SEOHYUN’S POV

For a staff trip, we came to Jessica unnie’s beach house, we enjoyed the busy first day and now it’s the morning of the 2^nd day. But actually, since we were all up late last night, it’s closer to noon than morning now.

I was at the balcony admiring the beauty of the ocean and feeling the humid breeze in my face.

“Good morning, Seo” I heard Kyuhyun’s bored tone.

I shifted my gaze towards him and greeted back, “Yeah, good morning Kyu”

 But somehow, he looked irritated despite the fact that he just woke up from a good night sleep. He looked lazily towards the ocean and yawned.

I shook my head seeing how he acted. Does he have low blood pressure?

Staring at him for some time I remembered what happened last night in the small forest. I got irritated on how this person manages to always discover my secrets and weaknesses. And despite the fact that I don’t really like this guy, I still obediently do the things that he tells me to do. Just take for instance what happened last night, when I unconsciously clung unto him because I was so scared of ghosts.

I realized how stupid I was so I repeatedly slapped my face. Aissh, stupid Seohyun.

 “Hey Seo, what are you doing?” Kyuhyun asked in his usual bored tone

“N-nothing. Don’t mind me. I’m just waking myself up. Don’t let it bother you.” I answered as an excuse.

“I think, that would more likely lead to eternal sleep rather than waking you up” I heard him murmur under his breath.

“What kind of nonsense are you mumbling again?” I asked

“Think about the position I’m in. I’m still your guardian. Look at you dressing like that again” I heard Jessica unnie’s voice

Kyuhyun and I looked at the direction and saw Jessica unnie and Hara-ssi. At the look of it, it seems like Hara-ssi got a good scolding from Jessica unnie again. Hara-ssi can be really stubborn. She’s in her overly decorated dress again.

“Don’t insult my dress. I already told you, this is natural for me. So mind your own business unnie.” Hara-ssi retorted back.

“Ye, ye, I heard that plenty of times already” Jessica unnie said

“Hmmmp. No matter what you say, I won’t take this off” Hara-ssi said

Jessica sighed. “Fine! You can stay like that”

“Really? You mean it?”

“If you can win today’s beach volleyball tournament.” Jessica unnie said with an evil smile

“You’ll really leave me alone? You won’t complain about how I dress?” Hara-ssi asked

“Sure!” Jessica unnie answered. “If you prefer, you can go home too. You don’t like getting tanned, right?”

Hara-ssi nodded her head enthusiastically.

“So, are you up for the deal?”

“Of course! Let’s do our best together” Hara-ssi said

“Huh? What are you talking about?” Jessica unnie asked with a smirk. “You need to find a male partner. It’s not a female to female team you know”

“Huh???? But I don’t know anybody else here.” Hara complained

“You’re stuck here with me the whole summer then” Jessica  unnie laughed

“No!!!!” Hara said. “You’ll see, I’ll find someone to help me out of this place”

Hara looked towards us and smiled evilly.

END OF POV

After eating their breakfast, Seohyun, Yoona, Tiffany and Hyoyeon decided to stroll along the beach. Everybody was talking about the beach volleyball tournament that’s going to be held that afternoon.

“Seohyun-ah, I heard last year’s champion came from your school” Tiffany informed

“Really? I haven’t heard about that. Wow I never thought that our school also had potential athletes.” Seohyun said

“He’s really cool you know. I watched their game last year.” Tiffany said

“I did too” Hyoyeon nodded.

“Yoona-ssi, you too?” Seohyun asked

“No, I did not have my vacation here at the beach last summer.” Yoona answered

“Hehe. I thought you also did” Seohyun gigled

While roaming around, Seohyun saw someone she knew looking at the poster of the tournament.

“Changmin-ssi” Seohyun called

Changmin gazed towards them and said “Oh hi, Prez”

“Changmin-ssi?” Tiffany asked

“Yes?” Changmin said

“Shim Changmin right? You’re the one who won the championship of the beach volleyball tournament right?” Tiffany asked

“Y-yeah” Changmin said shyly

“By the way I’m Tiffany and this is Yoona and Hyoyeon. I suppose you know Seohyun already” Tiffany said

“Yea, nice to meet you” Changmin said and they bowed at each other.

