Part One            AT THE CONCERT                 

Nov. 12, 2014

 

 

**

 

 

            It was time for the boys to interact with their fans. The crowd shouted at the top of their lungs as each of the boys went to their places to playfully tease and interact with their fans.

 

            It has always been like this for them. It has always been this fun.

 

 

…Let her have the time of her life Eunhyuk-ah.

 

 

            Eunhyuk was lingering on his side of his stage when his eyes spotted one fan, wearing a really cool blue baseball cap as per se opinion of the diva Eunhyuk, smiling widely. Well, all fans were smiling widely, that their lips reaches their ears, while others almost ripped off their lips off their faces. But she was only smiling and grinning and unlike the other girls around her, she remained oddly behave and that’s it. There was nothing special about her, nor she’s an eye catcher for that matter, but something tells Eunhyuk to go to her.

 

            And he did.

 

 

…Let yourself have the time of your life, sweety.

 

 

            She was languidly lounging herself on her arms over the rails as she watches Eunhyuk coming over to their side. Aren’t she lucky enough to be on this spot where her use-to-be-just-a-dream-idols are within arm’s reach? The other girls, ladies, fanboys, around her were screaming at the top of their lungs when they saw the anchovy/ monkey/ Jewel coming to them. And all she did was just stare at him and smile, not minding if he will see her or not. She’s definitely enjoying the “closeness.”

 

            Eunhyuk was about to reach out to her with a stupid grin on his face, when a sudden fish face jumps onto him, making the whole crowd surrounding them, go wilder than earlier. Ah, EunHae!

 

            She didn’t know if it was just her blurry eyes were deceiving her, or did Eunhyuk actually tried to touch her? Or even interact? But the trivial thoughts got suddenly erased by the mere presence of another beautiful man, name Donghae. Aww, so cute. EunHae moment! She squealed internally, because her ship is sailing once again, but her face expression remains the same, grinning like the idiot girl that she was.

 

 

...Now Donghae-ah, play your part well.

 

 

            What she didn’t expect was for Donghae to suddenly look at her direction, smiling sheepishly at her, and she has just to stupidly look at her back to see if it was really her he was looking at, or the crazy girl behind her. But the playful poke on her shoulder indicated that well, she was not dreaming and Donghae was actually trying to get her attention.

 

            “Can I have your cap?” Donghae asked, a little loudly to her. The cap collector fish face just really have to ask their fan of what he thought was actually a cute cap.

 

            Huh? She blinks her eyes a couple of times before Donghae’s words sank into her fuzzy head.

 

            “Cap.” Donghae pointed to her cap, and into his head.          

 

            She unconsciously pouted but hell, it’s Lee Donghae who was asking for it. She’ll just try to get a new one then. She then removed the cap and as an expert in fan service himself, Donghae asks the bewildered girl to put the cap into his head.

 

            Which made all the other girls around her eyed her with jealousy yet happy at the same time for their idols are just being friendly towards their fans.

 

 

…Let your feelings get the best of you, Hyukjae-ah.

 

 

            Eunhyuk, who didn’t look amuse at all, went closer to them after short interactions with the other fans since Donghae beats him into coming to her first. What’s with the feeling anyway?

 

            He pouted at Donghae and the EunHae shippers just went wild, seeing Eunhyuk’s unpleasant expression to what just happen, between Donghae and the fan.

 

            Jealous? That is what the eagle-eyed EunHae fans thought.

 

            Eunhyuk eyed her and the abashed state of the not-so-young-fan with faint-pink cheeks somehow made his heart thump weirdly.

 

            “What about me?” Eunhyuk just blurted out, his hand in front of the lady’s flustered face, his palms up, obviously asking for something from her.

 

…Let him have the connection now sweety.

 

            She got taken aback by the gesture but she just immediately fished out something, anything from her blazer’s pocket, and oh, it was her strawberry milk that she was supposed to drink earlier but had completely forgotten about it when she saw the huge crowd piling up in front of the concert hall.

 

            “Well…” She mumbled while handling the milk carton hesitantly.

 

            The moment the familiar, pink carton reaches Eunhyuk’s hands, a tingly sensation suddenly invaded both parties.

 

            Eunhyuk was smiling his gummy smile, and the fangirl bit her lower lip, preventing herself from grinning widely than ever, but how her upper lip twitches to smile, while preventing it the same time, was so dorky, yet innocent, she just have completely embarrassed herself in front of the two idols, unknowingly. And she clearly has no idea with the reason why the girls beside her sniggered.

 

            Donghae smiled angelically at her.

