*

Trapped in these days too long,
It blocks your eyes and seizes my body

I can't breathe in this gloomy, daily routine
You're tired, like I'm tired

Now it's time to break away and leave
I want to go right now, I just want to go with you

Anywhere, anytime, anything, it doesn't matter
You and me together, I'm flying with you

now we can fly now we can fly
now we can fly now we can fly
Fly up quicker

now we can fly now we can fly
now we can fly now we can fly
We'll walk on the clouds

Fly better fly Bring out your hidden wings
Fly better fly Ride the wind up high

Full of curiosity, you're smiling
There's no fear, only the new

It's too early to be surprised,
There'll be other days, you'll see a lot more

Anywhere, anytime, anything, it doesn't matter
You and me together, I'm flying with you

now we can fly now we can fly
now we can fly now we can fly

*

"Uhm, yes?"

It was his only greeting. That, and his uncertain, uneasy smile, or was it because of the image I kept seeing him in, from that yearbook, that made me see his every reaction from a whole new vision?

Was he trying to hide something from me? Did he know anything? My impatience grew everytime I recalled the picture of him smiling brightly. Next to Park Jungmin's picture. Or rather, Romeo's.

"Can I...I mean, can we, come in, Hyungjun ssi?"

He glanced at Minwoo ssi, and seemed to hold a frown he didn't let out entirely, before giving a nod a second later with his still unnatural smile. 

"Sure. Come in." He led the way and we followed inside. Minwoo ssi had reminded and taught me how to act natural while he would do the observing parts, but it was hard. My limbs just stiffened by themselves. Seeing him now, only kept me reminded of those bright smiles, and the person whose picture was next to his in the yearbook. It made me nervous. Did they know each other? Could they be alliances? Friends? Enemies? Since they obviously were in the same class, there's no way Hyungjun ssi could lie that he didn't know this Jungmin.

He knew him. And I would make sure to walk out of his house with some answers.

Minwoo ssi suddenly elbowed me.

"Oh...uhm, this is Minwoo ssi...he's...my friend from another town..."

"Oh, I see." Hyungjun ssi signalled for us to sit before calling for Jisook ssi. He spoke something, asking her to make drinks for us, I think, and she only nodded without a word. Which reminded me of our earlier encounter. And when my curious gaze met with her eyes, she smoothly pretended to be looking elsewhere, pretended that she never saw me looking at her.

There definitely was something wrong with them.

When she came back with a tray of drinks and some crackers of some sort, she wouldn't look straight at me when giving her courteous nod and curt barely-smile.

"So, Jisook ssi...this is so nice, how did you make this? How much sugar did you put in? My grandma's always turn out not sweet enough no matter how much sugar she put in...can you tell me how you made this, please?"

For a moment I was in awe at Minwoo ssi's unexpected acting skill. In fact, I forgot for a second that he had instructed and briefed me the whole plan; including what and how I should observe people, twice, before we rang the doorbell. But seeing and hearing his puppy eyes and childlike excitement and comparing it to the Minwoo ssi who coldly approached me and fiercely scolded me earlier, it was hard to connect both personas.

I felt a something pushed my waist slightly, Minwoo ssi's arm, and I immediately remembered that I shouldn't lose focus. We need to make the most of our visit. I straightened myself and returned my gaze to study the both of them for any clues.

"Uhm, Jisook couldn't speak. She's mute."

"Really?! Poor thing...but she's so pretty." I turned briefly only to see him winked. Jisook ssi looked away, not seeming amused by Minwoo ssi's action even I found amusing. This lady really had great resistance. She didn't even smile at any of his scarily childish flirting attempts. She was just stiff, uncomfortable, just like Hyungjun ssi.

"So, why did you come? Is your sister alright?"

I nodded.

"By the way, sorry to hear about your brother. And sorry we couldn't come." He turned briefly to Jisook ssi, and she only looked down slightly, blinking once.

It clicked with the crash lesson Minwoo ssi gave me before we came. She was nodding without making it obvious, wasn't she? He was seeking for approval, right? I've noticed this suspicious dynamics between the so called master and maid since they came over the other day.

"It's...alright." I finally answered after I felt another light push, this time on my arm. Minwoo ssi must be getting really annoyed with my slacking performance.

"Uhm, Hyungjun ssi, there's something I want to ask you." I stammered.

"Ahhh, no...what's happening. I need to use the toilet, where...where?" Minwoo ssi held his stomach, while making horrible faces. I wasn't sure whether he's just acting or not because he was suddenly sweating and had this tortured look on his face that made me panic a little. What happened? He couldn't get sick now...I couldn't do this alone.

"Jisook ssi, can you please lead me to the washroom here?"

She froze, not moving for a second, before she stood up and led him away. There was hesitation, wasn't it? Because she didn't want to let Hyungjun ssi be alone with me, was that it?

"Hyungjun ssi, can you tell me about Park Jungmin?"

"Huh? Who?" His forehead strained.

"Park Jungmin. Don't tell me you don't know him because I know you do."

"Park...Jung...min?" He slowly and carefully muttered each part of the name before shaking his head.

"Hyungjun ssi, please. Is he your friend?"

"Or did he try to hurt you too?"

"What happened to him?" 

"Hyungjun ssi...please."

The more time that passed, the more desperate I became and tried to press him to give an answer rather than the only kind of answer he kept giving - the silence. Confusion mixed with...something I couldn't really decide was all over his face, and his mouth was agape while he seemed to be thinking. But he did not give any answer. And time was running away from me. Time was the key, Minwoo ssi warned. But now, I couldn't do anything to make him say something. Should I strangle him or...find a knife to threaten him or...I don't know. I needed an answer at least.

"Oh wait...here." Only then I remembered and shoved the yearbook to him, with the very page that had made my own mouth agape just an hour ago or so, opened.

"This is you...and that's him. Don't you remember him anymore? It's just been a few years."

His eyes widened as he pointed to his own picture and bright smiling