Just A Few Numbers Away

Chapter 6

Within Walking Distance

2,534 steps.

Those were the figures I saw as soon as I started my public service in the Gangnam District Office.

I was standing by the copier when I saw those numbers on my wrist.

That's how far my soulmate is from me right now.

Or should I say, that's the closest we have ever been.

​I felt a sharp prick of anxiety that settled deep in my chest.

The person-my soulmate-is also working somewhere in Gangnam.

What are the odds that we will meet among these millions of people?

The thought was both a promise and a threat.

In a city this dense, two thousand steps is practically a shared heartbeat.

I was shaken back to reality when a hand tapped my shoulder.

"D-do you need help, Min-sshi?" my office mate smiled at me and pointed at the machine.

I looked at it and realized I hadn't done anything yet.

I must have been too engrossed in the digits burning into my wrist.

I sheepishly scratched the back of my head.

"Ahh, thanks for the offer, Sunbae-nim. But I can do this. I just got distracted for a bit."

I smiled back at him.

"I-I see. W-well, don't be shy to ask m-me anything y-you don't understand. I-I'd be more than willing to h-help you."

"Thank you. I'll keep that in mind."

"A-also, you can call me, Jun. I-I mean, we're the same age so.."

"Ohhhh... I see..."

"B-but.. uhmm.. t-that's up to you... I mean.. Y-you can call me anything.. you're comfortable with. N-no pressure.."

He scratched the back of his head, his face flushing a deep red as he pointedly looked at the floor.

He reminds me of someone.

"Uhh... If it's okay with you, too. You can call me by my name, Jun-sshi."

Suddenly, his face lit up.

"O-okay, Yoongi-sshi. I-I should get back to work. Fighting!!"

Then he scampered back to his work desk.

What a funny guy.

He reminds me of Hoseokie the first time we met.

I guess I won't be seeing them a lot for a while, especially Jin-Hyung.

I wonder how he's doing.

I hope he isn't having a hard time.

The military is a different world, far away from the quiet hum of office printers and shared lunches.

***

During lunchtime, Jun invited me to eat lunch with him in the cafeteria.

He told me how excited he is to be able to work with me and was delighted that he was given the task to be my partner in the office.

To be honest, I was glad I was partnered with him.

He seems like a genuine person.

In a place where I'm trying to be just another citizen, his kindness is a relief.