Bittersweet Memories (A Stray Kids Short Story Collection)

Scavenger Hunt XI

     Weeks passed. Living in the Seo household, Seungmin became extremely close to Changbin. They went to the arcade very often (Seungmin managed to beat Changbin more times) and Changbin showed Seungmin his favourite places in the area. Seungmin also taught Changbin English regularly, the latter being less than willing. Seungmin had to hit him with a textbook more times than he could count. They also found another coffee shop, where Seungmin tried the drinks very pickily.

     I could do better, he found himself subconsciously thinking.

     Seungmin still couldn't find any hints in this place. But he didn't care. Making a new friend and staying in a new part of the country was enough of an adventure for him to almost completely forget the scavenger hunt.

     That was until one day, it all hit him at once.

     It was the first snow of the year. Waking up to it outside his window, Seungmin couldn't help notice how his parents had left for their travels in late February, when it had also been snowing. Now, the snow had melted, the sun had come out, and the snow was back again, yet his parents were still not here. It gave Seungmin an ache he couldn't get rid of.

     The Seo family was as pleasant as ever. But this time, Seungmin felt out of place, sitting in a chair that wasn't his own, in a house that he didn't live in, being served food by parents that weren't his.

     He and Changbin went walking outside, hoping to get their hands on some hot chocolate to celebrate the first snow. "I can't believe it's already November," Changbin said. "Soon, it will be Christmas, then New Years, and- sorry, seeing snow always makes me speed ahead."

     But Changbin's words had already burned into Seungmin's head.

     Christmas would soon come. Would Seungmin get to celebrate it with his parents? Or would they decide that the snow was more beautiful on the other side of the world?

     Would Seungmin get to see the New Year with them? Or would they be counting down the seconds in a place where they were happier?

     When Seungmin finally decided what he wanted to major in, would his parents be there to cheer him on? Or would Seungmin have to tell them through a bad connection extension call?

     When would they come back? When would they decide that they had had the time of their lives and it was time to return to their son?

     Or... was the time of their life always going to be away from him?

     "Seungmin, what's wrong?"

     Seungmin's face felt wet. Frozen even. Like tears freezing in the chilly air. Seungmin touched his face, realizing that he was crying.

     "I... need to sit down," Seungmin said softly, his voice cracking. "Please."

     Changbin only nodded, leading Seungmin to a nearby bench. "Take your time..." A series of snowflakes landed on his face.

     Beautiful... the snow was beautiful. Too beautiful to be experiencing away from the people he loved.

     "Changbin hyung... I miss them!" Seungmin could hardly see straight, his vision being blurred by snow and tears. His body felt cold, and it wasn't just because of the minus weather.

     "Your parents?"

     "They've been gone for so long! I want to see their faces again, I want to hear their voices!" Seungmin's voice got louder with each word, near a complete breakdown.