How fast the outside figures passed through the windows of the subway set the speed of Kang Seulgi's drumming on her right leg. She was always like that; drumsticks in hands, following some random rhythm whenever inspiration came, and it'd come from anywhere for her. And she found it interesting how everyone in the subway was reading or listening to music or just staring blankly at nothing. Somehow, that had a slow pace, as if she could hear it. And she connected the fast figures outside the windows with the slowness of the passengers, and a beat was created on her lap. One that would be probably forgotten the second she stepped out of the train. But she knew the worthy ones would never leave her brain, so it didn't matter.

 

Seulgi was excited and it showed through the strong beats on her tight. She was about to watch this amazing jazz concert in Daegu, the reason why she had been sitting on the train for an hour. Even though it was such a great opportunity for Music majors like her, none of her colleagues found the concert more important than the test they're having the next day.

 

But Seulgi could handle it, she had practiced enough because that event was a priority for her. She loved jazz music and the band would only play in Daegu then go abroad. She couldn't miss it.

 

Seulgi's phone buzzed and she stopped her drumming to read the new text from one of her classmates.

 

[10:31 AM] Seungwan:

hey seul. you're probably on your way to daegu

but the concerts been canceled

i didn't think you'd see it but they just posted on their instagram

you're probably asleep on the train lol

so... i'm sorry about that

take care

 

Seulgi shut her eyes and sighed in defeat. Running her fingers through the screen, she saw on their profile's latest post that it had indeed been canceled. Something about someone breaking their hand, or whatever. Seulgi didn't care, or her deception didn't let. So she just put her phone away and dived into the seat, holding her drumsticks in one hand and thinking how she hated that that trip was for nothing. She would have to get down from the train just to buy a ticket to go back to Seoul. What a bummer.

 

Minutes that felt so heavy on her shoulders passed and she couldn't distract herself looking at the darkness outside the windows anymore. She eyed the passengers, still reading, still with their headphones, still gazing blankly into nothing. She took some time in each one of them, trying to sooth the anger slowly coming at her.

 

A middle aged man glued to his phone, playing some kind of game where he'd frown whenever something Seulgi had no idea what could be happened; a woman probably on her thirties reading this thin book, looking so focused on it with her pursed lips; a man and what seemed to be his kid reading a magazine together — Seulgi smiled to see a guitar on the cover, which meant it was probably a magazine about music matters — and the boy looked so amazed by the things the probably dad was reading to him; a sleeping woman with her headphones on; a man staring blankly at nowhere; an old lady frowning at her phone; a man and a woman talking to each other so politely quiet; and Seulgi saw the woman on the seat opposite to hers, and she took more than some time analyzing her.

 

She was wearing a black cap and a white shirt and jeans. She was holding a thick book with both hands, but Seulgi couldn't tell what her expression was because the cap prevented her from seeing too much of her face. But she looked so beautiful anyways.

 

Seulgi could see her lips, her nose, her graceful hands holding tightly to the big book. Her legs crossed.

 

Seulgi felt the urge to talk to her. She didn't know why exactly, perhaps it was just the same old attraction, perhaps she was just bored of the trip, perhaps she wanted to distract herself, perhaps the girl just looked so pretty sitting there with her book. But whatever the reason was, she had no idea how to approach her.

 

And this uneasy series of questions about how she could approach the girl haunted Seulgi for the next minutes.

 

She had been travelling for one hour and had some more time to go, and she chuckled to herself thinking she'd spend the rest of the trip imagining ways of getting to the mysterious girl.

 

Maybe she could just ask what she was reading. And then what?

 

Maybe she could just sit beside her and ask about the weather. How original.

 

Maybe she could pretend to be a foreign asking for directions. And lie to her. Perfect.

 

Seulgi stared blankly at nowhere just like the man she saw. Thinking and thinking until some smooth voice called her.

 

"Excuse me," Seulgi turned and almost froze, "is this yours?"

 

It was her. And she was talking to Seulgi. Showing her what seemed to be a dollar and she had no idea where that came from, but she almost said it was hers just because the thought of denying anything to that beautiful face seemed wrong.

 

The cap wasn't preventing Seulgi from seeing the girl anymore, and she was breathtakingly pretty. She had huge eyes and having them staring straight at her made it quite difficult to even think about what to say.

 

"No..." Seulgi answered.

 

The girl raised her brows and shrugged.

 

"Well... that's too bad," she said putting the dollar inside the pocket of her jeans. She turned to Seulgi and pointed at the drumsticks in her hand. "Do you play?"

 

For a moment, Seulgi frowned trying to understand the question. Then she looked at her own hand and saw the sticks and mouthed an Oh, and nodding, she said, "Yes. Yes, I do. I play the drums."

 

"That's so cool," the girl smiled. "Do you mind?" She motioned to the seat beside Seulgi.

 

"No, not at all."

 

Seulgi tried hard not to show how nervous she was. The girl seemed so carefree. She sat there and grinned at Seulgi. Seeming so comfortable, so secure of herself. She gave her right hand and Seulgi shook it.

 

"Joohyun," she said.

 

"Seulgi."

 

"You have the name of an artist even."

 

"Oh, artist? I wouldn't go that far," Seulgi frowned.

 

"And what do you do?" Asked Joohyun, seeming very interested.

 

"Music, I study Music."

 

"You sure have the vibe."

 

"How's that?"

 

"I mean, the whole messy hair, plaid shirt and Converse vibe. It's like you're coming straight from a punk band," she giggled.

 

"You're saying my hair is messy?" Seulgi tried to comb her bangs with her fingers worriedly.

 

Joohyun laughed, "It was a compliment."

 

"How can that be a compliment?"

 

"Because I liked it. It's cute."

 

Seulgi chortled and shook her head. Trying hard not to blush, she changed the subject:

 

"And you? What do you do?"

 

"Accounting. I study accounting," she mocked Seulgi's answer.

 

"Oh," Seulgi said, raising her eyebrows in surprise.

 

"You're surprised?"

 

"Well. Yeah."

 

"And why?"

 

"Because you're cool. Accounting people ain't cool."

 

Joohyun laughed loudly and the woman reading the thin book turned at them startled, then she turned back.

 

"We're talking for what, two minutes? And you're so sure I'm cool?"

 

"I mean, your cap makes you look cool and all."

 

"My cap?" She giggled.

 

"Your cap," Seulgi giggled too.

 

Then Seulgi finally snapped out of the nervousness of talking to her when she spotted the thick book.

 

"What are you reading?" She asked.

 

"Oh," Joohyun muttered shyly. She showed the cover and Seulgi saw it was some calculus book. She frowned.

 

"Well good luck with that."

 

Joohyun chuckled, putting the book back on her lap, "Do you live in Daegu?"

 

"No, I'm just going to a concert there. Or I was. It was just cancelled, so I guess I'll just... go back to Seoul."

 

"Oh. Sorry about that."

 

"Yeah."

 

"What was the concert?"

 

"This jazz band I really like. They're playing only one show in Korea and then they'll go abroad. Guess they're playing none now."

 

"Jazz?"

 

"You're surprised?"

 

"You sure don't look like a jazz fan."

 

"And how do jazz fans look?"

 

"Uhm...older?" Joohyun laughed.

 

"I didn't take you as a prejudiced person," Seulgi said amusingly.

 

"You just said accountants are boring!"

 

They laughed louder and the same woman looked at them again. They quit laughing and Joohyun mouthed a Sorry.

 

"You see? She glared at you because you're being narrow minded," said Seulgi.

 

"I am?!" She said angrily but in a quiet tone. "Then you are too!"

 

"Then we're even."

 

"Then we're even."

 

And seconds before they could fall into silence, Seulgi asked, "Do you live in Daegu?"

 

"Yes, born and raised."

 

"Oh."

 

"I went to Seoul to visit my aunt."

 

"Is she good?"

 

Joohyun chuckled, "Yeah, she is."

 

"I wish I had some relatives in Daegu. Then I'd have some free stay. Not that I need it now," she chortled, "but I was just planning to wander through the city until the concert started."

 

"That sounds really fun."

 

"You think so?"

 

"You're surprised?" Joohyun played and they laughed - quietly this time.

 

"I don't think this would sound so fun to most people."

 

"Well, it'd be an adventure."

 

"Or it'd be just me having nowhere to stay at, but you can put it that way too."

 

Joohyun shook her head with a small laugh, "Really, to just walk around would be freeing to some people."

 

"Are you included?"

 

"Well. Yeah."

 

"And you can't just... do it?"

 

"No... I think? Maybe I'm just scared to go off tracks, to mess my daily routine."

 

"You can't walk around for an hour without messing up your routine?"

 

"I'm not talking about an hour walk. I'm talking about a day walk."

 

"So... it'd be a day off?"

 

"Yeah. Kind of."

 

"You don't get a day off on accounting?"

 

"We do. We're on a week off, actually. But even so, I still stuck on my routine.”

 

"Oh. Boredom can be useful sometimes. This daily routine, you know? At least for me. It can be some kind of inspiration."

 

"Boredom as inspiration?"

 

"Well, why not? In fact, everything could turn out as inspiration, that's why I'm always carrying my sheet book."

 

"You write?" Asked Joohyun, gawking.

 

"You're surprised?" Seulgi giggled.

 

"I didn't know drummers wrote music."

 

"What?" Seulgi snapped. "That makes no sense! You think we just memorize everything?"

 

"I guess I really never put thought on the matter," said Joohyun and they chuckled.

 

"You're showing your true colors, Joohyun."

 

"You don't think I'm cool anymore?"

 

"Almost there, but the cap's still helping."

 

"I guess I'm not taking it off so soon then."

 

Seulgi laughed, "Jokes aside, it really suits you. Makes you look fresh and young and all."

