Chapter Text
Ah. Like what they've said. Humans and skyscrapers crowding the whole damn place.
I feel like a foreign yet people don't treat me like one. Isn't it obvious to my plain outfit compare to their trendy garments?
Yeah, I'm still a Korean, as if I'll be getting a special treatment in here just because I came from Busan.
Busan is a city too tho, yet a "laidback" one. Seoul is by far the most unique place I've ever been to.
Welcome to a new journey, self. Which route should I take first?
Thanks to his main goal, Jimin is gambling away his luck wholeheartedly. He will be taking a dance major in a prestigious university in the city. It's his first time, obviously with his yellow and orange polo shirt, partnered with a baggy, gray training pants which he thought was cool. Let me mention the black cap and red basketball shoes he's wearing, as well as the huge bag filled with more clothes of the same type as what he is wearing at the moment. Anyway, he's still adorable after all, and his evident ignorance builds a cuter image of him.
With the lack of money and the stuff with him, he went straight to the place where he'll be initially staying. It took him minutes from where the bus dropped him off to the white apartment building located within the vicinity on foot. As soon as he arrived at the said place, he was properly assisted by the landlord lady who was expecting him already since he contacted that person before traveling to Seoul. Jimin is lucky to have a good start in the city.
[Phone call with Taehyung, his bestfriend]
Taehyung: "Yo, Jiminie."
Jimin: "Ah, finally... woo!"
Taehyung: "You sound really exhausted, are you still looking for the apartment?"
Jimin: "No, I am already in the apartment. It's just that I walked. It's hot and a little distant from where the bus stop is."
Taehyung: "Ah... how's the landlady then?"
Jimin: "I don't know... I think she's nice? She's getting the keys then she'll bring me to my designated unit."
Taehyung: "Woah, I'm excited for you! I was actually worried that you might get lost since you're alone and clumsy."
Jimin: "Yah, haha! It wasn't that difficult to find and I contacted the landlord lady beforehand."
Taehyung: "Wow, with proper guidance and assistance. Your charms are really useful, huh?"
Jimin: "Ah, stop it Tae! By the way, I'll get going. Call you I guess...later!"
Taehyung: "Alright alright! Good luck!"
Jimin ended the call when the landlord came back to bring him to his rented place. It's a 2-storey apartment building and his unit is located at the end corner of its second floor. The landlord lady oriented him about how to keep his semi-furnished room neat and proper, as well as the history of the place and how convenient it is. The apartment is fully occupied now that he took the last slot. Most of the tenants are students and workers and each unit is for one person only. It's a perfect private place for the young man where he could start his new life independently.
"Thank you for your guidance, noona!" He bowed before she left the room, and that's when Jimin started organizing his stuff. Since it was past lunch time, it didn't take long when he was interrupted by his grumbling stomach.
"Ah." He pouted, squeezing his tumtum as he is sitting on his bed, taking his clothes out of his baggage. He checked the time and realized that he hasn't eaten anything since he arrived in Seoul which made him stand and run out of his room with his wallet and keys, leaving his place locked. His mind is currently filled with thoughts of what he could possibly buy and eat for today, as well as for the upcoming days.
But before he was able to start walking, he gasped at the figure of a man wearing a black bucket hat, whose hair is evidently silver due to his black outfit while his face is half-covered with a black face mask, walking towards him.
He gulped, looked around him yet he knows behind him is a dead end, unless he jump off the rail from the second floor. He noticed how the man walks at a slow pace, head bowed down and his face is not visibly seen due to its cover which made Jimin think that he might be just one of his neighbors.
And he was not wrong. The man stopped in front of the unit next to his.
Eh? So he's the person living next to my room then. Maybe it's better to make an impression and greet him nicely since he's a neighbor... H-hell—
The man was so quick that he entered his own and slammed the door at Jimin, as if he doesn't exist.
"Ah—" He startled. I'm not really good at approaching people... or I am not that really approachable...*sighs*
"Annyeong haseyo!" The only staff in the convenience store greeted the young man as he enters. Jimin took a plug off his ear when he sensed the woman greeted him, so he bowed and smiled at her as a response. He went straight to the ramen section without knowing that he left the said woman froze in place. Jimin's charms are really something, hehe.
Uh... I should eat something heavy tho... Hmm...
It took him time before he was able to pick enough goods as his stock at home: snacks and drinks, toiletries, plus a ready-to-eat rice meal for his late lunch, which the woman kept insisting to reheat it for him.
"But sir, are you sure that you'll do it by yourself? We can provide that service so it'll be convenient for you..."
