Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 604

Side Story. 11

‘Let’s see. There should be a convenience store around here….’

Taejin raised his head to look around, then froze. The name of a nearby building caught his eye. [Korean spicy rice cakes] The simple sign with just the letters was still there, even after so many years. It was Kang Jihun’s favorite snack shop.

“……”

Taejin took out his phone and pressed the call button. Almost as soon as the signal rang, a lively voice came from the other end. Judging by the surrounding noise, quite a few people seemed to have already gathered.

—Oh, Taejin? How far are you?

“Hey, I don’t think I can make it.”

—What?

“I’m sorry, but I’m just going to turn back. See you later.”

—What?? Hey! Where are you now! Hey, Ha Taejin!

Ignoring the screaming, Taejin ended the call and quickly turned around. It wasn’t like someone was running after him, but he felt strangely anxious. He just wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. He didn’t feel like driving anymore, so he left his car in the parking lot and walked as fast as he could to the nearest bus stop. Driving in this mood might cause a major accident.

But that was actually the worst choice. As soon as he reached the bus stop, Taejin froze. A scene he hadn’t been able to forget for a single day since that day was unfolding before his eyes. The bus stop was more modern than before, but the structure was exactly the same. The four-lane road connected to the front of the school and the crosswalk. It was right in front of there that Jihun had died.

“……!”

Taejin reflexively covered his mouth. Everything around him started to spin. He felt so nauseous he wanted to throw up.

If I hadn’t told him to improve his English grades back then. If I hadn’t made that bet. If I hadn’t suggested going on a trip in the first place.

If only I could go back to the past.

“Excuse me, are you okay?”

Faintly, from beyond his fading consciousness, he heard murmuring. Only then did Taejin realize he was sitting down. He must have lost consciousness for a moment after feeling severely dizzy.

He managed to lift his head, and in his wavering vision, he saw a boy in a school uniform. Eyes as black as ink, and slightly disheveled black hair that looked just like someone else. The very guy who couldn’t possibly be here anymore.

Am I even seeing hallucinations now? This is really too much, Ha Taejin. Taejin laughed in disbelief at his own thoughts. Perhaps his appearance seemed more serious, as the boy came closer.

“You seem to have a fever.”

The boy carefully reached out and placed his hand on Taejin’s forehead. The warm touch felt good. Jihun always had a high body temperature, just like this boy. Come to think of it, his voice sounded a bit similar too. But that was probably just an illusion created by his own mind.

“…I’m okay, Kang Jihun.”

So he muttered without realizing it. But the boy, who he expected to be puzzled, looked at him with a slightly surprised expression.

“Huh? How do you know my name?”

“……What?”

“Oh, you must have seen my name tag. Anyway, you’re sweating a lot. Are you really okay? You should go to the hospital. Or should I call an ambulance?”

The boy’s chattering voice began to reach him more and more clearly. The more he heard, the more it sounded like the same voice. Taejin looked at the boy’s upper body and gasped. Kang Jihun. The name embroidered in yellow was clearly visible.

“Wait a moment. I don’t have a phone. I’ll call someone to help…”

The moment the boy tried to get up, Taejin reflexively grabbed his arm. The boy turned around with a puzzled expression, but Taejin didn’t notice any of it. The important thing was that his appearance wasn’t changing. The boy was still Kang Jihun, with his eyes as black as go stones [black stones used in the game of Go]. Can hallucinations last this long? Or am I really going crazy?

“……Are you really Kang Jihun?”

“Yes?”

“Are you really Kang Jihun?”

“Ah, yes. I am.”

When something unfamiliar happened, the good-natured guy didn’t get angry but smiled awkwardly instead. That was exactly the same too. This can’t be happening. Something’s wrong. He rubbed his head, feeling confused, and lowered his gaze. Then, as if it were a predetermined step, something the boy was holding caught his eye. The moment he saw it, Taejin froze again. There was no way he wouldn’t recognize it. It was the very English vocabulary book that had led Jihun to his death.

If I hadn’t told him to improve his English grades back then. If I hadn’t made that bet. If I hadn’t suggested going on a trip in the first place.