“Ehhhh? So Changmin-ssi was the one you were talking about unnies?” Seohyun asked

Hyoyeon and Tiffany nodded their heads. “Seohyun-ah you never told us that Changmin-ssi is your friend” Hyoyeon said

“Well, he is my schoolmate and I never thought that Changmin is a beach volleyball champ either” Seohyun explained.

Changmin just smiled at them shyly.

“So you’re going to compete again, right Changmin-ssi?” Hyoyeon asked

“Yeah, that’s how it is supposed to be but I have a problem” Changmin said worriedly

“What’s the problem?” Seohyun asked

FLASHBACK

Changmin’s phone rang.

“Yoboseyo?” Changmin said

“Yoboseyo, Changmin-ah” a girl said in the other line

“Oh, Min Ah-yah. Why did you call?” Changmin asked

“Oppa, I won’t be able to team up with you for the tournament. I slipped a while ago and my ankle got sprained. The doctor asked me to rest it at least for a week” Min Ah said apologetically

“Oh, is that so?”

“Ye oppa..”

“Don’t worry. It’s okay. Get well soon, okay?” Changmin said

“Mianhae, oppa. What about Yunho oppa? He will surely mock you if you lose.”

“Kwaenchana, Min Ah, I’ll take care of that”

“Okay, oppa. I’ll cheer for you even though I can’t come”

“Gomawo”

“Deh..”

As soon, as he hang up the phone..

“Shim Changmin!!” Yunho called

“What do you want?” Changmin asked in annoyance

“I’m gonna crush you this year. The championship will surely be mine. I also heard Min Ah got injured. Seems like luck has gone to my side already” Yunho said with a laugh. “You better surrender now.”

“No way!!”

“Fine. Goodluck on finding a partner who is as good as Min Ah-ssi” Yunho provoked him

END OF  FLASHBACK

Meanwhile, at the beach house..

“Oppa, be my partner..” Hara begged Kyuhyun

“Why me? I don’t want to.” Kyuhyun said. “Just find someone else.”

“But Taeyeon unnie said you are athletic. You’re the best person I can get to succeed with Jessica unnie’s deal.  So help me, please??” Hara still begged

“NO! Besides, it’s too hot out there.” Kyuhyun said

“Please!!! I’ll treat you” Hara suggested

“Shiroyo!” Kyuhyun answered nonchalantly

“Looks like you’re staying here for the whole summer neh Hara” Jessica said in sarcasm

“hmmmp I hate you!” Hara said to Jessica

“Oh well, I love you my dear little niece.” Jessica said with a sarcastic smile while tapping Hara’s head

“Oppa, please be my partner” Hara begged Kyuhyun again

“I said no already and it is final” Kyuhyun said

Hara kept bugging Kyuhyun the whole morning but Kyuhyun did not change his mind. If he says NO, then it’s a NO. Period. No questions asked.

Back to where Changmin and the others were..

“So, you don’t have a partner yet?” Hyoyeon asked

Changmin nodded. “I just don’t want to lose from that arrogant Yunho.”

“I’ll help you” Seohyun volunteered.

“Really?”

“Yes, but I have not played it before. If it’s okay to you, you could teach me.” Seohyun said

“Wait, would you be able to teach Seohyun in time before the competition begins?” Yoona asked

“Prez is a fast learner, so I guess two hours would be enough. Besides she’s also one of the top students when it comes to sports in our school” Changmin said. “She’s just all the help I need this time”

“It’s settled then.” Seohyun said

“Okay. I’ll see you in 15 minutes. I’ll just go get the ball for practice” Changmin said before going.

“I’ll see you then.” Seohyun said while waving at Changmin.

KYUHYUN’S POV

Hara kept pestering me the whole morning. That kid sure doesn’t know how to give up. But maybe when she realized that I won’t help her, she finally stopped and locked herself in her room.

