[kyles notes: i have this crazy urge to stop writing haha i feel like i'm disappointing my readers for the super slow updates.. tsk tsk.. haha anyway, hope you won't get bored reading this chapter.. it's another long one.. and a longer one means more errors.. errors errors on the wall LOL]

 

 

 

 

“Please, Mr. Handsome Guard, pleaaase?!” Shin Hye had her puppy eyes, pouting lips and clasped hands. It almost made the man give in, but…

 

 

 

“My work is at stake here. If it says ‘No ID, No Entry,’ you are to obey.”

 

 

 

“But I told you many many times, I have yet to find my ID in the confines of the school.”

 

 

 

The guard shook his head, “No can do.”

 

 

 

“NO CAN DO?!” Shin Hye shouted then whispered, “Is that even a correct sentence?” She tried thinking about it only to be disturbed by the appearance of a hand on her shoulder.

 

 

 

“Why are you bullying such a beauty so early in the morning?” Shin Hye’s line of sight followed the arm that was connected to the fingers on her shoulder until it landed on a smirking face of someone. It was only then that the guy tore his eyes off the guard and turned to her. “Hey, babe. How many times should I tell you not to forget your things when you come over at my place?”

 

 

 

This made the female fume. First, there was the guard who wouldn’t allow her to enter. Then there was this guy who was claiming that she left something in his place. His place?! Was he crazy?

 

The students, who were lining up after her and the unknown man, started to crowd them, trying to listen to the commotion. She swore she even heard someone spreading a gossip already.

 

To further her embarrassment, the guard was snickering while examining her reddened face. She gave him a glare before focusing on the man beside her. “Excuse me, are you mistaking me for someone else?!”

 

 

 

He placed an index finger on his chin by his free hand, “I am if—”

 

 

 

“If?!” Patience was never her friend, especially at this situation.

 

 

 

The guy got something out from his pocket. “If you were not the owner of this.”

 

 

 

Whispers of gossips got louder and increased in number much to Shin Hye’s dislike.  “How—how did you—”

 

 

 

The boy ignored her. “Can we come in now, Mr. Handsome Guard?”

 

 

 

“Yes, of course.”

 

 

 

The guy dragged the confused lady inside the gate, completely oblivious to the stares and talks of the others around. Oh, he was enjoying this.

 

“Here it is.” He gave her ID. “Next time you drop by at a guy’s place, remember to get his name, alright? I’m Geun Suk. Have a nice day and—” He leaned closer and mumbled beside her ear. “It’d be lovely to have a repeat of your performance last time.” He winked and left her there, seething and stunned. Where was the loud Shin Hye who never let anyone—repeat, ANYONE—grate her nerves?

 

 

 

Looking around the group of students who had the judging looks on their faces, Shin Hye screamed, “Aaaah!! I hate you!!” and stomped her way to the College of Education.

 

 

 

***************************************

 

 

“And then?”

 

 

 

“We exchanged numbers and promised to see each other again some time.”

 

 

 

“Wow. That’s so not like you.” So Min stared in disbelief. “Where’s my friend? What did you do to her?”

 

 

 

“Hey!!” Seung Ah pried So Min’s hands that were shaking her shoulders strongly. “It’s still me, okay?! What, am I not allowed to flirt now?”

 

 

 

“Just kidding,” So Min giggled. “You’ve found a beautiful man at the mall, huh? Whose toy were you buying again?”

 

 

 

“Oh—a distant relative who’s paying a visit soon.”

 

 

 

“Ah. Okay then. Let’s meet this Mr. Stuffed Toy some time. See if he can pass mine and Shin Hye’s standards for you.”

 

 

 

“Speaking of Shin Hye,” Seung Ah turned to her right where the other friend was sitting, obviously occupied with something else. She turned to the left again where So Min was situated. “What’s with her? Normally, she’d be the first one to get hyper over these topics. Now that I’m blabbering about my simple flirting, she would space out.” She pouted and made her eyes into slits. “Where’s the justice in that?”

