Page 14

Jun snapped back to the present when the front tire kissed the curb. He slammed on the brakes and parked against the sidewalk, pulse hammering. A blaring piano solo flooded his car from the radio. Bright blue numbers on the car dashboard read 11:23 p.m.

Resting against the headrest, Jun breathed. In. Out. In. Out. Slowing his pulse. He shut the music off and brought himself back to where he was.

The streetlights illuminated a glimpse of what the houses really looked like this late at night. Parked cars were scattered along the curb, mostly in their driveways. Familiarity settled into his bones. He had gone down this street numerous times, but this was the first time he’d been back in years.

Ruki’s house.

The lights at the front window were still on. Two cars parked in the driveway. The Ayases still had the old Kia Soul. He’d seen that green Toyota Camry before, though he couldn’t place where. Jun kept staring at the Camry, trying to make out the license plate, before giving up—he had no real reason to be here.

He was about to drive off when the front door of the house flew open, the indoor lights spilling onto the porch.

“Hey! Who are you?” someone yelled.

Jun slowly turned his head as two figures strode over. One marched across the lawn while the other stopped at the edge between the lawn and the sidewalk. The one in front held her phone up, flashlight on. When Jun saw her bustier figure underneath the shadows of the flashlight, his heart almost stopped.

“Jun?” Yoona called as she flashed the light through the glass.

He squinted as she tapped on the passenger window. Feeling caught under her presence, Jun rolled it down.

Yoona lowered her flashlight, the tips of her bobbed hair swinging as she reached forward.

She gasped. “Oh my God, it really is you.”

“Yoona-chan! Who is it?” the other lady on the lawn called.

Jun closed his eyes and gulped. Mrs. Ayase. Her wispy voice was still the same.

Yoona looked behind her. “It’s Jun! You remember him?”

“Ah! Yes! Yes, of course!” Mrs. Ayase skittered over on her tiny feet next to Yoona’s side. She gave him a quick wave. “Jun-chan! It’s been so long! How are you?”

As much as Jun wanted to get away from this place, he couldn’t be rude to Ruki’s mother. He didn’t want to break her heart more than it already was.

“I’m alright,” he replied softly. “How about you?”

She beamed and nodded. She pulled the wool shawl tighter around her shoulders to shield herself from the cold.

They looked so similar that it was almost uncanny. The only difference was that his mother’s face was smaller with rounder cheeks. Her eyes were swollen and tired, as if she had been weighed down by tears and stress.

“Ah! Sorry! Would you like to come in? If I had known you and Yoona-chan were visiting, I would have prepared more snacks!”

Jun shook his head politely. “It’s alright, I was about to head out. Thank you though.”

“Actually, Mrs. Ayase,” Yoona interjected, resting a hand on her thin arm. “I was about to go too. But I want to talk to Jun alone, if that’s okay. We won’t be long, I promise.”

Mrs. Ayase glanced between the two, then nodded in understanding. “Yes, of course! I understand!” She was about to head back when she tilted towards Jun. “Jun-chan, are you going to be at the memorial service next week?”

Jun’s heart skipped, remembering he threw it away.

“Yes,” he said after hesitating.

Yoona raised her eyebrows.

Ruki’s mother glowed even brighter, as if she could illuminate the entire street. “Great! I am looking forward to seeing you.” She headed towards the house and waved back at them. “Have a good night, you two! Drive safely!”

After Mrs. Ayase quietly closed the door behind her, Yoona flashed her phone light onto the passenger seat. “Let me in,” she demanded.

Jun unlocked the doors.