West: The Sun From Another Star

The water was just the right temperature for my skin, and the music playing in the background blended with a gentle, subtle fragrance. I leaned back against the edge of the bathtub, relaxing after being out for only half a day but feeling indescribably tired.

 

At first, I felt comfortable living with North until I went out to dinner with the neighbour and North. From those initial awkward feelings, things became complicated and now feel heavy and burdensome.

 

I can never forget the moment I was sitting behind him on his motorbike, when he insisted I hug him tightly if I wanted him to slow down. In that situation, I had no choice but to hug him tightly, and I'm sure it wasn't my voluntary act.

 

It's probably hard to consider that normal. He might just be teasing, but I can't imagine what's so funny about teasing someone like me. Or maybe he really wants me to hug him? But why would he want me to hug him? Is it because it feels good?

 

Perhaps it's because Ter and Mew often like to hug or hold hands, so I'm quite used to some level of intimate contact. But obviously, having to hug someone I'm not close to, like my neighbour, is a very strange experience for me.

 

Humans are warm-blooded animals, so their bodies need to maintain a warm temperature. He was no exception. I remember that when I hugged him, he wasn't as soft as Ter or Mew, but hugging him felt incredibly safe. That's for sure, because he was my only anchor, preventing me from falling off the motorcycle.

 

Since I never thought of myself as interesting, I didn't think he could be interested in me either. But suppose… suppose that were the case, I have to say frankly that I wouldn't want that to happen. If he likes or is interested in me, he should spend his time on other things.

 

But never mind, it's okay. As long as there's no trouble, that's fine. I gently rubbed the bruise on my neck with hot water, hoping it would fade. Thinking about it, it might have been my neighbour's doing, because we've always lived peacefully with the ghost in the room. If it were really his fault, he'd be infuriating. I tried to get him to stay overnight, and he ended up harming the room owner. What a mean person!

 

After soaking in the water for long enough, I got out of the tub and looked in the mirror to check the wound on my neck; it had faded considerably. I got ready to dress properly before leaving the bathroom. I checked my phone to see if Mew had replied to my message because I had just asked if I could ask him to give Uncle Jeon a ride home, since I only have a motorbike, and it probably wouldn't be very convenient. But the message was sent, and Mew still hadn't read it.

 

I sat down at my desk and started preparing for my new job. After working for a while, I heard a knock on the door. I took off my headphones and went to the peephole to look out. I saw my neighbour standing on the other side of the door.

 

"What's wrong?" I asked without opening the door.

 

"Open the door."

 

"Is something wrong?"

 

"Nothing," he replied calmly, "I just wanted to be by your side."

 

"I don't want to," I replied softly, backing away from the door, intending to return to my seat. But I stopped short when I heard a voice from the other side.

 

"I might break down the door."

 

"At least leave a trace."

 

I sighed unconsciously and reluctantly stepped back to open the door. But before I could react, his arm reached out and blocked the door, preventing me from closing it again, then he pushed himself into the room. He took off his flip-flops, neatly placed them to one side, and walked straight in. His relaxed appearance—a black t-shirt, sweatpants, flip-flops, and a backpack slung casually over one shoulder—was a stark contrast to the image he had just presented. He dropped his backpack next to the sofa, not far from my desk.

 

"What are you doing?"

 

"Work," I replied.

 

"YES."

 

"So, what's the matter?" I asked again in my usual calm tone, watching him sit down on the sofa and take documents out of his bag.

 

"I already said that, didn't I?" He replied casually, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. The phrase "I already said that, didn't I?" meant he had already said he wanted to be with me.

 

"What are you doing standing next to me?"

 

"Well, I just want to stay here, so what? I won't bother you. I have to study too," he said, shaking the paper in his hand to show me.

 

"Why aren't you in your room?"

 

"I told you I wanted to be by your side."

 

“…” I secretly sighed in frustration. No matter what I said, it would be useless, so I just let him do whatever he wants, as long as he doesn't bother me.

 

I sat down at my desk and focused on the computer screen again.

 

"Oh, let me ask this first."

 

"YES."

 

"How's my painting coming along?"

 

"Is it urgent?"

 

"It's not that urgent," he replied, shrugging.

 

"Then let me come next week."

 

"Okay."

 

I put on my headphones and turned on the rain sound to enhance my concentration at work. After a while, I started to feel tired, so I moved a little. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of the intruder lying sprawled on the sofa, wearing headphones and comfortably reading documents.

