𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐨 𝐌𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 || 𝐉𝐢𝐇𝐲𝐮𝐜𝐤

7

August 1999

The weather is really nice that afternoon, not too hot to walk at five in the afternoon in the middle of summer. Jisung is enjoying the view of different shops and is amazed at the cheap buys along the street. On the other hand, Donghyuck is contemplating why he has agreed to this. It's been almost 24 hours since he left Seoul and he is sure his parents are now going to call the police to look for him.

Partly, it's his fault because he had overslept. He woke up the following morning at ten. Jisung has already packed his bags and was ready to check out when he came to his senses.

"Why didn't you wake me up??" Donghyuck yelled as soon as he found out that it was almost noon.

Jisung only shrugged. "You were sleeping so soundly. I didn't wanna disturb you."

"But my bus!!!" Donghyuck throws a fit, showing his inner brat self.

"You'll catch another bus. Chill."

He didn't because Jisung persuaded him to look around town after they ate lunch. A festival is happening this week so the whole town proper is decorated with colorful flaglets. It is also the reason why almost all hotels were booked. Apparently, the summer festival here is quite popular with other nearby towns.

Tonight, there will be a waterbomb event in the plaza according to one of the people Jisung had the pleasure of talking to in the restaurant. They have invited them. Jisung said yes. Donghyuck was too weak to say no.

Therefore, they are staying until the festival is over and Jisung has promised to drive Donghyuck to Changwon in exchange for agreeing to do this with him.

"Let's make the most of this experience. You're never gonna be 20 again." Jisung told him after his long speech about his parents and how everything wasn't in his plans.

Jisung isn't wrong. Deep inside, Donghyuck admits he has a point so he goes with it.

While waiting for the actual event, Jisung enters a vintage store where everything looks creepy, old, and dusty. The first thing Donghyuck notices when they come in is the grand chandelier hanging in the middle of the main area, above the round oak table. Some of the items seem like they were taken from an abandoned house or dug from a treasure chest. Even the man looking after the store is old. In Donghyuck’s opinion, he should not be working anymore.

In spite of the eerie atmosphere, Jisung enjoys looking at the antique items on display. He goes to the shelf where the different accessories are laid out, examining every piece with care.

“You like these kinds of things?” Donghyuck asks, not really interested to know. He just wants to hear anything other than the spine-chilling old music playing inside the store. Jisung hums in affirmation. He is holding a gold-strapped necklace with a bronze padlock as a pendant. The pendant is a little tarnished because of age and being stocked for too long.

“I like this one.” He raises it on Donghyuck’s face so he can see it. It is cute, albeit it’s poor condition.

Donghyuck did not take Jisung as a type that would wear such things. He seems more like a bling type of person with the black studs embellishing both of his ears. “Will you wear it?” Donghyuck asks instead.

“Nope.”

“Then do not buy it.”

“Okay, I will buy it.”

Donghyuck’s jaw drops. He does not comprehend how this man’s brain works. He is so hard to figure out. He says this but does that. He says he doesn't wanna share the bed but then ends up sleeping beside him. He says he wants to eat shrimp but orders pork instead so they could share it. Donghyuck will go crazy if he spends one more day with him.

Not lying about his last statement, Jisung brings the necklace to the counter to pay for it. The necklace is not that cheap like what they have predicted. The man in the shop says it was taken from a wrecked ship somewhere in the Pacific Ocean (“Just like Titanic!” Jisung exclaims) during the 19th century. It comes with a key, too.

According to the myth (that Donghyuck thinks is so ridiculous), when you decide to wear the necklace, you should give the key to the person you truly love to make your bond forever.

“Your heart is locked to that person and that person is the only one who can set your heart free.” The store owner explains.

Donghyuck snorts, not one bit convinced in the story.

"Give me your hand," Jisung tells him, palms up.

"Why?"

"Just—" Jisung grabs his wrist and forces him to open it. When he does, the taller places the key on his palm and closes it.

"What is this???" Donghyuck bellows. He doesn't wanna keep that key. He doesn't wanna keep his heart.

"Keep the key for me. Give it back when it's time."

Jisung thanks the old man before he walks away and leaves Donghyuck perplexed in the store. He opens his palm again to look at the small piece of metal.

"Don't ever lose it." The old man says to him. "You're destined to have it."