27.

“Good choice.” A beam curls along that set of lips, eyes twinkling as he gazes at the other. “That kid surely needs a little push.”

She sips the third can of beer from the five that she bought just now, before lifting her chin up, gazing at the dark sky. The breeze is exceptionally cold today, perhaps giving the early notice that it might be raining tonight. Still, she stays there, enjoying the silence of the night alone, accompanied with dim light from the lamp posts around the playground.

There are barely any thoughts coming across her mind at the moment, the night feels peaceful in some way. Or maybe her heart is.

At least after sorting out her thoughts and came into a decision which led to the voicemail she left for Jongdae, Ga Eul finds herself loosen up a bit.

Now the lady knows the path that she should and want to take, all she has left to do now is to wait for tomorrow morning to come. Of course, there is possibility that it might turn out opposite than what she wished it to be, but Ga Eul couldn’t care any less of the future outcomes. When her mind is set to do something, she’ll strive for it no matter what, no matter how.

Just when Ga Eul leaning down to get another can after emptying the one she has in her hand, drips from the sky starts hitting the earth, leaving marks on the ground. She snaps her head up, squeezes her eyes shut – grin appears on her face, relishing every bead of the rain that touches her skin.

The lady stays in that manner for a whole two minute, contemplating whether to leave or to play a bit more with the drizzle. Only after the downpour gradually turns heavier that Ga Eul gets up from the swing, finally taking her leave as she thinks that she would have more time with the rainfall along her way home. With that purpose, she saunters along the lonely street. Her palms cup the raindrops before sprinkling them in between, showing the carefree side of hers for once.

Yet the universe seems to forbid her doing so for Ga Eul bumps herself onto someone as she is playfully walking backwards whilst having her eyes closed.

The lady yelps in surprise as she jumps away from the person, her feet pivot to face the other, squeezing her eyes shut and bows apologetically while says sorry a couple of times, right until the latter voices out.

“Eul, it’s me.”

Hearing the awfully-familiar voice, Ga Eul snaps her head up, just for her to have a sight of the man taking off his cap, revealing the face that was previously hidden by the shadow. She is clearly gaping, her pair of orbs widen whilst her feet takes one step back.

The guy remains steady despite the reaction, his eyes bores into hers. Now that the lady is standing in front of him, he knows that he made the right decision coming here. Even Ga Eul clearly shows that his presence is unwelcomed, he could not care less on that. Because at least, he gets to see the person he longed for.

“Shixun,” she breathes.

Her mind is still processing on what is happening at the moment. Her ex-boyfriend appeared out of nowhere, drenched by the rain. Not to mention, he looks way too different from how he always was. Shixun let his facial hair grows which is unlike him that she knew, and his face seems smaller than usual. Ga Eul feels like she is looking at a different person. He looks weary, like someone who’s lost. However still, it doesn’t change the fact that the guy’s presence is not something to be pleased about.

“What are you doing here? Why are you here, how do you know this place?”

Shixun’s pair of eyes hesitantly glance from behind his lashes, finger scratches the area above his brow, sheepishly smiling. “You must’ve hated me that much, didn’t you?”

“Quit talking rubbish, will you? Answer me, Xun. Why are you here?”

Shixun draws his step closer instead of answering, his arm moves quick, extending to the front to grab Ga Eul’s wrist before yanking the small figure towards himself. In a swift, he embrace the lady tightly meanwhile the latter fails to do anything but freezes, her body is tense as if the guy is hugging a sculpture made of concrete.

“Y-you…what are you d-doing?” Her words came out as stutter, still in the utter confusion. She is suffocated by being in Shixun’s hold, not sure whether due to the tight and firm hug or the act is unreservedly sickening. She squirms and wiggles endlessly, trying to push him away but none of her efforts brings a result to her liking.

“Can’t we just stay like this? Even just for a minute, please.”

An abrupt surge of energy gush through Ga Eul’s vein upon hearing that request, finally succeeding in getting the guy off from her as she glares at the latter in disgust.

“What? You are not making any sense now, you know that, right?” she sneers, “Do you think I’m glad to see you again?”

“I know, Eul. I do, but…”

“If you do, then why are you here?! Why are you doing this?” Her fingers run through her dripping wet locks to the back out of frustration, her gaze remains in the same manner. “Leave,” she demands, one finger points straight to the guy’s face. “Don’t show your face to me ever ag–”