Chapter Text
Dear You,
If you are reading this, I suppose it is because you were curious. Or maybe it’s because you were just plain bored. Either way, I am both thankful that you decided to open this letter, and somewhat apologetic that you are now in this unexpected arrangement with me.
This isn’t a chain letter cursing you or your family! But wait. Before you throw this away, please let me explain.
It all started with a dare from one of my best friends. You see, usually for Christmas, I’d celebrate with my family. This year, however, both my family and my friends will not be in town. Yes, I know. You’re probably wondering why I’m already talking about Christmas when it is only November. I am one of those people who are way too excited over this season, I guess.
Anyway, it honestly isn’t a big deal to me. I mean, it is a bit of waste I guess. I can’t join my family for their trip this year either, unfortunately. My syllabus does not allow me that leeway.
Even so, it would be fine. I really don’t mind.
But, my friend doesn’t share my sentiment. It would be a waste of my youth, is what he says. I don’t understand him sometimes, but I am willing to play his game. He asked me to write a letter and leave it someplace on campus for another person to find. Totally not creepy, totally not an invitation to embarrassment, if you ask me.
I don’t know why I’m doing this, but I reckon it is because I doubt anyone would respond to this letter. But, who knows, right?
Since you are reading this, I guess you’re my ‘victim’. If this makes you uncomfortable, I am sorry. You don’t have to write back if you don’t want to, maybe just return this letter back to where you found it so that another person could read it instead.
If by any chance...you think this is interesting, then perhaps you could reply to this letter and put it at this same place you found mine. I’ll check back in a few days to see if you responded. If there is none, I guess I’ll just tell my friend that his so-called revolutionary idea did not work out, and I will resort to spending Christmas alone this year.
Have a good day.
Sincerely,
A Student Who Was Forced Into Doing This Dare.
1st November 1999
Regret starts to sink in two hours later.
Chae Songhwa lets out a sigh, nibbling onto the edge of her pen.
Why did she think it was a good idea to do that? To listen and indulge in Ahn Jeongwon’s crazy idea of communicating with a random stranger via letters?
Songhwa closes her textbook with a loud thud, surprising even herself as she darts quick, apologetic looks at the students around her. No one looks up from their books, so she takes that opportunity to shove her textbook into her bag, and leaves.
Soft footsteps scurrying across the library, and then towards the hallway as Songhwa skids to a halt in front of the array of pigeon hole cabinets against the wall.
She freezes.
No way, Songhwa peers into the same pigeon hole, one hand feeling the empty, hard wood instead. She steals a glance at her wristwatch. No freaking way. It has only been a little over two hours since her impulsive decision to toss that letter into this same cabinet.
The letter is no longer there.
Dear ‘Student Who Was Forced Into Doing This Dare’,
I’m normally not one to do this, but for some reason, I thought it wouldn’t hurt to write back to you. I imagine that you’re a penpal, and we’re exchanging letters for that reason. I promise you that I do not think this is an embarrassment. In fact, I have to admit that this is a rather interesting way to make new friends. Maybe that is why I am writing back.
To be honest, when I first saw your letter in that pigeon hole, I had contemplated not to touch it. I mean, it may not be for just anyone, right? But I guess it was what you’ve written in the front of the envelope that made me open it in the end.
I do admit that when I first read your letter, I was indeed surprised that you were already talking about Christmas. However, you would be glad to know that I am not one to judge those who find joy in this season. I wanted to say that I’m sorry your family will be out of town during Christmas, and that your friends will also not be around. It is a little sad to be spending the holidays alone, that I know as much. I don’t think I’ll be able to go back to my hometown, either. There’s just so much reading to do before exams in January.
Ah, you did mention that your syllabus does not allow you to go on a holiday. Is it a safe assumption for me to say that you are from SNU Med? Call it an instinct, but I have a feeling you are a medical student. If you aren’t, then I apologise for my error in judgement.
This time, rather than putting your reply to my reply in the same pigeon hole, let’s try something else instead. It would be too boring otherwise, to put it in the same place again and again.
Do you know the cafe just outside our campus? The one with the blue door. They have a small shelf of books. Why don’t you put your envelope at the end of this week, in your all time favourite book. It could be a novel, or a non-fiction. Whatever that floats your boat, as long as it is your favourite. That way, I can at least know what your book preference is — that’s why we are writing to each other right? As friends, we should get to know each other better.
That being said, what should I address you as? I would ask you for your name, but I don’t think you will give it to me. Could you tell me your gender at the very least?
Looking forward to reading your next letter.
Sincerely,
Your Mystery Friend.
2nd November 1999
P/S: I am not a creep, I promise.
Lee Ikjun seals the envelope, holding it in his hands for a few more seconds as a thought begins to fill his mind.
Why is he even doing this? Randomly responding to a letter?
His eyes settle on the first envelope instead; light pink, with a faint scent of roses. On the cover, written in neat, cursive handwriting, is this:
Do you want to be my friend?
Ikjun has read that line over and over again, and he couldn’t stop himself from smiling. He reserves his opinion that this is an interesting, maybe somewhat strange, idea of making a new friend.
