MMXXIX / XXXII

Sun shines through the windows of Jongin’s room at the same time his alarm goes off. It’s Saturday, January 14th and while he doesn’t usually care much for his birthday, this year he finds it in himself to be somewhat excited. Unlike recent years, he didn’t wake up to the sound of the rain and the rays of light that illuminate his room, give him positive vibes. He hasn’t planned anything special for the day; he will simply meet for lunch with his close friends and later he will go visit his mother in Busan. It’s been a while since he last went to see her and he misses the sea as well. Even though it is cold, he has this certain feeling that he wants to be close to it. Since it’s his birthday and he has a lot of free time, he will spend the entire week there.

His group of friends is always loud, but Jongin loves that about them. It’s the same on his birthday lunch. They keep talking and laughing among themselves without much of a care and it reminds Jongin of their younger days, when they would gather after school and hang out. Whether it would be eating together or just walking home from school, he remembers always having a good time with each person that is part of the group. But it’s sad how fast time flies and how they meet less than they used to because of their everyday lives.

“Earth to Jongin,” Wonsik calls for his attention when he notices his friend spacing out. “Where was your mind drifting just now?”

Jongin sighs before answering him. “I was actually reminiscing about the old days,” he says almost with a shy smile, like the thought of going back to their teen years is silly.

“Aw, someone’s nostalgic on their birthday,” Taemin jokes.

“Signs of growing older, huh? But we didn’t go through those, though,” Moonkyu adds and they laugh.

It still doesn’t take away the fact that the three of them are older than Jongin.

“I feel the same as you,” Kwonho confesses to Jongin and he nods at his friend for the support. “I’ve also been thinking about our school years and feeling nostalgic. Life felt so much easier back then. We’re pretty much the same people, but something feels different.”

It is very true. Jongin feels like it’s the effect of time catching up with them. They’re still goofy and cracking jokes when they meet, but he knows each of them has their own worries. Ta