Living in the countryside might be one of the most peaceful things in the planet. The sounds of engines on the road and the bustling streets are replaced with the sounds of birds chirping, trees shaking and the sounds of waves crashing by the town of Gyeokpo-ri.
Wouldn’t it be nice to stare at a beach or a forest once you wake up?
Even though the capital was the heart of the country, small towns such as these are just as thriving as ever. They may not have the lively streets and highrise buildings but towns such as this one make up for it in their own unique ways.
Living in smaller sized towns meant you could be living in a tight knit neighborhood. One that have people who know each other and much closer than it would have in a city. From a neighbor, to their neighbor and even the family down the street, you had the chance to know them.
“Good morning, Mrs.Kang!”
A man strolled down the tight road with a smile and with a clear spring in his step. With each step he took, the umbrella in his hands tapped the ground with a soft rhythm. It was a pleasant sound to hear during the cold morning.
“Oh it’s (YN)! What brings you in this part of town? Isn’t it too early to open up shop?” An elderly lady replied as she stood upon her house’s porch.
“It’s never too early to open up the shop, Mrs.Kang! By any chance, are you off to your morning jog?”
“No, dear. I would prefer sitting inside and enjoying a hot cup of tea this morning.” The elderly lady responded with a smile towards the man.
“I see. I should get going now to set up shop. Have a good day, Mrs.Kang!” The man raised his hand and waved at the elderly lady which she returned solemnly.
(YN) continued his way down the road that he has known ever since he was a small boy. With each step down the road, he could almost remember the times when he used to walk home from a long day at school.
His memories replayed in his mind yet somethiny felt missing, something that he didn’t know.
“Yah, wait up!”
Their backpacks jumped on their backs repeatedly as they jogged on the other side of the road. Once again and with a smile, the man’s memories played in his mind, ones from when he was doing the same.
After walking and then turning at the corner of the road, he could see a middle-aged woman further down. She was pushing a cart of fruits but she looked like she had trouble pushing from the stones that made up the road.
(YN) quickly approached them, eager to help them as he always did with the rest of the community. He stood by the woman’s side and placed his umbrella under his arm before carrying the weight of the fruit cart.
“Let me do that, Mrs.Yoo.” He told the woman as he held the cart up.
“Oh my, (YN)! You almost scared me there and thank you, dear. You have no idea how hard it is to push this thing around early in the morning.” Mrs.Yoo said, wiping the sweat off her forehead and off her silver hair.
“Didn’t I tell you to ask Mr.Youngjae to help push this before going to work?” (YN) turned his head towards the shorter lady beside him.
“Ahh you know him. He wakes up later than me and I need to head to the market before there isn’t any space left for my fruits.” The elderly lady explained, her hands crossed behind her back.
“If that’s the case, you can always call me for help. Just call our landline, you do know our number, right?”
“Aish, there’s no need. You already have a lot to tend to already, I don’t want to add onto your chores. It would be a hassle for you.” Mrs.Yoo shook her hand at the man, declining him.
“I wouldn’t call it a hassle if I want to help.” (YN) replied with a nod at the lady.
“Oh just don’t worry about it. Anyways, how are you? Has Yujin come back in town for a visit? Don’t I just miss the time when you two would always stop by and buy some apples for snacks.”
It was crazy to think about how a name could have such an effect on a person. Some could strike people with fear and some could provide comfort and assurance but for (YN), her name could only make him freeze.
“U-um no, she hasn’t. I won’t even consider it a possibility for her to come back, she’s living her best life somewhere else.” The man’s happy tone turned soft.
“Huh? I thought you two were inseparable. Wherever one of you were, the other was always there. It was rare seeing one of you alone back then.” The lady said as (YN) could only smile silently at her.
“How about we make our way to the market, hm?” (YN) slowly began pushing the cart forward.
“But hasn’t she called at least once? How about a letter? Aigoo~ I’m starting to miss her even more now, don’t you?” Mrs.Yoo continued.
“Ajumeoni, should we head to the market now?” The young man fired back with a question of his own.
“Oh you don’t need to do that. Just push it until the end of the road, it’ll be fine.”
“I can push it until we reach the market, I won’t mind.” (YN) insisted, pushing cart further down the road.
“I told you there’s no need to do that, I can push it the rest of the way there.” Mrs.Yoo replied with (YN) deciding not to insist further.
As he pushed the cart, he couldn’t help but feel a stinging feeling in his chest after speaking with the woman. It wasn’t anything to worry about but he has always hated it when he was reminded of someone who was never going back.
(YN) was quick to get back on his way after pushing the cart towards the end of the street and waving goodbye at the woman he had helped.
Living in the town of Gyeokpo-ri for all of his life, he basically knew everybody in this side of town. Living here all of his life also meant that everybody knew the person whose name should not be said, at least if he was in the vicinity.
