To all my readers! here's the continuation of the REAL STORY!

XXVI

Jiyong’s P.O.V.

“Wow, I never knew we had such an awesome amusement in town!” Dara spun around happily, trying to look at everything all at once.

“It’s actually quite new, but it’s definitely more impressive than the others I’ve seen…” I explained as I looked at her in amusement. Dara is amazed by the simplest things.

“Oooh, then we should enjoy it while it’s here!”

I smiled at her eagerness. “Let’s get going.”

“Okay!”

Dara treated this experience as if it is a trip to Mars. She is intrigued by everything, even the prizes, which I found to be cheap. What can I say? My standards were very different from hers.

“Which ride do you want to go on?” She asked.

”I don’t see any that interest me yet. I want to play a game instead.” I rubbed my hands together in anticipation while surveying the stands.

“Cool, which one?”

Finally, one caught my interest. “That one,” I smirked as I nodded towards the direction of the game stand. It is one of those basketball games with mini hoops, in which I must score higher than other players in a given amount of time. Not only do I need speed, I also needed accuracy.

“You play basketball so often, why pay for it?” She frowned, obviously unwilling to spend her money.

“Look carefully.”

“I don’t see anything special.” She shrugged and looked at the setup again. She is slightly surprised to see the hoops beginning to rotate randomly. “I see what you mean now.” She gave in.

“Indeed. Money please.” I held out my hand in a demanding manner.

“Here. You better win.” She took out the cash and looked at it longingly before handing it to me ever so slowly.

“You can count on it.” I always liked challenges, except I rarely felt challenged. She stood beside me to watch the game. There is no way I’d show weakness now.

“Oppa, you better win that bunny for me!” I turned to see a small girl with overly cutesy clothes. I shuddered and turned back to focusing on the hoops.

”What are YOU staring at?” I suddenly heard the change of tone and attitude in her voice, and it sounded as if she is speaking in my direction. I turned to her. Sure enough, she is glaring at Dara.

“Nothing.” Dara quietly responded. She is never the type to stand up for herself.

“As if. Who’s that, your boyfriend?” The girl asked rudely.

“No, he’s not. Not that it’s any of your business.” Dara tried to sound tough, but failed miserably.

”Figures, I knew you two didn’t match.” That is the last straw; I pushed Dara back and blocked her from the girl’s view.

I my irresistible charm. I used the most common tactics—the electrifying gaze and mesmerizing smirk. The girl immediately fell weak.

“Listen girl…I hope that you enjoy the game…” I paused for suspense. I am now enjoying this. This girl is simply too easy. I looked at her boyfriend, feeling pity for the poor guy. He definitely looked as if he wanted to say something, but kept his head down whenever I looked at him.

“Please do enjoy it…as I crush your boyfriend’s score and any chances he has of winning that prize for you.” I changed my tone completely and gave her a threatening gaze. She is completely taken aback. I snickered and turned to focus on the hoop. I turned to Dara, she is fighting very hard to not laugh, I gave her a reassuring grin and took hold of a basketball.

I had expected more of a challenge, but won with ease. The game is already over, and I didn’t even break a sweat.

“OPPA! I WANTED THAT BUNNY!” I almost groaned out loud as the nameless annoying girl complained.

“You know what? Screw you and your wants. I should’ve believed my friend when he told me you were a good for nothing flirt who’d try to sleep with anyone that is attractive. Heck, I can do better. I’m out of here!” I mouthed the words ‘good job’ to the boy before he left for good. He acknowledged me with a light nod.

I chose the bunny as my prize and purposely passed by that girl’s path. Her expression is priceless, and Dara is beyond happy.

“You were awesome back there. I never knew you were so THAT good with basketball.” She looked at me in wonder.

“You don’t know a lot of things about me.” It is true. Dara didn’t know half of the things I go through. If she did, she probably wouldn’t be here.

“For example?”

“Ahhh, it’s not important.” I avoided the subject. “Anyways, I want something to eat now.” I suggested, feigning cheerfulness.

”Sure, what?”

“Cotton candy.”

“You like cotton candy? I didn’t know that.”

“Surprise, surprise.” The two of us soon found a food stand that sold cotton candy. The line is pretty long, but my craving drove me through.

“Want some?” I ripped off a portion and offered it to her.

“Thanks.” She stuffed it in and sighed contently. The corners of my mouth lifted unexpectedly. Dara had the oddest ways of making me feel warm deep down.

The rest of the day zoomed by as the two of us ventured throughout the amusement park without a care in the world.

I couldn’t help but break into fits of laughter as I watched her play games and lose miserably at each attempt. She tried to shoot balloons with darts. She made a perfect horizontal line on the cardboard with her darts instead because she kept aiming for that one single balloon, but missed each shot. Somehow, the darts aligned perfectly.

“It’s getting late.”

“It’s all right. The amusement park is open for a while longer. I want to go on one last ride.” I replied, wishing for this outing to last just a bit longer.

