DRAGONFISH | NCT's Ten

COMPATIBLE

-five

Incheon Airport; 10:03am [friday]

It had been exactly four days since Ten and Jihae had seen each other.

Jihae noticed his presence was often missing at the church and she felt some sadness over that, yet was unsure why.

"Jihae, quickly. You're going to be late", Jihae's mother calls as she urges Jihae to walk quicker.

"Okay, I'm going as fast as I can", Jihae says, obvious annoyed.

Her suitcase tugs behind her as her shoes tap on the bland floor of the airport.

Every year, Jihae's class would go to a country out of Korea. This year it was Bangkok, Thailand. Jihae was more than excited to go, and as usual, her mother would accompany her to the airport.

"Okay. I love you. Don't talk to strangers. Don't leave your teacher okay?" Jihae was so used to her mother's annual speech, that she could practically say it before her. Jihae assumed that her mother's kindness was just a show, a mask of a mother.

"Okay, bye", Jihae kisses her mother's cheek before she follows her waiting class.

-

Suvarnabhumi Airport 1:57pm

"Quickly, Jihae. It's always you", Jihae's teacher sighs. The trip was a reward for the overachieving students, and because of this reason, Jihae had never understood why she was invited on them.

Jihae regarded herself as a struggling student, yes - she was in all the top classes but she hardly managed with the work she was constantly given.

"Right. I'm coming", Jihae blurts out as she pulls her suitcase along, increasing her pace.

-

Erawan Waterfall National Park; 3:37pm

"Wow! It's so pretty", Jihae giggles as she jumps along from rock to rock. She was told not to wander too far, with the rest of her classmates.

She picks up a purple-looking rock near her and throws it in to the pool. She admires the wide ripples that are formed as a result.

"Jihae?" A familiar voice softly calls. Jihae didn't want to, nor did she decide to, but she couldn't help to form a smile on her face.

"Ten?"

"What are you doing here?"

Instead of answering the question, Jihae looks amused and smiles, a smile that comes when you've felt like you've achieved or accomplished something.

"So you're from Thailand? Oh", she says in realisation.

"Right. You've caught me I guess"

"Yeah..."

Jihae sits on the ground, now her back to Ten.

"So what are you doing here?" Ten repeats.

"Oh. School trip"