Chapter Five
너의 얘길 듣는 게 내 취미가 돼
"Listening to your stories has become my hobby"
As the Christmas season approached, Seoul was transformed into a winter wonderland, with festive lights twinkling along the streets and snowflakes gently falling from the sky. The city's holiday spirit created a beautiful backdrop, contrasting sharply with the academic pressures Hye-jin faced as finals week drew near. Despite the stress of her studies, Hye-jin was eagerly anticipating a special event: her older brother's visit. He had managed to secure tickets to a Stray Kids concert and passes for a fan meet, a surprise that filled her with excitement. Little did she know that her brother's enthusiasm for the group had more personal connections than she realized.
Felix, meanwhile, was juggling his busy holiday schedule as a K-pop idol. With rehearsals, performances, and promotional activities filling his days, he cherished the brief moments of downtime he had. Among these moments was his nightly chat with NekoByte, a conversation he always looked forward to. One evening, after a particularly grueling day of interviews and rehearsals, Felix finally found a quiet moment to check his messages. He opened the chat with NekoByte, eager to catch up and see how she was doing.
Phoenix_9: "Hey, NekoByte! How's everything going? Any special plans for the Christmas season?"
Hye-jin, buried in textbooks and notes at her desk, saw Phoenix_9's message and felt a wave of relief at the distraction. She welcomed the chance to chat and quickly began typing a response.
NekoByte: "Hi! Things are a bit hectic with finals coming up. I've got a big project due soon, so I'm buried in study materials. But my older brother is coming to visit soon, and he surprised me with tickets to a Stray Kids concert! There's also a fan meet that he got into which is a miracle, so I'm really excited about that."
Felix's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Stray Kids. He felt a mix of excitement and nervousness, knowing that she would soon be meeting the members up close, including himself. Although he was thrilled for her, the thought of being face-to-face with her at the fan meet made him anxious.
Phoenix_9: "Wow, that sounds amazing! Stray Kids are fantastic. I hope you have an incredible time at the concert and fan meet. Is your brother trying to make up for not being around?"
NekoByte: "Haha, maybe! It's actually a really nice surprise. We haven't had a chance to spend much time together lately, so I'm looking forward to catching up. It's been a while since we've had a fun event like this."
Felix felt a wave of relief at her positive response, though he remained apprehensive about the fan meet. He was excited but also worried about how it would go, especially since he couldn't reveal his identity.
Phoenix_9: "It sounds like it's going to be a great time. I'm sure it'll be a memorable experience. As for me, I'm just trying to enjoy the holiday season in between all the work. It's been busy, but I'm looking forward to the break."
NekoByte: "I'm sure you'll find some time to relax and enjoy it. What's your favorite part of the holidays?"
Felix reflected on his favorite holiday traditions, thinking about the joy of spending time with loved ones. He wanted to share something meaningful but kept the tone light and positive.
Phoenix_9: "I'd say spending time with friends and family. It's nice to take a break and enjoy the little things. What about you? What's your favorite holiday tradition?"
Hye-jin hesitated, feeling a twinge of sadness as she thought about her past. The holidays were a bittersweet time for her, marked by memories of her parents.
NekoByte: "I guess I like spending time with family and catching up on things I love. Though... the holidays have always been a bit bittersweet for me. My parents passed away around Christmas a few years ago, so it's a tough time of year for me. But having my brother here makes it feel a bit better."
Felix's heart went out to her as he read her message. He felt a deep sympathy, knowing that the holidays were a challenging time for her. He wanted to offer comfort without overstepping boundaries.
Phoenix_9: "I'm really sorry to hear that. I can't imagine how hard that must be. I'm glad you have your brother there with you. It sounds like he's making an effort to make the season special for you."
NekoByte: "Thank you. It helps a lot. I'm trying to focus on the good things and make the most of the time with my brother."
Felix was moved by her strength and determination to make the best of her situation. He admired her resilience and was happy that their conversations provided some comfort and distraction during this difficult time.
As the days passed, the anticipation for the concert and fan meet grew. Hye-jin's brother arrived in Seoul, and their reunion was filled with joy and excitement. The surprise of the Stray Kids tickets was a highlight, and Hye-jin was thrilled to share the experience with him. Her brother, though thrilled about the event, was also excited to reconnect with her, and together they planned their activities leading up to the concert.
Felix and the other members of Stray Kids continued their busy schedule, preparing for their upcoming performances and fan meet. Felix was both excited and anxious about the event, knowing that it would be a significant opportunity to connect with fans. He hoped that the fan meet would be a positive experience for everyone, including NekoByte.
As the fan meet approached, Felix and the other members of Stray Kids remained focused and energized. They looked forward to meeting their fans and making the event memorable for them. Felix, though still feeling nervous about the possibility of meeting NekoByte, was hopeful that their interactions would be positive and enjoyable.
