“Jeon Hyesun!!”

Both Hyesun and L.Joe immediately turned to look at the owner of the abrupt voice. Before Hyesun could say anything, the man who just called out for her sprinted off to her.

Hyesun looked at the male in total confusion, “What are you—” she couldn’t finish her sentence when the male suddenly grabbed her face and cupped her cheeks. She widened her eyes at him which clearly read ‘what are you trying to do, idiot?!’

“Why didn’t you tell me you’re going here? I was searching for you like mad and you didn’t even answer my calls! Do you know how worried I am?!” the male said in a gentle voice as he stared right into her eyes.

Hyesun stared back at him as moved around; trying to speak something but she couldn’t since the guy was squishing her cheeks tight.

Just then, the male turned to look at L.Joe who was completely lost in the situation. He then sharply glared at L.Joe, “Who the hell are you and why are you with my future wife?!”

L.Joe was taken aback by the guy’s sudden yell at him and what surprised him more was the way the guy addressed Hyesun. He wasn’t sure how to answer the male who gave an intimidate look at him. His gaze went to Hyesun; searching the truth if the guy really spoke the truth. But he knew it was no use since the guy was clasping his palm on Hyesun’s mouth. Composing himself, he began, “I happen to be Hyesun’s classmate and I—”

The male then brusquely interjected, “Forget it! I don’t care whoever you are but let me remind you, if you happen to like my Hyesun, erase those feelings because she’s mine. She deserves no man but me and only me. We have loved each other since we were little and the feeling won’t change till eternity. If you have any intention to steal her away from me, don’t even think to do that. Remember what I’ve told you today,” the guy glowered at L.Joe. With that, he pulled Hyesun together with him as he forcefully hugged Hyesun’s waist since the girl was struggling.

L.Joe; who was left dumbfounded stayed frozen in his spot. He could only watch Hyesun being dragged by the male whom he didn’t know. Seeing how he freely touched Hyesun here and there even though the lass didn’t seem to like it made him jealous and angry. He also couldn’t help but to feel jealous at the fact that the male is taller than him. He is curious about that anon guy so he decided to give a call to Hyesun that night. Huffing, he made his way back to his aunt’s house.

∞

That night, Hyesun didn’t go out from her room because she was still angry at the previous incident. She didn’t even join the family dinner but thinking that she’d be hungry, she had taken all the snacks in the kitchen into her room. She felt bad because she didn’t get to bide a proper goodbye to L.Joe. She continuously shoved chips into while checking her SNS account on her phone. Seeing nothing new on her SNS account, she went to Naver to find the current top articles about entertainment.

She found an article that interested her and reading the comments left by netizens made her feel like throwing them into the lotus pond at Deokjin Park. But then again, she thought it didn’t worth the beautiful pond and the lotus would be destroyed so no, “These netizens sure love leaving malicious comments on every article. What are they doing with life other than sitting their off in front of their computer and being keyboard warriors? Seriously they should get a life,” she nagged as she started typing on the comment section to reply the comments there.

As she was about to press the post button, the screen changed. Someone was calling her, “What even...” she looked at the caller ID and she immediately received the phone call in a split second.

“Hey, Hyesun,” the voice from the other line spoke before she could.

“What’s up, L.Joe?” she asked. In her mind, she was arranging appropriate words to apologise to L.Joe and explain the whole situation.

“Nothing, just feel like calling you. You don’t mind, do you?” L.Joe asked; his voice hesitating.

“Of course I don’t. Besides I have nothing to do anyway,” seriously Jeon Hyesun how are you going to explain that? Think, Hyesun.

“Glad if you don’t. But it’s okay for me to call you? I mean, won’t that guy I saw at the park earlier be okay with me calling you at night like this?” he carefully picked his words; afraid if he would say something wrong.

Hyesun didn’t know how to react at his question. Should she laugh? Or should she frown? After keeping silence for a few seconds, she answered, “There’s nothing to worry. No one’s going to get angry about you calling me. Err L.Joe?”