Her name was almost like a taboo to him, one that details the existance of a girl that was once a resident of the town and whose energy spilled throughout wherever she went.
He didn’t want to think about her now or at any other time rather. (YN) sighed into the cold air as a more buildings lined up before his side of the side walk. He continued to walk as his eyes were set at a sign hanging off one of the buildings.
He approached the door that was under the sign. After picking out the keys out of his pocket, he inserted them inside the doorknob and pushed the door open. What met him inside were empty shelves and even more emptier set of vases on a table.
(YN) walked towards the counter at the back end of the store and placed his umbrella down before removing the coat he had over his shoulders. He pulled open a drawer and picked up a green apron.
He wrapped the straps around his own waist and tied it to his behind. With a fresh breath of the wooden aroma inside of the building, an optimistic smile placed itself on his lips.
He opened the door behind him and saw the crown jewels of this humble establishment.
Flowers, a lots and lots of flowers with different colors, sizes and petals.
“I guess it’s time to set up shop.”
Running a flower shop was just like running a convenience store. Filling up the shelves with food, replacing the expired ones with fresh ones and packing items into a bag was just like filling up the shelves with vases of flowers, replacing the dead ones with ones that have just bloomed and packing flowers into a bouqet.
It wasn’t the best of jobs in the worlds but it was one he enjoyed so much and that’s what mattered.
(YN) finally sat down behind the counter and looked at the job he did around the store. The bland empty shelves were know filled with the colors of roses, daisies and yellow asters. He even pulled out wooden ones to display even more flowers outside of the shop.
He wiped the sweat off his brow, proud of the job he has done. All that was left to do was to wait for a customer to come in, which he would help with all of their floral needs.
*KRING!~*
The bell on top of the door of the shop soon rang aloud making (YN) raise his head from the notebook he had on the counter.
A woman walked into the store, one whose height was not that great compared to the wooden door. She had a green vest that had the crest of the local school with her leather bag hanging over her shoulder.
“Good morning, Hanni! What brings you here?” (YN) politely greeted the woman with a slight bow. After looking at the flowers scatters around her, she locked eyes with the man behind the counter.
“To put it simply…you.” Hanni replied with a hand raised at the back of her head.
“What?..” (YN) blurted out, tilting his head slightly to the side.
“I-i meant I was looking for you! I thought of knocking on your door but I saw the flowers already fixed outside so I figured that you were already here.” Hanni quickly explained, animating her hands in front of her for emphasis.
“Oh alright. Could I help you with anything?”
“Yeah, do you remember when I told you that I was bringing my class out for a trip around town?” Hanni asked as she clasped her hands together.
“You’re bringing them to the beach, right?” (YN) asked right back after a nod of his head.
“Well at first yes but I was wondering if I could bring them here instead for their science subject.” Hanni was quick to explain.
“Really? I guess I wouldn’t mind them being here for the morning plus I get to look over Seowon while they’re here.”
“Pfft, there’s no reason for that. She’s a smart kid and she’s always behaved.” Hanni shook her head.
“That’s what you think. If you have been living with her for half your life then you’ll know how rowdy she gets.”
“Maybe that’s her way of showing how much she loves her older brother?” Hanni chuckled, making the man on the other side of the counter to the same.
“Oh right! Just before I head off, I wanted to give you something.”
The man watched as Hanni opened her bag and rummage through the things inside. He heard keys jangle and pens hitting the sides of her bag before eventually pulling out a small green box that seemed to contain food.
“I was making some bibimbap for breakfast earlier and I accidentally used too much ingredients. Instead of throwing the rest of the dish away, why don’t I give them to you?” Hanni placed the container on the counter with two of her hands.
She had a smile on her face, the one where her cheeks lifted upwards making her eyes close slightly.
“You sure? Who knows if you’ve secretly put poison in this.” (YN) teased, opening the lid slightly. Peering through, he saw the orange color of the carrots and the greens of the cucumbers which were typically found in the dish.
“Yah, what do you take me for? I would never do such a thing! If you don’t want to eat it then just say so, (YN)!” Hanni’s smile turned into a pout as she tried to pull the container away but the man raised it higher than what she could reach.
“I’m going to eat it. I’m only kidding, Hanni!” (YN) said as he grabbed onto the woman’s wrist before softly holding it down on the counter.
Hanni puffed out a breath of air from her cheeks before she slid her arm from his grasp.
“That’s great since I even brought you these.” Hanni opened her bag again and pulled out a green vertical container meant for eating utensils.
“Are you sure these taste any good though?” (YN) asked, opening the new container and finding a spoon, a fork and a set of metal chopsticks inside.
