[CHAPTER 3]

" First Snow Without You "

In the town of Gwangju, fall was coming to an end and all the fallen leaves were a signal that winter was approaching. Since of lately, the weather have gotten much chillier to the point that the rain left over from previous nights would become ice the very next morning. As winter was approaching, students from all over were both highly anticipating the holidays yet also stressed at the same time.

The end of the year meant that the holidays were coming and winter break will start any time soon. It was one of the best time of year for most as they could finally get to meet with their friends and family before the new year. But at the same time, it could be stressful for both the students as well as the teachers who were preparing for the final exams before the semester ends.

The sky was rather gloomy that day and the time passed by rather slowly.

“I know that many of you are not only pressured by the amounts of school work from other classes but also the approaching exams before the break,” the young teacher stands in front of the class in order to leave his closing speech for his students in the last five minutes. “But remember, at the end of every hardship, comes happiness as well.”

He gave his tired students a gentle smile in which woke them up.

“I will be extending my hours after school for the rest of this week and next in order to answer any questions you all may wish to ask. I hope that I can help you guys study before the exams and best of luck to you all.”

“Stand,” the class representative got up and the rest followed. “Bow.”

“Thank you very much!” All the students said in unison.

Ding. Dong. Ding.

The class finally ended.

The young man gave one last bow before he left the classroom.

It’s finally over. He thought to himself as he walked back to the teachers’ lounge.

“Ya, Hakyeon-ah!” His shorter friend bounced on him right before he could even get to his desk.

“Minhyuk-ah, not so close,” Hakyeon tried to push the other away a bit. They were teachers and still in school after all. It’s quite embarrassing for Hakyeon.

“Che~ boring. So? How was class?” Minhyuk asked.

“The usual. Nothing much.”

“That’s even more boring. You need to do more fun things in your class or else your students are going to fall asleep in your class even more.”

“I see no problem with Mr. Cha’s lessons. It’s professional and informational,” another teacher joined them.

“That’s because you’re boring as well, Jung Eunji.”

“That’s Mrs. Jung to you.” Eunji nudged the playful Minhyuk who didn’t seem to know how to settle down.

“Okay, okay.” Minhyuk retreated a bit and readjusted his outfit. “So, you guys want to go out drinking tonight since it’s the weekends tomorrow.”

“I don’t know… I still have so much to prepare for the final exams.” Hakyeon was unsure.

“Just one night please? The semester is ending and you’re both so busy. The three of us haven’t gotten together in awhile,” Minhyuk pleaded with puppy eyes towards Hakyeon and Eunji.

Both of them looked at each other and sighed.

“Fine.” Hakyeon gave in.

“But only for tonight okay?” Eunji said strictly.

Honestly speaking, Hakyeon didn’t have many friends in Gwangju. He moved here a few years ago for college and during his college days, all he could think of was studying and becoming a teacher. So, he didn’t have many opportunities to make friends. But during his practicum, he was able to meet Minhyuk and Eunji who were from another college. The both of them also came into the same high school to do their practicums. That’s how Hakyeon was able to make friends in this unfamiliar city.

Lee Minhyuk is a very happy and active person. He is talented in many types of sports and as long as it has something to do with athletics, he would excel in it no problem. He later became the physical education teacher of the school.

Jung Eunji was a more stern and serious type of girl compared to Minhyuk. She was just as studious as Hakyeon but she was still warm hearted and gentle. Though her lessons were strict, her students would never be afraid to approach her and ask questions. They could rely on her and she would nurture them like a mother. She taught music and choir as well as the club coach for the school’s choir.

Both Minhyuk and Eunji were already friends for awhile before they met Hakyeon but eventually, they invited Hakyeon inside of their little group and the duo became a trio. It was a strange trio of friends and they didn’t seem like they were get along at all, but everything worked out in the end and Hakyeon became closer to the two of them.

“Cheers!” Minhyuk held up his beer mug for Hakyeon and Eunji to join him.

“Cheers!” Eunji and Hakyeon said.

“Honestly I can’t believe we’ve reached the end of our third year as teachers. It feels just like yesterday when the three of us met at the teachers’ lounge and getting started on our practicum.” Minhyuk laughed.

