Thorn Year (가시연) (ENG)

(천애둔략) Reduced Horizons: Prequel - CHAPTER 1

My hyung always mention that 'the beginnings' are more important anything else.

Although there wasn't a huge age gap between my hyung and I, he, in his soothing voice, was always giving me suggestions and advice. That was slightly irritating, yet he is still the person I chose to follow. If there is anyone I want to be, it will be Eunho hyung. Even though we are walking towards different paths, I hope that we can remain close.

Despite my brother telling me about the importance of 'beginnings', the day I took my first step was totally bad. It rained a moment ago, and though it was early springtime, the weather was colder than spring. People everywhere were shivering.

My mom looked out the window, and warned me not to ride my bike. I wanted to sleep a little more but I knew I could not at her constant nagging. Every time I went to school by car, my friends would teased me about it, "Are you trying to show off your wealth?" I hated that so I told my chauffeur that I would be riding my bike.

As I was heading to school, my bike slipped at a corner. Luckily it wasn't a big accident. I got thrown off the bike and rolled around on the ground a few times. It hurt a lot, but what was worse was the state of my uniform – it was ruined. How could I attend my brother's school opening ceremony looking like this? Fuck, fuck.

I stood up and dusted myself, only to realize that I'd also scratched my left cheek. I leaned the bike against the wall. The accident totally ruined my mood.

Who could I blame? It was my own mistake for not listening to my mom. Sighing, I looked up at the sky, which stretched miles above me. The air was crisp and cool. I breathed deeply before stepping into the crowded school hall.

I had never realized that there were so many students, there were hardly any seats left. Luckily, the ceremony had been delayed by ten minutes, so I wasn't too late.

I just had to hear hyung's speech. I knew who would start lecturing me the most on the accident earlier. I could already hear Jinho hyung shouting at me. "You want a new bike again, so soon?"

I couldn't sit with my own classmates as most of the seats were taken, so I took a seat at the back row. The hall was as noisy as a market but it died down soon after. The ceremony was about to begin. Someone went up on the stage and took the microphone. I surveyed the stage with satisfaction, like I was about to give the speech myself. However, I still didn't get to see hyung, who should have been on stage by now.

The school's association president was making an announcement. The people in the hall became a little restless.

I got a little worried when my brother ended up not appearing on stage. Playing with the phone in my pocket, I wondered if I should I call him up. Ultimately, I decided against it. It wouldn't be such a good idea right now.

The principal took over the microphone and the students in the hall got more irritated as time went on because her speech showed no signs of ending.

I looked around the hall. It was early March, yet the weather was freezing. The girls were shaking their legs and clutching their coats, wrapping it tighter around their bodies to keep warm. The principal didn't seem to notice that at all. She went on with her speech.

My neck was slightly sore. Maybe it was because of the fall awhile back? I turned my neck sideways, trying to relax it.

Things always happen when we aren't aware of it. I was so bored that I had fallen into a daze, until-

"Ah, I'm sorry!"

I turned my head to the left where the voice came from. He was very late, whoever he was. Judging by the commotion he made, it seemed that he had stepped on someone's foot. I pricked up my ears. His voice was subtly attractive. Not only did I feel that, the girls around me felt it too. They were sighing and whispering. Words like "He's so good looking" reached my ears.