“Mmmm~! So good!!!” Hyun took another big bite, stuffing his face with his favorite cake. 

Yoo-jin stared, his mouth hanging wide open as he watched Hyun inhale the cake in his hands. Did they starve him or something? Pitying the boy, Yoo-jin quietly slid the other snacks piled between them towards Hyun. 

“Glad you like it.” 

“What made you want to share your snacks?” Hyun asked, tilting his head at his new friend.

Yoo-jin shrugged, glancing at the blue ocean in front of them. “Why not?”

“Hmm. I thought you didn’t like me.”

“Why?”

“Because you were being so snarky!”

“And you weren’t?” Yoo-jin asked, raising an eyebrow as Hyun’s cheeks grew pink.

“I just matched your attitude….”

“Right.” 

“Anyways, I think you’re a good kid. Sorry if I came off rude. I thought you were planning on stealing my seashell based on past experiences.”

Yoo-jin raised an eyebrow at Hyun’s comment. Did he not realize they were both kids? “What makes you think I’m a ‘good kid?’” 

“Normally, people don’t offer to share cakes from Cupid’s! Anyone who does, is automatically a good person in my book.” Hyun replied with a content huff.

“That obsession with sweets hasn’t gone away, huh?” Yoo-jin muttered under his breath, shooting a look at Hyun, who stared back like an innocent chipmunk with his stuffed cheeks. 

“What?”

“Nothing. So, people steal seashells around here?”

Hyun nodded enthusiastically, “Yup! The neighborhood kids are obsessed with collecting unique shells. They get into fights all the time.”

“Interesting….”

“You’ve been looking at me weird since earlier. Do I have something on my face?” Hyun asked, wiping around his mouth with the back of his hand.

“You just remind me of someone.”

“Who?”

“This girl from my hometown– she moved away to a different country so she can be with her crush. Isn’t that crazy?”

“Eh? How old is she?”

“Thirty-one.”

“Really?! That noona* seems pretty cool.”

“… Of course you’d think that.” Yoo-jin replied dryly as he took a sip of his juice box. Yup, Hyun definitely wasn’t a normal kid. Yoo-jin had never met a child who thought a 31-year-old was a “noona.” Anyone over the age of ten was somehow ancient in their eyes.

“What’s that supposed to mean?! You don’t think it’s romantic?” Hyun asked, baffled by Yoo-jin’s lackluster reply.

“How is that romantic? It’s giving stalker vibes. The guy barely knows her.”

“But what if he does know her, and you just don’t know it?”

“What?”

“I’m just saying… Not everyone knows what goes on in a relationship.”

Dumbfounded, Yoo-jin stared at Hyun as if the 7-year-old had grown a pair of horns. Was Hee-yoon referring to that “situationship” that she supposedly had with the actor? That hardly constituted a relationship! Yoo-jin clicked his tongue, too irritated to continue this conversation. Forget it! There’s no way I’ll get through that thick skull of his. Plus, I don’t want to get into an argument when it’s taken me three long years to find this idiot. 

Clearing his throat, Yoo-jin offered a dry smile, “I guess you’re right.”

“Glad we’re on the same page! Hey, wanna help me collect more seashells after we finish our snacks?” Hyun asked, finishing the last of his cake.

“Sure, I don’t mind. I’m done eating, anyway.”

“Great! Ready?” Hyun sweetly asked, glancing at Yoo-jin who nodded his head, “Follow me!”

Sticking his hand in his pocket, Yoo-jin touched the earring that Hades had given him as he followed Hyun closer to the shore. Yoo-jin couldn’t explain it, but he just knew that this kid was Hee-yoon— like some higher being was assuring him that his hunch was correct.

Whew. I guess it’s finally time to put this thing to use and get us back home. Flicking his eyes towards Hyun, Yoo-jin froze in his tracks. He couldn’t look away from the little boy’s carefree expression. It was the first time in years since Yoo-jin had seen his best friend so content and happy with life. 