If only I could go back to the past.

Taejin blankly asked.

“…Excuse me, what’s the date today?”

“Huh? Today?”

The boy tilted his head, then smiled brightly as he answered. Hearing the date, Taejin gasped. It was April 20, eight years ago.

* * *

He had returned to the past.

It took Taejin a very long time to accept that fact. In the meantime, Jihun had disappeared like the wind, saying he was late for school. Taejin followed him dazedly, only to be misunderstood by a familiar teacher standing in front of the school gate and almost kicked out. He only realized that the teacher had transferred to another school a few years ago after he was far away from the school.

Everything around him had returned to what it used to be. Yet, he couldn’t quite grasp it because of his cell phone. The latest smartphone, which should clearly be a thing of the future at this point, was still working perfectly. Just in case, he called Gyuhyun, who answered, fuming.

—Why are you calling, you bastard! I thought you were ditching!

“……Hey, Kim Gyuhyun. Do you know where I am right now?”

—How would I know that?

“Right? I’m wondering that myself.”

—What? What are you even talking about! Are you crazy?

“I guess so. I think I’m going crazy.”

—Hey, Ha Taejin? Ha Taejin!

Ignoring the desperate voice, he hung up. He went to the parking lot, and the car he had parked was still there. The only differences were the much smaller parking space and the unfamiliar-looking attendant.

“Am I really crazy……”

He didn’t know what was going on. Taejin fiddled with the keys in his pocket. If he drove home like this, he might come to his senses. But he didn’t. Whatever the reason, he had met Jihun again. Even in this strange world, if he could see his face again, he would stay as long as possible.

Even if everything was an illusion, it didn’t matter. What if it was fake? He could meet a living Jihun. If this world was a fantasy, it must be the most perfect fantasy he had ever created. He didn’t even want to wake up again. In fact, that was what he wanted.

“Hi.”

Taejin met Jihun again on the road as the sun began to set. It was the result of patiently waiting for him to get out of school. Jihun, who was bewildered by the greeting from a stranger, soon recognized him and widened his eyes.

“Oh! You’re the guy I saw at the bus stop this morning, right?”

“Yeah, you remember me.”

Unlike his casual reply, his hands were sweating. He felt like he was going to cry just from seeing his face, and he wanted to feel that he was alive right away, but he was too scared to grab him. What if he suddenly disappeared again?

What if I suddenly wake up from this dream, and everything goes back to normal? Then what should I do, Kang Jihun? Will I have to live as an empty shell, trapped in the loss of losing you again? Can I endure that terrible thing again?

For a moment, countless thoughts swirled through Taejin’s mind like waves. But Jihun, unaware of his anxious thoughts, smiled brightly.

“It’s such a coincidence to meet you here again. Are you feeling better?”

“Yeah, thanks for earlier.”

“No problem. I’m really glad you’re okay.”

“Have you had dinner?”

“Pardon? No, not yet……”

“Really? Then would you like to go eat together? I’ll treat you as a thank you for this morning. Oh, maybe your parents are waiting for you with dinner?”

He had already confirmed that using cash was no problem while buying cigarettes. Taejin asked, expecting a negative response. Jihun had never properly talked about his family situation, but Taejin knew that his parents were abusing their youngest son. Far from giving him pocket money, they were even taking his part-time job earnings, so there was no way he would have a warm dinner waiting for him. As expected, Jihun shook his head with a flushed face. He clearly felt awkward, thinking that Taejin wouldn’t know about his situation, but also feeling like his inner thoughts had been exposed.

“Um, no, it’s not that……”

“Then that’s good. Let’s go, I was feeling bored eating alone anyway.”

“No, I’m really okay……”

“How about there? I went there a while ago, and their snacks are pretty good.”

Jihun pursed his lips when he saw where Taejin was pointing. That was also something he had already anticipated. Rainbow Snack Shop. It was a snack shop that Jihun loved so much that he looked for it even in his dreams. It felt strange to be using that place, which had made him suffocate just this morning, like this.

