Weekends at the restaurant were always busy. Going home for the weekend meant Jihoon spent more time serving customers than relaxing in his room, but he hadn’t really expected anything less. Saturday evening and Very Nice was bustling with customers during the rush hour. The building his mother owned was small, but it had large windows that overlooked Busan’s beautiful beach view, and had a homely and relaxed feel. Wooden tables with grilling stations had colorful fish painted on the surfaces and ocean themed decorations covered the walls. Even though their tiny store was dwarfed in comparison to the larger chains on the boulevard, it was the fresh and well-made food that attracted their customers and kept them coming. Their vegetables and fish were bought fresh from local markets and even though his mother was a self-taught cook her skills were on par with the more well-known chefs around the area.

The sun had disappeared below the sea by the time the rush hour ended and Jihoon finally got a chance to take a break. His work shirt was sticking to his back from the heat and the stain he had acquired from dropping hot soup had thankfully missed his new jeans and landed on his already dirty apron.

However, Jihoon didn’t mind how busy it had been. The busy work helped keep his mind off the events at school.

Jihoon slipped behind the front desk and grabbed a towel off the rack, wiping sweat from his face. Only a few stragglers were left finishing their meals. “Thanks for staying late, Umji.”

Since Jihoon had left for school his mother had hired an extra part timer, an energetic freshman by the name of Umji.  “You better pay me extra for the hours,” the short girl said, round face puffing into a pout. She viciously washed the dishes, stacking them up efficiently but ending up with more water on the floor than in the sink. “I still have homework I need to finish.”

Jihoon chuckled and handed the girl a towel. “Then go home and do your schoolwork. I’ll finish up here.”

She eyed him suspiciously. “Are you still going to give me extra pay?”

“Only if you finish your homework.”

A grin slipped onto her face and she playfully punched Jihoon in the arm. “You’re the best! Let me get my coat.” She disappeared into the back room, stopping to say goodbye to Jihoon’s mother who was in the kitchen. “Goodbye ma’am! Have a nice night!”

“Thanks for your help Umji! Take some soup and rice home for dinner,” his mother called through the window. Jihoon slipped on gloves and started on the rest of the dishes while Umji rushed towards the refrigerator to take home leftovers.

The doorbell rang and he heard Umji gasp out loud. “Oh my god, Jihoon!” She hissed, surprising him by grabbing his sleeve and shaking him. “Look who just walked in!”

Jihoon turned towards the door, drying his hands on a towel. When he saw who had walked through the door he froze. He felt like a bucket of cold water had been thrown over his head and he was suddenly thrown back into Pledis High.

Walking through the door was Lee Sowon. Every rumor about her didn’t even match up to how beautiful she was in person. He could see why she was so popular. Tall and thin like a model, she had long brown hair that curled perfectly at the ends, a dewy complexion and large, soft doe eyes. Even in a simple white t-shirt and designer jeans she caught eyes as she walked through the door. Even if one didn’t know who she was they could tell from the way she walked that she came from money.

“She’s so pretty,” Umji whispered, peeking over the counter. “And she’s tall too! Do you think she’s a model?”

“She is,” Jihoon said without thinking, his mind reeling. Why was Sowon in Busan? And why would she come to their restaurant?

Umji glanced at him in confusion. “Do you know her?”

“She goes to my school.” Sowon was standing in the doorway looking a bit lost. Jihoon knew he should go serve her, but he was frozen in his spot. After everything he did to come home for vacation it seemed like he couldn’t escape from Pledis.

“You mean Pledis High?” Umji gasped and leaned over the counter to get a better look. She whistled. “No wonder. She must be rich.” She shoved him suddenly and Jihoon stumbled in shock. “Aren’t you going to say hi if you know her?” She grinned and skipped towards the door, ignoring Jihoon’s flabbergasted gaze. “See you tomorrow, thanks for the food!”

Once she passed the door she smiled brightly at Sowon and chirped, “Just take a seat anywhere, dear! Jihoon’s going to serve you.” She waved cheekily in his direction before skipping out of the door.