 

            Eunhyuk was just simply beyond amused, he doesn’t even know why.

 

            The latter looked at his best friend, sticking his tongue out, waving his favorite drink in front of him.  Before started walking to another direction while gripping tightly the milk he just got.

 

            Donghae ran over to him and hugs him from behind, much to the fans utter delight, and whispered playfully while waving at the fans the same time.

 

            “I like it when you’re jealous like that.” The next thing he knew Donghae slaps his and ran off to the other side of the stage, with a cute-blue cap.

 

            Staring at Donghae’s running figure, ah, she reminds me of Donghae’s dorky side. Wait, why is he suddenly thinking of her?

 

            He just shrugged it off quickly when he realizes he almost forgot that “Marry U” was about to start and that it was his rap part was the first one.

 

“Love, oh baby, my girl

Geudaen naui juhnbu nunbushige areumdawoon
Naui shinbu shini jushin suhnmul”
(You’re my everything, your beauty blinds me)

 

 

…The string slowly, untangles.

 

 

Part Two             STRAWBERRY MILK                  

Dec. 10, 2014

 

**

 

 

            Eunhyuk was lazily lounging himself at the recording studio, as him and Donghae were just finishing some touch-ups of their recordings for their upcoming comeback next week.

 

 

 

…I’ll let your mind play tricks on you for a while. Just this once. Just this last time.

 

 

 

            He has been feeling weird and lonely for the last weeks that he didn’t know what else to do. It was making him frustrated, he doesn’t even know how to solve it, since he doesn’t even know the reason behind his frustrations at all.

 

            And a pestering Donghae was not helping at all.

 

            “Hyukjae-ah. Aren’t you really going to tell me what’s bothering you at all?” Donghae nudge his best friend’s side as he can’t help but feel worried with Hyukjae’s “gloomy” aura these days.

 

            Hyukjae sighed for the nth time. “Don’t start with me again Donghae, I’ve told you a million times already that I don’t even know why am I like this.”

 

            “But that’s impossible—“ But he cut him off.

 

            “I know.” He deadpanned as he glared at the younger one beside him.

 

            Donghae heaves out a heavy sigh, pouting at his cold best friend. “Did I somehow upset you?”

 

            Hyukjae couldn’t stop his frown.

 

            “I mean, maybe I did something that annoys you to hell these last days that went unnoticed?” He quirk an eyebrow to his frustrated best friend.

 

            Hyukjae scoffed. “You’ve been annoying the hell of my life for the last fifteen years we’ve known each other Donghae-ah.” Donghae’s scandalized expression was priceless. Hyukjae has even the guts to roll his eyes to Donghae’s sudden sulking behavior.

 

 

…Strawberry milk.

 

 

               “I’ll go get some strawberry milk.” Hyukjae said as he stood up and went out of the room  .

 

              “I’m coming with you.” The sulking Donghae run after childishly towards his best friend.

 

**

 

            “You and your strawberry milk addiction.” Donghae stated as he took a sip of his own chocolate drink.

 

            “Aish, Donghae.” Hyukjae doesn’t even know why he’s suddenly irritated anyway. Donghae was just being Donghae.

 

            They were on their way back to the recording room and as Hyukjae listens to Donghae’s nonstop blabbering about their upcoming EunHae comeback, and what other things to do while they’re in Japan, the pink carton in his hand, as he sips at it slowly made him have a weird thought, and a weird feeling.

 

            Aish! Why is it that there’s something about you that I have to remember?

 

            The moment they got back at the studio, he sat back at the chair once again, sulking at his own weird thoughts, as he watches Donghae scurrying something inside his bag.

 

 

 

…The blue cap.

 

 

 

            A blue cap caught his attention. A blue cap?

 

            His eyes furrowed as his eyes still fixated on a blue cap alongside Donghae’s scattered things over the table.

 

            “Donghae.” He called softly.

 

            “Hmm?”

 

            “That cap…” He trailed off as he pointed at the cap on the table with his right hand, which was holding the strawberry milk.

 

            Donghae raises an eyebrow.

 

            The sight of the blue cap, and the strawberry milk in his line of vision, suddenly brings weird sensation inside of him. A tingly feeling he couldn’t explain. Or rather, a tingly feeling he have not felt for a while now.

 

            Donghae’s expression was mirroring Hyukjae’s. Brows furrowed deeply, the latter’s mind obviously in deep thought.

 

            “Hyuk?”

 

 

 

…Do you remember her Hyukjae-ah?

 

 

 

            But she was only smiling and grinning and unlike the other girls around her, she remained oddly behave and that’s it. There was nothing special about her, nor she’s an eye catcher for that matter.

