CREATURE → JIGYU

one

jihoon is stressed.

at this point, after twenty-five years of existence, stress has become a perpetual state of existence for him, and it's thanks to his hectic work schedule and chaotic friend group that never seems to give him a break. it's only natural for him to have a stress migraine every now and then.

seokmin says it's because he doesn't know how to let loose, and he's probably right. he had recommended jihoon take a break for himself to recuperate his mental health, and jihoon had taken to the idea provided there were no repercussions. 

that's how he finds himself marching through the woods one weekend, a backpack slung over his shoulders, the sun beating down on him. this is also something seokmin had enthusiastically suggested to him: reconnecting with nature by going on a walk for once in his life.

he finds this forest to be particularly perfect. the barely marked trail is neither dangerous nor strenuous, and he enjoys the ambient sounds of birds chirping and leaves crunching under his shoes. he's aiming for the river babbling somewhere nearby that he had no idea existed until the rushing water caught his attention.

based off of everything jihoon has seen so far, he thinks that seokmin would enjoy this forest, and he wishes he had brought him along for the company. it's for the best though, he decides, to be alone while he de-stresses. 

the river is cool as it passes between his fingers, the clearest blue jihoon has ever seen in natural water before. it's rather magical, glittering in the sunlight like a liquid gem. he wonders what it would feel like to sit in the shallow water and allow the current to wash over him.

walking along the river proves to be a healing experience for jihoon, although he can't place why. it's strange that the forest is empty of other hikers and that the river appears to be completely hidden by it.

nevertheless, he'd like to keep this river to himself, not because he is selfish, but because he doesn't want the presence of others to taint it. many things about the forest seem magical, but the river is especially fantastical. 

there are fish in the river; large, healthy fish that jihoon can spot from the shore as they swim past him. he finds them amazing. 

he finds everything about this place to be better than the bustling city that he lives in. it isn't terribly far away, so it's a miracle that such a pure, natural environment can thrive without interruption. 

jihoon definitely prefers the fidgety leaves and rushing water to speeding cars and police sirens; prefers soft sand and dirt to concrete and cobblestone, even if it wedges its way into his sneakers and irritates his feet.

he looks ahead down the river, and stops when he sees a shape laying on a rock jutting from the shore, bathing in sun. momentarily, jihoon believes it's a large animal, but he's wrong.

it's a boy.