A little while later, Seohyun, Hyoyeon-ssi, Tiffany-ssi and Yoona-ssi came back after their stroll along the beach.

“Seohyun-ssi will join the beach volleyball tournament?” Jessica-ssi asked

“I want you to win and become the beach princess. Goodluck.” Taeyeon-ssi said

“Beach Princess?” Seohyun asked

Beach Princess?

“You didn’t know?” Hyoyeon asked

“No unnie” Seohyun answered

“The winning team will become the Prince and Princess of the night at the after party.” Jessica-ssi said. “There would be lots of photoshoots going on for the main event. You’ll get lots of costumes to wear as part of the show, and you can choose from many different bikinis.”

She’s not interested with that. But the male population would be really interested in that if ever she wins. I cursed in my mind.

“I see. I’m not very interested with that but my motto is to take challenges seriously.” Seohyun said. “Excuse me but I’ll just prepare myself before I go practice with Changmin-ssi” she said

Changmin?? Aishh, that Changmin. This is really worrisome. I always feel intimidated with other guys who come close to her.

Seeing her go up to her room, I followed her. When we got there..

“Seo” I called.

“What? Kyuhyun..” she said

“Have you ever played beach volley ball before?” I asked

“Aniyo” she answered

“It’s totally different from indoor volleyball.” I informed her

“I know” and she smiled. “Moving in the sand is difficult”

“But you look confident”

“Confident?” she asked. “No, more like my fighting spirit is up. I’m not confident at all. It’s just my desire to win. I just wanted to help Changmin-ssi. Of course, I’ve never done it so I don’t know if I’ll be good--”

“Then maybe it doesn’t have to be you” I said. “Don’t go, Seo” I tried to sound calm but it came out like a plea.

Seohyun must have been shocked because she looked at me with wide eyes. “W-W-What are you saying?” she sounded in panic. “You’re not making any sense.” she said while I saw a slight blush coloring her cheeks. “I’m heading out now” and walked away.

She’s too stubborn!

I walked towards Hara’s room and knocked at her door.

“Hara-ssi..” I called

She slightly opened the door and peeped at the space in between.

“What do you want now?” she asked

I just smiled at her.

The beach volleyball competition was about to start..

“It’s the time of the year again, the beach volleyball tournament. Your enemy is not just the person infront of you but the scorching heat of the sun and the sand on your feet. Who will be the ones to win the tournament and become the Beach Prince and Princess tonight? Let’s have fun everyone” the host could be heard in the whole beach.

“Looks like it is starting” Tiffany said

“Where are Seohyun and Changmin-ssi?” Hyoyeon asked as they were looking at the big crowd

“They said they were going to practice and had been gone since then” Yoona answered

“Unnies!!” they heard Seohyun’s voice approaching them

“Seohyun-ah, Changmin-ssi, we were just looking for you” Hyoyeon said. “We will cheer for both of you”

“Thanks unnie” Seohyun said

“Uhmm, Prez, we should look for the list of our games” Changmin said

“Okay.,” Seohyun said. “See you later then unnies”

“Goodluck, Seohyun-ssi, Changmin-ssi” Jessica said

“Deh, kamsahamnida” and they went to the big bulletin board.

“Hey, Shim Changmin!!” Yunho called from a distance

Seohyun and Changmin looked at him and they saw him gesture a thumbs down, as if saying that they will crush them at the competition. Both of them glared at Yunho but the man just gave them a smug and walked away.

“Crap!!” Changmin cursed. “We did not even have enough practice time”

Seohyun tapped his shoulder to calm his partner down. “Relax, we are going to win this. I can see how serious you are. ” Seohyun said with an assuring smile.

“Yeah, you’re right. We will win this no matter what” Changmin said

“Ah, there you are” Seohyun heard a familiar female voice.

They gazed towards them and saw Hara with Kyuhyun.

“You two looked really pumped up” Hara said

“Hara-ssi!!” Seohyun recognized.

