Chapter 2:

She pointed at something behind him.

“You dropped something.”

Seungyoon who was still frozen in shock, turned numbly to take a look at what she was pointing at.

His plastic bag from the supermarket laid on the floor, a yellowish colour was slowly spreading in the inside. The eggs must have broken when he dropped the bag before the man’s attack.

He just stood there, staring at the ground. Suddenly, the girl passed him, picked up the bag and handed it over to him.

“Are you that sad about the broken eggs?” She looked apologetic at him. “I’ll buy you a new pack! After all they broke because you helped me out. Wait here, I’ll be right back!” With these words, she ran away in the direction of the shopping street.

Seungyoon who was still in a daze, registered her words a tad too late because when he finally found back his voice to reply to her, she already disappeared around the corner. Feeling very uneasy to stand around a bunch of unconscious men, he followed her path to the supermarket. He wasn’t sure if she really went inside to get the eggs or just used that excuse to run away from him, so he loitered outside and waited a bit. He looked around the street; it was deserted, since all the shops except for the supermarket have closed. His gaze fell on the flat screen of the business building behind one of the many clothing shops. It played a commercial of an alcohol brand. On the left upper corner of the screen, the current time was displayed.

20:45

“Here.” The sudden voice startled him and he backed away with an outcry.

Kim Sora, quite surprised by his reaction, chuckled. “What’s wrong? Did I scare you? Is my voice that terrifying?”

“N-No. Not at all! I was just surprised because it was so silent and then you suddenly popped up and I didn’t expect it and... I’m sorry!” He stuttered.

“Okaaay” She looked at him with an amused expression. Then, she broke out laughing. “It’s alright. I understand. No need to apologize!”

Seungyoon just stared dumbly at her.

He never paid much attention to anyone particular in class, Kim Sora included, but when his eyes did fall on her sometimes, he’d always see either her expressionless face or her shy smile when the others told her a joke. Never before has he seen her laughing this carefree in someone else’s presence. Never before could he have imagined her showing her emotions this openly to someone. Truth be told, in that moment, he felt like she was much more easy to approach than in class.

He opened his mouth to give her a reply when suddenly her phone started to ring. That seemed to trigger something in her because suddenly her expression tensed and she hurriedly started to fumble in her backpack.

“H-Hello?” She asked quietly, with an almost guilty expression.

Upon hearing Sora’s voice, the unknown caller started to shout at such a volume that she needed to put some distance between the phone and her ear.

“Sorry, I forgot. I went to the supermarket-“ She tried to explain but got interrupted by another round of yells. She winced and made a funny face while listening to the male’s scolding.

Seungyoon didn’t know who that person was but he could make out that he was furious. He got an uneasy feeling while seeing Sora being yelled at, since she went to the supermarket because of him. Before, he even realised what he was doing, he’d already reached his hand out and snatched the phone away from her. She stared at him wide-eyed, shocked from his sudden action. He used her moment of immobility to create a certain distance between the two of them.

“Excuse me, Sir?”

He waited for a response from the other side while dodging Sora’s attempts to retrieve her phone back.

The line fell silent.

Seungyoon was thinking of what to do next if the other person on the line didn’t respond but that matter was solved by itself when he finally got an answer.

“Who are you?” A deep voice growled, sending shivers down his spine.

“I-I could ask you the same. W-Who are YOU?” Seungyoon stammered while trying his hardest to keep his voice stable.

Sora’s jaw dropped at his bold response and even the mysterious caller seemed to be taken aback by it for a slight second.

“You interrupt my conversation with my little sister and dare to ask ME who I am?!”

Even thought it was whispered, Seungyoon could feel the tension in the air. He didn’t know why but the man’s aura, even thought he only heard his voice, made him feel inferior. He gulped. Suddenly, it dawned to him that it might not be the wisest idea of him to have taken the phone. With slight panic in his eyes, he searched for Sora’s help.

She was already expecting it and held her hand in front of his nose with a small smile. “Bad idea.” She mouthed as she placed the phone on her ear again to exchange quick words with the man. She walked some meters away, so that Seungyoon didn’t catch on about what they talked.

“Who was that?” The man’s voice was still tense.

“A classmate. Look, something happened just now and he helped me out. I forgot to text you. I’m sorry. I’ll explain everything at home, alright?”

The man signed. “I expect an A+ explanation when you arrive home. I’ve sent Yoochun to find you. He’ll be there in a moment with the car.”

“Alright. See you later. Love you!” Sora hung up while exhaling loudly.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.” Seungyoon stared at his feet, avoiding her eyes.

She chuckled much to his surprise and slapped his arm, making him raise his head.

Did the timid and quiet Kim Sora just slap his arm?

“Got some scolding, didn’t cha?” She grinned at him. “My brother isn’t someone to mess with.”

She shrugged her shoulders with an apologetic smile.

Did she really just say ‘didn’t cha’ to him?

A car hooted, catching their both attention. A black luxurious car was standing at the end of the shopping street, waiting. The driver’s door opened and a man whose face Seungyoon wasn’t able to make out due to the distance, climbed out. He was dressed properly in a black suit, without tie. He positioned himself next to it, arms behind his back.

“That’s my pick up service.” Sora waved at the man. “Should we drop you at your place? It’s already almost nine o’clock.” She added with a glance at her wristwatch.

“No, it’s okay. I’ll be home right away with the short cut.” Seungyoon nodded at the back alley.

She raised her eyebrows in amusement. “You mean the alley where the unconscious thugs are lying?”

“I-I’ll just take the other way, then. I don’t think your brother will be pleased after that phone call.” He glanced nervously at the man who was still standing motionless by the car.

“Don’t be stupid! C’mon let’s go!” She dragged him in the direction of the car while laughing.

Is this really Kim Sora?

Since when does she laugh that much? Since when does she talk that much? Since when does she call people ‘stupid’? Since when is she just so comfortable around someone?

Who is she?

The man in the suit opened the car door for them when he saw them approaching. Sora climbed inside with a ‘Thanks Yoochun’, while Seungyoon stopped in front of the car door and stared at the man. He was a tall and well-built man in his twenties with a pale oval shaped face. He had soft brown eyes and dark blue hair but the aura he was emitting was dangerous and frightening. Seungyoon stood there frozen, his gaze still glued on the man who wasn’t a bit fazed by the young boy in front of him. After a while what felt like eternity, the man slightly raised his eyebrows and gestured Seungyoon to enter the car, but he hesitated.

“Seungyoon? Is everything alright?” Sora asked, confused at the formers’ reluctance to get into the car.

“I think I’ll go home by myself. I’m sorry. See you tomorrow!” He blurted out before turning to the man who was still holding the car door. “I’m really sorry about my rudeness on the phone, Sir! I deeply apologize!” He bowed before he turned away and broke into a run, afraid of a possible pursu