“Yeah. I still remember how timid Hakyeonie was when he first joined us.” Eunji said.

“I was nervous okay? Give me a break,” Hakyeon blushed a bit. “But I’m glad that I wasn’t the only practicum student at the time. I was worried I’d be the only newbie amongst the teachers.”

“Except Eunji here didn’t act like a newbie at all. Even the senior teachers were intimidated by her! Haha,” Minhyuk teased.

“Shush.” Eunji nudged Minhyuk.

The three friends laughed and drank all night long. The beginning until the end of a school year would always be busy for the three teachers who were still trying to learn to become a great teacher. Each one of them had their own styles and attitudes when it comes to teaching yet the three was still great friends. Hakyeon who was new to Gwangju was grateful to have met both Minhyuk and Eunji at the same time. The two helped him get accustomed to the new environment and made him feel more at ease each time he went to work. Without them, he would still be a bit awkward with people around him.

*  *  *  *  *  *

“I’ll be right back,” Hakyeon said as he went to the restroom.

“Okay!” Minhyuk said in a giddy voice, obviously getting a bit drunk already.

“I’m glad,” Minhyuk said as soon as Hakyeon was gone.

“About what?” Eunji questioned.

“He’s finally opening up to us a bit more now.”

“Hakyeonie?”

“Mhmm. I’ve been worried about him you know. He’s so easy to tease and his reactions are adorable but sometimes, it just feels like the distance between him and us, is so far apart.”

Eunji looked at the drunk Minhyuk and smiled.

“You’re right.” She said as she ruffled Minhyuk’s hair a bit.

“Do you think he’ll ever open to us completely?”

“I believe he will. Let’s just give him some time. I’m sure as long as we’re patient and staying by his side, he’ll open up to us completely one day.”

“I hope so. Sometimes he just looks so lonely, like he has so many stories to tell but isn’t telling it. You don’t even know how many times I’ve had to hold myself back from asking him about his past…”

“Minhyuk-ah,” Eunji said.

“Hmm?”

“You really care about him don’t you?”

Minhyuk smiled at Eunji brightly. Of course he cared a lot about Hakyeon a lot. Hakyeon wasn’t just a colleague from work but also a good friend.

“I’m back,” Hakyeon came back from the washroom.

“Welcome back!” Minhyuk glomped at Hakyeon’s return excitedly.

“What the? Are you drunk already?”

“Nope. I just love you a lot ~ our Hakyeonie!”

 *  *  *  *  *  *

Minhyuk was so drunk, I hope he’s alright. Hakyeon thought to himself as he got off the bus stop and made his way back home.

The sudden night breeze made him shiver as his breath became obviously visible. The weather was changing drastically as they reached winter.

Hakyeon zipped up his jacket and rubbed his hands together to stay warm. He walked a little faster to reach his apartments but as he looked up into the night sky, he stood still to stargaze. His little neighborhood was further away from the main city and the hill felt as if he was close to the stars. As it was the middle of the night, the stars above were more visible than ever.

Then, without knowing, Hakyeon teared up.

“What is wrong with me suddenly?” He asked himself as he tried to wipe away the tears. Was the starry night so beautiful for him to cry? Was it the alcohol that was making him more emotional than ever?

Hakyeon decided to walk the alcohol off instead of returning home right away. He wanted to enjoy the night sky just a little more in the quiet little neighborhood. Ever since he moved to Gwangju, days were always so peaceful. Not only did he manage to make friends with Minhyuk and Eunji but his neighbors were all very friendly towards him. Never did he feel that he was alone or outcasted, unlike back home…

Don’t think about it anymore, let the past be the past now. Hakyeon reminded himself.

“Huh?” Hakyeon looked back up the path he was strolling about and realized he walked into a route he usually doesn’t take.

In this small neighborhood up the hills was a secluded corner that was hidden in the back of everything else. It was the streets where the shops were no longer there and all the old residence have moved away to the bigger and more crowded cities. This neighborhood used to have a lot more people living up here but as the children grew older, each of them decided to make a living in the cities or go to college elsewhere.

