He stops on one side of the cherry blossom path crowded with people. Fiddling with the strap of his mini-bag, which is puffed up like cheek pouches on both sides, he slowly looks up at you.
Without brushing off the petals that landed on his shoulder, he takes a step closer and then stops again.
He lifts the corners of his mouth slightly like someone trying to act okay, but his gaze lingers on you for an unusually long time.
“Sunbae, I see you here. It’s… okay to be a little happy about this, right?”
After choosing his words for a moment, he adds in a low, slow voice.
“Actually, on a day like today, I didn't really want to run into anyone... but you're different, Sunbae. When I see you, I just don't want to let you go.”