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The sound of metal continuously tapping against the wooden beams of the balcony woke Ko Neung up from his peaceful slumber. Sleepily, he rubbed his eyes and walked over toward the noise. There laid a tin can attached to a string which was being pulled on the other end, Ko Neung’s eyes followed the string to see his neighbour Ko Song standing at his room window holding his own tin on the other end.
Ko Neung picks up the can and stares at Ko Song in confusion. Ko Song raises his hand and gestures for Ko Neung to raise the tin can to his ears. So he does.
Ko Song moves his tin can to his mouth and talks through it. The sound waves flowed across the string which allowed Ko Neung to hear every word through his end of the tin can phone.
Ko Song : You said you couldn’t hear me when I shouted yesterday. Is this better? Can you hear me?
Ko Neung : Yeah, I can. It’s like receiving free phone calls.
Ko Song : Use this whenever you want to talk to me. Okay?
Ko Neung : Okay, you can use this to wake me up in the morning too. I’ll sleep with it next to my ear!
Ko Song smiles and offers a small nod in agreement toward Ko Neung.
-
It was early in the morning, the fresh air felt sticky and humid as though it had rained last night. Ko Neung was still fast asleep in his bedroom, the tin can phone rested on his pillow, placed right next to his ear.
Ko Song : Sommmm, wake up…
Ko Song tugs at the string in hopes that Ko Neung would finally wake up. School was about to start soon and Ko Song wanted to be there on time. He takes school seriously, unlike the sleeping boy who refuses to wake up.
Ko Song : School’s going to start soooooon.
Still no reply from Ko Neung. Ko Song lets out a sigh.
Ko Song : If you wake up now, I’ll bring extra oranges for you to eat…
Ko Neung : Hmm, did I hear oranges?
Ko Song : Finally!
-
Ever since Ko Song made the tin can phone, communication between these neighbors have been made easier. Rather than having to shout from balcony to window, a simple tug on the string will suffice. Especially when someone gets hungry at night…
Ko Neung tugs at the string which catches Ko Song’s attention. He immediately lifts the tin to his ear.
Ko Neung : Ko! What are you doing?
Ko Song : Homework… Why?
Ko Nueng : Let’s eat! Please, I'm hungry…
Ko Song : Fine.. Only if I get to choose the place…
Ko Neung : Okay! Meet you outside my house in 5 minutes.
-
If Ko Neung had a choice, he would rather read comics and play games all day long over doing homework. Luckily for him, his partner for his homework actually enjoys studying..
Ko Neung : Ko Songggg….
He whines and pulls the tin.
Ko Song : Yes somm?
Ko Neung : What’s the answer for question 3?
Ko Song : 53.96
Ko Neung : Huhhhh? I got -93… Ko Songgg, I give up…
Ko Song looks up into Ko Neung's window and sees how distraught he looks. He had his head in his hands, rubbing back and forth trying to release the tension in his mind.
Ko Song : Somm, it’s okay, don’t stress about it. I’ll teach you how to do it tomorrow, hm?
Ko Neung’s head immediately shoots up to meet Ko Song's round eyes from across the windows. The light breeze from the evening sky hitting their faces.
Ko Neung : Thank you Ko Song...
-
On some days when the sky is gloomy and gray, Ko Song tends to feel lonely. Ever since he was a child, his parents were barely home which left him alone with his books. It was around dinner time when Ko Song sat at his study table, pulling out his homework from his school bag to complete. The boy let out a little sigh, stomach rumbling in hunger as he flipped the book to the correct page to start writing.
On the balcony opposite his house was Ko Neung. Eyebrows furrowed slightly in worry as he observed the look on Ko Song’s face from afar. He picks up the tin can phone and tugs on the string.
Ko Neung : Ko Songgg.. Are you okay?
Ko Song : I’m okay som. Why?
Ko Neung could sense that he was lying based on the tone of his voice. His once cheerful and teasing tone now sounds quiet and flat.
Ko Neung : Are your parents home?
Ko Song : No they aren’t, it’s really quiet here.