 

            … and the fangirl bit her lower lip, preventing herself from grinning widely than ever, but how her upper lip twitches to smile, while preventing it the same time, was so dorky, yet innocent.

 

            “Hyuk?” Donghae sounded worried as he stares at his best friend who was suddenly spacing out.

 

            He looks up at Donghae, looks at the blue cap, then to his strawberry milk.

 

             A dorky yet innocent smile.

 

           Lubb-dupp.

 

            Why am I thinking of her all of a sudden?

 

            “Yah, Hyukjae! You’re freaking me out!” Donghae yelled at him in his strong accent.

 

            “Where did you get that blue cap?” He asked out of the blue.

 

            “What?!”

 

            “The cap? Where did you get it?”

 

            “Oh. This? A fan gave it to me to during our concert. Why?”

 

            Hyukjae just shrug his shoulders in response.

 

            “You’re really freaking me out dude.” Donghae said softly, yet deeply.

 

            Hyukjae groans in frustration. This unknown feeling made him think weird things, weird girl, and it’s eating him alive.

 

 

 

…Maybe, I just overdo it a bit?

 

 

 

Meanwhile…

 

            Her iPod was on a high volume as usual, as she places her headphones over her head. Swaying her head at the lively beat, she was mentally dancing with Super Junior’s Haengbok.

 

            An old song yeah, but it was one of the song that made her heart flutter in an odd way. (And she just can’t get over with her childish choreography of the song that is.) Despite the fact, that the song, was wishing for happiness together with the one that they love, maybe, maybe, she’s hoping of the same way as well.

 

 

 

…Geez, we’ll get there really soon. Aish, these kids really.

 

 

 

            She looked at her watch and smiled to herself when she realizes it was time to meet her grandmother again. She casually went inside the bakeshop, jumping in joy mentally that the place wasn’t crowded thank goodness, and went over looking to that particular bread.

 

            She gasped a little loudly when the basket in front of her, was completely empty.

 

            Nooo!!!

 

            Her eyes blink furiously behind her geek glasses as she pouted, obviously saddened that the bread she came to love ever since was unavailable. It’s not that, she doesn’t have other breads to choose from, but that bread just happens to be really special for her. It was becoming a habit of buying it every day.

 

            As if on cue…

 

            “Yah.”

 

            Without meaning to, she pouted at the staff that appeared beside her.

 

            The friendly staff, namely Dana, was taken aback by the expression but couldn’t help but giggled afterwards.

 

            “Are you looking for something?”

 

            “You do know what I want.” She stated, obviously sulking.

 

            “I do know.”

 

            “Is there any new batch cooking now?”

 

            “Are you in any hurry?”

 

            She looked at her watch and pouted a bit. “A little bit?” She looked up at the staff hopefully, who happened to be her now casual friend.

 

            Dana laughed softly. “Come on, don’t worry. I knew you were coming so I took the liberty of keeping two pieces for you.”

 

            The sudden wide grin made Dana chuckled heartily.

 

            They were having a small talk when the owner, a really nice, and kind woman, greeted her and hand her out a carton of strawberry milk, much to her delight.

 

            “Thank you ma’am.” She grinned sheepishly at the woman in front of her.

 

            “I’m happy knowing I could make you smile like that.” The woman said in a motherly way, tapping the young lady’s cheek at the same time.

 

            The motherly touch brought warmth upon her and it was enough, to make her cheeks heated up in her bashful state.

 

 

 

…An approval has been made.

 

 

 

 

 

Part Three               A NEW YEAR’S GIFT              

Jan. 1, 2015

 

**

 

 

 

            The fans were crowding the small shop as usual, as the news of Eunhyuk’s arrival anytime soon was everywhere.

 

            It was the first day of the New Year and Eunhyuk just want to please everyone. With the posted pictures of him and Donghae seeing the first sunrise of the New Year together (which had became a tradition for them to spend the time together every year) wasn’t enough, he just wanted to drop by to their shop and meet and greet his fans. But something tells him as well that he has to.

 

            A few days ago, him and Donghae just got back from their promotional comeback in Japan. And he wanted to spare some time with his mother and their staffs, and see the smiling faces of his fans.

 

 

 

….Time for the introduction.

 

 

 

            Amidst the crowd of which, composed by the majority of young girls, was an old lady, wearing a little worn out clothes but look decent enough, or rather tried her best to look as decent as possible, tried to somehow overcome the crowd. Despite of the dizziness she felt due to the noisy and crowded surrounding, the desire to be able to buy that one particular bread that have become her ultimate favorite for a while now, was enough to push her to her limits, for now.

