hrsjaeâ:
Jae laughed at her response, knowing that she wasnât being serious, of course. If she had been and he laughed, he expected her to punch his arm or yell at him. âAnd yet, I said it anyway,â he teased, giving her another playful shove. âDonât worry Jackie Rin, youâre always one of us,â he said, still keeping the same teasing tone but having some truth in his words.
Of course, Jae had never been to New York, or at least, not yet, but he could understand what she meant. âIn life, arenât we always just scratching at the surface? Isnât there always something new to learn? Whether youâre two or fourteen or thirty or eighty?â again, his tone was light, but he was much more serious now with what he was saying. âYeah?â he smiled a little at her offer. âIâll take you up on that one day. Iâd like to go to New York, and itâs always nicer with a friendly face.â
Jae laughed at her words. One of the many things he adored about Jungrin was her easygoing nature when it came to his antics and the way he was. She never groaned or tried to stifle him or get him to stop, she embraced every part of him, just like he did her. âOne day, weâll see them allâŠor just scratch at the surface of seeing them all,â he chuckled, shoving his hands into his pockets as they crossed the lobby floor towards the exit.Â
Once again, Jae laughed at her words and stepped outside, shivering a little at the cold weather and hugging his coat closer to him. âDo you want to walk there or call a taxi? The walk would be aboutâŠ15 minutes? Maybe 20?â
Jungrin pauses, stopping to stare at the older for a moment before she again lets out a laugh. âGetting deep, arenât we?â she teases as she keeps walking. âYouâre right, though. I donât think anyone could ever learn everything, and thank God for that. Imagine how boring that would be? Lifeâs got to have some mysteries.â She sends him a playful wink. To an outsider, it might look like flirting, which may be why there had been some rumors circulating about the two of them. This has always been the dynamic between them, though: playful and easygoing.Â
âYou better take me up on it,â she says, in an almost demanding tone. âGoing to New York together would be so much fun. You could meet all my friends, and all the places I used to go to. That city holds nearly my entire life story, you know?â She glances over at him, smile on her lips. Whether he can relate to her statement or not, sheâs unsure of, but in the time theyâve known each other, itâs become apparent he at least cares about this city. Maybe not to the same level as she loves New York, but thereâs a fondness there.Â
âAre there really that many homeless people in Hwaryung?â she questions, eyebrows raised. âThatâs concerning if true. The authorities should be doing something about that,â she says as they both exit the building. The air outside is cool, causing her to shiver.Â
At the olderâs question, she stops walking, instead turning to face him. âYou know, normally Iâd be up for a walk, but itâs colder than Iâd anticipated today. Letâs get a cab, please.â








