"Chorong, you like Bomi????" A shock expression was now evident on Naeun's face. Chorong had never shown any single sign of having a crush on Bomi. Never.

When Naeun finally came back to reality, she stated, "It must be nice to have spent so much time with someone you like." She was rather envious of Chorong to be able to know the person she likes since years ago. 

"You know Naeun ah, when we had to part in primary school, I cried so much. I had feelings for her since then. After entering primary school, I thought I could forget her, I thought it was just an immature childhood crush, I thought it was just our close friendship. But now that I've grown up and met her again, I realise everything's real, and everything's still there," Chorong shared, "And it's great to be able to know her for so long, but sometimes how long you know someone does not matter much."

Naeun nodded. That was one of the things Naeun liked most about Chorong - she was mature. Chorong's maturity was at a level much higher than majority of the people her age, thus she often could provide valuable advice worth giving a thought to. However, she, too, had an immature side. Suddenly, Naeun thought of something. She suggested, "Chorong ah, how about we have a competition? Since we both have someone we like, let's see who gets to be with the person first. Twist of the competition is that the winner would have to do something for the loser as a form of comfort."

After considering for a while, Chorong agreed. And they both started their mission.

***

It was night. The night that Bomi's father had finally came back to Korea after half a year of overseas trip. Excited to catch up with her father, Bomi ran to her father's room today.

"Appa~ Guess who I met again this year in my new school?"

"I wonder who my precious daughter met?"

"It's my childhood bestfriends, Eunji and Chorong. Do you remember them?" 

"Chorong as in Park Chorong?" Bomi's father now had a relatively serious tone. Bomi was surprised at her father's reaction, but nodded as a response anyway. "It's better to not go out with that girl."

"But why? She's my really close friend you know." Bomi's father just walked away, leaving Bomi upset. She was puzzled, how could her father tell her not to hang out with her friend? To add on, it was Chorong of all friends. Returning to her own room, she suddenly felt like messaging Chorong for some reason. That was when her phone rang.

Chorong's POV

Should I? Or should I not? Ugh, since I accepted Naeun's challenge then I should just do it. Picking up my phone, I clicked on the number. She picked up.

"Hello? Chorong?" 

"Hello B-Bomi ah"

"Yes? Is there anything wrong?" She said in a worried tone.

"Nothing, I just wanted to talk to you and hear your voice." I mentally facepalmed. Why did I let that out? Trying to salvage the situation, I asked, "Actually Bomi ah, what homework is there today?"

"Only Mathematics and Physics Assignment, both due on Friday," She replied. Then it was silence, none of us wanted to hang up. Conflicted, I let out a sigh, which got her worried again.

"Chorong-ah, is there anything else? What happened? Why did you sigh?"

"Nothing," I replied. Suddenly overwhelmed by the urge to ask it, I cautiously asked, "Bomi ah, may I ask you a question?"

"Hmm?"

"I.. I.. Erm.. I.. Bomi.. I.. M-May I call y-you everyday?" Instantly, I regretted asking.

"Even without anything much to say?"

In an attempt to make it less awkward, I said, "Oh right nevermind it's o-" My sentence got cut by Bomi's reply. "If you want to, I certainly won't mind. It'll get better, I suppose."

I smiled at her response. Not only was this a great step to win the challenge, I get to talk to Bomi outside of school everyday too.

***

Naeun's POV

"Oh no! I forgot to bring my book! The teacher's so going to kill me," Eunji said in her usual loud voice. Instinctively, I took my book and walked towards her. 

"Eunji-ah, use mine then," I offered. She was about to protest but I walked away. To me, it was definitely worth it to get scolded and punished because of her. The teacher soon entered the classroom. When she asked about who had forgot to bring their book today, only another classmate and I stood up. Eunji wanted to stand up too, but when she looked back at me I conveniently sent her a glare, warning her not to. Today, the punishment the teacher chose was to copy a story in the book twice, and it must be completed immediately after school. That meant that my hand was going to ache, and I was not going to be able to watch my favourite drama. I sighed, but I guess at least Eunji did not have to suffer that.

***

After school, Eunji decided to stay back with Naeun as she felt bad. Walking to Naeun's seat, she was already starting to copy.

"I'm sorry Naeun-ah, you really don't have to do this you know. Come, I'll do it," Eunji said, trying to take the pen and paper away. However, Naeun shifted the paper away from her, and fiercely said a "no". Eunji had no choice but to sit there and watch as Naeun completed the copying. When she was finally done, Eunji insisted on bringing her to the cafe she frequented. "Two white chocolate mocha please," she ordered.

Turning to Naeun, she excitedly told her, "The white chocolate mocha here is the best, I've tried it with Bomi and after that I often come here." Naeun smiled. She felt glad to spend some time with Eunji alone, as well as learn more about her.

"Do you like practical gifts or sentimental gifts more?" "What's your favourite colour?" "What kind of music do you like?" Under the reason of getting to know a friend better, Naeun bombarded Eunji with simple questions of things they never really had the chance to talk about. She was really happy to know so much more about Eunji, even happier that Eunji tried to understand her more too.

*****

Weeks have passed. Bomi and Chorong continued to call each other everyday, and they now have a lot more topics to talk about. On the other hand, Naeun and Eunji hung out together more often too. This day, Bomi asked Eunji out to help her with something. Of course, Eunji agreed without a second thought.

"Eunji ah, as you know I'm having a party this Sunday because it's my grandmother's birthday, and my parents told me to invite my friends. I invited you, Chorong and Naeun. On top of that, I actually intend to confess to Chorong like towards the end of the party. So I got you out today, hoping you'd help me choose the things to give her," Bomi explained. Forcing out a smile, Eunji agreed to help her.

***

The next day, Chorong entered the classroom as usual, but there was something on her table.  Frightened, she screamed, causing Bomi and Eunji who were already in class to run to her.

"What happened, Chorong??" Both of them asked. They both became shocked when they saw what was on the table. A picture of Chorong with a couple of stabs across it; there were blood stains too. Eunji looked around for things that the culprit might have dropped, meanwhile Bomi tried to calm Chorong who squating on the floor terrified. Chorong then received a text from an unknown number. It read,

You saw it. Know your limits, or you'll regret it.

Chorong was even more afraid now. Bomi knew nothing. All she knew was that Chorong was scared, and someone would harm Chorong. The only thought Bomi had was, I need to protect her from this.

A/N: Another update for you all~ thank you guys so much for supporting! I might squeeze more events into one chapter like this from now on, because I don't want the fic to seem too draggy x: Anyway, Chorong's in trouble, oh no Dx

@SONEShawolELFDiadem haha it's a great pity Eunji doesn't notice Naeun, right? x:

@troublemaker92 not exactly a perfect square but yep! More interactions and more issues now~

@sparklinghealthykid haha thank you (:

@athousandreveries yep this ChoMi shipper would always keep ChoMi mutual... I hope xD

@ChristiiChan excessively liking is unhealthy, because everything should be done in moderation xP

@fluffsaur definitely, and hopefully you'll see what I mean during the later part of this fanfic! :D