 

"How's that?" Joohyun laughed.

 

"You really look cool! I bet you're getting tons of phone numbers using that."

 

Joohyun frowned, "No thanks. Not the dating type."

 

"Oh, really? I think you just broke a thousand hearts now."

 

"I mean, dating takes a lot of time, a lot of effort. And I'm focusing on different things now. A relationship would just be in the way of things I want. You know?"

 

"Uh yeah, of course."

 

"You don't sound too convincing," Joohyun giggled, "you're with someone?"

 

"No, I'm not. And I got your point, really. A relationship now would be in the way of many things in my life too."

 

"And what've you been doing lately? Out of missing jazz concerts."

 

"Studying a lot. Playing a lot. Writing. Jogging."

 

"Jogging?"

 

"You're surprised?"

 

"I am, actually," they laughed, "you sound very disciplined."

 

"Now you're just proving you don't know me."

 

"What? You do! Being all studies and exercising."

 

"That doesn't mean I'm disciplined."

 

"Well, then hardworking would be better."

 

"I… I accept that. I guess I really am," Seulgi sighed in defeat. "So, no dating for both of us."

 

"That's right. No one getting in our ways."

 

"Have you ever dated anyone before? I mean, to be so sure of that."

 

"Yes. And he did exactly what I don't want anyone to do. He was an obstacle. And he was pretty boring. Once we had an entire weekend for ourselves and he just sat there on the couch, drinking beer and watching TV. That was the moment I knew I had to get rid of him."

 

"Oh. That sounds terrible."

 

"Yeah, I don't miss him and I don't miss being someone's girlfriend."

 

"Did you love him?"

 

Joohyun stopped and seemed to be in deep thought before answering, "Now that you've asked… I really don't know? Maybe? If I tell you I was with him because I didn't want to be alone it wouldn't be a lie."

 

"You don't like being alone?"

 

"I wasn't used to, I guess. But after this disaster I thought being on my own was way better than being with someone I simply didn't want to be with."

 

"My last girlfriend was too clingy," Seulgi chuckled and couldn't help but notice how attentive Joohyun was to the girlfriend part, "she was always asking me where I was, with whom, what time I'd be home. And I was just practicing! She kept calling in the middle of our rehearsals and everyone in the band really hated her. I don't blame them, really. In the beginning she seemed so nice."

 

"Beginnings are always a fairy tale."

 

"Yeah. She used to say I was her favorite drummer. She got me there really."

 

"God, you were this easy?"

 

"I was in love okay?" They laughed. "Or at least I thought I was. I don't know really. When I look back now, I don't think that was love. I was just… young."

 

"You're what now? Forty?"

 

"Thirty nine, actually."

 

They laughed and this time the woman with the thin book didn't seem bothered.

 

"I used to care a lot about my age. Thinking that I should be doing this or doing that because it's getting late. And that's why I jumped into a relationship with my ex, I thought it was the time to be with someone… but it was just terrible. And after our breakup I realized it's never really late, don't you think?" Joohyun said.

 

"I never really thought about my age? I just go with the flow, I guess. It was never a problem for me. But I get your point. I'm always rehearsing until my arms feel numb because I want to be just like the drummers I look up to. I do it as if it's too late, as if I'm not only twenty one."

 

"Because you're hardworking."

 

"You already know me so well," Seulgi smiled and Joohyun smiled back.

 

"Are you good? Playing the drums?"

 

"I guess. I'm the main drummer in the college band so that must mean something."

 

"That's amazing."

 

"Yeah. My mom was really proud."

 

"She watches you playing?"

 

"Every time," Seulgi chuckled. "She's just in the front row, with a camera in hand, trying her best to film the lonely girl behind everyone in the drums."

 

"Drummers are a bit overshadowed on stage, don't you think?"

 

They laughed.

 

"Yeah. Definitely. But I like it. It's comfortable. I feel free to play there, as if people ain't really paying attention to me, but to my drumming, you know?"

 

"I found it quite hard for people not to notice a cute girl playing the drums."

 

"So I'm cute?"

 

"You are," Joohyun said without hesitating.

 

Seulgi chuckled at how Joohyun was straightforward, and even though it made Seulgi blush, she liked it a lot.

 

"So, you're into girls?" Joohyun asked as if she were asking about the weather.

 

Seulgi cleared and teased, "So delicate…"

 

"What? You just talked about your ex- girlfriend. I'm just making sure."

 

"Yeah. I like girls."

 

Although Seulgi wanted to give back the question to her, she didn't, imagining how it would be to be as straightforward as the girl next to her was. Seulgi noted to herself how Joohyun mentioned her ex-boyfriend, so the answer was probably there.

 

"Do you get many of them? Being a cool drummer?" Joohyun asked, again, wearing the most casual expression.

 

Seulgi giggled, "I don't. It's not my thing, really. Fooling around."

 

"Oh, and why's that?"

 

"I was never really fond of it. And after the great fiasco with my ex, I just… I don't know. It's just not my thing."

 

"My ex also brought these feelings to me. I'm much more picky now. If a guy thinks he'll be getting my number because he bought me a drink, he's so damn wrong."

 

Seulgi noted to herself again how Joohyun talked about a guy and she tried to push the attraction she felt about her away; Joohyun was obviously a straight girl trying to make a friend on her way home.

 

"Do you get many of these guys at you?" Seulgi asked to keep the conversation.

 

"More than I wanted to, unfortunately. At first, I'm like okay he's just making his move, but then I say no and he keeps insisting, so I have to make it clear, as if a big no wasn't so damn clear already. Anyways, I think it's okay and he'll finally leave, but he just keeps insisting and when I get angry and tell him to off, so glad he finally left, comes another one and the same thing happens. Then I'm the one who leaves."

 

"Oh," Seulgi mouthed, "what a bummer."

 

"Tell me about it."

 

"Being so pretty has its disadvantages then."

 

Joohyun chuckled, "You're saying I'm so pretty?"

 

"Uh… Yeah, I guess…" Seulgi muttered, hating herself for feeling so nervous all of a sudden.

 

"You guess? You're not sure if I'm so pretty?"

 

"No… I'm sure you are. I was just, I don't know, blabbering."

 

Joohyun laughed and Seulgi imagined that her cheeks were probably blushing hard.

 

"You're cute, Seulgi."

 

"Well, I—, thanks. I guess," Seulgi mumbled and Joohyun laughed again.

 

Seulgi brought her hands to cover her face out of embarrassment and Joohyun laughed even more.

 

"What's that?" she asked, quitting her laugh.

 

Seulgi lowered her hands and followed Joohyun's eyes; she was talking about the bloody band-aid between Seulgi's thumb and index finger on her right hand.

 

"Oh, it's from practice. The stick kind of bruises a lot around here," she said, pointing at the band-aid, "I've been on an intense practice lately, we have this test and I must be in perfect shape. So I went a bit crazy this week. I suppose it's time to replace this bandage for a new one," she giggled.

 

"Does it hurt?" Joohyun asked, looking truly worried with her furrowed eyebrows. Seulgi smiled at that.

 

"A lot, actually," Seulgi answered, picking up a new band-aid from her bag. "But it has to, in order for the skin to get used to it."

 

Joohyun watched as Seulgi replaced the bloody band-aid for the new one. Seulgi couldn't help but to chortle at how Joohyun wrinkled her nose when she took the band-aid off.

 

"Once I was playing for this university event," Seulgi started as she put the used bandage inside her jeans, "and I'd rehearsed so hard during the week that I was playing the concert using four band-aids to my hand. It was awful."

 

"Did it hurt that bad?"

 

"Yeah, but I didn't care about the pain. I hated that it affected my performance. By the end of it, I could feel everyone's stares on me, as if they're booing because it'd been a terrible set. So I went home, tossed the band-aids away, and practiced with my bare hands. When my mom saw me playing at two in the morning she was so worried, but she almost killed me when she noticed the blood in the kit, my bruise had opened too much and blood was all over the place, including my face," she laughed, "mom went mad and swore that if I didn't rehearse properly she'd forbid me from playing forever."

 

"And what did you do?" Joohyun had her brows knitted in pure worry.

 

"I packed and left, of course."

 

"You did what?!"

 

"I'm joking," Seulgi laughed and Joohyun eyed her with a scowl, "but I thought about doing that for a long two seconds. But I knew mom was right. I looked at my bloody kit and my bruised hand was burning so much the only thing I could do was cry… and mom held me there, in the drum's seat. I felt like a big baby, but I learned my lesson. I was just exhausting myself that way, and I didn't want to end up hating playing the drums, it's all I am... To hate that it'd be to hate myself, really."

 

Joohyun smiled but the scowl didn't leave her face, "You're crazy."

 

"I wanted to be one of the greatests," Seulgi said sheepishly, "but maybe I'm just Seulgi, and that's okay, I guess."

 

"If I were to say you are good and being just Seulgi is more than okay, I'd be totally clowning you. I've never seen you play, so I don't know if you're good or bad."

 

Seulgi giggled at the girl's honesty, "You're funny."

 

"I'm just being honest."

 

"Do you play anything?"

 

"No, not at all. It's absolutely not my thing."

 

"What? Why?"

 

"Well, I have no idea. As a kid I loved to draw, and I grew up thinking I'd work with that, because I really liked it. But as you can see," Joohyun pointed at the thick book on her lap, "I went another way."

 

Seulgi frowned, "And why?"

 

"Because my mother is an accountant, and my father is an accountant, and of course their only daughter had to be an accountant too."

 

"So you just did what they wanted?"

 

"Well, sort of. When I went to college I thought about doing something related to Art but… I don't know. I think my parents got me when they put the money matter on the table. Accounting pays the bills, you know?"

