from which a garden grows / purinz

Chapter 6/03

The larger than life Im Estate is nothing but a looming, shadowy figure in the background by the time Chaewon recalls her unasked questions.

"What do you have to thank Yeojin Im for? Even though you say you were like sisters and that she didn't hold the same views on gay people as everyone else in this homophobic town, she still had to submit to her family, right?"

Yunjin stops in her tracks to let Shiro out of his bag. Her aching shoulder finally gives out.

"Walk straight in front of us, boy. Remember, you don't know this town. Don't wander off and make me regret leaving you unleashed."

When Shiro barks to convey his understanding, Yunjin turns to answer Chaewon. "Yeah. Last time I remember seeing Yeojin was at some tone-deaf, save-the-poor-people gala or whatever charity event that our parents organized. That was about a week before I came out. Then, word spread like wildfire. My mom's on the phone crying to Yeojin's mom about how 'it's all over,' and just like that, Yeojin was forbidden from talking to me. Never heard from her again..." Yunjin pauses. "Sup-pos-ed-ly."

It doesn't take a rocket scientist or financial adviser to pick up on Yunjin's clue.

"I take it, maybe you heard from her again?" Chaewon smiles, hopeful.

"I was chilling in Yerim's basement, still in hiding, when I got an email saying my train ride to Hybe was confirmed. It came with instructions and a boarding pass all set to go. Of course, I never booked anything. I'd never even heard of the city Hybe! But it sounded nice."

"So you willingly got on this train... that you never booked... and headed for an unfamiliar destination, knowing nothing or nobody?" Chaewon pieces the story together.

"And no money too, I'll add!"

Chaewon's spontaneous now, but not that spontaneous. She can't wrap her head around this rash decision. "That was very dangerous of you to do, Yunjin!"

"Hey, it ended up paying off! Take more risks, Chaewon! Methinks you're not taking enough."

"Believe me, I'm good for now," Chaewon sighs, "I've taken more than enough."

"Then would you say those paid off for you?" Yunjin bats her eyelashes, expecting to win this argument.

"I'll give you a real answer when I find another job but if you're referring to yourself as one of the risks that I've taken, then yes, you've paid off tenfold. Your stock has risen up to the moon. Loads of investors want their fair share of Yunjin."

"But I'm all yours, so, boohoo, sucks for them! Everybody wants a piece 'o this!" Yunjin's cheesing with a goofy grin and lazy, dragging footsteps. She's mighty proud of herself for being such a hot commodity. Chaewon has to force an exaggerated scoff to humble her.

"Yeojin!" Chaewon cups her hands around her mouth, calling for the girl who might have been directly responsible for bringing Yunjin, 28 to her hometown and within her selected dating radius. "If you're really the one who bought Yunjin the ticket, come take her back!"

"Aw, come on now. Why you gotta be like that?" Yunjin pouts. "It was Yeojin. I have no doubt it was Yeojin."

"But Yeojin never reached out to you afterwards. She never said it was her. Could have been someone else that knew you and your kindness and wanted to pay it forward."

"It was Yeojin," Yunjin enforces with a rare, but all too poignant seriousness. "She bought me that ticket and with it, a fresh start."

What Yunjin says next can probably be classified within the ranks of a "shower thought" or a "Tumblr quote."