At the railway station..

“Geez, why did you tell everyone that you didn’t want them to come? You looked so depressed now. You actually wanted them to see you off, didn’t you?” little Joohyun sighed. “Geez you’re so helpless”

When Joohyun noticed that the boy’s gloomy expression did not change, she looked inside her bag and handed Hero a piece of candy. “Here, take this! Don’t make that face anymore” she said and tapped his cheeks. “Cheer up, okay?”

“Hero-ssi!”

KRiiiiiiiiinng! KRiiiinng!

The alarm clock sounded loudly in his ears. Jaejoong squinted his eyes as the light fell on his face.

A dream .One of his childhood memories about Joohyun again.

He usually felt happy when he had dreams like these, but today, he felt different. He felt rather unusually worried like something heartbreaking would happen for the next few days.

But being the positive person that he is, he brushed these bitter thoughts away and reluctantly got out of bed to get ready for school.

After class at Kyunghee High..

“She’s as scary as always” a student said

“Ah that devil Prez, that’s because Jaejoong-ssi keeps on doing different things in class” another student said. “She even scolded him before the teacher could”

“Jaejoong-ssi aren’t you afraid of getting scolded by her?” the student asked

“Not really, because she is Seohyun” Jaejoong answered

Not far away, they saw Seohyun cleaning the muddy tracks on the building’s entrance.

“Did the sports club members make this mess? I told them many times not to track mud inside..” they heard her say in a pissed tone

The two students that were with Jaejoong got scared because they were members of the Sports club. “Hide!” one of them said and they both went behind a wall

“Jaejoong-ssi, let’s go!” the other student dragged him. “She’ll bring you to hell if you get caught.”

Outside the school gates..

“Why did you choose the Prez out of all the girls?” one student asked. “She might have been kinder back then, but look at her now”

“Hmmm..” Jaejoong thought. “She does talk a little differently compared to back then but..she’s still as kind as she was”

“Whaaat??? How?” the two students asked in disbelief

“Ehh? Don’t tell me she treats me differently?” Jaejoong asked the two

“He’s a masochist” one student whispered to the other

“That’s what I thought too” the other guy agreed

“Anyway, she is still Seo Joo Hyun.” Jaejoong spoke seriously. “My feelings for her won’t change”

“Jaejoong-ssi” the two said in awe

“I realized a long time ago that she has to be the one for me.” Jaejoong said

FLASHBACK

It was Valentine’s Day..

At Chungnam Middle School..

Jaejoong opened his locker and found a letter and a box neatly wrapped with a red ribbon.

“Today is Valentine’s day neh?” he said to himself.

It was not the first time for him to receive such but he was just not interested with them. He read the letter and remembered her childhood friend in Seoul. It would be nice if I could tell my feelings for her like this too.

He reached on his pocket and brought out a small notepad. He flipped through the pages and found a candy wrapper neatly tucked between the pages. He remembered the day he was sent off to his grandparents’ place. Joohyun handed him a candy and told him to cheer up. He was so grateful for her kindness. From then on, he kept the candy wrapper and that memory to himself.

END OF FLASHBACK

The next day at Kyunghee high..

“Eh? Shinee’s live performance?” Seohyun asked

“Yeah, they’re gonna perform in Chungwoon High’s School Festival” Yuri answered

“Yah, Yuri!!” Seohyun scolded. “Have you forgotten how awful that Minho-ssi was to you?”

“Exactly!!” Sooyoung agreed. “Please tell her she can’t go, Seohyun-ah”

“But he is different now!!” Yuri explained.

“How could you be so sure?” Seohyun asked

“You know, Seohyun-ah, Minho-ssi got injured in their last performance and Yuri said that he changed his attitude to her when she once visited him at the hospital.” Sooyoung explained

Seohyun and Sooyoung wanted to say a lot of things but they just gave her glares because they know that Yuri is the type of person that gets scarred easily.

“S-Sorry! But…” Yuri stuttered. “He has really changed, and I wanted you to know…”

Seeing how sincere Yuri was the two looked at each other and sighed. “Geez, I guess I have to go then..” Seohyun said.

“I want to go too” Kyuhyun suddenly joined in the conversation

“Kyuhyun?!”

“I want to go to Chungwoon High’s school Festival!” Kyuhyun repeated

“Why would you be coming?!?” Seohyun asked

Kyuhyun just looked at her with puppy eyes.. (^-^)

“E-eh, w-why are you suddenly like that?” Seohyun asked awkwardly with a blush

“Just bring him along” Yuri said

“He is worried about you!” Sooyoung added

“That’s impossi—” she stopped when she remembered what happened the other day.

