Haneul’s POV

“Where did you get these roses from?” I asked as we walked, hands intertwined tightly with each other.

“From my garden.” He said.

I hit his arm playfully.

“I am serious!” I laughed.

“What makes you think I am not!?” He said.

“Fine, don’t tell me.” I said, admiring the roses.

“I bought them, Darling.” He said, poking my cheek.

“Who opens so late?” I asked.

“That’s why I took so long. Sorry.” He said.

“No. Thank you. Hee~” I smiled.

“I thought you would be the kind of girls who would go like ‘Why flowers!? What a waste of money!’” He said.

“Actually I am. Just that, aww this is so sweet.” I looked down, smiling.

“I am glad~” He said.

“Where are we going?” I asked, realizing that we were just walking aimlessly.

“You’ll see.” He winked at me.

I did not prey further because I know I would not get any answer. We continued walking in comfortable silence until I found the surroundings familiar.

I looked at him and he just flash a smile.

“Here..” I mumbled.

“Yes, here.” He said, stopping.

The bookstore.

It was closed, but it looked the same. I touched the lock. I looked at the steps. If the playground holds memories, this place holds emotions. A sudden rush of mixed feelings engulfed me. I was happy, yet I felt like breaking down. Junhyung pulled me closer to his chest and gave me a light peck on my temple.

“I heard that the owner sold this place.” I mumbled.

“Yea, he did.” Junhyung said softly.

“If I were here back then, I would have bought it. I don’t know how am I going to do it, but I would.” I said.

“I know you would.” He said.

“The owner should at least keep its opening hours.” I mumbled.

“Yea, the owner should have.” He said.

I sighed and smiled at him.

“Let’s go.” I said.

He nodded.

I let go of his hand and walked off first, not wanting him to see my tears. I thought he was following behind me until I heard the sound of metal rattling. I turned and saw Junhyung fiddling with the lock of the bookstore.

“Jun!” I hissed.

He was too busy to hear me.

I looked around to make sure no one was around. How would it look if people catch an idol trying to break into some bookstore?

“Jun!” I called out a little louder as I ran back to him.

“What in the world do you think you’re doing?” I asked, watching him try to unlock the door with a key that I don’t even know if it actually fits.

“Trying to.. ughh.. Open this damn thing..” He said as he turned the key with much strength.

“Yah! This is considered breaking in! What are you doing!? Stop!” I smacked his arm.

“Shhh~ You’re noisy.” He mumbled.

As much as I wished he would succeed because I want to go back inside too, I had no desire to see him get into trouble for this.

“Stop!” I shook his arm.

“Don’t you want to go in?” He asked.

“I do, but not like this!” I smacked the keys out of his hand.

“Ah! I was about to succeed! Do you know how long I take to shove the key in!?” He said as he bended down to pick up the keys.

“Now I have to do it all over again.” He pouted as he tried to shove the key into the lock.

“Don’t be crazy!” I scolded.

“Come on! Let’s go!” I pleaded, but got ignored.

I was about to yell at him again when we both heard that magical sound; the unlocking of the lock.

“Eh~~~” He smiled.

Honestly, I wanted to break into a smile and hug him tight for succeeding, but it just did not feel right.

“Let’s go in.” He said.

“No no no. We can’t do that.” I said, wanting to lock it.

“Don’t! It’s hard work!” He yelled, his finger blocking the lock.

“We can’t just go in like this, Junnie.” I said.

“Why not?” He smiled, pushing open the door.

“Junnie!” I hissed.

He shook his head and went inside, leaving me to stand outside. He the lights, revealing the interior. It looked exactly the same as before. Like an unknown force, I found myself walking inside.

“I thought someone didn’t want to come in?” He asked, sitting on one of the table.

“I…” I mumbled, not knowing how to defend myself.

“No, no, no. It’s not right. Let’s go.” I said, heading outside.

“WAIT!” He yelled behind me.

He grabbed onto my hand and forced me to turn over.

“Junnie, I really love to go back in but it’s mmphfff~~” He covered my mouth before I could finish.

“So noisy.” He said.

I glared at him but he just smiled.

“Wait here.” He said softly.

“Junnie~ Yah~~” I tried to grab him but he was faster. He was already inside the bookstore.

