“…our directors, Jang Kyungmin and Woo Chaesun!”

Kyungmin and Chaesun stepped forward and bowed for the audience, then stepped aside.

“And finally, our scriptwriters: Lee Jooyeon and Kim Heejin.”

Jooyeon and I stepped forward to take a bow. Then a tingly feeling s its way over my skin when someone put their arm around my waist.

“My real life Soonae,” said the voice I knew too well which belongs to the one person I had a crush on: Lee Joochan. He was right there, by my side, wrappinghis arma round my waist as if I was his girlfriend, not caringwho saw, even if they included his two sisters. But I was so tired from all the preparation for the play that all I could do was smiled pathetically and put my head on Joochan’s shoulder, which earned me whoops of teasing from my classmates.

Later, while the others were cleaning, Joochan joined me outside. Actually, I kind of pulled him along.

“What was that, Joochan-ah?” I said hysterically once we were out of earshot.

“That’s what I call an indirect confession,” said Joochan.

“Stop fooling around!”

“I was serious, Heejin-ah,” said Joochan calmly.

“I-I’m sorry,” I whispered. Hot tears started welling up in my eyes. When Joochan touched me, they fell down my cheeks.

“Omo, Heejin-ah, why? Did I do something wrong?” asked Joochan urgently.

“N-No, it’s just that I’ve been fooled and tricked by the same lines from different boys. I was half-ready to believe you were the same,” I sniffed. I kept my head down, refusing to let him see me cry again.

Joochan gently forced my chin up and I saw those beautiful, sincere eyes.

“I’m telling you right now that I’m not poking fun at you,” he said sweetly and softly. Then he pulled me into a hug.

“In case you haven’t noticed, I love you, Heejin-ah.”

I could only cry in his shoulders, of happiness, that is. After a few moments, I pulled away.

“Oh no, I soaked your shirt!” I said, just like an idiot.

Joochan only laughed as he gently wiped the tears off my face. We sat there in silence, staring at each other until Joochan spoke.

“So wait, does this mean we’re official now?” he asked sheepishly.

“The challenge comes in here. You must make me say yes,” I grinned mischievously.

Joochan smiled his confident smile. He leaned close and placed a kiss on my cheek before saying, “Challenge accepted.”