Twenty minutes by bus outside of Busan, the familiar residential streets welcome Ki Tae with nostalgic memories around every corner. Red brick walls, three-storey apartments. The three of them have spent their childhood running around the park, and their teenage lives up to no good. Returning here feels like a stagnant dream that he wishes he could wake up from.

His feet lead him to a house that he frequented in the past. A house that holds bittersweet memories and regrets. As he stands in front of the house, his stomach churns at the words that Ha Yoon has said that night.

“We should all have a proper reunion. You, me, Dae Won.”

A chill runs down his spine.

Didn’t think I’d ever hear that name again… Ki Tae’s shoulders stiffen. Until when will you haunt me? Haunt us?

“Oh my, isn’t it Ki Tae?” A middle-aged woman approaches the house. “Oh my, oh my! It’s really you!”

Ki Tae turns to greet the woman with a warm smile, “It’s been a while, Mrs. Yu. How are you doing?”

“Look at you! All grown-up!” Yu Cha Eun beams, “Come in, come in!”

“Oh, no, it’s alright. I was just passing by.” Ki Tae pauses before carefully asking, “I wanted to see how Ha Yoon is doing.”

“Ha Yoon? He moved out a while ago, didn’t he tell you?”

Ki Tae contemplates on keeping the truth but before he can say anything, Cha Eun continues.

“I guess, he’s been doing his best. Ever since Dae Won… passed away, it’s been rough. We’ve gone to many therapists and doctors, and he has gotten better but who knows what that boy is keeping to himself…” Cha Eun sighs, “He says that he’s alright, but I hope he’s not forcing himself too much.”

Listening to Cha Eun’s voice brings back the memories of their childhood again. The many days they spent in each other’s house, laughing, smiling… 

Ha Yoon’s beautiful smile.

Broad and genuine. Eyes wrinkling up. Bleached hair curling around his face and draping over thin shoulders. If Ki Tae can only look at one thing for the rest of his life, he won’t hesitate to lay his eyes upon Ha Yoon.

“He hasn’t changed his phone number,” Cha Eun’s voice brings him back to the present. “I know it hasn’t been easy for you either… The three of you were such good friends. But I hope that you will stay in touch. Ha Yoon really loves you too.”

As a friend.

Ki Tae forces a smile. “Thank you, Mrs. Yu.”

He bids Yu Cha Eun farewell and makes his way down the street. Two blocks down, another familiar house. He stops just around the corner, unable to walk any closer even though the Park family has moved out when Dae Won died.

I don’t regret it. We were friends. 

But I wanted more. 

You had Ha Yoon…

Ki Tae breathes in the cool air and turns away from the house.

But I wanted him.

He sits at the bus stop, headphones blasting his band’s new music but his mind wanders back to Ha Yoon’s sweet smile. His stomach jumps. His heart burst with affection. The feelings he has been holding for Ha Yoon all these years has never gone away at all even after he willingly disappeared from Ha Yoon’s life. He had tried everything to forget about Ha Yoon. Traveled around the country, worked at multiple places, met with many different people, but at the end of the day, his heart returned to where it had always meant to be: with Ha Yoon.

Perhaps, one could say Ki Tae is heads over heels for Ha Yoon but he knows that’s wrong.

He’s obsessed with Ha Yoon.

From the first time they met as children, all through their teenage years, and now meeting again as adults, Ki Tae knows without a doubt or hesitation that he will go up against anything and everything to make Ha Yoon smile.

Ki Tae pulls out his phone.

Three hours before their concert tonight.

He hopes that Ha Yoon will show up. No, he knows that Ha Yoon will. After all, Ha Yoon still believes in Dae Won and has no reasons to doubt the perfect picture he has painted of the man. Ha Yoon will come to the concert for Ki Tae as a friend.

And Ki Tae intends to show him truly the extent of his love all these years.

He slides off the screen and shoves the phone back into his pocket. A smile tugs the corner of his lips. Now that Dae Won is out of the picture, this will be their story. Ha Yoon and Ki Tae.