13. A Birthday Wish
T he moment Yunho closes his eyes during his physics class with Mrs. Lim, he is thrust back into a vivid memory from when he was twenty years old and his career had just started. He didn’t want much, just one person.
It was the day after Yunho’s twentieth birthday. A young and lively Wooju showed up at his door, clad in a matching cream-colored coat and beanie, a strawberry lollipop in his mouth, and a bunch of gift bags cradled in his arms.
“Happy belated birthday, Yunho!” Wooju greeted, his grin widening as he jumped and wrapped his arms around the birthday boy. “I’m sorry I couldn’t make it yesterday,” he said, pulling away to look at his best friend apologetically.
Yunho had been sulking about that all night, but seeing Wooju now, holding at least four big bags of gifts in each hand, Yunho’s sour mood was instantly dispelled.
“What did you get for me?”
“Are you that excited?” Wooju teased, still grinning, before removing his shoes and inviting himself into Yunho’s apartment. “Let’s open them, birthday boy.”
After placing the bags on the floor in the living room, Wooju pulled Yunho down with him, and they sat on the carpet, their legs across each other. “All for you,” Wooju added, the lollipop still dangling from his mouth.
Yunho gaped at the bags in front of him, then at Wooju. “Why did you buy so much for one person?” he questioned.
“Hey! Are you complaining right now?” Wooju replied, one eyebrow raised. “I wanted to give you everything, but I can’t afford everything yet. Is there a problem?”
Yunho shook his head. “That’s not what I mean,” he mumbled, sighing softly. “Never mind.” He grabbed a bag and carefully unfastened the staples. To his surprise, he found a canvas inside the bag. At first glance, it appeared blank, but as Yunho pulled it out by the edge, he discovered a realistic portrait of himself.
“You drew me?” Yunho’s heart swelled as he devoured every detail and every stroke crafted by Wooju’s skillful hands and beautiful mind. He looked so real, so alive on the canvas, yet something was missing.
“But why is it just me here?” Yunho pondered out loud. “Where are you?”
Wooju smiled wryly. “Do you want me next to you?”
I wonder when it started. That weird, ticklish feeling.
“Of course.” Yunho paused for a moment, his gaze fixed on Wooju’s widened eyes. “You’re my best friend. Where else would you be?” As soon as the words escaped his lips, Yunho felt as though the world around him froze. What did he just say?
He knew that he needed a distraction, something to move time forward and clear his mind from the unusual drumming within his chest. Alas, the fluttering of his erratic heartbeat was impossible to ignore.
Was that the first time I felt nervous? It was as if my heart was about to burst out of my chest. Was it because of what I said? Or was it because of the suspense as I waited for Wooju’s reply? More importantly, was that the first time it happened?
A blanket of silence fell upon them, or maybe it was just in Yunho’s mind. Maybe there was nothing to be nervous about. Maybe Wooju reacted as soon as he said those words. Maybe the flush on Wooju’s cheeks was all in his head.
Wooju’s eyes sparkled with joy, mirroring his beaming smile. He withdrew his lollipop and stuffed it into Yunho’s mouth, giggling like an innocent child.
“Yunnie. Why are you looking at me like that?” Wooju asked with lighthearted curiosity.
He suddenly started calling me ‘Yunnie’. How did he expect me to be calm? I was already going crazy, and when Wooju grew more daring, I felt like I was spiraling further into madness.
Despite the heat spreading across his cheeks, Yunho still managed to speak with Wooju’s lollipop in his mouth. His tone was quiet and yet eager as he asked, “Like what?”
“Like you’re in love with me,” was Wooju’s bold reply. But the raven-haired boy’s expression was not one of anger—not one Yunho imagined. There was something oddly captivating about it, something beautiful and so difficult to comprehend. It wasn’t love, but it was certainly a temptation. “We just had our first indirect kiss, hm?”
“Huh?” As soon as Yunho decoded the words, he became more flustered. Hastily, he plucked the lollipop from his mouth and darted toward the balcony ahead of them. Wooju’s laughter echoed in the background.
Later that night, neither of them said anything about what happened. It was just a joke, after all, or so it seemed.
As the night settled and took over the sun, they enjoyed the cool breeze wafting over them on the balcony. They lay on their backs, gazing up at the sky with their arms resting behind their heads, relishing each other’s company in silence. As they watched the stars glistening across the sky, Yunho whispered a wish to the heavens above.
I don’t want this to end.
“Yunnie, what’s your birthday wish?” Wooju asked.
“I don’t have one,” Yunho lied.
“Why not?”
“Because you didn’t make a wish on your special day either,” Yunho replied, his words triggering a memory of the day he celebrated Wooju’s nineteenth birthday together. Wooju appeared sad on that particular day; he didn’t even make a wish or blow his candles.
Yunho, being a coward, never questioned it.
“Then, should I make a birthday wish for you?” Wooju suggested, and Yunho simply nodded in reply.
Swiftly, Wooju pulled himself up into a sitting position, clasped his hands together, and closed his eyes.
“Dear God, I hope this isn’t too much to ask. I just have a few things on my mind, and I need you to hear them. It’s for Yunho’s twentieth birthday,” Wooju said. “He’s a very good boy and the best friend I could ever ask for. I wish for him to live a long and fulfilling life with good health and, above all, happiness. I hope he never feels lonely and I hope he will always have the unwavering support of his family, his friends, and you, regardless of what lies ahead. I wish for our friendship to last forever. For him to live forever.”
Yunho was looking at his best friend in wonder when Wooju slowly reopened his eyes and met his gaze.
“And, of course, please don’t let him get married before me,” Wooju finished with one mischievous smile.
“You’re not cursing me, are you?” Yunho remarked.
“Hmm.” Wooju feigned contemplation. He lowered his arms and reclined beside Yunho. “A little bit.”
“Hey! That’s not nice!” Yunho barked.
Wooju stuck out his tongue, laughing. “Deal with it.”
Yunho couldn’t help but join his best friend in laughter. And this moment right here? This was the best gift he could ever ask for, being by Jo Wooju’s side.
“Yunnie?” Wooju called.
“Mm?” Yunho responded, and though he wasn’t looking at his best friend, he had his full attention solely on him.
“You’ll stay by my side, right?” Wooju asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of hope and uncertainty.
A flicker of surprise crossed Yunho’s face, and then he asked, “You want me by your side?”
“You know, like family. Like brothers.”
Yunho paused, reflecting on Wooju’s words. “Brothers?” he repeated with a hint of disappointment.
“I know it’s late, but that’s my birthday wish,” said Wooju. “I don’t think I need anything else. Just you.”
“Sure,” Yunho added solemnly. “I don’t mind.”
From that day forward, the two stood side by side, bound by loyalty and the promise they sealed that night on Yunho’s balcony. They reached for the stars and faced the world together, their bond unbreakable, unwavering.
Until fate took an unexpected turn, and one of them severed the string that held them together. Forever.
I wished our bond would never end, but it did anyway.