The car pulled up in front of a small house. From the outside, it looked like a strawberry garden, strawberries lined the path from the gate all the way to the main house.

"Does your family sell strawberries?"

"Nope, I just really like them, so my dad planted a bunch."

"How do you eat that many?"

"Well, when we can't finish them, we give them away."

"Ah."

They stood there for a bit before his mom came out to open the door. She looked at him kindly, her smile warm and bright...

/So that's who he takes after./-x

"What's your name, dear?"

She helped carry the bags as she asked.

"I'm Joong. I work an office job, and I'm twenty-eight."

"So well-prepared, huh? Sounds like you've met a lot of parents already."

"Haha, not really. I just usually introduce myself all in one go."

"I'm just teasing. So what's going on between you and Dunk?"

"Ah, I'm just a regular at the café where he works. We've had a few meals together."

"I see."

She led him inside and up to the guest room she had prepared. The room was small and cozy, all made of wood. It had that old-fashioned charm, but it didn't feel outdated.

"You can stay here for now. It's not as modern as the city."

"It's totally fine. Honestly, the air here makes you feel more at ease. The city feels suffocating sometimes."

"Alright then, rest a bit and come down for lunch."

"Yes, ma'am."

He unpacked and put his things in the closet, wandering around the room to check out the decorations. In one of the drawers, tucked far in the back, he found a notebook.

"Dunk, huh."

Inside were photos of him ..from birth to now.

"Black hair?"

Yes, in every photo, his hair was black. Not just him, but his parents too , all with black hair. Joong's brows furrowed slightly in doubt. Most kids don't dye their hair until they're older. If the parents were pushing it, maybe one year old ..but even the photo from the hospital right after birth showed jet black hair.

He closed the notebook and returned it to the drawer, changed into something more comfortable, and went downstairs. His mom was still in the kitchen preparing lunch. Looking around again, even the pictures on the wall...

/Black hair again.../-x

"Is this Dunk's friend?"

Just then, his dad walked in, fresh from the fields.

"Ah, hello sir, I'm Joong, Dunk's friend. I'm twenty-eight and I work an office job."

"Wow, quick on the intro!"

"Haha, yes, sir."

"Have you seen Dunk around?"

"Hmm, I just got back from the field, but he's probably out in the strawberry patch. He always goes straight there when he's home."

"Alright, I'll go look for him then."

Charming and polite, his dad already liked him, eyes following him as he walked away.

*Smack*

"Ow! Why'd you hit me?"

"You..be careful. I've got a weird feeling."

"Hmm. Same here... but we can't act too tense either."

"Yeah..."

He made his way through the strawberry garden. It was big, and Dunk was nowhere in sight at first. He had to walk all the way to the back before spotting him, crouched down, picking up fallen berries.

"It's so sunny ..where's your hat?"

"Huh? Oh, I forgot you were here!"

"Too distracted by strawberries, huh."

He walked up and held his hand above Dunk's head to shield him.

"It's not that sunny. There's a shade net."

"Still, the sun gets through. You'll get tanned."

"It's okay. Just once in a while won't hurt. I've been fair-skinned since I was a baby. Want one?"

"No, I'm good."

"These are washed already. Not sour, way better than the strawberries on the tarts at the café."

How could he say no? He couldn't. He took the strawberry from Dunk's hand, it was sweet, juicy too. They stayed out there for a bit before bringing two full baskets back to the house, just in time for lunch.

"Wow, you cooked so much, ma'am."

"It's not every day we have a guest. Sit down."

"Yes, ma'am."

She piled a full bowl of rice for him.

"Here you go, try the crispy pork ..it's super crunchy."

"Thank you."

"Ahhhh—"

"What is it, Dunk?"

"No one cares about me..."

He pushed his empty bowl into the center of the table, arms crossed, lips pouting. It made everyone laugh.

"This kid, twenty-five already..."

"Oh, come on. No matter how old he gets, he's still a baby when he's home, right DunkDunk? Here you go."

"Dee loves DunkDunk the most!"

His dad picked out the biggest battered shrimp for him. Dunk's face lit up ..Joong watched, taking it all in...

/Such a kid./-x

His every little gesture made Joong pause, memorize, and then smile to himself. Maybe this was what people meant by being smitten.

"Y..ou're...staring..at..me.."

"Dunk, chew and swallow before you talk."

"..aid..you...ere..taring.."

"Alright, alright. I won't stare. Eat up, little one."

"..m..ot..a..ittle..one..."

"Sure you're not."

"..m..ot..!"

"Hahaha."
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sapo🇻🇳 (22:16/ 230525)