boy in seoul

chapter seven

It was Kien's fault.

Just because of Kien Marc couldn't stay in bed a minute longer. He wanted to just lie down for another five minutes but just the thought of Kien left him restless. He had to move. He had to smile.

This feeling was new. New and exciting but also confusing.

What wasn't new was this boost of energy he felt. The feeling of wanting to run toward something, Marc knew. But never before was this feeling directed at a person. Never before wanted he run toward a person.

Marc also knew the feeling of his mind obsessing over something exciting. He loved and hated it with all his being. But never before was that something a human. And it scared Marc.

How long would the feeling hold this time? It had disappeared in the past. Some times it went on longer than other times but it had always ended. And he had hurt people. He didn't want to hurt Kien as well. Maybe the best thing would be just to enjoy it while it lasted but not go in with everything he got.

An easy thing for everyone else but not for Marc. He always went all-in with his obsessions. Holding back would be hard.

But even with such a difficult issue in mind he still smiled. The world around him seemed bright and happy. He didn't notice the confused stares his colleagues gave him when he entered the office. The mumbling that started once they thought he was out of earshot he didn't register.

He had just put his things down on his desk and was about to get out of his coat when Youna made her appearance. She sat down on her usual place on his desk and stared at him. Eyebrow raised and an eager expression on her face but she stayed silent. Her lips were pressed together making Marc think she glued them together.

"Morning Youna," Marc said. Then he waited for her to say something but Youna stayed quiet. "What can I do for you?"

"You could start by explaining this," she said, anger in her voice and held her phone out for him. Marc took the phone and looked at the screen.

It showed a picture of Kien at the food stand yesterday. Not a very clear picture. Probably made in a hurry. Barely noticeable was Kien without his cap. They should have been a little more careful yesterday. In the picture, Marc was crouching next to Kien, not a chance someone would recognize him.

Confused as to what Youna wanted from him he looked up at her.

She snorted, reached out and swiped to the next picture. It was clearer. Now Marc's profile was recognizable but Kien had his cap on which didn't do anything to conceal his identity now.

Marc noticed there was a third picture so he swiped and tensed. It was a picture of him feeding Kien the fried chicken.

Quickly Marc read the caption which just said: 'You'll never guess who I found.' Kien's account was mentioned before the hashtags. And then Marc saw the number of comments and likes. This had to be viral.

"You never told me you were friends with him?" Youna accused Marc.

Was he obligated to do so?

Not feeling any guilt about it Marc ignored Youna and started reading the comments. The first few were from a few hours ago admiring Kien. But then the topic started shifting after one person asked if everyone knew Kien's new friend.

"Has anyone already mentioned it is me?" Marc asked Youna.

"You seriously not going to tell me?"

"Tell you what? You know now that I am friends with him," he stared at her.

"No, no one has figured out who you are yet. Except ...," Youna pointed to their coworkers. But Marc didn't care. He gave Youna her phone back, took his own, and made his way toward the stairs. It was quiet here. He could call Kine in peace here.