 

I returned to focusing on my work until I realised it was 9 PM. I got up from my desk, thinking it was time to rest my eyes, only to find the person on the sofa had fallen asleep. Why would they sleep on someone else's sofa? Why didn't they go back to their own bed?

Does he want to be by my side? And yet he dared to threaten to break down the door? And of course, I believe he would actually do it if I didn't open the door for him. Even though I didn't really want to, there was already someone else lying on the sofa in my room.

 

I stepped onto the balcony for some fresh air and dialled North's number. Soon, a voice answered, sounding particularly excited.

 

(Oh! What's wrong? How are things?)

"Why are you asking me how I am?"

 

(Oh… Um, nothing, just ignore it. Is there anything wrong?)

"My neighbour is staying at my place."

 

(What did he do???)

 

"North, you're getting too excited," I said, because the voice on the other end sounded unnaturally excited, as if they were waiting for something.

 

(No, that's not it! Tell me, quickly!)

"He's asleep on my sofa."

 

(Oh, wow! Why are you sleeping there?)

"I heard you want to be with someone."

 

(...Wow, wow, that's outrageous! And then what?)

"Nothing, I just wanted to ask how to get him out of my room?"

 

(Oh, you don't want him to stay?)

"...That's a strange question," I frowned slightly. "Why would I want it?"

 

(Oh, right. That's so sad.) North sighed heavily. (Then wake him up and kick him out!)

"I feel like that probably won't work."

 

(Why so?)

"Initially, I refused to open the door for him, and he threatened to break it down."

 

(Sigh... my god, this guy is really crazy.) The voice sounded helpless, "I shouldn't have said 'do whatever you want.'"

 

"What?"

(That's the kind of person he is; if he wants to be with you, he absolutely has to be. A complete idiot who doesn't know anything.)

 

"Hmm."

(You're just as cold and aloof as ever.)

 

"So what should I do now?"

(Even at this point, you're still ignoring it? Do you have any awareness at all?)

 

"Hmm?" I raised my eyebrows slightly. "Awareness... well, I guess there's a little bit of it."

 

(Really? Then react to this, please!)

 

"Hmm." That was all I replied, my gaze drifting outside to relax a little after straining my eyes for so long.

 

(Sigh, actually, I thought it would be like this from the beginning.) North said, his voice weary, (But, but listen! I encourage you to open up. I've investigated, and I approve!)

 

"So, North asked his girlfriend about this today because of that?"

 

(That's right! See, you didn't believe me. I introduced you to so many friends; if you had chosen just one, you wouldn't have met someone like him.)

 

"Hmm... really?"

 

(Just kidding! Meeting him would be nice… I guess. Like… well, I don’t really know how to put it. I’m just an outsider.)

 

"So, in short, how do I get him out of my room?"

 

(Accept your fate. The most stubborn and headstrong person in the world is Arthit!)

"Is the job finished?"

 

I heard someone behind me, and I slowly turned around to see the person who had just woken up from the sofa – the one I was talking to North about. He was leaning against the wall, still looking sleepy, and ran his hand through his messy hair before walking closer to me.

 

"I've only just had a short break."

(Is he awake?) North asked over the phone.

 

"Yeah. Well, let's talk later."

(Okay, alright.)

 

I hung up first because talking on the phone when other people are here isn't very polite.

 

"When are you going home?" I turned to ask the person leaning against the railing next to me.

 

"I don't know, maybe I'll go home whenever I want."

 

The atmosphere in the corner of the balcony fell silent again. I turned to go back inside to continue working, but unexpectedly, someone behind me grabbed my wrist. I turned to look at him, my eyes filled with questions. He pulled my hand up and gently touched it to his cheek. I wanted to pull my hand away, but I couldn't fight against his strength.

 

"You're such a... damn it." He said, still holding my hand and not taking his eyes off me, gently pulling my hand to his cheek. I tried to pull my hand away, but I couldn't overpower him. "Actually, I've been thinking, thinking for half an hour before coming to see you, about what I should do."

 

“…”

!!

Before I could react, he suddenly pulled me into an embrace. I panicked and tried to push him away, but as expected, it was no use. I could smell a subtle fragrance along with the warmth emanating from the person opposite me. How could I not smell it this close? I tried my best to push him away, but at such close proximity, I couldn't do anything.

 

"Don't try anymore, it's pointless." His voice sounded triumphant, which made me feel very uncomfortable. He hugged me even tighter, making me feel suffocated. He said that after I had tried to struggle free from his embrace.