 

 

 

So Min was suppressing her laughter throughout Seung Ah’s bombast. Somehow, she was right, but they couldn’t conclude until they hear it direct from the source. “Shin Hye?” her hand surpassed Seung Ah to reach the other girl. “What’s wrong with you?”

 

 

 

Shin Hye shifted her eyes from nothingness to her nudging friend; her eyes void of emotions except annoyance. So Min saw the lace around her friend’s neck and her ID at the end of it. “You found your ID?” she stared at her eyes in surprise. “Where’d you find it?”

 

 

 

The reminder made Shin Hye flinch and look at her friends completely. “Ahh! Ha! Huh!! Waaaah!!”

 

 

 

Seung Ah and So Min exchanged looks of misperception. They weren’t doing anything, were they? “Did you harass her?” Seung Ah asked which made Shin Hye’s wail louder, attracting their classmates’ attention.

 

 

 

“Waaaah!! Hah! Haaaah!”

 

 

 

“Shin Hye, what’s wrong?” So Min removed herself from her seat to kneel in front of the girl. “Did someone harass you?”

 

 

 

The crying lady stopped weeping to nod and then resumed.

 

 

 

So Min and Seung Ah widened their eyes, staring at each other, then to Shin Hye again. Both were thinking the same, ready to attack some jerk anytime.

 

 

 

***************************************

 

 

 

“So the Law of Demand states that when the price of the good arises and everything else remains the same…”

 

 

 

Blah blah blah… Hyun Joong impatiently tapped his fingers on his desk as their Economics professor continued to blab about supply and demand. He wasn’t interested in those—heck, he knew those topics even before they were discussed. Advanced reading is something a student should master.

 

His mind wandered to the previous day’s ride home from the mall, which he considered as the most awkward 25 minutes of his life. They both stayed silent until they’ve reached home. It wasn’t supposed to be bothering him given that they were used to the silent treatment they give each other. It’s just that he didn’t have any idea of what went on with his mind, let alone with his heart when the grocery and dinner conversation had occurred.

 

 

 

‘Very unusual,’ his brain screamed at him.

 

 

 

A part of him dictates it was all due to his constant blame of himself for having So Min enter their marriage, but another side says something else. Annoyingly, he couldn’t figure out what the something else was. And he hadn’t planned on figuring it out as though exploring it was a dangerous thing to do.

 

As he continued staring at the professor’s writings on the whiteboard, he came to a decision to go back to their usual routine of silence. Maybe not really as silent as before, but it was better this way.

 

Less interaction. Less physical proximity. The lesser, the better. No strings attached would make it easier to let go. In the very near future.

 

 

 

***************************************

 

 

“You shouldn’t have waited for me. You girls are crazy.” So Min just came back in the university from work so that her day could be fulfilled by finally setting foot in the band. She found herself standing nervously in front of College of Music with her friends. It was a surprise when she received their message, saying they were waiting in the library for her to come back from whatever it was that she needed to accomplish after class—which was her job. She didn’t tell them about it—she just felt she didn’t need to. And the two then offered to her to CM. They knew she must be really nervous. As the saying goes—there’s always a first time—and the feeling of being nervous seems to be always present for such first times.

 

 

 

“Come on, Min,” Seung Ah said. “Relax and trust us, you’ll do good up there, a’yt?”

 

 

 

So Min was actually expecting an eruption from Shin Hye, telling her off for lacking the self-confidence she should be having. But instead, the usual bubbly girl was quiet as Seung Ah did the talking. Remembering her best friend’s outburst about being harassed that morning, So Min let it off and began walking. She looked back where her friends were waving at her, making signs to cheer her up.

 

So Min waved back at them, silently thanking the Above for giving them to her. She couldn’t ask for better friends. She turned again and took a deep breath before receiving an order from her brain to start walking.

 

 

 

***************************************

 

 

“Are you crazy?!” Shin Hye shrieked soon as So Min began walking. She was going back to her usual loud mode. She placed both hands on Seung Ah’s shoulders and violently shook her.

