money :: bang chan

when

7 | seven

chan looked at the clock and frowned. yeseul was supposed to arrive seventeen minutes ago.

he couldn't help but worry about her, even if she was just sick.

after his lonely shift ended, chan went to his manager to hand his vest over.

"do you know what happened to yeseul?" he asked, receiving a shrug in response.

"she didn't tell you?" his manager replied. "she quit yesterday."

chan frowned. it didn't make sense; why would she leave without saying anything?

he left the shop and headed towards moran market, near the slums. he walked around the entire area in search of his friend, and even called out for her.

by sunset, chan was panting and ready to cry.

"yeseul!" he called out again, almost about to give up, when he heard a small voice reply, "chan."

he turned around with wide eyes, seeing her behind the bushes. chan ran to her and hugged her tightly, toppling both of them over.

"where were you?!" he exclaimed, pulling away.

"chan, i shouldn't have stayed here," she cried. "i don't belong here."

"neither do i!" he said, making her shake her head.

"no, you don't understand. i... i'm from north korea."

chan paused, his head beating loudly. "really?"

it explained her accent; her mysterious birthplace; the reason she ran away from home.

she nodded, looking away. "i'm sorry."

he stood up. "it's not your fault you're from there. it's not our fault we were born poor."

"no, chan..."

"did you really think i was going to leave you?" he chuckled. "come on, yeseul, you know i'm better than that."

she looked at him. "but chan... i don't have money."

he shook his head. "i'll take care of that."