 

            She didn’t care about the weird glances and some occasional snubs she receives, all she cared about for now was to see her ‘granddaughter’ smiled happily, at her, at the beginning of a new year.

 

            She almost fell down because of a sudden shoved that have her off balance, but a soft, warm hand was quick enough to catch her. She let out a sigh of relief and bowed slightly, thanking the kind stranger that saved her.

 

            “Are you sure you’re okay, Grandmother?” The soft, warm voice, asked her.

 

           “I am. Thank you.” She smiled in return, noticing how the lady, who is obviously younger than her, has a really nice feeling around her.

 

            “Are you here together with your granddaughter?” The nice woman laughs softly. Having funny thoughts that maybe, maybe her granddaughter decided to drag out their Grandmother’s nowadays.

 

            The old woman shook her head gently. Smiling sadly, but that didn’t go unnoticed by the nice woman, she was about to asked when the sad smile turns into a beaming one, her eyes glittering in happiness, when the former realizes she was actually inside the shop.

 

            The nice woman took this as something very intriguing about the warm glow of the old woman in front of her. She did notice how the woman was actually tried her best to look good despite her quite worn out clothes, but it was prim and proper nonetheless.

 

            The way the latter’s eyes glowed as she stared at the breads, pastries, and cakes that surrounded her, she couldn’t help but voice out her thoughts.

 

            “This is the first time I have actually come inside such shop. I’m completely intimidated.” She smiled softly.

 

            “Well, don’t be. This shop is for everyone who wanted to eat. Is there anything you like in particular? I would be glad to help you.” The former smiled warmly to the woman who now looks like a child inside an old lady’s body.

 

            The now child-like lady smiled sheepishly. “I just really wanted to buy two pieces of bread since that’s all I can afford.”

 

            “Oh.” But the nice woman could not contained her warm smile. She couldn’t help it but voice out her curiosity. “Is it for someone in particular?”

 

            The way the elderly grins widely, showing her crooked teeth, somehow made the nice woman’s heart flutter happily.

 

 

 

...It’s time to tell the story.

 

 

 

            “Wait. I only ordered two, why is these so many? I could not afford to pay this.” The elderly said, bewildered by the amount of food inside her plastic bag.

 

            “It’s okay Grandma. It’s New Year. It’s a good year to start.” Dana said with a grin.

 

            “Mom said she likes you.” Eunhyuk, who had arrived a couple of minutes ago, answered with a wide grin on his face.

 

            Her eyes blink in confusion, as she stared at the wide gummy grin of the handsome young man, who looks quite familiar, and the nice woman who assisted her throughout standing beside him. A sudden realization had struck her.

 

            “You own this place?” She gasped in surprised, which left the people by the counter laugh softly.

 

            “My son here bought this for me.” She smiled proudly, side hugging his son at the same time. A shy grin appeared on Eunhyuk’s face.

 

            “Lucky you.” The elderly smiled warmly, feeling happy at the lovely sight in front of her.

 

            “Yes I am.” She nodded with a big smile.

 

            “Why did you come alone here Grandma? It’s a little crowded in here.” Dana asked, curious by the Grandmother’s behavior.

 

            “You shouldn’t come out alone at this time Grandma. It’s very cold outside.” Eunhyuk added, feeling the same amusement as Dana.

 

            “I just really, really wanted to buy this bread for her.” She smiled softly, staring at the plastic in her hands.

 

            “You must really love your granddaughter very much then.” Mrs. Lee smiled softly.

 

            They were amuse by the childish chuckle the grandma emitted out of her.

 

            “How I wish she was indeed related to me by blood but she isn’t. But that doesn’t stop her for sharing your bread with me.” She smiled warmly, thinking of the very first day, when a nice young lady, approach her, with a hot bread in her hands.

 

            “What do you mean?” Mrs. Lee is now totally intrigued.

 

            Dana and Eunhyuk tries to listen eagerly despite greeting and giving the orders to the other customers, (more like Eunhyuk’s fans), to what the grandmother has to say.

 

            “I’m actually living alone and you do see I’m not actually someone who is well off. I usually lingered around the park not far from here, idling myself until my age will get the best of me someday. One day, I was really hungry but did not have enough money with me, so I was just eating a biscuit that I have.” She smiled softly remembering the usual sad days of her life, which have now turn out into something more interesting to look forward to each day, ever since, she had met her.

 

            Mrs. Lee and Eunhyuk, who’s attention now is with the grandmother, feels sad with what the old woman might have gone through, feeling the same sentiments, since their family had undergone the same status a long time ago.

