Chapter 26: Of The Longest Evening   Chapter 26 Theme Song 1 : Winter Rain by Mblaq(GO & Mir)   Chapter 26 Theme Song 2 : I YAH by Boyfriend   Instrumental 4       ps: take ur time to read peeps, it's gonna be longer winding journey than usual...that's why we have moreee songs. lol     ♥♥♥     I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw him, surprisingly...after looking for him everywhere, he was actually just at the hut by the sea. I guess, I'm not the only one who love this place.   "So, you're here, huh, Chulyongie. Do you have any idea how tiring it is for me to look for you?" I joined and seated myself next to him inside the open air hut. He wasn't so quick to retort, and instead, took time to look the other side and wiped off his eyes using the back of his forearm.   "Wait...wait...are you, crying?"   "No. Who asked you to come anyway? I didn't!"   Silly Chulyongie, still worrying about his pride. He could at least let the person he gave kindness to, to care for him even for a bit. I wanted to , just to bring out the normal noisy Chulyong, but decided...maybe we don't have much time for that.   "So, do you want to tell me about it or do you want me to make you talk?"   "About what?" His voice sounded like he was still crying. He's not even looking at me while talking. I could understand that feeling. He wouldn't want to be seen in such a sorry state. Especially considering his personality. I wanted to ask why he fought, but even more than that, his condition now is probably more worrying.   "Why are you crying?"   "I'm not..." Suddenly he bawled like a little kid. "Noona, I'm scared! I injured a person. What if Star Empire want to sue us? What if Hyungsik's mom and dad wanted to sue my parents? His dad is rich! Well...I'm...my parents are sort of rich too...but they might disown me if they find out..." And his words blurred as his cries became louder. I had to suppress the urge to laugh, because that's not the right thing to do. But seriously? He's worrying about this? Why is he so adorable? This big baby.   "Pabo. Hyungsik wouldn't let that happen. He's a nice person and you're friends right? Everything will be fine." The topic of Hyungsik suddenly reminded me of what I heard earlier. Shudders. Why would he say something like that? Does that blow got him too badly?   "You really think so?" Now, he's looking at me, not even hiding his tear-stained face and messy shaggy hair. The kind of messy that makes you desperate to fix it back to place. But now, I'm scared to 'be too nice' to him. Thanks for the confusing shocker, Hyungsik. Now I have to question my every action and think whether I am to be blamed for any confusion caused or perfect couplings ruined? Does this mean I have finally become as popular as Miss Nam or Jei? Isn't that awesome? But how come I don't feel great about it? Is this how they felt when they learnt that somebody else's date liked them? I have a shot now. I might have a choice than to end with someone I don't want to end with, if I pursue it. Well, that kid already have two other choices, but still...I'm no longer in the zone of hopelessness. But something about this whole thing...feels so wrong.   "Noona, you lied just now didn't you?"   "Huh....? No. Of course not. It's not like you intentionally hit his face, did you?"   "Of course not. It's all JB that bastard..." His words left hanging in the air.   "What did Jaebum do to you?"   He let out a heavy, long sigh before giving an answer. "Nothing. He didn't do anything to me."   "Then, why did you two fight?"   "Noona, can we...just not talk about this anymore?"   "Okay. But you'll have to apologize to Hyungsik and the whole production team AND Jaebum."   "What?! No way! That JB kid...no freaking way I'm going to apologize to him. Nuh'uh."   "But you're the one who pick a fight with him. You admitted it just now."   "He started it! He's the one who asked where y...Noona, are you trying to trap me?" He side-eyed me suspiciously, ever the smart Mireu. Always knowing people's true motives even when they're acting innocent or dumb about it. Fine, you won this round.   "Of course not. He asked where...what? Who?" I still need to get to the root of this problem though. I would not admit defeat easily, Bang Chulyong.   "No, no, no. I'm not answering you." He suddenly placed both his palms onto his ears, covering them while chattering nonsense about how he would not answer my question no matter what. I could only shook my head at his childishness. Nobody would believe he's older than Hyungsik and Jaebum. Only those who knows, knows. I smiled in defeat, might as well wait until he calmed down and take off his hands from his ears.   