Bittersweet Memories (A Stray Kids Short Story Collection)

Scavenger Hunt IIII

     "Relax Minnie, school break is over in Korea, isn't it? Jeongin probably had to return home," Felix said.

     "But he didn't even say goodbye!" Seungmin said.

     "So you're saying you're worried something happened to him," Felix concluded.

     "No, I'm sure he's safe..." That was actually far from Seungmin's worries. But how could he explain to Felix how Jeongin's sudden departure had hit him in a different way? How could he ever begin to comprehend the renewal of the hidden skeletons that he had managed to keep away for years?

     "I just miss him, that's it," Seungmin said, trying to muster a playful smile.

     "Understandable, Minnie. But hey, it's not the end of the world. You still have me and Jisung."

     Seungmin caught something in Felix's tone. It wasn't just in his mock disgusted way of saying Jisung's name (the two were in yet another fight, something stupid over how Felix was taking over their shared Netflix account with Lego Ninjago), but in the sadness of telling Seungmin the world wasn't ending. Seungmin could tell Felix really didn't want Jeongin leaving to be such a big deal to Seungmin. He wanted Seungmin to be happy with the friends he had.

     It made sense. Maybe Seungmin should listen. "Of course I have you guys. Nothing can replace that."

     "Though if you find a replacement for Jisung, I wouldn't mind," Felix joked. "But thanks man, that means a lot."

     "Sure, sure, can I take your order?"

     "Yeah, I'll take the usual."

     "Felix, I will chuck you out of the freaking window-"

     Life went on. It went on really fast. In fact, the rush at the coffee shop and the daily hours made months pass by in the blink of an eye and before he knew it, Seungmin's birthday had arrived.

      As per tradition, it was celebrated at Felix and Jisung's house. A bunch of his parent's friends were also there, but they didn't have any kids for Seungmin to talk to. So his party consisted of the parents' chatter filling up the first floor while Jisung, Felix, and Seungmin holed up in the twins' shared bedroom, hanging out until they were called for cake cutting. Nobody was complaining.

     The only difference was, Seungmin's parents were not present. Their recent postcard located them somewhere in New Zealand. Still, Seungmin had hoped for at least a phone call, but nothing came. He shook it off, trying to look forward to the festivities. But an ache in his tummy formed, not going away no matter how much fun it was fooling around with his friends.

     He tried to make it go away, surrounded by so many joyous people, belting out "Happy Birthday" and all scrambling to feed Seungmin a slice of the cake. People who cared, people who were happy for him.

     But the ones that should have been at the top of the world were nowhere by his side.

     Finally, Seungmin couldn't take it anymore. He saw a chance to slip away and talk to Jisung and Felix's mom. "Ms. Lee, are there any missed calls from my parents?"

     Mrs. Lee made an 'o' as if she had just remembered something and for a second, Seungmin had hope. "No, no phone calls..."

     Or not.

     "But your mother told me before she left on her trip that she and your father left a present for you in your family's present cupboard."

     The present cupboard! It was a small shelf in the house attic where Seungmin's birthday presents were always kept. It was the first place he would go to every year he woke up for his birthday. How had it never occurred to him to check there?