Different paces
On the walk home from work, one of them keeps slowing down. They walk the same streets, yet arrive home at different times.
A couple who see things differently when it comes to how often to meet after work face the wishes they haven’t been able to voice as they walk together.
On the way home from work, Minjae tells Jiwoo they should meet this weekend too, as if it’s already settled. Minjae feels close when they meet often; Jiwoo looks forward to seeing Minjae more when there’s an evening to rest alone first. In the counseling room, Cheongun points out that their words move at different paces, but Jiwoo still has no answer.
When you want to meet at different intervals
When you feel close in different ways, the pace of meeting may suit only one of you.
When was the last time you hesitated over how often to meet?
I keep thinking about that moment when Jiwoo’s pace slowed, after the weekend plans had already been made. One person feels close when they meet often; the other needs an evening alone to rest before they can look forward to meeting again. I saw that on their walk. If you’ve felt a similar difference in pace, you can tell me what you hesitated to say along the way.
Scenes
- 01 · Weekend plans, already made Weekend plans — As they walk outside the office, Minjae says they should meet this weekend too. Jiwoo turns to look at Minjae. Minjae: Let’s meet this weekend too.
- 02 · A slower pace The slower walker — After Minjae makes plans for the weekend, Jiwoo slows down. They say they need an evening to rest alone, too. Jiwoo: I need evenings to rest on my own, too. Minjae: I feel close when we see each other often.
- 03 · Pacing along the same path Different rhythms — In the counseling room, Jiwoo says Minjae feels close when they meet often, while Jiwoo needs time alone to rest. Jiwoo: Minjae says they feel close when we see each other often. I need an evening to myself.
- 04 · Where the words stopped Words still unspoken — Cheongun says they want to meet at different intervals. Jiwoo looks up and listens, but doesn’t answer yet. Cheongun: Jiwoo, you two seem to feel close at different intervals. What comes to mind first as you hear that?
Stories by Cheongun
- Cheongun
- After the meeting, the plans and the spur-of-the-moment ideas clash again.
- When we get home from work, the first thing we talk about at the door is caring for our parents.
- As we left the exam room, Mom asked first.
- We put off the decision again while doing the dishes
- I set aside money for my younger sibling from my first paycheck
- It’s hard to tell my parents I’m getting counseling.
- I gave them flowers, but they didn’t say thank you
- After two friends fall out, I open the group chat every Sunday night