The next day dawned bright and promising as Bora made her way to Niki's place. Excitement bubbled within her; she could hardly wait to uncover the secrets hidden within Mr. Bang's room. Niki had been eagerly anticipating this moment, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
As Bora stepped inside, she wasted no time. “Where’s Mr. Bang?” she asked, her voice tinged with urgency.
“He left early in the morning,” Niki replied, a grin spreading across his face.
“Okay then, the route is clear. Let’s go,” Bora said, her resolve strengthening.
Niki nodded, his heart racing. They quickly made their way to Mr. Bang's room, an air of adventure swirling around them. Shifting the heavy shelves, they revealed a door. But there it was, a daunting lock.
“Fuc—” Bora started, frustration creeping into her tone. “What now?”
“Do you think I’m not prepared?” Niki said, a sense of pride swelling within him.
Bora looked at him, raising an eyebrow. “And how exactly is that?”
Niki’s smile broadened as he triumphantly pulled a key from his pocket. “Ta-da!”
“Where did you get it?” Bora asked, astonishment evident in her voice.
“Actually…” Niki paused, mischief dancing in his eyes. “Mr. Bang is not very smart when it comes to keys.”
Bora blinked, her confusion palpable. “What do you mean?”
“Seriously? He left it on the keyholder near the main door!” Niki explained, a hint of disappointment in his tone that she hadn’t caught on to his joke.
“Wow! Mr. Bang is not that smart,” Bora chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief.
Niki watched her, his heart swelling with affection. Her laughter was like music to his ears, and he couldn’t help but admire her.
With the key in hand, they unlocked the door and pushed it open, stepping cautiously into the dimly lit room. A cloud of dust greeted them, making Bora sneeze. “It’s so dusty,” she remarked, wrinkling her nose.
Niki stepped inside, eyes wide with curiosity. “I think it wasn’t open for a very long time.”
As they explored the small space, the atmosphere shifted from lightheartedness to a deepening sense of nostalgia. The room was a treasure trove of memories, filled with artifacts that told stories of the past. Pictures and notes adorned the walls, along with collages and paintings that spoke of a time long gone.
In one corner, a faded couch sat beside a small table, while another corner housed a forlorn plant, its life clearly faded. The study table was cluttered with pretty boxes, each begging to be opened and explored. Everything, though dusty, managed to retain an air of beauty.
Bora's fingers glided across the table, stirring up a cloud of dust. “It’s so… dusty” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I know,” Niki replied, his eyes scanning the walls. “It feels like it holds so many secrets.”
Bora felt an invisible pull toward a large frame hanging on the wall. She reached for the cloth draped over the couch and wiped the surface, revealing the hidden picture beneath.
“Bora, look!” Niki called, turning to her just as he discovered something of his own.
Bora’s heart raced as she looked up at the frame, her breath catching in her throat. “What is it?”
“Dad?” Niki's voice trembled in disbelief as he took a step closer, his expression shifting from curiosity to shock.
“Dad?” Bora echoed, the realization crashing over her like a wave.
Before them hung a picture of two young men, arms slung casually over each other’s shoulders, smiles bright and carefree. It was a picture of Taekook together, frozen in a moment that felt achingly familiar yet achingly distant. Two figures who had once shared laughter and companionship, now mere echoes in their lives.
Neither Bora nor Niki had known about the connection between their fathers. Bora had never seen Niki’s dad, and Niki had little knowledge of Bora’s. The realization that their fathers were 'friends' in the past struck them both like a lightning bolt, electrifying the air around them.
“Can you believe this?” Bora said, her eyes wide with astonishment.
Niki shook his head, a smile slowly spreading across his face. “I never would have imagined. It’s like… like we were meant to find this.”
The weight of the moment hung heavy in the air, rich with nostalgia and an unspoken bond. As they stood there, surrounded by the remnants of their fathers’ friendship, something shifted between them—a connection forged in the shared history of their families.
"You said you found a diary right?" Bora asked Niki.