“Tteokbokki [spicy rice cakes], fried seaweed rolls [gimmari], dumplings [mandu], and mini gimbap [seaweed rice rolls].”

Jihun’s shoulders twitched every time he recited a menu item. Taejin knew everything about Jihun. What songs he enjoyed listening to, what his favorite stores were, and what menu items he liked the most there.

Looking over, he saw a face full of hesitation. Is he still uncomfortable eating with a stranger? It wasn’t like he hadn’t expected this. In the end, Taejin pulled out his hidden card.

“I’ll buy you spicy noodles too.”

“……I’ll enjoy the meal.”

Finally, he got the response he wanted. Taejin smiled.

“Okay.”

* * *

After that day, Taejin often met Jihun by chance during his commute to and from school. Jihun, who was shy at first but easily opened his heart once he became close, quickly became friendly with Taejin. Moreover, true to his trusting nature, he didn’t suspect that he was running into him so often. He probably thought of him as a jobless bum who aimlessly wandered around the neighborhood.

“Here.”

“Thank you every time.”

Jihun gratefully accepted the hamburger he handed him. It was a cheap hamburger worth a few thousand won, but it was what Jihun liked more than a handmade burger. After all, even if he tried to buy him something expensive, he would just feel burdened, so he was focusing on what Jihun liked.

“It’s really amazing. You seem to know all the foods I like. Can tastes overlap this much?”

“Isn’t it a good thing? We can share such delicious food with each other.”

“It’s a problem because you always buy it for me. I want to buy you something too….”

“It’s not like this costs much. And hey, how old do you think I am? How can I save face if I’m being treated by a high schooler?”

“Still, I’ll buy you something next time.”

“…Okay. Later then.”

He was a little touched by his own words. He hadn’t known how precious a relationship where you could promise the future was until he lost it. Taejin forced himself to bite and swallow the hamburger to hide his desire to cry. Then, he felt a gaze watching him from the side. Jihun was staring at him intently.

“What?”

“Do you know Taejin?”

“…Huh?”

Taejin reacted like a fool, momentarily flustered. Fortunately, Jihun didn’t seem to notice and continued excitedly.

“He’s my best friend. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but you look a lot like him. If Taejin had an older brother, he would look just like you. Um, but he’s an only child, so…… Are you cousins or something?”

“……No, nothing like that.”

“Hmm, I guess not. I didn’t know that completely different people could look so alike. It’s really amazing.”

“……Yeah, it’s really amazing. My friend looks like you too.”

“Oh? Really? I have a friend who looks like me?”

“Yeah, my best friend.”

“Wow, that’s the same too? That’s really amazing. Haha, but I have a pretty common face. I’m the standard Korean face. Seven out of ten people passing by look like me.”

“No, you’re not common.”

“Wow, you and Taejin are the only ones who say that to me. Now that I see it, you have similar personalities too.”

Taejin stared at Jihun with a blank face. What expression would you make if I told you right here that I am that Taejin? And how would this world change? Would you disappear from this place again?

Taejin impulsively tried to open his mouth. But Jihun’s grumbling continued faster than he could speak.

“More importantly, it’s a big problem. Tomorrow is the mock exam.”

“……Mock exam?”

“I made a bet with Taejin about our English test scores. But I don’t know why, no matter how much I study, I don’t understand anything.”

At that moment, Taejin stood up from his seat without realizing it. Jihun looked at him, startled.

“Hyung [older brother or male friend]?”

He had been intoxicated by a happy dream and had forgotten for a moment. That it was April, and that it was only a few days before the day he died. The one and only reason he had wanted to go back to the past in the first place.

Due to the extreme shock, Taejin didn’t realize how scary his face had become. He knew Jihun was scared, but he couldn’t easily return to his usual self.

“……Don’t make bets like that.”

“Ah, is it a bit much? Actually, I’m not betting because I think I’ll win. I just don’t want to disappoint Taejin. He worries a lot about my grades.”

“You won’t disappoint him. So just don’t study.”

“Hey, how can I do that?”