“Of course it tastes great, I made it! Get a taste if your still unsure!” Hanni said, nudging the utensils closer to the man.
“Fine, I believe you. I’ll make sure to finish this to thank you for the meal.”
“You better finish it since I’m not taking any leftovers!” Hanni raised a finger as if to warn him.
“I understand, Teacher Pham.” (YN) smiled, giving the woman a small salute on his head.
“I better get going now, I’ll just drop after by to get my containers back, alright?” Hanni then turned around from the counter after giving the man a wave goodbye.
“Oh I’ll give these back myself!” (YN) suddenly said.
Hanni turned her body back around slightly and looked at him.
“I’ll be fetching Seowon after her classes later so I could give these back so you don’t have to walk back here after teaching for the whole day.” (YN) explained, raising the containers the woman left.
A small smile appeared on her lips, him being so thoughtful could only make it appear so suddenly.
“Alright then I’ll see you later~” Hanni’s eyes curved upwards as she gave him another wave.
“Wait, I might have something for you too!”
The woman stopped in her step before looking behind her once more. She looked towards (YN) who slightly leaned before the counter as if he was reaching something below him.
He stood back up quickly, now with something in his hand that was wrapped in a special kind of paper. Inside it were many individual flowers that were tightly packed together.
They had small white petals around its yellow disc shaped center. Most people called them daisies but for Hanni, she called them her favorite flowers.
“What are you staring for? You love these, don’t you?” (YN) stretched his arm out towards her, bouqet in hand.
“T-they’re for me? And h-how did you know that those are my f-favorite?” Hanni suddenly found herself stuttering and stammering out her words.
“You told me when you went here last week looking for daisy seeds so you could grow them in your backyard. I didn’t have them so I ordered daisies to sell and I also got a little extra for you.” (YN) smiled right back, shaking the flowers on his hand.
“R-really? You didn’t have to do that..” Hanni’s cheeks felt warmer out of nowhere.
“But you looked so down when I told you that I didn’t have any daisies. You’re someone that I’m close with so when I was ordering some, I thought of getting some for you. And it’s on the house, no need to worry about paying.”
Hanni went back in front the counter. She slowly picked up the bouqet with her hand brushing against his slowly.
Her smile turned uncontrollable as it widened on her cheeks. She held the bouquet towards her chest, looking down at the white flowers before her.
“I…I don’t know what to say.”
“Thank you is a good place to start.” (YN) smugly shrugged, crossing his arms across his chest.
“If this is what I get for cooking something for you everyday, then I’d do it seven days of the week.” Hanni chuckled still in disbelief which (YN) could only roll his eyes to.
“Aish, this’ll only happen just this once. You should go, you’ll be running wait if you stayed here longer.” (YN) tapped on his wrist, indicating the time.
“O-oh right! I guess I will be heading out now. Thank you for these, (YN)! I love it!” Hanni raised her hand to wave another quick goodbye before turning around to walk out the front door.
He smiled, feeling swell from the good deed he has done. Thinking deeper about the white flowers he had given her, he suddenly remembered that they were also somebody else’s favorite.
“ Off the record night~
These late night conversations
Jamdeulji anha!~”
The bright and blinding lights.
The dazzling flashes of cameras.
The ear-piercing chants from the crowd.
All were part of the life of an idol and not everyone could live this sort of lifestyle.
From the tiring schedules, to the time used to train their singing and getting used to the choreographies, only someone so dedicated to reaching their dreams could do it.
Someone so eager that they didn’t care what they sacrifice just to achieve such a dream.
“We’re finally finished!”
A girl bursted through the door, her bubbly personality seemingly not affected by the tiring performance they just finished. She sprinted off to the corner of the room where a softly cushioned couch was.
Five other girls followed through the doorway, each with outfits that were distinct with one another. Their heights varied, the other’s were almost similar yet one was the smallest from the rest.
The girls headed for the seats at the corner of the cool room but one decided to separate themselves from the group, heading to the mirrors set up at another side.
She slowly approached a mirror that showed her reflection. She swiped at her hair that ran no longer past her neck. Placing strands behind her ear, she pulled out her in-ear device that blasted music throughout their performancs.
She looked at the reflection of the other girls behind her. Being their leader wasn’t easy by any means but hearing all of the praise and love from her fans and the worry free smiles on her members’ faces made every bit of it worth it.
“Wuahh, living in the countryside must be so relaxing. Gaeul unnie, look at this!” The youngest of their group said as her raised her hand to show her phone.
The older girl next to her looked over at the device where there was a simple vlog styled video of someone taking care of a farm and its cattle.
“I know it looks nice but who knows what else they do there.” The older girl smiled as she replied.
“Eh? The don’t only just harvest their farms?” The younger girl tilted her head in curiosity.
