Nov 2011.

Junior, High School.

As Haru opened the door, I stepped into their apartment, slipping off my shoes and taking in the spacious hall around me. The living room lay to the right, brightened by tall windows with half-closed, milky-white curtains. A flat-screen TV was mounted on the wall. And across the TV, in the middle of the room, there was a plush, dark gray sofa, perfectly positioned. Two matching armchairs flanked the sofa, creating a cozy but elegant seating area. A sleek glass coffee table stood in the center, adorned with a small vase of fresh flowers, while a vintage round accent table sat in the corner, showcasing a polished gramophone. The walls were adorned with classic artwork, and a richly patterned Persian carpet added warmth and character to the room.

To the left was a hallway that led to the bedrooms and restrooms. Adjacent to the hallway was an open kitchen, striking in its simplicity and modernity. White cabinets stretched up to the ceiling, offering ample storage, while stainless steel appliances, including a state-of-the-art refrigerator and a sleek oven, were seamlessly integrated into the design. A polished marble countertop lined one wall, ending in a cozy breakfast bar outfitted with four high stools for casual meals.

Just beyond the kitchen, likely near the center of the open layout, was an elegant black dining table surrounded by twelve chairs, adding a touch of sophistication to the spacious room. The entire space was meticulously arranged, blending modern style with classic touches that created a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

"Have a seat," Haru said, dressed casually in a simple khaki T-shirt and beige linen pants. As he headed toward the kitchen, I settled onto the sofa, glancing around the room, feeling oddly out of place. My heart was pounding—meeting his parents wasn't something I'd thought would make me nervous, but here I was, feeling every beat against my chest.

While Haru poured tea into three cups, his mother appeared in the hallway, her presence causing me to stand up and bow almost instinctively. "Hello, Mrs. Kim," I greeted, my voice more formal than usual.

She approached with a calm, serious expression, her long-sleeved red-wine dress flowing down to her ankles, and a black silk scarf wrapped elegantly around her shoulders. "Hello to you, young man," she replied. She took a seat in the armchair to the left of the sofa and gestured for me to sit. "Please, have a seat."

I lowered myself back onto the sofa, my gaze darting toward Haru, who was still at the kitchen counter, arranging the tea cups on a gold tray with painstaking focus. Come on, sit down already! I squinted at him, hoping he'd get the hint, but he was too absorbed in the task.

"What's your name?" Mrs. Kim asked, crossing one leg over the other and fixing her gaze on me.

Doesn't she know my name? I thought, feeling heat rise to my cheeks as I fidgeted with my fingers. "I'm Park Myung, Ma'am," I replied, managing an uneasy smile.

She nodded, just as Haru reappeared, carefully balancing the tray in his hands. He offered the tray first to his mother, who took her cup and then held it out for me. I gave him a grateful, nervous grin and placed my cup on the coffee table, trying to hide my shaky hands.

Haru set the tray down and took the seat next to me. Almost immediately, his mother continued with her questions. "And what does your father do?"

"He's a clerk in a company," I replied, feeling my palms grow clammy under her steady gaze.

She nodded slightly, taking a small sip of her tea. "And your mother?"

"She's a housewife, but she does arts and crafts as a hobby," I answered, feeling my throat tighten. This is starting to feel like an interrogation.

Her eyes never left me as she took another sip, then asked, "Where do you live?"

"In the next neighborhood; not really far from here," I responded almost automatically as if I was an AI robot since she was asking me questions without giving me a rest.

"Are you two in the same class?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

Haru finally spoke up, his tone slightly exasperated. "Mom, give him a moment! His tea's going to get cold."

Flustered, I forced a laugh. "Haha, I'm alright." I raised my cup, taking a small sip, hoping it would calm my nerves.

Mrs. Kim merely rolled her eyes, saying nothing as she focused on her tea, though her gaze remained on me, scrutinizing my every move.

I sipped my tea, each swallow feeling overly deliberate, as the tension hung thickly in the air. This is hella awkward...

~

Thankfully, his mother left the house shortly after we finished our tea. She had planned to spend the night at her daughter's home, enjoying time with her grandchildren. Haru's half-sister was already married and had two kids, so the evening was left to just the two of us.

I sat on a stool at the breakfast bar, my elbows propped up on the counter and my chin nestled between my palms, watching Haru move around the kitchen. He grabbed a pan from a cabinet, setting it on the stovetop before meticulously arranging the ingredients in front of him—cream, parmesan, minced garlic, and butter.

As the pan heated, he melted the butter and added the garlic, letting it sizzle and release an aroma that filled the kitchen with warmth. Haru's movements were fluid and confident as he poured in the cream, stirring gently to create a rich, velvety sauce.

"It's a surprise that you know how to cook," I said, my voice curious as I continued to watch him.

Haru smiled, his tone calm but with a hint of something deeper. "Living in a house where no one cares whether you eat or not will make a chef out of anyone," he replied with a wry smile.

I tilted my head slightly, my face still cradled in my hands. "Well, it's definitely a bonus to know how to cook."

