-1-

Coming back home after a day that he has to suffer from dozens of prepared exercises and then doing them right at the classroom, Jiwon’s hands have been dead tired for a while, even he does not have enough energy to ride bike, and even his head spins around so that he’s really annoyed. Within thousand days for going to school, there will be approximately 100 days that he must such overwork, it feels like he’s forced to do what he doesn’t like but he can’t ignore everything. Eun Jiwon, on the way going to the future, somehow he’s chosen the effort.
Sipping quickly water in mouthful to clean the stomach then not wanting to turn up a bowl of rice and having a light meal to be less hungry, Jiwon breathes a sigh and throws himself down the living room’s floor. Sweats turn wet into very dry and sticky making him very annoyed but he’s too tired to stand up and go elsewhere again. Spreading two arms out, the fingers hitches on to the fabric of the quite old black sofa, he gathers up the air into his mouth then breathes out like releasing all tiredness that has encircled him the last time today.

Choosing the most comfortable pillow lifted in the wardrobe for a very long time because it was a gift that grandparents had left before moving to a new house, Jiwon lies on the bed and decides to throw away all things to have a deep sleep until he feels it’s enough. Suddenly he hears a sound outside.

- Who’s that?

Having no other ways, Jiwon sits up and overlooks outside to see the situation. It turned out that his mom went somewhere and came back, accompanied with a little boy.

A little boy?!
Jiwon completely gets out of sleep, opens the eyes wide and let his half-body forwards. Who’s that? It’s obvious that he and Jiwon aren’t acquaintance, but he still brings a lot of luggage into the house. Can’t avoid the curiosity, Jiwon rises shoulders up to get new energy then steps out powerfully.
- Jiwon, you’re back.
Jiwon cannot smile although he’s seen the merry face of his mom like she’s just come back from a festival, actually it’s because he couldn’t take a rest properly. After some thoughts, Jiwon glances at the boy who may be shy in front of him, even looking at him is also difficult or something like that. Why has he to be hesitate? If he really brings the luggage to here, from today they’ll be under the same roof, won’t they?

- This’s Sunghoon. Seeing him looking for a boarding house so I ask him to go here.
Hearing an unexpected news, Jiwon stares surprisingly then asks:
- Our house is a boarding house?
- Nope. I mean…
- You should ask my opinion first!
Seeing mom’s angry face, Jiwon knows she is unpleased so keeps silent and steps a step back. But that’s still the truth!
- Sunghoon only rents the attic, the room that your grandparents’ lived before. If you have something there, you should clear them up.

Having to face from this suddenness to the other one but absolutely cannot break the request, Jiwon only wonders why his mom abruptly thinks of earning money by opening a boarding house. And this boy, hearing that there’s an accommodation and then just keeping following, he doesn’t know what the nervousness is?
.

.

It’s been a long time since the last day Jiwon visited the attic, an unknown feeling suddenly appears strangely in his heart that brings the childhood memories back like a wind, Jiwon feels bit regret when he’ll cannot go in and out this place freely anymore. By the way…
Jiwon looks at Sunghoon, points out inside then says:
- There’s a cask to store stuff there. Put what’s mine into it. I’ll take it later.
- Yes I see.
Oh this voice, its sound has something strange and special that Jiwon can’t use any word to explain. It’s just like that, Jiwon casts a furtive glance at Sunghoon for a while then leaves.

A few later…
- Jiwon… hyung, your stuff’s been done.
Jiwon surprisingly looks at the cask right at his eyesight. The boy was so kind that he brought it down for Jiwon.
- Thank you.
- So… a bit later, have a good sleep.

Following Sunghoon’s shadow hidden from view, Jiwon doesn’t know what are his thoughts and feelings this moment. Few hours ago, he was still at home alone and freely lied anywhere he liked, but now he has to be thoughtful a bit. Standing with arms akimbo, Jiwon holds back his sigh, looks at the attic again then goes away.

.

