The crowd’s cheering loudly during the last quarter and the last ten seconds of the game with a score of 100-98. And among the crowd, Youngji’s voice emanates above all. Everyone’s watching closely, anticipating whether which team’s going to take home the Interhighschool Champion 2016 trophy. At that time, JB stole the ball from the opponent’s hand. He’s dribbling it and making a way to make a score but an opponent blocked him. And without any thinking, he just threw the ball to his right hoping for a miracle that someone from his team would catch it. And as if an answered prayer, Jackson came running from somewhere and caught the ball in the last three seconds. Youngji had her hands together as she watched Jackson throw the ball mindlessly to their ring even if it’s still far away. In that moment, it’s like everything became silent and moved in slow motion. Youngji didn’t even realize that she’s been holding her breath in anticipation. She watched the ball struggling to arch its way to the ring. The buzzer suddenly rang the same time as the ball made its way through the ring making the score 100-101 in favor of JYP High. It took three seconds for Youngji to finally digest what she just saw and finally found herself screaming at the top of her lungs in euphoria. She ran to the court to meet Jackson in a hug. They wrapped each other’s arm towards the other tightly with a big smile. Jackson even lifted Youngji in circles while in the hug. After that, they were just staring at each other awkwardly after realizing what they just did. It only broke when JB ruffled Jackson’s hair and said, “Nice one, dude!”

 

After the game, they went to eat hotpot on their favorite restaurant celebrate together with Youngji. They started their celebration with a loud cheers the started eating chatting.

 

“Hey, did you know why we won? It’s because we have our lucky charm. Did you guys hear her voice? It was so loud!” Jinyoung commented about Youngji and everyone was agreeing with him except from someone.

 

“Wait. You mean, we won because of her loud cheering? Hey, if I’d only knew that that’s what’s gonna make us have the trophy, then I would’ve just stayed at the bench and shouted my lungs out. Seriously guys, I was the one who did that buzzer beat.” Jackson retorted.

 

“Ei, if I didn’t make that steal, you wouldn’t even make that buzzer beat.” JB rebutted.

 

“Aish, chincha. Thank you guys for being so appreciative. Really, I’m so touched.” Jackson said ironically which made the members and Youngji laugh.

 

“No, but seriously, you two really look like a real couple with that hug in the middle of the court just a while ago. Did you see that guys?” Mark said and Youngjae added with, “Yeah, that was so cheesy.”

 

And that’s when the bickering started again.

 

“What are you talking about? Couple? When did we even act like a couple? And cheesy? Like seriously, she acts like a dude.” Jackson said defensively.

 

“Yeah, how can we even be a couple? He’s not even my style.” Youngji said in revenge.

 

“And who says you’re my style?” Jackson directly asked Youngji who’s actually sitting next to him. “I’d really appreciate it if I’m not your style because I don’t want to hurt your feelings and I don’t want to ruin our friendship.” He added.

 

“Wah, daebak”, was the only mocking thing Youngji was able to say after Jackson’s bluffing while the members were just laughing.

 

“What’s your style then, Youngji?” Yugyeom asked in curiosity.

 

“Hmm, someone who’s fun to be with, manly but is cute and caring with me.”

 

“Ooh. Then who among here with us is the closest to your ideal type?” Yugyeom added.

 

“Hmm, Bambam." Youngji answered carefreely.

 

“Oh, please. Stop using me to deny your feelings. Please, have pity on me.” Bambam complained and the other members just laughed at his statement.

 

“Yeah, go on. Keep on playing hide and seek with your feelings.” JB said.

 

“Aigoo. Why don’t you just date for real? It’s annoying to see you guys like this especially when it’s already obvious.” JR suggested.

 

After the mini celebration, the members separated ways in going home. And as usual, Jackson and Youngji are together on their way home since they belong to the same neighborhood. They’re walking side by side when Jackson started the conversation.

 

“Hey.”

 

“Hm?”

 

“Are you serious about what you said a while ago?”

 

“Hm? Which one?”

 

“Do you really like Bambam?”

 

“Ah, why bring up that topic again?” Youngji whined.

 

“No, I’m just asking.”

 

“Seriously, of all people, you should be the one to know.” Was Youngji’s answer.

 

And as if he got the answer he wanted, he stopped on his track as Youngji passed him by. “Youngji-ah.” He called.

 

“What?” Youngji replied as she also stopped on her rack and turned around to face Jackson. They were staring at each other, Youngji being clueless of what Jackson’s going to say next while Jackson staring at her as if contemplating something. It looks like he’s just halfway of his thinking when he suddenly took two steps forward, cupped Youngji’s face and leaned forward to meet her lips. That moment when his lips touched hers, felt like everything suddenly moved in slow motion and breath being held back. It was like the buzzer beat moment happened once again. Youngji had her eyes opened wide the whole time. And when Jackson pulled away from the kiss, she took the chance to blink her eyes just in case she was dreaming with eyes wide open. Jackson was staring at her to see her reaction but she’s not moving. Then she suddenly turned her back with slow respiration as if trying to calm herself. Then she took a deep breath with closed fists and closed eyes as if preparing herself for something. She suddenly turned around to face Jackson once again. And this time, in fast motion, she wrapped her arms around Jackson’s neck and returned his kiss. Jackson was surprised himself but he made sure to close his eyes and feel the moment. Then slowly, Youngji withdrew from the kiss and withdrew her arms around Jackson’s neck. She’s not looking back at his eyes. She’s looking somewhere but his eyes because she’s not sure she can still handle it. She’s afraid she might melt. She turned around again, slowly. Then she dashed away to her house and immediately closed the door behind her. She leaned against the door and recalled all the things that happened just a while ago. When she felt that a beautiful smile is going to bloom from her lips, she immediately covered her face with her hands and squealed in pure happiness. While Jackson on the other hand, was still standing on the same spot where Youngji left him. He reached to touch his lips which just touched Youngji’s lips twice. Realizing what all the things happened actually meant, he suddenly squealed happily in high pitch which many people thought only girls could do.

 

“YEAH!” Jackson screamed while jumping and flailing around in euphoria.

 

THE END.