the summer of 1993 ── dohwa baek - Chapter 2: Chapter 2

The sun had climbed to the pinnacle, its lethal rays assaulting every living organism that dared to step outside. Under the sweltering heat, a young girl had to brave her way out-
because the fucking education system did not care whether the students lived or died.
"Is this the price I pay for topping the class...?" Y/N sighed, wiping the sweat off her forehead.
A certain shoulder bumped into her, throwing her forwards with an abrupt jerk.
"Indeed, you poor thing. Indeed."
Eunji's ponytail swayed with every movement, attracting Y/N's eyes to her round face and chestnut hair. Despite the cuteness she bore, she was far from innocent. If anything, she was the one who had dragged Y/N to the hellish pits of boy groups and fashion and dating and absolutely everything that had endangered her focus from studying.
It was a good thing that she could juggle them all.
"I waited twenty minutes for you at the intersection! Where were you?"
"I met Dokja on my way here," Eunji responded with a roll of her eyes. "He's still bugging me for the fifty won I borrowed from him. What a cheapskate."
"Ah, boy talk reminds me—" Y/N started, but was instantly cut off by an excited squeal from her companion.
"You finally like someone? You've grown up? You actually accepted Seojun's confession? You're experiencing puberty?"
Y/N groaned. "No. It's different. I... tried to call Kai while I was on my way home from the academy."
"...It's Kai?"
"What? Shut up! I wanted to talk to him because it has been a while, and you know what mom's like. She would never let me use the house phone to contact a guy." She pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance. "But... I guess the lines got mixed up? I ended up talking to another person. And he was an idol trainee!"
Now, that had captured Eunji's full attention.
"No way."
"Yeah! But he was kind of weird. He said... Seo Taiji and boys disbanded? Did they?"
"Huh? I just listened to their song on the radio."
"Maybe he was mistaking them for another group... Anyway, I'll call Kai again. I need to know if he'll be back for summer."
"You know he won't be, Y/N." Eunji shook her head in disappointment. "He comes to Seoul like, once a year."
That was quite a painful revelation for the duo. They shrugged the topic off and talked about lively things to lighten up the mood, because what good would it be for them to reminisce the memories of someone who didn't miss them anymore?
A bitter pill to swallow. That was what Kai's departure was.
Minutes flew past as they dragged their tired bodies ahead. Nothing could have made them happier than the sight of their school right at that moment.
At the gate, Eunji yet again tried to avoid the prying gazes of the teachers and guards who inspected their uniforms with a scrutiny that could kill a man.
Her bangs were always too long, and her skirt was always a little above her knees. She had somehow survived so far, but the future was not looking good for her. Y/N was amazed at her dedication.
The subtle chatters of other pupils surrounded them, all of which were white noise to their ears. In the class, they united with their friends and fell into a discussion, with Dokja leading the conversation, courtesy of his social skills.
Notes of a shrilling sound floated in the air. The bell had rung, and the day had started.
This was how simple the life of a teenager was.
Y/N's finger hovered over the button labelled with the number 0. She was contemplating whether she should take the risk or not.
"Screw it."
She ended up taking the risk.
The bells flooded her head while she tapped her foot impatiently. If Kai picked up, she was ready to spew nonsensical curses at him. He deserved an earful for the agony he had put his friends through.
However, when the call was answered, her mouth went dry.
"Kai?"
"I'm heartbroken. I thought you wanted to talk to me."
Not this dude again.
"My coins. Down the drain. Once more." Y/N rested her forehead against the glass walls of the telephone booth, her palm closed in a tight fist. She was one unfortunate person in this cruel world.
"Y/N. Why did you hit me up again? Was I-"
"I swear this is the same number my friend used to talk to Kai."
"Sounds like someone's still in denial."
She pressed her lips together in a thin line. "Why did you pick up?"
"I was bored." The boy stated with nonchalance, earning an irritated scoff from Y/N.
"Now I won't get a refund for my money either. Seriously. Die."
"How about you use someone's smartphone instead? You'll save money."
"What's a smartphone?"
A peal of laughter was heard through the speaker. "You're kidding, right? Everyone these days knows what a smartphone is."