Jihoon had to remind himself that he wasn’t at Pledis. This was his territory, not hers. Even though he knew he shouldn’t be scared or worried, it felt like a predator had just walked into his home. Steeling himself for the encounter, Jihoon put his apron back on and moved carefully towards her table. Even in her plain clothes he looked like a bum in comparison in his stained work attire.

Sowon had taken a seat near the table, looking like a model right out of a photoshoot. Once he had gotten closer, recognition lit up in her eyes. “Don’t I know you?” She asked, tipping her head to the side. “You go to Pledis, don’t you? Lee Jihoon.”

Jihoon tried not to grimace and forced a smile onto his face. “Yeah, I’m a junior. I transferred this year.”

She smiled kindly. He wasn’t expecting her niceness but he had heard she was incredibly polite and proper. “Lee Sowon, senior. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Really,” Jihoon said, unable to keep his voice from falling flat. He could only imagine what she had heard. He braced himself for the taunts.

But she just nodded pityingly. “Jeonghan’s got it out for you, doesn’t he? He’s quite tje handful…”

Jihoon wasn’t sure how to respond so he chuckled awkwardly. Hasty to change the conversation he motioned toward the menu. “What can I get for you?”

“I haven’t come here before, so what would you suggest?” Her smile was genuine but Jihoon couldn’t shake the feeling of wariness. She had been nothing but polite but this was still Lee Sowon.

The girl that was engaged to Kwon Soonyoung.

“Our seafood stew is the best on the block,” Jihoon said, voice taut.

“I’ll take two servings to go then, please.”

Jihoon wasn’t quite sure how he found himself sitting across from Lee Sowon but it wasn’t as uncomfortable as he would have expected it to be. After he had put in her order, he couldn’t help but feel bad as she waited by herself. So he had brought over some side dishes while she waited and somehow they ended up in a conversation and he had gradually joined her at the table without realizing it.

He had to make sure he didn’t get too comfortable. She was still a Gold, and Golds were not to be trusted.

“So you work here part time?” Sowon asked, using chopsticks to eat bits of kimchi.

“Oh, right. In my free time.” He had to remind himself who he was talking to. He didn’t want to tell her about his mother’s occupation in case she told everyone that his mother owned a small restaurant. As a Bronze it would surely connect that he was a scholarship student. As much as he didn’t want to follow Soonyoung’s words, he knew the other’s advice was probably smart.   

“That must be nice,” she said, almost wistfully. “I like cooking, but I only ever make food for myself,” she laughed. “At home we either eat out or have our chef cook for us.”

Jihoon nodded, trying not to show that he didn’t exactly suffer from the same troubles. “Why are you eating so late?” He asked, switching topics. It was well into the evening and most people, even those drinking, had gone home.

She shrugged and drank some of her water. “I’m used to eating late. My father always works late so I’m used to waiting for him to come home to eat. I’m only a business trip right now with him and it’s my first time in Busan.”

Even though Jihoon’s own mother was busy with the store, she made sure to have them eat together while he was in town. It helped them feel a little less distant. “Do you like it so far? Around these parts, it’s pretty small but we’ve got quite a view.”

“You sure do!” Sowon exclaimed, clasping her hands together and looking out onto the beach. “Honestly, I really love it here. I’ve lived in Seoul my whole life, but it’s always busy. Everyone’s always running to get somewhere. But here… It’s like the part of the adventure is getting to where you’re going. No one’s in a rush to arrive because then they’d miss out on everything around them. It’s almost like a dream...”

Jihoon followed her gaze, staring at the water as it slowly lapped onto the beach before receding. The sight of the beach reminded him of when he had first met Hoshi. The days before school had been some of the best of his life, and had been so magically perfect that they had felt like a dream.

But then he had woken up and had to face reality.

“Here’s your food, my dear.” Jihoon jumped when the bagged food landed on the table.