“Yes?” L.Joe shortly replied.

“I’m sorry for what happened earlier; for you to witness such weird stuffs. I feel bad for not biding you a proper farewell. I hope you didn’t mind about that. You see, the situation was out of my hands,” she expressed her regret.

“It’s okay, I can understand. I’m sorry to ask this but is he really your—you know what he acclaimed you as,” he couldn’t even mention the words because it felt so bitter on his tongue.

Hyesun wanted to laugh so bad at the moment but she suppressed her laughter, “I hope you don’t misunderstand what you saw at the park. You see, that guy—he’s actually my younger brother. He tends to be like that whenever he sees me with some guy because he thinks his sister is too popular that every man wants to hit on his sister,” she then laughed; but not too loud and long.

L.Joe went quiet for a few seconds as his mind was working on the new info he got, “That guy is actually your younger brother?” his voice nearly went out as a squeak.

“Umm, yes?”

∞

L.Joe sighed after ending the phone call. He leaned back on the sofa as he rethought about it. Something clicked in his mind, “No wonder I think I’ve seen the guy’s features before. He actually just resembles her; big eyes with slight chubby cheeks. Why didn’t I think about it? Seriously, L.Joe, you’re so embarrassing at times,” he muttered as he put his palms on his head.

“Are you talking to yourself, Byungie?” a woman voice was heard right in his ear which shocked the lad.

He jolted in shock before his shoulders slumped down to see it was only his aunt, “You shocked me, auntie.”

Ms. Lee giggled to see his reaction, “What’s wrong with you, kid? You weren’t like this before.”

“Like this, like what? I don’t get you. I think I’m just being normal?” L.Joe asked her back.

“You’re acting like someone who’s in love,” Ms. Lee wiggled her eyebrows playfully. She could read Lee Byunghun like an open book and she could already remember all the lines from the book.

“Nonsense!” L.Joe snapped. Realising the tone he used was considered rude, he added, “I mean, what did I do that look as if I’m in love? I think you watch too much cheesy dramas, aunt.”

Ms. Lee smiled, “Look at you, young man. You’re acting like one. Your denial makes things obvious. Just admit it, Byungie. Since when did you get shy around your aunt?” she provoked.

L.Joe’s ears flushed red, “Stop it, auntie. You’re not making any sense. I’m not in love or anything. You imagine too much,” he was still denying.

His continuous denial annoyed Ms. Lee. But it didn’t mean she would give up, “Okay, let’s say you’re not in love... yet. But there’s a girl in your mind, right? Knowing that you’re not the type to think too much about people, she probably bothers your mind because you keep thinking of her? You can’t help but to think of her, no?” Ms. Lee noted from how her nephew had been acting.

L.Joe sighed; knowing Ms. Lee was right about everything. He must admit that that girl is always in his mind these days. Especially when he had nothing to do, she would come into his mind even without him thinking. Turning to look at Ms. Lee, L.Joe meekly nodded, “If there’s someone who understands me the most, that’d be no doubt that it’s you. Before you start with your weird theories, let me tell you this, I’m just thinking of her, okay? It’s not more than that. It’s just... I don’t know why but she’s always here,” he pointed to his skull with his index finger.

It made Ms. Lee roar into laughter as she shook her head. I can’t believe this. Is my nephew just stupid or what? Thinking of a girl for 24/7 but means nothing? Yeah, right. “I’m so happy that my Byungie is all grown up now!” she cheered as she pinched L.Joe’s cheeks.

L.Joe frowned, “For God’s sake you should really stop pinching my cheeks while calling me Byungie! I’m not a kid anymore, auntie. Besides, Byungie sounds too childish and embarrassing.”

Ms. Lee sent a light slap on his arm, “There’s no way I’m going to stop calling you Byungie even in a thousand years. You’re my and only precious Byungie,” she said as she hugged his arm.

