Reserved [Book V]

Truth

I couldn't believe how incredible things look
when I gaze at them from a distance.
Had it always been like this?
Had I missed it all along?
But what's even more incredible than the view
is that you shine so much more than the city.
And darling, I'm not far from you
and you're not far from me.
The wonder fades.
The night is cold.
And you're still as incredible as the day turned old.

Incredible (2016) by Jang Ah-reum

Areum was about to stand up and leave but Luna's soft smile stopped her, the older girl's eyes focused on the new piece she submitted just minutes ago.

"You seem to be feeling better now." Luna commented as she placed the poem in a drawer which Areum assumed was the place for all her works. "This is good."

"What do you mean?" Areum replied; eyebrows furrowed.

"Have you read your last piece? It's still posted out there." Luna leaned back on her chair and crossed her arms. "The storyteller is sad and angry."

And then Areum was in her awkward pose, torn between explaining anything to her superior and not. Even with a slight friendship and comfort with Luna, she couldn't bring herself to tell her about Kyungsoo or the things he said days ago. Besides, she hadn't completely forgotten. It still stung.

"It's a long story." Areum laughed in a very self-conscious manner and it seemed as though the older girl understood immediately, telling her she could leave if she had nothing else to discuss. So Areum did.

The environment appeared clearer after having cleansed her head over the weekend, finding truths everywhere she gazed and Areum counted. It was true that the weather was getting warmer. It was true that her last poem was sad and angry as Luna said; it's true that Nam Gyu-ri or any of her accessories were nowhere near her line of sight. And then following these simple truths were deeper ones, slowly sinking into Areum's skin.

True that the weather felt warm and there was no need for sweaters, just as true as sweaters reminded her of Kyungsoo very much. Areum's piece of poetry on the bulletin spoke of him and the feelings stitched in between the lines showed the truth in her feelings. It was true she didn't want Gyuri around but with Kyungsoo avoiding Areum, it was difficult to accept how true it is that the two were together.

Areum treaded the corridor and made her way to the stairs. Zitao had always waited for her at a non-specific spot and it was hard to see him with that slight cunning behavior and her poor eyesight, but he waited nonetheless. And it didn't take so long when she was on the ground floor before Areum felt that familiar presence following, soon walking beside her and matching her pace.

"It's a lovely day." Areum commented as she glanced at Zitao amused when he shook his head slightly.

"It's hot." He huffed. "And it won't take long for it to be hot and humid."

"What season do you like the most?" She asked casually, hoping to get the same expression from him when he answers. Zitao didn't like giving satisfaction to her queries –

"A mix of summer and autumn..." He said easily and Areum had to stop herself from grinning. "The point between those two... I like that the most."

"I see." Areum muttered and they carried on walking in silence.

It was comfortable silence and she could confess that much. Areum wasn't so inquisitive anymore and Zitao was not as stiff as he was unlike the first moments they met, which was an absolute improvement and benefit because Areum wasn't great with small talk unless it's Kyungsoo in front of her.