“Kyuhyun-ssi!!!” Changmin called. Kyuhyun was slightly glaring at Changmin. “Kyu-Kyuhyun-ssi, why are you glaring at me like that?” Changmin asked

“Don’t mind me. I’m just a bit IRRITATED” Kyuhyun answered sarcastically.

“Ah, Kraeso?” Changmin asked. “It seems like I did something wrong to you”

“Ahh really? But did you?” Kyuhyun asked sarcastically again

“I can’t remember anything though” Changmin said innocently

(A/N: Haha Changmin is so innocent here)

“What are you two doing here together, Hara-ssi?” Seohyun asked

“I wanted to win the deal between Jessica unnie and me so I asked Kyuhyun-oppa to be my partner. And he agreed.” Hara answered

“You agreed?” Seohyun could not believe that Kyuhyun was convinced by Hara. “Seriously, Kyu?? You’re not really into stuff like this, aren’t you?”

Kyuhyun ignored Seohyun’s question. “I’ll be the one to win this!” he said rather in an unusual seriousness

“Fine!! Bring it on!!” Seohyun answered and she dragged Changmin away

When only Hara and Kyuhyun were left..

“So it’s because of this that you suddenly changed your mind and finally decided to help me.” Hara stated a matter of fact.

Kyuhyun did not answer. “Well, I could not complain since I’ll get something out of it also. I’ll be able to get out of this place already” Hara said.

Still, Kyuhyun was silent.

“Aisshh, why don’t you confess to her already if you are that bothered” Hara said in an irritated tone.

“Mind your own business, kid” Kyuhyun finally said

“Arasso” Hara surrendered in annoyance

In a few moments, the tournament began..

Changmin and Seohyun had been sweeping off all their opponents to victory. They were really going for the win. They wanted to. No, more precisely they needed to. Changmin didn’t want to lose to that arrogant Yunho; and Seohyun didn’t want to lose to Kyuhyun.

 “Those two, they are really incredible” Jessica said

“As expected of last year’s champion, Changmin is really doing great” Tiffany added

“Seohyun seems like an expert already despite practicing only for barely two hours” Yoona said

“Every round they play, their opponents get even more terrified” Hyoyeon said

“Seo Joo Hyun and Shim Changmin pair advances to the final round” the host announced

On the other hand, Kyuhyun and Hara were also doing great, getting all the victory in all their games. And now they’re off to compete with Yunho’s team to advance to the finals.

“Look unnie, Kyuhyun-ssi and Hara-ssi will be playing next” Yoona said

“Looks like Hara is really serious about this” Jessica said

“Yeah, but I’m just puzzled how she managed to convince Kyuhyun-ssi to help her” Tiffany told

Taeyeon giggled. “You’ll never know what’s going on in Kyuhyun’s mind. kekeke”

Hara and Kyuhyun flawlessly won the match and they advanced to the final match.

“As expected of Kyuhyun-ssi. He’s the best” Changmin said. “I’m so relieved that they got to defeat Yunho. I won’t have any regrets if ever we lose to them” he said to Seohyun.

“Andwae, we need to win this Changmin-ssi” Seohyun said

“But I don’t think I can match up with Kyuhyun-ssi’s athleticism, prez” Changmin said

“No, we need to win. Let’s do our best” Seohyun insisted

Changmin nodded hesitantly “O-okay..”

After the game, they had a 15-minute break before the final round begins.

KYUHYUN’S POV

I overheard some people talking about the final match.

“Who do you think will become this year’s princess?” a guy asked his companion

“I hope it’s the girl with the long black hair. The other girl is like a middle school kid.” the companion answered.

“That can’t be. Can’t you see she’s with her boyfriend?” the guy said

“Aniyo.” the companion answered. “She’s not Changmin-ssi’s girlfriend. Her girlfriend is the one who was with him last year on the tournament.”

Ah, really? That’s good then. No one would get mad.” the guy said

Upon hearing those, I crushed the water bottle I was holding in anger.

Me! I would be mad! I won’t let you guys think of ert things about Seohyun. Never!!