L.Joe smiled at the physical contact. Despite being nearly 40 years-old, Ms. Lee could be utterly childish at times and she appears to be younger than her age. Sometimes, L.Joe couldn’t help but to feel Ms. Lee is treating him way better than his own parents. Usually, he’d visit Ms. Lee at least once in a month because he knows she is lonely and he is one too. Ms. Lee lost her husband in an accident just four years after their marriage and they didn’t have a child. Albeit L.Joe’s father had forced her to remarry with his business acquaintances but she didn’t want to; giving excuse that there’s no one can replace the love she has for her late husband.

“Who’s that girl, Byungie?” Ms. Lee suddenly asked; breaking L.Joe’s train of thought about her.

“What girl?” L.Joe asked her back.

This time, his head got knocked with Ms. Lee’s knuckle, “The girl you’re thinking for 24/7, who else!”

“Don’t be too surprised if I tell you who’s she,” L.Joe ‘warned’. He knew his aunt would still exaggerate in the end.

“Why should I?” Ms. Lee inquired.

After a few seconds of silence, L.Joe spoke, “Remember the girl that punched me when I was little?”

Ms. Lee quickly nodded to his question. She would forever remember that incident and especially the girl; not because she hated what the little girl did to her nephew but rather she was amused and amazed. Just then, something hit her mind as she quickly got up from leaning on L.Joe with rounded eyes, “Don’t tell me it’s that girl!”

L.Joe could only shrug his shoulders. He knew Ms. Lee understood better.

Seeing how L.Joe responded, she squealed, “Oh my God, Byungie! Do you know what’s this called? It’s fate! Fate brought the two of you together! Back then, after she punched you, you kept thinking of her and now you’re still thinking about her like how is this even possible? Well, it’s possible because it’s fate! I swear she really suits you! Your love with her would be like those blooming lotus lilies in the pond! Seriously, Lee Byunghun, do you realise that she’s the one for you—”

L.Joe quickly held up his palm in the air, “Stop it, auntie. I told you, you watch too many dramas. Now you’re imagining things like girls in their 15’s.”

“What’s wrong with it? I’m just happy for my beloved nephew! If she’s the girl you’re marrying, I totally approve. Be sure to make more than 5 babies, I’ll gladly take care of them all! You two can spend times together while I look over your kids—”

As she continued to nag about marriage, babies and stuffs, L.Joe had mentally smacked himself for a thousand times. Oh Lord, I can’t believe this. What’s with the sudden talk about marriage and even babies? Seriously, my aunt is being so delusional. God saves me from this torture! Feeling that he couldn’t take it anymore, L.Joe quickly left the living room and darted off to his room.

“Lee Byunghun, come back here! I haven’t done talking!”

∞

At early Sunday morning, Hyesun went to the market with Jungkook to buy some grocery after being forced by her mother. The girl yawned seeing fresh fishes everywhere.

Just then, her eyes fell on the moving crabs, “Can we buy crabs? I’ve been wanting to eat—”

“No,” Jungkook said in a second as he pulled her arm to drag his sister away from the crabs.

Hyesun huffed in disappointment. From what she remembered, she hadn’t been eating crabs in awhile. I should have just bought it sneakily.

“I can buy it for you,” a voice exclaimed.

Both of the siblings quickly turned around to find the owner of the voice. The girl’s expression brightened to see the man while the boy instantly went into his protective side as he gripped his sister’s arm firmly.

Before Jungkook could do anything, Hyesun quickly said, “You want to? Sure—”

As expected; she couldn’t finish her sentence as Taesun voiced, “There’s no need to trouble yourself. Come on, Hyesun,” with that, the two left as the younger was dragging the older, again.

∞

Jungkook was doing his works at the restaurant since his parents were out for awhile when the door of the restaurant was pushed opened. His eyes went to the person and he scowled to see him. Leaving his works, he quickly went to the guy.

“What business do you have here? If you have nothing important, just go,” he harshly told the other male to go as his eyes were sending glares at him.

Not even flinching under the younger’s glare, L.Joe simply said, “I’m here to give some crab I bought to your sister—”

“Oh, L.Joe! You come?” Hyesun’s voice was heard from behind as she was coming downstairs.