Knowing Jiwon’s left, Sunghoon now can sigh with relief. That cool face and the nature of a person of very few words made Sunghoon unable to stop feeling nervous so that he couldn’t dare to say anything. The moment when he himself waited for bus to go from the suburb to here and when he made the formality for entering school also didn’t make him more worried than facing Jiwon today, it seems to be strange but it’s still the truth!

Sunghoon stands there and leans against the wall, looks outside the room through the half-open door, his heart’s thrilled unreasonably. At first when he met Jiwon’s mom at downtown, witnessed her friendly smile and heard her suggestion about moving to the attic, he half-believed but agreed venturesomely, at this moment, although he can feel more secure, he still should be careful because no one know that what will happen tomorrow or the following days. However, Sunghoon wants to affirm that Jiwon is not a bad guy, perhaps he even protects himself from a strange boy like Sunghoon. Sunghoon absolutely doesn’t know that where this belief comes from but the first impression of him about Jiwon when two people face each other can be covered in the word “good”, and “cold hearted” too.

Being in dreams, Sunghoon hears someone knock the door.

Jiwon smacks the lips and waits. He doesn’t want to eat anything now but his mom asks him to eat a bit, it’s just a ceremony to welcome a new family member. Mom is too kind. Suddenly the door opens and Sunghoon appears that make Jiwon almost fall over, he clears his throat with a cough, pretends to be calm then says:

- My mom calls you for dinner.
- It’s unnecessary. I…
- Have respect for my mom.

Hearing that, Sunghoon doesn’t want to refuse anymore. He lowers his head and steps over Jiwon who is dreaming of something and becoming woozy. Actually Jiwon doesn’t have anything to dream, it’s just because he realizes that Sunghoon is more lovable when seeing him in nearer distance.
.

.

- Sunghoon, sit down here.

Sunghoon only dares to sit after waiting for Jiwon to do so. He glances at Jiwon’s cool face. Jiwon makes him have a goose bump although they’re not living in a breeze winter. Jiwon’s eyelashes are long and curly, it’s so beautiful.
- Have you guys made acquaintance of each other yet?

Jiwon slightly jumps, fixes the sitting posture for more comfortableness then shakes head to response.

- The one is in first-year, the one is in last-year. Jiwon, you should teach Sunghoon what is rewarding.

- I know that… You should eat quickly, mom.

The conversation is end like that. Sunghoon hesitates to hold the spoon, observes carefully everyone’s expression so that he can set his mind at rest to have meal. The food is more delicious than what he images.

.

.

It’s the midnight. It’s unbelievable that time flies away too fast. Studying is like a long film that never has the end, Jiwon exhaustingly closes the book and absorbs in the comfortable bed cover, then closes his eyes to sleep at once but there’s a noise on the ceiling making him lose concentration. Realizing that the attic is no longer an empty room, Jiwon sighs but he doesn’t know why he must act like that. Maybe it’s because he cannot be familiar with having another person in this house, the differences in time and routines can also make each other inconvenient.
- Jiwon hyung…
The voice which is too early to realize suddenly echoes and gets rid of the quiet atmosphere. Jiwon immediately sits up and opens the doors but his mind can’t stop wondering what happening.

 - What’s up?
He’s very lazy to say many words.

- She says that you’re a person of few words, so I need to actively converse with you.

- And…

Sunghoon takes out in a small pocket of his pyjamas a pack of pie, gives it to Jiwon then smiles and says:
- It’s for you. Hope you support me!

- Not necessary. I’ve to sleep.

Seeing Jiwon bang the door that Sunghoon himself cannot say anything to explain, he’s clearly depressed. Essentially when going to a strange place like this, it’s not wrong when making friends with others, but maybe Jiwon is too cold. Sunghoon drops his one leg, effortlessly puts the pack of pie right at the Jiwon’s room then backs to his room.

.
“Mom, here’s very good. I can see a corner of city right at my feet. Day is full of sunshine and night is full of twinkle stars. If I only picked for you a star.”

