The Astronaut || Kim Seokjin ✓

Chapter 1

Jin opened the door of the spacecraft and looked at the place around him. It was a forest with trees all over. He scanned over the area with his blue eyes, literally computer scanning since his new eyes can actually work like a computer and a piece of information appeared in his brain.

2023 Earth

He sucked in a breath and tried to search for a shelter to keep his spacecraft. After an hour, he found one. A small broken cottage in the middle of the woods seemed to be abandoned. Jin rolled his spacecraft over there and used his Bluetooth mind to lock it and make it invisible to the human eye.

Yes, he could walk perfectly now. He also got used to using his computerized brain better. He trained himself for a few months before coming here in a random parallel universe.

Not in search of a parallel version of Saeha.
But because he wanted to discover this parallel world too.

Also, because he couldn't bear living in Solaris, his planet, with absolutely no one. His parents passed away during the time he was in a coma, his girlfriend got married and he didn't really have friends.

So he decided to go on an adventure. Or to be more precise, escape his reality. He was eager to learn about this world, hoping to learn more about this planet and its people.

They must be kind—

"Hey, long legs! Move away!" Jin flinched when someone scowled at him. He was standing on the road, separating the two sides of the forest. And this truck driver doesn't seem to be in a good mood to greet a robotic human.

But still, Jin excitedly walked over to his side to speak to him. "Hello, Earth lander. I'm Seokjin. Nice to meet you!" Jin exclaimed in his language, looking at the driver. The people of Earth wore simple clothes and spoke Korean, he thought looking at the man's dusty jacket and jeans, a small cap on his head. The Korean language now getting installed in Jin's system while he stared at the man with his blue eyes.

The man flashed him a tight-lipped smile and pushed Jin's face out of his truck window. "I'm busy! Bye!" The man yelled before roaring his engine and going away from there.

Jin furrowed his brows and looked at the disappearing vehicle in shock. He blinked several times and then hung his head low. He shook his head and tapped on his temple to record an observation, "Earth landers are busy and angry. Noted."

Walking further on the road for hours, Jin wasn't tired like he used to be before going into a coma. He couldn't run three laps in the research park and now he has been walking for almost 4 hours but still, his legs didn't show any remorse against him.

Jin was waiting for another car or truck to pass by him but much to his dismay, none appeared as if this road was forbidden for travelers. The idea somehow assured Jin that his spacecraft was safe here for a while till he discovered this planet.

Until he came across a market, filled with people. Earth landers. His eyes gleamed and he analyzed everyone. Some were buying clothes, some were fighting with each other, some were clapping and cheering, some were bawling and some were moving their mouths.

Jin gulped at the last section of people who were moving their mouths, chewing and munching. Food. Inlander or Outlander. The thing that is common for everyone. He strolled past the crowd to reach the stall selling food.

Weird circular food. Like a ring. A swollen ring. A brown glossy coating on the top and colorful entities on it, attract Jin towards it.

Donut. Chocolate syrup. Rainbow sprinkles.

But for Jin it was colourful asteroids roaming around in Saturn's ring, the chocolate syrup adding the space effect to it.

Jin's hand moved forward as he grabbed one from the tray. Twisting his wrist, he scanned the item in his hand from different angles, causing some of the sprinkles to fall off meanwhile but he tilted his head and sniffed it.

Enticing.

Inviting.

Jin's mouth parted and he placed the item in between his cushiony soft lips, teeth taking a bite from the inside, the chocolate smearing at the corner of his lips slightly but his eyes widened at the way his taste buds reacted to the first bite of it. Before pulling it back, he made sure to look up at the old man who was looking at him with a satisfied grin, feeling appreciated by Jin's reactions to his handmade dessert.

"How's that, son?" He asked and Jin smiled at him in amusement. This Earth lander seems to be kind, provided that he initiated a polite conversation himself. Right?

Jin nodded vigorously. "It's delicious," Jin answered the Korean language file now successfully saved in his brain. The old man smiled and extended his hand. Jin smiled and placed his hand over his.

So this is how Earth landers greet each other? Pretty affectionate planet. The old man's smile faltered and he pulled his hand back. He frowned at Jin. "That would be 1300 Won," the man said.

Jin tilted his head and took another bite of the delicious galactic treat in his hand, taking his other hand back. "Won," Jin replied and the old man sighed, furrowing his brows and glaring at Jin. "If you didn't have money then why did you eat?" He asked, raising his voice.

Jin smiled at him. "Eat. This thing is good for eating," Jin says, pointing at the item in his hand, still trying to adjust to the expressions and figures of speech of this planet.

The man leaned forward and grabbed him by his collar. Jin's smile faded and he looked at the man in horror. "You cannot just eat without paying! I know people like you who rob small shops like ours by getting free food," he snarls. Jin looks at him in panic but the old man looks at the half-eaten donut in Jin's hand.

Jin follows his gaze and notices his stare on the treat. He turns back to the old man who does the same. They look at each other and Jin knows what his next action will be. But he beats him to it by shoving the rest of the donut inside his mouth. The old man furiously shakes Jin and yells in his face.

"Pay up already!" He screams and Jin tries to understand his feelings but fails. "If you don't pay up—"

"I'll pay for him." Both of them turn to look at the girl in the brown hoodie who keeps the money bills on the counter. The man releases Jin's collars and takes the money from the counter. "If he's a stranger then you shouldn't pay for him. These people try to get away with everything by pretending to be pitiful," the old man says.

Jin tries to look at the girl's face but the hood keeps blocking his view. She turns her face to him and Jin's breath hitches to see her features. So soft and delicate. Calm and serene. She smiles slightly at him but then turns back to the old man. "What if he really is in need? It's fine. I'll take my leave, sir," she says and turns to walk away.

But she was unaware of a pair of black boots following her back to her home.

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