L.Joe tilted his head to see her, “Hey, I bought you some crab.”

“You really did?!” before Hyesun could run to L.Joe, Jungkook darted to the stairs and stretched out his hands to block her.

“Go upstairs,” Jungkook ordered. Seeing she was trying to get passed him, he barked, “I said go upstairs!”

Hyesun’s eyes got bigger at his yell, “You brat! Why are you being so annoying and protective?! Do you think you’re being like this will help me in any point?! For God’s sake, Jeon Jungkook, you should stop acting like a little kid! I know how to take care of myself around boys and I don’t need you to shield me from boys every time! It’s getting irritating!” she yelled back; but in a whispery tone so L.Joe wouldn’t hear their argument.

Jungkook stared at his sister for a few seconds. Half-snorting and half-chuckling, he stormed outside without a word. He even purposely bumped onto L.Joe’s shoulder on his way.

“You brat! Where do you think you’re going?!” Hyesun shouted out loud before sighing as her legs gave out and she fell down on one of the stairs.

Seeing how the girl was, L.Joe quickly went to her, “Are you okay?” he asked as he touched her face; seeing how pale it was.

Hyesun could only nod at his question. Don’t show your weak side in front of a man whom you don’t trust, Jeon Hyesun.

L.Joe put the plastic of crabs beside the lass as he told her, “I’ll go after your brother, okay?”

∞

L.Joe continued to search around the neighbourhood seeing no trace of Jungkook anywhere. He rode his motorcycle in a slow speed; so he wouldn’t overlook Jungkook’s figure. It was nearly the end of Deokjin-dong neighbourhood but the younger couldn’t be seen till now. Not giving up, L.Joe kept his eyes everywhere. Just then, his eyes spotted a lone figure in a basketball open court; throwing the balls into the basket without stopping but kept failing.

“This is how you release your anger, kid?” L.Joe sardonically asked from behind; trying to inflame Jungkook.

In a few seconds, a ball was thrown in full speed towards L.Joe. L.Joe calmly caught the ball in his hands which left the younger huffing.

“What the hell do you want? Go away and leave me alone,” Jungkook coldly snapped.

Spinning the ball with his index finger, L.Joe said, “I’m not going to leave until you speak to me in a nicer tone.”

Jungkook sceptically chuckled, “Then you might want to leave now because I don’t intend to do that, not even in your dream.”

L.Joe stared at the younger with a small cackle before asking, “Why are you so protective over Hyesun? From what I see, she can take care of herself well. I don’t think she needs you to stick to her whenever there are guys around. One day, your sister is still going to get married to a man. I don’t see the needs to being too overprotective.”

“She’s capable to take care of herself huh? Just for you to know, Jin Hyesun you’re seeing is not the real her; it’s her alter ego who appears to be strong and such when she’s actually so fragile inside!” Jungkook said; his face hardening as he threw the ball on the floor; leaving the ball bouncing.

“What do you mean? Enlighten me,” L.Joe inquired. Is there anything wrong with Jeon Hyesun? She always looks happy in his eyes. It just her eyes are unreadable at times.

“Why should I tell you? You’re just someone who’s capable of hurting her. As her brother, I’m not going to let that happen again. No matter what it costs, I’m not going to let her getting hurt because of someone who doesn’t worth it. I’ll protect her until the end and trust me, if I have to kill someone, then I’ll really do it. I hate to see her being in pain, until she even forgets how to cry. Seeing someone you truly love hurts hurt you even more,” Jungkook’s eyes darkened and it was apparent that he was clenching his jaw tight. His eyes then fell on L.Joe, “If you’re intending to get closer to my precious sister, either you forget it or work for it,” he simply said as he shot a ball into the basket and it got in. With that, he left L.Joe alone in the court.

L.Joe smiled even though his mind couldn’t stop thinking what Jungkook had told him earlier. But he's confident that he'd figure out the whole things sooner or later. Then, Jungkook's last line rang in his memory. Either you forget it or work for it huh? Of course my choice would be the latter.