I’ll show you what my feelings are, then.

Dorinpa, Dorunpa. Now you can’t lie.

I want you to tell me the truth.

Just that thought of what happened made her blush even more.

“Seohyun-ah, you are blushing. Hihihi.” Yuri teased

At  Maid Latte..

It was Fortune-Telling Day!

“This is Krystal. I recruited her for today because she will be our fortuneteller” Taeyeon said

“Annyeonghasaeyo!” Krystal greeted and bowed 90 degrees

“Annyeonghasaeyo” they all greeted back

“Krystal-ssi, you really can do fortune-telling?” Tiffany curiously asked

“Ye, but I’m still learning it continuously” Krystal answered

“I tell you she’s really good” Taeyeon said. “I tried it some days ago, that’s why I thought of holding a Fortune Telling Day event here at Maid Latte.”

“Wow, daebak!” Hyoyeon said

Suddenly, they heard the door chimes ring.

“Welcome back, Masters!” Yoona and Seohyun greeted the Pabo trio.

“We heard you have a special event today” Eunhyuk said

“Yes Master, it is fortune telling day” Yoona answered

“Fortune telling?” Yesung asked

“Yeah” Taeyeon said. “We invited Krystal-ssi to help us.”

“Then, we would like to have our fortunes read” KangIn said

“Of course” Krystal said. “Now, tell me what do you want to know?”

“Okay! Krystal-ssi, will I…” KangIn said

“No, will I..” Eunhyuk said

“No, will I..” Yesung said

“…be together with Seohyun-ssi?” they all said

“Fine. Let the crystal ball reveal your fortune with her” Krustal said and started to put her hands over the crystal ball.

“Manager, looks like Krystal-ssi is somewhat possessed” Tiffany observed

“I can’t wait to know the result” Eunhyuk said

“I’m so anxious” Yesung exclaimed

“It has been revealed!” Krystal suddenly said. “This is..”

“What did you see?” KangIn asked

“Shhhhhhhhh!!” Krystal hushed. “I can’t see anything since it’s as cloudy as gray matter.”

“What do you mean?” Yesung asked

“I can’t see anything! That is everything you need to know!” Krystal said. “In other words, it will never happen for you guys!!!That’s what the crystal ball says”

“You don’t need to put it so bluntly” Yesung said in disappointment

“Since fortune telling is basically just observing people, Seohyun would not be able to do it” Yoona said. “Hehe. You don’t even know about your own feelings”

“Eiiiihh” Seohyun said awkwardly

The door chimes rang again, this time it’s Jaejoong.

“Welcome back, Master!” they all greeted

“I saw outside that there is fortune telling today. Can I get one too?” Jaejoong asked

“Of course, Master!” Seohyun said

“Please sit infront of the crystal ball Master” Hyoyeon motioned

“Oh, how authentic” Jaejoong exclaimed

“Please tell my future with Seohyun-ssi” Jaejoong said

“Of course” Krystal said

“Yah, why is everyone asking their fortune with me?” Seohyun said

“Kekeke!!” Taeyeon giggled

Krystal started to read the crystal ball. After some sort of divinations…

“I see it” Krystal said

“What did you see?” Jaejoong asked

“A balloon…”

“And?”

“..that is deflated.” Krystal said

“Ehhhhh??”

“How sad for him” Eunhyuk whispered

“His future with Seohyun-ssi is like a deflated balloon huh?” KangIn said

“It must be worse than our cloudy prediction” Yesung said

“Look!” Jaejoong said. “The deflated balloon is inflating again”

“My, my” Eunhyuk said. “Trying to hang on to your last thread huh?”

“I don’t see any holes in it” Krystal said

“I’m relieved.” Jaejoong said. “I can just inflate it again as long as there are no holes”

“Wooah, that’s really optimistic of him” KangIn said

“Here is something extra for you” Krystal interrupted. “That optimism might just turn things around for you in the end”

“Really?? Yay!”

Suddenly, Kyuhyun stood up from his seat and approached the others.

“If that’s the case, I’ll get my future with Seohyun told as well” Kyuhyun said

“Ehhhh?” Seohyun asked

Jaejoong glared at Kyuhyun but the latter just ignored him and sat infront of the crystal ball.

“Then, I shall look into your future” Krystal said

Krystal made some divination again and when she was done she avoided looking on Kyuhyun’s eyes.