 

"Let go, or I'll step on your foot."

 

"Oh, and you're giving me a warning. But go ahead and step on it, you're so small, how could it possibly hurt?"

 

And just as you said, I don't have the strength to hurt you even a little. Clearly, I just did something strenuous, and I intended to go outside for some fresh air and to relax, but now I'm even more exhausted. More than physical exhaustion, it's the feeling of mental weariness.

 

"There, just standing still like this is much better."

"Are you satisfied?"

 

"Not yet."

"Sigh." I let out a big sigh and let things go.

 

"Haha, you're so easygoing."

"Really?"

 

It's not that I can't match his strength...

"Hey, hug me again."

 

"No, I don't want to," I replied. He didn't say anything more, then leaned down close to my head. Although I couldn't see, I felt like I was being kissed on the head. I started to frown and show my displeasure.

 

"Okay, I'll let go," he said before loosening his grip but still holding my wrist tightly. I breathed a sigh of relief, looking up at him with a displeased expression.

 

"Are you angry?"

"Okay, let go. I'm about to go to work."

 

"Aren't you going to ask anything?" he asked suspiciously, raising an eyebrow. "Like, 'Why are you hugging me?'"

 

"I don't want to know at all."

"So, it's okay if anyone hugs you?"

 

"So what?" I replied. "You seem to agree quite a bit then?"

 

"That sounds really serious," he said, still chuckling mischievously. "Don't you like it that much?"

 

"Hmm."

 

"That reaction suits you perfectly." He seemed to be enjoying teasing me or making me unhappy, but all I felt was boredom.

 

"Aren't you going to let go?" I asked, my eyes fixed on his hand, which was still gripping mine tightly, refusing to release no matter how much I struggled.

 

"What if I answer no?"

 

“Follow me.” That’s all I said, then I turned and walked into the room, but the other person still wouldn’t let go of my hand and followed me. I sat down in my office chair.

 

"What are you doing?"

"Work."

 

"And what about your hands?"

"It's also because you wouldn't let go."

 

"Hey, wait a minute, so you're going to ignore the hand I'm holding like this?" He looked surprised, then chuckled softly. I just nodded in response. It was like when I first moved into the room, when Dounut and all the strange sounds like crying in the bathroom, even the sound of someone jumping off a building or a shadow passing by, I just ignored them as long as it didn't bother me.

 

"Um." That's all I replied, then raised my other hand to continue drawing with my pen. I heard someone standing behind me for a moment, then he sat down on the ground beside me, still not letting go of my hand.

 

"Sitting on the ground?"

 

"Well, there's only one chair in this room, and that's the one I'm sitting on. If I give it to you, I'll get very tired."

 

...If only he would let go, he wouldn't have to sit on the ground like this anymore.

 

"So you're ambidextrous?" he asked, pointing to the hand I was drawing with, as he was holding his non-dominant hand.

 

"YES."

 

"That's awesome, kid. Do whatever you want, but are you really going to do this?" he joked playfully. I'd never had the experience of sitting and drawing with someone sitting on the floor next to me and holding my hand like that. "If I don't stop you, it won't be good."

 

“…”

 

"If I gain your favour and then overreact, you'll be in trouble."

 

"Don't do that," I said, my eyes still fixed on the computer screen. "I don't like it."

 

"Don't like holding hands?"

"I don't like him."

 

"It was worth the effort to crack a joke."

 

"That's enough," I said calmly, but it didn't seem to affect the person still playing with my hand. "A waste of time."

 

"You mean what I'm doing?"

"Correct."

 

"What's the point of wasting time? Being with you is really great."

“…”

 

That remark made my hand stop drawing, and I gently turned my chair to face the person sitting next to me.

 

"What's wrong? Why the surprised look on your face?"

 

He asked the question while looking up at me. This angle was also unusual because I had never had to look down at him like that before. I didn't know what to say. He sighed slightly before his expression turned serious.

 

"I like you."

“…”

 

"I don't know why, but I really like you."

 

Silence enveloped the room. I remained silent, still taken aback by the blunt confession I had just heard for the first time.

 

"I'm sorry," I said softly. It was better to refuse clearly, though. "I don't mean anything by it, please don't try."

 

"Impossible."

He replied with an indifferent shrug.

 

"Actually, I knew you'd say that. It might work for others, but it won't work for me."

 

"I feel very awkward."

