My childhood friend is a Man

"Ya, do you still remember the first time we met? Haha.. you were so ugly keke."

"Aish, you were the one who was ugly. I remember you were cr—"

(Soo young cover Taeyang's mouth quickly)

"Shh.. I don't want to remember that time. Oh right, before I met you, I forgot to make rice before my mom return and exchange a bowl of tangerine for a bowl of rice for my mom. Who did she think she was? Having an 8 year old making rice before her return from the sauna."

"Wow, we've known each other for 10 years already, when will you ever stop eating ramen and start cooking? What will happen once you start college?"

"Ah right, Taeyang, I'm living on my own once college starts too"

(Taeyang quickly turns over to look at her at how she did not tell him beforehand.)

"You don't have to worry. We'll still meet over the weekend. Your college is not even far from my campus."

"How could you say that? I've be so busy since I enter college. I almost didn't get to congratulate you on your graduation day."

It was a Sunday night, as Taeyang and I was walking through the neighborhood on a lonely summer night when the cicadas cries filled through every corner. That conversation brought me back to memories I don't want to ever forget.

— 10 years ago —

"Ya! I told you to make rice before I came back, how could you still be playing games in this state?!!!"

"Did you hear me?"

"Soo Young?"

"Sorry, Omma can you talk to me later. I got to... aghhhh this player sucks!" (Eyes on the screen)

"Stop right now. You've been playing all day and didn't even cook any rice like I told you to. Aigoo..."

*Tapping noise*

*No sound*

"Ahhhhhh!!!! I die!! Tsk, I'm not playing anymore"

"Forget it. Turn it off, come here, bring these tangerines I brought back to the ajumma below us and ask her for a bowl of rice for me while I make some. Hurry!"

Oh right?! I remember Omma came back with some tangerine that day and told me to bring it to the ajumma who live below us. Why didn't I realize at that moment that that ajumma was taeyangs mom?

*knock knock* "Ajumma! My mother say to bring these tangerines for you, and can you give her a rice of bowl for her because I forgot to make rice and she's starving"

"Aigoo, thank you. Come in and sit down while I get the bowl of rice"

"It's okay ajumma, I'll just stay out here"

"Alright, I'll be quick"

— Afterward —

After returning with the bowl of rice, I went down the street to the convenience store for a cup of delicious ramen and an ice cream. As I was walking down the street, there sitting the neighborhood mass dog named Happy. He's never happy, I hated that dog because I always get chased.

As I was walking down the road between the alley of the neighborhood to the convenience store, Happy saw me and got up. I quickly stop and pause to think of what I should do. It was a battle between running and chasing. I look to the left, there is a turn to the neighbors park, to the right is a big house with tall concrete walls. Getting my ass ready with the flip flops that I unconsciously slip on without thinking when heading out made my toes grip the flip flop so tight that I still lose one pair after being chase. As I made my dash to the left, Happy came chasing after me, and you do not know that feeling of being chase by a mad dog. My butt was getting the ticklish feeling of his mouth trying to yap my butt. That made me run even faster. Happy was barking so loud that I thought he really was going to get me this time. I started to get scare, I was only 8!! *sobs* I finally reach the park and didn't see the curbs and hit my toe on the edge losing one pair of flip flop. I still kept running for my life, as I arrive the dome, I climb my way up with tears started to flow. Me holding in my pain with urge of screaming, I finally rest on top of the dome looking down seeing a boy holding my flip flop on his hand. Happy was nowhere to be seen.

"You left this behind!" The little boy shouted, holding up the flip flop.

"It's alright, I scared the dog away with rocks."

As he climb his way up, I look at him and he look like he was my age but a little smaller. His hair was cut as if someone put a bowl on top of his head and just cut it. I never seen him before I thought.

*hoo* *hoo*

"Ah right, I need to catch my breath first"

"Here"

Flip flop point in front of my face, and I remember my hand shaking as I grab it away from his hand. The sun was setting, the sun was blazing hot with the brightest orange sky as no one but us was there.

"What's your name? I never seen you around here before?"

"Taeyang. Park Taeyang. I just move here to live with my mom."

"Taeyang ah, how old are you? I may be your noona, thanks for helping me earlier."

"10"

"Huh?"

"I'm 10 years old, Noona."

"What?!! Wait wait. I'm not your noona then!"

"But you just said—"

"Forget it, I thought you were younger. I'm only 8! Your 2 years older then me."

"Oh, how could you talk to me in that way then? Where's your manner to someone who's older?"

"Huh?"

"Be my friend"

"Huh??"

"Oh right, what's your name? Why do you look so ugly after running away from such a small dog?"

"Huhhhh???!!!!"

(Small? That dog is not small one bit and ugly?? Did he just call me ugly???!!!)

— That was our first meeting, on top of the dome, in the neighbors park towards the end of summer break. I've met an oppa who I thought was younger then me. —

"I wonder why did he suddenly wanted to became friend that time? I never have the chance to brought it up because of what he called me."