Oddly, since Minseok had risen that morning, he felt apprehensive. His worry persisted even after he finished breakfast and as he watched his father play peek-a-boo with Minseo whilst his mother prepared lunch boxes.

Minseok still could not shake off the bad feeling as he and his father got into their car. The whole ride to school, he stared down at his hands, at the spots where he had once been injured. His wounds had healed quickly, as though Jongdae’s kisses had done their effect. Right – he will be okay upon seeing Jongdae. He will ask his best friend what to do about his niggling concern. Jongdae always had solutions to everything.

Shortly after his father drove off after dropping him at school, Minseok sprinted across the grounds and into the kindergarten building. He did not stop running until he reached his classroom. He maneuvered his way through a crowd of his classmates to get to his and Jongdae’s seats, eager to locate his best friend waiting for him as he read a book to kill time, or as he looked in the direction of Minseok. He could not wait to see Jongdae’s dazzling smile –

Minseok finally arrived at their seats at the back row of the room, panting from all the running – only to find the chairs empty.

Where was Jongdae?

Over the class hours, Minseok stayed alert so that he could catch Jongdae’s sight or hear his voice. Perhaps Jongdae was stuck in a traffic jam, or he was sick.

Morning passed without Jongdae. Minseok began to accept the fact that Jongdae was not coming to school today. His worry intensified. Was Jongdae okay?

During lunch, Minseok extracted his lunch package from his bag and went to sit at his and Jongdae’s regular bench in the playground. He ate without really tasting the food. His eyes swept his surroundings over and over again. Maybe Jongdae would surprise him by appearing behind him, or maybe when he would go back to the classroom, Jongdae would be sitting on his chair.

He should have asked for Jongdae’s telephone number. How silly he has been for not remembering about it sooner! They have been friends for such a long time and he did not have his best friend’s number. He was stupid. He hit himself on the forehead with his plastic lunch container.

No sooner had the container touched his forehead than he recalled Jongdae’s words.

“If I disappear one day, will you promise to be happy without me?”

Minseo