“Then, what’s my fortune?” Kyuhyun asked

“O-Oh yeah. R-right…” Krystal stuttered

“Just tell it to me straight” Kyuhyun said

“You’re right. Here it goes..”

Everybody anticipated for the result.

“The two of you…” Krystal trailed. “..have no future together!!!!”

“Ehhhhhh???” Hyoyeon, Tiffany and Taeyeon said

“I see fire and water in the crystal ball.” Krystal explained. “You two are very incompatible, and a romance between the two of you cannot happen”

SILENCE.

“If you still wish to pursue this relationship, you will have to face a great obstacle.” Krystal added

8:55 pm..

JAEJOONG’S POV

I was on my way home from buying some items from a nearby convenience store. I feel really happy today. The fortune teller told me that if I would continue being optimistic, I may be able to turn the situation around.

I told you everything is going to be alright. Seohyun-ah, just wait and see, I’ll prove to you that I’m a dependable person.

I glanced at my wristwatch and it said it was already 8:58 pm.

“Oh, Seohyun-ah must be going off work now.” I said to myself. “Maybe I should walk her home”

I increased my pace and was now heading towards Maid Latte. I decided to walk by the alley which passed through the café’s backdoor. When I entered from the corner, I saw Kyuhyun-ssi there waiting. I was supposed to approach him but I stopped when someone came out. Seohyun.

“Oh? You were waiting for me?” I heard Seohyun ask Kyuhyun.

END OF POV

9 pm..

At Maid Latte..

“Good work!!” Taeyeon thanked all the employees

“Deh, Kamsahamnida!” they all bowed

SEOHYUN’S POV

One by one, everybody went home. I made my way out of the backdoor..

“Oh? You were waiting for me?” I asked when I saw Kyuhyun

“I saw Jaejoong-ssi hurrying off somewhere just now.” he answered

“Oh..” I said for I did not know what to say

“Does it really bother you that much?” he asked

“WHERE DID YOU GET THAT FROM??” I asked angrily for him misunderstanding the situation again

“He might be waiting for his situation to turn around” he sounded rather depressed. “I see. So..we were that incompatible with each other huh?”

“Wait, Kyu” I said. “You aren’t that easily influenced by fortune telling, are you?”

But he dodged my question. He kept on pressing our incompatibility.

“So, that’s the reason why you’re so cold towards only me..” he said

“ANIYO!  That’s because you are a erted alien” I explained

“I’m sure you are calling me that because of our incompatibility, right?” he insisted

“Yah!! Pabo!!” I’m really pissed of his behavior right now

“We’re not allowed to be together, huh..” he added

“SO ARE YOU GOING TO LEAVE ME JUST BECAUSE OF THAT?!!” my anger burst

He looked surprised when I said those words. That’s when I realized..

Seo Joo Hyun, have you lost your mind? What are you saying?

I felt the need to explain but I can’t find any excuse.

“N-No, uhmm..” I felt my cheeks burning and worst of all he just stared at me then smiled softly.

END OF POV

The next day at Kyunghee High..

Seohyun saw a lot of mud tracks again at building’s entrance.

“Those guys from the Sports Club!!!” Seohyun exclaimed. “I’ll make them pay this time”

She gathered some cleaning materials and started polish the floor.

JAEJOONG’S POV

Seohyun was scubbing the muddy floor when I saw him.

Why do I suddenly feel awkward around her after what I saw last night?

SO ARE YOU GOING TO LEAVE ME JUST BECAUSE OF THAT?!! her words echoed in my head

 I realized from there on that she really does feel something for Kyuhyun-ssi and that she’s just not aware of her own feelings.

I wanted to just leave her there but my body did otherwise. I got a pale of water and helped her scrub the dirty floor.

I won’t think of other things at the moment, I’ll worry about it when it comes.

 “Jaejoong-ssi!” she exclaimed

“I’ll help you Seo!” I said cheerfully. “This is a big mess”

 She giggled.

“What’s funny?” I asked

“Nothing, you’ve just completely changed..” she answered. “You used to be compelled in all things especially cleaning”

“Eh?”

“Gomawo, You’re a great help!” she said with a smile

After seeing her smile, my heart suddenly pounded faster. “R-Really. I-I’m glad. I-I’ll work hard” I stuttered

“Jaejoong-ssi, what’s wrong?” she asked

“N-Nothing, I’ll just change the water” I excused

“Already?” I heard her ask but I went though

Outside, at the faucet..

“Geez, she was so cute that I thought I’d die”

I filled up the bucket but I saw a hose at the corner. I got it and plugged it on the faucet.