This just made me more serious about winning the match.

END OF POV

The moment that everyone was waiting for..

Both of the pairs moved to their sides of the court.

SEOHYUN’S POV

I knew this would happen.

“Kyuhyun” I called at him but he looked pretty serious. “No going easy on us, arasso?”

Instead of giving me an answer, he shrugged his shoulders. I got pissed.

What’s wrong with him? Why is he actually participating in this? He knows how desperate Changmin-ssi is in winning this. Or did he participate to eliminate the strong competitors so that Changmin-ssi could win? No he wouldn’t do that…or would he?... I mean..when I really need it, he always helps out. Besides, Changmin-ssi is also his friend.

“The final match, begin!” the referee said

Kyuhyun served the ball and I received it on the other end. We were able to bring it back to Kyuhyun’s side but Kyuhyun was already prepared to launch a spike on the open area of our court. And there, the first point goes to them.

And in just a moment, the first set ended.

“The first set is won by Kyuhyun-Hara pair” the referee said

Kyuhyun and Hara high-fived.

I began to feel tired and so was Changmin-ssi.

“They’re pretty good.” I said to Changmin-ssi

Changmin nodded and said, “Kyuhyun is really good” he said in between his breaths

I was really stupid to think about Kyuhyun like that.He is seriously going for the win.

On the audience, I can hear my unnies talking to each other.

“Kyuhyun-ssi has total control of the ball” Hyoyeon unnie said. “He is also incredibly experienced”

“Starting the second set!” the referee announced.

I looked at Changmin-ssi and he nodded then I shifted my gaze towards our opponents.

“Crap, he is not tired at all.” I said. “And here we are running all over the court.”

“He keeps on aiming on the nasty places” Changmin said

Kyuhyun served the ball and it seemed like it would go outside the court but Changmin ran to hit the ball.

“Changmin-ssi” I called

“I’ll get it” he said

It could have been a bit more but Changmin was not able to save the ball despite diving into the sand. It went down right to the line. Aissh, another point for them again.

I began to get frustrated of the progress of the game.

Changmin-ssi is working hard…but Kyuhyun is just standing there calmly, like he’s just toying him. He is always annoying but always shows up in time to save me. You make me think you are a considerate guy…You’re making me so frustrated.

“WHY IS KYUHYUN TRYING TO BE MY ENEMY???” I unconsciously shouted out loud because of frustration.

Everybody went silent and that’s when I realized what I just did. I forced out a laugh and I felt weird when everyone gave me a puzzled look. “W-What did I just say?” I stuttered

“Well, aren’t you selfish, Seo? You don’t want me as your enemy?” I heard Kyuhyun say with a wide smirk on his face. “So you LIKE me?” he continued teasing

“Shut up! I did not say anything like that” I immediately disagreed.

“Really? Then, are you ready?” he asked and he served the ball.

I received the ball but because it was served so strong it went off to another direction.

“Prez, where are you popping the ball to?” Changmin said as he ran to save the ball.

Changmin was able to toss it but it would not be enough to get it to the other side so I ran towards the net and hit it to the other team’s court. “Alright!!”

“Prez!!”

“Seohyun-ssi, watch out”

I heard Changmin and Hara call.

Then it dawned me that I lost my balance when I tried to toss the ball over. I was going to bang hard on the net post. I was preparing myself to feel pain so I closed my eyes. Then…

BRAG!!

My back hit a hard thing but surprisingly, I did not feel any pain.

When I looked behind, I saw Kyuhyun grimacing. There I realized that I was banged on Kyuhyun’s chest instead of the net post.

“Kyuhyun-ssi, kwaenchana?” Changmin-ssi asked

“Kwaenchana” he answered

Then all the unnies gathered around us too.

“Oppa, you’re shoulder doesn’t look like it’s okay” Hara said

“Ommo, you slammed it, didn’t you?” Taeyeon unnie worriedly asked. “You need first aid”

I was lost of words but I was worried.

END OF POV

Then the night came..

Kyuhyun decided to walk along the seashore. Seohyun followed him behind.