“Well yes. We’re idols but we don’t only just sing and dance, we do a variety of other things, right?” Gaeul replied, patting the girl’s back.
“Well I just want to know what it’s like living there.” The girl pouted her lips slightly before glancing over to the taller girl sitting across from her.
“Wonyoung unnie! Do you know anything about this?” She called out towards her other member.
“Hm? About what, Leeseo?” Wonyoung replied, her voice as soft as a feather.
“Living in the countryside!” Leeseo energetically said.
“I don’t but I think I know someone who knows a lot about that.” Wonyoung squinted her eyes in thought before she shook her head. She pointed a finger over towards their leader that was busy fixing her hair in front of the mirror.
“That’s right, didn’t Yujin unnie say that she was from another province? Maybe she knows!” Another girl joined into the conversation by leaning into Wonyoung’s side.
“But isn’t Yujin unnie’s town a fishing one?” Another one of their members leaned into the girl’s other side, covering both of her sides completely.
“Is that true? I always thought Yujin unnie was from Seoul from the way she speaks.” The youngest member said.
“Why don’t you ask her yourself?” Gaeul nodded her towards the girl walking towards the group.
“Were you calling for me?”
Their leader finally joined the group after she heard murmurs of her name and seeing them almost huddling around the couch.
“Yujin-ah, Leeseo here wants to ask you something.” Gaeul gave the youngest a pat on her back, encouraging her to ask their leader.
“Is that so? What is it, Leeseo-yah?” Yujin smiled at her, taking a seat right by the free space by the younger girl’s side. Leeseo was hesitant at first but she soon turned to face her.
“Did you used to live in the countryside, unnie?”
Yujin could only blankly stare at Leeseo for a moment upon hearing her question.
“W-why do you ask?” Yujin managed to ask out.
“Well, I was curious about what life was like in the countryside and Wonyoung unnie said you knew a lot about living there.” Leeseo innocently explained.
“I…i used to live there but I haven’t been there for years. I probably forgot about the places and what life was like back then.” Yujin said though she was unsure with her words.
“Not even a visit? Then you must have forgotten about your family.” Rei suddenly asked.
“No, of course not. They insist that I stay here knowing how busy I am so they make the trip here instead.”
“But what about your friends? Surely, your friends must be missing you a lot if you don’t visit.” Liz joined in right after Yujin spoke.
Once again, Yujin wasn’t sure how to answer. She parted her lips slightly yet no words came out.
“I-i’m still in touch with them. I talk to some of them from time to time.” Yujin lied. She wasn’t even sure if some of them were still there, him included.
“Well how about we give them a visit? You must miss the town a lot, right unnie?” Leeseo suddenly clapped her hands together with her suggestion.
“A visit? Oh I’m not so sure about that..” Yujin softened her voice.
“But why..” Leeseo pouted her lips, making some of the other members smile at her cuteness.
“We still have filled schedules, remember?” Their leader reasoned.
“Then why don’t we go there when we’re free!” Leeseo said loudly.
“As if our manager would let us, she basically locks us in the dorm when we don’t have anything to do!” Liz pouted and crossed her arms making the tall girl next to her pat her head.
“Then why don’t you ask permission, Yujinnie?” Gaeul calmly said.
“W-wait why me? How is everybody so sure that they want to visit my hometown?” Yujin glanced around her group whom looked at one another.
“Anyone in favor of visiting Yujin unnie’s hometown, say I!” Wonyoung told the group, slightly raising her hand in the air.
Their leader watched as Liz raised her hand, followed by Rei raising her own and then Leeseo raised her’s as she grabbed onto Gaeul’s hand to pull upwards.
“Not you too, Wony!” Yujin said loudly before slouching down on the couch, sinking in its soft cushions.
“It won’t hurt to ask manager unnie. I bet it’ll be a fun trip.” Gaeul, who was usually so calm and collected, told her leader.
“Yeah, she can’t say no when the leader says something!” Leeseo nodded her head, full of hope.
“Fine…i’ll think about it.” Yujin plainly replied. The youngest member sighed as she fell back down to the couch defeated.
As much as she wanted to grant Leeseo’s wish, she just couldn’t find a suitable solution for getting them there with a manager that manages them with an iron fist.
But then again, she hoped that this was the last time Leeseo would ask such a thing. As an addition to the many times she did throughout her life, she only could hope.
༝ ˚ ｡⋆ 𓇼 ⋆｡ ˚ ༝ ˚ ｡⋆ 𓇼 ⋆｡ ˚ ༝ ˚ ｡⋆ 𓇼 ⋆｡ ˚ ༝
8 likes from Hitoshinouie, Frostbytewin, PinkBlood, chiefninjadream, kryphtot, z.look, Exalted, and BonLu.