“Seohyun-ah, won’t it be faster to use this?” I asked

“Oh the hose!” she said. “It might be long enough to get the whole entrance”

“Yea, that’s right!” I said. “Press here, just like this and it’ll—”

As soon as I pressed the end of the hose, the other end was removed from the faucet.

“Waaaahhh” I screamed and the water came splashing everywhere as I tried to cover the faucet with my hand

“Pabo! You did not connect the hose properly!” Seohyun said. “Aissh, it’s cold. Don’t block the water with your hands!! Turn off the tap!!”

“Where do I turn it to?” I asked in panic

“Get off. Don’t use your hands to block it!!” Seohyun said

When we managed to turn off the tap, we ended soaking wet.

“M-Mianhae, Seohyun-ah” I apologized

“What are you doing on this chilly day?” Kyuhyun-ssi suddenly asked

“Kyuhyun, you again?” Seohyun said

“You’re gonna catch a cold when you don’t change” Kyuhyun-ssi said. “I won’t stop you if you insist on playing in the water, though”

“Shut up!” Seohyun said. “Jaejoong-ssi, do you have clothes to change into?”

“Yeah, the clothes I wear at the music store” I answered

“Change quickly” she said. “You’re gonna catch a cold”

She’s still as kind as ever!

“What about you?” I asked her

“I’ll go to the infirmary and take care of this.” she answered. “Get moving. See you later” and started to walk away.

“Wait Prez!” Kyuhyun called. “You’re going there like that?”

“Oh yeah, you’re right! The corridors will get wet. So I’ll just walk around the building to the infirmary” she answered

“That’s not what I mean” Kyuhyun-ssi said bluntly

“It’s fine right?” she asked. “It’s not like you can see through my undergarments”

“Ahhh, you think so?” Kyuhyun-ssi asked her then looked at me. “Why do you think that guy over there is blushing?”

“Ahhh!” I said then covered my eyes.

“Why are you feeling embarrassed?” Seohyun asked

“It’s not good to be so clueless, Prez” Kyuhyun-ssi said

Kyuhyun-ssi removed his blazer and covered it to her.

“I-It’s fine” Seohyun tried to remove the blazer. “No big deal”

“I’ll strip completely if you don’t wear it” Kyuhyun-ssi said

“What????” Seohyun asked. “Alright! Just don’t go stripping you ert!”

I looked at Seohyun. There it goes again. It has been like that eversince I came. I always saw the effect Kyuhyun-ssi had on her, when he was around her. Her shoulders would relax, her eyes become gentle and her face is always adorned with a slight blush. I always tried to deny those signs but as time went by, they became more vivid.

“Ruff!!” I came back to my senses when I heard that sound. I saw Kyuhyun-ssi looking at me but he turned around immediately when I looked up.

“Why did you bark?” Seohyun asked him while they walked away

“Nothing, just felt like doing it” Kyuhyun-ssi answered her. “Why don’t you try meowing?”

“What are you trying to pull this time?” Seohyun asked

I felt so frustrated at that time. The feeling of defeat racked my whole being that I did not notice a drop of tear that fell.

“RUFF!!” I answered in much frustration.

END OF POV

Jaejoong opened the door of his apartment. As soon as he entered, he immediately slumped down the floor. He did not even bother to switch on the lights. What he just knew that time was that his chest felt heavy. His eyes slowly became filled with tears.

FLASHBACK

At Chungnam Middle High School’s Music Room..

“Boyfriend?” Jaejoong asked

“Yeah, she might have one already, don’t you think?” Seulong asked

“Especially if she’s as cute as you say” Jokwon added

“Well no worries if she’s an ugly pig though” Seulong exclaimed

“She’s not! She’s definitely cute!” Jaejoong strongly denied

“Then, she must have a boyfriend now!” Seulong and Jokwon both said

“You honestly never thought about that possibility?” Jokwon asked. “How naïve of you, Jaejoong-ssi. We’re gonna be high schoolers soon, you know”

“Besides, she is in Seoul. And Seoul is where everything is” Seulong stated

“Hey, don’t tease an idealistic middle school boy!” Jin Woon interrupted them

“Jin Woon-ah!!” Jaejoong exclaimed

“Still, don’t you think that he needs to start seeing things more realistically?” Jokwon asked

“Well, he does make us worry because of that” Jin Woon agreed. “He still has the candy wrapper that girl gave him right?”