But he welcomes that idea.
So he places his reply into the same pigeon hole, and anticipates a reply from his new found friend.
Dear Mystery Friend,
You responded so quickly, thank you for assuring me that this isn’t some crazy, stupid idea.
To be honest, I had my doubts shortly after I placed the letter into that pigeon hole. But when I went back to retrieve it, the letter was already gone. I guess there is no turning back now.
When you put it that way, it does seem like we are penpals now. Except, we’re from the same university and the same country. Maybe, we’ve even crossed paths before but we just don’t know it yet.
You mentioned that you too, would not be able to go back to your hometown because you have a lot of readings to catch up on. I do not want to assume things, but given how you assumed that I am a medical student (which I neither confirm nor deny), I will also assume that you are one as well. You let slip a crucial hint in your reply, Mystery Friend.
I honestly can’t believe I am doing this, but I will be leaving my letter in my favourite novel on that shelf you told me about. It shouldn’t be too difficult to find, since this is a worn out copy that I treasure with all my heart. You may address me by the protagonist’s name if you want. That should answer your question as to my gender.
On where to place your letter next, here is a challenge for you. If you’ve read this novel before, I want you to place your envelope in between the pages of your favourite scene. If you haven’t read it (aside from my disappointment — ha-ha, just joking) the same rules would apply to you then; you may put your letter in your favourite book on the same shelf. Easy, right?
Till our next letter.
Sincerely,
A friend.
5th November 1999
P/S: I am not a creep, either.
“Songhwa-ya,”
“Huh?” She snaps her head up, closing the book in her hands quickly, as if trying to hide what she’d just done two seconds ago.
Jeongwon eyes her suspiciously, placing the tray of coffee down. “Why are you so nervous?”
“I’m not nervous.” Songhwa replies calmly, clutching the book on her lap.
Her friend nods at the book. “Why are you holding onto Pride and Prejudice so tightly?”
“Must you know everything I am doing?” She clears her throat while pushing her glasses up.
“Huh.” Jeongwon takes a sip of his coffee, and suddenly, his eyes light up. “Wait a minute. Are you writing back to that Mystery Friend of yours?”
When Songhwa doesn’t answer, he leans forward with a snap of his fingers. “I told you, didn’t I? I told you someone would respond to your letter. What did they write to you? Did they ask you to put your letter in this cafe? Is that why there’s an envelope jutting out in between the pages of Pride and Prejudice? Oh my goodness, is this person also a book nerd? ”
Songhwa blinks at the multitude of questions her friend is suddenly throwing into her direction. Instead of answering his question, she decides to change topics. “When is Seokhyung coming?”
Jeongwon waves a hand dismissively. He seems to be more excited over this entire ordeal than her. “Tell me, Songhwa-ya. Tell me. I was the one who gave you this idea, right? I deserve to know.”
She heaves a sigh, but tells her friend everything a few seconds after.
Then, she puts the book back on the shelf, with Jeongwon’s careful, gleaming eyes looking at her.
Dear Pride & Prejudice Enthusiast, or should I call you Elizabeth?
I see. I had a feeling you were a girl, given how you used a pink envelope and the papers you used had a flowery fragrant to them. Again, not that I was blindly assuming...I mean, a boy could also use a pink envelope, that’s for sure.
Somehow, I am not surprised to learn that your favourite book is Pride and Prejudice. It’s such a classic, isn’t it? Thankfully, I have not disappointed you then — I’ve read this novel twice, if you must know. But that’s nothing surprising. What’s surprising is probably this; I am a boy.
I could somehow imagine your expression at the moment; that look of surprise, those eyes of yours widening in realisation. A boy has read Pride and Prejudice, and he has read it twice? Please tell me you are at least impressed by my revelation, because my best friend doesn’t think this is something I should be proud of.
But I am. It is a timeless classic, and I can understand why it is your favourite.
Anyway, moving on. You’re right. We may have crossed paths before. SNU isn’t that big, after all. Like you, I refrain from saying anything regarding my major. Two can play this game, Ms. Bennet.
I have read your instructions and followed them. I hope you like this scene, too.
As for your reply: shall we do music, next? The record shop just a block away from this cafe. Here’s what I have in mind. I have listed a few of my favourite songs at the end of this letter, together with a few that I think you will like. There is one cassette tape that has all of these songs, and I want you to listen to them.
Oh, there are two rules, though. You cannot ask the shop owner for assistance in finding that cassette tape. You cannot also ask your friends if they know who sang those songs. That wouldn’t be fun. When you’ve listened to those songs, let me know what you think of them in your next letter, which you could simply pass to the shop owner — I will let him know in advance. I promise you I will not ask him about your identity.
Looking forward to knowing what you think of the songs.
Sincerely,
Mystery Friend
7th November 1999
Songhwa finds the envelope tucked carefully in between the pages of Pride and Prejudice. Instantly, she smiles, opening the book slowly. She skims through the page, eyes catching one particular paragraph.
“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
Her heart nearly skips a beat.