Chapter 6 : September 1st
843 Words
JAE'S POV
The phone screen glowed in the dark dorm. I sent the photo. Me, in a practice room, hoodie too big. “Ironman is in Seoul right now.”
The reply came fast. “What are you doing there?”
I typed back, smiling to myself. “Well, working for our future.”
“...You sounds like my big bro.”
I laughed quietly. We kept texting. Even on days my legs were shaking from dance practice, even when my voice was gone — I always found time for her.
One night. Books spread on the floor. English homework I didn’t understand.
“What’s up, Maknae.” Jinwoo-hyung’s voice. Warm. Familiar. Like coming home.
“Oh, this is English subject. Let me help you,” He sat beside me. Explained everything slowly. Made sure I got it.
I stared at his dimples when he smiled.
They were the same. The almond eyes. The face shape. They could pass as siblings.
He was smart. Always had a book. And whenever he came back from outside, there’d be a cold banana milk in my hand.
He took care of me like I was his.
“...little superstar?”
His voice dropped. Phone to his ear.
“Shhh Oppa, Appa might hear you.”
A little girl. Soft. He was pouting. “Can I hear my princess sing now?”
“Again? You know how nervous I am when I auditioned, right? I swore from that time, I won't do it again.”
“But you did so well! BigHit even wants you to go back once you reached 12.”
His eyes flicked to me.
“Wait? I want you to meet our Maknae. He also sang IU's Lost Child like you when he auditioned...”
My breath caught.
“Really?....Wait, Appa is calling.”
“Bye, Oppa!”
“Bye, lil sis!”
The call ended. And I was left with a strange ache in my chest.
M! Countdown. Lights too bright. Hands shaking. I was 15. I did it. For her.
After, my phone buzzed. “Congrats, Jj! You were so great and handsome there.” I screenshot it. Made it my wallpaper.
“I wish she was with me.” But her dad was home. He didn’t like her missing school.
September 1st. Busan.
Balloons. Cake. I left the party. Ran to the station. Waited in a dark corner until my mom found me. No texts. No calls.
That was the last time. September 1st was supposed to be ours.
It became the day I lost her.
Did she find a new friend?
It’s exhausting, waiting for nothing.
She doesn’t remember me.
Her one and only Ironman.
[PRESENT]
Cold metal in my pocket.
I pulled out the necklace. Held it out to Jinwoo-hyung. “I found this in the dressing room. I think it’s your younger sister’s.”
His face fell apart. “This is from Mom. She gave it to me... but I passed it to Aram after we got in an accident. Because of me.” He dropped to his knees. The word accident hit me like a fist.
He opened the heart pendant. A little girl’s face. Chubby cheeks. Dimples.
Theo lunged.
“This is Ddukbol!” His voice shook.
“I’m sure. She’s my childhood friend in Daegu.”
Silence.
Jinwoo took it back. Quiet.
“What are you talking about? It’s Mom’s childhood picture.”
We all exhaled. Except Theo.
“Your mom? She’s cute,” Yojin said softly.
“Yeah. She looks like Aram when she was still tiny... Everyone loved her. Those fluffy dimpled cheeks... like an angel’s kiss... But it all got ruined. Because of me.”
No one had ever seen him like this. Not our big bro. They hugged him.
Junseo whispered, “It’s never your fault! Aram would never blame you...”
Before I could think — “Why do you think it’s your fault?” All eyes on me. I wasn’t sure why I asked. I just needed to know.
“I drove with her... we got in an accident... Her brain was bleeding... Appa didn’t want me to call him Appa anymore...”
“I’m not mad at him. He’s right. I caused the accident...”
Yohan spoke after. “You still proved what it means to be a brother... You cope with everything by writing it down...”
Everyone nodded. But I stayed quiet.
I want to know more. But I can’t.
Not if I’m assuming Aram is my childhood best friend. That would be... very difficult.
- Writer
