Seven hundred days later,

TIME is short.

People say it is important to look back on the past. It allows us to recognize why we are what we are, and why we do what we do. But what if too much looking back stops us from being ourselves and doing what we need to do?

Jeon Jeongguk focuses on moving on since time is limited for each person. He focuses on what he has now. Yes, he mourns for what he lost. But it's unchangeable, there's nothing he can do. He can never have it back.

Time moves forward, so he must too.

Yet look at him now, staring at the same view for five minutes straight and doesn't even have the intention to move an inch. It is a kind of irony on his part.

"Grand Restaurant." That's how he read the name of the building. With his hands in his pocket and mouth agape, he lent some time to examine it thoroughly. He couldn't move forward for his attention is fully captured by the uncommon structure of the place.

On his shoes, Jeongguk is able to see its interior through the glass walls. It looks like a stereotypical palace in Paris. He heard that they serve food that's as pleasing as it looks, worth recommending to others, but the prices are too high that he is discouraged to have one.

There's one more thing that kept his shoes on the ground. It's a poster that is neatly attached on the wall.

"Five thousand won per play? Wah." Jeongguk's chest fell as amusement took his breath. It states that they're hiring a piano musician, and they pay very well according to the poster. The job is not stable however. It means anyone can be hired each day- first come, first to serve.

Jeongguk is knowledgeable in playing piano because someone taught him in his early highschool days, yet he believes it's not for him. The young lad is contented to stay as a pizza delivery guy that works from six o'clock in the late afternoon till nine o'clock in the evening. College graduation is around the corner anyway.

Nevertheless, he fished his phone from his pocket, and took a picture of it. He might need the information someday.

Who knows?

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Jeongguk gulped at the sight of his bestfriend who is currently darting him with deadly, sharp gazes. He checked the time on his wrist. He wasn't that late. "I preferred walking earlier-" He was interrupted by a fake cough coming from the latter. "Sorry." He said, rubbing the back of his neck as he flashed a sheepish smile.

"Hold this." Seoyeon deadpanned, grabbing the young lad's hand and then placed the torn-free rose in it. Seeing her grumpily adjusting her heels that has been shifted due to the heavy steps she made indicates how bad her mood is.

"What's up with the face?"

"Beauty." Seoyeon simply shrugged.

Jeongguk snickered at the sarcastic remark of the older. He has always been on her side since childhood to the point that he knows when she's lying. There must be a really good reason behind her long face. Her monthly period had already passed a week ago, so what else could it be? Something went wrong on her work, maybe.

Perhaps it's the near second death anniversary of her late father and Jeongguk's.

Seoyeon straightened her back after touching her footwear, heaving a sigh. "There's a street food over there, let's taste one." Her voice sounded tired, accompanied with a haggard look on her face. The young lad wanted to crack a joke to lighten the mood, but he remained silent instead. Or else it'll be his second strike for today.

The sizzling hot sound of oil and delicious fume of smoke welcomed the two as they gather in front of the stall. They shouldn't be eating this at dinner, Jeongguk thought. But Seoyeon is having her possibly worst day already, he can't complain and make it worst.

"What do you like?" Seoyeon asked while locking her eyes on the deep fried edibles.

"I'll pay."

"That's not what I meant to say." She glanced, looking surprised. But despite the statement, refusing to make her lips smile only made it more difficult to hide her cheerfulness in her eyes.

"Silence. Just eat." Jeongguk insisted, thinking that this act of kindness will make her day lighter. Otherwise he'll be terrified to have Seoyeon's father haunt him for not being a gentleman. The young lad reached for the latter's hand and gave the rose back to her. He then stuffed his hand in his pocket and grabbed his wallet.

"Aigoo." The middle-aged vendor laughed, stirring the pieces of squid balls in the frying pan. Her voice is as hoarse as someone who had been shouting for a long time and suddenly buttomed-up a full glass of cold water. Hearing her talk, it wouldn't be surprising if she is that someone. "I once thought this generation has completely changed, that siblings fight then and there. But here you are doing generosity." She sighed like a furnace, reminiscing her past years with her family.

"Pardon?" Seoyeon rose her eyebrows in confusion. Her hunger made her hard to catch-up.

