Memories (7)
“Huh? Where’d Hyoseok and Jia go?”
“.........”
“Didn’t you see them? It’s almost our turn for photos. Give them a call.”
“..Jia said she was going to save our spot since the parade’s about to start. She told me that earlier.”
“Oh?”
I knew the nighttime parade was coming up. It had come up briefly even while we were eating dinner together, so I was fully aware, but since it was one of those take-it-or-leave-it things for me, I hadn’t paid it much mind.
“Hmm... We still had plenty of time. Should we just head over too?”
“What kinda nonsense is that? After waiting this long? Get your head straight.”
Lee Hyun’s exaggerated outburst was ridiculous, but I figured she just didn’t want to give up this prime spot that had a long line of people waiting for it. Men and women see things differently, so I let it slide.
The real issue, though...
“A bit more lovingly now. Yes, like that—hugging, and both make a heart~ Perfect.”
The couple ahead of us in line stared into each other’s eyes with beaming smiles, dripping with honeyed sweetness. It felt way too awkward.
Oh shit. They’re gonna kiss.
Even without the photographer asking, the affectionate pair suddenly pressed their foreheads together, locking eyes. They held the gaze for a moment. Then their lips slowly drew closer.
Gasp. Fuck. For real?
Mwah.
Finally, they boldly brushed their lips together—just a peck, but enough to draw cheers from the crowd around us.
“Woooah, awesome!”
“Whoa.. babe, should we do a pose like that?”
“How about I lift you up and you kiss my cheek? It’ll make a great memory—too plain would be a shame.”
“Aww.. can you even lift me, babe?”
“Psh, easy. You know I’ve been working out.”
I swallowed hard at the cheesy lines from the couples behind us.
What bullshit... Lift her? Fuck. Have some consideration for everyone else.
When lovers gather and someone starts showing off strength, it turns into a pissing contest for the guys. I snuck a glance at the couple behind us while pretending to look at Hyun.
A big burly guy stood there in his uniform, face brimming with confidence. He clearly wasn’t lying about working out—his muscles were bulging like his uniform might rip.
And the girl next to him...
You’re gonna need all your strength, buddy.
She was so sturdy that her lifting him wouldn’t look weird at all. She grinned goofily at her guy, her uniform top straining from what could’ve been fat or tits bulging out. Impressive, but her gut poked out just as much, so it didn’t do much for me.
Have a happy love life.
I had no prejudices about other couples’ looks. I wasn’t confident in my own appearance anyway, so I tried to judge everyone fairly. Or so I thought, as I started to turn away.
But before I could, I caught the big guy’s eyes raking over Hyun’s back.
Male instinct. Girlfriend or wife or not, eyes wander to other women. And if she’s drop-dead gorgeous with a killer body? That instinct gets sneakier, slimier.
This fucker...
I’d even silently wished him happiness, but seeing him eye Hyun’s back like that lit a fire in me.
Male instinct number two. The drive to claim and protect a woman. More cutthroat than territory wars, especially if she’s stunning with a perfect figure. They say a kingdom-toppling beauty can ruin nations.
Grrr. Fuck, and I’m right here? Can’t keep his eyes to himself?
He wasn’t blatantly ogling another girl in front of his own, of course. But while ordering lifts and cheek kisses, his gaze kept drifting to Hyun. Infuriating.
Cut the showboating before your girl notices...
I was glaring daggers at him in warning when something felt off. I glanced around.
“....Ahem.”
“.....Ugh, huff.”
Awkward stares all around. Silent eye exchanges. Fake coughs. Guys with girlfriends were slyly stealing glances at Hyun behind their girls’ backs. It hit me late, but they’d clearly been doing it the whole time—smooth, practiced looks between chatting with their dates.
Holy shit... So they’ve been eyeing Hyun on the sly this whole time. Makes sense—I was mesmerized myself for a while.
Can’t fight male instinct around beauties, but you restrain yourself when she’s taken. They minded their girlfriends but had zero consideration for me.
I don’t even register, huh? Game on.
I turned to check Hyun. Her side profile, intently watching the couple ahead still posing at the carousel.
Hyun’s tall but slim... light weight. Problem’s my waist. My strength.
I eyed her figure, then my own arms. I had a decent build naturally—not scrawny—but I wasn’t a gym rat, so I doubted my power.
..But I can do it. I boasted I’d be manly in front of her—no backing down now.
I steeled myself and sidled up to her. Smoothly, I draped my arm over her shoulder.
“..Huh?”
Hyun blinked in surprise, staring blankly, but I ignored it, pulling her into a hug with my hand firm on her shoulder.
“I’ll show ‘em, oppa. That you’ve got a guy who can shut down creeps like that easy.”
“...What?”
My words made no sense to her, but she didn’t pull away from my embrace. She just ducked her head, face flushing red.
Right on cue, the couple ahead finished their photoshoot.
“Next couple, please step forward. If you have a pose in mind, go ahead and strike it—no need to hesitate. Signal when ready. Come on up.”
Our turn at last.
****
“Haaap!”
“Kyaa!”
Not the most original pose, but a classic for lovers. As soon as we reached the carousel, I got the photographer’s signal, faced Hyun, bent at the waist, grabbed behind her calves, and hoisted her up.
Hyun flailed in panic at my sudden move.
“W-what? What the hell are you doing?”
“Nngh. Hold on. Fuck—for male pride!!”