In the meantime, Hye-jin and her brother enjoyed their time together in Seoul, creating new memories and savoring the festive season. Their shared excitement for the concert and fan meet added a special touch to their holiday season, making it a time of joy and connection despite the underlying challenges. As Christmas drew nearer, the bond between Hye-jin and Felix continued to grow through their chats. They shared their experiences and supported each other, adding a warm and personal touch to their holiday season. Both looked forward to future conversations and adventures, knowing that their friendship had become a cherished part of their lives.
As Christmas approached, Seoul was transformed into a magical winter wonderland. The snow gently blanketed the streets, creating a serene and picturesque scene. Holiday lights shimmered on shop windows, casting a warm glow against the cold, crisp air. Hye-jin and her older brother, Ji-hoon, strolled through the festive streets, their laughter and conversation mingling with the sounds of holiday music and the crunch of snow underfoot.
Ji-hoon, always the teasing older brother, glanced over at Hye-jin, who was deeply absorbed in her phone, typing away messages with Phoenix_9.
"Seriously, NekoByte, you're always on that phone! When can I see my darling baby sister" Ji-hoon said, nudging her playfully. "Do you ever look up from it? I feel like it's become an extension of your hand."
Hye-jin looked up with a smile, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, come on! It's just a chat. I need a break from all the studying."
Ji-hoon smirked. "Well, I hope you're not missing out on the real world. We're only here for a little while, you know."
Hye-jin playfully nudged him back. "I'm enjoying every moment. And besides, it's nice to have a distraction."
Their lighthearted banter continued as they arrived at their grandparents' house. The home was warmly lit from within, casting a cozy glow on the snowy front yard. The scent of gingerbread and pine filled the air as they stepped inside.
"Welcome, dears!" her grandmother, called out, embracing them both. "We've missed you."
They settled into the living room, where her grandfather, was already seated, engrossed in a book. He looked up and gave them a nod.
"Hello, Harabeoji," Hye-jin said with a bright smile. "How are you?"
Her grandfather set his book aside, peering at her over his glasses. "So, how's school going, Hye-jin-a? Still buried in your books, I see."
Hye-jin nodded, trying to stay positive despite the mounting pressure. "It's going well. Finals are coming up, so I'm a bit busy."
Her grandmother's expression grew serious. "You're always studying. And waisting time on those video games. You need to start thinking about your future-settling down, building a family. All this studying won't do you any good if you're not preparing for what's truly important."
Hye-jin felt a pang of frustration. "I'm focusing on my education right now. There's time for everything else later."
Her grandfather's voice grew stern. "Education is important, but you shouldn't neglect other aspects of your life. Your parents would have wanted you to have a family, settle down, and find happiness."
Her grandmother added, her tone insistent, "We've even considered setting you up on a blind date. It's time you start thinking about your future in a more practical way."
Hye-jin's frustration peaked. Her cheeks flushed with anger and hurt. "I'm doing my best. I don't need a blind date. I'm trying to build a future for myself."
Ji-hoon, sensing the rising tension, tried to intervene. "Halmeoni, Harabeoji, Hye-jin is working hard. She has her own plans and she's doing great."
But the conversation continued to escalate, and Hye-jin's frustration boiled over. The constant pressure to conform to traditional expectations left her feeling raw and vulnerable. Tears welled up in her eyes as her grandparents' words pressed down on her.
"I need some fresh air," she said abruptly, her voice trembling. Without waiting for a response, she grabbed her coat and fled from the house.
Outside, the snow had begun to fall more heavily, blanketing the city in a thick layer of white. Hye-jin's footsteps crunched in the snow as she hurried to a nearby gaming café, a place she often retreated to for comfort and escape. She burst into the café, the warmth inside a stark contrast to the cold outside. Distracted and disoriented, she didn't notice the patrons around her until she accidentally bumped into someone.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there!" she blurted out, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
The man she collided with was wearing a baseball cap and a face mask, trying to blend into the crowd. As he steadied himself, he recognized her voice-it was unmistakably NekoByte's voice from the streams. But he wasn't entirely sure it was her. Felix's heart skipped a beat. He opened his mouth to speak, but Hye-jin, her face reddening with embarrassment, was already scrambling to apologize and retreat. In her haste, she dropped a small photograph that fluttered to the floor. Felix quickly picked it up and looked at the image of a young woman with her parents and a boy. On the back of the photo was a handwritten message in English: "12-22-2011 the day you grew your wings I miss you." The emotional weight of the message struck Felix deeply. He looked up, hoping to call out to her, but Hye-jin had already dashed out of the café, her footsteps quick and uneven in the snow.