"Really? Then let's just go ahead and be embarrassed."

 

I looked at him—who was playing with my hand—and wondered what I should say next.

 

"You probably don't do many good deeds, do you? If someone like me likes you, then be prepared because I'm not going to back down."

 

"I will do more charitable work."

"Wait a moment, I'll take you there."

 

"Oh well, it's nothing. He might just be interested because he's never met anyone as strange as you before."

 

"Don't think for me, because I like you and I don't want to scold you."

"Sigh, just leave me alone."

 

"Let me stay with you! People like me are really hard to find. Just think that life will be a little more complicated with me around. I'll try not to do anything you don't like. Just don't chase me away, okay?"

 

"Oh, and that mark on your neck, I made it. Last night I was a bit careless because you smelled so good, so good that I lost control, probably because I was drunk too. But I won't do it again. I felt bad because you seemed to be in pain."

 

"Painful."

 

"Sorry."

 

“…”

 

"Is there anything else you want to object to? If you don't object, then you agree."

"Agree to what?"

"Then let me be with you, what else?"

"Are not."

 

"Why?"

 

"Well, you know..." I said softly, feeling exhausted. No matter what I said, he always had a reason to argue back. North was probably right when he said he was the most difficult person in the world. I'd never met anyone so unwilling to listen.

 

"Is it because of the Khram incident?"

"YES."

 

“…”

"Don't worry, I don't mind that you've had a girlfriend before."

 

"That's not the case."

"So what? Are you afraid I'll hurt you as he did?"

 

I didn't answer, just sighed again, hoping that would help me relax a little. I looked at the screen showing the drawing I hadn't finished.

 

"I've never had a girlfriend, so I don't know what it's like," he said, then gently pulled my hand. "What is it? Turn around and look me in the eyes."

 

"Why do I have to look into his eyes?" I asked, turning to look at him, my gaze meeting his strikingly beautiful dark eyes—eyes so beautiful I'd never noticed before that he had eyes so captivating I'd want to try drawing his portrait.

 

"I need to talk about something important. Are you ready? I've been getting ready since I was in North's room."

 

"Just came back from North's room?"

"Yeah, but that's not the issue. Are you ready to listen?"

 

"Hmm."

 

"I've never had that kind of silly love, and I've never cared about it. If I hadn't met you, I probably would have lived alone until I died. You're the first person I've ever felt this way about. You know, I wanted to stop liking you, but I couldn't. I'm sure I'll never feel this way about anyone else again."

 

"As for you, it's okay if you don't think about me at all. All I want is to be with you."

 

"So, when you have no one..."

"Then let me stay with you."

 

...

 

I listened intently to every word from the first to the last, unconsciously holding my breath. I didn't know how I should feel because all my emotions were mixed together. I was surprised that he thought of me that much, and shocked that it was me. I didn't want to believe it because I never thought I would hear something like that.

 

"Let me ask you something…" He broke the silence before I could say anything.

"What's up?"

 

"Do you feel bad when you're hugged?"

"Bad."

 

"How bad is it?"

"Feeling uncomfortable."

 

"Why so?"

"You're hugging me too tightly."

 

"Okay, I'll go easy on you next time," he said. "Give me a chance. I'm not that jerk; don't use that to judge me. You don't have anyone else anyway, just let me be with you for a while."

 

"Then you'll be the one who's heartbroken."

"Why? Are you saying that no matter what, you'll never like me?"

 

"What if I said that?"

"As I said, you can think whatever you want, but I think you'll like me."

 

"...Sigh."

"That sigh means you've given up, right?"

 

"I'm too tired, I don't want to argue anymore."

"Okay," he said cheerfully, "So, it's a deal then. Oh, and I have a request."

 

"What is the request?"

"There can't be anyone else... absolutely not. Because you said you'd never have anyone, so don't tell me you don't have anyone and then end up with a girlfriend and abandon me like a dog. I won't accept that."

 

Before I could say anything, the person sitting next to me suddenly stood up and let go of my hand. Because he had held my hand for so long, it felt burning hot. He stood in front of me, bent down, and gently kissed my forehead before leaving.

 

"Excuse me for a moment," he said with a satisfied smile. "I have to leave now." He went to get his things from the sofa and left the room. When I heard the door close, I thought I had time to catch my breath, but suddenly I heard it open again.

 

"Oh, don't put too much pressure on yourself. You can take your time liking me, I'm not in a hurry."

“…”