The last light from the setting sun faded away as darkness descended upon this quaint little town of mine.

Curtains drawn shut, light bulbs turned off, I sat in complete silence as the hustle-bustle of the day quietened to a dim.

Van Gogh's The Starry Night hung in the tenebrous sky above, and stars emerged from behind and twinkled like fireflies dancing merrily in the dark.

Once again, the gap widens between me and the world — I found comfort in this silence while the world wrapped itself in warm blankets and drifted off to slumber.

When I heard the soft click of my parent's bedroom door — a sign that finally, everyone had gone to sleep — I raised my head and walked towards my desk. Turning the knob, I opened the last drawer and picked up the small cardboard box that was covered in unintelligible scribbles and doodles.

The brown color of the coarse material had long ago faded away — another poignant remainder of the slipping grains of time that passed through the hourglass of life.

But I wasn't ready to let go.

The decolored photographs and crushed bits of paper stared at me unblinkingly from inside the box.

Is this what adulting feels like? Letting go of all those small things that once held immense significance for you? To realize that the time to rejoice was over?

More importantly, am I strong enough to be an adult? Can I really leave everything behind? Must I leave everything behind?

The laughter still echoed in my ears as if it was just yesterday when we cracked up on a particularly bad pun; the lingering feeling of warmth from the arms which wrapped around my trembling frame; the fleeting smiles we shared curled my lips in a bitter smile; the all-nighters I pulled to watch the MVs live firsthand; times I had procrastinated on my assignments and regretted it soon afterward — only to repeat it over and over again.

The hand slipped; the clock ticked. The tune faded away, and the song came to an end.

I will now let go of the past. Erase from my mind the familiar faces of my friends; expunge the memories of my youth from my heart. Pack away my posters and clear my desk of the photocards. No longer can I indulge myself in these luxuries.

For the time to move on has come, and all that remains in my heart is NOSTALGIA.

And like fascinated little children staring in awe at the starlit sky, I look up to these brightly burning balls of talent and passion too <3 thank you for inspiring me always

PEACHBALM TOKYOKNJ elixeoks -hoseokism chimphony joonblues gammarays__ 1STCORNDOG petalli _scftsins yuqiuent astroduality

To the people who made my journey here a memorable one, thank you <3 thank you so much

bangtaeholic chweeriess jei_byun jingyeokebts excellingfetus vanterous haruwluv penbangtan koyabean strawverymilktae persenthe + queens mentioned above!

my final graphics shop ⁠— an ode to my kpop journey.

yes, i like being dramatic. bye