#d.rabble

     ⊰     IT WAS DEEP INTO THE NIGHT and Jaewoo wasn’t expecting company. He never did. The peace and solitude of his own company and his own thoughts were what he wanted to drown himself in. Hardly was his brother in town since, well, reasons and most of the people he had met either through the course of his college career or his career itself were most likely busy with family and their own duties during the end of the year. It was one of the few times out of the year where he did not have to worry about grading papers and assigning reading material. So to be able to relax, was pleasant. Of course, up until it was interrupted.  She wasn’t a frequent presence in his life, but she came by more often than most people he had become acquainted with. Hyejung wasn’t “work-related,” so he allowed her to enter his cozy abode. It would have been rude to turn her down on such a frigid night. She was talkative. More than usual. So he knew something was off. However, he allows her to continue rambling on until she was done. He simply stood there, listening to her words penetrate his eardrums as possible theories formulate in his noggin.  ❛ I’M usually here alone, yes. I prefer it this way. ❜ The professor of Seoul National University had contemplated owning a furry companion, but he felt he would just be letting the critter down. Or, worse, he’d become too dependent on the animal’s company and would refuse to see the world beyond his home. The decision was still a toss-up.  ❛ BUT I’m grateful for your company. ❜ Something to say before she felt potentially worse for dropping by unannounced.  He would offer his bedpost for her to find refuge in, more private and more secluded, but it also depended on how comfortable she was to be sleeping in a male’s bedchambers. So, he offers both.  ❛ WOULD you prefer to sleep in the bedroom or on the couch? ❜ A blanket and pillow was already set up in either room, so she needn’t worry. There were some days where he preferred to find slumber in the comforts of his couch. Some days, even his sanctuary was suffocating.  ❛ I wouldn’t dare force you to sleep on the floor. ❜ You’re more prone to get sick that way.  Already sayin’ goodnight. She’s trying to run away from what’s bothering her.  ❛ ARE you all right, Hyejung? ❜

Chanhee’s frown pissed Jinah off. Really pissed her off. The fact that such a lovely boy could ever be sad broke her heart a little. He deserved nothing more than to be happy and blissful all his days. They already had a heart to heart about the reason for his sadness, but there was still a seriousness in the air that made her frown. He deserved the world and she wanted to give it to him, even if it was just a little thing. She stood up, disappearing from the room for what felt like ten minutes before coming out with her cat, her phone, some speakers, a hairbrush. Silence for a few seconds before a song began playing through her speakers. In grand fashion, Jinah began to sing the song, singing the lyrics loudly but laughing and having fun, dancing around the boy. The hairbrush became a microphone as she watched her cat follow her, shaking her little butt as if she was also dancing. More props appeared and she put a hat on Chanhee, followed by a scarf as the song continued on, louder and louder. Her singing became shouting now, her hair jumping around with her, the poor little kitten Miso-chan trying to keep up. It was something out of an animated movie, the whole apartment now enveloped in what seemed to be a sphere of positivity, song, and silliness. She shook her butt and jumped around, accidentally slipping and falling on her butt. But the song was still going, so she laughed and stood up, determined to finish the mission. When it was over, she sat beside him again, panting heavily, her hair a mess but a bright smile on her face. “How was that?” she said, grabbing his face, feeling sweaty and extremely happy, kissing the boy’s cheek loudly. “Be happy. I got your back. Always! I love you, Hee!”