celestial strings | h.js

three.

The tutorial center was less boring than it usually was, but Jisung knew it was only because his mind was preoccupied with what you said to him back at the school gate.

It was very much within his character to let his head linger on a stranger whose name he still has no idea of. More often than not, people give their condolences and they forget after a brief moment of grieving. At the end of the day, the disaster was not upon their life but another. But Jisung had always tended to put the responsibility on himself to feel as others do, and he remembers even after days and weeks.

Needless to say, Jisung felt extremely conflicted. He wasn't sure why he thought letting you slip away this afternoon would be a bad idea when he knew he has got a lot to tell you; a whole lot of heartfelt, encouraging, friendly words he wanted to say. And a big bear hug to temporarily release your hidden sorrows, if you would let him.

Breathing out a soft sigh to collect himself, Jisung walked along the dark path that would lead him back to his home. As he made his way past the convenience store located in between two residential areas, he glanced up at the sign for no apparent reason other than to change the position of his neck and to face a different scenery.

Then he caught sight of you. What a miracle coincidence! It took him a second to make sense of you before his heart leaped happily. You were sitting by the glass pane, where the bar tables and chairs were located, and you were too busy blowing at the instant noodle to care about the approaching figure outside in the street. It was only when Jisung made his way to the glass and started knocking gently at the window did you look up.

Your eyes rounded at his grinning face, and for one moment you almost let yourself glare him off. You thought better of it, considering that he probably meant no harm and only wanted to say hello before going about his night. But you did curse under your breath at this sudden encounter—how did you two bump into each other? This is a big district and there are hundreds of convenience stores! Why did it have to be this one!

Ignoring your vulgar thoughts against destiny and its irregular plans for you, you waved back half-heartedly at the enthusiastic Jisung standing before the glass pane, then you flicked your wrist to give him a shooing motion.

"Go. Leave. Go home," you told him, emphasizing the shapes of your lips.

His hand stopped and he tilted his head, most likely having understood you but not yet decided on whether he wanted to follow your wish. You watched as those brows of his furrowed a fraction and his eyes flashed rebelliously, then he shook his head and turned to walk over to the front door of the convenience store.

The grip you had on your chopsticks loosened in defeat as you deadpanned at yourself, waiting for Jisung's arrival.

"Good evening!" Jisung said once he was standing next to you, somewhere next to the stool at your side.

"Good evening," you greeted back, turning to glance at him briefly.

Jisung ignored the lack of enthusiasm in your voice, which he kind of knew was not from exhaustion caused by a day's worth of work but that you simply did not want to talk to him. It was abnormal of him to pester someone longer than welcomed, but the gravitational pull at his chest made him continue in his pursuit. He held the straps of his backpack just to take it off and dump it on the countertop. Jumping onto the tall stool, he adjusted his position before turning his head over to look at you.

He observed you for a moment, watching as you slurp at your noodle and disregard his presence. You stopped making that soft, angered expression, the one with the constantly furrowed brows and the pursing of your lips. Jisung took it as a cue for him to start talking to you again.