#thisisjusthis

So, when the wagon took the next curve, you knocked heads with the person in front of you. The middle-aged man turned around, gave you an angry look and cursed, you gulped. Bowing and apologizing repeatedly you were abruptly stopped when the artist pulled your back towards him, wrapping a hand around your hip bone. “Stop apologizing. He’s overreacting, it could have happened to anyone”, he whispered. For a moment you wondered if he thought you were easy, because you’re a foreigner, but you pushed the thought aside.

You fell silent and remained that way for the rest of the ride. Always being pulled back by the rapper behind you when you threatened to fall forwards. “We’ll have to get off at the next station”, he whispered in your ear after some time. You tried not to shiver but it was there, and it couldn’t be denied; your physical attraction to him. He took your arm again making sure you didn’t get lost as you left the railway behind you and reappeared on the surface.

As soon as you were safe from all the people Justhis let go of your arm and you both didn’t comment on what had happened. He led you through the streets from gasse to gasse before you stopped in front of a grey eight story building. You looked up, it was not the most beautiful from outside, but the inner values mattered, you convinced yourself.

“Thanks for bringing me here, you can carry on with your day now”, you said as you turned towards the rapper.

“Are you sure you’re gonna find back by yourself?”, the small man joked.

You’d hit him if only you dared to, but you were hesitant. You grimaced. “It’s fine, I’ll get back somehow. Naver Maps exists and I no longer want to waste your precious time. Thank you so much again.”

“Okay, okay”, he surrendered. “But at least let me wait for the agent with you.” You rolled your eyes and nodded your head.

You stood next to each other in the cold as you excitedly ranted about the possibility of having an oven, a tumbler and how much you loved floor heating.

You interrupted yourself and exclaimed, “It’s freaking cold!”, as you shoved your hands deeper into the pockets of your jacket.

Justhis gave a small chuckle at your exaggerated behavior and you glared at him, stretched out your hand and expectantly raised your eyebrows. When he didn’t react and only looked at you in confusion you grabbed his hand. Heat rushed to your face as you realized what you were doing, but it was too late.

“Uh, yeah, seriously you’re freezing.”

You were about to bloody have a moment, you just knew it, as the estate agent rounded the corner. Justhis immediately dropped your hand, standing next to you casually. The agent approached you with an unsure smile.

“Are you Y/N?”

“Yes, I am,” you nodded and bowed down in greeting.

“Are the two of you here to look at the apartment together?”, he questioned and gestured towards the man on your right.

“What?!”, you blurted out in shock, aggressively shaking your head as his question sunk in.

“Ahm, I’ll leave you to it”, Justhis grinned at you and left.

You apologized to the agent and then you started the tour. The apartment was nice, pretty floor and you liked the windows. However, the interior was disappointing. You noticed a dried-up puddle next to the washing machine. In response to your question the man told you that a small part was broken but the machine washed perfectly fine. It was the same for all the other technical gadgets, they were all broken but “worked perfectly fine”. You didn’t believe it and you told him at the end of your visit. But the man with graying hair, didn’t want to hear anything about negotiating the price and got sulky. God, you hated people with such an attitude, you tried not to roll your eyes in front of him.

You gave him a fake smile, wrinkling your eyes priggishly, and politely tried to interrupt him since he rambled about the ‘amazing apartment’. You wouldn’t find anything else for such a fair price. Yeah, right. You finally got away from him with the claim of meeting a friend.

As you stepped out of the building, back into the cold, you were met with a familiar statue. To your surprise and against your suggestion, Justhis had waited for you. He pushed himself of the wall as you walked to him.

“How’d it go?”, he asked, offering you a coffee. You raised your eyebrows as you accepted the hot beverage. “Thanks, I need this right now. I guess you can tell it didn’t go well”, you grimaced as you took a generous sip.

“Yeah, let’s get out of here before that man sees us lurking around. Where to next?”

“Hmm?”, you answered in confusion, pursing your lips as you warmed your hands on the coffee cup.

“Aren’t you gonna look at another apartment today?”

“Ah yeah”, you glanced at your wristwatch, “but that’s in another hours. I spaced it out generously, so I have enough time to find it.”

“Nevermind, let’s just go there. Inspect the neighbourhood, get familiar with the streets and so.”

“Ok. I mean thank you so much, but don’t you have any work to do? That’s kinda sus.”

The man fiddled with his zipper, creating a pause in your conversation, “I’m not busy at the moment. I’m only investing. I’m more likely to get my money if you get your apartment.”

