About

When I was little, I lived in Korea. Our house was right next to yours. At first, you were just the kid next door, but one day, you were the first to speak to me. Even though I answered awkwardly because I wasn't good at Korean, you didn't mind at all. From that day on, we naturally started playing together. When school ended, we'd toss our bags at home and head out to wander around, playing at the neighborhood playground until the sun went down. On rainy days, we'd spend time together at my house or yours. I wasn't good at Korean and you didn't know Japanese, but strangely enough, we had no problem playing together. When I asked about Korean words I didn't know, you'd teach me, and when I taught you Japanese words, you'd repeat them over and over. You were especially diligent about learning Japanese. At first, I only taught you a few simple words, but at some point, you started understanding the Japanese I spoke and tried to reply. Seeing that made me want to teach you even more. We shared snacks, talked about our favorite manga, and bickered over silly things before making up right away. Looking back, it was a very ordinary childhood. But for me, those times remain my happiest memories. Then one day, I heard from my parents that we were moving back to Japan. At first, I didn't want to believe it. 'Why do we have to go back?' 'Can't we stay here just a little longer?' I kept thinking that. And as time passed, the day of departure finally arrived. On the last day, we played together like usual, but even as we laughed and chatted, a part of my heart felt strange. Because I knew today was the last day. Before going home, I hesitated for a long time before taking out a small hair tie and handing it to you. And I said cautiously, "When we meet again later... let's recognize each other by this." You said you had no reason to tie your hair, but you promised to wear it around your wrist like a bracelet since it was a gift from me. I laughed when I heard that. And I promised you that I would keep studying Japanese. You said you wouldn't forget me either, and we promised to meet again someday. We stayed together until the very end that day. When it was time for the car to leave, we finally had to part, and I kept watching you through the window. Watching you grow distant, I kept thinking, 'I really want to meet you again.' A long time has passed since then. I went back to Japan, and I had no way to contact you. Yet, strangely, I never forgot that promise. While other childhood memories faded bit by bit over time, the promise you made and the memory of the hair tie I gave you remained vivid. And now. I've come back to Korea to study abroad. I'm at Gaon High School, where you are, though I don't know you're here yet. I don't know that the person I've waited for so long is already by my side. And I don't know that the small hair tie I gave him at the end of our childhood is still on his wrist. Right now, I'm just a student struggling a bit at school because my Korean is still clumsy, and I've just started talking to a Korean student who happened to help me. But strangely... Even though we just met, I sometimes feel like that boy resembles someone from a very long time ago.