When he finally did that, after seeing my lack of response probably, he stared at me timidly, still suspicious though. "Noona, you're really not going to force me to answer?" Mireu, you can be kind of predictable sometimes. Heh.   "Well, I will have to respect your decision if you really don't want to tell, though it'll make me so happy if you'd share that secret with me. But you know...it's up to you. Just remember that you'll have to apologize to everyone if you don't tell me the reason you fought, because if I don't know, how am I going to defend you? Right?" I smiled seeing his annoyed expression before he finally turned serious.   "Noona, you don't have to defend me to them. If I have to apologize, I will. But not to JB. Why would you defend him? Didn't he hurt you again? Didn't he left you again?"   "What?! When did he left me? Who told you that?"   "If he didn't, he should've been with you instead of coming home and asking if I saw you." His voice grew smaller at the end of his answer and he stared down to the wood planks that made up the hut's floor. So...it was all...because of...me?   "Are you saying you two fought... because of me?" It was too frightening to ask it out loud, because the way he wouldn't look at me already gave away the answer. "But...why? I never ask you to..."   "No. It's not just because of you. I never liked him anyway. He lacked manners and ought to be teached some lessons. If only Hyungsik that idiot didn't come in between at that time."   None of his explanations mattered anymore. Because now I know the reason. I just didn't know how to feel about it. So many things came into my mind at once. Like...since when did Mireu mind other people's matters so much? Or has he always been this way and it's just me who failed to notice it? I remained silent for...I don't even know, how long, trying to think coherently on what to say or do next. When I heard my name being called, I knew it's time to stop thinking whether I've reached a decision or not.   "Thank you. Now, that I know...you dont' have to worry about it. We'll find a way somehow. But just for your information, he didn't left me. I was the one who left him."    "Really?! Well, he deserved it anyway." it took him some moments before giving that answer and adding more. "Seungah noona, do you think, we can stay here just until sunset? I really want to take recording of it...you know, to show my hyungs."   I glanced at my watch. Almost five in the evening and we'll be filming for final selection at six.   "I'm afraid no. We don't have time...how come your date with Hyejeong ended so fast? She's your date, right?"   "Aish...noona, can you stop talking about her? She's so clingy and annoying."   "Did it ever hit you that maybe it's because she likes you? Did you see her acting like that around Minjun oppa even though they've had many dates together? No, right?"   "Who ask her to like me? I've warned her many times." He mumbled, and I could only shake my head in defeat again. Bang Mir, will you ever learn to appreciate other people's feelings? It wouldn't be everyday for someone with persona as yours to find a girl who would like you for who you are, good or bad.  Hyejeong is really a professional though. When I see her with Minjun oppa, I really believe they're a loving couple. I bet the viewers will feel the same. Who knew...   "Alright. Let's go." I signalled him to follow and we walked back, chatting about the crazy things that happened in the course of ten days and places we wanted to go but couldn't find time to. Regardless of how he treat people around him, nobody on this trip had made me laugh and felt appreciated as much as he did. Odd, isn't it? How someone who's notorious with words and carelessness for other people's feelings, could make someone feel so cared for and thankful.   "Oh, why are you two together? Ommo, do I smell a new couple?"   Until the owner of that voice and familiar teasing greeted us as we're nearing at our temporary home.   Nam Jihyun.   I instantly grabbed for Mir's arm and closed our gap. "Yeah. Well, unexpected huh? And where have you been, leaving your boy alone?"   "I...well, I had schedule."   "Then, quickly go check him. I accidentally punched his face." Said the overgrown boy with straightface, causing Miss Nam's face to turn horrified.   "You're lying."   "Go check on your own. I'm sorry." And with that line, we're left alone again as Miss Nam charged into the house.   "What was that about? New couple? Are you serious?" He  raised the arm that was still in my hold to show it on my face. Okay, I get it.   "No, it's just