On the other hand, Jeongguk smiled. "That is glad to hear, auntie." Said he, averting his gaze from Seoyeon and back to the vendor. "But we're not siblings."

"Omo! Omo! Don't tell me . . ." The old lady dropped her spatula to free her hand and cover her mouth dramatically. She was about to say something and be so tactless, yet she changed her mind shortly. "This generation really became worst." She lowered her voice but it is still loud enough for them to hear.

Seoyeon didn't pay attention to the old lady's statement, for all she cares for now is to eat. "Can we have-"

"Are you a pedophile?"

The youngest choked on his own breath.

"W-what did she say?" Seoyeon's eyes went bigger whilst her dignity got smaller. Is there something wrong with her ears? She began to question herself and life.

"I mean, look at you lady, you dressed like a stressed auntie already. That's a shame for you to date a teenager like him." The vendor accused, eyeing both of them from head to toes as she judged them by their looks.

"But he's only two years younger than me! And age doesn't matter!" Seoyeon couldn't think of any proper words as Jeongguk went speechless beside her. "And we're not even dating!" She waved her hands to emphasize it.

"Not dating, my foot." Said the vendor, scrunching her nose in disbelief as if flat earthers are more believable than her. "Explain the rose he gave you earlier!" This certain arrogance is truly unbeatable. Her statement made Seoyeon gasp in both bewilderment and embarrassment. Then Jeongguk lifted his hands and pressed his earlobes between his fingers, failing to hide its reddening.

"Noona, I think we should eat somewhere else."

Seoyeon snorted in amusement.

"I would love to!"

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An invisible cloud was dispersed from her lips when she exhaled deeply, withdrawing the hotness of the edible material that once engulfed the latter's mouth. "Wah. I am so mad!" Seoyeon slammed her bowl on the table after slurping the udon noodles empty. "How can they? I am working with them for years already, yet they're giving more respect to an intern! Wah. Favoritism should be a crime!" Said she, backstabbing most of her co-workers.

After encountering the malicious vendor, they finally found themselves eating in a Chinese restaurant. They made it sure to sit beside the glass wall to catch clear glimpses of the busy yet satisfying street.

"Wah." Seoyeon scoffed, repeating the same expression over and over again. She wanted to mess her hair due to her outraging emotion, but she thought that it would be a huge mistake if she does it in public, it's better to do it later at home. She doesn't want to ruin her reputation so early.

"Drink some water, will you?" Jeongguk crossed his arms whilst he laughed. He straightened his back and leaned deeper against his seat. "By the way, is it the same person who gave you that rose?" He asked, his gaze drifting from her to the rose that is lying still on the clothed table.

"Mhm. Minjun." She stated the certain person's name. "He does it every week. I tried to ask him why, but he only smiles like- wait. Is that her?" Now it's time for Seoyeon's curiosity. She used her index finger and pointed the young lady who just passed by outside the certain diner.

"Jia." Jeongguk named the certain lady whose hair is hazel and wavy, whose hands are always full of her guitar case, whose feet are busy walking around the city, finding ways to earn money after school.

"Jia, the girl you like." Added Seoyeon, accompanied with the mischievous smile on her face.

Jeongguk choked on his breath for the second time today. "What? No!"

"In denial!"

"What are you talking about?"

"I caught you staring at her."

"So what- I mean when?"

"Do you remember when we had early dismissal few days ago? I went to fetch you from your campus, right? I then caught you staring at her." Seoyeon giggled at the thought that her lovely friend has finally learnt how to fall in love, surpassing her.

"S-so what?!" He redone his question. Intensive reddening of his cheeks has ruined his pride.

"Omo! That blush!" She giggles. "I'm also a writer, Guk. Shall I describe your eyes at that moment? Those orbs of yours are truly longing for someone, seeking for-"

"S-stop it!"

Seoyeon was bound to laugh out loud and finally ruin her reputation when she realized something. "It's getting dark. Where is she going?"

"She's out for a gig."

"And you know it-"

"I s-said stop! She's a schoolmate that's why."

Jeongguk remains guilty that he couldn't tell the truth. The truth that can make Seoyeon hate him instantly.

If only you knew who Jia really is, then you wouldn't be laughing like this.