“What bullshit is this...”
“Ow. Shut it. My back’s killing me.”
I thought lifting a slim girl would be easy with some grit, but actually doing it? Toughest thing ever.
As she squirmed, it got harder. I grimaced up at her.
Sensing my strain, she stopped flailing and met my eyes.
Our gazes locked naturally, despite the awkwardness.
Smoothly, she rested her hand on my shoulder, leaning in to steady herself. I stretched my tensed arms, cupping her thigh to secure her legs.
Sure, any fit 20-something guy can princess-carry, but holding eye contact naturally while posing? Whole different beast.
Arms... burning. Back’s gonna snap.
To look natural, I couldn’t use my whole body—just pure arm strength. That was the ultimate devotion in front of all these watching couples.
I strained to hold her steady, forcing a smile. Ignoring the trembling in my muscles, I curved my lips up.
Hyun watched me silently. She was comfy now, hand on my shoulder, gazing down.
Even worrying if her short skirt choice was too much, she felt my careful hands cradling her butt and calves. Blushing, she didn’t ignore the thoughtfulness.
“...O! Great pose from the guy. Girl’s just pretty as is. Ready—one!Twooo!”
The photographer’s call rang in her ears. Like New Year’s countdown, she leaned in unconsciously.
One... twooo...
She swallowed, counting silently. My forced grin was funny, but no laugh came. Not funny at all.
Years since we’d faced each other like kids. That time reflected in my eyes.
And then—the final count.
“Three!”
Her head dipped as he shouted. My eyes widened in shock.
“Eh? Huh?”
Ignoring me, she closed her eyes.
One... two... three...
Her countdown was just beginning.
****
“Ahem... cough.”
“.....”
The photographer was a pro. He’d snapped away through our eye-lock, her lean-in, even the crowd’s cheers—capturing the perfect shots.
And now the results were in our hands.
We barely registered the staff’s print options or how payment happened, how we each ended up with a photo. We just wandered back to the group in silence.
But the awkwardness was killing me, so I forced an irritated yell.
“Fuck, why’d you suddenly kiss my forehead like that?”
Her face reddened at my words, and she fired back.
“You think I wanted to? On purpose? You lifted me outta nowhere, so I panicked mid-pose and toppled forward!”
“What? That your excuse?”
“What was I supposed to do? You hoisted me up sudden-like, I lost balance. I’m pissed too! The lights hid your face—I couldn’t even see where you were.”
“Bullshit. Get your eyes checked. My face ain’t going anywhere.”
“As expected of a lifelong single, making a fuss over nothing. Think I wanted to? And your face ain’t fine, dumbass. Of everyone here, yours was the worst.”
“Bitch, deflecting to my looks again? You fuck up and blame my face?”
“Who asked you to lift me? Ask passersby who lost out more—me or you.”
“Fuck this. This goddamn looks-obsessed world!”
The bickering cleared the air, but I still felt lame and took it out on innocent Hyoseok.
“Where the hell is that guy? Parade’s starting— wasn’t he saving our spot? Hyun, call him.”
“He’s probably swamped. Too many people. Tried earlier—no answer.”
“Goddamn. Total space case. Skip the entrance? Find a quieter spot? What you think, Hyun?”
“Don’t care.”
The entrance swarmed—prime view of the start, flashier shows there.
We edged back through the crowd to sparser areas.
“Ugh... chaos. Hyun, this way. Least crowded here.”
“....”
We’d retreated behind a dark shop shutter. Obvious why no one was there.
“Can we see from here? Push forward?”
Way behind barriers, parade barely visible. Still, she shook her head.
“Fine. Visible enough. My eyes are good.”
“I know your eyes rock. But don’t I wanna give you the front-row view, big bro style?”
“......”
“Remember? Christmas. We rode the carousel so much we got separated, watched the parade alone. I bulldozed through the crowd to get you upfront—body all squished. Pfft. Good times.”
“Like hell I do.. You didn’t even remember coming with me..”
“Play along a bit. You remember watching parades with me, right? Haha.”
My sheepish laugh. She glanced at my face, then turned to the entrance where the parade was gearing up.
Her sharp eyes spotted the lead floats from afar. But she rarely chased distant sights.
Oppa, I’m fine. Go slow.
No way. Wait—I’ll make sure you see it front-row. Grip my hand tight.
Really fine..
His firm grip on her hand. Her vision that pierced distances. A parade she barely cared for.
Her eyes followed only his hand and leading back.
But he charged ahead, “for her sake.”
Really fine...
Just holding hands would’ve been enough, but he plowed through. That regret lingered.
Recalling it, she turned to his profile.
“O! Coming out now? Kinda blurry from here. Hyun, we could still—”
Suddenly, her hand snatched mine.
“..Huh?”
I looked back; she shook her head.
“Just... stay here. Like this.”
“Oh? Uh.. sure. Okay.”
She plopped down, still holding my hand. In this empty spot, no one cared if guys or girls sat on the ground, gripped hands tight...
She sat; I followed, tugged by her hand.
I eyed her odd vibe, her profile. She ignored it, pretending to focus on the approaching parade, dodging my gaze on our clasped hands.
The chill night air wrapped us in each other’s warmth.
I soon followed her eyes to the parade.
Cheers and claps roared, but not in our ears anymore.
Just the pounding heartbeats pulsing through our hands.
And so, hands intertwined, Seonghwan and Hyun stared ahead.