Knowing that family is really worried about him, Sunghoon practices to turn this worry into motivation. He understands how his family is expecting for him to do everything well, so he cannot make them disappointed. Opening the window to look at the quiet night sky, Sunghoon realizes that the space here is more beautiful than his imaginary then smiles happily.

- Jiwon hyung doesn’t like to enjoying the stars?

-2-

Leaving home hurriedly in the early morning, Jiwon stops walking when seeing Sunghoon sit on the bicycle saddle and wait for someone. It turned out that this boy brought the bike with him to here, perhaps he was afraid that living far from school would make him go on foot hard. Having nothing to say, Jiwon climbs up the bike and leaves.
- Wait!

Sunghoon realizes Jiwon’s left no trace so that he’s panic-stricken runs after. Obviously, Sunghoon’s waiting for Jiwon, why did Jiwon not say anything to let Sunghoon knew that he left home?

Throbbing wildly after a fast run and finally catching up with Jiwon, Sunghoon winks his eyes then looks at Jiwon maybe still in the sleep. Last night Jiwon really stayed up late.

- Jiwon hyung…
- Run by my side for what? Keep running hurriedly.
Jiwon doesn’t care.
- The pie I’ve left for you…
- I’ve let it in the cupboard. I’ll tell mom this afternoon.
- But it’s for you.
Jiwon rubs his temple gently, then replies briefly:
- I don’t like.
Stops by the road and looks at Jiwon riding bike quickly, Sunghoon suddenly feels sad a lot. Sunghoon really means well to Jiwon and doesn’t want to bribe or take advantage of him, but Jiwon acts as if he very wanted to keep distance from Sunghoon, why did Sunghoon not hurt? Takes a look forward, Sunghoon doesn’t want to keep going. He’s like sunk into the disappointment so long so that he can hear his heart’s pieces broken.

.

.

Carries the heavy bag and walks along the crowded corridor, Sunghoon sees that he’s become so much little. People around him, all of them have friends to chat cheerfully, whereas he must go here alone, although he’s a boy, it doesn't mean he will not feel self-pity.

- Is Eun Jiwon oppa here?
A question’s asked by a female student behind that makes Sunghoon stop walking.

“Jiwon hyung, what’s his first name?”

Pretending not to know anything, Sunghoon takes a big step toward the barrier of banisters then perks up the ears to listen attentively.

- Eun Jiwon, there’s someone finding you.
Booming… Booming…
- Eun Jiwon!
"..."
- He may be busy now. Let me help you take it.
Standing like a post, Sunghoon doesn’t understand what he himself is doing. Bugging?

- Lady-killer boy. A lot of love letters!
Jiwon puts strongly the pile of books by a corner of the desk and glances at his friend. Just the early morning that his friend wants to pick a quarrel with him, do those mean admiring or satirical statements? Actually Jiwon doesn’t want to care, all love letters cheesy (that he doesn’t need to read) was thrown into the dustbin. His friend sometimes finds the seat by his side then smacks the tongue and blames that why he’s so ruthless, but doing something definitively will make a better result, isn’t it? Jiwon has no lover, but he doesn’t permit himself to love someone uncontrollably. Moreover…
Realizing Sunghoon in the door, Jiwon startles then turns away. Putting his chin on hand for some thoughts, he doesn’t believe what he is worried about will come true that Sunghoon is keeping an intention, but in the short term, that tail will be very difficult to cut.
 

That afternoon…

Seeing Jiwon has just left school’s gate, Sunghoon runs like flying forwards.

- I’m with you.
Jiwon doesn’t reply.
- Anyhow we’re still under the same roof.
- Your house is only the small attic above.
That’s true, Sunghoon nods his head. He climbs up the bike and just with Jiwon back home. Sunghoon doesn’t know why he likes observing Jiwon’s eyelashes so much. It’s very beautiful and attractive, naturally; but honestly, both his strong dark complexion and his face are attractive so that he can make many girls fall in love right at the first sight. It’s the first time in life that Sunghoon’s met a strange person like this, so hard to take the eyes off.

