Work Text:
Christmas was just two days away. Seoul Station was adorned with all kinds of Christmas decorations and buzzing with passengers trying to get home to spend the holiday with their loved ones. Jin was standing in line at the convenience store, trying to buy some last-minute snacks for his train ride. He took a look around the station and saw all kinds of passengers around. Children a few feet away from their parents, testing their patience with their endless chatter. Some passengers were leaving their large luggage outside the Lotteria store, as a tired attendant was directing them inside. Everyone was moving around with a purpose.
Despite his busy surroundings, Jin felt very lonely. His parents were in London visiting his older brother and new baby. His brother had moved to London about two years ago for work, and he and his college sweetheart had recently welcomed a baby boy. Both sets of grandparents were excited to meet the new baby and spend the holidays with the young family. Despite some insistence from his mother, Jin passed on the opportunity to visit his brother and sister-in-law and meet his new nephew.
It was nothing personal; he just saw this as an opportunity to be on his own for a few weeks. He would be starting his final university year in the spring and joining the workforce shortly after. He supposed this was his opportunity to spend some time exploring around. But as he stood in the middle of an incredibly busy Seoul Station, he wondered if it was better for him to have stayed home, playing video games around the clock.
After a ridiculous long wait, Jin managed to pay for his snacks and leave the crowded convenience store. Unable to stay in that station any longer, he headed towards the platform area with the hope that some fresh air could clear his mind. On his way down the staircase, he spotted a man in a long brown coat, animatedly talking on his phone. Probably to a loved one. Jin made a mental note about the coat being a better fit for autumn weather, as he proceeded to walk towards the platform.
The platform seemed to be as crowded as the station. A crowd had already gathered outside the KTX train that was already there, but still had its doors closed to the public. Jin never understood why they could not just open the doors earlier, so passengers could start settling in. It did not help that the bitter cold was hurting his ears. Jin made a note to purchase some earmuffs when he got to Busan.
As if reading Jin’s mind, the train doors opened. Jin took a look at his watch and saw there were still another twenty minutes until the train would depart. Perhaps it was the Christmas Spirit slowly approaching, or the conductors taking pity towards all the passengers waiting outside the train, but Jin decided to not question this small blessing.
Getting inside the train proved to be yet another task, as everyone rushed towards the doors causing a delay. Jin felt himself starting to get cranky as he slowly made his way onto the train and towards his seat. His growing irritation was beginning to steal whatever little excitement about this solo trip he had left. As he waited for a child to stop jumping around the isle so he could get to his seat, he wondered if he could just leave this train and head back to his apartment where he could play video games in peace. Fortunately (or unfortunately) the child’s mother managed to get him out of the way, so Jin had no other option but to continue moving towards his seat.
Settling down in his seat, he told himself he needed to get it together before his bad mood soured the rest of his trip; a trip was his idea after all. He hoped that things would get better once he arrived in Busan. Maybe a short nap would take some of his edginess away. He was glad to have booked the window seat so he could lean his head against the glass.
Right as he was about to close his eyes to take a nap, he noticed that his seatmate had arrived. It was the same man he had seen by the staircase, on his way down to the platform. Both men locked eyes and gave an awkward nod and smile to the other. Now that they were much closer in proximity, Jin noticed the man must be in his early thirties. He swiftly removed his long brown coat and gingerly sat on the empty seat. Jin noticed the sharp way the man was dressed. Not that it should matter at all, but Jin felt really underdressed in his sweatpants and long-sleeved shirt. It was clear as day who was the college student drifting without any direction, and who was the man who seemingly had his life figured out.
Maybe he stared at his new neighbor for a little too long, but the older man looked at Jin and smiled again. Feeling embarrassed, he returned the smile and turned to look outside the window. The train was still at the station, and he could see more people waiting to get inside.
“Are you headed to Daegu?” The sudden question made Jin turn around and look at his seatmate again. Most people kept to themselves while riding any form of public transportation, but this man seemed to not be like most.
“I’m headed to Busan.” Was Jin’s simple reply. He guessed this man would make some small talk if he felt the need to ask about his destination.
“I see.” Came the man’s reply. And after a short pause he added. “I am going to Daegu. It has been almost three years since I have been back to visit my family.”
As Jin had predicted, the other man had started to share small talk. Jin just sat there and listened, not really sure what to say to that.
“I’m Taehyung, by the way.”
