Prepare yourselves, it is one long chapter :D

“Family meeting.”

I successfully have been able to avoid the only two people in the house the moment I got home from Hanbin’s but I knew the peace wasn’t going to last forever. My two interrogators looked up from their seats at the kitchen table the second I entered the room. 

Jimin pulled out one of the chairs. “Take a seat, Jiwoo.”

I rather stand. But, watching Jiyoon enthusiastically reach over to pat the seat told me my wishes wouldn’t be granted. With a sigh, I walked over and sat down. 

“Where should we start?” Jiyoon was trying so hard to suppress her excitement but it was simply spilling through her wide grin.

“I guess it’s time.” Jimin pressed her lips together. “For the birds and the bees.”

I snapped my head around to look at her in horror. “Unnie, no thank you. I know how everything works.” There was no need for that. “…And the consequences.”

“Let’s just get to the good stuff instead.” Jiyoon added from the side. “What, when, where, how, who?” 

So, it is finally time for lies. “Well –“

“Hold on.” Jiyoon placed her hand up to stop me. “Before you begin, let me just say this is great. Jimin unnie doubted but I've always had faith –“

In other words – “You two were betting on me?” 

“I was on your side, Jiwoo.” Jiyoon responded. “I said you were going to get a boyfriend this year while Jimin said that it would be impossible…knowing your personality…” She mumbled the last part. “But! I was right. That is the important part.” Inhaling a breath, Jiyoon continued. “Okay, you may speak now.”

Okay, so the only way to be believable is if I don’t add random tidbits in the lie. Keep it short and simple. “His name is Hanbin, started two months ago, and because he was completely in love with me, I generously gave him a chance.” That should do it.

“The women in our family are natural men-killers.” Jiyoon said in approval. “Is he all over you?”

“All the time.”

“Can’t leave you alone?”

“He’ll die without me.” 

Jiyoon crossed her arms and leaned back into her chair. “Exactly what I want to hear.”

Jimin, who did not agree with the direction this conversation was heading in reached over and knocked Jiyoon on her head. “What are you teaching her?”

“Unnie, I’m teaching her from experience.” Jiyoon argues and I couldn’t disagree. She was the one who manages to find a date every week. “Jiwoo, make sure you don’t like him more than he likes you – it’ll lead to disaster.”

“Jiyoon.” Jimin called out in disapproval. 

“What? I’m only saying that being careful is better.”

Sighing, Jimin looked over at me. “Jiwoo, you’re not supposed to be calculative in a relationship…it doesn’t work that way.”

“Unnie, there really isn’t a need for this talk.” I chuckled. Really. “I got it under control.” They had no idea.

In response, Jimin and Jiyoon smiled. “Then we wish you the best.”

I couldn’t help but smile back in hilarity. Were they really looking forward to this moment? 

“Also –“ Jimin spoke up once more. “Bring him around sometime. Since dad isn’t around, I should meet the boyfriend in dad’s place.”

“Wait a minute.” Jiyoon cuts in. “Most importantly – can he help me pass his mother’s class?”

***

“So, did you think of a new response?” Mino found his place beside me on the bus just like every morning.

I thought for a moment. “I decided not to do anything.” I responded casually.

“Why is that?”

I turned to look at him. “Eventually, you’re going to get bored.” I have decided to tackle this problem in the same manner I did with others. I was going to wait it out and in time, Mino will get tired and just move on. No effort on my part.

At my answer, Mino chuckled. “You think that would really work?”

I nodded. I have faith in my methods. But, before anything else, I figured it was about time I asked this question. Better late than never. “Why do you even like me, Mino?” 

Mino seemed a little taken aback by my question and pondered on it. “…Remember that time you helped me in the alleyway?”

That was a while ago, but I didn’t forget about it. “What about it?”

His lips formed a smile. “You were the first person to reach out and help me. I guess, it all started then.”

“Isn’t that too simple?” To like someone just because of that.

“Not to me.” He disagreed. “I caused you so much trouble and messed with you but, you helped me anyway.” Mino responded. “You left an impression on me, so I wanted to get closer to you.”

So, in the end, it was my fault. “Isn’t it tiring, Mino?” I was genuinely curious.

“Not if all my effort will pay off.” Mino responds with a smile. And at that moment, I couldn’t help but feel apologetic. Because, that smile was so sincere that it killed me for seeing it. 

“What exactly do you want?” I wanted him to give up. I already know how this would end and hurt is the only thing Mino will be feeling at the end of this. I’ve seen what Jiyoon and Jimin had gone through enough times to know. 