Clearing his throat by a cough, Sunghoon tries to attract Jiwon’s attention but Jiwon’s still very indifferent, Sunghoon purses his lips and keeps silent. It’s just temporary like this, perhaps Jiwon will get acquaintance with Sunghoon’s existence afterwards.

.

Coming to in front of the house’s door, Jiwon goes ahead that doesn’t turn around for a look. Does he must say that the way that boy is doing now makes him uncomfortable? Honestly, it’s absolutely annoying. At school, every day only is "Eun Jiwon, it’s your letter!” and then suddenly appears a boy coming to Jiwon’s house for rent keeps following him all day. Throws bag on the desk, Jiwon drags the curtain by two sides, welcomes the sunshine coming at the end of day to get rid of tiredness. This action until when has become a routine every time he still has enough energy to stand firmly, so if it’s like what happened yesterday will make him miserable. Sunghoon’s image from the afternoon until now always rises up in Jiwon’s mind, like something more obsessed than horror films that Jiwon often watches at weekend’s nights. Now will he have to wish that boy would leave? Will it be very and very bad to a child? Eun Jiwon is not a person who lacks of morality seriously like this. Puts the hand up and covers one eye in order to let every sun ray naughtily through the space between fingers, suddenly he thinks about another aspect of thought. Why does he must make everything become negative when having a new friend will be happier? Or because he doesn’t brave enough to receive anyone in this life. In the past there were some people who disdained his family facing bankruptcy that left him alone. Friend zone… just when putting up with differences and challenges then people can only see through it. The city is about to be sunk into dark that immerges shadow of a person beside the window deeply into loneliness.
- Jiwon hyung…
Sunghoon comes again, right at Jiwon’s bedroom door. Sunghoon’s looked at Jiwon for a while then just dares to call him. All the progress of fighting in his mind has occurred very strongly. Today Sunghoon’s like seeing another contrary aspect in Jiwon’s characteristic, there’s something very quiet unexpectedly although Jiwon has always been like that to Sunghoon.

- I go outside. Do you have something needed to buy?
- Nope.
- Or… I buy some pies for you?
- Hey boy…
Seeing Jiwon turn around, Sunghoon's quite frightened.
- I’ve said no. If you’re going to buy pies for yourself, take the pie of yesterday to eat.

- ... Yes, I got it.
Withdrawing and not leaving out the track, Sunghoon goes in the kitchen. It was true that Jiwon didn’t eat any pie that Sunghoon gave to him, so sad. But time after time Sunghoon always says himself that someday Jiwon will accept him as a friend – a good friend who can share with Jiwon the sadness hidden deeply in his soul.

Being alone at the corner of kitchen for a while, finally Sunghoon ate all the pies, he closes the door and walks outside. Sunghoon wants to take the air, because confining himself at a certain place will be very stuffy.
"Jiwon hyung doesn’t feel like that?"

.

.

Taking the bike with him and going on foot on a long way through lots of streets, Sunghoon doesn’t expect that the streets’ lights will so much impress his sight. Stopping by a convenient store that difficult to find in the suburb, he smiles radiantly and takes out some money remaining today inside his pocket to buy more food. When Sunghoon still lived with mom, he was often scolded when he noshed too much because it’s not good for health, now although he can be free and do what he wants, he starts remembering those complaining statements more than whenever. Coming here, it’s not everything strange, but almost all are strange, and maybe the affection between people also becomes further.

Being absorbed in going along departments and detailed observing every product, Sunghoon doesn’t know that there’s someone following him for so long, very long.

-3-

Another new day that Jiwon sees that boy sitting on the bicycle saddle which suits his figure when Jiwon has just left home. Jiwon has may felt familiar. It’s been a week since Sunghoon moved here, two days ago was weekend, he and Jiwon’s mom hurriedly cooked the breakfast for three people but Jiwon wasn’t hungry.