 

"But Art pays it too!"

 

Joohyun giggled at how Seulgi sounded truly offended and added, "Yeah, if you're really good, and most of all, if you're lucky. And we can't afford waiting for luck. So now I'm an accounting student, and I kind of like it."

 

"I can't even imagine living a life with no Art."

 

"Who says that's my case?"

 

"Do you still draw?"

 

"No. I wish though."

 

"Then why don't you just… draw?"

 

Joohyun smiled timidly, "Because I don't have this eagerness that made you paint your drums in blood. That stayed in my childhood, and got lost when I was a teenager."

 

"You can get it back."

 

"It's not that easy. And I don't even think I want that. I like it better as a good memory from being a kid with dreams. If I get back to it, and plan on working with it, and end up realizing my parents were right and, yeah, Art doesn't pay the bills so it's good for nothing… my good memory from childhood is ruined, don't you think?"

 

Seulgi sighed deeply and pulled out a weak smile and said, "Yeah. I got your point. Some things in life are better in the past."

 

"Yeah, and I'd hate to ruin such a good memory. All the fun of it."

 

"Don't you have fun with your accounting?"

 

"Are we starting to ask the tough questions?" Joohyun chuckled. "Even if I don't, I have to. I also chose accounting because there was really nothing else left for me. The drawing thing was just a hobby, even if I could dream to work with it, I don't think I would've been any good. I'd starve because I wouldn't ask my parents for money just so they could say things like 'I told you Art doesn't pay the bills'."

 

"I think you'd do great."

 

Joohyun glared at her, "You see? That's why I didn't compliment your drumming; you're totally clowning me!"

 

"I'm not! I really think you would. If you draw ever since you're a kid, then you have the hands for it, you have the pace, you know what to do, you know? And as an adult, you'd just be improving that, so you'd do great. I really believe that."

 

"Is that what happened to you?"

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"Did you start at drums when you're a kid and then just kept improving and improving yourself?"

 

"Yeah, I guess. I've always loved it, like, it's actually weird. Do you believe people are born destined to specific things? Because I swear to you, and I have my mom as witness, that I was this little baby with small strong hands and I'd just make anything as a drum, like, I'd hit anything just to make a sound. And as I grew up, I just got better at finding rhythm and all. Mom bought me a kit when I was ten because well, she just had to do something about that, really."

 

"That's adorable," Joohyun giggled, "baby Seulgi making music. I bet your monolids were so cute back then."

 

"They're not cute now?" Seulgi frowned in a fake offense.

 

"No, they make you y."

 

Seulgi let out an awkward nervous laugh when Joohyun's statement hit her so suddenly, "Yeah—uhm, thanks. I guess?"

 

This girl was sure too straightforward and Seulgi's thoughts on whether she was just cheeky or she was actually hitting on her were on fire now.

 

"And answering your question, no, I don't think people have fates," Joohyun said and Seulgi was glad she changed the subject, "I believe components of life lead you where you have to be. And sometimes you don't even wanna go that path really, so you change that by yourself. But wouldn't that choice be also based on components of your life? For example, I tried to escape my accounting fate, but I had no idea where to go; didn't have any hidden talents nor other interests— and the drawing thing wasn't an option because you know, the bills—, so even though I tried to change my path, the components of my life still brought me to accounting. Maybe with someone is different, and when they change, they really change. Before my mother met my father she used to love poetry, she even wrote some, but after she started to date him, she fell in love with all of him, including his way with numbers, so she found herself loving that too. And suddenly, they're applying for the same college, for the same major, and years later they're both accountants. She changed her initial path, and the components of her life lead her to do that. Don't you think?"

 

"Uhm, wait. Did she throw the poetry thing away and all?"

 

"Not exactly, she still reads it from time to time, she doesn't write that much, but... it's there, someplace. I like to think she sees the numbers she works with differently from my father because she has the eyes of a poet, like she's more… careful? Or something along those lines."

 

"I see. And I imagine she really does. I mean, when you work with Art, any kind of Art, you sort of see things differently, you know? Like, if you see this couple, sitting at some random bar, talking to each other and all, it's just some couple at a random bar talking to each other, and you just keep walking and then you're thinking about what you're having for dinner when you finally get home and take your shoes off and all. But, if you're, I don't know, this painter, and you walk down the street, pass in front of a bar, sees a couple talking to each other, then you just saw how the dimmed lights are illuminating them so very on point even though it's kind of dark in this part of the street, and you see just how lovingly they're staring at each other while they're talking, and it's almost funny how they seem to be so lost in their eyes but at the same time it feels like they're memorizing all of the other's words. And all you want to do is paint each and every part of that scene because all of it is just so relevant to the moment. And you walk home thinking of what colors, what brushes, what canvas you should use to capture that into your Art. And when you get home, you don't even take your shoes off because you're too excited for that. And you just remember you didn't have dinner when your stomach cries in pain," Seulgi giggled.

 

Joohyun giggled too, looking at her with some dreamy smile and saying, "Has that ever happened to you?"

 

"Oh, no. I've never been in some random bar staring lovingly at someone."

 

"Not that," Joohyun chuckled, shoving Seulgi with her shoulder lightly, "have you ever been inspired with something so mundane?"

 

"All the time, actually. Everything can turn into a beat. And some people think drummers can't come up with melodies, well, screw them. Everything is about the beat, you know? So I take that responsibility very seriously. But the school band isn't all about original songs, we play the classic jazz tunes, don't get me wrong — I love playing them —, but I want to be putting some of my ideas into action some day. To play original pieces, my own beats and all."

 

"That's cool."

 

"Yeah. For now, I just need to get my major done, do some extra classes, have a nice drummer resume and all. It's a cool phase, really."

 

"You seem so focused."

 

"I guess I am," Seulgi smiled weakly.

 

"But the jogging part is what amazes me the most."

 

Seulgi laughed, "This again?"

 

"I don't know, it really surprised me," Joohyun laughed too.

 

Before Seulgi could say anything back, the train voice announced they're about to get to the station and she felt a sudden twirl of sorrow inside of her; getting to their destination meant leaving Joohyun.

 

Seulgi turned and caught the girl beside her raising her eyebrows in realization. She excused herself to get her bag, and while she went back to her seat, Seulgi sighed deeply and shut her eyes. She didn't want to leave. Something inside her shouted in demand to be with Joohyun.

 

When the train stopped and the doors opened, Joohyun motioned with her head for Seulgi to step off with her.

 

They walked to the doors and as soon as they stepped out of the train, Seulgi opened to say something, but Joohyun was faster.

 

"I'll walk you up, is that okay?"

 

"Uhm, yeah, sure."

 

While they walked toward the stairs, all Seulgi could think was how she absolutely didn't want to go, but how would she say that to Joohyun? They talked for a bit, but they're still strangers.

 

Everytime she turned quickly to glance at the girl, Joohyun returned the look with a kind smile. So pretty.

 

Seulgi walked up the stairs and clenched her fists; her drumsticks still tightened into her right hand. She just wanted to stay with Joohyun even for the day, even if they were strangers, something just pulled Seulgi to her.

 

"So, there's the ticket machine," Joohyun said, stopping in front of Seulgi and pointing at the machine a few meters away from them. "This is a goodbye then, right?"

 

Seulgi scratched the back of her neck and sighed, "Yeah. I guess."

 

"Thanks for the nice talking, it was really a pleasure meeting you."

 

"Yeah yeah, same. Nice to meet you."

 

Seulgi switched the sticks from her right to her left hand to shake hands with Joohyun, "Have a nice life, I guess."

 

"Likewise," Joohyun said with a smile, shaking her hand.

 

They took more than necessary at their handshake. Their glances attached as if glued. Joohyun's smile was shining so beautifully that Seulgi couldn't help but to smile too. Seulgi let go of her hand and they bowed to each other before turning and walking to opposite directions.

 

Seulgi walked to the ticket machine so slowly and her brain just told her that that pace was so, so wrong. Even though she wanted to stay and spend more time with Joohyun, she had to accept they're just strangers who met on the train and exchanged a few stories in order to distract from the long trip. Joohyun didn't want any obstacles in her life anymore, and she was probably straight anyway, since Seulgi was definitely attracted to her she had to bear that in mind too. Joohyun was just that, a beautiful stranger whom she talked to on the train.

 

But her slow pace sounded so out of rhythm.

 

Joohyun seemed to have liked talking to Seulgi. Joohyun wanted a day off, to just walk around. Seulgi could give that to her. They could have their day off and not be obstacles in the other's life because they're just strangers and that'd be only a day.

 

Seulgi felt her heart pounding hard as the idea kicked in; she turned and ran toward the small figure now so far away from her. The sound of her fast steps hitting the station's floor and echoing through the place just felt so right, and that was the exact rhythm the moment craved for.

 

As Joohyun's figure got closer and closer, Seulgi slowed her pace down until she finally stopped right in front of the girl. Joohyun flinched in surprise to see a flushed Seulgi.

 

"Hi," the drummer said.

 

"Hi," Joohyun frowned, but had an awkward smile on her face.

 

"I really liked talking to you and I don't want our conversation to end yet. So I thought maybe we could just have that day off you wanted so much; walk around, talk. You're on your week off, and I can go back to Seoul at the end of the day. This way we won't be obstacles to the other, we can keep up with our lives normally but this day… this day will be different."

 

Joohyun raised her eyebrows and the awkward smile turned into a grin.

 

"So, what do you say?" Seulgi asked.

 

They stared at each other and Seulgi couldn't tell what that grin on Joohyun's face meant. Did she think she was bat crazy? Seulgi was about to throw the idea off and apologize for being too forward; that definitely wasn't for her, but Joohyun finally spoke:

 

"You ran and you're not even breathing heavily," she said and Seulgi furrowed her brows in confusion, "God, the jogging really amazes me."

