Hwang Hyunjin || Call My Name (Under Revision)

11. It's been a while

CHAN'S POV

We're walking in silence through the streets. The city buzzes faintly around us—random stores flashing neon signs, people shuffling past with bags in hand, and the low hum of distant traffic filling the space between us. I keep glancing at the storefronts, pretending to look interested, but really, I'm just waiting for him to say something.

I had so many questions—things I wanted to ask him—but I couldn't string the right words together.

"How are you?" he finally asked.

His gaze lingered on me as we walked, like he was searching for something. I turned to meet his eyes, and for a second, I was lost in the familiarity. Those eyes... they brought everything back in a rush.

"I'm fine," I replied, shifting my focus forward again.

"That's what you said three years ago when I found you," he said.

I stopped walking, surprised he remembered. When I turned to look at him again, he'd stopped too.

"You thought I forgot about you?" he asked with a crooked smile—one I hadn't seen in years.

We sat on a nearby bench, sipping cold coffee. The silence had faded now, replaced by the warmth of small talk and smiles. I felt at ease again. I think... I missed him more than I let myself admit.

"What are you up to these days?" he asked, watching the cars drift by on the road.

"Uhm, I'm a senior now. Just here on a trip with my friends," I answered.

"Oh? Graduating this year, huh?" he said, smiling again. That smile—still the same. Familiar. Comforting.

"Should I attend your graduation?"

I blinked. "Huh?"

He gave me that same genuine grin, and my heart jumped.

"Sure! I mean, if you can," I said, voice an embarrassing pitch higher than usual.

He chuckled, clearly amused. "You seem happy to see me. Do you miss me that much?"

I rubbed the back of my neck, smiling awkwardly. "Hyung—"

"Don't you want to know what happened to me?" he cut in.

I nodded.

"Well, I'm a freshman now. College is just a walk away from where I live."

That... weirdly made me feel better. He was doing well, and that was enough for now. A part of me wanted to dig into what happened three years ago, but maybe it didn't matter anymore.

"So what's the problem?" he asked out of nowhere.

I blinked. "Problem?"

"Yeah. I mean, you seem off."

I sighed. "I got rejected. Twice. By the same girl."

"Oh, girl? I never thought you'd fall for someone," he said, raising an eyebrow.

I frowned slightly. What's that supposed to mean? I wanted to ask, but I didn't want to sound defensive. Not after finally seeing him again.

"You know, if you really love someone... fight for them," he said, voice softer now. "No matter what. Don't let them go. Never."

I didn't say anything. Just watched the way he looked down at the ground, like he was thinking of someone else.

"But that's just me," he added quickly, flashing a smile to lighten the mood. "You do you."

"You helped me before," I said. "And I trusted you then. So... I'll keep that in mind."

We sat and talked for another hour, catching up and laughing until we realized something funny—we were staying at the same hotel. What a small world.