Chapter Text
It was the start of spring. The snow of winter finally melted, showing the rich earthy soil it had hidden. The white surroundings were now painted with various colors of flowers greeting the new season. The beautiful blooms also filled the air with their different fragrances. Everyone seemed to love the warmth that spring brought except for one man donning an all-black from head to toe — black hoodie, black pants, black shoes, black mask — and carrying a huge wooden carrier for his canvas and paints.
"Ha...ha...ACHOO!" Kim Junkyu sneezed and rubbed his already red nose as he walked on a path of cherry blossoms "Ugh! I really hate spring."
Junkyu, 24 years old, a street artist, always had hay fever during this season. His colds in winter were just as bad as his hay fever but he hated spring a lot more.
Junkyu stopped beneath the biggest cherry blossom tree at the center of the park. He drank his medicine for allergies, placed down his art materials, and organized his canvass. He placed a placard near him that read, "Open for commissions. I can draw a portrait in 5 minutes. Follow my art on insta or on twitter: @KimJunkyugallery "
He slumped on his seat as he waited for customers to approach him and looked around, observing the lively surroundings. Everything was getting colored by the pink leaves of the cherry blossoms. Most families were having picnics with their lunch boxes laid out on a big blanket. Some couples were cuddling, kids playing with their pets, balls, or flying kites. Some were walking side by side while holding hands. Others were going on a bicycle ride around the park.
A family of three approached him for a portrait with their cute daughter. He tried his best to draw them — the polka dots on the daughter’s hairpin, the flowery design of the mom’s dress, the funny pun on the dad’s shirt. He drew everything in detail except their faces. It was one unique feature of his art, he never drew faces. The family was satisfied either way and through word of mouth, people started lining up for a portrait of themselves from him. Half of his customers were families and the other half were couples. He hated spring but he couldn’t deny that spring was the season when he could earn the most.
When he had done everyone’s request and his pocket was already full, Junkyu stared blankly at the scenery before him again. He stared blankly at their smiles and thought,
They were brilliant.
Yet it was lonely.
The brighter the world was, the lonelier he felt. He had always wondered how it would be to be truly happy and to have someone to share that happiness with. He grew up in an orphanage and although he had friends, their connection would only last until his friends found their adoptive parents. It didn’t take long for him to realize that like the seasons, everything around him would change and come to pass. This thought made him close himself to the world and may also be the reason no parent took interest in adopting him. Pretty soon he turned into an adult and had to leave the orphanage.
He found his talent in drawing while doing various jobs to survive. His brain would always shut off for a moment when he would concentrate on capturing each detail in his drawing. And at that moment, he would forget that he was lonely. It was as if he was in his own world. Another thing he liked about it was that a painting would usually last longer than the seasons, than the people he drew, maybe even longer than him, wouldn’t that feel like paintings were somehow eternal?
It had only been 2 years since he started focusing on painting and he was liking it so far. The money he would make was enough to get by each day. He also had some time for himself to relax, like now, maybe watch the skies as it was getting pushed by the wind. The same gentle wind that swayed the trees of cherry blossoms, making its flowers fall on the ground. One cherry blossom, however, made its way to the palm of his hands which he paid no attention to.
He was about to sleep when a man's face obstructed his view. The bright sky cast a shadow on him so he couldn't see his face clearly. "Oh! You caught a cherry blossom! It was said that if you caught a cherry blossom, you would fall for the person laying on the mat with you!" confidently said the man before tilting his head and adding, "Or was it a different one?"
Junkyu, startled by the overly familiar stranger, abruptly got up. The other was fast on his reflexes so they avoided bumping their heads on each other, "Excuse me, can’t you see I’m about to sleep? Are you trying to pick a fight?"