 

            “Then she just popped out of nowhere and hands me a paper bag with the sweet red bean bun inside. I was completely surprise and she just took off. It was very funny actually how I pathetically tell myself that kids nowadays doesn’t give a damn thing with their elderly that to my surprise, she came back with a plastic bag of drinks. She babbled things like she doesn’t really know what a Korean grandmother would like but she hope a carton of assorted flavored milk, a can of coffee, and a hot tea latte could somehow quench my thirst when I eat the bread. She giddily recommended that the strawberry milk matches well with the bread though.” She laughs softly, remembering her self-proclaimed granddaughter, who looks quite intimidating, but was actually very innocent and one of the nicest lady she had ever met.

 

            Mrs. Lee felt her heart warm by the elder’s story. While Eunhyuk, Eunhyuk had no idea why his heart skip a beat upon the word strawberry milk. What’s wrong with him anyway?

 

            “I’m just making a wild guess here Grandma but does the lady usually comes to you around 5pm or so?” Dana asked all of a sudden.

 

            “Why, yes. How did you…” But she got cut off by Dana’s outburst.

 

 

 

....The color is blue.

 

 

 

            “Oh my God! Does this lady had this blue headphone with her all the time, with a blue backpack as well?”

 

            Blue? Eunhyuk thought.

 

            The elderly rolled her eyes playfully, but smiled warmly in return. “She’s just really crazy about anything that is blue.” Amused, that her “granddaughter” was actually familiar with the people in front of her.

 

            “So you are the grandmother she’s talking about!” Dana grinned widely. Very surprised that the weird lady-regular customer they had was actually being a good Samaritan to her countrywoman.

 

            “She said that?” The elderly asked in surprise.

 

            “Are you talking about that young English teacher?” Mrs. Lee interjected as she chuckled softly, remembering the innocent face of the weird young lady, who never misses to buy their sweet red bean bun.

 

            “I guess she’s quite popular here with you, huh?” The elderly chuckled softly. Glad that her “granddaughter’s” good personality is actually been recognized by others.

 

            “She’s weird but she isn’t so bad. I like her having around actually.” Dana voice out while handling the change to the customer. “I just never thought she is actually that nice. She’s a bit of a mystery actually.”

 

            “I kinda like her in a motherly way actually. She seems a bit off but she always tried to hide it but she’s very easy to please.” Mrs. Lee added.

 

            Eunhyuk was suddenly at lost in the conversation.

 

 

 

…Don’t worry Hyukjae, we’ll get there.

 

 

 

            “Did you just actually having a secret girl talk in front of me?” Eunhyuk blurted, frowning.

 

            “You haven’t met her?” The elderly asked, sounding surprise. “She always comes here.”

 

            “Tous les jours.” Mrs. Lee speaks in French, in her funny accent.

 

            “I guess she’s not my fan.” Eunhyuk said, obviously saddened with the thought.

 

            Both the elder ladies laughs at him.

 

            The elderly stopped laughing and smiled warmly at Eunhyuk. The sudden smile given to him perplexed the latter.

 

            “I don’t know how other people could tell you’re ugly though. You’re actually quite handsome.”

 

            The words were enough to make Eunhyuk blushed furiously, and her mother’s gentle tap on his cheeks assured him that it was okay.

 

            “If you ever meet her, I think you’ll like each other.” Was the elderly’s last words before saying her goodbye’s and New Year’s greetings.

 

            Eunhyuk’s heart thump weirdly again. What’s with the sudden feeling?

 

 

 

…We are almost there.

 

 

 

 

Finale           RED BEAN AND LUFFY                 

  Jan. 4, 2015

 

**

 

 

 

            Sunday afternoon, and luckily for the Super Junior members, they were given a day off after a week of heavy schedule.

 

            The vast majority took this as an opportunity to catch up with sleep, which they have been deprive of, for weeks.

 

            As for Hyukjae, it was one of those lazy days, where he quietly sat in front of his keyboard, and let his thoughts get the best of him. He was a bit glad though that Donghae isn’t with him this time, not that he doesn’t like Donghae’s company, it’s just that, Donghae just kept on nagging to him these days over ridiculous matters.

 

            Knock. Knock. Knock.

 

            “Come in.” He heard his bedroom door creak open and felt someone hesitated to come in. He guessed it was Leeteuk. “Yes Hyung?” He swerved his chair and was taken aback to see Donghae, standing timidly by his door. Since when did Donghae even have the right manners to knock to his door first before barging in?