"Well, I'm sorry for not knowing, you abominable piece of shit."
"I see you have stuck with that insult. You should take more ideas from me, really."
"Cut it. You're obligated to entertain me until the duration is over."
"Hmm? Me, entertain you? Apologies, but no. The most I can do is-"
"Goodbye, then."
"Hey! Wait!" His tone carried a hint of distaste as he made an attempt to stop Y/N. He grumbled when he heard her snicker on the other end, stifling the agitated comments that threatened to slip out of his mouth. "Ugh. Listen to my sob story, I guess. I used to like a girl. Now she's dating the guy I despise. I think that's the reason I failed Maths. Happy? My life is boring."
"Or maybe you're just stupid."
"Tru- what? You're stupid. Calling the wrong number twice in a row."
"Continue your sob story. I'm sure there are a lot of pent-up emotions you have in there."
"Ah, whatever." His voice grew softer, "I... I don't have feelings for her anymore, but it still hurts for some reason. I feel like I only exist to continue the story. Like an option she can come back to whenever she wants."
Y/N nodded in understanding. Then she realised that the boy could not see her do that.
"That's one way to put it. You don't have to have to exist to continue their story, though. Just write your own. Start by practicing Maths. Move to impressing a girl with your nerdy remarks. And stop when you fall in love."
"Wow. Good advice. The problem isn't finding a girl. I get plenty of those and... oh, right! I got a love note today. Let me recite it to you."
"Ew...." She trailed off, "I'm interested."
"Here it goes. Dearest Dohwa-"
"So your name's Dohwa."
"...Erm. Moving on. Ahem. I was awed by your beauty when I saw you at the Karaoke with your friends. I was there, too, but you didn't notice me. I'm usually invisible to the people around me. Haha. So, Dohwa, I do not seek a response. I just wanted you to know that I've fallen for you since, and if you ever need someone, I'll be there."
"She sounds like a good person. Why not give her a chance?"
"No, thanks. I may seem desperate on the outside, but I'm actually a hopeless romantic. Maybe this generation simply isn't for me."
"Hopeless romantic...? I'm having a hard time trusting you, Dohwa."
"Stop using my name out of the blue! I get startled."
"As an idol trainee, you must hear it often. You're probably very popular among your peers."
A sea of quiet flooded between the two. After several seconds of exchanging mere breaths, he chuckled awkwardly.
"You could say that..."
"Why are you sharing your deepest insecurities with an absolute stranger, though?"
"Uh... it's better this way. Venting your problems to someone who doesn't know you. They're in no place to form judgements, or point fingers." He drew in a sharp puff of air, "And your heart feels lighter after finally letting everything out."
"So... you always open up to strangers?"
"Yeah. I have an anonymous account where I post my issues."
"Account? Like a bank account?"
"Come on... what universe are you living in?"
"You're so mean! How about you tell me what it is instead of making fun of me?"
"You're such an idiot. Why would I waste an opportunity to flame you?"
"Idiot? Idiot? Hah. I'll kill you."
"I'd love to see you try."
"This is why that girl left you for another guy."
"This is why Kai gave you the wrong number."
Y/N released a dramatic gasp. "You... you!"
"Need another insult? Burnt celery. Onion peel. Tapeworm. Cicada leg. Pick the one you like the most."
"...Onion peel." She muttered incoherently, "Why do you have to be a smartass!"
"You should call me daily, to be honest. I will teach you new comebacks, and you will wordlessly hear me bitch about the people I hate. You get a famous friend, and I get a human diary."
"And you'll pay the call money too? Right?"
That silenced him immediately.
"I work three jobs just to survive."
"Figured. I wouldn't use my allowance to call you every single day."
"Ouch. Can't you do it out of empathy? Kindness? Benevolence?"
Y/N genuinely weighed her options at his request. It wasn't like she had much to spend her money on, she also had plenty of time to spare once she was free from the academy, and... and part of her really wanted to befriend an idol trainee. Who knew how big he would become after his debut?
She hesitated a little. Her fingers curled around the cord while she chewed at her bottom lip.
"What do you say, miss?"
The answer danced at the tip of her tongue.
"...Okay."
And this was how the simple life of a teenager took a lethal turn.