I arrived at the front door of 'my' home with the kid. It was in a small apartment on the third floor of a complex. The building had a cold gray color sprinkled with blue highlights.
I look at the handle and see it has a number lock. Seeing as how I don't know the combo, I step aside to let the kid open it. He seems confused as to why I didn't even try to unlock it.
"Why aren't you opening the door?"
I look at him quizzically, trying to thing of a good response. After maybe two seconds I respond, "Wanna make sure, You, know the door's code. I don't want to be out and about only to get a text or call from some random number saying you forgot the code."
Luckily it works as the kid walks up beside me and inputs the code. Looking closely at his fingers, he put in; 1-5-3-8-9. Alright, I now know the code to 'my' home.
Walking in after him, I see a surprisingly neat and tidy apartment. The kid, wait, I shouldn't keep calling him that. While I'm thinking how to ask him his name, he heads off into another room and closes the door behind.
Okay, I'll look around the house then. Going from room to room, I discover that we have four rooms. The entrance connected to the Living room/Kitchen, to its left is the first bedroom, likely 'mine' and the kid's. Then our bedroom connects to another that seems more feminine, likely a younger sister's.
It's while exploring that I notice the clock, it reading 6:47. Seeing as how the sun was lowering it was likely pm and maybe Fall. What kind of school ends at 6:30? Oh yeah, we're in Korea.
Wait, I'm in Korea. Is there an app that can translate that stuff? Thinking for a moment I immediately come up with the answer.
"Oh yeah, giggle translate."
I go and check my pockets for a phone and luckily find one. The real hope now is it not having a passcode. Pressing the power button, I see the screen light up with foreign notifications. Swiping them away, I open the phone. And it goes to the home tab. Thank god it's not locked.
While I was doing that, a flushing sound and door opening is heard. Leaving the bedroom, I see the kid exiting from likely the bathroom. This was the first real time I could actually look at his face.
His face has a good amount of kid fat on it. Along with slim eyebrows and a straight nose that compliments his vibrant brown eyes. He'd probably be very handsome in the future, like this body if it wasn't so fat.
But I shouldn't think about that, Right now I need to know a) his full name, b) my full name, and c) if we had any other family living with us. The girl's room might not be in use right now.
Sounding playful, I ask him, "What's your full name?"
Maybe a little too on the nose with that question because his face scrunches in confusion.
"Wait, you forgot your own name?" I ask him, sounding even more playful.
"No, no. Are you joking with me right now?"
Shit does this body not make those kinds of jokes? I try to sound Even More playful, "Why would I ever joke about your name? It's a beautiful one, I just want to see if you know it."
He smiles and proudly points to himself, "My name is Ryung Aleksander Jeong. That is my name."
Wait, Aleksander? That's not a common Korean name is it? Wait, don't think about that right now, continue the 'joke'.
"Alright, what's my name then? Or have you forgotten it, almost like your own."
He pouts at my words, "No I haven't, see. You're Choehabu Kirill Jeong."
"Wait, what do yu..." I start to say without thinking. It'd be really bad if I blew it now. But Kirill is most certainly not a Korean name.
At my sudden outburst, Ryung asks, "Are you okay? You've been acting, different from regular."
"Um, well walking to school today I tripped.. and hit my head on a concrete wall. Been having trouble thinking and doing and remembering ever since."
"But you've been talking normally the whole time."
"And it hurts, really hurts, to do so." I pause my talking and beckon him to come closer.
He walks closer and I talk quietly while looking into his eyes, "I'm going to be honest with you. I hit my head really hard. Like so hard I've forgotten things." my voice starts to get more panicked, "I don't remember if I had a job or what classes I have or even your name. I just didn't want to worry you with that but I don't think I can hide it anymore. Please, could you help me, Ryung Aleksander, help me re-adjust and remember the things and people I've forgotten?"
My 'honest' confession seems to root Ryung in place. I really hope this is a good call. Before I know it, he wraps his arms around my neck and starts to cry. I, awkwardly on my part, also embrace him. Whispering in a barely audible tone, he says "Don't worry, I'll do everything I can to help. To get my big brother back."
And it's those words that tear a hole in my heart.