 

            He raised an eyebrow to the younger. “Donghae?”

 

 

 

…Time to put two-and-two together.

 

 

 

 

            “Uh, can I come in?” Donghae asked hesitantly, looking anywhere but at Hyukjae. He saw him holding a bag of bread on his right hand, and a grocery bag on his left.

 

            Hyukjae heaves out a heavy sigh when he realizes why Donghae was acting weird. “Hae, I’m not mad at you.”

 

            Donghae pouted, looking down, and thought his feet looked kinda big.

 

            “Come inside Hae. I’m not gonna eat you, you know.” He gestured Donghae to come in and the latter oddly-quietly went inside Hyukjae’s bedroom.

 

            He places the bags he was holding and put it on top of the vanity before sitting at the edge of the bed, his head face down, letting out a heavy sigh once again.

 

            A moment of silence lingered between the two. Hyukjae decided to break the silence by eating the food Donghae brought for him.

 

            A sweet red bean bun from his mother’s bakery and strawberry milk. He couldn’t help but smiled softly. “Thanks.”

 

            “Sora-noona actually brought this for you. She just called me up since she couldn’t reach you. Your mom wanted for you to have this.” He childishly gestured towards the food he just brought.

 

            “Want some?” He offered with a mouthful of red bean bun.

 

            “Are we…okay now?” Donghae looked at Hyukjae, an obvious fear express on his child-like face.

 

            Hyukjae couldn’t help but smiled widely at him. “If we are not, I could have punch you and throw you out of my room now. And besides, I’m not mad you Hae. I was never mad at you. Just a little annoyed but not more than that.”

 

            “It’s just that…” Donghae wanted to explain further but gives up in the end, deciding that eating would somehow eases his dramatic side.

 

            Hyukjae watches Donghae eat the bread and sipping at the milk.

 

            LubbduppLubbduppLubbduppLubbduppLubbdupp….

 

            What’s with the feeling again? Aish! This is getting really annoying?!

 

            His eyes lingered at the bread and the memory of the sweet Grandmother just the other day at New Year still fresh in his mind. Something insides him screams he wanted to see the Grandmother again.

 

            Donghae slurps noisily into the strawberry milk, totally taking the life out of the poorly squished carton.

 

Strawberry milk. Strawberry milk. Strawberry milk.

 

            A blurry smile appeared on his head.

 

            Red bean bun. Red bean. Oh sweet red bean.

 

            A weird rhythm is created by his heartbeat.

 

            He didn’t even notice how he was smiling softly not until Donghae clears his throat and frowned, finding his best friend’s behavior odd.

 

            “This should better be not a girl you’re secretly dating Lee Hyukjae. Or I swear to your strawberry milk, if you are hiding anything from me, I swear….” Donghae started, sounding a bit childish with his threats but Hyukjae frowning at him made him shut up.

 

            “I would have told you first thing if I happen to met someone that I really like but I do not. It’s just that…” Hyukjae trailed off.  Wow, he actually did not know what else he has to say.

 

 

 

…No one understands...

 

 

 

            “You have that look Hyuk.” Donghae stated.

 

            “What look?”

 

            “That look when you are interested with somebody.”

 

            “I am?” Hyukjae was puzzled with himself. He is currently single and since anytime soon, he will be doing his duty for his country, he haven’t been considering of dating at the moment. Heck, he is not interested with anyone right now.

 

            “Yes.” Donghae deadpanned with a serious face.

 

            Hyukjae’s brows deepened in confusion. What the?

 

 

 

…but you will, soon.

 

 

 

            “Aish, just…don’t hide anything from me okay? You know how much I dislike it.” Donghae’s words brought him back from his train of thoughts.

 

            “Arasso.” Hyukjae replied with a nod.

 

            He then unconsciously thought of the possible girls he have met that he was interested at, that made Donghae think that way, but there wasn’t anyone in particular he has been letting his mind occupying that matter. Except for that blue-freak lady, as Dana stated, that have kindness in her that somehow made him felt oddly different.

 

 

 

…Blue.

 

 

            Blue?

 

 

…Strawberry milk.

 

 

            Strawberry milk?

 

 

…Sweet red bean bun.

 

 

            The bread?

 

 

…The bashful smile Hyukjae-ah.

 

            An image suddenly appears out of nowhere on Hyukjae’s thoughts. … her upper lip twitches to smile, while preventing it the same time, was so dorky, yet innocent.

 

            Aish! Where did he saw that smile? Wait. Why is he even thinking of that smile?

 

            Donghae almost fell off the side of the bed where he was sitting, when Hyukjae suddenly groans out, ruffling his hair, like a mad man, obviously frustrated over something.

