Chapter Text
A man who is around seventy passes by. 232,124.
Next is a kid who is about nine. 1,042.
Then, a group of teenagers can be seen crossing the road. 17,006. 8,004. 18,310. 1,017. 16,018. 22,150.
A mother with her child walks in front of him. 28,129.
“Haneul, you have to listen to me. If you don’t, Mr. Boogeyman might visit you tonight.”
28,130 .
In the midst of his daydreaming in the park, he was snapped back to reality when it started to rain. He ran to the nearest bus stop so as not to get wet and decided to go home.
Kwon Soonyoung was born with a gift. At first he didn’t know why but as time passes, he used his gift to his advantage. Soonyoung can see the numbers on top of people’s heads. What do they signify? The number of lies the person has said. Each one of us has lied at some point and that can be seen by Soonyoung. However, Soonyoung cannot see his own number.
The numbers on top of people's heads started appearing when he was fourteen years old. He did not tell a single soul about it because they'd think that he's crazy. Heck, it was not even taught in school! Even if he's not good with the computer, Soonyoung still searched for answers from the Internet. He tried to search what the numbers are for. Still, no results were found. He did not know what the numbers mean until an incident that happened with his best friend, Wonwoo.
🐯🐯
Soonyoung thinks that Wonwoo got himself a girlfriend. After all, his best friend, whom he has known since they were three, is acting suspicious. Wonwoo started smiling more and he has been using his cellphone a lot. There are times when Soonyoung will ask Wonwoo to hang out but the latter will immediately reply no. Soonyoung knows that Wonwoo is not busy with school. Hence, he concluded that Wonwoo has a girlfriend. He decided to confront him.
"Ya! Wonwoo! You're not telling me something, are you?"
"What do you mean?" Wonwoo asked and a bit flustered with Soonyoung's sudden interrogation.
"I'll give you a chance to say it. I don't want to break our friendship." Soonyoung said as he faked cry.
"Get straight to the point. I'm confused."
"You have a lover, don't you? I can't believe you're replacing me! Me, who has known you for eleven years. Me, who has supported you!" Soonyoung being the jerk that he is, faked cry some more.
"Okay, first of all, you're overreacting. Second, no, I won't replace you even if you're a jerk–". Wonwoo was interrupted.
"Awww you love me that much?" Soonyoung said and Wonwoo just sighed.
Wonwoo just shut his eyes and said, "Third, I don't have a lover." And just like that, the number which was on top of Wonwoo's head, 1,259, became 1,260. That's weird. Soonyoung thought. The number increased by one.
And suddenly, it clicked. He may be clueless sometimes but this time, he actually thought of an answer on what the numbers could mean. With an exaggerated offended gasp, "I can't believe you're lying! Why are you keeping it a secret?"
"But I'm not lying!! I really don't have one!" 1,261.
"You ARE lying and I'm not happy about it."
"Then, what makes you so sure?"
And there it is, it's a once in a lifetime chance where Soonyoung can finally tell someone about his certain ability. He hesitated at first but he thought that it would be better if at least one person knows.
"Wonwoo, I think I'm weird."
"Okay, Soonyoung. I think you need to get some rest."
"Wait. Hear me out, okay? And promise me you won't tell a single soul about this." Soonyoung said as he lifted his pinky finger. Wonwoo mimics the action. They both intertwined their fingers.
"I can see numbers on top of people's heads. And just now, I think it's related to their lies. I think you just told a lie and the number increased so…"
Wonwoo bursts out laughing. "Soonyoung, I think you've watched enough anime already."
Soonyoung starts to walk away. "You're a real jerk, you know that?"
Wonwoo, still laughing said, "So how can you prove it smartass?"
Soonyoung started to think. "Okay, then tell a lie."
Wonwoo bit his lip as if he's hesitating. "I'm dating a girl." And from 1,261, the number became 1,262.
Soonyoung's jaw dropped. "Oh shit. The number increased Wonwoo. Then that means… you're not dating a girl?"
