By Zephyria 
Only Ki Jae-eon was confused by the accusing tone.
I don’t remember saying anything wrong, so why is he so angry?
“Who am I? Of course…”
Ahn Seo-myeong, who had been quietly observing Ki Jae-eon, seemed to have guessed something as he furrowed one side of his brow and let out a short sigh, “Ah-.” Then, with a touchy gesture, he roughly swept his bangs up. The shy expression was gone, replaced by a cold one.
“I hope I’m not thinking what I think I’m thinking.”
Ki Jae-eon also frowned at the sudden change in attitude and retorted.
“I don’t know what you’re thinking.”
“Is that so? Then let me make it clear, the person I confessed to is you, right in front of me.”
“……”
When there was no answer, Ahn Seo-myeong curled up the corner of his lips. The look that said ‘I knew it’ was a bonus.
“See, I’m right.”
Ki Jae-eon was starting to get annoyed, feeling like he was being treated like an idiot. Is this moron unable to distinguish the person he fell for? Even if they share the same shell, the contents are different, how can they be the same?
“It’s not me.”
“It is you.”
“It’s someone else.”
“It’s the same person.”
“Cut it out!”
As the childish argument continued, his emotions finally burst out.
“The Ki Jae-eon you know and I are clearly different people, okay? Are you slow, or is your IQ low? Everything is different, from tastes to values, to even the smallest habits! What about you? You said you liked me. Can’t you even tell who you like?”
He was aware that he was getting uncharacteristically agitated. But he couldn’t help it.
“I’m getting annoyed with getting involved any further, so I’ll say it one last time… Hey, listen carefully. It’s not me you like.”
Ki Jae-eon was serious. He sincerely believed that he was a completely different person before and after losing his memory. To the point of being extreme. Ahn Seo-myeong, who had been watching Ki Jae-eon’s confusion up close, probably knew it too.
But understanding and empathy were separate issues.
There was no doubt that Ahn Seo-myeong fully respected the current Ki Jae-eon, but he did not consider the pre-memory loss and post-memory loss versions to be different people, as he claimed.
“……Sunbae.”
Ahn Seo-myeong opened his mouth slowly on purpose. He didn’t forget the nuance that he was empathizing with the other person’s words. He knew that when the other party lost their composure and became agitated, it was much more effective to adopt an accepting attitude and utter a low, calm resonance, rather than raising his voice in the same way.
“That’s right. You’re different from before. You’re rough in your speech and harsh in your personality now. But you’re definitely the same person. Does the essence of a fallen leaf change when its color changes? Sunbae… Hyung is the same. You still have that image of someone who doesn’t seem to have any friends.”
Ahn Seo-myeong continued, a playful smile half-mixed in, as if he was slowly relaxing.
“You’re the kind of person who would step forward without hesitation if someone was in danger.”
More altruistic than anyone else in this world, a virtuous person who doesn’t hesitate to sacrifice himself.
“What did you see in me?”
“You showed it to me yourself, Sunbae. Don’t you remember? You did it in Busan. Even though you couldn’t understand the situation, you moved. You did everything you could to save a young soul. Why? Because you had to. So that’s enough. You will be the same in the past that you lost, in the chaotic present… and even in the unknown future that is coming soon. You’ll still be Exorcist Ki Jae-eon.”
However, despite the calm persuasion, Ki Jae-eon’s agitation did not subside.
“What changes by just spouting nice-sounding words? You’re saying we’re the same now? Then what was all that talk about wanting to know about the old me…!”
The voice that had been approaching a shout suddenly faltered.
“Ah, no…”
Ki Jae-eon’s gaze began to wander around, lost. He was panicking at the belated realization that he had made a slip of the tongue without realizing it.
“I’m…”
He took a hesitant step back, but there was nowhere to run. After all, it was a small room.
“That’s, ah, no…”
He stammered, then hurriedly covered his mouth and turned his head. His ears were flushed red, contrasting with his pale complexion.
‘Crazy bastard! Don’t you even know shame?’
He mercilessly berated himself.
It was because he felt like he was acting like a spoiled child.
Ahn Seo-myeong, who said he wanted to know about the current me, not ‘me’.
He was happy about that… and he was afraid that his anger at the guy who forgot that would be seen as jealousy.
Ahn Seo-myeong patiently waited for Ki Jae-eon, who was so flustered.
“It’s okay. It’s my fault for saying it in a confusing way.”
“……”
“I was serious about wanting to know about Sunbae. I still am. I’m curious about everything, what you like, what you think. Of course. You’re the person I like. Isn’t it natural to want to know about the things you don’t know about someone you’re interested in? Yes, of course, I don’t completely understand how Sunbae feels. Because I’m not Sunbae. But I’m trying my best to understand.”
“……”
“This might sound a little strange… Um, I just think of it as a different side. If the pre-memory loss was the left side of your face, then you’re showing me the right side now. Sunbae, my grandmother told me this. The same person looks different from different angles. Each person has a side they prefer, and a side they don’t. So Sunbae is the same. You’ve just turned your head slightly to us. Well, it’s up to Sunbae to decide which side you prefer.”
Slightly, turned his head…?
Ki Jae-eon’s expression loosened blankly.
It was because he had never thought of it that way before.
Several sides of one person.
Then, could it be that the remnants of ‘me’ that had felt so unfamiliar until now were also just one of the hidden aspects within me?
Was it okay to define it so lightly?
Ah, it’s so strange.
Hearing those words, strangely…
I felt relieved.
“I know you might not understand what I’m saying now, and you might feel bad. You’re confused, and you might think I’m taking it lightly because it’s not my problem. It’s okay. You can feel that way. No one should judge your feelings arbitrarily. But you don’t have to doubt this one thing.”
Ahn Seo-myeong stared straight ahead. There was not even a hint of hesitation in his unwavering gaze. It was truly perfect self-assurance.
“I like you.”
Soon, a smile slowly spread across his face.
He was simply satisfied and happy to be conveying his confession of ‘I like you’ to the person he liked.
“I like you.”
Ahn Seo-myeong expressed his feelings without being indirect.
Straight, righteous, and unadorned.
An affection with such a clear outline… it was truly the first time.
It wasn’t even funny.
A heart that had nothing to fear or hold back.
What a truly young and naive love.
‘But…’
The power of a pure heart that didn’t calculate or measure anything was strong enough to shake someone.
“But don’t worry. I don’t intend to force you to answer. Liking you is my heart. I’ll take responsibility and prove it. You just have to be there as always. Don’t even worry about it. Love comes without time to worry. Um, so… just go about your usual day. And if there comes a moment on a day when you’re having a hard time when you suddenly think of me.”
Ahn Seo-myeong’s nose, which had been speaking without hesitation, turned reddish again.
“Please find the answer then.”
Until then, focus on what you want to focus on, Sunbae. I’ll do that too.
“Let’s work hard in our respective places.”
“Do you really think I’m me?”
“Yes, without a shred of doubt.”
“……Your love is so light.”
“I don’t know.”
Ahn Seo-myeong shrugged and replied.
“I think it’s too early to decide whether it’s light or heavy yet. It’s my first love.”