 

Seulgi let a loud laugh out and Joohyun did the same.

 

"You really want to stay?" Joohyun asked.

 

"Yes. I do. With you. If it's not weird and all."

 

Joohyun giggled, "It isn't."

 

"Okay."

 

"So… What are you planning?"

 

"Well… Actually I don't even… I've never been to Daegu so I have no clue."

 

"You've never been here before? Wow. Okay."

 

"Sorry."

 

"What are you apologizing for?"

 

"I don't know, it felt rude not to visit your hometown."

 

Joohyun laughed, "You're cute, Seulgi."

 

"Well I — uh, thanks."

 

"Are you hungry or something? We could have lunch, it's almost midday."

 

"Sounds good."

 

Joohyun led the way and they're eating at someplace in the subway station, Seulgi paying attention to everything Joohyun said about how she wasn't a big fan of coffee and every time she tried it she'd throw up minutes after.

 

"I can't even imagine that, I absolutely love the energy it can give you. It's really helpful when I'm practicing until late," Seulgi said, finishing her food.

 

"Well, first of all drinking coffee before sleeping sounds just gross, second, how can you drink something so strong and bitter? God."

 

"Because it's tasty! And you can build your own, put cream, sugar, milk… maybe you just have to find the right one for you."

 

"Are we still talking about coffee here?"

 

Seulgi chuckled, "I'm impressed, it's the first time I talk to a coffee hater."

 

"I'm not a hater! I'm just not a lover, that's all."

 

"Besides, coffee is just the thing for accountants. They seem the type to spend hours and hours stuck in some office and carrying huge eyebags and they're just so pissed because they spilled coffee all over their heavy paperwork and the boss will murder them in the morning."

 

"Oh God, what are you even saying?" Joohyun shook her head while Seulgi laughed loudly.

 

"You're lucky you have this cap, otherwise people might know you're secretly a boring accountant addicted to coffee. You can't fool me."

 

"I didn't know you could be so annoying. Can you go back to Seoul now?"

 

"Oh no way. Someone's gotta pay for my cancelled plans, and you're just perfect for the job."

 

"I should've known no stranger would be so kind for nothing."

 

Seulgi giggled, "Anyways, did you have any plans for today? I wanna know if I ruined something for you."

 

"Not really. Today's laundry day, but that's all. My life's really not that thrilling."

 

"Uhm, fine then. Oh, my bag's not that heavy since I wasn't really staying here, but yours look like it is, we should get a locker, right?"

 

"That'd be great."

 

They finished their meals and took care of Joohyun's bag and walked to the station's exit. Joohyun guided Seulgi through the streets and made some comments about the city, and Seulgi had to keep herself attentive to her words at the same time that her beauty called so much of her attention.

 

While walking, Seulgi took a few turns at Joohyun just to admire how pretty she was under the sunlight. It was impossible to push the attraction away now, the high chances of the girl being straight weren't enough for Seulgi to forget these thoughts.

 

After Joohyun announced which part of the city they were, things got quiet between them and — Seulgi had to admit — sort of awkward.

 

They exchanged glances and smiled sheepishly.

 

"Okay, this is getting a bit awkward," Joohyun declared.

 

Seulgi giggled and lowered her head shyly, "Yeah, sorry about that. I didn't have a big plan or anything."

 

"No need to apologize, it's okay."

 

"Uhm, what about just walk and see where our feet take us? I know you live here so don't cheat and take me someplace you already know too well, let's just wander aimlessly."

 

"I'm fine with that. And I'm not really the type to walk around that much, so it's not like I know many places here."

 

"So, while we're just walking… What about telling me more about you? I mean, we're still strangers and all."

 

"Uhm… what about some ping pong questions?"

 

"Ping pong questions?" Seulgi frowned.

 

"I ask you a question, then you ask me a question. After obviously answering them."

 

"Oh, alright, I liked that. You start."

 

"Okay… So, how was your first kiss?"

 

"Seriously?"

 

"Yeah," Joohyun said, seeming to be having so much fun.

 

"Uh… well, it was messy. I don't remember much of it, but I know it was messy because it was the person's first kiss too, so we didn't know what to do and all."

 

"The person?"

 

"Yeah. The girl, to be more specific."

 

"Oh," Joohyun mouthed with a nod. Seulgi kept to herself how she sounded way too interested in her preference for girls.

 

"She's my friend now, my best friend actually. But we definitely didn't do that again. We just wanted to get rid of the 'never been kissed' thing. It's a big deal when we're teenagers, I guess."

 

"That's when you realized you liked girls?"

 

"Well, kind of. But it felt weird because it was my friend there, so I didn't take it too seriously."

 

"Okay. Your turn."

 

"Uhm… how was your first time?"

 

"Oh, bold one."

 

"You started it," Seulgi smirked at her.

 

"It happened with this boyfriend I had when I was seventeen. It wasn't necessarily good, but back then I convinced myself it had been. He was my boyfriend so I thought it just had to be good. And all my friends had told me it'd hurt so that didn't really mean it wasn't good."

 

"What?" Seulgi asked with a start.

 

Joohyun chuckled at her distress, "I know that's total bull now, okay? But teenager me didn't, so I accepted it and took it as a nice first experience."

 

"Uh, sorry about that."

 

"How was yours?"

 

"Is that your question?"

 

"Yeah."

 

"Okay. Well… it was fine. I guess."

 

"You guess?" Joohyun giggled, "Oh let's go this way — I'm not cheating it's just more beautiful around there."

 

They turned to the street to their left and Seulgi continued:

 

"I wasn't really, well, sober. And I know how that sounds and all, but I didn't think I could have done it without being drunk. So we had a few and then I realized we had more than a few… next morning I didn't recall much of it, so yeah."

 

"So how do you know you actually did it?"

 

Seulgi lowered her head and averted her eyes away from Joohyun, answering with embarrassment, "Because well, I — uhm, sort of… woke up feeling this, uh, different ache between my legs and all."

 

Joohyun laughed loudly and this time no one glared at her, "You don't need to be all shy about it."

 

"I'm not," Seulgi lied with a scowl. "Then tell me how was your last time."

 

"You're just getting bolder and bolder."

 

"My revenge."

 

"My last time was with a girl."

 

Seulgi didn't have the time to even think about faking how absolutely shocked she was. She gawked at Joohyun, her eyebrows disappearing behind her bangs, and she snapped, "Really?"

 

"Really," Joohyun nodded with a chortle. "You're surprised?"

 

"Well, I — yeah. You bet I am."

 

"Why's that?"

 

"I just, well, I didn't know you… you know."

 

"Oh, it's alright. Now you know."

 

Seulgi nodded, "Yeah. I do. Sure. Was it good?"

 

"Very much, indeed."

 

"Oh. Good. Yeah, good for you, right?"

 

"Yeah, right," Joohyun giggled. "Girls are better in bed, don't you think?"

 

"I don't really… I mean I— I've never been with a man so… I can't really answer that."

 

"Oh. So this is me telling you that girls are better in bed," she laughed.

 

"Okay," Seulgi laughed too.

 

"My turn now. Do you always carry them?" Joohyun asked, motioning at the drumsticks in Seulgi's left hand.

 

"Sort of. But it's really not planned, I just happen to be holding them all the time, I don't even realize."

 

"Can you, like, twirl them with your fingers like drummers do to flatter themselves?"

 

Seulgi laughed, "To flatter themselves?"

 

"Well, it just can't be for another reason, don't you think?"

 

"I have to agree with you. And yes, I can do that."

 

"Then show me!" Joohyun asked and Seulgi chuckled at her excitement.

 

Seulgi then took a stick on her right hand and twirled it between her index and middle finger, Joohyun gasped.

 

"This is really cool! You have to teach me."

 

"Okay," Seulgi stopped the twirling and handed her the other stick. "Put it between your fingers like this. Now, make just the exact amount of force to push the stick to the other finger, but hold it in place so it won't fall; just twirl back."

 

Joohyun furrowed her eyebrows and did as Seulgi told, but too sloppily that the stick fell, and Seulgi was able to catch it with a small laugh, "Almost there, just hold it tighter."

 

Seulgi watched her trying again. The stick twirled between her two fingers and even though it was at a slow pace, Seulgi cheered.

 

"It's so bad, don't clown me!" Joohyun whined while the stick was still spinning slowly and sloppily in her hand.

 

"It's good! You're doing it, Joohyun," Seulgi grinned at her.

 

Joohyun turned to the grinning girl beside her and the stick fell to the ground and they stopped walking; Seulgi was too busy looking at Joohyun's distracted gaze upon her to bother catching it.

 

They shared a quick glance that felt way more intense than the other ones they'd shared. Now that Seulgi knew Joohyun like girls, things had changed inside her.

 

"You did great," the drummer praised while taking the stick from the ground and getting back to their walk.

 

"Don't clown me."

 

"I really meant it!"

 

"I think I need much more practice until I can flatter myself with it."

 

"We still playing the ping pong questions?"

 

"Sure."

 

"What's the thing you fear the most?"

 

"Oh. Nice one. Let me think." Joohyun hummed to herself then said, "Dying."

 

"C'mon! Dying? I was really expecting something less cliche here," Seulgi laughed.

 

"Not the dying as it is, but I mean the dying as… How? When? That really terrifies me. Once I was walking back from class, really pissed over some bad test results, and all I was thinking was how I needed to get home and study more and more so that wouldn't happen again. I was so absorbed into it that I didn't notice I crossed the street without looking, and a jogger ran over me, knocking me to the ground. So there I was, on all fours in the middle of a busy Daegu, feeling so humiliated that I brushed the guy that pushed me off and told him to off. I just ran home and that was it."

