JR's POV         

 

I know, I promised him. To take him with me today. Nevertheless it feels weird to go to work with him beside me- as if this was a part of

my life Ren hadn't intruded yet, and he was about to take it over as well. Yeah, ridiculous, since it's only today. I still have my worries

though. What if I can't even concentrate with him being around? The costumers are my top priority, and I can't fully avoid flirts either.

On the other hand, what if they try to pick up Ren? A fight is something I can't afford either. I ruffle my hair, sighing. Ren's head spins

around, he looks at me with an indifferent expression on his face.

 

"What is it hyung?" He asks, but I decide to not tell him about my worries.

 

"It's nothing. I'm just a bit nervous."

 

"You don't have to be hyung. I'll do my best. Hwaiting!" He makes that cute gesture along with the 'Hwaiting' and makes me smile lightly.

Maybe I really shouldn't worry. The two of us enter the shop, and I greet my coworkers crossing our way with a nod. They all give Ren

a quick glance, but don't question me. All except one hyung. At the sight of Ren, his eyes widen, and he approaches us with a few

large steps.

 

"JR! You're early today." His gaze shifts to Ren. "Oh, you brought the ice princess again. Hello little lady!"  He greets, attempting to

shake hands with Ren, but he only stares at my hyungs hand as if it was something poisonous that couldn't be touched. I chuckle.

 

"It's only for today, but can Ren assist me here? I promise I'll keep an eye on him." Seems like he overheard the him. My hyung is really

persistent in believing Ren's a girl. We exchange a glance, and an idea comes to my mind. If Ren plays along, we might be able to

have a bit of fun here.

 

"Of course, if that's what she wants to. But Ren-ah, if you get tired of that boring hyung sometime, you can come to assist me anytime."

He throws a wink at Ren, who grimaces slightly, but I give him a glare, signalizing him to behave better. Instantly, his face lights up, and

he even smiles. I feel like those smiles should only belong to me, but since it all was my idea in the first place, I don't say anything.

 

"I will hyung, thank you!" Ren exclaims, throwing such a breathtaking smile at my coworker hyung that I am mesmerized by it. And so is

my hyung, who is left completely speechless as Ren pulls me away with him. I regain my senses and take the lead, we then head into

the backmost room where only workers are allowed to go, and we both get rid of our jackets. I casually put on my name tag and explain

some basic things to Ren.

 

"Okay, Ren-ah. Most important things first. Always be polite with the costumers. Smile and don't look like you do now." I grin, grabbing

his cheeks and gently forcing him to smile. "Don't overdo it though, they might get their hopes up." And I don't want to see him being

taken away by another man. "Just answer their questions and be honest when they ask about your opinion. If there's something you

can't handle at all, just call me." I make sure that we are alone in the room, then place my hands on his waist and place a peck on his

lips. Ren, surprised by my sudden action, doesn't move for a few seconds until he regains control over his body.

 

"Um- right. I will." He then stutters, and we leave for work. Honestly, I am afraid that it is too much for him to handle, since he has never

been in contact with others except me and my friends.

 

Turns out my worries are for nothing. After the first half an hour, he already interacts well with the costumers, and he's being asked for

his opinion by both males and females. I feel proud, his fashion sense is pretty good, I have to admit. While he's doing exceptionally

well, I keep being distracted. Because I always glance over to him.

 

"So what do you think?" I notice the girl before me only now, she holds two shirts and a skirt in her hands, and looks at me with

expectation in her eyes.

 

"Um, sorry, could you repeat that?" Lucky me, she's a bit nervous herself, talking to me. So she doesn't mind telling me again, and I

finally focus on her and her question, trying to help her the best way possible while half of my thoughts are still with Ren.

 

 

 

Ren's POV

 

This is more fun than I had expected it to be.  I already liked the shop when we first went here, as costumers, and I like it even more

from this perspective. Thinking back, just a bit ago, I would never have thought that I'd actually enjoy interacting with strangers. But I

like the thought of my opinion being appreciated. I am of help. For JR, and for the costumers in their choices. I just finished advising

two guys who wanted to find something cute to wear for their girlfriends when another person approaches me. I take a deep breath

and form the smile on my lips, then examine the girl closer, and the smile freezes until it gradually vanishes, leaving only my usual

blank expression. The girl before me looks exactly like her. Could it be that, in the end, it actually is her? I swallow, forcing myself to be

more reasonable. This can't be, because she would be older by now. This is just a girl that looks ridiculously similar to her.

 

"Hello, what can I help you with?" I ask, getting a hold of my expression before the girl notices my inner conflict.

 

"Omo!" She exclaims, grabbing my hand, and I want to pull it away and run. Everything inside of me crouches. "You must be Ren-ah,

right?" Now I can't hide my shock anymore, my eyes widen, and I back away a bit. She lets go of me, noticing that her behavior just now

had been a bit impolite.

 

"Oh, sorry, I'm just so excited - what a coincidence!" She says, her Korean having a cute accent. Yeah, what a coincidence indeed. I

keep staring at her. The same hair, the same features. "I should introduce myself first, right? Since I know so much about you while you

don't even know me." She bows down, and I still can't seem to avert my gaze. This is just so unreal. "My name is Vani, I'm Baekho's

girlfriend. Nice to meet you." Hearing those words, I relax a bit.

 

"It's Ren, but I guess you know already." Exactly how much does she know about me? The question keeps on my mind.

 

"I know, Baekho told me a lot about you. He told me you were pretty, but wow, I'd never have thought you were this pretty." Admiration

fills her voice, and maybe even a bit of jealousy.

 

"You're JR's boyfriend right? Hah, this is so cute!" A hand is being rested on my shoulder.

 

"Yes, he is. Hello there Vani." JR has stepped behind me, greeting Vani nicely, saving me from being forced to converse with her. I don't

think I could.

 

"Hi JR! How are you?" I don't like how she's so familiar with him.

 

"Fine I guess, what about you and Baekho?" She thinks for a moment before answering, and her face saddens.

 

"We had our conflicts, but it's okay by now. He can't be angry with me for a long time." Immediately, her grin is up again. How can she

be like this? JR notices my insecurity and comes to help.

 

"Is it okay if I advise you here? Ren-ah seems to be a bit tired." And, now addressing me, he adds: "You should go rest a bit. You know

where, right?" I nod. JR pulls Vani away from me, and she says bye, but I don't respond. My surroundings blended out, I find my way to

the backmost room and stop in front of a mirror. My face is awfully pale, it really does look like I'm ill. Not like I could fall ill for real, but

still. I sit down on the old sofa, staring at the ground, engrossing in memories.

 

 

 

 

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I know, not long and boring at that, but hey - I updated! I promise that within the next chapters parts of Ren's past will be revealed. It all starts here xD

And also, thank you all for reading! Comments are love!