Chapter Text
Businesses these days are hit and miss. What the consumers want to see and buy change everyday and only the ones who have strong determination and burning passion to strive can stand against time.
When Heedo decided to have a woodworking shop as her source of income, Jaekyung and Junho were totally against it. I mean, from being one of the best fencers in the world to owning a woodworking shop? Literally no connection at all, but she persisted.
“I know, I know it doesn’t make sense. It wouldn’t make sense to any of you because only I knows what I want to do and that is to have my own woodworking shop. Doesn’t it sound nice, to have such a humble job as a business? Besides, I’m having a lot of fun with this!” Heedo was excitingly explaining to her mom and Junho who clearly look defeated.
“Heedo-ya, with your experience and qualifications you can easily start a fencing school. You and Junho can manage it together!” Jaekyung held her daughter’s wrists as if it’s going to do anything to change her mind. Junho was looking at his wife desperately hoping if her mom can convince her.
“Mom, please. I already retired from fencing. I know how much I loved it way before but that was just a phase. It doesn’t make my heart flutter anymore.”
Jaekyung was about to protest again until Heedo continued speaking.
“The feel of wood on my hands reminds me of dad. I think this is one of the things that will remind me of him. That he’s not forgotten no matter how many years have passed.”
Everyone fell dead silent and Heedo successfully opened her shop that is fully supported by her family.
“I should’ve listened to my mom.” Heedo has her shop open since 8 AM and she barely have any customers. She named her shop, “2521 Atelier” when she first heard of Jaurim’s 2521 that reminded her of her youth.
“Oh! How about I send Yurim an email? Ah, it’s been so long.”
Despite the advancement of technology, Heedo and Yurim still communicated with their emails, they just felt like the way messages are sent through these emails are their own thing that no one will understand. Not even Jiwoong. Not even Seungwan. Not even Yijin.
To: Ko Yurim < [email protected] >
Yurim-ah! It’s me, Na Heedo.
I know it’s been a while since we talked and I feel a little anxious while typing because I don’t know what to say. But it’s only at the start, we both know how much we can talk about anything and everything. Right now, I wanted to talk to you the most.
First of all, how is it there? How are my little babies? Is Jiwoong treating you well? He better be or he won’t be able to come back here!
To be honest, I wanted to ask you something about Yijin. I don’t want you to think that I’m only messaging you because of this but honestly… it is one of the main reasons. Ya! You haven’t been keeping in touch with me so let’s call it even!
I really hope you are doing well and eating a lot of delicious food there. Let me know when are you coming back so Minchae and I can pick you guys at the airport!
Your bestest friend,
Na Heedo
Heedo closed her laptop as soon as she heard the chime bells of her shop’s entrance door made some noise.
'Ah finally, some people!'
“Welco-”
Heedo almost dropped her laptop when she saw the person coming in her workshop. The person by the door is wearing casual clothes like how they used to before.
"You’re Seungwan, right?! SEUNGWAN-AH!" Heedo hopped her way to the entrance door and held her arms to Seungwan for a hug. It feels so nice to see someone who's familiar, it feels like home.
"Alright, that's enough hugging!" Seungwan never changed at all, she still feels weirded out with little skinship, but you'll see the clear adoration from her eyes how much she missed being around of people she feels comfortable.
"YOU! You must've been very busy and you just showed up after 2 years!" Heedo nagged while she was preparing refreshments for her dear friend.
"Tell me about it! I thought life would be better after high school but look at me! It's just projects over projects over projects..."
"Seungwan-ah, that's not what you say to your friend who obviously has a dying business.." Heedo cheekily squinted her eyes to Seungwan who was resting her head on the table which suddenly got up because of Heedo's harmless remark and mouthed "Sorry".
The two ladies spent the morning just talking about the latest happenings in their lives. There were about 3 to 4 customers who went in to look for some furniture, a couple inquired about a set of furniture they wanted to be custom-made for their newly-wed home, and there were some passersby who were just curious about a quiet random woodworking shop being filled with laughter by two females as if they're having their best time of their lives. When the crowd dwindled down, Heedo came back to the table were Seungwan was sending some work emails. Apparently she's being called back to the set because one of the guest artists in her variety show is running a fever and her staff are panicking, didn't know what to do.
"AHH, I swear I can never get a rest in this industry. I should've known better!" Seungwan was putting back her stuff in her bag while looking at Heedo apologetically.
"Even so, you still love your job, right? I know I'm right!"
"Yeah you're right. Annoyingly right! Annoyingly right that I'm still going even though I told them not to contact me for just half a day."
Heedo gave Seungwan a reassuring smile while ushering her to the entrance of her shop when she suddenly remembered.
Yijin. Maybe she knows.
"Ah by the way, Seungwan-ah. Have you ever contacted Yijin?" She looked at her friend expecting for an answer. An answer that she wanted to hear. An answer that will give her peace of mind and ease her worries away.
"Yijin? Baek Yijin? What about him?" Seungwan looked at her confused.
"Ah.. Just because.. I just remembered him all of the sudden." She was hopeful on the next words Seungwan's going to say.
"Well, the last time I heard he went to Jeju-do with Yihyun last 3 weeks ago. I think-" She was about to say more when she her phone rang aggressively from her hand. "Oh, wait a second, Heedo-ya. Oh, Minhyung-ah any updates on Ms. Kim?" She picked up the call without waiting for Heedo's answer.
3 weeks? In Jeju-do? Just in Jeju-do? That close yet so far from her. And she heard it from Yihyun? So it means they're still in contact?
When Yihyun confessed to Seungwan when he was 26, they briefly dated each other for a year and 3 months but it didn't last long due to their age difference and split nicely. Heedo was patiently waiting for Seungwan to wrap the phone call but from the looks of it the situation seems like more serious than she thought as she could visibly see wrinkles are forming on her friend's forehead. Seungwan noticed Heedo's waiting when she mouthed, "I'm sorry I really need to go, I will contact you, okay! Thank you!".
Seungwan was still on the phone when she left and Heedo was just standing in front of her shop while watching Seungwan drive away until she cannot see her car anymore. She stayed there quietly while admiring the falling of the cherry blossom delicately on the ground and everywhere.
Jeju-do..