 

 

 

“Shin Hye!!” the other girl chastised. She appeared helpless—it was the second time that day that a friend of her shook her by the shoulders. She glanced back to where So Min was—she had already entered, with a man beside her on the stairs. Seung Ah had the feeling she had seen that man somewhere but the ferocious shaking she’s receiving from her friend diverted her focus.

 

 

 

“Is that man’s mother more important than your best friend??! SEUNG AH!”

 

 

 

Trust Shin Hye to have over the top reactions for everything. It was clear that Shin Hye wasn’t listening to this topic in the morning. Seung Ah managed to get out of her grasp. “We still have this week before the special day. Besides, I’ve reserved for a new one already. Will arrive by the end of the week—probably on Friday.” She looked at the now frowning Shin Hye. “You’ll accompany me to get it, right?”

 

 

 

Shin Hye pouted but gradually broke into a grin. “Count me in!” she hooked her arm with Seung Ah’s and dragged her towards the gate. “So tell me about this teddy bear guy.”

 

 

 

“No way! Tell me about the ID guy first!”

 

 

 

***************************************

 

 

As So Min took some steps forward, she noticed a group of girls in a corner near the staircase. They seemed to be surrounding someone in the middle, and according to the little whispers she heard, the lady just came back from being an exchange student. Without giving a second glance, So Min went straight towards the pathway that would lead her upstairs.

 

 

 

“WAIT! WAIT FOR ME! EXCUSE ME!! LET ME THROUGH!”

 

 

 

So Min curiously turned her head at the owner of the voice. It belonged to a male. She was then met by a panting guy in an all-white uniform. “Hey,” he greeted.

 

 

 

She examined him before replying, “Do I know you?”

 

 

 

The guy laughed at it, adding to his panting from his run. “You’re So Min, right?”

 

 

 

“Uhh—yeah?” her nervousness was increasing for some unknown reason. Who was this guy again?

 

 

 

“Whew! At least I have company. Not the only one who’s in the nick of time.” Aside from the fact that this guy oddly looked familiar, what he was saying also seemed odd to her ears. Perceiving her confused state, “Flaring High?” and she finally understood.

 

 

 

“Ah, right.” How could she easily forget? Of course, he looked familiar primarily because she had seen him the previous week when she was first introduced as the band’s new member.

 

 

 

“I’m Il Woo.”

 

 

 

Instead of saying anything, So Min accepted the hand he was offering for a shake. He already knew her name, so she didn’t see the essence of repeating it. The thing was she didn’t have any idea what to say anymore. Spell awkward.

 

 

 

“Let’s go?” she nodded at him and allowed to guide her upstairs until the fourth floor, making the both of them miss the longing stare the lady in the middle of the crowd was giving them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the way up, the two got caught up in a light conversation. Actually, Il Woo spoke most of the time as the heroine just gave monosyllabic responses—nothing unusual. It’s not in her nature to speak long sentences; not to anyone.

 

Il Woo was a nursing student, which explained his uniform and he just got out of his shift in the university hospital beside the school, that’s why he was running to make it on time.

 

 

 

Geun Suk was sitting on the desk of a chair. Even though the room was full of musical instruments for practicing, it was still a classroom with a few chairs inside. He had his back on the front door whilst facing Hyun Joong.

 

Since his instrument was the drums, Hyun Joong’s place was at the back of the room, in line with the back door. Kyu Jong was standing between them as they all engage themselves in an arbitrary conversation. Geun Suk was telling them how he played hero to a girl by saving her at the university’s entrance that morning. The door suddenly burst open along with the giggles of an enthusiastic man.

 

 

 

Geun Suk turned his head to look over his shoulder. “Woah,” was his comment.

 

 

 

Kyu Jong smiled at them, particularly at the lady beside Il Woo. “Hi there!”

 

 

 

“Hi,” she shyly said back. “Uhm—” Seriously, what else should she say?

 

 

 

“Hey, So Min!” Geun Suk greeted. He stepped down from the chair’s desk and walked towards her. “I’m Geun Suk.”

 

 

 

“Kyu Jong,” the bassist followed suit. The girl shook hands with them. “Hey, Hyunnie, no introductions?” Kyu Jong joked.