I thought he wanted to turn off the lights inside but instead he all the lights outside, including the signboard. My jaws dropped. Yellow and white Christmas lighting twirled together decorated the outside. I looked up at the signboard, it wrote; SKYE, with light clouds as the background.

“So, do you like the design of it,” Junhyung stood beside me, looking up as well.

“What..” I mumbled.

“Boss.” He said, smiling and wiggling the keys in my face.

“Huh?” I looked at him, confused.

“Someone bought over this place, and that is me.” He smiled.

“You?” I asked.

“Yea, me. For you. So, the new owner is, ” He said, pointing at me.

“But…” I mumbled.

“Do you know how long I waited to give you this gift?” He said, circling his arms around my neck, our foreheads touching.

“I’ve waited so damn long I was starting to worry. What if you didn’t come back? Can I continue this place alone?” He whispered.

“But why..” I asked.

“When you left, or rather, when I thought you died, I don’t know to continue living without hurting. I only had the Duckie, and it just wasn’t enough.” He said.

“Duckie would be sad to hear this.” I chuckled.

“He would be sadder if I did not get you back.” He said, kissing my neck.

“What if I never came back?” I asked.

“Then I’ll stay here forever. Grow old and die here, because here is where you are with me. At least, I can feel your presence here.” He said.

“Silly~” I laughed, hugging him tight.

“So, you broke into my bookstore just now?” I said.

“I’m sorry! I wouldn’t do it again! Don’t report me!” He pouted.

“I’m going to report you.” I laughed, walking into the bookstore, my bookstore.

“BOOKSTORE!!!” He suddenly yelled, startling me.

I turned to him with raised eyebrow.

“YOUR OWNER IS BACK!!!!!!!!” He yelled.

“HAHA CRAZY!” I covered his mouth.

He pressed the key into my palm.

“I’ll get the lock change soon. It’s rusty because of the weather and I haven’t been here much.” He said.

“You come here?” I asked.

“Of course, it’s still operating you know. Just that, I have been busy with work and all, so I kind of closed it for a while.” He said.

“Aren’t you afraid of getting mopped by fans?” I asked.

“Oh, everyone knows.” He laughed.

“What?” I looked at him, surprised.

He shrugged his shoulders. I looked around, it really look exactly the same as before.

“You kept the layout.” I said.

“Of course. The only thing I changed is the signboard and the lighting outside.” He said.

“OH!” I said, remembering the basement.

I was about to grab the keys at the counter but he was faster than me.

“I open this whole place to everyone, except here.” He said, unlocking the basement.

“And why is that so?” I asked.

“Because… How can I let other people intrude our space?” He smiled, pushing open the door.

It was a little dusty, but everything still looked the same; the cushions, the blankets, the books that lay around. It was still as cozy as ever.

“GAHHH!!!” I dived into the pile of blankets.

“YAH!!! BE CAREFUL!!” He shouted, frowning at me while I smiled at him.

“It’s cushiony!” I said.

“You’re lucky! What if there is just one blanket and no cushion!? Your head would be bleeding like an open dam now!” He scolded.

“Awww Junnie. I’m sworry~” I pouted.

“Don’t aegyo with me!” He looked away, but I could see from the corner that he was smiling.

“I do it only because you’re here! I know you wouldn’t let me get hurt~ Awww forgive me, pwease~~” I tugged onto his jeans.

He still did not look at me.

“Pwease~~~” I continued whining.

“Don’t ever do that again!” He scolded, but couldn’t help the smile that crept up on his lips.

We lay in each other’s arms, enjoying the silence.

"Thank you." I said.

"Mmm~ As long as you like it." He said.

"I love it." I said softly.

"Did you redecorate outside yourself or got someone to do it?" I asked.

"Of course I did it. I designed the signboard and helped put it up too." He said, with a hint of proudness for himself.

"Wah~ I love it when guys are serious. They look extra handsome." I said.

He looked at me, unable to hide his smile.

"Just smile. Laugh if you want." I said.

"I am a calm man." He tried to hold back his smile.

"Alright. Suit yourself." I smiled.

"Was it tough alone?" I asked.