"I have a microwave oven at ho—" but the staff took it already to stop Jimin from declining. He just laughed awkwardly since the woman was really firm. As he waits for his meal, he fished his wallet from his pocket to get his payment, which made him realize that moment that he has a limited amount of cash.
"I believe you're new here." She interrupted the man who is starting to have deeper thoughts about living the hard life.
"I...I just moved here...yeah, hehe..." He chuckled awkwardly as he hands his payment to the woman, keeping his wallet back into his pocket at the same time.
"Yeah...obviously. I've been working here for almost two months and it's the first time to see you buying here."
"Ohh... Part-time?"
"Mhh-hm, are you interested? I work for living since I study and live alone. You too, right?"
"Eh? Ah, hehe... I guess I have to find one too."
"Here!" She handed a calling card which startle Jimin a little. "Maybe if you're interested, you contact this store since they hire more store staffs and they accept part-time workers." She continued encouraging the young man, letting him know how difficult it is to live in Seoul independently. While she packs all of Jimin's goods in one paper bag, including the one reheated, Jimin keeps scanning the card he received.
"T-thanks," He looked at the woman as he raises the card to show her. His sight drifts to the name tag attached to her uniform so he could call her properly. "Jieun-ssi." that made the clerk's cheeks glow red.
"Ah!" She blinked, bowed her head a little low as she hands the paper bag next. "C-come back again!"
Then Jimin gave her his charming smile even Jieun wasn't able to see it properly. He left the store giggling, earplugs on both ears again as he listens to something RnB. He decided to run back home so he could fill his empty stomach right away.
Jimin spent the rest of the day to eat and relax with his best friend before he resumes organizing his stuff. With his laptop placed on the kitchen counter, he called Taehyung with a video while preparing his meal with ramen so he could tour him around his place after as he promised.
[Video call with Taehyung]
Taehyung: "Is that ramen, Jiminie?"
Jimin: "Ne."
Taehyung: "Ah, just don't eat late lunch as a habit. You're alone and you have to be responsible of yourself."
Jimin: "Taehyung, you sound like my mom. Kkk."
Taehyung: "I am just concerned here?!?!"
Jimin: "Haha! I know! I know..."
He placed his food on the low table located at the center of the room then have it eaten in front of his bestfriend who is on the other line. Jimin turns his laptop around for Taehyung to see his place slowly.
Jimin: "I told you, I chose a perfect space, heh..."
Taehyung: "Now I can't wait to go there!"
Jimin: "I would surely lock you once you get here. Haha!"
Taehyung: "Yah! Haha! My grandparents will miss me if I didn't go home for a day or two or more!"
Jimin: "Aigoo... Don't you really have plans to enter university, Taehyung?"
Taehyung: "Nah, I'm not in a rush. Also, I don't have to go out of town if ever I decided to proceed studying."
Jimin: "W-well... you're right."
Taehyung: "..."
When will you even get the courage to live by yourself, Tae? All I wanted was to reach our goals and dreams together.
Jimin and Taehyung promised to be together until they graduate back then. Take the same major and study in the same university. Live in the same city, whether as neighbors or as roommates, Jimin could feel nothing but upset whenever it reminds him. The Taehyung he's talking with at the moment chose to live with his grandparents and take care of them, spends 24/7 at home with his PC games and does self-study about photography. He can't do anything but to give his support to his only friend yet, there are really times that he couldn't help but to feel so sad about it.
Taehyung: "Tomorrow's the start of your class, right?"
Jimin: "Yeah. I already bought some food that I could have for a week so that it won't be a hassle for me to look for something to eat when hunger strikes..."
Taehyung: "Haha! If I were you, I would probably keep lots of meat and ice cream!"
Jimin: "Yah, I don't have a fridge yet!"
Taehyung: "Oops. Haha! It's okay, Jiminie! The most important thing is you have something to eat and you enjoy your new school life! Tell me right away once you get a girlfriend, ne? Pfft"
Jimin: "Aish, you!"
Taehyung: "HAHAHAHA!"
Jimin: "I am not even thinking of finding one yet! Ahh...hahaha..."
Hahaha...haha... Do I even have to be bothered about getting a lover? I don't even know how it feels to be liking someone... Uh...
Yeah... liking someone... that's when your heart starts beating fast the moment your eyes got stuck to someone unintentionally, right?
That unusual feeling... it's so unreal... and that's what I felt when he first caught my attention...
"Jimin, if I'm not mistaken?"
...the moment he approached me and remembered my name...
"N-ne?"
It was just too fast—I felt like I was about to explode...
"Ah, sorry. We're in the same class but I guess you're not good at remembering faces."
How could I even forget...no...
"Call me Jeongguk. If you don't mind, want to eat lunch together?"