“How did you know about that?!” Jaejoong asked

“You know guys..” Jin Woon started. “..he put that wrapper in the victory charm we bought together for the chorale”

“Bo???” both Seulong and Jokwon exclaimed

“Yah!!!!” Jokwon smacked Jaejoong’s head. “So you were the reason why we lost the second round of the Interschool Music Fest?!”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Jaejoong talked back. “It was the reason why we won the first round!”

“Hey guys, that doesn’t really matter now” Jin Woon stopped them from fighting. “Jaejoong-ssi, are you really serious in finding her in high school? You will be disappointed if you expect too much from her”

“Jin Woon is right! Be prepared if you are going to find her.”

END OF FLASHBACK

 “I was prepared, but…” he said in between sobs. “..but it still hurts.”

His sobs slowly became audible cries. He fell on his back on the floor and clutched his chest. If he did not do that, he thought his heart would burst. The sadness, denials, disappointments, anger, and everything in between that he has been keeping for the past few days finally exploded. He could not bear it anymore.

But amidst this current state he was going through, he made a resolve.

“I’ll worry about getting her annoyed when it happens, but I’ll never give up and just keep trying!” he said to himself

But for now, he just wanted to release all the negative feelings he had been harboring. He was hoping that tomorrow, things might become better.  

A few days later…

At Chungwoon’s School Festival..

Yuri, Sooyoung, Seohyun and Kyuhyun were infront of the school gates.

“Whoa!!” Yuri exclaimed as they entered the school. “This year is really amazing!”

“I heard rumors, but to think that it’s this grand..” Seohyun said

“Seems like it’s their school’s tradition” Yuri said

“I heard they have spent half a year preparing for this.” Sooyoung said

“Yaaaaaaayyy!! Hwaiting!!” they heard cheers from a crowd

“It’s really noisy over there!” Seohyun said

“Could it be?!” Yuri exclaimed and went through the crowd.

“They’ve shown up huh?” Seohyun said. “Shinee..Uh? where is she?”

 “She’s on the crowd already” Sooyoung answered

“Minho-ssi, here is something for you!” Yuri said as Shinee passed by the crowd.

“Yah,  you’re on the way!” a girl said to Yuri and pushed her

“Yuri-ah!” Seohyun shouted as she saw Yuri being pushed. Luckily, Minho was able to grab Yuri’s hand which prevented her from falling.

“Haven’t I said it before?” Minho spoke to the crowd. “Be nice if you want me to like you. Only those who can promise me that can follow me.”

After he said those, the crowd went wild and suddenly there was a stampede which separated Yuri and Sooyoung from Seohyun.

“Yuri, Sooyoung!” Seohyun called as she was being pushed from the crowd.

Kyuhyun grabbed Seohyun out so that she won’t be hurt in the crowd.

“Are you alright?” Kyuhyun asked as soon as they were out of the crowd

“Kyu!” she said. “Yuri and Sooyoung got separated!”

“Try calling them to know where they are” Kyuhyun suggested

Seohyun called Sooyoung.

“Yoboseyo?” Seohyun said. “Where are you?”

“We are here near the stage” Sooyoung answered

“So both of you were swept up to the first few rows?” Seohyun asked. “Which means…”

“Beyond this sea of people, right” Kyuhyun said

Seohyun sighed.

“It seems like they were lining up for the performance..” Sooyoung explained.

“I don’t wanna move. I don’t want!” Seohyun heard Yuri on the background

“..and Yuri doesn’t want to move now.” Sooyoung further explained

“Sooyoungie, I don’t want to go farther from the stage anymore. Let’s just stay here” Yuri begged

“I guess we won’t be able to meet up with you guys so go ahead and enjoy yourselves!” Sooyoung said

“Ehh? Sooyoung—” Seohyun said

“Alright, catch you later!” Sooyoung said and the line went dead

Seohyun closed her phone and sighed even deeper. “You say that but..”

“Minho-ssi has changed recently, right?” she heard some girls talking

“The band has a different feel about them too!” another girl said

“They seem so tense. It feels like there is a gap between them and their fans but scandals involving the fans have faded away” another girl said. “This is a good thing for their fans who are looking forward to their music”

Minho-ssi seemed different, like Yuri said. Seohyun thought. But, I’m still not sure if he is trustworthy. I’m worried of her..so worried. But I guess a person’s opinion differ when seen in different angles. Still..

Kyuhyun tapped Seohyun’s head. “You’re worrying too much again, Seo. There’s no use thinking about it now. Shall we go and enjoy the festival?”

“E-enjoy???”