Chapter Text
(YJH POV)
Deja Vu. A sense, or a feeling that you’re familiar with something or someone despite never meeting them.
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[End Livestream]
I pressed ‘end livestream’ quickly, then turned my chair around to face the balcony door. The curtains swung back and forth, as freezing gushes of wind violently broke in. Rain? In the middle of summer?
I stood up in a swift motion.
Stepping onto my balcony, I could already tell it was a bleak afternoon. The sky was painted with a muted blue and the clouds dark gray. The heavy rain accompanied by thunder filtered out every bit of noise. Why did I bother coming out? I already memorized this bleak view, nothing has changed.
Was I expecting something?
I took a few steps closer to the black railing, settling my arms onto them to feel the cold drops of rain splatter onto my arms one by one. Slowly, dazing off to the symphonic splatters, I closed my eyes.
Pitter-patter.
Pitter-patter.
Pitter-patter.
“You’re going to fall off.”
…
..Who?
My eyes burst wide open, it was a voice so clear it was able to cut through the raging storm's noise and grace my ears.
It was against my own comfort yet at the same time like instinct that I immediately turned my head towards the mysterious figure on the opposite balcony.
In the balcony across from me was a pale man dressed in a simple black dress shirt and a white coat layered on top. His slim figure effortlessly leaned against the black railings and in his hand, a smartphone was opened with its screen light gently shining onto his face. Even then, his face was difficult to decipher.
…He was beauti–I came back to my senses and reluctantly opened my mouth, “Who?” I pushed myself off the railings. My brows furrowed, and I clenched my fists slightly.
I could already sense this one would be nosy. Damn, he’ll probably just give me a hard time.
Then he waved his hand, and a cheeky smile spread across his face. Who does he think he is? I should just go back in. I should.
“Hi.”
….
“I’m Kim Dokja, we’re neighbors.”
I squinted my eyes. Get to the point already.
Kim Dokja's gaze was fixed onto me, as if he expected me to say something.
The dreadful cold of this balcony paled in the comfort offered by the warmth of my bedroom. So why did I continue indulging this stranger? It irritated me that I couldn’t answer my own question, but I couldn’t bring myself to walk away either.
“Yoo Junghyeok,” I spoke harshly.
“And that’s supposed to be?”
I was almost offended by his reply, but more importantly, I took time to consider even replying to him and he seemed to be teasing me.
“Is it not obvious?”
“No, sorry. What could it be?” Kim Dokja spoke in a lighthearted manner.
This bastard. What else could it possibly be?
I turned my head away and took a step closer to the door of my balcony, suddenly his calm voice erupted with some urgency.
“No wait–of course, it’s your name.”
I turned back right away, a smirk was fighting to appear on my lips.
“Do you enjoy making a fool of people?”
“What do you mean?”
“No, instead, are you a fool?”
Silence commenced after I said that. Fuck. For a moment I actually felt regretful, but then laughter erupted from that man.
Kim Dokja laughed, and I could see him swaying side to side from being humoured from what I said.
He replied to me calmly, his voice cracking here and there from his laughing fit: “Aren’t you rude? Slept on the wrong side of the bed?”
He continued, “For the record, Yoo Junghyeok-ssi, I think there’s no harm in getting to know people–”
Why should I listen to you?
“--Especially if they’re your neighbors.”
I was certain that I had been annoyed beyond what I was capable of tolerating, yet I stayed.
“What do you want to know then?” Though disinclined, I asked anyway.
“Ah, have you finally warmed up?”
I crossed my arms, “Do you want to talk or not?”
He was smiling while he spoke, “Are you good at anything? Hobbies?”
For some reason, I was taken back. I had expected a serious and urgent question yet I was met with an almost childish one. I was sure now, this man really was a fool.
And perhaps I was the most foolish one for speaking to him.
“I’m good at cooking.”
“Cooking?” He spoke in disbelief.
“Are you doubting me?”
“No, no of course not. You totally look like you’d spend hours perfecting a dish.”
Hah, mocking me again?
Then, I let out a chuckle. I let out a chuckle? Unbelievable..
“Did you laugh?” He replied, a tinge of proudness could be heard in his voice.
“You must be hearing things, and yes, I can definitely cook better than any of the chefs you see in the media.”
“Someones confident.”
“It is a fact.” I spoke shamelessly,
“You should cook me something and change my mind then.”
I sighed, raising an eyebrow. “And waste my time in doing so? Don’t bother.”
He didn’t say anything, I figured he had a grin across his face, but the rain was getting in the way of my vision. In the way of his features.
I raised my voice, “What do you like doing?”
“I like to read.” Kim Dokja said without hesitation.
“..Read huh? Then you have a fitting name.”
He chuckled, again, “That isn’t what my name is supposed to mean. Originally anyway.”
Do all people appear this lighthearted? Kim Dokja smiled, laughed and chuckled so effortlessly.
Before I could reply, he called my name out.
“Yoo Junghyeok-ssi?”
What is it?
It caught me off guard completely.
“I’m heading back in, have a good evening.”
What? Wait.
“Wait.” I spoke hastily, “I’ll think about it.”
“About?”
“Cooking you food.”
It was an impulsive decision, a waste of my time and a nuisance to deal with. I still said it despite everything.
He let out a final chuckle, “I’m looking forward to it.”
With that, his figure slowly disappeared into his door. The rain that day got louder, and thunder erupted rapidly.
I stood there, trying to process what just happened.
Kim Dokja.
I said it in my mind, and eventually said it out loud.
“Kim Dokja.” I muttered to myself, the name rolled off my tongue so naturally. Was it that his name was simply an attractive one? I couldn’t conjure anything to answer this odd familiarity.
That night, in bed–his voice replayed in my head and lulled me to sleep faster than any pill could.
Kim Dokja, who are you?
-- to be continued !