Sowon smiled and bowed politely. “Thank you so much. I’d best get going then.” She stood and took her things, holding out her payment but Jihoon’s mother shook her head.

“I don’t charge any friends of Jihoon,” she refused. Sowon insisted but the older woman merely told her to come back and visit when she had time.

“Thanks for talking with me Jihoon, I’ll see you at school next week!” The taller girl waved before she swept from the restaurant as gracefully as she had come.

Once she was gone Jihoon’s mother turned toward him. “A friend from school?” She asked.

Jihoon wasn’t even sure what to say. “Something like that.”

She smiled sympathetically, as if understanding his dilemma. She reached over and ruffled his hair playfully. “Let’s pack up and go home, kid.”

“Have you been playing the piano at school at all?” Jihoon was sitting at the table writing in some notebooks while his mother was sipping tea and reading a book.

“No… I’ve been too busy. I should focus on school anyway. Music isn’t going to get me anywhere.”

She smiled sadly over at her son. She stood up and leaned down to lay a gentle kiss on the top of his head. “Everything gets better… But sometimes, you have to be the one to instigate the change instead of waiting for it to happen.” She laid down a couple pieces of sheet music next to him before leaving the room. “Never give up on your dreams Jihoon.”

“Jihoon… Jihoon… Lee Jihoon!”

Jihoon jumped at the sudden assault on his ears. He glared at Umji, who was scowling at him across the counter. “I’ve been waiting for the order for table three for five minutes! What is wrong with you? You’ve been day dreaming all day!”

Jihoon hastily grabbed the dishes, rushing past her. “Sorry Umji… I’ve just had a lot on my mind.” It seemed like even going to work wasn’t able to distract him enough. After talking to Sowon the day before he couldn’t seem to get his mind away from Soonyoung and Pledis. He had to go back tomorrow and he wasn’t sure if he was ready to return. Back to reality again.

She rolled her eyes and stared pointedly at him. “I’m going to take a break now… Do you think you’re going to be able to manage the store for fifteen minutes?” She asked suspiciously.

“Hey, brat, I’ve been doing this longer than you,” Jihoon countered.

A grin slipped onto her face. “Don’t burn down the building!”

Jihoon made to throw something at her but she dodged and disappeared into the back cackling. Rolling his eyes with a smile on his face Jihoon turned back to the restaurant, determined to clear his head.

He had finally gotten back into the rhythm of working, his body on autopilot so that he didn’t have time to think. He had just finished delivering an order for a large table when the door rang and a man walked through the door.

The sight made Jihoon pause. The man was a strange sight. He was older, dressed head to toe in a designer suit with fancy shoes and a watch to match. He had his white hair brushed back and underneath his sunglasses his gaze was stern and sharp. The man oozed confidence as he strode through the restaurant, gaining looks from the restaurant customers. He stood out starkly in contrast to the soft environment around him and seemed to command respect.

“I’d like two servings of seafood stew please,” the man said, voice deep and strong. With his outfit he didn’t seem to fit into the restaurant at all and Jihoon wondered why he had come to their store when there were many more wealthy restaurants available.

“Sure, please wait. It shouldn’t be long,” Jihoon bowed politely and the man nodded stiffly. He didn’t move to take a seat and Jihoon saw him observing the store like he was analyzing it. Curious, Jihoon had never seen him before.

Luckily, they had a batch of stew that was already ready so Jihoon didn’t need to wait long to finish the man’s order. He was glad because the guy was creeping him out a bit. He seemed entirely too interested in his mother’s store and Jihoon couldn’t help but be protective.

“Is the chef in tonight?”

The request was strange. Anyone who was a friend of his mother knew to just walk back and say hello, or use the back door. But Jihoon had never seen this man before and he didn’t quite trust him. He tried searching the man’s face for any clues but his expression was controlled and his eyes were stoic and didn’t reveal any answers.

“No, she’s at the market,” Jihoon lied, taking a quick glance behind him to make sure his mother was out of sight in the kitchen.

