shape emerged from the dark kitchen.

“Who are you?” I raised my fists, ready to defend.

“I’m not your enemy,” the voice said. It was definitely male.

“If you’re not my enemy, then let me see your face.”

The boy who stepped forward was barely younger than me. He have a chiseled face and clear eyes.

“Nice to meet you. Name’s Taehyun.” The boy grinned a dazzling smile.

“I’d introduce myself, but I don’t often meet people trying to rob me.”

“Do I look like I’m here to steal from you?” Taehyun asked.

It was a valid question. The boy looked like he’d walked out of the pages of a fashion magazine. Dark pants and a long wool coat hung off his tall frame. A gold watch peeked out from under his long sleeve. Probably expensive enough to pay off some of the bills stacked on the table.

“Why are you here?” I glanced toward the couch, where I’d flung my jacket. My cell phone was in the pocket.

“Sometimes I ask myself that. Why do I get myself into these situations?” Taehyun sat next to my jacket, crossing his legs comfortably. “I think it’s because of my face. It’s beautiful, so people want to be around me. And I’m a sucker for good company.” He gave a saucy wink.

Who was this boy?

“I’m a good listener. So people think they can spill their guts to me. It’s only a matter of time until they’re telling me all of their deepest secrets. You’d think more people would be afraid of a dokkaebi.” Taehyun gave a shrug.

I jerked back. I stared at Taehyun with a more critical eye. Dokkaebi were supposed to be as ugly as sin, like the beast I’d seen in the woods. There was nothing similar between that rutting goblin and the beautiful boy that sat in front of me now.

“Why would a dokkaebi be in my house?” My eyes darted around, looking for a good weapon.

“Why do you think?” A smile quirked at Taehyun’s lips like he was asking a riddle.

“Ara?”

“Ddaeng!” Taehyun sounded gleefully. “Wrong gumiho.”

Flutters winged through my stomach, like dragonflies taking flight.

“Soobin?” I whispered his name, like I was afraid of hoping.

“He’s worried about you.”

My eyes hurt like I’d held them open too long on a cold day. Then I realized I hadn’t been blinking.

“He’d kill me for telling you that,” Taehyun said. “He asked me to make sure you weren’t living in squalor. Didn’t think you’d be back so soon, but I’m not one to hide.”

“Where has he been?”

“Around.” Taehyun flicked his wrist, like that was explanation enough.

I decided I hated this boy.

“Well,” Taehyun said, standing. “It’s getting late. I am starving. Do you think there are still kids at the playground?”

My eyes widened in horror, and Taehyun broke into raucous laughter.

“Oh, the look on your face.” He slapped his knee. “Dokkaebi don’t eat people. I have a delicate stomach. I must treat my body like a temple.”

I stared at him, speechless.

“I should get going. I wasn’t joking about being hungry. Should I get jjajangmyeon or jjamppong?” he wondered aloud as he sauntered to the door.

“Tell him to come himself,” I blurted out.

“Huh?” Taehyun gave me a curious look.

“If he’s so worried about me, then he should come check on me himself.” I gripped the sides of my pants so I wouldn’t fidget with the nerves that raced through me.

Taehyun took a moment to consider the request, then nodded before departing. The door swung shut, fluttering the bujeoks by the door. They’d done nothing to keep the dokkaebi from the apartment, but I had no time to ponder that as I sank onto the couch. I was starting to get a headache.