 

"Uh… I really don't — What does that have to do with dying? And, wait — is that why you tease me so much about jogging?"

 

"It could've been a bus! A car, a motorcycle! I would've died in the middle of a busy street, humiliated, in the worst possible hair day and all I was thinking about before dying was a damn college assignment."

 

"So you had an epiphany when a jogger hit you?"

 

"You can put it that way."

 

"Do you think I'm another jogger summoned to have the same effect on you? That's why the teasing?" Seulgi laughed.

 

"Don't mock me, I'm serious. I had an almost death situation, you shouldn't laugh."

 

"Almost death? You just fell!" Seulgi laughed even louder.

 

"It was so much more than that. You know what's like being hit by a jogger? I suppose you don't, since, well, you're the jogger."

 

Seulgi was still laughing when she stopped Joohyun taking her by the shoulders and announcing amusingly, "I'm not that kind of jogger, alright? I'm always careful and I'm certainly not giving you an epiphany. But I have to say, not all joggers are like that," she giggled.

 

"I bet you say that to all the women you hang with."

 

"No, you're surprisingly the first one."

 

Joohyun laughed, "Okay that's enough. But I'm serious, the accident really made me fear death, especially the stupid ones."

 

They started to walk again.

 

"So you fear death, but specifically what will lead you to it."

 

"Yeah. That."

 

"Okay, fair enough."

 

"What's the thing you love the most?"

 

"My mom," Seulgi said right away and they laughed.

 

"Mommy's little girl."

 

Seulgi shoved Joohyun lightly, "Let me be."

 

"You two are really close, uh?"

 

"Yeah. We sort of had to, you know. Dad left us and we only had each other. She was sad for losing the love of her life, and I was sad for losing my family. I don't hate him or anything, but as a kid I did. I mean, he seemed so happy with mum and all, like these drama couples but after the ending, where they get together and are overjoyed. I always thought they're the great example of love, because they really seemed to be totally crazy for the other. But dad just left mum for another woman, and our world just shattered. Ever since that, love's just this strange and failed concept."

 

"Then how did you date that girl?"

 

"Yeah, well… as I told you, I don't really think I loved her. I was just… going with it, experiencing and all."

 

"You talk to your father?"

 

"Regularly. He always attends my concerts and tries his best to keep up with my life. But he's far away from meaning what mum means for me. We've been through a lot together."

 

"That's cute."

 

"Well, yeah. I've managed to live like that. And what about your parents? How are they like?"

 

"Pretty boring," Joohyun said and they giggled together. "When I look back at my childhood, they were always working, but that wasn't exactly bad, I mean, they were nice and loving, but they were distant at the same time. It wasn't too bad but not too good as well. I'm an only child so I'd say I was a bit lonely. Anyways I don't think I can complain, even though I'm not as close to them as you are with your mother."

 

"Uhm, I get your point."

 

"Yeah, and the drawing was some sort of comfort thing for me, but it just… changed. I changed, I suppose."

 

"Well, I see that as a great tragedy; living artless."

 

"Why do you think I'm living artlessly? That's impossible for everyone, we're all surrounded by art, all the time. We just can't live artless. Not all of us are Music students, and that doesn't mean we're artless."

 

"I wasn't — I didn't mean that. But to create something, to create art; that's the real difference."

 

"You think other forms of creation are useless?"

 

"No, but creating art sure is superior."

 

"Oh, please. You're just being cocky now."

 

"I just love what I do and what it means to the world, and since we're so underrated and all, I have to praise it to the skies!"

 

"You can do that without belittling others. Art is as important as Science, just like they are equally as relevant as Philosophy, and that goes to all areas."

 

They walked in silence for a few seconds that Seulgi took to absorb Joohyun's words, then she chuckled and said, "Did we just have our first argument?"

 

Joohyun rolled her eyes, but giggled, saying, "Yeah, I'm almost begging you to go back to Seoul already."

 

"I've told you someone's gotta pay for my ruined plans."

 

They laughed and after some more walking, Joohyun asked for them to stop by a park and sit on a bench.

 

"Tired from walking already?" Seulgi teased.

 

"Oh, no. I just think this is a beautiful view."

 

"It is indeed."

 

"Yeah, I thought you'd like. This isn't cheating, right?"

 

"No, no way. Thanks. It really is beautiful."

 

"I don't take much time of my days to just sit around parks and just… sit, you know? My routine is sort of strict and I'm never putting things like going to the park on my to do list. In my head that'd be wasting time, a time where I could be studying or taking care of things at home, or something like that."

 

"Do you feel like you're wasting time right now?"

 

"No," Joohyun said and locked eyes with Seulgi, "it's our day off."

 

They turned to watch the view, and Joohyun said without deviating from the sight, "Are you religious?"

 

"Well, my mom is, so I kind of grew up being catholic and all, but I don't consider myself a christian, or anything really. Even though sometimes it's all just too much, you know? I don't blame people who find explanations for certain things in religion. I mean, some things are just too much. I love Music and I love its theory and I keep wondering, was it really a human being that came up with all this? Is it possible to be this good? Maybe there's a God and he's the one who came up with all the things humans couldn't. I mean, we're such a failed society, could we really have been capable of creating such a thing as Music? That's quite hard to believe, if you ask me."

 

"That's exactly why I asked you that; looking at this green, this sky… it's everything so perfect it could only be divine, don't you think?"

 

"Yeah, I really get your point. Humans are just too dumb for that."

 

"But are these our only options? God or humans?"

 

"Are we going extraterrestrial already?"

 

Joohyun chuckled, "Not like that, but if there ain't such a thing as God, and humans ain't capable of doing all of this, then what? Then who's in charge, you know?"

 

"Uhm, I don't know. In the end, that kind of doesn't matter."

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"I don't think people believe in God because they're interested in who's in charge of creating this grass or that sky; I think religion is about belonging. You're safe beside God, right? You're loved and all."

 

"We all want to be wanted."

 

"Yeah, and God won't be an obstacle, right?"

 

"Are you trying to allure me into your church or something?" Joohyun asked with a small chortle.

 

"No, I don't even go to churches. I hadn't been inside one ever since I was a kid, which's a pity really, I like the energy it gives you and all. Like it's blessed, you know?"

 

"You're confusing me; are you religious or not?"

 

"I'm not, but holy places have this homey vibe and all. It's almost comforting. I think it's because it reminds me of when my parents were together. We'd go there as a family, and after dad left, we stopped going; mom didn't like it because people were talking behind her back, saying she destroyed her marriage and that she'd raise a problematic child. I hated that, but because I was so into this girl that used to pray with me."

 

Joohyun laughed loudly, "Are you serious?"

 

"I am," Seulgi laughed too, "of course, at the time I had no idea I was into her; I thought she was just this friend I really missed. When we're young, we play a lot with the other kids in church, so we were kind of close, we even prayed together and all. It was really something."

 

"I don't think I had someone like that, a childhood crush or something like that. I was really lonely," Joohyun giggled. "Only when I got into high school the boys started to look at me differently. I dated some but I was never really attached, I was just bored and all the girls were doing it, so I thought I was supposed to do the same."

 

"I bet all the boys from school drooled over you."

 

Joohyun laughed, "I didn't care about that. Even when I was dating one, I still felt alone." 

 

 

"I'm glad that your ex-boyfriend at least cleared your mind and that doesn't bother you anymore."

 

"Yeah, that used to be a terrible dilemma for me. But I can deal with it now. I'm fine."

 

Seulgi beamed and turned to the view in front of her; a wide, very green park. From where they're sitting, they could see kids having fun at the playground far away from them. Only a few people were walking around the place, old ladies and their dogs, fast joggers, youngsters reading under the trees. It was so very calm and peaceful. Seulgi could sense something about how the wind blew and travelled through the pages of the reader, the loud pant coming from the jogger, the whine of the lady's dog, and Joohyun's voice saying:

 

"What are you doing?"

 

Seulgi frowned and followed Joohyun's eyes; the drumsticks were set in her hands, casually hitting her right leg, as if she were playing a song no one else could hear.

 

"Oh, it's just, the wind was, I don't know, doing something funny and all."

 

"The wind?"

 

"I mean, yeah. I told you inspiration comes from really anywhere for me."

 

"This moment's inspiring you?" Joohyun smiled.

 

"Yeah. It's so peaceful and quiet that I can hear it."

 

"Wow. This is really something."

 

"What is?"

 

"You. Hearing things people can't really hear."

 

"Well, it's not really about hearing. But I've been in constant contact with music that I feel everything has its own pace. Like, we're here, and it's so calm, so nice; and then I look around and see how everything is working together to make that pace, and usually I can just, well, come up with some rhythm that suits it, that brings that pace into reality. And something only I could hear, turns into a beat that everyone can listen to. Then I'll say things like 'oh what inspired me to make that song was this really pleasant walk around this beautiful park, and the trees were so beautiful and the green grass and all'," Seulgi chuckled to herself.

 

"Is this moment going to be a song in the future?" Joohyun teased.

 

Seulgi giggled shyly, "I don't know. I never really know. It just happens."

 

"You're right, though; this really is peaceful and nice."

 

"Yeah."

 

"Which is funny because I could do that any time I want but I just don't. Feels like life is all about work."

 

"Capitalism says amen to that," Seulgi added and they laughed.

 

"It shouldn't be a big deal, don't you think? To just sit and enjoy some view. It shouldn't make we feel so guilty."

 

"Yeah, I get your point. It's like we're busy even when we're not really busy. This constant feeling to keep practicing just because I have to. And I love drumming, I love Music. But that shouldn't keep me from enjoying other things in life."

 

"Thanks for this, for suggesting the day off. We barely know each other but… I'm really grateful for that."