“I’m serious. Overseas travel or anything like that…… Just make Taejin do everything that requires English. It’s okay. You don’t have to push yourself to study.”

“Hey, it’s not just because of that…… Oh, did I mention that it was an overseas travel bet?”

“……”

Taejin couldn’t say anything. Sensing the strange atmosphere, Jihun immediately shook himself off and stood up.

“Um, I think it’s getting too late. I’ll be going now, hyung. See you again if we can.”

“Jihun.”

Taejin called out to him as he quickly said goodbye and tried to disappear. Jihun stopped walking and awkwardly turned around.

“Yes?”

“Just study at school. Don’t bother memorizing things while carrying around vocabulary books……”

“……?”

Jihun still had an incomprehensible expression, but he nodded awkwardly. Watching his disappearing back, Taejin clenched his fists tightly. He already knew the location where the accident had happened. He remembered the exact time and location. April 26, eight years ago, the day he had always desperately wanted to return to. That very opportunity had been given to him. He might be able to save him now. Thinking that he had fallen into this world for this purpose, everything made sense.

“Kang Jihun, I’m going to save you.”

Taejin looked down at his hands. Even if it was just self-satisfaction, it didn’t matter. If he could save Jihun with these hands, he would be happy even if he was punished for changing fate.

* * *

In the early morning, the bus stop was lined with students and office workers waiting for the first bus. It was the same scene as always, but there was also one unusual sight. It was the figure of a handsome young man sitting on a bench.

The young man, with his tall height and well-trained physique, had been sitting in the same spot for an unknown amount of time, waiting for something. Everyone there knew that it wasn’t the bus he was supposed to take. The same bus number had already arrived several times in a row, but he hadn’t reacted even once.

He had a lollipop in his mouth as a substitute for a cigarette. He had almost finished it, and was just chewing on the end of the stick. An action that might have looked a little unsightly on someone else looked as handsome as a painting on him, and all the women nearby blushed. He’s really handsome. Is he a model? What, is he a celebrity? The speculation quickly turned into certainty, causing a small commotion, but even that seemed to be of no interest to the young man.

“Excuse me. Aren’t you taking the bus?”

Then, some brave students approached the young man and carefully asked. The girls, who had been nervous about his indifferent gaze, grabbed their hearts when he smiled.

“No, I’m not. Are you guys on your way to school?”

“Yes, yes! O-oppa [term used by younger women to address older men], where are you going?”

“I’m waiting for someone.”

“Ho, is it your girlfriend?”

“No, boyfriend.”

“Hey, what’s that~”

The girls giggled as if he was telling a strange joke. Was that such a funny thing to say? He thought that they were at an age where they would laugh even if a leaf rolled by, and Taejin chuckled.

“Can I just confirm one thing? Today is April 26, right?”

“Yes, it is. But are you really waiting for a friend? When is your friend coming?”

“Um, he’ll probably be here soon.”

Taejin answered, leisurely checking the time on his wristwatch. The current time was 7:42. Jihun’s estimated time of death was around this time, so he would be arriving very soon.

Almost as soon as he guessed, a familiar figure was caught in the crowd. It was Kang Jihun, walking in a hurry with an unkempt appearance. His face was full of sleepiness, but his eyes were constantly staring at the vocabulary book in his hand.

That’s why he gets into accidents. I told him so many times not to walk while looking at his vocabulary book. Taejin clicked his tongue inwardly. Jihun, who was used to his parents’ constant nagging, tended not to take other people’s words at face value. He probably thought that his advice meant that he should study even like that. Taejin smiled bitterly, then hardened his face again at a crazy thought.

‘Wait, then does that mean that I contributed to his accident?’

Suddenly, an ominous imagination began to creep in. If I hadn’t said those words, would Kang Jihun still have walked while looking at his vocabulary book?

‘No. That can’t be.’

Taejin stood up from his seat with a confused face. All he had to do was prevent the accident. As long as he saved him, nothing else mattered. In the meantime, Jihun was standing blankly in front of the crosswalk. Seeing that the light was about to change, Taejin hurried to move.