20.12.2015 (Present Shopping)
Winter WonderlandYoungjae has been running around for ages, the wish list of his little brother Junhong in his hand. The first line says 'To Santa Claus' in Junhong's wobbly handwriting but he's good enough. A couple of items are already crossed out because their parents already bought them but there are plenty of things left for him to buy. Right at the top of the list is a Pikachu toy, Youngjae knows that Junhong wanted to have one since months and he asked his parents to leave this gift for him as a special present. He wants to see Junhong's sparkling eyes when he rips off the wrapping paper, knowing that this present is from his big brother.
The only problem is, he can't find any. He was so busy with University that he has no other chance than doing last-minute shopping and maybe that was a mistake. He bumped into people who are in an equal hurry like him, his mood is on the lowest point possible and he's almost losing hope to find a precious Pikachu. He's been in all toy stores around the town but all shelves were deserted, Youngjae feels frustrated.
With a hot coffee in his hand and his mobile phone in the other, he's searching for stores close by that could maybe sell the desired gift, this is his last resort or else he has to think of something different to give to his brother. Of course, he already bought Junhong a new pair of shoes and toy cars and it's already enough on top of the mountain of presents their parents bought for Junhong but Youngjae wants this one thing to work out.
Luck seems to be on his good side because he finds a large store that sells plush toys only a short walk from where he is, he decides to try his luck with this one. The store is huge and has two floors, suddenly Youngjae finds himself surrounded by fluffy and cute plushies of all kinds and he feels like a little child again for a moment. On the top floor he almost jumps in joy because they really have a whole section just for Pokemon, there are the little plushies as far as his eyes can reach. He walks around the shelves in search for the yellow monster that Junhong loves so much but he can't find any. Or rather, he can't find any in a suitable size.
There are a few plush toys so huge that Youngjae is sure it will be even bigger than Junhong himself. Youngjae looks at the price tag and thinks for a moment, his mother will probably shout at him if he brings a toy this big but it seems like all the smaller Pikachu's are already sold out. He really wants to see Junhong's smile so he picks up the huge plush toy and carries it to the check out. It's so big that Youngjae can barely see where he's walking and just on his way down the unavoidable happens, he bumps into someone, almost knocking them over. In a hurry, he puts down the plush toy and bows several times, chanting apologies to his victim.
Youngjae looks up and that face looks familiar. Dark brown hair, warm brown eyes and this little mole underneath one of them. It's Junhong's teacher, Junhong's very attractive teacher. And he's smiling. “Hello. You're Junhong's brother, aren't you?” the teacher asks. Youngjae nods, too stunned and embarrassed to open his mouth. He makes sure that the giant plush toy doesn't fall over and embarrasses him even more. But then he sees a few Pokemon plushies in the teacher's hand and the awkward feeling is gone. In between them is a yellow head poking out that looks awfully familiar and to conform Youngjae's suspicion, Daehyun waves the little Pikachu right in front of his face.
“That was the last one,” Daehyun says with a mischievous grin that is too charming for Youngjae to be mad at. “I guess Junhong will have a bigger buddy thanks to you,” Youngjae replies, petting the large yellow head and grins back. “My little niece is crazy about Pokemon, she's been nagging me about it since ages,” Daehyun laughs. “You should introduce her to Junhong, I'm sure they will get on very well.”
Daehyun laughs and things get awkward again. Only when Youngjae's mobile phone rings, they are saved from this situation. It's his mother and he excuses himself for a moment before he answers the phone. From the distance, he's watching Daehyun who is petting the huge Pikachu's head. Daehyun is grinning at him and moves Pikachu's ears until Youngjae bursts out laughing, he really likes Junhong's teacher. Youngjae arranges to get picked up by his father, he's thankful that he doesn't have to carry the gift around in the public transport and like this, Junhong won't see it until Christmas day.
They kind of end up having a coffee together because Daehyun invites Youngjae and first they talk about Junhong but then they talk about themselves and Youngjae realizes he really likes Daehyun and it seems like Daehyun is interested as well and he mentally counts the years until Junhong would go to middle school.
Daehyun says 'see you around' when Youngjae squeezes Pikachu on the back seat of his father's car. It sounds like Daehyun wants to see him again and Youngjae grins for the whole ride back home, maybe he will pick up Junhong from school more often.
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