Six Years Ago

Summer in Seoul

To: Santokki Dara

I’m outside already. Come out quick. We’re going to be late.

      I lean against the rented car in front of the packed residential hill where Sandara’s family house is. The quietness and the stillness of the neighborhood under the moonlight was relieving as opposed to the fishing province I just came back from.

      No way was I spending the whole of summer with my father.

      Yongbae was in California with his brother, Los Angeles to be precise, to attend the fan memorial of Michael Jackson, who had passed away some weeks after our final exams. Yongbae’s brother had invited me along, free of any costs, but the mere idea of joining them embarrassed me.

      I wasn’t as financially capable to be eligible for such a trip. I never will be.

      So I declined.

      “Oppa,” Dara’s loud whisper took me out of my day dream and I smile seeing her in simple pants and a t-shirt.

      “Quickly before they hear us,” I open the passenger door for her to get in, and hop onto the driver’s seat.

      She giggles, “We sound like we’re eloping or something.”

      “Won’t that be amazing though?” I wiggle my eyebrows at her, making her smack my shoulder swiftly. I grin. “Imagine we could leave all of this behind and just go? Start from scratch.”

      “You know that won’t happen.” She shakes her head playfully while looking around the interior of the car. “If I get lucky, I might get sent to Russia with the ballet house after graduation.”

      Does she really have to go there?

      I sigh. “I know, I was just teasing you. Right. What do you think about the car? y?”

      “It’s really cool,” She bounces on her chair, beaming. I smile too as I drive towards the southern beach. “I thought you were returning it when you get back from the province?”

      “I wanted to take you out before that. Impress you a little.” I wink and she flushes red, lightly pushing me. She is so cute.

      “Why would you impress me? It’s not like I’m your girlfriend.” She mumbles.

      “Do you want to be?” I .

      “What? No I don’t… I mean yes, but… I can’t… No.” She stutters, making me laugh out loud. “Don’t laugh at me.””

      “If I didn’t know you better, I’d be hurt. You do want to be my girlfriend, though.”

      “I do not.” She pouts.

      “Do so.”

      “Do not.”

      “Do so.”

      “Do no-“

      “Santokki,” I cut her off with a chuckle. “I know you like me.”

      It doesn’t take long for her arm to hit me, and my chuckle dissolves into another round of laughter. “You are such a narcissist. Why do you think I like you? I don’t!”

      “Because I like you.”

      She doesn’t say anything, so I sneak a look at her. Her whole face is tomato red, and she’s biting her lips so hard, fighting back a smile. My heart beats furiously at the scene and I grin.

      “Why? The cat at your tongue?”

      “This is not funny.” She mumbles.

      “Who said I’m joking? I really like you.”

      She goes even redder if that is possible and digs her face in her hands. “Stop.”

      “If you didn’t like me, then why are you reacting this way, Santokki?” I ruffle her hair just to annoy her, still grinning and arriving at our destination. “I want you to be my girlfriend too.”

      She sighs then fans her face, looking anywhere but me. I on the other hand, keep on monitoring her every move, enjoying it immensely. “Oppa, you are so not romantic.”

      I pout. “But I got you to the bea