He glanced at me as he tossed the cooked fettuccine into the pan, coating it in the sauce. "Sorry about the earlier," he murmured, almost as an afterthought.

"Don't worry about it. It was just a few questions," I replied, grinning as I caught sadness mixed with embarrassment in his eyes.

Once the Alfredo pasta was ready, Haru plated the food, setting a dish in front of me with a cheerful, "Enjoy!" He took the seat next to me at the breakfast bar, fork in hand.

I twisted a generous portion of pasta around my fork, taking a bite. The sauce was creamy and decadent, with the perfect blend of garlic and parmesan that coated each strand of fettuccine. "Hmm, this is delicious," I said, swinging my legs happily beneath the stool.

Haru chuckled, watching me with satisfaction as he nudged the back of my head. "Eat as much as you want," he said with a grin. "I made plenty."

We were still eating when the front door swung open, and Haru's father entered. Dressed in a dark gray suit with a pair of rectangular glasses, his black hair streaked with gray was neatly combed to the side.

"Welcome back, Mr. Kim," Haru said, glancing up at his father.

He calls his dad Mr. Kim? I slipped off the stool and bowed politely. "Hello, Sir. I'm Park Myung."

Haru's father gave me a quick, acknowledging nod. "Welcome to our home, Park Myung." Turning to Haru, he added, "I had dinner outside. I'll go straight to bed after a shower—keep the noise down."

"Alright," Haru replied, looking back at his plate as he absently twirled his pasta.

Once his father disappeared down the hallway, I climbed back onto the stool, staring down at my plate in silence.

"I told you they're different," Haru scoffed, taking another bite.

~

"What do you wanna watch? Action? Romance?" Haru asked, scrolling through his movie files, the screen's glow illuminating his face in the dim room.

"Let's watch a horror one," I suggested, a little thrill running through me as I settled against the wall on his bed, which was directly across from his computer. From here, I had the perfect angle to catch every detail on his monitor.

Haru glanced over his shoulder, one eyebrow arched in surprise. "You sure you can handle scary movies?" he asked, his eyes narrowing in playful suspicion.

"I think I can," I said hesitantly. "C'mon, let's watch a horror one!"

The last time I watched a horror movie, I got insomnia from it because I was so scared to sleep at night and ended up in the hospital. Since that day my dad has forbidden watching horror movies in our house which is why I was eager to watch one more at least. I know how crazy it might sound, but I just like watching them.

Haru sighed as he shook his head. "Don't regret it later."

I smirked as I stared at him. "I won't!"

As the movie started, Haru settled beside me on the bed, casually tossing popcorn into his mouth. I sat curled up with my legs tucked against my chest, hugging a pillow tightly. Eerie music filled the room, thickening the tension, and I could feel my heartbeat drumming in my ears. Each jump scare had me clinging to the pillow even tighter, adrenaline spiking with every twist in the plot. Haru, meanwhile, was unfazed, chuckling softly whenever I jumped. He seemed more amused by my reactions than the movie itself, occasionally glancing over with a teasing grin, clearly enjoying watching me squirm just as much as watching the film.

~

What have I done to myself?...

That crap movie was damn scary...

I lay on my back, staring up at the ceiling, my hands gripping the blanket as I lay on Haru's bed, trying to fall asleep. Moonlight seeped through the window, casting shadows that danced along the walls, shifting shapes with each gust of wind outside. Faint rustling from the leaves added a strange whisper to the night, making the room feel alive with secrets. Despite the warmth of the bed, the chill of the lingering fear from the movie crept over me. Every sound seemed louder, every shadow darker, feeding my overactive imagination.

I glanced down at Haru, who lay on his side on a mattress spread out on the floor beside my bed, his back facing me. "You awake?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He didn't respond. I turned my eyes back to the ceiling, my heart hammering again when I heard the faint creak of his closet. For God's sake! Squeezing my eyes shut, I pulled the blanket over my head, willing myself to fall asleep.

But the strange noises continued, scratching my nerves, and before long, I pushed the blanket aside and sat up. Hesitating, I glanced down at Haru, who looked fast asleep. Grabbing my pillow, I carefully slid off the bed and onto the mattress beside him, doing my best not to wake him as I tucked my pillow next to his. I slipped under his blanket, lying on my side facing his back, scooting closer to feel the safety of his presence. Maybe this way, I could finally get some sleep.

But Haru shifted, noticing my presence, and rolled over with half-opened eyes, staring at me in sleepy confusion. "What are you doing, Myung?"

"Let me sleep here," I whispered, curling my arms close to my chest.

He sighed softly, then closed his eyes as he wrapped an arm around me, pulling me closer. "I knew you couldn't handle scary movies," he murmured with a faint chuckle.

Even as my face burned with embarrassment, a comforting warmth enveloped me in his embrace. The fear melted away as I sank into the security of his arm around me, drifting into sleep within minutes.

At that moment, I realized I liked this side of him...

The way he watched over me, like an older brother protecting a younger sibling. It made me wish I'd had one growing up.

But I never could have guessed then how things would change in the future...

I haven't found the answer to this question yet,

How a person could become a stranger in the blink of an eye...