 

 

 

Hyun Joong remained sitting on his drum chair. Introductions? Wasn’t being married enough?

 

Instead of speaking, he lifted his head once as he looked at her, acknowledging her presence. What a polite self-intro.

 

 

 

“Don’t mind him,” Il Woo murmured. “He told you last time he hates having females around this band, right?”

 

 

 

“Huh?” was the dumbfounded answer. When did he say that? Where? How? She couldn’t recall.

 

 

 

“Shall we start?” Hyun Joong said to save his self. He couldn’t risk So Min telling them that it wasn’t what he told her the moment he yanked her out of that very same room a week ago. Well, he was sure she wouldn’t tell them anyway, but better sure than sorry. Seeing the three boys nod at him, they settled their instruments and began playing

 

 

 

But after 15 minutes of agonizing practice, “Why do you keep on messing up?” Hyun Joong was getting frustrated. He glared at the three guys in front of him. Each of them seemed to be distracted as one after the other either played the wrong chord or failed to keep up with the rhythm.

 

 

 

“Sorry, dude. She’s such a distraction,” Kyu Jong said in defense.

 

 

 

“If she were,” he made sure dagger looks were thrown. “Tell me why she’s doing it correctly while you’re not. To think this is her first practice.”

 

 

 

“That’s the point, dude!” Kyu Jong, who was standing nearest to So Min, moved closer and put an arm on her shoulders. “She’s doing it correctly. Amazingly correct! Damn!”

 

 

 

“I never saw anyone as talented as you. No wonder Mr. Hwang vetoed the last aspiring applicant no matter the great talent I heard he had. He’s been eyeing you for the spot.” Geun Suk agreed then turned to the others confusedly. “Or was it a she?”

 

 

 

His question was left hanging. “Sorry, bro. You think we should let her play solo for today? We promise to do it fine starting tomorrow.” Kyu Jong smiled wider at So Min.

 

 

 

Hyun Joong remained glaring, but noticed Geun Suk’s and Kyu Jong’s puppy eyes, while So Min simply avoided his gaze. She was new to this and she did not have any idea they’d react that way. All she did was play the piece they gave her.

 

 

 

“Alright, So Min,” Il Woo acted as the referee. “Why don’t you play the whole piece while we watch you? That way, we can stop staring in enthrallment when we play altogether tomorrow.”

 

 

 

So Min was befuddled that she quickly looked at Hyun Joong, her eyes obviously asking for his opinion.

 

 

 

Reading it clearly, Hyun Joong sighed. “A’yt, I’ll be out for drinks. If you’ve seen enough, we gonna pursue at least one song before calling it a night. We don’t have much time.” He looked at Geun Suk and Kyu Jong who still had their puppy eyes at him, “Swipe that stupid face. It’s disgusting.” And before anyone could react, he was at the back door, twisting the knob to open.

 

 

 

After half an hour, the trio seemed to have enough. “Was that okay?” came So Min’s question.

 

 

 

If she was uncomfortable when Hyun Joong was in the same room as they, she felt double of it when he chose to leave her with the other three. They seemed to have hawk-like eyes that had been watching her. She pressed the keys with caution the way she remembered them when she laid her eyes on the music sheet Il Woo handed. He’s on the rhythm guitar that’s why their pieces were somewhat similar. But since the request of her playing alone wasn’t expected, it sent her insides struggling. With her panic-stricken state, she wasn’t able to look at the sheets again for guidance.

 

 

 

“That was more than okay,” Kyu Jong replied.

 

 

 

“Girl, I think you’d nail it even with your eyes closed.”

 

 

 

Geun Suk agreed with a nod but his brows wrinkled. “Girl?” he repeated. “Really, Woo?”

 

 

 

The other guitarist shrugged. “Was I supposed to call her man instead?”

 

 

 

“That sounded so gay,” Kyu Jong’s face also twisted. “Man sounds better, especially if it’ll come from you. I’m sure So Min doesn’t mind.” His brain pondered at what he just said then turned to So Min, “Does she?”

 

 

 

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