Hot...
It's May, and it's definitely getting warm.
Short sleeves feel off, though. Should work out... my arms are too skinny for them.
"Hnng..."
Gotta go today, right?
We're shooting a video.
But what do we shoot?
Haven't filmed with Juha in a while, so I'm drawing a blank.
*Just shoot something random?*
Honestly, I've got ideas...
But they're all bad for me, fuck.
I wanna take the lead for once! If I bring it up, I'll probably get smacked...
*Or maybe not.*
Juha's been softer lately...
Worth a shot?
Dunno.
*Hot...*
Was cold not long ago, now it's hot, fuck...
---
*Not here.*
I always check the playground.
Can picture Juha chain-smoking...
Not smoking today. Or maybe she already did.
*Sniff sniff.*
Check for cigarette smell at her place.
No tobacco smell.
Maybe she's just vaping inside.
*Beep.*
Lights are off... is she out?
I slip in and hear soft snoring.
Hoo, still sleeping. What time did she crash?
"Hmm..."
Some stirring sounds.
Juha's asleep on the mattress...
Wrapped up tight in blankets.
It's 4 p.m., and she's still out? Slept late or just sleeping like crazy?
"Ugh."
I carefully set my bag down and crouch by her.
Staring...
Four pillows on the mattress.
The set of four I bought 'cause I couldn't decide...
Three lined up beside her. She's using the plain one.
*Hmm...*
Good purchase.
Kinda looks like decor now.
This dingy, vape-smelling room feels... almost livable with those character pillows.
"Yawn..."
This room always makes me sleepy.
Is it 'cause she's always sleeping, or is the vibe just like that?
*Don't wanna sleep...*
I lean against the wall, blinking.
Not long ago, this place was a poker-obsessed dump.
Total rock-bottom vibe back then.
Now? Kinda human, I guess.
Feels... different.
*Glance.*
I peek at Juha's sleeping profile.
Her cheek's sticking out like Shin-chan today...
I inch closer, catching her shampoo scent.
*Really out cold.*
Wouldn't wake even if I shook her...
I pace around, bored.
Came to shoot, but this is dull.
*What's this?*
Papers on the dresser.
Didn't see these last time.
I glance back at sleeping Juha. Fine to look, right?
"Hmm..."
Nothing special.
Just coloring stuff. Must've been bored.
A printed sheet with pink flower petals colored in catches my eye.
High school girls were into this kinda thing...
*Diary?*
Diary decorating?
Girls do the weirdest stuff. Didn't peg Juha for this. Did Yoo In-ha buy it and drag her into it?
I flip it open—standard diary vibe.
Definitely Juha's taste...
*May 1st.*
Hoo... can I read this?
Is it bad? *Joonhyung choked me, felt great.* Something like that?
*Whatever...*
Screw it! I'm reading! You snooped my phone before!
I flip the page—scribbled notes.
...Eh, nothing much.
Just random stuff: *What to do, OnlyFans, spent this much,* etc.
*What's this?*
Yoo In-ha's face?
A doodled caricature of her on a page.
Definitely Yoo In-ha... who's next to her?
*...Me?*
Glasses, getting choked...
Pretty sure that's me.
Fuck...
*She drew all this?*
I close the diary and glance back.
Good, she's still asleep. Would've been dead if she woke up.
"Hah."
I sit on the floor, fiddling with my phone.
Practice poker?
Or imagine the upcoming soccer tournament?
*Swipe.*
I grab a Yoo In-ha pillow from the floor and flop down.
Faint vape smell lingers...
I take off my glasses and close my eyes.
Feels... comfy...
Juha's scent, Yoo In-ha's shampoo... it's calming now...
---
"Hnng..."
W-What time is it?
It's super dark outside...
*Juha's...*
Gone?
Where'd she go?
I fumble for my glasses and sit up.
No sign of her...
I touch the mattress—still warm.
She hasn't been gone long.
"Yawn..."
Where is she?
Smoking? Doesn't feel like it.
I groggily open KakaoTalk.
[Where'd you go?]
[Juha: Oh, you're up]
[Juha: Getting food]
What the fuck!
Wake me up!
You went to eat alone?
[Why didn't you wake me?]
[Juha: You were out cold]
[Juha: Should've woken up yourself lol]
Tch...
Came to shoot, and this...
I yawn, scratching my legs.
Too lazy to go... by the time I'd get there, she'd be done.
Guess I'll eat cup noodles.
Got any here? I stand to check, but my phone buzzes.
[Juha: Yo, night market]
[Juha: Come eat]
Night market...
The food truck spot?
Hoo... too far.
[I'll just eat cup noodles]
[Juha: -_-]
[Juha: Grab my jersey and come]
Craving beer? I'm not in the mood...
Ignore it?
I turn off my screen, but notifications spam.
[Juha: Yo, Joonhyung]
[Juha: Yo]
[Juha: Come on]
[Juha: Let's go, nothing else to do]
Her obsessive texts flood in.