A pang of guilt quickly spread through Yoo-jin. He watched Hyun wade through the calm waves, giggling at how the water was tickling the bottom of his feet. What if God was right about how history wouldn’t repeat itself in this lifetime? If that’s true, there’s no harm in letting Hee-yoon stay here with Song Yoo, right? At least she’ll be happy here. 

Yet, Hades’ warning lingered in the back of Yoo-jin’s mind like a looming threat. Gritting his teeth, the child firmly shook his head. No, don’t get swayed by Hyun’s smile! The longer we stay here, the more dangerous it’ll be for the both of us!

Pulling out the golden ear cuff from his pocket, Yoo-jin was about to summon the portal to the Underworld when he was suddenly pushed into the shallow waters along the shoreline. Surprised, Yoo-jin glanced up to see a jeering, rotund boy staring back at him. 

“What have we here?”

“…”

Yoo-jin rolled his eyes at the child’s condescending tone. I’m too old to be getting into a fight with a kid. Ignoring the boy, Yoo-jin tightened his grip on the ear cuff but paused, his cheeks paling at the sudden realization. His heart in his throat, the 7-year-old desperately felt the sand beneath him. Oh no, where is it? Shit, shit, shit!!! Eyes wide with panic, Yoo-jin dug through the sand, hoping that the waves hadn’t stolen the one device that guaranteed his ticket back home. 

“This gray* thinks he can ignore me? Hey!” The older child growled, kicking Yoo-jin’s back, “Get off this beach. You’re not welcome here.”

Before Yoo-jin had a chance to respond, a flash of movement whooshed past him. Tackling the pudgy boy onto the sandy wasteland, Hyun sat on top of the bully’s plump tummy, his small fists pulling at the screaming boy’s hair.

“Hey, Kim Jae-ho! What did you say, you nitwit?! Say that again, I dare you!”

“Let go of me!!! It hurts!” The plump kid whimpered, fighting to save his hair from Hyun’s iron grip. 

“Say it! Why can’t you say it, huh?!” 

“What the heck?! It’s not like I said it to you!”

“So you think that makes it okay?! Didn’t your parents teach you that that word is worse than any swear word?!”

“What’s so bad about calling a gray, gray?! Look at his eyes! They’re dull, with no ounce of color! Disgusting!” Jae-ho fumed, glaring at Yoo-jin with such hatred in his eyes.

“You still haven’t learned your lesson—!”

“What did a ‘gray’ ever do to you?” Yoo-jin asked, still on his hands and knees. He coldly studied the cowering boy with a stern, unwavering gaze. “No one else cares that I’m here except you.”

“T-That’s because they haven’t seen your eyes yet—.”

“You should be apologizing, but here you are yapping away.” Yoo-jin sighed, placing his hands on the sides of his hips, “I lost my earring ‘cause of you, so go in there and find it. I’d move quickly if I were you.”

“What?!” Jae-ho snapped, shoving Hyun aside as he loomed over Yoo-jin, “Why should I do that?”

“Are you stupid? I just told you why.”

“I don’t need to listen to a freaking gray like you! Get off this beach!”

“Your loss.” Yoo-jin shrugged as he glanced at the police officer, who was cycling through the pier above them. “Hey, Hyun, start crying.” 

On cue, Hyun started rolling on the ground, wailing loudly as Yoo-jin also started crying in unison. Surprised by the sudden cries, everyone turned their attention to the small group. The two 7-year-olds smirked, crying louder as Jae-ho stood frozen in place.

“H-Hey! Stop it! You think anyone’s gonna care—?!”

“What’s going on here? Why are you two crying?” The police officer asked, dashing towards the children while Hyun’s and Yoo-jin’s parents also rushed over.

“Hic...! This hyung said a very bad word to my friend and started to kick him! I tried to make him stop, but he just kept calling Yoo-jin ‘gray, gray, gray!’ WAAAH!” Hyun blubbered, throwing a stellar performance while Jae-ho looked on in utter disbelief.

