Chapter Text
Life on the streets was no luxury. It was WAY different compared to the lifestyle Mira grew up in. It was like night and day.
In her family home, she was expected a lot of things. She was expected to dress up, she was expected to mingle, to act like a proper lady, to be the perfect daughter for her parents to flaunt around like a bargaining chip. She had no say in a lot of things—from what she could eat, to whom she could hang out with—and if by some odd chance she did have a say, then it had better be beneficial for her family's standing.
Mira got tired of it pretty quick. It was suffocating. And so, with only the clothes on her back, Mira never looked back. She took her life to the streets.
It was far from glamorous, but at least she was free. Mira could be herself. She could do whatever she wanted on her terms. It was quite the adventure. Sure, it wasn't the kind of adventure that most people would call exciting by any means, but it was rather challenging in some ways. A mixed bag, a lottery. It was difficult finding a relatively safe spot for her to just hang out without too many prying eyes. Finding food, finding shelter, and maybe a cheap bathhouse location. Depending on the weather or the season, Mira sometimes had to relocate to a different part of Seoul altogether.
Her longest stay at a location was at a mall street. Myeong-dong Shopping Street. It was always busy and Mira can easily merge in the crowds without rousing too much suspicion from the police. She usually keeps to herself anyway. One of her favorite activities she indulges in daily is people watching.
Mira considers herself an expert at it. Sitting down to watch and learn expressions, emotions and social cues from other people as they go about their daily lives has become her favorite sort of entertainment. A hobby.
Mira could just about see everything play out from her spot in the alley. People coming and going from various stores—some are locals, others are tourists from different parts of the world. Store owners advertising their goods out in the open to try and attract customers to street vendors doing the same as they create their delicious delicacies.
Ugh. What Mira wouldn't give to be able to buy some Tteokbokki right now...
Mira shook her head, hugging her knees close to her chest before resting her head on them. Don't think about it.
When was the last time she ate? Two, maybe three days ago? Mira can't remember. All she knew right now is that she needed to distract herself. She turned her head towards the mall street.
It was busy as always. Nothing out of the ordinary. People are coming and going from various stores as they went about their day, and some even dared to look her way if they happened to see her. Mira didn't mind, but if they happened to stare too long for her liking, she'd glare back until they got uncomfortable. That kept them moving.
Onlookers aside, Mira tends to look at her usuals for crowd watching.
There was an old man named Wook. A street vendor. Local. Sweet old man. Loves to cook. His orange-tented cart always has daily special food items on the menu for each day of the week—Kimbap Mondays, Sundae on Tuesdays, Twigim Wednesdays, Gamja Dog Thursdays, Dak-kkochi Fridays, Japchae on Saturdays, and of course Mira's favorite, Tteokbokki. Tteokbokki is considered a national favorite amongst the locals, this food item is always available on any day of the week. Mira considers herself very lucky on that one.
Wook is always busy during lunch rush, but he always moves with the speed of a twenty year old. Must be from experience and years of habitual hard work. Mira usually keeps an eye on his cart for any potential leftovers, but she doesn't dare approach to ask until he's done for the day. Not that she needs to ask. Wook considers Mira a usual 'customer'. One that obviously can't pay, but Wook always asks if she has eaten anything and has no problem giving her something to eat. He would always accompany her meal with some Hotteok for dessert. Again, sweet old man.
Wook loves talking to people. Chatty as a songbird with a pep on his step. Mira always feels a fondness in her chest whenever he talks about his family. His daughter, mainly. Whenever Mira stops by, Wook never fails to comment how similar Mira is to his daughter, and yet there's always a shred of longing in his voice all the same. Mira wonders if Wook keeps in contact with her. Not that Mira has a say in the matter. She had no problem leaving her own family behind—her parents, at least. Whenever the old man felt like he needed some company while feeling nostalgic, Mira was more than happy to lend an ear. It was the least she could do.
Then, there was Giulia. A foreigner from Florence, Italy. An enthusiastic young lady, who is fascinated with Korean culture. Left her homeland to expand her horizons. Her orange-tented cart had Italian cuisine to share and sell to the masses. Mira did not know that Italian street food could be incredibly diverse, with specialties varying by region from savory Cicchetti in Venice to Sicilian Panelle.
Mira was blown away from the smell alone. Giulia's cooking is heaven itself—out of this world, if Mira was allowed to exaggerate. Problem is, Giulia is still learning Korean. Language as well as cuisine. While she has no problems attracting curious tourists to her food cart, she does have some trouble trying to advertise her food to the locals.
That's when Mira—her Dolce Angelo—came along and started giving her Korean lessons for free. Now, Mira doesn't really consider herself an expert. Far from it, but she could at least teach someone the basics on how to get around without encountering any problems. In return, Giulia shares her own language lessons, free meals, and many bathhouse dates. Mira always outright jokes about her hygiene—that she must stink so bad if Giulia was insisting that they should go to the bathhouse every time they meet, but boy Mira couldn't have been more wrong.
This woman had it bad for her. From subtle touches, the free food (no complaints there), the angel endearment, and now their bathhouse dates—to which Mira had to turn down every now and then (as much as she didn't want to). Mira was flattered, but she also didn't want to overstep any boundaries. It's one thing in wanting to help out someone and trying to repay their kindness in some way, but Mira doesn't want to take advantage of her either. Though, she'd be lying if Giulia's honeyed accent hasn't enthralled Mira every now and then. Not to mention Giulia's Lampredotto and sweet Cannolis keep dragging her back...
It was a win-lose situation. Like Wook, Giulia was also a good person, despite her romantic advances.