 

            “I’m just really curious though, by any chance, are you secretly in love with someone right now?” Donghae raised a provocative eyebrow.

 

            “NO!” Hyukjae screeched in annoyance.

 

 

 

…So just love, then…

 

 

 

 

**

 

 

            “You seem bothered today?” Dana asked her.

 

            “I don’t know. It feels like something is about to happen. I just don’t remember anything special at the moment though.” She sighed frustratingly as she took the bag of bread with her. “I’ll go now. I’m actually not feeling good at all.”

 

            “You’re not sick now, are you?” Mrs. Lee asked, as she touched the young lady’s forehead. The gesture made the latter blushed.

 

            “I’m not Mrs. Lee. Maybe it’s just stress.” She smiled softly at her.

 

            “If you needed anything, just drop by here and look for me okay? I wouldn’t mind helping you in a way a mother could.” Mrs. Lee smiled with a knowing look at her.

 

            She just smiled sheepishly in return. Her heart swelling up with Mrs. Lee’s kindness. Mrs. Lee have been treating her really nice these past few days.

 

            She bid her goodbyes and went to the direction of the park where she usually visits her “grandmother” everyday.

 

            Aish! Why can’t I get rid of this feeling. I don’t like getting stress out over silly things.

 

 

 

…just live with it.

 

 

 

            She couldn’t help but pout at the sight of another brown bag, same as hers beside the elderly. “You went to buy there again?”

 

            The elderly chuckled and shook her head, patting the empty space beside her, gesturing for her to sit down.

 

            “Nope. Someone who has a nice heart too gave this to me. I was getting the feeling that this bread is bewitched by some force.” She chuckled more.

 

            Her pout turned into a smile, as she felt her heart warm up with the feeling of seeing the old lady beside her so happy. She’s not related to her at all, but she felt she need to be by her side even at times like this. Maybe she just misses her late grandmother so badly, and she really has soft spots for the elderly.

 

            They were chatting away once again, telling stories of what happen during their day. The scenery was like the grandmother telling amazing stories to her granddaughter, but this wasn’t like any other ‘every day’s’, this was one of the other ‘every day’s’, that the younger woman, told her own storybook, to her grandmother.

 

            She was smiling childishly and looks completely innocent with her nonstop babbling. The elder just continued to smile warmly at her, with playful thoughts inside her mind.

 

            “Mama, are you listening to me?” The younger asked, frowning at her.

 

            The elder just chuckles and encourage her to continue.

 

 

**

 

 

            Hyukjae was in panic. How could he have been stupid?!

 

            He looks everywhere inside the car, over his dashboard, his back seat, the passenger seat, even on the car’s floor. But nothing. He couldn’t find it.

 

            Donghae’s so going to kill me! Where the hell did I drop it?!

 

            And much to his fear, he completely forgot that the mentioned supposed-to-be-murderer, was on the other line, and much to his dreadful reverie, he just said everything out loud for the other party to hear.

 

            “You’ve lost what?!” Donghae snapped on the other line.

 

            “Uhh…” He scratches his nape in nervousness.

 

            “You’d better find it Lee Hyukjae or don’t you even dare came crawling back into our dorm without it!” Donghae hang up the phone.

 

            He’s dead. He is so dead. If there was one thing he shouldn’t be careless about, it’s Donghae’s gifts for him. Because the younger would become so dramatic, it annoys him to hell. But he still doesn’t really like it when Donghae’s upset on him. Donghae, is Donghae after all.

 

 

 

…The ship has sail. All aboard!

 

 

 

            Wait. Well, it’s worth a shot. He heaves out another heavy sigh as he steps out of his car once again.

 

 

**

 

 

As time pass by, the bothering feeling didn’t leave her the way she wanted it to. She frowned at the weirdness she’s feeling inside of her.

 

            “Are you okay?” The elderly asked, looking worriedly at her.

 

            “I’m fine Mama…” The elderly allowed her selfish request of calling her that. “…I guess I’d better get going now. It’s getting cold, it wouldn’t be good for you.” She then stood up, smiling softly at the elderly she grew fond of, in front of her. Who day by day, started to look younger as compared to how she met her at first.

 

            Maybe the bread was bewitched after all. She smiled inwardly at her own weird thoughts.

 

            She bid her goodbye and stood up, taking another carton of strawberry milk from the plastic bag, when something caught her eye. She picked it up from the ground and she couldn’t help but grinned cheekily at what she found.

 

            “Oh, what’s that?” The elderly ask, amused at the younger’s reaction.

