Butterfly [j.jk]

아우트로 outro-

반환

day breaks and a golden sun seeps through the clouds that shroud the summertime skies. the faint scent of freshly cut grass linger in the cool breeze. all the birds gather, singing to the trees that welcome them in open arms. chirps of melodies heaven-sent and flowers that dance to these graces of summer that perfectly melt together.

it was the perfect summer day, everyone in town thought. smiles dance upon their lips as they gaze at the sky encapsulating the season's charms. and it so happened that this perfect summer day was the day of jeongguk's departure.

and with his suitcase in his grasp and a backpack strapped around his shoulders, only then did it sink in that he was leaving. it was a bizarre thought that by tomorrow he wouldn't be beneath a jeju sky. when he wakes up, the beds of flowers wouldn't be there to greet him good morning. and as he gazed at the outside with glistening eyes, instead of a lovely view, all he saw was a scene that was soon to be just a memory.

but at least it was a beautiful day. all that's left was to see nari, then he can depart without regret.

but he waited and waited outside the door without seeing it creak open. the cab waiting in the driveway, his luggage loaded and ready to leave, all that's left was nari.

"just— five more minutes." the boy says, turning to the cab. but those minutes pass without her and so he says "five more minutes." again, and again, and again. the desperation in his voice grows deeper.

"nari, please..." he silently mutters under his breath.

with each second that passes, the taxi driver's watch ticks, and his departure nears. there was no five more minutes if he wanted to make it in time.

all he could do was imagine she was there. as if he waved goodbye and she gleamed one last honey smile. however it was a shame that an imagination couldn't even capture the honey in her smile.

an empty stare sets out the window, watching the rolling hills pass by. the view stunning as always, but still his chest felt heavy.

"beautiful, isn't it?" the man behind the wheel notices the boy's eyes glued to the outside. a fixed gaze upon the greenery and the glistening waters.

"it is." he replies, "very."

"you know, i was so close to leaving jeju. i'm glad i didn't though." the man said, looking just as immersed to the view as jeongguk. "jeju is too beautiful to leave behind."

the boy chuckles at his little story. "you couldn't resist jeju, huh?" the man cracks a laugh at his tiny remark.

"yes— but it was more because of a girl." he chuckles at the sudden thought, growing sheepish, and he giggles more seeing the boy's shocked face through the rearview mirror. "but i knew it was right to stay. now, years later, we're still happily married. and with each flower that grows within this land, my love too, grows."