A/N - So i'm reposting chapters 8-12 and a few new chapters on top of that. Mostly because i'm absolutely sick and tired of waiting for AFF to magically fix itself (which i feel probably won't happen anytime this century or conversely will happen the moment my patience runs out) so here's to hoping everything ends up fine. 

@rouleauxlang - kekeke now you'll find out who that person is ^^

@Ashy-G - thanks for the friend invite and here's your update!!! Don't worry, Doongie will be back~

Also, thanks to everyone for re-subscribing after that server nightmare >< So glad to see you guys are still sticking with me!!! And welcome to any new subscribers.

This chapter marks the beginning of the 'My Fault' Arc. As you may guess, its got a lot to do with Cheondoong believing everything's his fault, so a tad depressing arc it will be. However, there's always a bright light at the end of the tunnel!

My Fault Arc~

Chapter 8 – My fault I run, my fault I cry, my fault I hide

Mir POV

Everyone sat in silence, unsure of what to make of Cheondoong’s sudden departure. Then Dara crumpled to the floor, thin bedsheets still covering her tiny frame and her whole body trembled.

As if blasted with cold water, we all jumped to our feet and took action.

Seungho pulled Dara in close, comforting and soothing her. But I had other plans.

“I’m going after Cheondoong.” I called quickly as I dashed out, grabbing my coat and keys. “He can’t have gone too far.” I muttered under my breath and stopped at the doorstep to pull on my shoes.

Two bodies bumped into me, making me fall forwards. “Yah!” I complained, rubbing my knees as G.O and Joon hurried to put on their shoes.

“We’re going as well.” G.O said shortly and dashed off down one road. Joon took the other and I took the last.

“Please, please.” I whispered as I ran. “Let us find Cheondoong.”

Cheondoong POV

My body acted before my brain did. I ran. Out of the dorms, into the streets and to god-knows-where. All I knew was that I couldn’t stay there. Not after causing so much chaos.

I let myself run ragged, sprinting down the streets like a madman.

And then as I turned around the corner, I skidded and sprawled into a girl.

“Ouch!” exclaimed a girl, barely a few years younger than I was. I rubbed my sore forehead that had collided with hers when I fell and looked up, ready to apologize.

“Ah, mianhe.” I began, realizing that this was probably the tenth time I had said that word in one day. And it probably wasn’t going to be the last at this rate. “I was rushing and-“

And I froze as I saw who the girl was.

“Lee Ji-eun.” I whispered.

“Yes?” she turned around to look at me. “That hurt!” she complained in the sweetest way that I could never translate into fierceness. It was like watching a baby kitten bare its teeth. Then she blinked as she looked at me. “Do I know you?”

I couldn’t help it then. Everything was happening too fast, too rapidly. I broke down and curled up, crying on the streets.

“Hey!” she rushed over to where I was curled. “Are you okay? Did we crash too hard? Does your head hurt?”

I felt like crying all over again at her sweet ministrations. “No…” I choked out. “It’s not your fault, it’s mine.”

Ji-eun glanced around at the empty street. Then without a second thought, she knelt down and gathered me in her arms. "Shhhh," she soothed me, rubbed her hands over my shaking back and in my hair. "Shhhh, everything's going to be alright."

Within minutes, my sobbing subsided and I leaned away from her, slightly embarrassed at having soaked her thin blouse. "Sorry." I mumbled, using my sleeve to wipe away the stray tears. Ji-eun leaned back on her heels and inspected me. 

“Stay here.” She instructed me, and then dashed away. Five minutes later, she was back with a bottle of water and her bag. “I’ve told my manager I’ll make my own way home. Come with me.” She said, clasping her hand over mine and then dragging me to my feet.

Bewildered, I let her pull me down the street and into a car. I had no idea what to say, what to do but she seemed in control of herself despite being right in front of a total stranger who started weeping.

I stepped into the car, just as a familiar voice echoed down the streets. “Cheondoong!” Mir called. He was echoed by Joon’s voice.

Ji-eun looked at my reaction strangely. “Your friends?” she asked gently.

I shook my heads. “I can’t meet them right now.” I whispered.

Surprisingly, she understood because she slid into the driver’s seat and locked the car. “It’s okay.” She hushed my crying. “Come with me.”

And she drove away, right past Mir. My heart slid to the floor as I watched his frustrated expression, but the words stuck in my mouth and I turned my head away.

I couldn’t face them. Not like this. Not right now. Maybe…never…

Ji-eun POV

I must be crazy! I was driving home a total stranger. Sure he was an amazingly handsome- ummm I mean sorrowful man who looked like he was in desperate need for help, but well…if my parents knew about this they would be scolding me to high-heaven.

