Memories | Sanjoong

45. The Daffodil Field

*
"From this lonesome garden
Want to give you a flower
Reminding me of you"
*

San awoke the next morning with a determination that Hongjoong rarely saw. He sped through breakfast and was back in the shared bedroom, packing a backpack with essentials that he thought he'd need for a long hike.

"Do you even know where you are going?" Hongjoong asked, leaning against the door frame and watching San.

"I told you, the time capsule is up on the daffodil field. That's where we're going," San replied, tucking his notebook into the bag. He looked up at Hongjoong. "What are you doing? Get ready to go!"

"San... I hate to break it to you, but what daffodil field will you find here? I did some research and there's nothing like that around here," Hongjoong said.

"Of course there is. I've also seen the route in the memories, I'm sure we'll find it."

"But you have to remember... Seok and Hyunsik buried that capsule 20 years ago. Do you know how much industrial development has happened since then? There's no guarantee we'll find anything. Is it worth going on this risky hike?"

"Joong I have to do this. A time capsule is a way for the past to communicate with the future. Whatever we get out of it might help us figure out some of the missing links," San pleaded.

Hongjoong sighed, knowing there was no use in arguing with San on a matter like this - especially when he could see the determination so clearly etched on his face. Hongjoong was in awe of San's willpower to keep going despite the number of times he was so close to giving up. Normally people get stumped after a couple of hurdles but San seemed to be an exception because no matter how hard things became, or how lost he was, San always made it back on track. This gave Hongjoong even more of a reason to stay by his side as the support system that San desperately needed. He wanted to help him and motivate him, but most importantly... Hongjoong wanted to protect him.

As they walked through the bustling city of Busan, San kept an eye out for any road that might be familiar. San had seen the route to the field several times in his dreams, so he was sure that they would find it quickly. However, after an hour had passed, he started to doubt himself.

"I thought we could work this out!" He complained, slumping against a wall.

"I did try to warn you," Hongjoong reminded, taking out a snack and passing it to San. "This isn't the same city it was 20 years ago. Think about it, that bridge only opened in 2003. Busan was still developing into a modern-day metropolis. Large amounts of green space would have been sacrificed for these new buildings."

"I know but... there's got to be something," San mumbled. He knew that Hongjoong was right. Nothing looked like this in his memories. San also knew that the area might have been dug up already and replaced with a building.

"How about we ask someone?" Hongjoong suggested.

"I don't think anyone would remember a random field of flowers from 20 years ago. The area was secluded, that's why it was Seok and Hyunsik's secret place. It's through a woodland trail that didn't really have a distinct path. I doubt anyone would know of it."

"Well if it was a woodland trail, maybe it was turned into a nature walk or a park. People might have discovered it and used it as a tourist attraction."

"That's possible," San agreed.

"Wait here," Hongjoong said, and he quickly ran into a travel agency across the road.

San shifted from one foot to the other in his spot as he waited. He inhaled the air and looked up at the sky, praying he'd find something from today's trip. After a couple of minutes, Hongjoong came back with some brochures.