Jiwon quickly steps forwards, stands by Sunghoon who is patiently waiting, has a dry cough to make a signal then actively says:
- You should go first.
Sunghoon looks very surprise. After understanding the statement, he shakes head continuously and responses:
- I prefer going with you.
- ...
- We’re friends.
Friend... Ok. Jiwon has no idea about it but he also hopes Sunghoon will not deduce too much. He’s not been ready to have a new friend yet. Everything is not easy like what a child – it’s Sunghoon – always affirms in silence.

Riding bike with Sunghoon through the familiar street that two persons together go to school and back home every day, Jiwon still doubts as if it’s not true. The person being by Jiwon’s side during this period is a real one, he’s not taken form by the loneliness from Jiwon’s liver. However, the reason why Sunghoon decidedly wants to make friend with Jiwon, Jiwon doesn’t understand, he wants to ask Sunghoon but he doesn’t want either. People should know their own problems.

.

Bringing the bag on shoulder, Jiwon firmly goes first then Sunghoon immediately follows closely. He runs forward right by Jiwon’s side, holds his head up and looks at Jiwon few seconds then starts turning to other directions. Sunghoon knows clearly that there’re a lot of girls around him admiring Jiwon so much. He wonders if they hate him, but it’s not everyone having the right to be gone near Jiwon like this, Sunghoon can give himself a reason to feel proud.

- Back to the class!

Stop walking in bewilderedness, Sunghoon witnesses Jiwon coming in classroom. It turned out that Jiwon came to his class, and Sunghoon’s class was over there so he had to keep going for more distances. Glances at inside, Sunghoon realizes Jiwon is hurriedly pulling out the papers from desk’s drawer and puts in front of his sight one by one: pink letter, designed letter and so many things there. Sunghoon is not a girl. He doesn’t know those love letters will give what influences in moving the heart of the person they like. Thinking to here, Sunghoon slightly shudders, curls his lips and runs away, his mind’s just appeared a quite crazy idea.
.

.

The playtime…
Standing in front of the class and looking at the crowd moving, Jiwon frowns in anger because the looks toward him, both admiring looks and envious ones. He never admits that he’s handsome, it’s just because his appearance became attractive strangely after his elementary school’s graduation. Mom said Jiwon should be happy and proud of it, but he had no interest. No matter how attractive does this appearance show, it still cannot express Jiwon’s inner feelings and it also cannot help him feel more comfortable to say out loud his emotions to the most familiar people. Stepping toward the corridor's fence then drawing the last long breath, Jiwon slightly knits his two hands and looks attentively at a spot on the school hall crowded with the screams when playing. In the past did he also enjoy running like the wind and devastating, but until a certain moment, people will have to change, it’s like following the times.

- Jiwon hyung…
"Kang Sunghoon..."
“At least how many times a day that he must find me? A child who like persistence.”. Jiwon doesn’t want to pretend to be happy because now he only wants to lift all books and climbs up the fence to go home. Studying sometimes makes him tired.

- What’s up?
- Can I talk to you one thing?
Sunghoon lets himself forwards and looks at the dustbin, Jiwon threw all letters again. He doesn’t absolutely care about the “satellites” around him although they have tried to show how much their love was. If it’s like that, will the action Sunghoon is about to do be right or wrong and be something admirable or a for the world? Suddenly his heart wants to explode.
- Say it!
Jiwon knows what the boy standing opposite is noticing of, but of course Jiwon doesn’t know why Sunghoon must do that.

- I… It’s…
Sunghoon hesitates and runs his eyes incessantly that makes Jiwon also worried. He clenches his teeth and stares at Sunghoon’s difficult-to-guess face then only wants to turn on heels, but he has asked himself to be more patient.

- What’s wrong with you?
- Jiwon hyung! What I wanna say is I like you!