Boy

“Jongin, why don’t you partner up with Junhee?” The teacher instructed. The boy looked up and his eyes searched for the said girl. This teacher really—how could he possibly team him up with someone he couldn’t really talk to? Across the classroom, he could see her looking at him too with a bewildered look on her face. Jongin’s face crept with blush.

“Aigoo, my lucky friend!” Moonkyu tapped his shoulder. Jongin brushed his best friend off and shyly went over to her seat. He took a final deep breath before sitting down next to her. She bowed—welcoming him. Kim Jongin and Choi Junhee were two different people—even though they had entered the same composing class since they started high school this year, they had never really talked to each other.

“Hi,” She greeted with her sweet voice. He couldn’t really say anything but bowing his head awkwardly. Junhee stared at him and couldn’t help but take a liking on him. But still, who is she to like the Kim Jongin, a talented and handsome SM trainee? Hearing no response from him, Junhee bit her lips and stared down at the blank music sheet. How will they two work together in the future?

When I was a little bit younger, I first met that bronzed boy.

He had a small bronzed face and pretty eyes, a little awkward expression.

Why were you that shy? At first you couldn’t even say hello.

But once you came to me, you offered your big warm hand.

You will tell me quietly now, won’t you? You love me.

We keep hearing that sweet melody.

You will be always holding me in your arms.

 “I wish I was partnered up with you.” Junhee pouted, keeping her unfinished projects inside the bag. Her friend laughed it off and ordered them two bowls of ramen at the street vendor. She sat down, with her thoughts still on him. “He never talks to me—how would I know what he’s thinking?”

“Yah Choi Junhee—I got a call from my dad.” Her friend raised her phone at her. “I have to come back now. Can you eat here on your own?” Junhee couldn’t help but to feel sad but what could she do? She nodded her head and waved at her friend. “I’ll see you on Monday then.”

She looked at the two bowls in front of her. What kind of monster would be able to finish both of these? She grunted and looked up, coming face to face with Jongin. His eyes widened for a moment but then he looked away. She tilted his head on that but shrugged it off. He sat on the vacant table next to hers and was about to order a bowl of ramen too.

“Um—” Junhee tapped on his table shyly. This would mark their first ever conversation right? “If you’re ordering ramen, then…will you have this one instead? I-I mean, it’s actually Yunji’s but she went back home and—she haven’t touch it yet though! Um…so yeah…” He raised his brows at her. Junhee’s face went red and she shook her head—why did she even bother?

Suddenly, the chair creaked and there sat Kim Jongin. She was startled but then her look turned to something sweet and cute. She continued eating her ramen. “It’s delicious right?”

“Here.” She looked up and saw a piece of his earphone dangled in front of her. Her eyes drifted back to him and she wiped off . Why would he give her this? Because Junhee was just staring down at the earphone, Jongin simply plugged them in her left ear. She was taken aback by the sudden action but soft rhythmic beats started singing to her. She unknowingly smiled. And he smiled back.

When I was a little bit younger, I first met that pretty boy.

He listened to the music with his headphones on and suddenly he let me hear a song.

Whenever you saw me, you let me hear the music.

Meanwhile, before I knew it, I gave you my heart little by little.

“Choi Junhee.” He called during lunch break. She waved at him and raised her food tray. She was about to sit along with her friends when they suddenly pushed her away. His friends left him too—they moved away to another table, leaving him dumbfounded. But his smile returned right away and he signaled her to sit next to him.

She was flustered but then again, what harm could it bring to her? Upon her sitting down, his hand quickly gave her his earphones. She took it and their hands brushed against each other. Jongin bit his inner cheeks—it’s the first time he ever felt the fluttering inside his heart. But he brushed it away and ate his lunch.

“Do you like this kind of music?” She asked. He looked at her for a moment but then coolly nodded his head. “I normally use them for my dance routines. You do know that I’m a dancer rather than a singer right?”

Can you tell me quietly now? You love me.

We keep hearing that sweet melody.

You will always be holding me in your arms.

I will look at you and say I always love you without change.

We keep hearing that sweet melody.

You will always be holding me in your arms.

“Yah, Kim Jongin!” Chanyeol smacked Kai’s head and the younger one quickly glared at him. The rapper grinned at him and stared down at the stage below. A smug appeared on his face and he nudged his dongsaeng teasingly. “Are you interested in her?” Kai narrowed his eyes at Chanyeol but when she started singing—he looked immediately back at her.

“What are you two watching?” Baekhyun came from behind and threw his hands around the two taller guys. He looked at the stage too and nodded his head. “Even when it’s just rehearsal, she’s doing live? Cool—”

“What’s that?” Sehun slipped in between Kai and Baekhyun. They both had to move further apart to give the maknae some space too. Seeing who the performer is now, Sehun smirked at Kai but the older one glared strongly at him. He raised his both hands in defeat and continued singing along her song lyrics. “Junhee noona has always been very talented.”

“Oh—” D.O joined in the watch, causing Kai to roll his eyes and moved further apart for him. “Do you know her personally, Sehun?” All of their heads swiped at the maknae and waited eagerly for his response. Even Suho joined them right now. “Of course!” The boys’ eyes glittered in excitement but Kai merely scoffed. He knows her too—in fact more personal than Sehun does.

“…but I wasn’t close to her…unlike our Kai here—Ah hyung!” Kai had his hands pulling Sehun for a tight headlock. The maknae struggled for a release but then again, what else can Kai do to cover his blushing face? The others laughed at that but being the strict observant he is, Chanyeol managed to sense something fishy.

“Oho, Kim Kkamjong, do you by any chance—

APPLAUSE! Kai had his hands clapped for her since the rehearsal had ended. She thanked the small crowd and the staffs before disappearing into the backstage. Like a cue, he waved goodbyes at his hyungs—and the air-gasping Sehun, and ran somewhere else. “Yah!” Chanyeol cried but Suho had his mouth covered. That earned him another scolding for being loud.

“Juniel.” Her head swiped softly at the voice. She had a familiar face greeted her and she smiled, waving at him. He pulled up his huge sweater and covered his head with the hood. She walked up to him after bidding temporary goodbyes at her managers. Kai took something out from his behind and tucked them on her head. A cap. Like they always do, he handed her one piece of his earphone and she listened to his music.

His hand found her and she grasped them tighter. “But the show’s not over yet.” She complained quietly. They were now walking on a path away from the busy crowd and event organizers. He shrugged and pulled her closely—“Don’t worry, Juniel. I’ll only be kidnapping you for a brief moment.”

“Yeah, yeah—oh and don’t call me Juniel. I’m not used to it.”

“Eyy, so you prefer being Junhee?” Her lips curved into somewhat a brighter smile and he chuckled silently. “But still though, whatever your name is, I will always love you.” She kept her face looking away so that he won’t see her reddening blush. He had both of their hands protected from the cold and walked along to the sweet melody.

“I know. I love you too.”

>///<