“Sure. Let’s get going then”, you said grinning.

The two of you walked back to the underground station, slurping on your coffee every now and then. You put on your face mask before boarding the subway train. Better to try and stay a little undercover. You got a seat this time, successfully avoiding any awkward situation that might have arisen, had you fallen again. Justhis made sure you got off in time. You tried to remember the stop but all of them still sounded so similar to you.

Not to be biased but this district looked nicer, less grey, and less busy. You even spotted a trash can in which you dumped your empty plastic cup. Of course, it was the more expensive apartment too, but you were starting to think that it was probably worth it. Instead of wasting your time in front of the destined building complex you decided to explore the environment a little more. You saw many nice small stores as you walked around, small cafés. Narrow streets, many bikes leaned against streetlights and walls, no garages. You laughed a little one you noticed that you hadn’t even minded the accessibility of your new home. Fortunately, it wasn’t a problem, you weren’t going to have a car for a really long time.

“What’s funny?”, the rapper on your left side asked.

“Nothing really. It’s just... I didn’t even realize you can’t drive here with a car. It’s better that way though... it’s quieter. Less annoying.”

“You are a real homebody, aren’t you?”, the rapper asked, voice laced with amusement.

“Huh? What has one thing got to do with the other? I mean you’re right but…”, you laughed.

“You look so pleased at the thought of silence and lack of people.”

You were about to box him but stopped in your track when you saw the mischief glistering in his eyes. You growled unconsciously and boxed him lightly.

“Stop calling me out like that.”

“Why would I when it’s so much fun?”

You didn’t know what to respond.

“Wow, seriously? You’re also an introvert I’m pretty sure you know what I mean”, you accused him slightly mad.

“It’s not that I hate people, they just drown me after some time, okay? I love humanity, it’s hilarious to watch us struggle. And yet we’re still here.”

Justhis noticed the change in your tone and turned towards you.

“You know that’s not what I meant”, he whispered.

You sighed, yes you knew. It was just a touchy subject for you as you had been called out on your ‘antisocial behavior’ one too many times. Exhausted you ran a face over your face, a bad habit, as you thought that you’d done enough for today. You felt overwhelmed and guilty because you couldn’t ever behave normal.

“I know, I’m sorry”, you mumbled, not meeting his eyes.

“Hey, it’s okay. You’re not alone. Let’s talk from person to person from now on, okay? I’m Heo Seung.”

It was a tad awkward but very sweet of him. You knew that it was a big deal in Korea to be able to address him with just his name. Honestly you appreciated the gesture, but you didn’t feel one bit closer to him. That is until the rapper wrapped his arm around your shoulder and told you that the two of you needed to get going unless you aimed to be late.

Your feet moved on their own. Your head was spinning in circles because you just struggled to find a motive for Seung, the name felt foreign, to be this exceptionally nice to you. He eventually let go off you again since the position was uncomfortable for walking. You came to a halt in front of the building door and the man said goodbye after reminding you that he’d call you for lessons. You watched him leave for good with a strange feeling that was soon interrupted by the second apartment agent.

You repeated the whole procedure from before with the slight difference that this apartment held what it promised. It had good spots where you could put some plants, enough light, and a modern interior. However, it was empty except for the kitchen unit and a small vanity in the bathroom. You would have to buy a lot of furniture. Nevermind, you told yourself. You didn’t come to Seoul to lose, if you felt that way, you might just go home right away.

“I really like this apartment. Can I move in immediately as it said on the website if I sign the contract?”

The agent scratched his head. “Actually we didn’t expect to find someone to follow up so soon, this apartment is still rented out for the next two weeks.”

You sighed. “Is there anything I can do to move in sooner? Obviously, no one is living here as of now. Can you give me their number so I can talk it out personally? It’s really urgent. I intend to normally rent this apartment afterwards. It’s fine if you just give me the contract to review and I will get back to you within the next few days.”

The agent looked at you suspiciously but nodded. He then took out a folder from his bag, wrote down a number and name on a sticky note, before passing both to you. “The apartment is currently rented out to this man. You can try to contact him. But everything you discuss with him is unofficial and for the official handover the apartment must be exactly as it is now. My e-mail address is in the folder, write back ‘till Friday or I will look for other renters.”

You were about to grimace but held back your emotions and smiled. The both of you walked out of the apartment, bid your farewells, and went separate ways. Then it hit you; you had an apartment! Well almost, you felt happy and positive. You couldn’t keep the small skip out of your step as you made your way to the subway station.