year: around 2012
location: seoul
with: (@fmdxdaeyeol)
the day unfolded just as planned. morning hours in the park, singing with her partner, same ukelele strumming to complement her cool yet silky voice. the money they shared was mostly spent on her lunch. the rest, to get home. it was a routine and arin never had so much fun ever since she had left busan. however, the night was just starting.
the convenience store’s owner, uncle lee, treated arin like his niece, or perhaps even his own child. he was like a father, greeting arin with a soft smile, yet firm about the prices of his items. arin negotiated a couple times. one time with a banana milk for a couple won less. he only shook his head despite arin’s persistent pout and weakening puppy eyes. arin had a spot in the store. the stool beside the glass wall was ready clean for her. there were candy wrappers here and there on the table, but never around arin’s spot. it had a barrier of some sort, uncle lee’s subtle way of saying ‘you’re safe here’. arin wondered if her father would have been just as strict.
arin pulled her phone out, sent a message, and started to scoop some melon ice cream into her mouth. time to wait.
to: dummydaeng 🐣
— uncle lee didn’t give me discount for ice cream even though i said im buying for two people.
— i have ice cream for you. i’ll melt it if you think it’ll hurt your throat
— soup or something