⟶ iii.
「발화」Ignite
2005, March 2nd. 7:00AM.
Little Yixing showed him around the school, introducing him to new locations and people. A small girl wearing thick layers and framed glasses caught his eye, but he was disturbed.
“Uhm, Chanyeol.”
“Yeah?”
“Is it okay, if you find some other people to spend your breaks with?”
“Huh?” Chanyeol was taken aback at his request; Yixing didn’t seem so nice anymore. Was he ashamed already?
“I’m sorry, it’s just that,” he fiddled for the right words, “I'm different. I have something I need to deal with, you see. Sorry. And I’ve got to go now, bye!”
Chanyeol felt like a loner now.
Middle school was scarier than he thought.
He was just about to find Jongdae, his other new friend, and ask what he was doing at break. But then Jongdae followed Yixing, saying he had something he need to learn.
Chanyeol sat at a lunch table in the corner and ate his lunch alone.
2013, July 6th. 2:30PM.
Hojung gained permission from her mum to skip school today; she wasn’t keen for it.
Knowing Hojung’s hardships, her mum couldn’t help but pity her.
Hojung walked around Busan River taking photographs and snapping the smallest details in the early Friday afternoon. It was one of her hobbies.
Hojung took snaps continuously and suddenly the view from her camera changed and she almost jumped.
Chanyeol was also there.
His hair was in her camera lens and she gave a short chuckle.
She tapped the stranger’s shoulder and gave him a look, which caused him to frown, “What?”
Hojung fluttered her hand to give a symbol telling him to move a bit and when he did so, she bowed. Taking another shot.
Chanyeol smiled inside, missing her so much it tore him apart.
He knew he’d be hurt if he saw her again, but he held it in. Because it was worth it. It always was. Every single thing.
2008, November 27th. 5:46PM.
Two children were walking down the beach together, their feet engulfed by sand. They were happy, it was clearly seen. Like they meant the world to each other.
Together they were holding hands.
The boy was carrying the girl’s bag for her. He didn’t mind it one bit.
They ambled side-by-side chattering softly, and at times, silence was enough as a beauty to the both of them. It was a pleasure just to be there; next to the other.
They found a spot with a great view and decided that was where they’d have their picnic.
The girl had brewed up two cups worth of strawberry smoothies for the both of them and six sandwiches of different kinds. They were both big eaters. She also brought a present for him.
It was his birthday that day.
Sunset was coming as they both got out their identical cameras and gaped at each other. Realizing another interesting trait of the other; photographic skills.
They took silly shots of each other and captured the beautiful memory.
Finally sitting back down on the sand, the girl spoke up. “I can’t believe you chose to spend your birthday at a beach with me.”
“Why?”
“What about your family?”
His face turned serious and then he laughed again, “I needed your help with something.”
“Oh! What?”
“Help me confess to this girl.”
Ouch.
“Oh… okay! Sure!”
“So here,” he handed her a picture frame and lifted it to her face, the back of the frame was facing her, “Don’t turn it!”
She bit her lip, her tears threatening to fall and she held the picture frame closer to her face in an attempt at hiding her eyes. She lifted one hand up and wiped off a stray tear.
And there you go again, idiot. Of course he wouldn't like someone like you.
“So um yeah. I’ve been feeling this way for a while, but I’m not sure how to say it. Please stop being insecure and sad, it makes me angry with myself for not being able to make you happy. I hate seeing you cry and sometimes I want to be there for you, but I can’t be more then a friend. I love you. Will you be my girlfriend?”
The girl suddenly fell to the sand. She looked at him with two big wet eyes and forced a smile.
“W-Why are you crying?” he frowned.
She looked away and managed to say, “It’s perfect. When will you tell her?”
“I already did. I’m just wondering why she hasn’t replied.”
“What? Then why did you need me to help?”
“Are you really that naïve, Hojung?”
“What?”
He grabbed the photo frame and showed her, with a big grin. Then suddenly he placed the photo frame on the ground and took her in for her first kiss. Full of passion and beauty. They were dominating. Their lips fit perfectly.
And they parted, both red in the cheeks.
She gaped at him in disbelief and pointed at herself. “M-me?”
“Yes, you, you big idiot. The big idiot I’ve loved for years. So what do you say?”
She was still shocked but she couldn’t help but be in ecstasy. He did like her back. It wasn’t just a stupid feeling or anything; she knew it. She just didn’t believe in herself.
“Of course. I loved you for years too, you big giant. Why are you so late?”
Chanyeol chuckled sheepishly.
“Oh! And your birthday present.”
“Honestly, you already gave me the best birthday present,” he mused, causing her to blush.
“So cheesy!” she shrieked, but still blushed, “Anyway, here is your birthday present!”
Chanyeol immediately closed his eyes. “No! I don’t want to anything to go over the best birthday present I just received. No!” He pouted like a child.
She chuckled, “You’re such a child.”
“Well your boyfriend is a child then, whether you like it or not.”
“Hmpft,” her fail attempt at being angry was too cute as she flushed red and Chanyeol grew amused, pinching her cheeks.
“How about… let’s leave this as a new relationship present! We can share it,” she suggested.
He brightened, “Yes! Good idea, but I don’t know what it is.”
They both chuckled, while Hojung gave him a Polaroid camera, “It’s a limited edition.”
“Oh my. Hojung you didn’t have to!” he gaped, “Hey! Let’s take a couple picture before the sunset leaves us!”
And there they were, smiling the wildest and happiest grins, as they got a passerby to take the picture for them. They were destiny.
2005, April 22nd. 12:04PM.
Little Chanyeol wasn’t so lonely anymore. He has the bestest friends now. Kyungsoo, Yitao, Jongin and Sehun were always there for him; they were like brothers.
They were always together, and Chanyeol related to them because they also feel isolated because of the others.
One day, Chanyeol had accidently spilled a drink on the school bully’s pants. And he was in big trouble.
They were caught in a simple fight, with the bully threatening on every single part of Chanyeol’s life, even the little girl that caught his attention. He hadn’t known that little girl then, but he felt overprotective.
He felt like he had to stand up for her.
She wasn’t weak; he knew that. But she was still a human being.
He’d listen to the bully threaten him all year long, but he felt something inside him stir when the bully had mentioned her. Lee Hojung.
He suddenly felt overheated and angry, and he punched the bully so hard that he fell to the ground. Clutching his bleeding nose.
But the thing was. The bully was also burning.
Although it wasn't conspicious, Yixing obviously saw it as clear as day. He walked up to Chanyeol and pulled him away from the crowd, “I'm sorry man. But next lunch time, I reckon you might need to come with me.”
2013, July 6th. 4:50PM.
After he had ten attempts at it. She picked up.
“Is this Chanyeol?”
“N-nae-”
Diiiiiinnnngggg.
He doesn’t understand what he did wrong. But he hung up again.
2013, July 6th. 7:43PM.
After taking plentiful of shots of Busan River, Hojung went to a small grocery store at the end of the street.
There again, she met the same stranger.
They had reached for the same packet of ramyeon.
And when they looked at each other, they were both flabbergasted. Chanyeol hadn’t expected this. Nor did Hojung.
Chanyeol hadn’t expected to see her there, but he had purposely known she’d gone to Busan River that afternoon.
Hojung hadn’t expected to see him here, again.
Her eyes were wide.
She quickly got her belongings and rushed away from the grocery store. Right after paying for the things she bought, of course.
Chanyeol didn’t chase her.
He was lost for words.
He knew of two things.
She kept the picture they took with his – er, their – Polaroid camera in her wallet.
She recognized him.
He didn't know which one was worse.
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