What's she so hooked on now...
Fine, I'm coming...
---
"Nice, right?"
"Y-Yeah..."
Pretty cool.
River breeze brushes my face.
Juha, hands in her jersey, stares at the water.
*Whoosh...* Dark ripples move slowly under the night lights.
"So many people."
Night Goblin Market...
Food trucks everywhere, people in light clothes bustling.
Perfect weather for it...
Everyone's grabbing food and beer, heading to the riverside.
"What you eating?"
Me?
Dunno. Maybe meat.
Steak catches my eye.
Juha blinks, scanning around.
So much food... desserts are tempting.
"I'll get steak."
"Yo, buy a bunch and share."
H-Huh...
Didn't you just eat?
Can you handle more?
"You wait here? I'll grab some."
"Y-Yeah..."
How much is she buying? Feels like she's grabbing everything she wants...
Steak line's long, so she'll probably be back when I'm done.
I rub my arms, waiting.
Kinda awkward alone... everyone's in pairs.
"Here's your steak."
"Thanks."
15,000 won. Pricey, but whatever.
Good enough for a meal...
*Where's Juha?*
...She didn't forget where we are, right?
Before I can worry, I spot her carefully walking over.
Phew, not *that* much of a goldfish.
"Yo, Joonhyung—"
Oh shit.
What's with all that food?
Her hands are full of cups, wobbling as she walks.
Looks like four or five things...
"Why'd you buy so much?"
"We'll share."
"...Share, right?"
She grins slyly.
Share, right?! Why no answer? You gonna stuff it all in my stomach?!
"Yo, over there."
Oh, a bench opened up.
As we sit, bags spill from her hands.
Food, beer, cigarettes... real?
"How much did you spend?"
"Dunno."
At least 50,000 won...
All desserts—gelato, ice cream, jelly, grilled squid?
Why so much...
"Yo, cheers."
"Y-Yeah..."
Wheat beer? What's this?
Why not domestic?
We clink cans and sip cautiously. Hoo...
"Bleh..."
"What? Tastes bad?"
"Kinda..."
"Just drink it."
Yeah... was gonna anyway...
She eyes my steak curiously. *Tasty? Tasty?*
"Tasty?"
"Not bad."
"Really?"
Eat it if you want...
She picks at my steak with a skewer, chewing.
What about your food? It's all gonna end up in my stomach...
"Hah—"
She stretches her legs, looking ahead.
Colorful lights shift on the bridge...
River sounds and crowd noise fill my ears.
"Nice."
Yeah...
It is nice. Juha's probably loving it after being cooped up all day.
When's the last time I came here? Can't remember...
"When'd you sleep yesterday?"
"Today."
"...When today?"
"Dunno. Remember up to 6 a.m."
Legendary life.
How do you sleep at 6 a.m., fuck?
Conversation pauses.
She swings her legs, sipping beer.
I munch steak, eyeing her desserts.
...Not eating? Just a bite each and done?
"Food trucks look fun."
"Food trucks?"
Her gaze locks on them.
Staring at the vendors hustling...
She grabs some squid, muttering.
"How much for one?"
"Like... 10 million won? Maybe."
"Ten million."
She mumbles, swinging her legs.
Her stare's intense... creepy.
She's hooked on food trucks. Suits her, though.
Feels like she'd love selling tteokbokki or roasted sweet potatoes. That delinquent vibe...
"When's your summer break?"
"Us? Late June. Two months or so..."
"Nothing to do?"
"Hoo..."
Why's she asking about break already? Scary.
Not planning to do *that*, right? Her face turns to me, deep in thought.
N-Nah, she'll drop it.
Just shoot OnlyFans... never thought I'd say OnlyFans is better.
"Looks fun, right?"
"Not really..."
All I see is risk.
Her expression sharpens.
Flinch...
S-Still, she's changed. Old Juha would've swung.
"Oh, Yoo In-ha's calling."
Yoo In-ha?
Guess she's wandering and just got here.
Juha answers, kicking her legs.
["Juha-yang, where you at?"]
"Night market. Night Goblin Market."
["Night market? Why? Alone?"]
"Nah, with Joonhyung."
["Joonhyung?"]
Brief silence.
Been a while since I heard Yoo In-ha's voice...
"Come?"
["Too far... annoying. When you coming?"]
She glances at me.
Why look at me?
"Dunno. Hanging out a bit?"
["Bored."]
"Come then. It's cool here."
["Tired. What's for sale?"]
"I'll send pics."
["Cool."]
Drank a soju bottle? She's extra cute today...
Juha focuses on her phone, texting.
["Yo, get me squid. Butter squid."]
"Got it—"
["I'll wait?"]
"Yeah, yeah."
Hoo...
Living together's made them closer.
Were they this chummy? Don't think so...
She hangs up, sighs, and looks back at the bridge.
"Nice."
Yeah... it is.
Beer tastes... better here somehow.