7MoH 1.10

The setting sun gently colored the grass. Surrounding trees cast long shadows, and people’s laughter gradually subsided.

While the sweet scent of popcorn and cotton candy wafted gently on the breeze, the tents were being taken down one by one.

Behind the counter of a tent that was still standing, Justin skillfully counted money. Halfway through flipping through the bills, he glanced at Jeong-in, who sat beside him with a blank expression, fiddling with the white plush toy.

“What’s that?”

“Just… someone gave it to me.”

As if afraid someone might take it away, Jeong-in tucked the weasel plush deep into his bag. Justin, seemingly uninterested, turned his head and resumed counting the money.

The proceeds from today’s festival would be used for student council activities, and any remaining amount would be donated to the local community. Unclaimed prizes would also be donated to charity.

Jeong-in neatly packed various items into a box, sealed it firmly with scotch tape, and wrote “DONATION” on it with a thick permanent marker. The student council members who came by at that moment collected the box and the proceeds.

After completing their tasks, Jonah Kaplan approached Jeong-in and Justin as they stood side by side. He was a Jewish-American with curly, dark brown hair.

“Thanks so much for today. You’re going to the dance party too, right?”

“No.”

“Really? I have some extra tickets, I’ll give them to you. In case you change your mind.”

Jonah Kaplan took out two admission tickets from his pocket. The entrance tickets were sold for $15 each to cover party setup costs and DJ fees. But Justin and Jeong-in, having no plans to attend, hadn’t thought about buying them.

Justin eagerly accepted the tickets on behalf of Jeong-in, who was just watching quietly.

“Thanks!”

After the student council members left, Jeong-in looked at Justin with an expression that suggested he’d done something unnecessary.

“Why did you take them?”

“They’re free tickets, why not? Since we have them, let’s go take a look. Okay?”

After hesitating briefly, Jeong-in reluctantly followed Justin. He was suddenly curious about how a certain someone might look in a tuxedo.

As soon as they opened the auditorium door and entered, both let out small gasps of amazement.

Illuminated by lanterns hung throughout, the auditorium was decorated to look like a spring garden. Fairy lights that gently sparkled were hung from the ceiling in the shape of tree branches, and paper flowers of various colors, seemingly crafted with care by the student council, adorned the walls.

The DJ positioned at the front of the stage played EDM music with beats so strong they could be felt in the soles of one’s feet. In one corner was a table prepared with fruit punch and simple snacks, while parents and teachers serving as chaperones patrolled the venue, occasionally checking if the red plastic cups held by students smelled of alcohol.

Standing in the corner of the party venue like uninvited guests, Justin and Jeong-in were busy taking in the sights.

Jeong-in’s gaze, which had been watching in wonder the enthusiastically dancing students at the front of the stage, was drawn to two people who seemed like the protagonists of this space.

Vivian, dressed in a light green dress with multiple layers of thin fabric, looked like a spring spirit. Beside her stood Chase Prescott in a gray suit with a slight hint of blue. His golden hair shimmered in an enchanting color under the lights.

The two of them matched perfectly like a picture, even just standing there. They looked as if they had just stepped out of a Monet painting.

Suddenly, Jeong-in felt a tightness in his chest, as if the air had grown heavy. He tapped Justin’s shoulder.

“I’m going to leave.”

“Already? Why?”

“It’s too stuffy in here. See you tomorrow, Justin.”

“Okay, fine. Wow, look at Hayley’s dress. It’s too much, really.”

Despite his words, Justin was preoccupied with staring at Hayley Simons as Jeong-in left. When the door closed behind him, the beat sounds became dull and distant. Standing at the entrance, Jeong-in hugged his bag to his chest and looked up at the quiet sky.

What was there to see that made him come here? He should have just stayed home and worked on SAT practice problems.

Just as he was about to take his first step down the stairs, someone’s voice stopped him.

“Where are you going?”

Startled by the low, smooth voice, Jeong-in’s body tensed and his foot slipped on the edge of the step. His body wobbled and began to fall backward.

“Whoa!”

At that moment, his arm was caught by a strong grip and his body spun around. When he came to his senses, he found himself in Chase’s arms in a position that resembled a waltz.

He looked like a prince from a Disney movie. Too bad the one in his arms wasn’t a princess.

“Got you.”

Chase looked down at Jeong-in with a vibrant smile on his face.

“Are you okay?”

Jeong-in could hear his own heart pounding in his ears.

In truth, Chase had caught him long before this moment.

