Memories (6)
After Seonghwan woke up, there was a bit of a commotion as everyone tried to sort things out.
"No, once the ambulance gets here, you have to go to the hospital for a check-up, no exceptions. What if you suddenly collapse again? We'd be in deep shit for sending it away."
"Aigoo, doc. If word gets out that I passed out on a ride and got carted off to the hospital, I won't be able to show my face anywhere. Do I look like the type who's gonna just keel over right now?"
The infirmary staffer, who'd checked the surgery scar on Seonghwan's body, looked uneasy and tried to persuade him otherwise. But Seonghwan stubbornly held his ground, called 119 to report the emergency resolved, and sent the incoming ambulance back. Normally, you'd go to the hospital for a full exam in a case like this, but Seonghwan trusted his own condition.
Feels like I'm in peak form for some reason. Did I just get motion sickness from that high-difficulty ride right after lunch?
Of course, he knew the signal from his heart wasn't indigestion, but he couldn't detect any abnormality in his body—hard to believe he'd just blacked out moments ago.
"Hyung, you sure you're okay? Your color looks fine, but I'm still worried..."
"Yeah, Oppa. Don't worry about us—maybe head to the hospital just to be safe."
"........."
While Hyoseok and Jia shot him concerned looks, Lee Hyun was glaring daggers, practically grabbing him by the nape like she was ready to drag him there herself. Her intent to haul him to the hospital, Seonghwan's opinion be damned, was crystal clear.
"Hey, let go of me. People might think I'm some creep who got caught filming upskirts."
"...You wanna spout that bullshit right now? I told you to get in the ambulance and go to the hospital. And you still sent it back? If you're gonna be dumb, at least don't be so goddamn stubborn. Why are you so lax about your own health?"
Her eyes were still red from the tears she'd been shedding nonstop, and her fierce scowl screamed, I'm pissed, so don't argue.
"It's my body—I know it best, don't I? Your big bro here isn't some fragile flower, so no need to worry."
"Bullshit. Who said I'm worried about you? If something happens to you, we get dragged down too. We're talking cops, not just dirty looks. You trying to ruin these kids' futures? Shut up and go to the hospital already. You're the one making it hard for us to have fun."
"Oh ho... So if I go to the hospital, you guys can have fun without me? Huh? Jia and Hyoseok, fine, but you wanna stick around too?"
".....Shit."
Hah, knew it. As if you'd tag along.
They'd growled at each other like cat and mouse their whole lives, but Seonghwan was confident his feelings for Lee Hyun ran deeper than anyone else's. He wasn't sure if hers matched his, but at least on the level of "friends," right? He couldn't picture her ditching him if he went to the hospital alone—laughing it up with the others like nothing happened.
"Heh. Your big bro's having a blast spending this rare day with his little sis. And when I say I know my heart, it's not a lie. You can't even imagine how much I've babied this thing over the years. I've been checking my own blood pressure since I was nine. There was a time my computer's portal search history was nothing but heart-related shit."
"........."
No lies in his words. He laid out his truth slowly.
"You know a bit about how it held me back, right? Messed up my friendships back in middle school... I was basically ostracized. But remember high school? New friends, PC bangs, even pickup basketball sometimes. And you know what? I felt better than in middle school. No issues at all. Never worried about my heart after that. Pfft. Come to think of it, that's when you got all jealous 'cause I wasn't hanging out with you anymore, throwing tantrums... Ring any bells?"
"Fuck off. When did I? I just... thought you were having fun without me, so I..."
"Got it, got it. There you go getting pissy again. Anyway."
Seonghwan met her eyes. When she started middle school, there'd been a gap between them. More "big bro and little sis" than boy-girl back then. He'd had to coldly push away the girl entering puberty, the one who'd relied on him since childhood. He'd built a wall and shoved her to the far side.
Oppa!!
And just now, her scream echoed vividly.
"I regretted building that wall out of fear, using 'protecting myself' as an excuse. Middle school too... And with you."
".....?"
"Scared of some bullshit, shrinking back, watching my step? If I'd been bolder, at least I wouldn't have ignored you for six damn years."
"........."
"I'd scan the streets on the way to school, terrified of bumping into you by chance. Spot you from afar in your uniform and duck behind a building like a coward... Haha, what a moron. Even Dad wouldn't have guessed I'd be that pathetic."
"......Th-that..."
Lee Hyun's wide eyes turned away hastily, fresh tears welling up. Seonghwan reached out, resting his hand on her head. Soft hair, and her body flinching in surprise.
"If I hadn't drowned in self-pity back then, maybe 'Oppa' wouldn't have turned into 'hey, you.'"
"...."
Her head dipped lower, but he kept talking, pretending not to notice.