 

"Well, I could be a psycho and all, but you said yes anyway, so thanks for trusting me I guess," Seulgi giggled.

 

 

 

 

They walked around the park carelessly until Seulgi suggested for them to take the bus to some shopping district, which Joohyun thought was a nice idea. Joohyun pointed at some places from the bus windows making comments on whether she had been there or not, and Seulgi paid attention to every word the girl said about her hometown.

 

As soon as they stepped out of the bus, Joohyun mentioned her opinions over clothing and food and really anything that was being sold at the stores they passed by. Seulgi nodded and made her own remarks, getting to know each other's tastes and preferences.

 

"What's that?" Seulgi asked, squinting at a crowd of people ahead of them, attentive to the far away music coming from it. "Sounds like a band or something."

 

Each step they took toward the crowd, they could hear the music getting louder and louder.

 

"Yeah, I guess it's really that." Seulgi affirmed to herself.

 

The moment they got to the crowd and strolled through the people, they're facing a street band; fast drumming, heavy guitar chords, deep bass and a female vocalist wildly singing with the crowd.

 

"They're making rock versions of K-pop songs!" Seulgi exclaimed at Joohyun's ear, since that was the only way they could hear each other in the middle of the loud music.

 

"She certainly rocks," Joohyun added.

 

"Hey, come here," Seulgi said, taking Joohyun's hand.

 

"What are you doing?" Joohyun frowned when Seulgi led her right to the front of where the band was, then with desperation in her voice she said again, "Oh my God, Seulgi what are you doing."

 

"Enjoying our day off," Seulgi shot her best smile at Joohyun's scowl.

 

Setting Joohyun's hand on her shoulder, Seulgi started to dance to the song and Joohyun buried her face on her chest in embarrassment, crying out, "You can't be serious, oh God."

 

Singing along to the song, Seulgi led their steps enthusiastically, and soon they noticed other young couples step ahead and dance too. Joohyun burst out laughing.

 

"What have you done?" Joohyun screamed so Seulgi could hear her.

 

They laughed out loud and now Joohyun seemed less shy about the whole thing and lost herself to the dance. Bobbing their heads to the beat, singing along, and Joohyun's hearty laughter making Seulgi smile so wide that she thought she had never grinned so much in her life.

 

"I can't believe I'm actually doing this," Joohyun exclaimed in Seulgi's ear.

 

"Why? It's fun!"

 

"Everybody's laughing, Seulgi!"

 

"Well, 'cause they're having fun too. C'mon, enjoy it!"

 

Their steps were sloppy but Seulgi made sure that they were in rhythm. The other couples making their own moves and the crowd laughing and pointing their phone cameras at them. Seulgi locked eyes with the very embarrassed Joohyun and mouthed it's okay, along with a reassuring smile. Joohyun smiled back and the drummer's heartbeat was faster than the rock song blasting in their ears.

 

 

 

"Are they still dancing?" Joohyun asked.

 

Seulgi turned her head back and laughed, "Yeah, they are."

 

"You really started a revolution there."

 

They're casually walking through the district again, the music from the band fading as they stepped away from the crowd.

 

"That was a lot of fun," Joohyun said excitedly, "made me want to sing. We should totally go to some karaoke bar."

 

"That'd be cool."

 

"Do you think there are any bars open at three in the afternoon on a thursday?"

 

"Well, I guess we could wait a bit more so we could go."

 

"Yeah, you're right." Joohyun nodded and took her cap off to run her fingers through her long hair. Seulgi felt the air in her lungs getting caught up at the sight.

 

"Wow," she whispered, but Joohyun heard it.

 

"What?"

 

"Uh, it's, uhm, you just… it's the first time I see you without the cap and all."

 

"Oh, the cap. I don't look cool anymore, do I?"

 

"Well… you look just…"

 

"What?"

 

"You look cool," was all Seulgi could say. Some intense shyness took over her and the words you're beautiful just wouldn't come out.

 

"Guess I don't need the cap anymore then," she smiled.

 

Seulgi offered her bag so she could put the cap away and they kept their walk with Seulgi casually looking at Joohyun just because she was so absurdly beautiful.

 

"I'm starving already," Seulgi whined, patting her belly. "Food's smelling everywhere here."

 

They stopped at some food stand and Seulgi let Joohyun choose for them and they ate together, both looking clearly more relaxed toward the other.

 

 

 

Another bus ride to visit some other part of town and Seulgi could sense how Joohyun was starting to look a bit tired from all the walking.

 

"Let's just sit here for a moment," Seulgi said when they reached some park packed with skateboarders. "You look quite tired."

 

"Not used to such intense walking. But it's okay, I'm having fun."

 

"Are you sure?"

 

"Yeah. I wouldn't lie."

 

"Okay."

 

"This is probably the most thrilling day of my life, and it's not even over yet."

 

"I'll take that as a compliment."

 

Joohyun gave a small chortle, "It's really all your fault, don't you think?"

 

"Yeah, put the blame on me, I'll take it."

 

"The girl that was my last time, I cheated on my ex with her."

 

Seulgi choked on her own breath and turned astonished at the girl next to her, snapping, "Sorry?"

 

"Just so you know who you've been spending your day with," Joohyun giggled to herself, "I cheated on him and the thing was I didn't even feel guilty about the whole thing. He just made me so miserable that doing it just felt… worth it. It was almost funny, really; she was this girl from class I've always looked at differently, but I imagined I just thought she was cool and pretty. Thank God and some beers, this one night some friends from college went out for drinks and I tagged along. The whole time she kept giving me looks — you know what looks I'm talking about here —, and casually whispering in my ear. So I check my phone and the left me on read for the thousandth time and I'm just so pissed that I let the alcohol convince me that that girl is totally into me and that I'm brave enough to go for it. You see, that was my first woman… I was terrified obviously. Finally admitting to myself that looking differently at girls meant I feel attracted to them was a huge deal, but the beers helped. And I didn't drink as much as you did in your first time" — they chuckled — "so I remember all of it; the feeling of freedom, some sort of acceptance over finally knowing what I wanted and, God, she was just really, really good. And I knew what I was doing, I knew I was cheating, but everything just felt so goddamn right. And the next day I barged into that 's apartment saying I wanted to break up and that I had cheated on him. He called me a and I just laughed at him, he was so pissed. That series of events were the most thrilling thing about my life but somehow just being with you it's way more… exciting."

 

"Wow," Seulgi sighed.

 

"Too much, I know. Just want to make clear that I'm really having fun."

 

"Well, I… I'm glad to hear that. Really. I'm having fun too. A lot, actually."

 

They smiled at each other and Seulgi feared that her heartbeats were so loud that Joohyun would hear it, and it just got even worse when she put her hand upon Seulgi's and said in a quiet voice, "I'm really liking you, Seulgi."

 

 

 

Beer bottles were spread over the table. Seulgi leaned against the couch while sipping her drink and watching Joohyun sing some song in the karaoke room. She wasn't really paying attention to the music, all of her senses were attached to that beautiful woman next to her, happily shouting the lyrics on the screen. When she laughed, Seulgi laughed too.

 

When the song was over, Seulgi cheered and applauded.

 

"Your turn," Joohyun said, handing the microphone. "God, it's been ages since I don't do this."

 

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Seulgi asked, taking the microphone.

 

"Yes! I love to sing, it's so freeing. But just like everything else that's fun in my life, I push it aside," she said, taking a sip of her drink. "This day-off thing was a great idea really. Even when I'm on vacation I don't have this much fun."

 

"I'm glad you're liking it," Seulgi grinned.

 

"Oh, you have such a cute smile, you know that? You're just so cute all the time."

 

Seulgi giggled and lowered her head in embarrassment, "Stop it."

 

"How lucky am I, really? The cutest girl asked me to spend a day with her, and I'm loving every second of it. We make a good pair, don't you think?"

 

"Well, I… I think we do. I'm having a lot of fun too, for real. But I'm the lucky one, you said yes to my crazy suggestion. I mean, we were just two strangers and all."

 

Joohyun chuckled, "Yeah yeah, and I know I was a bit crazy too to accept the offer, but what can I say? The best choice I've ever made."

 

"You're just saying that because you're drunk."

 

"What? Of course not!" Joohyun exclaimed and punched Seulgi's shoulder. "I'm saying it because it's true! I don't usually go out with everyone who asks me to and I obviously wouldn't do it with someone I barely know! So yeah, you're something new for me, and saying yes to your request was insane, but I'm loving it! I'm honestly loving all of this and I'm a bit drunk I know, but I'm also one hundred percent sure you're just… I don't even know," she furrowed her brows and shook her head.

 

"I'm what?" Seulgi asked with an amused smirk. Somehow hearing Joohyun blabber about her was fun.

 

"I have no idea. What the hell are you, Seulgi?"

 

Seulgi laughed, "What?"

 

"Yeah, what! How could you be so…"

 

"So…?"

 

"I don't know! Can you just sing your song?" Joohyun groaned in a drunk anger.

 

"I will, but you need to calm down, I'm on your side here," Seulgi giggled and patted the girl's shoulder.

 

Joohyun sighed deeply and shrugged, "Fine, I'm overreacting a bit, but it's the alcohol okay? One bottle is enough for me to start blabbering."

 

"It's fine, it's funny."

 

"I'm pathetic," Joohyun covered her face with her hands.

 

"No way, you're just cute."

 

Joohyun looked up to Seulgi and said, "I'm not, you are."

 

"Then we're even."

 

"Then we're even," Joohyun said and they grinned at each other.

 

Seulgi chose some random track to sing; they're having fun regardless of the song they'd sing anyways.

 

"You sing very well, do you know that?" Joohyun asked when Seulgi finished.