"Tough, but because you were not here, not because I had to operate this myself." He said.

"Aww~" I caressed his chest. He let out a small laugh.

I looked at the time. It was almost 1AM.

Junhyung’s POV

“Eh? Where are you going?” I held onto her hand when she stood up.

“I’ll be back real quick. Take a nap or what.” She said.

“Huh? Nap? No, where are you going?” I insisted.

“Just wait for me! Be good!” She said, giving me a peck on my cheek before running off.

I sighed and sank back into the cushion. I hugged one of the cushions and smiled to myself. I was finally able to give this to her. It could have been earlier, but because of things that happened, it just kept getting delayed.

Time was passing so slowly without her. I closed my eyes with my arm resting on my forehead. I smiled when I remembered the look on her face when she saw the signboard.

“Wakey, wakey~” I heard someone whisper in my ear.

“Mmm~” I turned away, trying to block out the voice.

“Yah~~ Wake up.” The voice repeated.

“Or else I’m going to poke you.” The voice said, poking my arm.

“Nghh~ Just.. a while..” I mumbled.

“No, no, no. Wake up.. Now.” I was shook roughly.

“Okay, okay. I’m up, I’m up.” I rubbed my eyes.

I was pulled into a sitting position. I would have fallen back if not for the arm that supported me.

“Open your eyes, sleepy head.” The voice said. Haneul.

I did as I was told, totally no idea what was going on. I forced my eyes open.

Flickering flames blinded me, and that was when I really woke up.

“Happy 900^th Day to Beast~” She said softly, but sounded excited.

I thought for a while then remembered. Yea, it has been 900 days since our debut.

“Blow it out.” She urged.

I looked at the three cupcakes she held up. Each had a numbered candle on it; ‘9’,’0’, ‘0’.

“Come on, blow it out before it melts.” She hurried me.

I nodded and blew off the candles.

“YAY!” She clapped, putting the plate of cupcakes at the side.

“Congratulations! Continue to do well okay! Beast will gain international recognition. Yong Junhyung’s name would be household throughout the entire Earth. You’ll become a world renowned rapper and lyricist!” She smiled, leaning against me.

“I don’t need to be renowned. I just want your recognition.” I said.

She looked at me and smiled.

“But I like singers, not rappers.” She said.

I knew it was a joke, but I couldn’t seem to hide my disappointment.

“Then I’ll sing too.” I said.

“No, but you’re a rapper, not singer. Neh, just stick with your job.” She smiled.

“Alright.” I mumbled, looking down. I couldn’t help but feel slightly hurt by her statement.

“I mean, stick with your job as my full time boyfriend, you part-time rapper.” She laughed as she jumped up.

“You’re so playful!” I shouted, getting up as well.

“PABO! Merong!” She stuck out her tongue at me.

“Come back here!!” I yelled as she ran up.

“Catch me, if you can, old man!” She laughed.

We had a mini catching game in the bookstore, I caught her in the end, but that was because she almost tripped.

“Got you!” I said, hugging her tight.

“That’s cheating!” She laughed.

“If not for me, you would have kissed the ground.” I said.

“But I like to kiss the ground!” She protested.

“But I don’t like your lips touching other stuff. Because your lips are mine, and mine only.” I said.

I grabbed her cheeks lightly and pressed my lips against hers. We were panting slightly when we broke apart.

“Part time rapper,” She called out.

“Hmm?” I asked, combing her bangs with my fingers.

“Can we eat those cupcakes now?” She asked.

“Sure. I’ll go get it.” I said, walking to the basement.

“Bring some tea too.” She yelled.

“Am I a part time waiter as well!?” I asked.

“Nawwww~ You’re my full time boyfriend!!” She said with extra aegyo.

How can I say no to that face? I would even wash the toilet bowl for her, damn it.

Yong Junhyung, you completely lost to her.

***

Junhyung: *seriously*  Don't aegyo with me!

Haneul: I love it when guys are serious. They look extra handsome.

Junhyung: I am a calm man.

Haneul: Alright. Suit yourself.

Haneul: Yah~ Wakey Wakey~

Haneul: Nawwww~ You’re my full time boyfriend!!

Junhyung: *I would even wash the toilet bowl for her, damn it.*