"Now here we are, somehow together again like this. And you approached me first—I know that. Can't imagine the guts it took. So why would I, your big bro, waste this time being scared or whatever? I'm fine, really. You want me play-acting weak in front of you again? Just trust me this once. I don't wanna be that whiny kid anymore. Don't wanna worry you either."
It was a vow he whispered to himself like a mantra. The scars from back then lingered like the one on his heart. The wounds he'd inflicted on his "little sis" by cowering in fear of relapse. A little more kindness to himself, a bit more courage, and those empty years might never have happened. His reflection on lost time began that way.
Tears traced down her lowered cheeks. Without thinking, Seonghwan started stroking her hair gently.
"Even acting like a dumbass back then, my eyes worked fine—I saw everything. You waiting at the bus stop in the mornings or heading home after school. You stood out. Couldn't miss you. Prettiest girl around by far."
".......!"
She froze mid-sob.
"From kindergarten to elementary, I knew all your outfits. Then suddenly, you in that uniform felt... familiar. And damn pretty."
He looked down at her again.
"I'd agonize over what to say if we crossed paths. 'Hey'? 'Long time'? 'How's school?' All sorts of cringy scenarios. But looking back, pointless fantasies. In the end, I'd have blurted something honest... Yeah, probably this."
Feeling her head lift slowly, he continued.
"'That uniform suits you. You're pretty.' Yeah, that's what I'd have said. The moment I saw you... probably."
Her teary eyes met his. He didn't look away this time.
"Back then... and now. Always. You're pretty, little sis."
The words he'd failed to say then, delivered to Lee Hyun at last.
"Hey, hey. Is Lee Hyun crying? Her head's down weird... Huh? Whoa, Seonghwan hyung's hand on her head. He grabbing her hair or something? Should we stop him? She's crying—look! Jia, we gotta go over there..."
Thwack!
"Ow, you jerk! Use some common sense! Argh!"
"Aaaah! Why hit me? That hurts!"
Watching Seonghwan and Lee Hyun, Jia had unconsciously followed suit, kicking Hyoseok in the ribs without hesitation.
"Ow, hey. This is my fault, right? You guys can't ride what you want 'cause of me. I'm fine, really? Viking was no problem. That Final Attraction was just freakishly intense. Without it, I could Viking right now, haha."
"Hyung, you were screaming your head off on Adventures of the Warship too—the one with the 110cm height limit. I saw it all."
"...You sure know how to say the most punchable shit sometimes."
Seonghwan glared at Hyoseok's snarky comeback, but deep down, he didn't hate it. If anything, he appreciated how Hyoseok followed Jia and Lee Hyun's lead without complaint. Seonghwan insisted he was fine, but the girls ignored him, scrapping their thrill-ride plans for chill observation and shows.
Fantasia World wasn't just rides—it had timed music, performances everywhere for guests to enjoy. Seonghwan's group caught a few, making the day fulfilling enough. Sure, the shows were flashy family fare—kid-oriented, a bit childish—but he was grateful they played along without gripes.
"Mmm... Hyung, one more Corndog? These are legit as good as street ones."
"Hotdog for me. Lee Hyun?"
"Hmm... Ice cream sounds good."
"Oh, me too—switch to ice cream."
"......Do whatever."
Sure, they were bleeding him dry on snacks, but he'd already committed to treating, so no biggie. Heading to buy their picks, they spotted a crowd buzzing around one spot.
"Whoa, big crowd over there. Check out all the uniforms."
"Yeah, another show maybe?"
Curious about the line, they wandered over.
"Huh? Carousel. People taking pics."
"Just photos? Lining up for pics with the dolls or what?"
Hyoseok explained the scene, and Seonghwan eyed the queue skeptically. Then Jia clapped, realization dawning.
"Ah! Right!! Carousel photo spot!"
"Huh?"
"Carousel? Photo?"
Seonghwan and Hyoseok stared blankly, but Jia grabbed their wrists, dragging them over without explanation.
"Wait, why? Why here?"
"Jia, if it's pics, plenty of spots without lines."
"Ugh, you clueless guys. Just follow. Hyun, come on."
"Ah... yeah!"
Lee Hyun, in sync with Jia, trailed right behind the guys.
"...So this is the prime photo spot, and everyone's lining up for carousel backdrop pics?"
"Not just any spot. At dusk like now, the lighting's perfect only here. Staff control it so photographers can snap from the front."
"Got the system. Pretty background, makes sense. But look ahead—mostly couples. Group pic okay?"
"Hmm......One sec."
"Huh? Where? Jia!"
"Bathroom quick. Hyun and I fixing makeup. Line's long—won't be late. Wait up."