“Which one?”

“That one.” I pointed to a Ferris wheel. I liked this Ferris wheel because seats were enclosed. I remembered the incident where I and Dara were stuck at the top of the Ferris wheel because of my parents. Unfortunately, it had been one of those colder days when it happened. I were never fond of ‘open seats’ in Ferris wheels ever since.

“Oooh, I’ve never tried these ones. Let’s go!” I am shocked at her enthusiasm towards the idea, but I definitely didn’t mind.

“This is awesome. I’ve always wondered what it felt like to be in one of these!”

She slowly sat down and looked around in fascination, even though the space is very limited.

“Really?” I looked at her in amusement. I am also very surprised that she gave in to this idea without any hesitation. She went on about the Ferris wheel incident for months after it happened. She complained about having such a romantic moment spoiled because it had been with me.

“Ya. It feels magical.” She said as she shifted towards the window and took in the view.

“Like flying, right?”

Dara looked as if she didn’t know how to react for a split second, but a giant smile formed almost instantly afterwards. “Exactly!”

I smiled in response. I didn’t know what else to say.

“Soooo…” she started. “Uh…I did have enough money after all!”

“Yes. We didn’t spend that much, but it is still entertaining.”

“I want to come again once when this amusement park returns.”

“Really?”

“Ya!”

“I’m glad you liked it. I had a feeling you’d enjoy it.” Dara’s satisfaction reassured me. Even if she probably wouldn’t be coming here again with ME, I am happy to have been part of her first experience here. Being around her is one thing, making her happy is a whole different and much more significant reward.

“Ya…!.” She suddenly looked puzzled. “What do you mean that you had a feeling?”

“Never mind. I’m still a bit sick from all the hospital drugs and such…I’m speaking out of terms.” I couldn’t tell her the truth behind all this. As each day passed, I felt more and more undeserving of being around Dara. Especially since TOP’s arrival, there is really no need for me to be around. I wanted to confront TOP, but I am petrified. I wanted to apologize, to make it up to him, to end this issue once and for all…but I could only muster enough courage to seeing him and pretending to be strangers. Surprisingly, he hasn’t recognized me. ‘Either that or he’s plotting something…’ I thought suspiciously. ‘Oh well…it’s not like I deserve to do anything to help my case…’

“Oh. I see.” Dara’s voice brought me back to reality.

“Right…” I nodded awkwardly.

Silence followed.

“You know Jiyong, I don’t know why we’ve always fought. You’re actually very nice to talk to.” Dara looked at me seriously.

“Thanks.” That is the only word I managed to say. It is the only word I felt I HAD the right to say.

“If we hadn’t wasted all those years bickering about pointless things…we probably would get along fairly well.”

“Ya…” I am beginning to get frustrated with this subject. Dara played mind games with me and she isn’t ever aware of it. It is a miracle that I held everything in for so long. She played games with my mind countless times. Each time, it hurt more than the previous. However, it hurt even more knowing she does this in oblivion.

“Are you okay? You’re kind of quiet.”

“I’m fine. I’m just tired, that’s all.” I lied.

“Oh, well, at least this ride provides comfy seats!” She joked, trying to ease things up.

“Totally.” I forced myself to laugh. It must have been convincing, because she joined me.

~Afterwards~

“Thanks for the ride!”

“You’re all hyped eh?”

“Ya! It’s been ages since I’ve had so much fun. Anyways, take care and good night!” Those very words brought joy to my heart.

“Dara, wait!” I got out of the car. “Here.” I handed her the bunny that I had won from the game.

“You want me to have it?” She looked at me, bewildered.

“Yup.” I pushed it into her hands.

“But why? It’s rightfully yours!” She tried to give it back to me, but I insisted, and placed it back into her hands.

“Well…remember the gigantic teddy bear that I bought you all the way back? When you were sick?” I asked, looking at the ground shyly.

“Yes?”

”It’s been a while since then…huh?” I murmured, barely above a whisper.

She looked at me uncertainly, but quietly nodded.

”Well then, this bunny will make up for that. I hope that you’ll like it. That’s all. Good night.” I gave her one final smile and got back in the car. With that, I left.

I never looked back again. I didn’t see her face; I couldn’t bear to look at her face. I knew that if I looked, it’d only weaken my decision and I’d give in once again. I sat in silence for the rest of the way home.

I collapsed onto my bed, alone with my own depressing thoughts. This is it. Tomorrow…

I will no longer do anything for her as the role of her reckless guardian angel.

I will no longer regard her happiness as more important than my own.

More importantly…I will no longer look at her as that girl I’ve always wanted to protect.

A single tear slid down my cheek as I set all these goals in mind. I am going to treat her as any other girl in the school—with indifference. I can no longer show her any signs of vulnerability.

I closed my eyes, and allowed another tear to grace upon my cheek. I knew it is all for the best…but sometimes…the right thing to do…is the most painful choice.

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

omo! finally!