Sunset | Minsung

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Chapter 1

The boxes were stacked up, the place was cluttered, but for Han Jisung, it was a new beginning. He took a deep breath, trying to take in the scent of his new home as he looked around, then turned back to his dad.

"Are you ready for breakfast, bud?" his dad called from the kitchen, already preparing food.

Jisung wandered in, catching sight of the toast and eggs on the table. He sat down, rubbing his eyes. "I guess I should eat before I go explore. New place, new people..." He looked around, a mix of nerves and excitement in his eyes.

"Eat up. You need energy," his dad replied, smiling.

As they ate, Jisung's mind kept drifting outside. He'd seen the neighborhood briefly when they moved in, but he hadn't gone beyond a few glances out the car window. Curiosity was starting to bubble up.

"Hey, Dad, mind if I take a walk after breakfast? Just, you know...get to know the place?"

His dad chuckled. "Yeah, of course. I've got to head to the restaurant soon, anyway. Go on, have fun, and don't get lost."

Jisung laughed. "No promises."

He finished up, grabbed his headphones, and waved to his dad on his way out. The neighborhood was quiet, with a few people out walking their dogs or watering their plants. Jisung slipped his headphones over his ears, letting music drown out the early morning sounds as he walked.

Soon enough, he found a small, shaded spot under a tree in a quiet park corner. It seemed perfect a little haven for himself, at least for the moment. He sat down, settled in, and hit play on his music.

Just as he was relaxing, a shadow fell over him, and he pulled his headphones down.

"You're in my spot."

Jisung looked up, blinking at the guy standing there. He looked older, or around the same age, maybe a little taller, with an air of confidence that Jisung instantly envied. The stranger's gaze was firm, and his arms were crossed as if waiting for Jisung to move.

"Uh...sorry?" Jisung said, unsure of what else to say.

"You heard me. This is my spot. I always sit here," the boy replied.

Jisung bristled a little. "Well, I'm sitting here now. Can't you just sit somewhere else?"

The boy narrowed his eyes, his mouth quirking up in an amused, slightly challenging smirk. "Or you could just get up. I'm not leaving."

They stared each other down, and for a moment, Jisung thought about standing his ground. But there was something oddly intimidating about the way this guy held himself. Sighing, he got up and shrugged. "Fine, whatever. Enjoy your spot, then."

He brushed past the boy, who looked a bit surprised that Jisung had given in so easily. Jisung muttered under his breath, "Geez, who does he think he is..."

Walking away, he couldn't help but glance back over his shoulder. The guy had settled into the same position Jisung had been in, looking completely content, almost peaceful. There was something oddly captivating about his confidence. As Jisung walked, he felt his cheeks warm, an unfamiliar flutter in his chest.

"Great," he muttered to himself. "Now I'm already crushing on a guy who thinks he owns the whole park."

He shook his head, trying to push the feeling away. He spent the rest of his walk wandering the neighborhood, but he couldn't get that brief encounter out of his mind.

By the time he got home, the house was still empty. His dad wouldn't be back from the restaurant for a few more hours, so Jisung flipped on the TV, though he wasn't really paying attention. The boy from the park kept popping back into his mind, and Jisung found himself replaying their conversation, even smiling a little at the guy's audacity.

A while later, his dad finally came home, setting his things down with a sigh. "Long day. Hey, how was your walk? Get a feel for the neighborhood?"

Jisung sat up, a smile spreading across his face. "Yeah, actually... I met this guy at the park. He kind of...well, he said I was in his spot and practically forced me to move. It was like he owned the place or something."

His dad laughed. "Oh, sounds like you've already met someone interesting. Think you'll run into him again?"

Jisung shrugged, trying to act casual. "I dunno...maybe. I mean, it wasn't that interesting."

But as they ate dinner, Jisung kept thinking back to that smug look on the boy's face, the way he'd claimed the spot as if Jisung didn't even matter. And yet, somehow, it had him hooked. After dinner, he went upstairs, grabbing his school stuff to get ready for tomorrow.

He flopped onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling, unable to shake the thoughts. He grinned a little, recalling the guy's stubborn attitude and the spark of their little argument. Before he knew it, he was laughing to himself, hugging his pillow.

"What's wrong with me?" he muttered, but he knew exactly what it was. He had a crush.

Omg sorry it's a bit short but I'll try to make it longer for next chapter!
How's this chapter? Do you guys like it? I know... very short 🥲