Jeong-in had been captivated much earlier. From the very first moment he laid eyes on him.

“Prescott…”

Chase’s name flowed from Jeong-in’s slightly parted lips as if enchanted.

Surely he hadn’t followed me out? Jeong-in briefly thought this but laughed to himself inwardly. At this point, his self-consciousness was reaching a serious level. That couldn’t possibly be the case.

“Let go. I’m fine now.”

Chase straightened Jeong-in’s back that he had been holding. Jeong-in, who had nearly tumbled down the stairs, let out a sigh of relief.

As Jeong-in shuddered slightly at the mere thought of what could have happened, Chase asked,

“Why did you come outside?”

“Just felt a bit stuffy… What about you?”

“Same.”

Chase sat down on the steps in front of the auditorium building without hesitation. Then he looked up at Jeong-in, who was standing still, and patted the spot next to him. After hesitating, Jeong-in carefully sat down beside him.

Sitting side by side, they silently gazed at the darkening sky. The sky visible between the palm trees had already deepened, with faint starlight softly spreading across it.

Jeong-in suddenly recalled their inexplicably cold phone conversation from the previous night.

“Um, are you…”

Chase turned his head to look at Jeong-in. His eyes shone quietly as if asking, “Yes?”

“Are you… angry?”

“…Why would I be?”

“You seemed that way when we talked on the phone yesterday.”

“…”

Chase stared at Jeong-in for a while, then turned his gaze forward.

“I’m human too.”

“Huh?”

“If someone dislikes me that much, even I would be hurt.”

“Oh… that…”

“It was obvious from that book that you disliked me… but I thought we had gotten a little closer yesterday. You laughed when I gave you a ride on the sled on the field.”

Yesterday’s time with him had definitely been enjoyable. Jeong-in couldn’t deny that fact.

“But then you said things like ‘let’s not get involved’ and ‘take care.’ As if you never wanted to see me again.”

“Oh…”

So that’s what it was. Finally, some of the questions in his mind seemed to be answered. It seemed he had drawn the line a bit too harshly. Having received numerous wounds, including racial discrimination, since coming here, he had developed a habit of pushing people away before getting to know them.

Not knowing what to say, Jeong-in just stared blankly at the bag on his knees. He tried to think of various things to say, erasing and rewriting them in his mind, but in the end, all that came out was a simple apology.

“I’m sorry…”

“Let’s stop talking about that.”

Chase shook his head lightly and changed the subject.

“How’s Snowball doing?”

“Huh?”

Jeong-in turned to look at Chase, perplexed by the sudden question. Snowball was a name typically given to white cats.

“That cat I shot down.”

“It’s not a cat. And don’t name it on your own.”

“If not a cat, then what is it?”

Jeong-in took out the white plush toy from his bag. With its black eyes and pure white fur, it was as white and clean as a snowflake. Although it was vexing, the name Chase had given it suited it quite well.

“It looks like a mink or a ferret. Anyway, it’s a weasel.”

The awkward atmosphere had dissipated. Chase looked at the plush toy with a gentle smile around his eyes.

“It looks like you.”

Chase’s gaze softly traced Jeong-in’s black hair and the eyes behind his glasses.

“Your hair is really black. I’ve never seen hair this black before. And your skin is white. You really look like Mr. Snowball.”

Chase had decided not only the plush toy’s name but also its gender on his own. But since he was the one who gave it to Jeong-in in the first place, he seemed to have that right. Jeong-in said in a small voice,

“…Thank you.”

“You should look someone in the eyes when you say things like that.”

Chase made a playful expression and pulled down the center of Jeong-in’s glasses with his index finger. He seemed to lack awareness of personal space.

As the glasses slid down to the bridge of his nose, Chase stared intently at Jeong-in’s exposed eyes.

“Your glasses are really something.”

“W-what are you looking at?”

“I’m searching for your pupils. Your irises are really black too. It’s like they absorb all light. Fascinating.”

At these words, which sounded like someone observing a monkey at the zoo, Jeong-in recoiled backward and pushed his glasses back up.

“Fascinating? That’s racial discrimination.”

“It’s not discrimination, it’s a compliment saying you’re pretty.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! W-what nonsense…”

“It’s true. I’ve heard Asians don’t take compliments well. Okay, I admit it did sound a bit like racial discrimination just now.”

He smiled, showing his palms in surrender.

Jeong-in inwardly clicked his tongue at Chase’s skillful way of handling people. No wonder everyone falls for him. He could totally understand the girls who wrote “Future Mrs. Prescott” on their belongings.