“They made a big deal out of it” Kyuhyun said while walking ahead of her.

“Hey Kyu, don’t move around a lot yet” Seohyun scolded

“You’re worrying too much too, Seo” Kyuhyun answered

“But…” Seohyun said “..it’s my fault. Of course I would worry”

“That’s why you’re tagging along with me without even going to the winner’s celebration?” Kyuhyun asked without facing her.

“How could I be satisfied with a game I only won because of an injury?” Seohyun answered his question with a question. “With this sort of mood, I would just ruin everyone’s fun”

“You’re lucky that Hara-ssi volunteered to become the substitute Princess.” Kyuhyun said. “You know you’re really reckless, Seo”

Then both of them became silent. No one wanted to speak at the moment.

“Kyu..”Seohyun said. “Mianhae…”

Kyuhyun faced her and stared for a bit.

“I’m not forgiving you..” he sounded so serious that it shocked Seohyun.

SILENCE..

“What would you do if I said that?” Kyuhyun continued with a smirk

“You’re teasing me again?!”Seohyun raged. “Because you participated in the tournament, Changmin-ssi was s--”

“I didn’t like the idea” Kyuhyun cut her words.

Seohyun suddenly stopped.

“I didn’t want you to become the Beach Princess, wear clothes that guys like, and have people take pictures of you for their own weird reasons. I didn’t want to see Seo Joo Hyun like that” Kyuhyun said seriously

“T-that’s why?”

“What’s wrong?”

“That’s why you were trying to win?” Seohyun asked

“Yeah”

Seohyun slumped on the sand and sighed. “What’s wrong with you? Changmin-ssi was more important than that”

Kyuhyun also sat down and made Seohyun look at him. “To me, it was the most important thing.”

Seohyun looked at him puzzled.

“You still don’t get it?” Kyuhyun asked

“Get what?” Seohyun asked then shook her hands to and fro. “Besides, you’re always joking around, so what am I supposed to understand?”

Kyuhyun grasped Seohyun’s arm. “Then, look at me closely.”

Seohyun looked at his brown orbs.

“I’m not joking right now” Kyuhyun said looking at her straight in the eyes.

“Kyu…”

Then their faces slowly came closer and closer to each other…

Boom..Boom..Boom.. And the night sky glowed with different colors. Both of them looked at the sky.

“Fireworks?” Seohyun asked

“Oh yeah, they said would launch fireworks at the end of the festival” Kyuhyun said

Then they looked at each other again.

SILENCE..

Kyuhyun put her hand on Seohyun’s face.

Seohyun closed her eyes.

Kyuhyun chuckled. “You’re face is hot”

When she opened her eyes he saw Kyuhyun smiling at her. The sweetest and most genuine smile she had ever seen from him.

Seohyun immediately stood up and cupped her face with her own hands. “I-It’s the sunburn!” she stuttered

“I know” he said still smiling

“Aisshh, Let’s go back” she said

“Sure”

At the beach house..

“Look, the couple is back” Hara said when he saw Seohyun and Kyuhyun

“Hara-ssi, what’s with your dress again?” Seohyun asked

“No one is more suitable to be the Beach Princess than me, right?” Hara said

“It was like a Hara-ssi Festival in the end” Taeyeon said

“No matter what, Hara still lost so she’s staying here with me the whole summer.” Jessica said

“That’s because Kyuhyun-oppa got injured by saving Seohyun” Hara glared at Seohyun

“Anyways, now that they are back, let’s do it” Taeyeon winked

“Do what?” Seohyun asked

“Tomorrow is the last day of the trip so let’s take a group photo.” Taeyeon said while preparing the camera’s timer. “Everybody, scoot in. The timer is on” and Taeyeon went to take her place with the others.

One..two..three..

CLICK!!

Very slowly, many emotions matured and the summer went by.

--------------------

A/N: @supergenerations_25: i will reveal them soon..^-^

Anyways, to the new subscribers, thanks for subscribing..

To everyone, kamsahamnida for all the support..