The quiet route was echoing in silence. No light really reached this part of the neighborhood anymore except the unsettling street lamp that stood by the corner building, flickering from time to time.

Then, Hakyeon noticed a sign in front of the corner building – ‘SOLD’ it read.

“No way.” Hakyeon walked up towards the sign to make sure he wasn’t reading it wrong. “Did someone really buy this shop?”

This corner building used to be a convenience store but because it was so secluded, no one ever cared about it. Eventually, the owner lost interest in operating the store and has been trying to sell the location to someone. As far as Hakyeon can remember, this building was vacant for as long as he was living in this neighborhood.

“Why would anyone buy this place?” Hakyeon questioned.

This place was just so far from anything or anyone that it wasn’t an ideal place to operate any type of business…

*  *  *  *  *  *

The weekends ended faster than Hakyeon had hoped. He felt like it was over before it even begun as he spent the day after drinking with Minhyuk and Eunji, in bed while trying to sober up all day. He slightly regretted going out for a drink with the two friends since he had a huge headache the day after.

Monday was here once again and his alarm woke him up in order to get ready for another week of work. He took a morning shower as usual, ate a quick breakfast and headed off to work after greeting his neighbors. As he got ready faster than usual, he had time to take his bike to work instead of taking the bus, which would help him save some money. Every penny saved up would be quite helpful.

Usually the bus ride would take fifteen minutes to get to his work and riding his bicycle would take twice as long as that but Hakyeon didn’t mind it. It was a good way to save money and keep active at the same time.

As he rode his bicycle to work, he decided to past by the corner route. He was just curious to make sure he wasn’t dreaming about the secluded store being sold finally.

Just as he arrived at the corner store, Hakyeon was surprised to see a moving van already there in front of the store. There were movers already there bringing boxes and furniture into the empty store. Hakyeon couldn’t believe how fast the store was opening up already. What kind of store could it be?

Like every other day of the week, the day ended as per usual. Nothing special happened and his classes were over rather quickly since everyone was busy with finals approaching.

“Goodbye Mr. Cha!” Some of his students bowed as they left their classrooms.

“Goodbye. Good luck with studying,” Hakyeon encouraged them.

They’re always so bright and young, Hakyeon thought as he saw how cheerful the students were and running home as soon as class has ended. I sound like an old man, haha… he chuckled to himself.

He noticed the sky has turned grey and covered with thick clouds. A chilling breeze entered the teachers’ lounge as Hakyeon sat his desk to finish up some work before returning home. All the other teachers have already left home for the day and Hakyeon decided to stay a bit longer to finish up preparing the exams.

He got up to close the windows and as soon as he closed them, the strange greyish and pink sky drew him in. This year was colder than usual but it was beautiful nonetheless. As he watched the sky for the minute, he couldn’t help but reminiscence a bit about home and about the past…

Before his eyes grew teary once more, the door opened.

“Mr. Cha? You’re still here?” The school security guard came in. “We’re about to lock the gates.”

“Ah, yes. Sorry about that. I’ll be done now.” Hakyeon quickly finished up his work and left the school in a hurry.

As he was returning home, his stomach growled loudly to remind him to restock on some groceries and baked goods to eat for his breakfast. Even if he wasn’t making a lot of money as a teacher of a public school, he still has to eat.

“This should be enough for the rest of the week. I hope.” Hakyeon said delightfully as he looked at the bags of groceries he got.

“Oh, Hakyeon-ah?” His landlord passed by as Hakyeon was walking back home.

“Good evening, ma’am.” Hakyeon greeted.

“Did you just go to the super market?” She asked while she noticed the young man holding a few bags.

“Yes.”

“Have you seen the new store that’s replacing the old convenience store building?” She asked.

“No, not yet. I saw that they were moving things this morning though.”

“Oh? Then you might be in for a surprise. It’s just a store you might like.”

“What do you mean?”

“A young man earlier dropped by to give everyone a flyer. Here, take a look.” She handed Hakyeon a piece of paper.

“B-bookstore?” Hakyeon read on the headlines.

“Yes! You like reading don’t you? So I thought you would be the first one to visit there. The young man said he’s collecting new and old books for the place as a reading corner.”

