I sat quietly on the swing, letting it move back and forth slowly.
The pain in my lower stomach hadn't fully gone away.
Then I saw Jimin running toward me.
I was about to stand up and leave but stopped.
He was funny.
Maybe he could distract me.
Maybe, just for a while, I could forget the pain.
"Hey," he said, slightly out of breath.
"Do you wanna go out?"
He sat on the swing beside me.
"Uh?" I turned to him. "Did you forget about the group reading?"
"Nah," he waved it off. "It's only 4 p.m. We'll be quick. I promise."
I hesitated.
"I really want to have fun in Seoul before I go back," I admitted softly.
Truth was, I only knew three places:
my house,
my school,
and the convenience store.
"…Okay," I said finally.
His face lit up instantly.
***
Play Park
The park was lively.
Kids ran everywhere.
Parents chased after them, calling names and laughing.
Jimin spun around with his arms wide.
"So what ride do you wanna try first?"
My mind drifted.
What if my skirt was stained?
My flow was heavy today and
"Yah."He suddenly grabbed my hand.
Before I could react, he pulled me forward.
"Stop thinking," he said with a grin. "Just play."
And somehow… I did.
We raced each other to the slides.
He pushed me on the swing too hard until I screamed and laughed at the same time.
"Jimin!"
"Hold tight!" he laughed back.
We tried the seesaw, arguing about who was heavier.
"That's cheating!" I accused.
"You're just weak," he teased.
For a moment, I forgot everything.
Later, we sat outside a small shop, steam rising from two hot cups of ramyeon.
"Let's play a game," Jimin said suddenly.
"What game?"
"If I finish first," he grinned,
"you tell me your name."
I froze.
He… still didn't know my name.
"And if I finish first," I said calmly,
"you tell me something."
"Like what?" he asked suspiciously.
"You'll find out after the game," I replied.
If I told him now, he wouldn't play.
And honestly
I wanted to win.
The seller placed the spicy ramyeon in front of us.
Steam rushed up.
I glanced at Jimin.
His eyes were darting around, unsure.
He looked… nervous.
"Fighting," I said, raising my fist.
He nodded seriously.
The game started.
I twisted my noodles expertly, lifted them, and slurped confidently.
I'd trained for this.
Convenience-store meals were my specialty.
Jimin, on the other hand, ate slowly carefully.
Typical rich boy.
I smirked.
Just as I reached for another bite
"Swiooo."
I froze.
I looked up.
His cup was empty.
I checked the floor.
Nothing.
I stared at him in disbelief.
"…You're done?"
He smiled proudly.
"Never underestimate me," he joked.
I sighed.
Guess I lost.