 

"I've been told."

 

"Why are you a drummer and not a singer then?"

 

"Well, 'cause I don't love singing, I love drumming."

 

"Oh, love," Joohyun repeated in a dreamy tone.

 

"Yeah, love," Seulgi giggled.

 

She moved closer to Joohyun to hand her the microphone and felt their shoulders touching. Seulgi looked up at her and got caught up at how stunning the girl looked in that moment; the disco ball lights flashing through her face, exalting her casual smirk, making her huge eyes look even bigger, and when Seulgi stared down at Joohyun's lips, her lungs seemed to stop functioning.

 

"What?" Joohyun asked with an amused smirk.

 

Seulgi didn't deviate from the girl's lips when she stuttered, "I — I just… I think the lights, they're just…"

 

"They're what?"

 

"They… They're…"

 

As though she knew what was going on Seulgi's chaotic mind, Joohyun bit her lip before saying, "Do you want to kiss me, Seulgi?"

 

Seulgi quickly looked up and when they locked eyes all she could do in response was nod and silently got rid of the microphone.

 

Joohyun put her arms around Seulgi's neck and leaned closer but they didn't kiss right away; instead, they took time analyzing each other's features carefully, and Joohyun's intense gaze upon her made Seulgi shiver in anticipation. Their breaths were heavy and now Seulgi was certain that Joohyun could hear her heartbeats.

 

When they finally kissed, Seulgi closed her eyes and almost melted at how soft those lips felt against hers. A quiet moan escaped from the second Joohyun intensified her pace and things got more desperate. Seulgi placed her hand on Joohyun's thigh and squeezed, making her gasp in the kiss.

 

Soon enough, Seulgi took Joohyun by the waist and with her firm motion, pulled the girl to her lap. Now that Joohyun was straddling Seulgi, their movements were performed more freely and they had more access to the other.

 

Joohyun started to Seulgi's shirt in a hurry and Seulgi slipped her hands underneath hers and ran her palms along the girl's back, making way to her front and just when she got to her s, Joohyun stopped.

 

"We — I can't do it," she snapped and Seulgi quickly took her hands off her.

 

"I did something wrong? I'm sorry, I was a bit —"

 

"No, it's not that," Joohyun interrupted her and sighed deeply, shutting her eyes and covering her face with her hands.

 

"You can tell me, if you want to."

 

Joohyun sighed deeply again. She took the hands off her face but didn't look at Seulgi, as if she were embarrassed.

 

"I can't have with you. We obviously wouldn't be doing it here because I certainly would not allow such thing, so I'd take you home and then you'd probably meet my parents and if that's not trouble enough then you'd go to my room, and you'd lay on my bed, and you'd leave all of your scent on my sheets and, yeah, I could get rid of it washing them, but I wouldn't ever be able to wash your touch off of me. And I simply wouldn't let you go, but I can't do that! I can't and I'd be a ing mess because this is just a day, you're just my day off, my fairy tale of less than twenty-four hours that I can't get attached to because you have to leave," she leaned and laid her head on Seulgi's shoulder, "we won't be obstacles to each other."

 

Seulgi swallowed dryly and placed a hand on Joohyun's head, caressing her hair while trying so hard to keep herself from breaking their agreement.

 

Joohyun moved just enough to be face to face with Seulgi. They shared looks of deep anguish and misery, but when they kissed again, all Seulgi could feel was love in the most pure and explicit form.

 

Seulgi wanted to say she was frustrated too, that she had no idea how she'd get so fond of the girl in so little time. It sounded ridiculous, but what Seulgi was feeling toward Joohyun was much more than attraction.

 

They couldn't be, that was their deal and Seulgi had to stick to it.

 

We won't be obstacles to each other.

 

Joohyun stopped their kiss and hugged Seulgi tightly. The drummer took the time to somehow keep all of the girl into her memory; her embrace, her scent, her breathing, even the weight on her lap. And she had a feeling that Joohyun was doing the same.

 

 

 

Seulgi watched a tipsy Joohyun giggling while pulling the drummer's hand and whining,

 

"C'mon! I want to see you jogging!"

 

"I'm definitely not doing that," Seulgi laughed.

 

They were at some park by the river, a place Joohyun promised she didn't know that much, but she wanted to show Seulgi just because it was beautiful. And Seulgi agreed with her the minute they stepped out of the bus and they entered the flowery road of the park, but even though it was surely a nice view of Daegu's evening, with Joohyun there, everything was only background.

 

"God, it's so unfair," Joohyun rolled her eyes.

 

"What is?"

 

"You!"

 

"Sorry?"

 

"You're just… so perfect. It's infuriating."

 

"I'm a bit lost here…"

 

"You're this… I don't know, you're just so young but you're so certain of what you want… and you even jog! And then you're so ing cute with your goddamn monolids and fluffy cheeks and all the stuttering — God, and you can even sing well! How unfair that is!"

 

Seulgi laughed loudly at how the girl seemed really irritated, "Are you mad at me because I'm cute?"

 

"A lot of people are cute, but not you — you just had to be cute and perfect."

 

"Don't say that, I'm blushing," Seulgi smiled timidly.

 

"No!" Joohyun snapped and startled Seulgi, "Don't flash this smile at me right now, Seulgi!"

 

"I mean — what's going on here?"

 

Seulgi was grinning when Joohyun put her arms around her neck and kissed her. Seulgi tasted the alcohol in Joohyun's mouth and they chuckled in the middle of their caresses. Pulling her closer to her body, Seulgi felt that slightly drunk kiss had the perfect pace.

 

They were much more comfortable around each other, and that wasn't only because of the couple of beers they'd had. It was beyond doubt they had tied a bond.

 

"I'm just so glad some random person dropped that dollar on the train," Seulgi said, putting a strand of Joohyun's hair behind her ear.

 

"Uhm, about that…" Joohyun lowered her head.

 

Seulgi frowned, "What?"

 

"No one dropped that dollar there," Joohyun answered, her voice muffled because she buried her face in Seulgi's neck.

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"A friend went to Los Angeles and brought it to me as a souvenir…"

 

"Uh… I'm not sure if I'm getting your point."

 

"That dollar's mine!" Joohyun exclaimed, looking up at Seulgi. "It's always in my bag and I just didn't think of anything else to say to approach you. I know it's silly."

 

"Are you serious?" Seulgi laughed.

 

"Yes, Seulgi, I'm serious," she rolled her eyes.

 

"The dollar was just an excuse?"

 

"Yeah!" She seemed really embarrassed and tried to move from their embrace, but Seulgi held her tighter. "I spent the entire trip staring at you, I honestly don't even know how you didn't catch me looking. I wasn't paying any attention to my book, and at first I was just pissed because your little drumming was distracting me, but when I laid my eyes on you I… I don't know, you're just so ing cute."

 

"Wow, I'm really shocked."

 

"You are?"

 

"Yeah, especially because I had the very same reaction when I laid my eyes on you. But just when I was thinking of something to say to you, you approached me."

 

"Did you know I was into you?"

 

"I guessed, but then you started to talk about your ex-boyfriend and I assumed you're a straight girl trying to make a friend and all."

 

"Never crossed your mind that I might've been a bisual woman?" Joohyun asked, glaring at her.

 

"Not gonna lie, that never crossed my mind," Seulgi giggled. "But wait, are you…?"

 

"In fact, I… I don't really know? How do you know these things?"

 

"You just live your life I guess, and analyze your preferences."

 

"You analyzed yours?"

 

"Yeah, and I've never felt any attraction toward a man."

 

"Wow, that's intriguing."

 

"What is?" Seulgi chuckled at Joohyun's thoughtful expression.

 

"You. Knowing what you want."

 

"Hold on, I think you're taking this too seriously," Seulgi laughed.

 

"Stop laughing at me," Joohyun punched her shoulder.

 

"Anyways, did you come at me because you're interested from the beginning?"

 

"Yeah… I just thought you're so cute. And the drumming… so attractive."

 

"My drumming's attractive?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Okay, got that."

 

"When you asked to stay with me I… I was so happy. I feel such a teenager telling you this."

 

"Don't, it's cute," Seulgi smiled at her, "and I was happy too when you accepted it. I thought I was being delusional for even asking you that. But you said yes and I… I was really happy too."

 

Seulgi drew directionless ways through Joohyun's face with the tip of her index finger, making the girl chortle. Joohyun then pulled Seulgi for another kiss, and the drummer sensed how this one was greedy. When she felt Joohyun's sneaky hands running through her body, she felt relieved that they were in a quiet and not so illuminated part of the park.

 

Seulgi held tightly to the girl's waist, feeling all of her touches all over her body, knowing it was impossible not to want more. And even though she recalled Joohyun's words about them not having , to prevent herself for getting by those touches was absolutely illogical.

 

"God," Joohyun groaned after breaking their kiss, "I want to have with you so bad."

 

Seulgi laughed at the girl's irritated face, "I don't know what to say."

 

"Don't say anything. We can't do it. I'm just being silly."

 

"Silly? I don't think so, having with me sounds like a big deal and all."

 

Joohyun glared at her, "Really now? Where's the Seulgi who doesn't like fooling around?"

 

"She's here. Turns out that with you it'd never be just fooling around."

 

Joohyun smiled shyly and buried her face in Seulgi's neck again, whispering, "Don't say things like that. It'll just make it harder for me to keep myself away from you."

 

"You don't look very away from me right now," Seulgi teased.

 

"Yeah that's right, keep being silly like that so I won't want you getting in my pants anymore."

 

Seulgi chuckled to herself and took Joohyun's face in her hands, locking their eyes.

 

"We won't be doing anything you don't want, alright? I'm not pressuring you into it, and also not out of it because well, I'm only human. But you said no so it's a no. It's settled," Seulgi said, without looking away from her.