In my defense, you could say I hadn’t been thinking. I just took one look at him and then had to resist the urge to put my arms around him. He felt so familiar, so close to my heart that I couldn’t just leave him on the streets. You could say it was love at first sight, I just don’t know.

I tried to concentrate on driving instead of thinking about him, but from time to time I had to sneak a peek at the gorgeous guy sitting beside me.

His crying had subsided now and he sat in solemn silence. He was beautiful with his tall stature and pale, smooth skin I longed to touch. But he was also amazingly y with those dark, soulful eyes and lips which he chewed and it drove me mad.

Shush Ji-eun, I scolded myself. Just because he’s handsome doesn’t mean you need to like him.

My house was actually quite far away, nearly half an hour of driving. Every time I looked over at the mysterious stranger, his eyelids seem to flicker and his body swayed until with a soft thud he fell asleep. The thud shocked me and I sat up straight, but he just started snoring gently.

I giggled. He looked so peaceful asleep that I left him alone until I parked at the driveway of my apartment.

“Ummm…” I nudged him, unsure of how to address him. Because as a matter-of-fact, I hadn’t actually asked him his name yet. But at my touch, he jolted awake with eyes of fear. “Shhhh…” I reassured him and he quickly calmed down. “Come inside.” I invited him.

Gingerly he unfolded himself from the car and stretched his stiff muscles. I tried to ignore the way his dark black shirt rode up as he stretched, revealing a pale strip of toned body. I tried to focus on the door instead, but my key holder was stuffed with keys and of course like the idiot I was, I had forgotten which key it was. It took me six tries to unlock the stupid thing.

“Damn!” I cursed as I got the wrong key again.

“Are you okay?” he said gently. He strode over, coming far too close for comfort and then picked out one key. Inserting it, the door opened with a click.

“How did you know?” I asked in wonderment, hurrying into the house and welcoming him in.

He gave me a soft grin. “Lucky guess.” He chuckled. I smiled, it was the first time I had heard him laugh and it was as refreshing as a spring breeze. 

I brought him to my living room and instructed him to sit down. He did so gracefully, eyes observing the place. I just hoped I had brought in my laundry. Fluttering underwear would not be a good welcome for him. A quick check to the balcony confirmed it. I let out a sigh of relief.

“Stay here, I’m just going to get changed.” I said quickly, darting for my room. “Do you want anything?”

“Umm I’m okay.” He said softly.

“Okay.” I smiled hesitantly and dashed down the hallway. Then I stopped and turned back. “By the way, I’m Lee Ji-eun.” I introduced myself. “And you?”

He gave a small bow. “I’m Park Sanghyun.” His smile though was suddenly bitter as he spoke the words: “Nice to meet you.”

Cheondoong POV

Lee Ji-eun. How long has it been since I’ve seen her last. She doesn’t remember me of course. I knew it, but it hurts more than I imagined.

And now…what do I do…

First things first, open my phone and send a text…

Mir POV

It had been over two hours since Cheondoong-hyung had gone missing. Us three had run throughout the neighborhoods, yelling his name but to no avail.

I stopped and panted for breath. Resting my hands on my knees, I scouted the area, but there were no signs of my hyung.

“Cheondoong…” I whispered.

“Mir!” a sudden voice made me twirl around.

“Hyung!” I waved as Joon and G.O tiredly jogged over. “Did you find any signs of him?” I asked desperately, missing my hyung already.

Both shook their head morosely.

“That kid’s got some long legs.” G.O complained. “He’s probably run to North Korea at this rate.”

Joon snorted. “Then he’d be back with a thousand guns on his tail.”

We sunk down onto a bench, panting for breath and weighed under with guilt.

“Why did he run off…?” I said sadly, watching a happy family walk past. So different to our broken family.

“I don’t-“ Joon began, but was cut off suddenly by the beeping of our phones. A text message. To all of us. We quickly pulled out our phones, opened the inbox and read the message.

[1 new message]

Sender: Cheondoongie

Message:

Will be staying somewhere else for the night. Please don’t worry. Mianhe.

“Damn him!” Joon cursed, slamming his phone shut and angrily glaring at the bushes. “Please don’t worry? Of course we will!”

“Leave him alone.” G.O advised just as I planned to call Cheondoong. “He needs some alone time. Tomorrow we’ll have a proper chat. The important thing is that he's safe.”

I nodded and slid my phone back into my pocket. There was nothing more to be said.

So with heavy hearts, we walked home. All the whilst feeling as if we were missing someone who should be walking right beside us instead of texting us ‘sorry’ for the hundredth time.