Wonwoo showed him a weak smile. "Yeah. I'm gay, Soonyoung. Funny how you found out this way. Sorry to disappoint you."
"Wait a minute. I mean I'm shocked that you're gay but that doesn't mean I'll stop loving you as my bestfriend. What's more shocking to me is that the numbers reveal the lies a person has told. Wonwoo, I think I know a way how we can be rich."
"Oh so it is true then?" Wonwoo sighed. "I guess I'll believe you but can you promise me that you won't use that ability for bad things?"
"Wonwoo, can you imagine the power that I now hold? We can become millionaires because of this!"
"Well, have you thought of the possible consequences for doing those things?"
"Well, no… I guess."
"Then, as someone who truly cares for you. I think you should use that ability for the common good, you know?"
"I hate that you're always right." Soonyoung muttered. "Well, aren't you going to introduce me to your boyfriend?"
🐯🐯
After daydreaming for the nth time today, Soonyoung arrived at his stop. He's actually packing his things and just went out to clear his mind from the overwhelming feelings of moving to a new place. He leaves for Seoul tomorrow morning since he's entering college. Seoul is not that far from Namyangju but still, his home is his safe haven.
When he arrived at his house, his mother was still packing his stuff.
"Soonyoung, are you sure you'll be okay?" His mom has been worried for him ever since Soonyoung said that he wants to study in Seoul.
"You don't have to worry about me, mom. You know that Wonwoo will be with me. His apartment is actually close to the one we found, right?"
"Yes. I know that but I really can't help but worry about you. You know?"
"I'll be fine, mom." Soonyoung said as he wrapped his mom in a bone-crushing hug.
His mom chuckled and said, "Okay, okay. Let's finish this and eat dinner. I actually made your favorite." Soonyoung thought that he'd miss his mom a lot.
The next day came and Soonyoung's parents are driving him to Seoul. When they arrived at Soonyoung's new apartment, him and his parents start unpacking immediately so he can settle down. His apartment is near his university. It's a fifteen minute walk which is pretty convenient. The apartment also houses students from his school.
After hours of moving things, it's now time for his parents to go home.
"Call us when there's an emergency, okay?" Soonyoung's dad said.
"Don't worry about us. Focus on your studies. We probably won't miss you." His mom chuckled. The number on top of her head went from 2,263 to 2,264. His mom's lies mostly consists of things that wouldn't make Soonyoung worry. His parents love him so much.
"Yes, yes. You should go now. I'm fine and I have everything I need here."
"Call Wonwoo if you have to, okay?" His mom reminded him.
"Yes, I will." As he bid his parents goodbye, he hurriedly went back to his apartment. He now lays in bed and staring at the ceiling.
Soonyoung is still trying to process things. He will become more independent starting today. His first mission is to make friends. He thought that if he wants to enjoy Seoul, he'd have to find friends other than Wonwoo. Well, he's actually friends with Wonwoo's boyfriend, Mingyu. But they actually count as one since they're tied at the hip for almost four years.
He starts to think of who to approach and he thought that it would be best if he has friends in his apartment complex. He then proceeds to his neighbor's door just to introduce himself and hopefully, make a new friend. He knocked three times. It took a couple of minutes before the door slowly opened and revealed a shorter guy. He actually looks like he's the same age with Soonyoung. His skin is white as milk and he has a mole under his eye. The guy has short brown hair which was slightly permed. He's wearing a black shirt which was obviously too large for him, a pair of shorts, and some slippers. The man seems like he was not in a good mood since he was glaring at Soonyoung. Meanwhile, Soonyoung can't help but stare and he might have felt his heart skip a beat.
After what seems like a few seconds, the man spoke, "Can I help you?".
"Oh… I just moved in. I'm actually your neighbor. My name is Kwon Soonyoung." He showed his beaming smile as he initiated a handshake.
The man, surprisingly, stretched out his hand, too. "Lee Jihoon."
And as Soonyoung felt the warm hands hold his, he saw the number on top of Jihoon's head. It was zero.