24/7 - YeonGyu

- 1 -

"Only four minutes left until seven o'clock. When the alarm rings, the day officially starts. My first day as a high schooler... Fuck"

Such were the thoughts of sixteen years old Choi Beomgyu, who had barely moved into his small Seoul apartment a week ago. Usually fast asleep, he for some reason wasn't able to get a shut eye that night and waited endlessly for the morning alarm to go off.

Beomgyu could vaguely hear the sound of the quiet spring rain, as well as his pounding heart. He didn't want to think of today as anything special, because he was really only getting thrown back into the same old system he had known for most of his life. But as it was the first day his mom wouldn't be the one to wake him up, and as it would be the case for many days after that, maybe today was somewhat special.

Truthfully, Beomgyu wasn't even very fond of leaving Daegu in the first place. Not that afraid of novelty, what the boy feared was rather having to say goodbye to loved ones. For him, coming to the capital meant growing further away from his fond memories. He could already picture the unfamiliar places he would now have to go by, on his way to an equally unfamiliar school.

It was on this nostalgic mantra that Beomgyu fed his mind for the past week. As well as with overcooked rice, which would once again have to do for breakfast. Two minutes were left until seven o'clock. And then one. And eventually, the morning alarm's deafening sound could be heard throughout the whole place. Beomgyu wrapped himself up into his blanket and rolled down the side of his bed to the floor. He closed his eyes.

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« How can I keep messing rice up ? »

Beomgyu was reluctantly eating yesterday's leftover rice while staring into the void. Because his mom would never let him start the day on an empty stomach, he felt like he had to eat whatever would fill him up. When trying to mentally list all the good things that could happen today, he would end up with an equal number of bad things.

Maybe I should just go with it, he thought. If I have no expectations, there is no way I will end up disappointed.

Beomgyu then casually left the sofa to go wash himself up before putting on his uniform. His navy-blue blazer appeared rather traditional, but he enjoyed the golden detailing. His grey trousers and brand new sneakers on, only his tie was left to knot.

« How do I go after this...? »

His dad had been reminding him everyday since he moved in to always grab the bigger part of the tie first. But which way it actually had to go, Beomgyu didn't remember at all.

Visibly confused, he was running low on time and had to hop on his bike to arrive in time to school. The boy hurriedly grabbed his backpack and apartment keys. Going down the stairs, he zipped his raincoat and made a last attempt at tying his tie. However, he quickly gave up and left it hanging loosely around his neck.

Beomgyu could make it to school in merely ten minutes if he drove at a relatively fast pace. He had memorized the way to school after driving around the neighborhood to see where everything was. At the first intersection was a long, slightly sloping street, which he had to go by to join the main avenue leading to school. As it was still early, the cute cafes and small shops were not yet open and barely anyone was out.

Increasingly taking speed on his bike, Beomgyu suddenly felt himself losing control. He tried to hit to brakes, but the rain had made the road slippery. He went all the way down the street, panicking, when his front wheel collided onto the sidewalk and he fell down the ground. Somewhat dazed, his sides hurt and his uniform was drenched. However, the rain had stopped above him ; he lifted his eyes and saw a boy, shielding him with his yellow umbrella.

« Are you okay ? »