APRICITY | SKZ

6 - TOO SWEET | H.JS

Living in the city means living at the verge of poverty at all times.

At least, that's how Han Jisung has been feeling like ever since three years ago, when he left his parent's comfortable home to settle in Seoul.

His eighteen years old version was so excited, daydreaming about the hustle and bustle of city life, how he would make a lot of money and finally buy his mother that one designer bag she's been dreaming of for months already.
He used to imagine himself clothed in fashionable and modern city wear with his own apartment and - let the boy dream a bit - maybe even a car.

The reality?

"AYO JI, THE AC BROKE AGAIN!"

Twenty-one years old Han Jisung sighed, abandoning his essay with a lazy push. The apartment he shared with three other students was small and stuffy and definitely not suitable for hot city summer days.

"JIIIISUNG!"

"I'm coming!", the male quickly screamed back, wincing as he already imagined their next noise complaint and fine by their lovely neighbour.

Old Mrs. Nam, initially, always seemed like a lovely and sweet granny that lived next door. Turns out she was actually far from lovely and sweet. All it took for her to reveal her true colours was one mistake - when Jisung forgot to properly park his bike after a long day of work.
The old woman didn't expect it and almost slipped, claiming that he attempted a murder.

But how could you blame him?
That day, he was utterly exhausted from work, eyes closing every few seconds and limbs flailing around in a drunk manner. That night, Jisung didn't even have the energy to kick off his shoes before he collapsed on his bed with a few tears of frustration collering down his cheeks.

Nevertheless, since that one day, Mrs. Nam and and Jisung have turned into mortal enemies.

Jisung huffed, arriving at the scene.

"Who was it this time?", he asked, arms crossed infront of his chest in a motherly manner.

"Not me!", one of his roommates, Lee Felix, quickly raised his hands in a manner as if he was a thief who just got caught by the cops.
"It was either Min or Jinnie."

"Fe.", Jisung warned after he realised.
"Hyunjin is at work and Seungmin has enough brains to operate the AC without breaking it."

Felix hissed, letting his arms fall down before he cursed in english.
"Guilty as charged."

Scoffing, Jisung unfolded his arms before he approached the AC, hoping the damage wasn't too bad.

He had pretty good experience of working with electronic devices, making him the first person his roommates went to whenever something broke.
Back at home, in Incheon, Jisung's father owned a work- and repairshop.
When he still lived with his parents, he used to help out every single day after school.

"Damn, Lix. What did you do?", he muttered under his breath, stepping away and coughing when a little wave of black smoke escaped after he opened the housing.

"Honeshtly, I hav nu iea.", the other mumbled back, soggy cereal between his teeth as his mind went back to the cooking tutorial he was watching.

"Yeah nope, I'll definitely have to buy some new parts. Some simple screwing here and there won't cut it this time."

"Aight.", Felix stood up.
"I'll check how much I have saved up."

Jisung hummed, standing up with a worried frown as he realised that no matter how, repairing the AC this time is going to be much pricier than ususally.
Money was short, which is why the four boys shared an apartment.