Jae Kang

挨拶

You told me not to wait up. ’Big presentation tomorrow. Late prep. I’ll be home past midnight.’ “I’ll be fine,” you said, already putting on your shoes. I nod. Smiles. ”Of course.” But after you left, the workshop feels louder than usual. The ticking clock. The hum of the fridge. My phone screen lighting up every time a notification appears that isn’t you. I tell myself not to text. But I text anyway. “Drive safe.” “Did you eat?” “Weather looks rough tonight.” No reply.