→ Chapter 010

trigger warning: abuse, suicide mention below.

The street in which Kodak is, can be described as beautiful only when the sun is about to set, when the orange and red hues are filling the sky, when the working lamps flood the blue-colored shop with light along with Mina’s grey backpack, she concluded. She felt kind of bad, lying to her mother for the second time about wanting to run some errands, and instead took the risk of going to one of the shadiest places of Seoul.

It was a miracle that nobody tried to assault her, actually. If they look at her with suspicious stares, then she’s relieved. At least, nobody is holding a knife against her neck, demanding her money or her body in exchange for her life. Maybe, the father she grew up loving is watching over her from above.

Per usual, her hair is tucked and her eyes are feigning of innocence. The Hansong’s uniform, once collecting dust in her closet is now enveloping her petite body tightly again, and she thanks the gods she was forced to join that one hell of a middle school.

After receiving a cheerful text from Jung Ilhoon, who informed her of the arriving of the famous album she was looking for, she rushed to prepare her next plan. It was the most dangerous one, yet, and it would take her some serious skill to complete it.

Now, she is standing before the glass doors marking the entrance to the DVD shop, hands already twiddling with her new toothpick in her pocket. She couldn’t keep a used one, after all, especially by that filthy Byun kid. After yesterday’s ruckus, she felt drained; she kept asking herself of the reason behind the moving number, and why did he hurry to comfort her when he clearly didn’t care about her. He threatened her for goodness’ sake, and then hugged her! But one thing was clear: Whatever he was scheming, he wanted her to stay away from it. After a sleepless night, she decided to do what’s best for her and her sanity: do as he says.

A tap on her shoulder awakened her from her daydream, making her turn around in surprise. In front of her stood a tall man with broad shoulders, and she shook the odd feeling surrounding him and the pink four on top of his head. He looked familiar, very familiar, but Mina couldn’t exactly guess where she had seen him.

“I’m sorry, but,” He had a look of worry written all over his features, “Did you see a boy wearing a green hoodie walking around here? Actually, it might look a bit brown, when it’s usually dark, and he –I’m sorry, I’m rambling, but did you see him?”

Mina’s thoughts immediately raced to Baekhyun’s stupid green hoodie he wears each time he’s late, and she shakes out of them. It seemed like the stranger already picked up her apologizing face, but with a hopeful nod he still urged her to answer.

“Sorry, I just came here so I don’t know.” Mina pressed her lips into a thin line, and she almost felt the man’s last drop of hope fall down before magically coming back again as he rushed to another stranger.

I hope he finds whoever he’s looking for.

Her eyes traveled from the said man’s back to the entry of Kodak, and once again the ground beneath her seemed to move from side to side. Is she ready to reach the point of no return? Probably no, but it still won’t stop her. The doors slid open, and Mina walked timidly to the front of the shop where Ilhoon was.

The owner slightly jumped from his seat when the bell rang, his coffee almost spilling out and ruining his newly bought red sneakers. His fringe, now a bit shorter, bounced up and down showing a pair of curious eyes. Ilhoon’s cheeky smile made its second appearance at the sight of the awaited young girl.

“You’re here!” He exclaimed, waving at her with his left hand –he was wearing fewer rings this time– and motioning her to his desk. Mina thought it was a bit exaggerated, like he was only pretending to welcome her gleefully to attain a bigger goal. Maybe she was over thinking, maybe she should fear for her life. Choosing the first option, she grasped at the camera in the side pocket of her backpack, making sure it was still there, and then withdrew her hand swiftly to wave back at the older man.

“Hi! I had an exam yesterday, so I couldn’t come.” Mina said with a high-pitched voice, batting her eyelashes every now and then. Her wrists clicked against the wooden desk Ilhoon was sitting behind.

“No worries, sweetheart.” Mina stopped herself from rolling her eyes at the nickname, “You brought the money, at least, right?”

As she pulled the many coins from her pocket and put them on the surface of the table, she kept her eyes focused on the two keys entangled in what seemed to be a silver bracelet with a cute bear hanging on the side. Any teenage girl would’ve thought it was adorable, and so she did as every teenage girl would do. In fact, she always had a soft spot for endearing things, so it was effortless for her to squeal at the key ring.

“Oh gosh, that is so cute!” Mina took the camera out of her backpack quickly and snapped a picture of the ring lay on the desk, “I have a collection of cute pictures in my personal diary, and I thought it would make a good piece. Where did you get it? Is it the Cookie Slumber boutique in the city center?”

Ilhoon looked dumbfounded with his eyes wide open –they immediately softened after seeing Mina’s smile– and his hand, once tightly wrapped around the coins, loosened.

“Oh, it’s okay,” He chuckled nervously before hurrying to the backdoor; “I’ll go get your album.”

As soon as he left, Mina pulled out her camera and saved the clear picture of the keys into her hidden folder, and then deleted. That was, of course, after she had cropped the photo and only left the mini-bear in sight. Copying keys from pictures is a hard thing to do, and it includes following many difficult steps like editing –which she absolutely hates– and using vices. If time is in her favor, she could break in and search for the tape on her own. Hoping it would go well, she put the camera back and looked straight ahead, tapping her fingernails on the wood.

Ilhoon comes back this time much more relaxed with a bigger than usual album between his palms. The Seo Taiji and the Boys’ Nan Arayo cover was torn in the corners, looking a bit outdated from the faded colors. But it was okay, it’s not like Mina was going to listen to any of their tracks for the moment. She may have adored them back in the day, but now she has new tastes in music.

As she took the album from his hands, she smiled thankfully to him and bid him goodbye. Good thing she wouldn’t have to see his face once again, or so she hoped. But Ilhoon soon caught up to her as she was about to open the door.

“Can I see your camera, please?” He politely asked her, not even bothering to hear her answer when he dived his fingers into her backpack and pulled out the black camera. With nervous eyes, Mina watched as Ilhoon turned it on and started looking through the gallery; she hoped he wouldn’t find the hidden folder.

His eyes glanced back and forth then landed on the said (saved) picture, and the young girl thought her ribcage would break because of her heart beating so fast, “Oh, I thought you- never mind, here you go.”

A wave of reassurance washed over Mina’s entire be