Ko Neung saw the way his eyes lost their sparkle. For someone who tried his best to hide all his feelings, Ko Song’s face really showed it all. The way his eyes were slowly turning red, sweat rolling down the side of his face. Eyebrows furrowed slightly and lips in a little pout.
Ko Neung : Hey, why don't you come over? Mom cooked a lot for dinner. Dad and I can't finish it all…
Ko Song : Are you sure? I don't want to be rude.
Ko Neung : You could never. We want you here.
What Ko Neung really wanted to say was ‘I want you here.’
-
After everyone went home from their group study for their upcoming final exams Well, attempted group study. August was reading manga the whole time, Augar kept thinking about his three-pointer basketball shot that he landed perfectly. Ko Neung was busy eating the oranges that were given to him, putting the peel on his head like a little cap. Achi and Ko Song were the only ones who actually learned something from their ‘study session.’
Ko Neung dimmed the lights in his room, ready to sleep after a long day. Before he sits on the bed, he makes a pit stop to say goodnight to the other Ko in the house beside him. He lightly pulls on the tin can string, alerting Ko Song.
Ko Neung : Ko… aren't you gonna sleep?
Ko Neung sees Ko Song taking out his books from under his desk and clicking his pen.
Ko Song : Maybe after this question. I thought of how to solve it just now!
Ko Song puts the tin can phone down to write his answers on the paper before his train of thought disappears. His fluffy hair covers the front of his eyes when he looks down at the paper beneath him. Tongue sticking out the side of his mouth in concentration, glasses sitting high up on his face.
He looks good. Too good.
Ko Neung sits down at his desk and rests his chin on the palm of his hand. Admiring the studious boy in front of him. His heart skips a small beat when he sees Ko Song run a hand through his hair to push it out of his eyes, a smile slowly growing on his face. Cheeks turning a light pinkish hue. He wonders what it would be like if he was in the room with Ko Song. Would they be studying for the exam or doing something else?
Ko Neung : Goodnight Ko, pick me up before school tomorrow! Don’t forget to bring the oranges.
-
Ko Song is nowhere to be found. His room lights have not turned on in 2 days and everyone was starting to worry. After their final year examinations, Ko Song hasn't contacted anyone. Every night Ko Neung waits and waits, hoping that Ko Song would open his room door and pick up the tin can and say something.
“P’Ko, he will come back soon” Augar, August and Achi tried to comfort Ko Neung but their words can only do so much. The three boys noticed that Ko Neung has been acting weird ever since Ko Song disappeared. Ko Song has always been a private person but they didn't think he would just leave them alone, especially after their friendship as a group has been strengthening.
Up in his room, Ko Neung lays in bed trying to read his manga but his mind keeps drifting back to the absent boy in the house beside. “When will he come back?” Ko Neung whispers out loud to himself. Rubbing his forehead in worry. He hasn't felt this way before about anyone, it's a foreign sensation which makes him feel uneasy. He puts his palm on his chest and holds it there while he stands up and makes his way over to his desk. Once there, he drops his hand and picks up the tin can.
Ko Neung : Ko…
He calls out, hoping to get a reply. He slowly blinks, eyes welling up with hot tears.
Ko Neung : Ko, where are you?
He lets the tears run down his pink cheeks.
Ko Neung : Ko, I want oranges.
Ko Neung : Please… Can you send me some?
Sighing, he moves the can to his ears.
Nothing.
-
Ko Neung finally manages to drift off to sleep. Not a peaceful sleep. Just sleep. Even when unconscious, his mind plays the voice of Ko Song speaking to him.
Ko Song : Somm. Wake up, I'm homee.
Ko Song : Ko Neung! Can you hear meee?
Ko Song : I have oranges for you.
His voice sounded so realistic and clear, almost like he was speaking right into Ko Neung’s ears. He stirred in bed, rubbing his eyes from the lack of sleep he got. Gaining consciousness, he looked to his side where a tapping noise was coming from. The tin can phone. The string was being tugged rapidly.
Ko Song was back.
Ko Neung immediately raised the tin can to his ears. His heart raced away in his chest.
Ko Song : Did you miss me, som?