“One date.” He responds without thinking too much on it. “That’s all I want.”

After Mino got off the bus, I knew the words would visit me once again.

One date, huh?

A tired sigh left my lips as I slipped off the bus once I reached my stop. Pushing the thought aside for now, I walked toward school. Yet, within a few steps, my senses told me not to move forward a single inch more. I looked up at the gates and noticed the few unwanted individuals. They easily stood out in their casual clothing.

Geez, they’re busy so early in the morning.

How exactly did Zico want me to avoid him and his company when they are actively seeking us out? They don’t play fair. I looked around, trying to figure out another way to get past them and immediately, I remember the back gates. 

…But, those were closed in the morning.

Despite the fact, I ran around back and looked up at the wall. I mean, this isn’t too bad, I could climb this. I looked over to the side and noticed the school dumpsters. Well, isn’t that just perfect? Tossing my backpack up on the dumpster first – I now have to figure out how to get my body up with only one hand. 

Moving my injured shoulder around, I decided that it was healed enough for the stunt I was about to pull and climbed up. Yet, by the time I was on my feet, it started to sore…okay, so it wasn’t healed enough but this is a small price to pay. Once reaching the top of the wall, I tossed my backpack over once more but gasped in surprise – nearly knocking myself off the dumpster.

“Are you nuts?” Hanbin reached out and grabbed my arm to steady clumsy me.

“What are you doing here?” 

“I saw you acting sneaky.” He sighed before helping me climb over.

“Didn’t you see Zico’s gang?” It wasn’t, ‘acting sneaky’, my survival instincts kicked in and I couldn’t ignore them. “I’m not stupid to get caught by them.”

He pick up my backpack. “Yeah, I saw.” He hands it over to me. “That’s why I was looking for you but it seemed you acted fast enough.”

“Being around you has really prepped me for situations like these.” I feel invincible. He narrowed his eyes at me but he didn’t disagree – that was the important part. “Aren’t you supposed to start your behavioral training today?” I thought he was supposed to be at Donghyuk’s side as soon as he got to school.

“Why do you call it that?” He asked unhappily. 

“Because that’s what it is.” I insisted. “Just accept the goody-goody and you’ll come out a better person.” Without another word or providing any sort of rebuttal, Hanbin walked off. Just like that. I snorted after witnessing the sight of him accepting defeat so nicely this time.

Following after him, we walked into the school building and arrived on the first floor. Without me saying anything, like always, Hanbin naturally heads towards my locker and opens it up. The sight wasn’t anything new – with Hanbin repeatedly doing the task, he had already memorized the combination to the lock. 

Handing over my backpack, Hanbin started packing it.

“Don’t forget the –“

“Math book.” Hanbin finishes my sentence. “I already know…you’ve reminded me countless times.” He took a quick glance at me before zipping up my backpack and handing it back.

Still rough with his words I see.

I looked down the hallway and a perfect chance of teasing came. “Goody-goody is here.”

Hanbin snapped his head around and noticed Donghyuk.

“Well, today is going to be an eventful day for you.”

***

“You’re not supposed to be here.” At least not here in front of me. “You’re supposed to be stuck with Donghyuk.” As soon as the break bell rung, I found Hanbin in front of the classroom doorway. 

“I can’t take it anymore.” 

“Hanbin, it’s been only four hours and you’ve only been in class with him.” That’s right. It wasn’t enough that they are next to each other during break time but also, Hanbin had to visit Donghyuk’s class today. I’m sure he’ll have to be present during Donghyuk’s school activities too…well, that .

I walked past Hanbin and headed towards the cafeteria. Today, I am going to get my lunch and nothing is going to stop me.

“How could someone be so nice?” Hanbin asked in exasperation while matching my pace.

“Of course you wouldn’t understand that.”

He shot me a look. “I am a person who has a limit but Donghyuk…he has no limit.” 

In that moment, a thought crossed my mind. “Learn from him.” That would be beneficial for everyone…and specifically, for me. 

Hanbin suddenly sighed seeing Donghyuk a little further down the hall. Whose face had an evident bright grin as he waved Hanbin to come over. But, it seems Hanbin’s legs stopped working at that moment and I offered a little help. Pushing him forward, I nodded towards Donghyuk.

“I don’t wanna go.” Hanbin placed more weight on his heels. “I should have just stayed suspended.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I went through all the effort to ask Donghyuk for help, he will not waste my energy. “Let’s go.”

***

It’s time once again. It was after school and you know what that means.

While I was busy sighing at my locker, an unwanted appearance made by someone caused a heavier sigh to leave my lips. “What do