Just then, the auditorium door burst open and a student council member rushed out.

“Hey, there you are! Prescott! Come quick! They’re announcing the King and Queen! Hurry up! You’re 130% going to win!”

Chase reluctantly stood up and was practically dragged into the auditorium.

Similar to other schools, at Wincrest High School, the titles of King and Queen at prom and homecoming are reserved for seniors (12th graders). But at Spring Fling, kings and queens are selected from all grades.

Vivian Sinclair and Chase Prescott were like local celebrities. Just like last year, they would probably become King and Queen this time too, barring any unexpected events. With about 130% probability, as that student had said.

After Chase left, Jeong-in remained alone. After staring blankly in the direction Chase had gone, Jeong-in stood up and trudged away.

When he returned home on his bicycle as usual, Suzy greeted him with a surprised face at his earlier than expected return. To her question about why he came home so early, Jeong-in responded with a weak smile.

After eating dinner with whatever side dishes were available, Jeong-in went upstairs, showered, and sat at his desk. When he picked up his phone, he saw a message from Justin.

Justin: [(photo) Predictable as always, super boring👎]

In the attached photo, Chase Prescott and Vivian Sinclair were smiling with crowns on their heads, arms linked. Their smiles were so bright they could be in a toothpaste commercial.

Without replying, Jeong-in threw his phone onto the bed. The mattress shook slightly.

He opened his SAT prep workbook, but before he could solve a single problem, his gaze turned toward the bed. Eventually, Jeong-in picked up his phone again and opened the photo Justin had sent. The actor-like appearance of the man seemed unreal no matter how many times he looked at him.

Jeong-in’s gaze shifted to the small weasel plush toy on his desk. Though it was just a trivial prize from a festival shooting game, it was given to him by the man in the photo.

He recalled how Chase had casually said, “That’s for you,” before leaving. Those moments sitting side by side in front of the auditorium seemed like a distant dream.

Moreover, Chase’s number was saved in his phone. He could reach the man in this photo with just a few button presses.

After repeatedly putting down and picking up his phone, Jeong-in finally sent a message to Chase. He had a good excuse, after all.

[When are you going to return it?]

The reply came in less than a minute.

Chase Prescott: [Return what?]

Jeong-in could almost see Chase smirking with his handsome lips.

[You know what I mean]

A smile had formed on Jeong-in’s face without him realizing it.

Chase Prescott: [Where are you? At the dance? I don’t see you]

It seemed Chase was still at the dance. Jeong-in checked the time at the top of the screen. It was already well past 11 PM.

[I’m at home, obviously]

Chase Prescott: [What a good student]

Jeong-in suddenly thought that Chase’s night might unfold like a typical high school cliché. After dance parties like this, spending the night with one’s partner often followed like a formula.

Worried that he might be intruding, Jeong-in quickly wrapped up the conversation.

[Have a good night, and I’d really appreciate it if you could bring that book to school tomorrow]

Chase Prescott: [Give me your address]

Jeong-in briefly looked puzzled before tapping on the screen. Asking for his address suggested that Chase might be planning to deliver it personally.

[Baywood, 345 Willow Street]

[But it’s not urgent, you can give it to me at school tomorrow]

[Or just drop it in the mailbox]

Jeong-in sent several messages in a row, but there was no reply. The three dots that usually appear when someone is typing didn’t show up, so he couldn’t tell if Chase had seen the messages or just didn’t plan to respond.

What could it mean? Was he planning to return the book at school tomorrow?

While pondering the meaning of this silence, his phone rang. Chase’s name appeared on the lit screen.

“H-hello?”

―It’s me.

Chase’s voice coming through the phone sounded lower and huskier than usual. Jeong-in’s heart raced for no reason.

“Y-yeah. Why did you call?”

―Leave it in the mailbox? Do I look like a UPS delivery driver to you?

“Oh, no… I meant…”

―Come out.

“Huh?”

―I’m in front of your house right now. Come out.

“What?”

Jeong-in jumped up and ran to the window. Sure enough, a silver sports car was parked in front of his house.

Chase had gotten out of the driver’s seat with the phone still pressed to his ear. He looked up, his gaze immediately finding the lit second-floor window, and their eyes seemed to meet. Startled, Jeong-in quickly closed the curtains.

―Can you come out?

“J-just a minute!”

Completely flustered, Jeong-in looked down at his attire. Plaid pajama pants and a short-sleeved T-shirt. But there was no time to change. Wearing jeans to go out at bedtime might actually seem stranger.