“Old books too?”

“Mhmm. You should give it a visit once it is open. It seems like just the right place for you. Plus, the young man there is quite handsome! To think our little neighborhood has two handsome young men now!” The landlady joked.

Hakyeon must admit, he was even more curious now that he has learned about what type of store the corner building has become. Just looking around his own room, anyone could tell that Hakyeon was a book lover. When he first moved to this apartment complex, he only brought a few books from his hometown but over the years, he bought more and more. It was to the point where he knew that he has to stop at some point. Especially when he thinks about potentially moving away from the apartments, Hakyeon was sure that all his books would give the movers a headache.

But now, he had a new place to go to fulfill his literature cravings.

“I wonder what type of books that place would have…”

He grew a bit impatient and as soon as he finished his dinner, he took his jacket and headed outside once more. It was already quite late and most of the shops nearby were closing but Hakyeon just wanted to take a peek. A small peek at the new place he might end up calling it a haven.

Just a few blocks down from his apartment and right around the corner was the store. He approached it with a bit of caution since he didn’t know what to expect but as he stood in front of the store, he read the plain wooden signs that were on top of the shop already – BOOKSTORE.

“Pfft.” Hakyeon couldn’t help laugh at the tacky looking sign and simple title for the shop. Anyone could tell what type of business this would be just looking at the sign above.

Hakyeon walked a bit closer and noticed that most of the curtains were down, so he couldn’t take a good glance of the interior from outside. But he saw through a small gap left by the curtains, boxes and boxes were piled on top of one another at the center of the store. He knew right away what those books contained and his heart began to race. Books, books and even more books. Just thinking about how excited he became at the sight made him feel rather embarrassed at how much of a nerd he suddenly became.

I can’t wait until this place finally opens up, Hakyeon thought to himself as he took one final glance at the shop before turning back home.

“Huh?”

Hakyeon noticed that as he turned around, white petals began to fall from the sky or more precisely, snow.

It was the first snow of the year and the sky was an enchanting dark pink and purple color that night. The snowy sky brightened the night and thought it was a bit chillier than usual, the sight was just too mesmerizing for Hakyeon to take his eyes off of it.

Once more, he thought to himself… This is the third year already, the third year in which we couldn’t watch the first snow together.

Whenever Hakyeon looked up at the winter skies, he couldn’t help but think about home. Even though he could not return home for particular reasons, he still missed it a lot. His family, his friends and all of his memories were back in Changwon after all. He loved Gwangju too but it just wasn’t the same as his hometown.

Hakyeon was about to cry from his nostalgia but before a single tear could fall, an obnoxious sound came from behind.

Clank. Clank. Clank.

The noise surprised Hakyeon and he immediately turned back to see where the noise was coming from. A few empty tin cans were strung together and hung by the door as if it was a wind chime, except the sound was far from pleasant.

A young man, similar to Hakyeon’s height, walked out from the closed corner bookstore. The man took notice of Hakyeon dumbfounded expression and standing there in front of the shop.

“What are you doing outside of my store?” The man asked.

“Your store?” Hakyeon asked back.

“Uh, yeah. My store.” The man looked at Hakyeon from top to bottom and bottom to top again.

He let out a deep sigh.

What is it? Hakyeon thought to himself at the strange and awkward encounter.

“To think, I would end up watching the first snow with a man.”

“W-what?” Hakyeon was slightly offended.

The young man stepped forward next to Hakyeon and looked up at the snowy sky. He let out his hand and turned his palm to face the sky. One by one, the snowflakes melted within his palms.

Hakyeon was speechless as he looked at the young man who stood next to him. He was indeed really handsome and he totally matched the beautiful winter scenery. It was as if Hakyeon was standing in front of a painting, he stood there for a minute and was completely mesmerized by it - the first snow of the year and the young man who came out from yet-to-open bookstore.

*  *  *  *  *  *

A/N: Updates are a bit slow for this fanfic but please be patient, because there's much to come and tell in the future. The original storyboard is actually finished for this fanfic! But let's see how much of it I'll actually stick until the end LOL