Off The Record

Chapter 1!

Living in the countryside might be one of the most peaceful things in the planet. The sounds of engines on the road and the bustling streets are replaced with the sounds of birds chirping, trees shaking and the sounds of waves crashing by the town of Gyeokpo-ri.

Wouldn't it be nice to stare at a beach or a forest once you wake up?

Even though the capital was the heart of the country, small towns such as these are just as thriving as ever. They may not have the lively streets and highrise buildings but towns such as this one make up for it in their own unique ways.

Living in smaller sized towns meant you could be living in a tight knit neighborhood. One that have people who know each other and much closer than it would have in a city. From a neighbor, to their neighbor and even the family down the street, you had the chance to know them.

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"Good morning, Mrs.Kang!"

A man strolled down the tight road with a smile and with a clear spring in his step. With each step he took, the umbrella in his hands tapped the ground with a soft rhythm. It was a pleasant sound to hear during the cold morning.

"Oh it's (YN)! What brings you in this part of town? Isn't it too early to open up shop?" An elderly lady replied as she stood upon her house's porch.

"It's never too early to open up the shop, Mrs.Kang! By any chance, are you off to your morning jog?"

"No, dear. I would prefer sitting inside and enjoying a hot cup of tea this morning." The elderly lady responded with a smile towards the man.

"I see. I should get going now to set up shop. Have a good day, Mrs.Kang!" The man raised his hand and waved at the elderly lady which she returned solemnly.

(YN) continued his way down the road that he has known ever since he was a small boy. With each step down the road, he could almost remember the times when he used to walk home from a long day at school.

His memories replayed in his mind yet somethiny felt missing, something that he didn't know.

"Yah, wait up!"

The man suddenly heard a kid shout from the other side of the road followed by steps from behind him. He saw two kids, a pair of a boy and a girl, as he turned his head over his shoulder.

Their backpacks jumped on their backs repeatedly as they jogged on the other side of the road. Once again and with a smile, the man's memories played in his mind, ones from when he was doing the same.

After walking and then turning at the corner of the road, he could see a middle-aged woman further down. She was pushing a cart of fruits but she looked like she had trouble pushing from the stones that made up the road.

(YN) quickly approached them, eager to help them as he always did with the rest of the community. He stood by the woman's side and placed his umbrella under his arm before carrying the weight of the fruit cart.

"Let me do that, Mrs.Yoo." He told the woman as he held the cart up.

"Oh my, (YN)! You almost scared me there and thank you, dear. You have no idea how hard it is to push this thing around early in the morning." Mrs.Yoo said, wiping the sweat off her forehead and off her silver hair.

"Didn't I tell you to ask Mr.Youngjae to help push this before going to work?" (YN) turned his head towards the shorter lady beside him.

"Ahh you know him. He wakes up later than me and I need to head to the market before there isn't any space left for my fruits." The elderly lady explained, her hands crossed behind her back.