"Makeup? Seriously..."
Seonghwan grumbled as Jia and Lee Hyun dashed off without a reply. Lee Hyun hesitated, glanced at him, then grabbed Jia's hand.
"Hahaha, hyung. Girls always primp before pics—normal."
"...Why you look so happy? Like photos?"
"Heh heh. Not pics per se... depends on who with, right? Just remembered something late."
"What?"
"Heard couples always hit this carousel pic spot. Back then, no girlfriend, so tuned it out. But Jia's words clicked—it's this."
"So you're thrilled 'cause it's a 'couple thing'? That why you're grinning like an idiot?"
"Heh heh. Hyung, I'm setting this as my Kakao profile pic right after. Hyun at the carousel. Heh, photoshop it couple-like... Kyaa!"
Seonghwan pitied Hyoseok's creepy grin.
Tsk tsk. Hangs with Hyun and still doesn't get her? Post that pic, you're on her Death Note. Bet my finger on it.
As Seonghwan eyed him disdainfully, Jia and Lee Hyun came sprinting back.
"Huff huff. Made it? Worried we'd miss our turn."
"Plenty ahead. Why run?"
"Huff... Still, better safe. Oh, Oppa—how's Hyun?"
"Huh?"
Only then did Seonghwan really look at Lee Hyun.
Holy shit...
The awe welled up uncontrollably. Not just him.
"Whoaaa, Hyun, you..."
Hyoseok's unfiltered gasp, plus stares from all around. She'd touched up post-cry, but post-bathroom, Lee Hyun was dazzling.
Even Seonghwan, who'd known her forever, was stunned. She avoided his eyes, shy.
Eye makeup, lipstick, blush—all on point. As guys gawked, Jia shrugged proudly.
"Whaddya think? Helped with her makeup. Back in school, I was big into it..."
"Whoa... Hyun, you're like a celeb. No, prettier."
Hyoseok kept gushing, cutting Jia off.
"Damn... Won't even let me finish."
But the guys were too busy agreeing to notice. Seonghwan, Hyoseok, even strangers. Lee Hyun, flustered under Seonghwan's wide-eyed stare, finally glared back, feigning anger.
"What're you staring at? First time seeing me made up? I've worn it before."
"...That was just scribbling on your face. This is makeup. Wow, Jia, you're a wizard."
"What? Ugh. You look human with makeup? Look at yourself first."
"Argh, bitching about my face again. Never heard I'm ugly—average at worst. Fuck, what's wrong with it?!"
"So gloriously average. Lucky you."
"Fucking bitch."
Seonghwan praised Jia over Lee Hyun's glam-up; she couldn't kick him like old times but brandished a fist anyway. Soon they were bickering.
Hee hee.
Jia smiled warmly at them. Lee Hyun already owned every guy's gaze. Jia, who'd always thought her friend lacked polish, had unleashed her stress-relief hobby—every makeup trick in the book. Seeing Lee Hyun reborn by her hand? Pure satisfaction.
"....."
"........."
Boyfriends in line sneaked peeks at Lee Hyun despite their girls. Their stares at the bickering duo mixed disbelief and envy. Even trading barbs, anyone could see Seonghwan and Lee Hyun were that couple. Jia confirmed her hunch again.
Yeah, to everyone else, they're no mere siblings. So why don't they see it? Frustrating. But so pure.
Seonghwan's care for her. Her devotion to him. She was growing honest with her feelings, but his? Hard to read.
God, please let Oppa notice soon...
Feeling eyes on her, Lee Hyun glanced at Jia. Their gazes met.
Nod.
Jia smiled and nodded; Lee Hyun flushed, looking away.
Hee hee. Cute.
Jia chuckled inwardly, then tapped Hyoseok's shoulder, whispering as he turned.
"Hyoseok, let's go."
"Huh? Where?"
"Night parade's starting soon. Gotta grab seats."
"Parade? Wait, now? Me too? What about the line?"
"Pic after. With me. Aww, you're so sweet. C'mon."
"No... I waited to pic with Hyun."
"Yeah yeah. Pic with her later too. I'll snap and photoshop nice."
"But.... Hyung? Hyun? Hey, let go! Why me with you..."
"Shh. Quiet—Oppa might hear. They'll catch up. Seats now."
"Mmmph!"
Hyoseok squirmed, but Jia clamped his mouth ruthlessly.
Even strangers see they're more than friends—why are you so oblivious? Sigh...
Jia pitied him even as she dragged him off. Lee Hyun glanced their way mid-bicker but ignored Hyoseok's plight.
Poor Hyoseok...
She wanted to spill everything to him, but couldn't. Just a bit longer—keep our four-way friendship intact.