in the landscape at the base of the tower. The fence that ran around the perimeter was covered in padlocks, so plentiful and colorful they created a metal tapestry. Locks also created metallic Christmas trees in the middle of the courtyard.
Walking to the fence, Jihoon had to admit the view was stellar. As the sun approached the horizon, it gave the city a glow. He could mark the patterns of Seoul from up here, where the old tile roofs of the hanoks merged into the newer metal and concrete of the city. Such a contrasting mess to see the old homes that boasted under-floor coal heating and rice-paper walls next to the most modern of skyscrapers. But in this city the dichotomy worked. In this city the dichotomy thrived. It seemed that sometimes opposites did find a balance.
Then he saw her, standing at one of the viewfinders that showed the city below.
He approached her slowly, worried now that she might take advantage of the location to pitch him over the side of the mountain. But he comforted himself in the fact that Miyoung didn’t like to make a scene.
“Miyoung.”
“Yes?” she replied coldly, as she refused to look at him.
“You said you’d talk.”
“I told you where I was. You were the one that wanted to talk,” Miyoung corrected him.
Jihoon seethed. His frustration was two centimeters from breaking the surface. It made the low headache brewing pulse, but he took a deep breath and tried again.
“Fine, I wanted to say I’m sorry,” he said, then waited for her to accept his apology. She didn’t and instead studied the locks that decorated the fence. They were covered in claims of everlasting friendship and love. A beautiful rainbow assortment of promises.
“Did you hear me?” Jihoon asked.
“Yes,” Miyoung replied, studying another lock.
Jihoon spun her around to face him. “I’m trying to apologize.”
“Why?”
Jihoon blinked in surprise. “What do you mean?”
“Why do you want to apologize when you’ve made it clear that I’m the reason everything has gone wrong in your life.”
“That’s a bit of an exaggeration.”
“I don’t want an apology. Not from you.”
“Listen, I shouldn’t have brought up your father,” Jihoon said. “If you don’t let me apologize, I’ll never feel right about it.”
“Fine,” Miyoung said, through a jaw so clenched her cheeks visibly flexed. “I’ll accept your apology. Will you leave me alone now?”
Jihoon suddenly noticed how exhausted she looked. Bags shadowed her eyes. Her skin was pale. Her shoulders slumped.
“Excuse me?” A young mother stood behind him. “Can you take our photo?” she asked.
“Sure.” Jihoon accepted her phone and waited for her to get two fighting toddlers to stand still. The family huddled together, her husband hugging the three of them from behind. It was a lovely picture of a normal family. Jihoon’s eyes slid to Miyoung, who looked anywhere but at the happy unit. Neither of them had ever taken a photo like this.
After Jihoon handed back her phone, the woman asked, “Do you two want a picture?”
“Oh no, we’re okay.” Miyoung took a step back, like the woman meant to do her physical harm.
“You should take photos, even if it’s a first date.” The woman grinned. “My husband and I still have a picture from ours.”
“It’s not our first date.” Miyoung’s cheeks pinked.
“An anniversary, then?” The woman was persistent.
“You know what, we’d love a photo,” Jihoon said to avoid any more questions. He handed her his phone, then stood beside Miyoung.
“You should put your arm around her,” the husband suggested, winking.
Jihoon complied. It was easier than the awkwardness of refusing.
“And smile!” the woman chirped.
He did and it felt awkward on his face.
“It seems like a first date.” The woman lowered Jihoon’s phone. “You two look stiff as boards.”
Miyoung glanced at Jihoon, her brows lifted in question.
“Okay, one more.” This time, he pulled Miyoung until she was snug against his side. She looked up at him, smiling wryly. Her eyes seemed to say, Only we could get into a situation like this. And he smiled back because it was true.
“Perfect.” The woman beamed. “You make a beautiful couple.”
When the family walked away to enter the tower, Jihoon turned back to Miyoung, who’d taken a few steps away. Her shoulders shook. Was she crying?
Placing a hesitant hand on her arm, he was about to ask if she was okay when he saw her wide smile. She was laughing.
“I swear, Ahn Jihoon, when that woman asked if we were on a date, your face got so white you’d have thought you were being faced by