“I’m Jin.”
“Nice to meet you.” Both men quietly bowed to one another. “So, Jin-ssi. Are you heading to Busan to spend the holidays with your family?”
“I’m going to Busan for a few days. From there I am going to Ulsan to visit an old friend. And not sure where else after that. Maybe Jeju for a couple of days.” And he added without being prompted. “My family is overseas right now, so it’s just me.”
“I’m sorry. It must be a bit lonely to be on your own during the holidays.”
“It’s ok, I guess. Christmas will be over in a couple days anyways.”
This time around, it seemed like it was Taehyung’s turn to have nothing to say in return. At this point, with every passenger inside, the conductor gave a quick announcement over the speaker, and the train started moving not long after.
“Sorry, I did not mean to bother you with my small talk.” There was a small hint of nervousness around Taehyung’s words, which somehow made him look younger than Jin, despite their age difference. “I get chatty when I’m feeling anxious.”
Jin was not one to chit-chat to strangers, but his family had left for London almost a week ago and he had not really talked to any of his university friends since their break started. It had been a minute since he had a proper conversation with another person, so he decided to entertain the stranger sitting next to him.
“Why are you nervous? Is it because you have not seen your family in quite some time?”
“Yes. But this is also the first time I’m spending Christmas with them since I moved to Seoul for University.” Taehyung’s eyes started to focus into the distance. “Come to think of it, this is the first time in quite some time since I’ve really celebrated Christmas with anyone.”
“Woah…”.
“I’ve just been so busy these past few years. Next thing I knew it had been more than a decade since I’ve really celebrated Christmas.”
“There is no way a person could be so busy as to not have spent a single Christmas with their family in recent years.” Jin realized the brashness of his words right after uttering them. He knew nothing about this man’s life to have said what he said.
Taehyung seemed to find the boldness amusing. “What about you? Why are you not with your family right now?”
“They are overseas visiting my older brother.”
“Why didn’t you go? I don’t think a person could be so busy to not go overseas with their family.” Taehyung’s tone was playful, indicating he held no ill-will towards Jin’s comment.
“Daegu is only two hours away by train Taehyung-ssi. It’s not the same.” Jin teased back. It had been a while since he got the chance to playfully banter with someone like that.
Taehyung flinched slightly. “That’s bad huh? I really do not have excuses then.”
Both men laughed.
~~~
The next two hours passed by in a flash. The two men kept chatting, while being mindful to keep their conversation as quiet as possible so as to not disturb the other passengers. Jin was not one to share a lot about his life with strangers, but Taehyung was easy to talk to. He shared about his worries about graduation and entering the job force. How he felt a bit loss and unprepared for life, and how he was hoping this solo trip would help me gain a better outlook. Talking to Taehyung felt like talking to an older brother. Jin wondered if this is how conversations with his older brother would be like if he had stayed in Korea. Before they knew it, the train began to slow down, and the conductor announced they had arrived at Daegu.
“Well, this is me.” Taehyung muttered as he got up and started putting on his coat. “Best of luck with everything Jin-ssi.”
“Thank you.” Jin offered the older man a sincere smile. He was not sure why, but he was a little sad to see Taehyung leave. Suddenly, he felt the weight of his loneliness hit him harder. “Enjoy your time with your family.”
After putting on his coat, Taehyung took a small pause before pulling out his wallet and searching for something. He pulled out a simple business card.
“I hope this is not weird, but if you ever need to talk to someone about college and life, feel free to reach out.” Taehyung handed his business card to Jin. “I can’t promise to have all the answers, but I can offer a different perspective.” With a last nod towards Jin, Taehyung exited the train along with all the passengers getting off at Daegu.
From his seat, Jin could see Taehyung walking towards the exit. Taehyung looked taller somehow and there was a pep in his step. As if feeling watched, Taehyung turned around and waved at Jin. A wide smile formed on Jin’s face as he returned the wave. He continued watching as the older man turned around and continued walking towards the exit. As Taehyung’s figure started disappearing into the crowd, the train began pulling away from the station and towards its final destination. A blur of gray buildings began coloring the landscape.
Jin took one last look at the business card in his hand, before he reached out for his wallet and carefully placed in one of the empty credit card slots. He put on his earbuds, chose a random playlist and closed his tired eyes. He still had a little over an hour before the train reached Busan, giving him plenty of time for a quick nap.