The man nodded. He took his bag and placed a crisp fifty dollar bill on the table. As Jihoon began getting his change, the man suddenly placed a basket of expensive, individually wrapped fruit on the table.

“For the owner. Tell her I stopped by.” Before Jihoon could even give him the remaining money the man turned and strode from the store.

Jihoon was left flabbergasted in his wake. After he had left Jihoon tried to find a note or anything that could have signified who the man was, but there was just a single card left on the front.

Hope you’re happy.

Stay healthy,

LEE

“Lee Jihoon! Your mother and I have made an important decision!” Umji burst from the back room, followed by his mother who looked mildly amused.

“What is that?” Umji asked, scurrying to his side as she was easily distracted. She gasped out loud, eyes sparkling. “Strawberries! My favorite. Can I have one Mrs. Lee, please?”

His mother walked over to the basket curiously, taking a quick look. “Who’s this from?”

“I have no idea. Some strange guy just came by,” Jihoon said with a shrug. Umji was already breaking into the fruit and he sneakily grabbed a strawberry for himself.

“Oh, what I was saying before!” Umji said suddenly, turning on Jihoon. “Your mother and I have decided that you need a break!”

“What?” Jihoon blinked. “This is my break. I’m on break.”

She scowled, poking him harshly in the shoulder. “No, not a break from school. But a break from work. You’ve been working in the restaurant for almost all the hours you’ve been home for the weekend. Go outside and get some fresh air while you can before you have to go back to smelling the pollution of Seoul air!”

Jihoon chuckled out of amusement, but his mother smiled at him encouragingly. “She’s right. Just go outside and take an hour to yourself. You won’t be able to spend time on the beach for a while after this until break.”

Even though he didn’t mind working, he knew when he was beaten. If he didn’t agree his mother would kick him out of the building herself. “Alright, alright, I’m going.” He took off his apron and grabbed his jacket since it was getting colder out. He sent a sharp glare in Umji’s direction. “Don’t eat all that fruit without me,” he warned and she smiled angelically back.

As he exited the store he heard Umji ask who the gift basket was from.

His mother took the note card and read it quietly. She carefully slipped the card into her back pocket. “No idea,” she said.

The evening was chillier than Jihoon had thought, so he was glad he had remembered his jacket. The beach was peaceful because it was so late in the evening and it was nice to walk under the moonlight and feel the cool ocean breeze. Even though he had been at school for only a couple of weeks, it felt like it had been forever since he had been home. His mother had been right, he did need to relish this time while he could.

Before he had left for school and after what he termed the incident, he hadn’t wanted to go to the beach. It held too many memories, too much laughter and not enough answers. He felt like each time he went back he would be reminded of what could have been. Empty promises. The dream he hadn’t wanted to wake up from.

But now, being back on the beach, Jihoon still felt a sense of nostalgia and creeping sadness, but he also felt free. Watching the waves rise up the sand and retract back felt like the ocean was taking his fears and his sadness off his shoulders and taking them far away.

He knew he had to get over his anger and hatred. If he didn’t there was no way that he could move on. And he knew it was time. Jihoon need to move on from Hoshi because there was no chance of anything returning to what it had once been.

“Jihoon?”

Jihoon spun around, heart catching in his throat.

It was a face he knew in his heart, but his head was telling him he didn’t recognize. Someone that Jihoon had never thought he would see on this beach ever again. A voice that Jihoon had never thought would say his name so kindly and softly with his own lips. A dream put into reality.

Kwon Soonyoung stared at him from a couple of feet away. His usually neat brown hair was windswept and messy, and he stood shivering in a thin t-shirt and jeans like he had come quickly without thinking. He had his hand held out, as if he was almost trying to reach across the rift that separated them. The stoic, collected mask was gone. His emotions were splayed across his face; happiness, anger, sadness, hope… Everything Jihoon had been wishing to see for weeks. The real boy he had met on the beach.

“… Hoshi?”

(N/A: This took me forever

Can you tell I love cliff hangers ^^)