In Taehyung's memory, his childhood was deeply entwined with a person called Jungkook. All his recollection of those years was marked by his name and presence.
So what happened next?
What happened next...
In the sixth year of primary school, Taehyung and Jungkook faced the dilemma of choosing their secondary school. Lake City was a metropolis with a population of ten million people. It had numerous secondary schools but only two that were of a better caliber. One was Lake City High School while the other was Flower West Secondary School. Both schools had their strengths and every year, countless parents would crack their brain trying to send their children into these two schools.
Out of the two, Flower West Secondary School had better co-curricular activities and programs. They also had the best ice skating team in the entire city. Taehyung and Jungkook promised to attend Flower West Secondary School together. Taehyung had won a prize for speed skating before. Even if he did not do that well for his secondary school entrance exams, he should still be able to get in. As for Jungkook, he had even less to worry about. Based on his results alone, he was someone that both schools were fighting to enroll.
During the summer break after primary school graduation, Taehyung was especially happy. This was because his grandpa finally brought him to Disneyland.
Even though he did not manage to become the class's top scorer even once throughout the six years of primary school, his grandpa realized that he was not getting any younger and had limited years left. What if the day that Taehyung becomes the top scorer never came... It was simply best to go to avoid any lifelong regrets.
During the same summer break, Jungkook went to an overseas training camp. There was no news from him for two months straight.
School started in September and Taehyung officially became a secondary school student. He changed into his new uniform, new school bag, and stationery, and took a half-hour journey on the subway before finally reaching his new school.
Principal Kim was worried about Taehyung and tagged along as well.
The father and son duo stood in front of the bulletin board, their neck stretched out to scrutinize the class lists. Their gestures were similar and anyone could tell with a glance that they were related.
Only the two of them were still looking at the bulletin board.
The security guard reminded them kindly, "The class assignments can be checked online."
Principal Kim nodded his head. "Thanks. I know, I'm just taking a look... Found it?" The latter part of the sentence was directed at Taehyung.
Taehyung shook his head. "No."
He was looking for Jungkook.
Principal Kim said, "Could it be that he's not at this school?"
"That can't be!"
"Alright, alright. We'll slowly look through the list again."
After looking through again, there was still nothing.
Principal Kim saw that Taehyung looked upset and comforted him, "Head over to class first. I'll give Jungkook's family a call to ask."
After persuading his son to leave, Principal Kim called Jungkook's mother.
"Hello, Principal Kim? Has Taehyung gone to school?"
"He's already there. What about Jungkook?"
"Jungkook is also already there. What class is Taehyung at? I didn't see you two when I brought Jungkook to report for school earlier."
"Taehyung is in Class 1. What about Jungkook?"
At this, Mrs. Jeon laughed, "Jungkook is also in Class 1. It seems that they're destined to be classmates. How about we ask the teacher to arrange it so that they can be deskmates again?"
Principal Kim sensed something amiss. "Wait, wait a minute. Jungkook is at Flower West Secondary right?"
"Eh, what Flower West Secondary? Didn't Taehyung say that he wanted to go to Lake City High? Jungkook said both of them promised to attend Lake City High together."
"......"
Principal Kim has figured out what happened. That silly lass of his...
To prevent his son from feeling too miserable, Principal Kim spun a story. When fetching Taehyung from school in the afternoon, he hurriedly told him his seamless lie, "Jungkook originally planned to attend Flower West Secondary. However, Lake City High was eager to secure excellent students. They offered his parents 100,000 won and they agreed to enroll him there. Jungkook was too embarrassed to tell you. This is meant to be a secret. Just pretend you don't know anything, got it?"
Taehyung was able to accept how this unfolded. He said, "I didn't know Jungkook was this valuable. What about me? If I go to Lake City High, how much would they give me?"
"You're the type that belongs to massive clearance sales at the end of each season. Barely valuable at all. Spare me the trouble and obediently remain at Flower West Secondary."
"Humph." Taehyung puffed out his cheeks.
Looking at Taehyung, Principal Kim thought, my precious son, is adorable even when angry. He wondered which bastard was lucky enough to marry him in the future and grew melancholic at this thought.
......
Even though Principal Kim understood Jungkook's desire to free himself from Taehyung, he was unable to forgive this lad for deceiving him. At the same time, Principal Kim thought that since Jungkook disdained his son, there was no need for Taehyung to keep in touch with this kind of person either. After all, one should not treat an unappreciative person so warmly.
Hence, Principal Kim blacklisted Jungkook's home number.
Taehyung went home and called Jungkook but his call did not go through. He asked his father why.
"Jungkook is staying in school. They canceled their home line since there's no need for it. Who still uses telephone anyway, everyone's using handphones these days."
"Oh."
Afterward, Taehyung wrote a few letters to Jungkook but he did not receive any response at all. His enthusiasm for contacting him gradually cooled as well.
Therefore, whenever anyone asked him "what happened next", his only reply was—there was no next.
His father said, in life, everyone has their own path to walk. Sometimes, you may find yourself getting close to another person and create beautiful memories together. However, as you wander on and on, it's just as likely that you find yourself wandering off from that person.
The regret you feel is simply a result of you being unaccustomed to this.
But it's alright, take it slow. Don't stop moving and you will meet new people. New laughter and joy will appear again to brighten up your world.
As for the ones that you've wandered off from, let them live in your memories. Just like old photos in a photo album, you can casually take them out to have a look once in a while when you're free. When you're done, simply put them back and resume what you were doing before.
In Flower West Secondary School, Taehyung made new friends and led a new life. Throughout the six years of secondary school, he did not see Jungkook even once.
He thought that he would never see him again in this lifetime.