Inanima - English version

2.2 Cafè

Beomgyu repeatedly pressed the elevator buttons to close the doors.

He leaned his head against the wall as it went down to the hotel lobby. Soobin had been very kind to book him a hotel for as long as they were staying in Seoul, but Beomgyu didn't deal with loneliness. He wasn't used to living away from people like that, he was always surrounded by someone. His family was cheerful and funny, which is why there was never silence in the house, nor time to get bored. And even when Beomgyu moved to Seoul to study, he shared the apartment with other roommates. He still had fond memories of that period, K-dramas watched late into the night together and endless laughter. Even in Ordos Beomgyu wasn't alone, since he immediately befriended Yeonjun and Kai.

At that time, however, he was left to himself, too far away to return home to Daegu. He was in constant contact with Yeonjun and Kai, they exchanged many messages a day, but the first was a guest at Soobin's house (and Beomgyu didn't want to bother him at all) and the second was finally spending some time with his family.

Beomgyu sighed as he left the hotel. Although he had lived a couple of years in the Korean capital to attend University, he had never visited the Gangnam neighborhood too many times. The only thing he knew was that it was one of the richest and most popular districts in Seoul. The people who lived there were all wealthy and they didn't try to hide it. Beomgyu walked down the road, not even knowing where he was going. He probably just needed to take a walk, breathe in fresh air and try to distract himself. Even though it was incredibly boring when he was alone.

Beomgyu stopped in front of a shop window, looking at his own reflection. He was wearing wide black trousers and a t-shirt of the same color, with a white shirt open on top. His dark and long hair was collected in a small tail. Despite everything, he didn't look so terrible. Perhaps his time in the desert hadn't completely erased his sense of style.

Beomgyu sighed as he resumed walking along the road. It was full of boys and girls walking in groups, laughing and joking among themselves, making him feel even more alone. Beomgyu stopped again, this time near a bar. The sign was pretty and painted with soft colors, while the interior of the room was entirely white, decorated here and there with some plants. The boy found himself thinking that was probably the definition of a chic place, one where he certainly couldn't enter. In front of the room were several tables, with wrought iron chairs also painted white.

Beomgyu held his breath as his gaze was captured by a particular blond boy sitting at one of those tables. He seemed totally engrossed in his phone, where he was typing something furiously. But Beomgyu would have been able to recognize him anywhere, even if at that time he wasn't wearing his characteristic sunglasses.

"Taehyun!" the archaeologist exclaimed, raising his hand to attract his attention. The boy immediately looked up, hearing himself called. He opened his eyes in surprise, not expecting to see Beomgyu standing a few feet from him, smiling as he waved his arm in his direction.

"Beomgyu hyung," Taehyun muttered, trying to silence him, as he had already attracted the attention of other customers in the bar. The archaeologist happily hopped near his coffee table. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you!" he exclaimed, chuckling. Taehyun blinked, continuing to look around. "What are you doing here," he hissed, keeping his voice down. Beomgyu, however, didn't seem to notice that the other boy didn't seem at all comfortable. "Soobin booked a room for me at a hotel nearby. I couldn't go home, not when we have to stay available if new information comes from the treasure hunt. By the way, how are the negotiations of the finds going? Did you manage to block the sale and track down who bought the tablet with the code? And what are you doing in this place? Do you live nearby?".

Taehyun raised his hands, trying to stop the boy's words. He was certain that he wouldn't be able to contain that flood river that was Beomgyu. He wondered where he found the energy to always be so cheerful. "Calm down, please- replied Taehyun, greatly annoyed- yes, I live a few meters from this place. And yes, I'm working on the issue of the finds but I still have no relevant news". Beomgyu nodded with his head, slightly blushing. It was clear that Taehyun didn't appreciate his impetuousness and he didn't sincerely understand the reason, since in Ordos he had always been kinder to him. Maybe he just had a bad day.