"I'm trying to pick you up, not pick a fight. Can I?" the man giggled. Now that Junkyu could see the man's face clearly, his jaw dropped and he let out a gasp. The man was breathtaking. Beautiful would be an understatement. His eyes were glistening like two magical orbs holding a galaxy of thousand stars. His tiny nose and bunny smile was so cute and gentle. His porcelain white skin shone like the sun or maybe even brighter. He was the very representation of spring, warm and vibrant. He was so close to his face but couldn't see any visible flaws in him except that the man had really bright red cheeks and seemed to be drunk.
Junkyu was so awestruck that he couldn't utter a word before the man held out his hand and said, "You are silent. Can I take that as a yes? I'm Takata Mashiho, 23 years old."
Junkyu stayed stunned. He was so confused and fascinated by this strange man. Mashiho's extended hand stayed in the air for a bit before he gave up and held his hand up like taking an oath.
"I'm not dangerous. I promise…" said Mashiho.
After a long silence, Mashiho's smile faded. He sat beside him on the mat, hugged his knees to his chest and rested his head over his hands. Now looking in a distance, he whispered, "I just needed someone."
For an instant, Junkyu could see Mashiho's resemblance to his own pet, Ruby, whom he felt guilty leaving behind every time he had to go outside to work. He just got her so he was pretty attached to his pet cat. He didn't know this man beside him now but he was somehow tugging strings inside Junkyu's heart. He unconsciously held out his hand and patted Mashiho's head. The other didn't even flinch. It's as if it's what he really needed right now.
Comfort.
A tear fell from Mashiho's eyes. It was a silent sob at first then it turned into wailing. Junkyu just continued to awkwardly pat Mashiho's head silently. Mashiho's cry was getting muffled by people's chattering and laughter. Only Junkyu could hear him clearly. Slowly, Mashiho leaned on Junkyu's shoulder as his sobs were starting to weaken. It was an unusual distance for two people who just met but Junkyu didn’t mind, it was as if he had suddenly found a comrade. He figured this man was broken and lonely too, just like him.
Mashiho felt at peace beside Junkyu and slowly, he let his tired body take a rest.
As if the strange man's spell had been broken the moment he closed his eyes, Junkyu came back to his senses. He looked down at the sleeping beauty beside him and thought, "What am I supposed to do with you now?"
It was getting dark and Junkyu's nose started to tickle again, "Achoo!" Ugh! The medicine is starting to wear off. I better go home."
He slowly laid Mashiho down on the mat and stood up. Leaving Mashiho alone crossed his mind. He was just a stranger anyway. He didn't even know where he came from. But Junkyu's conscience prevailed. Sleeping in this open space was really dangerous, especially for a pretty person like him.
“I wonder why he is so drunk when it isn't even dark yet.”
After making up his mind, Junkyu arranged all his things. He put his canvas and painting in his wooden carrier and piggybacked Mashiho. "So heavy. Why am I putting myself up for this? Such a troublesome guy."
Junkyu was greeted by Ruby the moment he opened the door to his apartment. Ruby was happy to see her dad and rubbed her body against his legs, asking for food.
"Ruby, calm down. I'm carrying a lot right now. I'll lay down this man on the bed and feed you." Junkyu said with a fatherly smile.
After feeding Ruby, Junkyu went to his bed to look after the man. He carefully removed Mashiho's coat to not wake him up. He noticed a hair poking his eyes so he gently brushed it away from Mashiho's face. Even with all the commotion, Mashiho stayed sleeping so soundly. Junkyu thought, He looked like a mannequin. How can a man be this beautiful? You are lucky that I'm the one who found you or else you'll be taken advantage of. He noticed himself staring for a bit too long and smiling like a fool while looking at Mashiho so he shook his head and said, "Ugh! I must've gone crazy. Keep yourself together Junkyu."
Junkyu went back to the living room to sleep on the sofa. Ruby saw her dad on the sofa so she climbed up to where Junkyu was sleeping. Junkyu moved a little to make space for Ruby and hugged her.
"You're happy you'll get to sleep with daddy tonight, huh," Junkyu softly uttered while brushing Ruby's fur and closing his eyes to sleep.