Stranger | Jikook/Kookmin

32 | A Seaweed Problem

Jungkook squints his eyes, trying to ignore the sweat running down his spine.

His thumb glides over the camera's zoom button delicately until the lens notes a little butterfly sitting on the leaves of a cherry blossom tree.

This might be a frivolous assignment for some, but Jungkook is utterly dedicated on creating a masterpiece of what will be the first short film of his freshmen year. The moment he heard that their projects were up for submission to the year-end exhibition festival hosted by Gidae University, he knew he had to nail this assignment.

As much as Gidae wallows superficially, it is a social hub for students who are willing to make connections and grow in their field. The year-end exhibition is one of those boons: students are given the opportunity to turn in the projects they have developed during the school year for the eyes of fellow Gidae-ers and eminent experts to evaluate.

Jungkook really wants to get in. It would look great on his CV and maybe he'd even be able to attract the attention of a movie-maker or producer. Super slim shot, but worth a try.

He is tempted to gasp when the butterfly gently flaps its wings, the breath-taking moment being captured on camera. It was nearly impossible to notice the butterfly's existence in the beginning due to its purple wings that blend in perfectly with the light violet of the cherry blossoms. Once Jungkook spotted it, he knew he needed this shot for his project.

See, his concept is illusion.

He wants to bring out on camera certain elements that our eyes can't catch casually — the many wonders of the world we take for granted because we are 'too much in our heads'. He does the same thing. Forgets to savor the beauty surrounding himself when there is an abundance of it feuding for his attention.

But May's cherry blossoms inspired him on his way back home after class that Thursday afternoon. 

He felt an itch, an impossible restlessness pulsing through his body. One of a person who tout too much to lose shan't they take the chance. And it felt like pure fate when he realized that today was one of those rare days he was carrying his camera bag around his neck. 

Aware or not of being the protagonist of a candid audience, the butterfly makes a graceful dance of flips and flaps, rays of sunshine outlining the soft lusters on the surface of each one of its silky hindwings. Jungkook smiles, his heart quivering at the inspiring spectacle rolling in front of his eyes. He can almost hear the tinker bells and the blithe flutes rolling on the scrim, see the bokeh blurs travel over the muted backdrop of his editor's timeline — a front row seat at the ethereal show of the sweet-natured purple butterfly.

"Jungkook? Are you there?"

The "yeah" that unintentionally slips his lips causes the butterfly to irk, flying away without even giving Jungkook a chance to apologize. He can only gawk after it. What a bummer. 

At least he got the footage. 

"I just filmed something amazing," he smiles anyway, reporting to the Jimin on his earbuds while stopping the recording on his camera. They have been on the phone ever since Jungkook walked into the park. Jimin kept him company through his filming as he had some free time during his job hours today. 

"Is that so?"

"Mm, a really cute butterfly! I can't wait to edit it," Jungkook bites his lip, going over the recording through the screen of his camera. He feels lucky to have witnessed it in a child-like way. 

"Oooh, you have to show me later!"

Jungkook giggles. "Sure!.. How come your client hasn't arrived yet?"