The stars are shining brightly as I look at them from this bench. It's midnight, and I'm still outside the hotel, lighting up another cigarette. If anyone shows up beside me tonight, I hope it's her.
I took a walk again, farther from here. I stopped in front of the big screen that showed Iseul on it. I didn't cross the street; instead, I just learned on the stone wall while looking at the screen. It was flashing random animations.
"Hello, mister. Don't you have a TV at home?"
I looked at the person who was talking beside me. He was also looking up at the big screen.
"I have one." at the hotel, of course.
"Then why are you watching clips of animations here? Don't you think it's better to watch the whole show?" He sure has a lot of questions for strangers.
"I'm just roaming around. Why are you still outside? Your parents might be worried."
"I'm already a teenager; I can handle myself." He smirked.
"How old are you?" I asked and put the cigarette out. This boy's too close to me; he might inhale some smoke.
"Fourteen. How about you? You look older; are you sixteen?"
I smiled. "I'm twenty-three years old."
His mouth formed an 'o' and he examined my face and body. "You're old..."
"You're just younger. What's your name?"
"I don't give my name to strangers," he said.
"That's good. Wait, won't you get in trouble for staying outside at this time? There's a curfew for minors here."
"My mom's talking to someone there," he said, pointing at the building that we've been looking at. "I just got bored."
"You live here at Techne Island?" I said out of curiosity.
"Duh! Of course. I was born here; my parents are animators." He covered his mouth as if he were telling me a secret. "Don't tell anyone about this! Are you even a good guy?"
I laughed. "I won't hurt you, kid."
"Good! Or else I'll report you to the cops." He threatened me.
He was still here beside me after a few minutes. It looks like her mom is still busy. I'm hoping for Iseul to appear on the big screen.
"Do you live here?" the boy asked. I thought he'd never speak again, but he struck up another conversation.
"I'm here for vacation."
"Oh, are you an animator too?" he glanced at me.
"I'm a painter."
"What?! Really? That's so cool! Wait, what kind of painting?"
"Uh, traditional painting."
His eyes sparkled. "Sugoi! I was planning to learn how to paint traditionally, you know? It was so amazing when we visited the North once."
"You want to be a painter too?"
"Yes!" he said enthusiastically.
I was interested in his expression. He looked like... my younger self, who wanted to learn traditional painting after visiting an art gallery for the first time. But when he looked out on the street, his mood changed quickly.
"But my mom taught me how to animate when I was nine. Then my dad applied me to an animation workshop. I couldn't tell them I wanted to do traditional painting." He sounded like his hopes were being crushed.
I sighed as I watched him. I also remembered how I tried to tell my parents about the path that I wanted to take. Choosing a path that's different from my family is challenging.
You lack a support system; you're fighting on your own, and non-stop pressure is thrown at me. One of my fears at that time was... is that I end up choosing what their path is.
"You'll do better in a place that you feel is right for you. You can't keep that desire of yours forever," I said.
He looked at me and smiled bitterly. "It's hard to tell adults what I really want, especially when they're great in a particular field."
"It's challenging in the beginning... but you're still young; you can learn how to speak up for yourself. It's a good thing you realized what you want to do; there's no harm in letting them know." I tried to comfort him even though he's still suspicious of me.
I don't know... He randomly touched my heart. The desire to learn something, but your own parents are holding you back, is tiresome.
"They're your parents; I'm sure they will understand." I gave him a reassuring smile. "You'll be a great painter someday. In fact, you can be anything that you want, and I'm sure you'll do your best."
He scratched the back of his head. "Geez, you sound like a therapist."
I laughed. "What? I'm just trying to convince you to speak up, kid. I've been there before too."
"What? Really? Your parents are animators too, and you wanted to be a painter? Is that it?" His questions were nonstop! He's starting to sound like Sai.
"My parents are businessmen. They have a family business, and they wanted me to take over someday. But I never let them decide for me; I chose to study what my heart desires, and here I am... having the life I've always wanted."
"Damn, so that means you only worked alone."
I pursed my lips and tried to smile. This kid's got to control his words. He's firing me with facts!
"I did."
"Geez, was it hard? It sounds scary!"
I looked up at the sky. "I never thought I'd survive alone too, kid. I just lived with this strong goal inside me. You need to hold on to that spark, and it will bring you anywhere."
"You're my idol now, mister," he said. "Thanks, but... my mom's there." He pointed at the lady who was talking to someone. A car is also there.
"Alright, take care on your way home."
He was about to cross the street when he looked back at me again.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Yohan." I smiled at him.
"Nice meeting you, Yohan! I'm Yuji! Sayonara!" He waved his hand and walked towards his mother.
I glanced at the big screen for the last time before heading back. Now I've got two wishes as I walked. The first one is to see Iseul, and the second is for the kid to chase his dreams.