There was also a skater girl that tends to frequent this mall street during the week. Mostly on weekends. Probably a college student. Mira doesn't outright know her name, but she does have a hunch that the young girl was a foreigner as well. Tends to have a knack of getting into trouble—and apologize profusely—with the policemen that patrol this district. Some days she's wearing roller skates or actually has a skateboard on hand to get to and from destinations. Always wears headphones. Music lover, or so Mira thinks. The girl breaks out into song and often gets distracted that she literally does not pay attention to where she is going or whoever she accidentally bumps into. Mira knows this firsthand because she was a victim of this human hurricane. Her ass felt pavement. Not a good time. Mira felt sore for a whole week.
And lastly, the other person that Mira usually sees on a regular basis is actually an acquaintance of hers. Mira can easily spot her hair color right away in a crowd. Purple. With a long ass braid that probably reaches down to her ankles—much longer than Mira's own. It was pretty impressive. Mira can only imagine how long it would be outside its restraint. Overtime, Mira learned that her name was Ryu Rumi. She's a local and a college student.
Rumi is still figuring out what she wants to do for a live-long career, which is crazy because the girl has already earned her Associates AND was on her way to getting her Bachelor's degree, but Mira won't judge. Rumi almost always has her nose stuck in a book. Mostly pertaining to plants rather than law more often than not—quite the subject jump, but again, Mira won't judge.
Before they got acquainted, Mira would often be caught staring some days, but she would always avert her gaze just as quickly before Rumi could even think of confronting her. Rumi would genuinely think that maybe Mira was staring past her or something, but later felt that Mira really was staring at her. Coincidentally, they always accidentally make eye contact whenever Rumi happens to have food. Eventually, Rumi surprises Mira one day with some food on hand. Kimbap, her favorite. She had about three on hand.
Mira remembers because the girl seemed rather reluctant to approach let alone share her bountiful snack. Turns out, Rumi didn't even bother eating breakfast that day. Too nervous about a test, or so the Princess claimed. Mira recalls how loudly the beast (Rumi's stomach) made itself known, which only made Mira chuckle and offered her half of her Kimbap despite Rumi's insistence.
Since then they have made friendly waves at each other from that day on. Rumi would swing by with some food, but she didn't want to overstay her welcome. Likewise, Mira didn't want to be too expectant that Rumi will always come by, but she does enjoy the company deep down.
Their routine became like that. Smiles and waves, food dates, and Rumi and Mira would eat and do some small talk together.
Their days became like that until skater girl came along about a month later. As always, that girl came like a hurricane...
Mira, as always, was sitting in her usual spot in the alley. Rumi was sitting on a bench with a book on hand, or at least she was until skater girl, who was blissfully listening to music on her headphones, came along and just as suddenly tripped over her own two feet. From Mira's spot it was rather comical to watch. Luckily, the girl's fall was prevented on time thanks to Rumi's quick reflexes. Rumi had dropped her book in the blink of an eye to come to the rescue. It was pretty impressive to watch.
Now, Mira was no expert, but she does know when someone has the look when they instantly fall for someone. No pun intended in this case.
Skater Girl was completely lovestruck, paralyzed and wide eyed in her savior's arms. Her entire face was beet red. From her neck all the way up to the tips of her ears. It was cute. Whether or not Rumi noticed the look was a whole matter entirely. Rumi helped her stand, and asked Skater Girl if she's okay. Skater Girl frantically nodded her head because she was too flustered to say anything to a pretty girl.
Mira was amused watching all of this from afar, and a tad frustrated that Rumi hadn't noticed her sudden admirer. Instead Rumi smiled—her smile had no right to be so bright, so charming while saying that she was glad that Skater Girl wasn't injured. Clearly, Rumi's smile had an effect on Skater girl, who could barely mumble out a sentence. If the girl's head was a balloon, Mira was sure that it would swell and pop from the pressure.
And then something surprising happened...
Mira expected the two women to go their separate ways and go about their day, doubly so since Rumi was apparently dense, but then Skater Girl had a nervous but determined look on her face. The girl's face was less red than before, abruptly asking Rumi something.
Now it was Rumi's turn to be a blushing mess, her face red as a tomato to the point where she actually looked at Mira for some help. Mira from her spot in the alley only gave Rumi a thumbs up in approval. Rumi's eyes widened, slowly replying while still looking at Mira, who couldn't help but chuckle at seeing her reaction.
Excited (not knowing the exchange that had occurred), Skater Girl took Rumi's answer as an invitation to hook her arm with hers. She then picked up Rumi's textbook from the ground and led her savior away further down the street, away from Mira's line of sight.
Mira smiled. She was happy for them, especially for Rumi. That bookworm deserved someone special, and deserved a well earned break too. As for Skater Girl... Mira may not know her personally, but she can definitely respect the girl's moxie. If Mira was more well put together, she'd probably ask one of them out on a date.
A low chuckle left her. As if...
...But that was, what? Two years ago?
I can't remember. It's been so long since I've last seen them... Mira struggled to keep her eyes open. She was so tired. Everything hurts.
Mira groaned, straightening her posture and stretching her back before settling down on her left side. Folding her arm to cushion her head, Mira closes her eyes once more. The sound of a bustling crowd in mall street was a comfortable background noise. Feels a little less lonely.
...Tomorrow's another day.
I gotta move on tomorrow.
Find a good spot for a shelter before Winter comes.
To further reiterate her to-do's, Mira shivered against the cold breeze. She further curled into herself as much as she could to keep herself warm. Need clothes. What I have is no longer enough.
Her clothes are all tattered and worn. A black cap, sweatshirt, sweatpants, and a pair of white tennis shoes that have seen better days. The soles were long gone with tape barely holding together on what's left.
Mira hummed in wonder. Holding on. How long will she keep it together? How long until...
...No. None of that. Mira decided. Tomorrow is another day.
The lone vagabond slept, but she did not dare dream.