 

            “It’s Luffy.” She couldn’t help but grinned widely at what she found.

 

            The elderly just chuckled in response.

 

 

 

 

…feel it….

 

 

 

            The wind suddenly blew stronger and Hyukjae stop on his tracks.

 

            Lubb-dupp. Lubb-dupp. Lubb-dupp.

 

            His heart was beating oddly against him as his eyes found something quite familiar.

 

            Déjà vu perhaps?

 

            She was staring at the dangling key chain as a wide-idiotic grin appeared on her face. She remembered a lot of things with that particular One Piece character. How her late grandmother wakes her up by putting the tv into high volume as the opening act of the said anime started. How her grandmother laughs at the funny antics of Luffy’s rubber-rubber power, as her late Mama names it. And weirdly how she could quickly associate this popular anime character to a certain idol she really admires.

 

            Lubb-dupp. Lubb-dupp. Lubb-dupp.

 

            An odd sensation came into her again.

 

 

 

…and enjoy it…

 

 

 

            …But she was only smiling and grinning and unlike the other girls around her, she remained oddly behave and that’s it. There was nothing special about her, nor she’s an eye catcher for that matter.

 

            … and the fangirl bit her lower lip, preventing herself from grinning widely than ever, but how her upper lip twitches to smile, while preventing it the same time, was so dorky, yet innocent.

 

            The memories invaded him a bit too quickly and he was unconsciously walking towards them, or rather to her.

 

            There is nothing special about her. Nothing. He thought as he skeptically eyed the oblivious girl from head to toe. Geek glasses, back pack, headset, and well, it’s a really cool boots she got there. But something draws him to her.

 

            She pursed her lips together at her random thoughts, oblivious of the presence coming into her. Something then caught her eye though.

 

            Her eyes furrowed as she stared at the words engraved on the standee of the said chain toy, while she sips her milk.

 

            Monkey D. ….

 

            He cleared his throat before uttering his next words cautiously. Hyukjae has no idea why he is so nervous all of a sudden.

 

            “I believe that is mine.” He said softly. Not wanting to startle the lady in front of her.

 

            But as the lady just happen to be sensitive with sudden appearances, she jolted upon hearing the voice. With the straw still between her lips, she looks at her side, with a frown.

 

            And when their gazes met….

 

 

 

…And enjoy it…

 

 

 

            Lubb-dupp.

 

            Both hearts skip a beat.

 

            Lubb-dupp.

 

            A red hue tainted the fair-skin cheeks of the said lady.

 

            Lubb-dupp.

 

            Charming. Hyukjae wasn’t expecting the blow of his own realization though.

 

            Lubb-dupp.

 

            She looked away shyly and stared at the chain toy on her hand. Monkey D. Hyukkie.

 

            Lubb-dupp.

 

            “Uh, here.” She handed it to him as she could only manage to stare at his hand and not on his face. She shouldn’t be shy at a moment like this but she just totally caught off guard with the sudden appearance, she’s shaking.

 

            Lubb-dupp.

 

            “Thanks.” Hyukjae casually said, smiling his gummy smile at her, as he took the chain toy. But in the inside, Hyukjae was going internally mental.

 

            Lubb-dupp.

 

            His gaze took a sudden curiosity at the shy lady in front of him. He’s trying so hard to remember where he had saw her.

 

            Lubb-dupp.

 

            She just wanted the ground to swallow her up with the way Eunhyuk, or Hyukjae was eyeing her. She curses herself for not being dress properly at all. He might thought I look weird. Well, I am weird. But that’s not the point.

 

She sighed mentally, smack her head mentally.

 

            Lubb-dupp.

 

            His heart pounded heavily against him when a pink carton caught his attention.

 

            Lubb-dupp.

 

            Seeing Hyukjae eyeing her milk, she just blurted it all out, trying not to choke on her own words. “Strawberry milk?”

 

 

…You are a part of it.

 

 

 

            Blue.

 

             Strawberry Milk.

 

            Red bean bun.

 

 

 

…Because it is not every day…

           

 

                         Hyukjae’s gummy smile was really a remarkable sight to behold, face to face.

 

 

 

*****_____*****

 

Finally finished!

 

Soooo, how is it?

 

I hope you enjoyed this random story though. i just have the feelig that i should write this because if it's not..well...

 

Hope you could voice out your opinions over this story.

 

COMMENT = E U N H Y U K L 

Slight EunHae. But i never intended this to be a sotry between Donhae and Hyukjae. and that's just it.Donghae and Hyukjae jkust being best friends toward each other.