Chapter 6

🎶Thought it'd be a perfect song,

But you've always been dancing alone.

I'm trying to forget the melody because it's too sad and slow.

Little by little, the lights turn off, and the music is fading.

It's time to go home now, You know he's not coming.🎶

While heading home, I realized I didn't even ask his name. Well, does it even matter? Maybe it is better that way, with him staying as a mystery I met by chance. At some point in our lives, we will meet a number of people; some will be part of our lives, and some will just pass by. In some way, a part of them will be significant enough to influence our habits; some will just stay in our memories while most are forgotten.

I don't have to think much about him, as I have no intention to bring things further anyway. He's just a stranger who has the same type of music as me, and that doesn't mean anything. Maybe it happened because I was thinking about my ideal type at that time, and as if someone heard me, he just magically appeared.

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I barely convinced myself, and the next thing I knew, I'm already walking toward the store again as if I'm bewitched. He's not there, of course. Knowing that there is little to no chance to see him, I was still a bit disappointed. I hope this won't go on for days.

I dragged myself out of the store and decided to go to the coffee shop to clear up my mind a bit. This time is crucial for me, and I shouldn't be thinking about it. I have a company to run soon, and here I am, having some silly thoughts, like a teenager.

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I turned around to check if my favorite spot was empty and walked towards it to settle down. I checked my bag and realized I didn't bring my laptop with me, so I won't be able to study here. I was about to decide to just go back home when I noticed that I had brought that book I bought yesterday.

I put it out and stared at it again. He's just a tool for me to stumble into this book again, I noted.

I opened it and started reading it while sipping my coffee. A few pages after I started and I'm already into it.

"Off the pages."

I put down the book to take a look at that person who just spoke near me.

I then stared at this guy in front of me and smiled at him. "It's you again," I said, amused at his sudden appearance. He had his hood down this time, so I had a clearer view of his face. There's something about him that draws you in without your knowing it. Is it his eyes? I don't think so; there is nothing special about it. The color is not rare, just typical brown, and yet, why does it exude warmth and security, as well as a hint of ambivalence in it that I can't describe? His gaze is too strange for me to unravel.

He sat in front of me and asked, "You actually bought that? If I remember correctly, that's the book where I put the note, right?" I felt my cheek turn hot as I was flushed with embarrassment, but still, I tried to act cool about it. I composed myself first before answering him.

"Yeah, but don't get me wrong. The truth is I really wanted to buy this book even before. I've read the synopsis back then and got interested immediately. I wanted to read it so I could have a secondhand feeling of what it would be like if your favorite character suddenly popped out of the story and would even interact with you. Interesting, right?

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Well, that's that, it just so happened that it's where you put that note". I explained fast, spitting words without a break, not wanting him to think that it was him in whom I'm interested. Well, maybe just a little bit, but I don't have to tell him that off course. Though, I might have sounded strange talking a little bit too fast than usual.

When I finished clarifying, I heard him laugh a little. I might have really sounded awkward, trying to salvage my pride. Great timing, though; my phone suddenly rang and saved me from this embarrassment. I checked the name of the caller. Seeing his name on the screen, I felt the urgency, as he rarely calls due to his tight schedule. I then excused myself to answer the call.

"Excuse me, I'll just answer this."

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On the phone, I immediately heard him say, "Hey, sis, I miss you."

Yes, it's my brother, Aiden, the "superstar."

"What do you need?" I answered, rolling my eyes. Don't get me wrong, I do have a good relationship with him, but this is just too rare and sudden, so I asked him that, and his tone told me he needed something, so I instinctively acted cold at first to make him spill it.

"That's too cold, hmp; I just said I miss you, and yet you're giving me that attitude," he said, whining about my response. Yes, he's older than me,

And also, yes, he acts childish sometimes, so I have to give in when he does that.

"Fine, I miss you too. Now stop acting and tell me what's going on?" I asked, feeling urgent. Even though we're close compared to most siblings there are, of course, it is rare for him to call just because he misses me, unless something is bothering him or he's in some kind of situation. And now, this unusual phone call is bothering me as well. Without knowing about it, I actually felt that something bad is actually going on. Maybe it's just my instinct, but I sometimes know when he's not okay.

"Nothing, but

Can you come here? I just needed company," he said softly.

He explained nothing and gave that vague statement, so I guess that confirms my intuition that something is definitely wrong, but what can I possibly do? I'm too far from him at the moment, and I'll be graduating soon. In addition, the distance between Melbourne and Seoul is no joke. I do visit him sometimes, but only during vacation, which I rarely have. I'm currently not free as I still have to attend school, and our parents would probably get enraged if they knew I skipped my classes just for Aiden.

"Bro, do you know how far you are right now? I can't possibly just fly there because you want me to. Aren't you the one who decided to leave? Stop making a fuss and let's just talk about it over the phone, okay?" I said, trying to convince him as I don't have the luxury to travel right now. I'm worried, of course, but I'm hoping this is something that can be resolved without me flying to Seoul.

"I'll book your ticket," he insisted, determined that I had to go this time. Seeing him act like this makes it seem like something serious happened. I don't want to act on impulse, but after some pondering, I finally surrendered and agreed with his request.

"Fine. I'll have to find an excuse for my absence from school then. But I can't stay there for long, okay?" I answered while trying to think of an excuse. I rarely do this, and if I do, it's because my parents needed me to accompany them to social gatherings and widen my connections as early as possible, and if it's them, I don't really need to find an excuse as the school is very willing to send me there.

On the other hand, Aiden is a different story. He doesn't have a good relationship with our parents, and I should find a way wherein my instructors won't alert my parents about my absence. I can't let go of any of them, so it is tiring to be squeezed in between.

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I looked at the man seated in front of me and realized I don't have time for this foolishness; I have more important things to deal with, and romance isn't one of them.