“Yo, so listen up,” Noona says as everyone settles in their own little spaces on the mats. After another round of gruesome drills and more gruesome drills (even after all the rigorous training I get from dance practice, I somehow still cannot get used to Noona’s training regime; my legs hurt ;A;), I had done my usual job of leading the cool-down, and when Noona asked us to sit down because she had an announcement, I took my place directly in front of her, practically at her feet.

“Let me share a story. I don’t usually share stories, but what the heck.” Noona clears , and I’m all-ears because she usually never shares any stories, not even to the twelve of us. Kris-hyung beside me looks equally curious. “When I was four or five, just when I started learning Taek Won Do, my mother had taken me to watch a small Taek Won Do competition by the outskirts of my hometown. That was when I realized that I truly wanted to pursue the art. What made my four or five-year old decide on such a heavy commitment? It was because of the contestants and the way they practiced Taek Won Do. They were living, breathing manifestations of Taek Won Do. It was passion at its finest.” I can’t help but smile as Noona narrates.

“What I’m trying to say is, you won’t completely understand the art unless you see it in action for yourself, and unless you pursue it for yourself. So, let me smoothly transition to my real announcement.” Noona gives a small grin, “Next Saturday, the local studio I often visit will be sending a team of its students to a competition. They’ll be battling with representatives from studios all over Seoul and nearby towns, so it’s going to be a pretty big tournament. In lieu of the competition, I’m cancelling classes next week, but,” Noona stares hard at some students who were mid-way on pumping their fists in the air,  “Don’t start rejoicing, because I am going to require you to watch. It’ll be from 10 am to 6 pm, at the indoor sports arena in Apgujeong. You can go at anytime, but you must stay for a minimum of two hours. Those who can watch for more than two hours will have corresponding bonus points, depending on how long you stayed. Furthermore,” She suddenly chuckles, “Those who can make some posters for the team will also be given additional points. For many of the members of the team, this is going to be their first competition, so they’ll need all the support they can get, understand? I want you all to cheer for them, all right?”

“Yes, Sah-bum-nim!”

Noona motions for everyone to stand up, and we do as we are told. By now, everyone had grown accustomed to standing straight, with our chests out and chins up because Noona was strict about posture. “Well, then, if there aren’t any more questions, you are dismissed. Thank you for today, everyone.”

“Thank you and good bye, Sah-bum-nim!” we greet in unison and bow in unison.

Minutes later, when it was just the three of us left in the room, Kris-hyung spoke up, “Hey, what time are we going there on Saturday?”

“Hmm…I plan on leaving at 9:00 am. I’ll be staying for the entire competition because, you know,” Noona rolls her eyes, “Amber forced me to.”

Hyung chuckles and bends down to meet Noona’s eyes. I don’t like the way Hyung acts around Noona. He’s too touchy-feely for my taste, and it’s annoying. “I was expecting an answer along the lines of ‘duty calls,’ not because your very persistent friend begged you to.” His thin lips curve up into one of his rare smiles, where his eyes crinkle like Xiao Lu’s when my favorite Hyung was being too weird and too happy at the same time.

“Oh, don’t preach me, Yi Fan,” Noona retorts, but they both laugh. It’s some sort of “adult” humor that I don’t get or something.

=3=  

“Anyway, whose car are we using? Yours or mine?” she asks him, but the way she looks at Hyung is hinting at him to answer the former. Hyung answers with a laugh and indeed says what she wanted to hear. “Good,” she says, smirking, “Because I don’t want to pay for gas.”

Hyungs tsk-s at her, his bushy eyebrows raised in amusement as he stared down at her. “I thought you didn’t like me spending,” he teases her, and something in me boils.

“Well, yeah. But gas is an exception,” she curtly reasons, looking up at Hyung with her hard as stone eyes. Despite the height difference, Noona could still manage a piercing gaze at Hyung.

At this point, I decided that their too touchy-feely (to me it is, at least) conversation should come to an end, so I let the evil maknae inside of me show, and I run to Noona before Kris-hyung could manage a witty comeback. “Noona!” I call, bringing her jug with me (yes, the one I bought. >V< Huhu, I am so glad that Noona insists on using it in spite of Xiao Lu’s complaints towards it “small” size) “Here!” I present her jug, and she takes it happily, and in that moment, quickly forgets about her conversation with Hyung.

“Hey, what about my water, Se Hunnie?” Hyung almost pouts (almost, because can you just imagine Kris-hyung pouting? Alsdkasfjlksdfj no. please, no.).

I stick my tongue out at him, “Get it yourself, Hyung!” Hyung fake gasps, offended that the maknae was being rebellious, but waves it off a second later and proceeds to getting his own jug.

“Se Hun.”

“Yes, Noona?” I turn to her, a little too eagerly. But I’m really really glad at how she says my name, and how she remembers that I’m still here.

“Thank you, for this,” she grins, holding up her jug. “Also,” Noona’s eyes travel down to my legs and feet, “We’ll get you an ice pack for those bruises, okay?” She smiles knowingly, and ruffles my hair, and all I can do is turn red and embarrassed by the fact that she noticed. “Don’t be afraid to tell Noona if her routine is being too harsh on you, all right? I know your dance training hasn’t been kind to you these past few weeks, so if you ever feel the need to sit out one of my drills, just tell me, okay?”

I didn’t think my face could possibly become redder, but I’m pretty sure the crimson was more obvious now. “Thank you, Noona.”

“Anytime, Se Hun-ah.”

I could so die happy right now. 

Author's Note:

Teehee, my maknae feels >V< 

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