Sun & Moon

THREE

SEVEN YEARS AFTER

On Doyoung's twenty-sixth birthday, he finds himself following the same schedule as usual. It's funny how even though his life is significantly different from his high school days, the way he lives now is almost the same in regards to routine. Although he doesn't lean over his student desk reading his father's old projects, he now sits at a mahogany office desk with a nameplate displaying "Director Kim" on it while reviewing urgent projects before approving them.

As Doyoung was rising ranks within his father's company, Skyline Contractors was making its own name out in the business world and media. Doyoung often hears the clicks and shutters of cameras as soon as he steps out in public. He later sees those pictures trending on search engines: "Handsome son of Skyline's CEO. Going clubbing again?"

Yes, again.

Every single day, after work, Doyoung goes to the club three minutes away from the company. The cameras and clicks follow him until he takes the VIP entrance where they aren't allowed to follow him inside.

On his birthday, things aren't so different. He walks to the club as usual and takes the VIP entrance. He immediately heads to the back where a dimly lit bar is. He sits down on the stool to the far right, where there isn't too much light exposing his presence. He gently rests his right forearm on the wooden bar and traces the small cracks on it with his left pointer finger.

The bartender, seeing a familiar presence, immediately takes out Doyoung's favorite red wine that they keep in stock just for him. There isn't a single person other than Doyoung that drinks expensive wine at the club, and keeping it can be a hassle, but his frequent visits bring in a lot of money so they deal with it.

As the bartender silently hands him the wine glass, he observes Doyoung. Finally, he says, "Today's your birthday, huh."

Doyoung does not respond and only takes a small sip.

The bartender shakes his head. "Always the same," he says to himself, but Doyoung hears it and smirks.

After the bartender leaves, Doyoung finally feels at peace. He turns to lean his back against the bar and closes his eyes while taking a slow sip of his wine.

He sips his wine with his eyes closed for five minutes before his peace is interrupted again.

"Aren't you tired of it?" a voice says, making Doyoung open only one eye. He glances at the owner of the voice. He has bright red hair that reminds Doyoung of a cherry and a camera around his neck.

When Doyoung sees the camera, he immediately understands. "Oh," he says calmly. "You're one of them." He closes his eye.

The red-haired man just blinks. "What?" he asks in confusion. Doyoung doesn't reply, but the man understands after three seconds. He immediately takes off his camera and places it on the bar. "Now I'm not."

Doyoung's nose scrunches slightly in annoyance. "What do you want?" he asks, his voice laced with frigidness. This time, he opens both eyes.

"You do the same, exact thing. Every day," the man replies. Doyoung's coldness seems to have no effect on him. The man only pushes forward with his absurdness. "Isn't it tiring?"

"Paparazzi aren't allowed in here," Doyoung says curtly. "Leave me alone."

"I'm not here as paparazzi. I'm here as Taeyong." The man doesn't smile nor does he frown.

Doyoung suddenly feels an urge to throw his wine onto Taeyong. "And I'm here as someone who wants to be left alone."

Taeyong only stares at Doyoung with no expression on his face. Doyoung glares back. "Fine," Taeyong says, breaking the silence after a few moments. He then picks up his camera and leaves.

Doyoung watches Taeyong's back as he goes out the exit. He takes a sip of his wine and shrugs off the feeling of anxiety resting in his stomach. "That was weird," he murmurs to himself.

He finishes his wine and heads home like his usual schedule.