 

"I just… I really wish we could — I don't even know what. I'm a mess right now."

 

"It's okay. Do you want to sit down for a bit? Or just keep walking?"

 

"Let's just keep walking. I like walking with you."

 

They smiled and shared a loving kiss. Seulgi felt her heart going crazy inside her chest due to all the fuss that girl was causing.

 

"Do you believe in love at first sight?" Seulgi asked when they started to walk hand in hand again.

 

"That's such a cliche question, don't you think?" Joohyun chuckled.

 

"Yeah, but… well, do you believe?"

 

"Uhm, I don't think so. I'm not an expert in love, far away from that actually, but that doesn't sit with me; falling at first sight? Did you fall for the person's looks only? It doesn't make a lot of sense, don't you think?"

 

"Well, I never really stopped to wonder about that, really."

 

"Why are you asking then?"

 

"'Cause I — well, I'm wondering about it now. And I get your point; falling for looks seems a bit off really. After my parent's divorce I'm not really sure of anything about love and all. They stayed together for many years, they met when they were teenagers, it was just the perfect love story… and then, well, you know. So I caught myself thinking, is this really about time? If not, then is love at first sight really that questionable?"

 

"Maybe at first sight is questionable, but if you spend enough time with that person and happen to grow fond of them, then it's something else. It's still about time, but short, long, I think it'll just depend on the couple."

 

"I think we're getting at nowhere with this," Seulgi said and they laughed.

 

"Love's always giving people such hard times. It can't just be easy and end of conversation," Joohyun sighed.

 

"Are you looking for some easy love, Joohyun?"

 

"You know I'm not. I'm just blabbering about your question."

 

"Well, thanks then."

 

"Thanks for what?"

 

"Well, for answering my question I guess. I don't know. I just felt the need to thank you, for whatever reason."

 

Joohyun chuckled, "Are you still drunk?"

 

"No, we didn't even drink that much. I'm just a mess normally and all."

 

"You're not a mess, you're cute."

 

"You keep saying that. By the end of the day I'll really start to believe."

 

Joohyun tightened her grip on Seulgi's hand and she turned her head to the river.

 

"What's wrong?" Seulgi asked, noticing the girl's reaction.

 

"Nothing, I'm just being silly."

 

"Hey, look at me."

 

Joohyun turned back at Seulgi and the drummer noticed her teary eyes. She took them to some bench nearby and they sat together; Seulgi worriedly holding Joohyun's hands.

 

"I'm sorry. I'm just trying not to think that you'll leave."

 

Seulgi lowered her head, "I see."

 

"But I'm just being silly. We have an agreement, and I know this will be the best for us," Joohyun held Seulgi's chin and brought their lips together in a tender peck. "I'll look back at this and it'll be the perfect memory with the perfect woman. I wouldn't ever ruin this moment, just like I'll never ruin what drawing meant to me as a kid."

 

"Wow, you compared me to your drawing, I'm so flattered," they giggled.

 

"Better than saying you're my favorite drummer?" Joohyun teased.

 

"Yeah, because then you'd be just clowning me." They laughed at each other and kissed.

 

Seulgi took the girl's hand and led her to the grass by the river.

 

"It feels so wrong that we're the only ones here, it's such a beautiful place," Seulgi said, sitting down and motioning for Joohyun to do the same. They're closer to the waters and far away from the granite tracks.

 

"It isn't very likely for people to go for a walk by the river on a Thursday, don't you think?" Joohyun giggled and laid down. "And I have a feeling that most people go through the same thing I do; enjoying parks sounds like a waste of time."

 

"Yeah. I get your point."

 

"Come here," Joohyun asked and Seulgi laid beside her.

 

"God, how are you so beautiful?" the drummer asked, dreamly looking at the girl. "You make it impossible not to fall for you."

 

Joohyun frowned, "Are you trying to say something?"

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"You just said it's impossible not to fall for me."

 

"Yeah."

 

"So…?"

 

"So what?"

 

"If it's impossible not to fall for me, does that mean that you did?"

 

Seulgi raised her brows in apprehension, "Oh," she gasped, "Well I don't — I really didn't… I mean I — you know…"

 

Joohyun laughed heartily at the nervous girl. She then traced her fingers smoothly through Seulgi's cheek and looked straight into her eyes, "Say it to me. I wanna hear it."

 

Seulgi felt how Joohyun really wanted that; her eyes were attached to hers as if pleading for the answer to come out, and Seulgi had the right reply to that.

 

"I've fallen for you, Joohyun," she said.

 

Joohyun grinned and cupped Seulgi's face, muttering, "Say it again."

 

"I've fallen for you."

 

"Again," she whispered.

 

"I've fallen for you."

 

"One more."

 

"I've fallen for you."

 

"I've fallen for you too," Joohyun said, and Seulgi kissed her.

 

It wasn't greedy this time even though they were all over each other. And Seulgi held Joohyun as if she were what kept her to the ground, and in that moment, she really was.

 

 

 

"Oh, I just remembered!" Seulgi snapped, making Joohyun jump in surprise.

 

They had just bought Seulgi's ticket back to Seoul at the train station. Their hands glued, enjoying the last of their moments before the inevitable.

 

"Is something wrong?" Joohyun asked, frowning.

 

"I didn't take any pictures!"

 

"Are you serious?"

 

"Yeah!"

 

"What then? That can only mean you had a lot of fun, and I'm taking that as a compliment."

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"I mean, what's up with all the social media things? If you don't take a picture then what? What matters is that you lived it. You saw it with your own eyes."

 

"But I didn't say I wanted the pictures to post them online, although of course I'd end up doing that eventually, but that's not the case, I just, God, I could've taken such beautiful pictures of you."

 

Joohyun smiled sheepishly and bit her lip looking away, "Don't flirt now."

 

"But I mean it."

 

"I guess I'll never sign up in any of those apps, especially now that I might show up in some drummer's profile."

 

Seulgi laughed, "You're really just passing by in my life, ain't you? You don't even have social media, I can't even search for you on the internet if I give up on all this only-a-day thing at last."

 

"You'd be cheating."

 

"Yeah."

 

"So, no internet searching, no copy and paste or whatever."

 

Seulgi laughed, "You're really not into social media, uh? Accountants are so boring."

 

"Hey!" Joohyun shoved Seulgi's shoulder.

 

They froze when a voice announced the train was coming and both girls faced each other, a look of anticipated longing in their eyes.

 

"So, this is it." Joohyun said.

 

"Yeah. This is it."

 

Joohyun hugged Seulgi tightly and desperately. Seulgi did the same and spread kisses all over the girl's neck and face.

 

"God, I'll miss you. I'll miss you so much. Jesus, what are we even doing?" she said in distress.

 

"I'll miss you too, Seulgi," Joohyun said and they faced each other, never breaking their embrace, their eyes wandering as if they're memorizing their features for the last time. "You're so cute, damn it. Why does this have to be so hard?"

 

"And you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, it's almost devilish how fate played us."

 

"I don't believe in destiny."

 

"Then let's meet again."

 

"Please, don't do that. Please Seulgi," Joohyun begged, shutting her eyes. "I don't want to ruin you. I'll ruin you, you'll ruin me. We won't be obstacles."

 

The station speakers announced the train was there.

 

"We won't be obstacles," Seulgi kissed all of Joohyun's face in a hurry, "just please, don't forget me. I won't ever forget you. You'll be everywhere every time. There'll be a piece of you in everything I do."

 

Joohyun buried herself on Seulgi's neck, "I won't ever forget you, you're already my favorite memory. Thank you. Have a good life, write a billion songs, do a billion concerts."

 

"Take care of Daegu's taxes properly, okay?" Seulgi said and they laughed.

 

All of their words were said in a hurry, they're desperate and they didn't even try to hide.

 

"Thank you," Seulgi added when they faced each other again.

 

"Goodbye," Joohyun gave her a last kiss.

 

"Goodbye."

 

They parted and Seulgi ran to the train just in time. Not wanting to think about everything that had happened just yet, she just took her seat and leaned against the headrest, shutting her eyes, sensing the train starting to move, trying so hard to ignore how her heart clenched to the feeling of Joohyun being away from her.

 

She imagined the girl alone in the station, going through the same hardship and the inescapable question was this the right thing to do? popped inside her head. But Seulgi knew better that wondering about it would just make it hurt more; right or wrong, it was done. They'd always be the other's fairy tale.

 

After some long minutes of just thinking and accepting her own choices, Seulgi jerked herself out of reveries and opened her bag, searching for her drumsticks, but what she found was Joohyun's black cap.

 

She took it out of the bag and held it in front of her, grinning and recalling how Joohyun looked so beautiful wearing it. And she remembered their first talk on the train, how Joohyun rushed to ask the question that'd change their lives forever; how they had lunch at the station, how they walked around parks, rode buses and ate street food. Seulgi giggled to herself remembering how they danced in the middle of a busy district, how they sang together, how they kissed.

 

Seulgi couldn't tell the exact moment she had fallen for Joohyun, but to think she knew as soon as they got into their journey together she already felt something wasn't so absurd.

It sounded ludicrous that Kang Seulgi felt happy that her favorite jazz band had cancelled their concert.

 

She put the cap away and took the drumsticks out. Looking outside the window, she watched how fast the figures passed by her eyes, she tried to set a pace for it but she couldn't; everything just felt so wrong somehow.

 

Her hand rummaged through the bag again and the cap that screamed that Joohyun was real, that they were together for a day, suddenly made everything sound right. She put it in her head and leaned on her seat, watching the landscapes running by her eyes and the drumsticks found its perfect rhythm on her right leg, because somehow, Joohyun was there.