JI-HOON
It was my mother's death anniversary. I hated this day, hated how it made me feel. I couldn't grieve her but I couldn't forget her either. So, as I always did on this day, I set out in search of a distraction. Anything to take my mind elsewhere, away from her.
I wandered aimlessly and ended up at a park. That's where I saw them, a group of kids trying to juggle with oranges. They were laughing, failing miserably, but trying again anyway. I lingered for a moment, watching them, before walking over.
"Want me to show you how it's done?" I asked. Their cheers were all the permission I needed. They handed me the oranges and I tossed one high in the sky. "Watch this!"
Their laughter worked its way into my soul, soothing a pain I was trying way too hard to ignore. I even found myself laughing with them, the sound unfamiliar but comforting. For a moment I felt lighter.
But then she came back. My mother. A flash of her memory, like lightning in my mind. And just as quickly as it came, it disappeared. My smile faltered, just for a moment, but I forced it back into place.
As I entertained the kids, I suddenly felt it – a gaze, steady and unrelenting. It made me feel…strange. When I turned, I saw her.
She sat a short distance away. Her long, dark, wavy hair moving slightly in the breeze. Her skin seemed to glow, soft and fair, with high cheekbones and delicate features. She was beautiful. Very much so. But it was her eyes that held me. Soft almond-shaped eyes that seemed to see too much, to look past what everyone else saw.
How I noticed all of this with just a glance? I don't know.
And before I could stop myself, I said "enjoying the show?"
She blinked and was startled by me catching her staring. "Oh, I, uh…"
Her cheeks flushed, blooming like wildflowers kissed by the sun. A delicate blush, but enough to make my heart skip a beat. I ignored it.
"It's okay," I said, my voice light. "I don't charge for spectators. First one's free."
I don't usually approach strangers like that. The words seemed to flow out of my mouth without my brain's consent.
"Good to know," She replied, her voice quiet but steady.
"Ji-Hoon," I said, walking towards her, holding out one of the oranges.
"Sana," she said, taking it, her hand brushing against mine for the briefest moment.
I studied her face, letting my grin soften. "Well, Sana, you've got a good eye. Most people only see what's on the surface."
I didn't wait for her to respond. I turned back to the kids, hoping that would be the end of it. But it wasn't.
From then on it was a blur.
The rain came out of nowhere. One moment, the sun was shining, and the next, the sky opened up, drenching everything in sight.
I saw an old, broken umbrella, leaning against a table and grabbed it, heading to the nearest tree for cover. It didn't help much, but I didn't really care. I stood there, letting the rain soak through me. It felt like the rain was crying for me, and for that, I was thankful. My chest felt too heavy to carry, but I still couldn't cry.
And then I heard her voice.
"You'll catch a cold if you stay out here any longer," she said. She stood a few feet away, her hair damp and clinging to her face. Her loose, gray sweater seemed to swallow her frame, the kind of piece that makes you feel like you could curl up inside. Her jeans were dark and faded, well-worn, like she had worn them a hundred of times before. It was the kind of look that said she didn't need to impress anyone, yet it somehow made her all the more intriguing. But her eyes – those eyes were on me, soft and full of something I couldn't name.
"Maybe that's the point?" I said, my voice quieter than I intended. She tilted her head slightly, studying me. "Do you always hang out in the rain like this?"
"Only on days like this."
"Days like what?"
I couldn't answer right away. I looked up at the stormy clouds, before meeting her gaze again. "Days that make you feel like the rain is the only one who understands."
For a moment, neither of us said anything. We just stood there, the rain poured around us, soaking through my clothes, but I didn't feel cold.
Then, she extended her hand. "Nice to meet you, Ji-Hoon."
I hold her gaze for a few seconds, something inside of me shifted, though I didn't know what it was.
"…Likewise, Sana," I said taking her hand.