“Jin, is this true?” Yoo-jin’s mother asked, staring at the visible, sandy foot mark on Jin’s lower back. Swallowing hard, her trembling fingers lightly brushed across her son’s back.

“Mhm. It hurts.”

“That’s not true! This kid jumped on me and started to pull my hair out!” Jae-ho protested, his orange-red eyes wavering at the accusations against him as he pointed to Hyun. 

His lips quivering, Hyun crawled to his mother, hugging her leg tightly. That tattle-tale! Hmph, it’s already too late, sucker! No one’ll believe a bully like you! Peeking a glance at Jae-ho, Hyun stuck out his tongue before quickly hiding behind his mother. Yoo-jin wanted to laugh but held it in, feigning whimpers as he showed off his lower back to the officer.

“So, it’s not true that you called him a gray and kicked him? Be honest.” The officer said sternly, his pale lilac eyes fixed on the bully’s perturbed face.

“I… I did call him a gray, but so what?! It’s not like I’m wrong! My mom said to stay away from kids like him!”

The officer sighed, massaging his temples. With heavy footsteps, the officer helped the older boy to his feet, “Jae-ho, I’m very disappointed in you. This is the fourth time you’ve bullied the neighborhood kids this week. What would the chief say? Come with me, you’re going to the police station.” 

“What?! Why???”

“You need a serious talk with your father and—.”

“Please, don’t tell my dad! I’m sorry! I won’t do it again!”

“Would it be all right if we all tag along?” Hyun’s father asked, his usually kind face twisted in an angry frown.

“Of course. I’ll call the chief so that we can arrange a room at the station to have a proper discussion.”

Hyun and Yoo-jin glanced at each other, both smiling deviously as they followed their parents to the police station nearby.

~~***~~

“Are you okay?” Hyun asked, tapping Yoo-jin’s shoulder with his own.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

“I just feel bad for… you know.” Hyun jerked his head at the heated discussion taking place next door. 

“You feel bad for him?”

“Huh?! No! I meant you. That you had to go through that.”

Yoo-jin shrugged his shoulders, munching on a sandwich that the officers bought for them, “Eh, I couldn't care less. I’ve experienced worse than this.”

“But you’re so young….” Hyun muttered, his shoulders drooping.

“Who said it was in this life?” Yoo-jin quietly mumbled to himself and ignored Hyun's pitiful gaze. I can't even eat a sandwich in peace.

“You say that, but you look super mad….”

“I’m angry about something else.”

“Oh, is it your lost earring?”

“Yeah, it was super important and precious to me. It was my ticket back home.”

“…? Ticket?”

“Yeah, well, it doesn’t matter anymore. I’m getting pissed off just thinking about it, so no more questions.”

“Okay.”

The two boys silently sat in their seats, munching on their sandwiches while listening to the muffled conversation behind them. Hesitantly, Hyun snuck another glance at Yoo-jin, who kept sighing as he ate. 

“Erm… This is awkward to ask, but wanna be friends?” Hyun shyly asked, his cheeks turning a rosy pink as he fidgeted in his seat.

“Aren’t we already friends?”

“W-We are?!”

“It’s fine if you don’t want to–. Ack!”

Yoo-jin held onto his chair for dear life as Hyun tightly hugged him. Glancing at the red roses circling his best friend, Yoo-jin let out a small smile. Although he had lost his ticket back home, maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t a bad idea to stick around Hyun for a while. 

SIDE NOTE:

*Noona: Korean for “older sister.” Noona is the masculine form, so it is used by males when referring to their older sister or female friends who are older. 

*Gray: The term ‘gray’ in this world carries the same negative connotation as racial slurs. Since those with “normal” or “dull” eye colors (I.e. brown, black, or gray) are considered the minority, many countries have launched a global campaign to end the discrimination and stigmatism associated with these features. So, the use of the term ‘gray’ is strictly forbidden and may result in a hefty fine if used repeatedly.

**NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.**