Haneul’s POV

I opened my eyes and found myself in an unknown place.

“You’re up?” A voice said.

I shield myself the moment I saw his face; Seungho.

“What? I didn’t even touch you. Are you that scared of me?” He asked.

I sat up, a wave of dizziness shot through my head.

“Eh eh~ Are you okay?” He sounded worried.

“I’m fine. Where is this place?” I asked.

“The hospital. Don’t you remember anything?” He said, sitting down beside me.

“No. What happened?” I asked.

“You passed out in the bookstore. You really don’t remember?” He asked.

I thought for awhile, and then I remembered. I woke up in the morning, feeling as lousy as ever. I ate the medicine and headed to work. I was like a zombie throughout the whole day. I remember myself standing up and then my world went black.

“Ah.. I think I remember it now.” I said.

“But you..?” I asked, surprised as to why was he there.

“Well.. Someone made me go to the bookstore to check on you, and then I found you on the floor, burning with a fever.” He said.

“Who?” I mumbled.

“You’re smart enough to know the answer for that.” He smiled.

“Jun…Hyung..” I mumbled.

“It’s Oppa for you.” He smirked.

“What?” I asked, confused.

“You called him Jun Hyung. He should be Jun Oppa for you.” He smiled.

I wanted to throw the cup into his face but I didn’t have the strength to.

“Just kidding. Should I call your parents? I can’t find your phone thou.” He said.

“I think my phone is at home. And, don’t bother calling them. They are too busy.” I said.

“No matter how busy they are, they should at least educate their daughter as to what medicine cures what illness so she wouldn’t have to pop any kind of tablet thinking it cures everything.” He looked at me.

“What? I took the flu medicine, didn’t I?” I said.

“I didn’t know medicine for gastric and rashes can cure flu.” He said sarcastically.

“It’s white isn’t it? I thought it’s for flu. The other time when I bought medicine for Junhyung, it was white too.” I said.

“I didn’t know you come from a country where they differentiate the uses of medicine by colour.” He smiled.

“Do you know it’s dangerous to just grab whatever medicine that is in your favourite colour and just eat it? Do you even know what you ate?” He said seriously.

“I said I thought it was for flu.” I mumbled.

“Well, the medicines you thought was for flu was actually for gastric and rashes. That also mean you have popped in different type of medicines, not knowing what they are for. Girl, you almost killed yourself.” He said.

“I had no one to ask.” I mumbled.

“You did. But you drove him away.” He said.

“Thank you, but please stop adding fuel to the fire. I know it okay. I know!” I threw the pillow at him, but he swiftly dodged it.

“You don’t know manners, don’t you?” He said as he picked up the pillow.

“I’m sorry.” I mumbled.

He rolled his eyes at me. He was about to say something when his phone rang.

“What is it?” He sounded irritated.

“She’s dead.” He said, glaring at me.

“What?” I mouth.

“You ! If someone tells you I died, you wouldn’t even react like this. Quit your drama. WAIT!” He shouted and tossed the phone to me.

“HYUNG!!! WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY SHE’S DEAD!? WHY DID SHE DIE!? HOW IS IT POSSIBLE!? HYUNG!!!!!!!” The person over the other line wailed. Junhyung.

“Phone bills are expensive. That’s my phone. I’m paying for the bill. You have only five minutes.” He said, walking out of the room.

“HYUNG!!!! HYUNG!!!! MAKE YOURSELF CLEAR!!!!!!!!!” Junhyung shouted. He sounded as thou he was crying.

“Why are you crying?” I asked.

“HYUNG!!! Eh? Who is.. HANEUL!!!” He yelled.

“Ouch. My ear.” I pulled the phone away from my ear.

“MY HYUNG SAID YOU’RE DEAD!!!!” He shouted.

“But aren’t I talking to you now? Well unless your Hyung’s phone can be linked to hell, then maybe…” I said.

“Stupid Seungho Hyung.” He mumbled.

“Maybe he’s hungry, that’s why he’s angry.” I said.

“You scared me to death! Are you stupid or what!? How can you just eat any random medicine!?” He scolded.

“I’m sorry.” I said.

“Are you feeling better now?” He asked.

“Still sleepy, but good.” I said.

“If you’re unwell, get someone to take care of you. That lousy boyfriend of yours. I would if I could.” He mumbled the last sentence.

“What boyfriend? And where are you now?” I asked.

“Since you’re okay, then I’m hanging up.” He said.

“What is this? Are we going to talk only if I’m like almost dying?” I asked.

He kept quiet but I could still hear him breathing.

“Junhyung, I’m really sorry about that day. I know I’ve hurt you by not appearing. I know what you prepared. I’m sorry. I really was prepared to go. But I forgot. I’m sorry.” I said.

“It’s okay. I know your boyfriend came. Of course he’s more important. It’s just a concert anyway.” He said, with obvious tantrum in his voice.

“What boyfriend?” I asked.

“Nothing. Rest well. Bye.” He said.

“Eh wait!” I called out.

“What?” He asked, sounding impatient to hang up the phone.

“Make yourself clear.” I said.

“How clear do you want me to be!? Should I tell you I am jealous because I see you so happy with another guy but when I try so hard you don’t even smile? Should I tell you I feel like a fool for trying to be your friend when you are clearly attached!? Should I tell you how embarrassed I am feeling now that I doubt I’ll ever have the face to step into Korea again!?” He shouted.

“What’s with your temper these days?” I laughed.

“It’s not funny at all!” He yelled.

“Junhyung..” I said.

“Hello? Eh? Junhyung?” I looked at the screen, he had hung up the phone already.

What is with him and hanging up phone calls these days?

“Are you done!?” Seungho came in, looking more frustrated than he looked when he went out.

“He hung up my call. And, are you hungry or something?” I asked.

“Of course I am hungry! I haven’t eaten since morning!” He shouted, snatching back the phone.

“Then go eat something. No wonder you’re so grumpy.” I said.

“I’ll send you home first.” He mumbled.

“I can go home on my own.” I said.

“I don’t want you to pass out again then I have to go around Seoul looking for you! What do you all think I am!?” He yelled.

“Okay. Relax.” I said, following behind him.

“Junhyung have been really grumpy lately.” I said, trying to lighten to awkward atmosphere in the car.

“Maybe his… I mean, it’s your fault.” He said.

“Maybe what?” I asked.

“Nothing. It’s your fault he is like this okay.” He said.

“Thank you for emphasizing it again.” I said.

“You’re really welcome.” He said, turning into the apartment.

“Do you live in a hotel?” He asked, looking outside.

“It’s called a serviced apartment.” I said

“Oh…” He said, but he doesn’t look like he got the meaning.

“Thank you for the ride, and thank you for saving me.” I said.

“I thought you never knew how to say thank you.” He said.

“I thought you only knew how to eat!” I slammed his car door and walked up.

How is it that he is friends with Junhyung? They are so different!

I walked into the empty house and went straight into my room. I found my phone and charged it. I waited for it to turn on. I had 15 missed calls and 17 text messages from Junhyung.

‘Where are you? What happened!? Why is your phone turned off? Give me a call, please!’

‘Are you angry that I ignored you? No no! I forgot to turn on my phone!’

‘Come on, stop scaring me like this. I should be the angry one, not you. I’m like on the other side of the globe, don’t do this to me!’

‘You’re giving me a heart attack! My heart isn’t very strong. Although we have a song call ‘Shock’ and part of the lyrics goes ‘Every day I shock’, that doesn’t mean I can withstand shock! What kind of lyrics is that anyway!? Call me!’

‘Damn! You really know how to worry people!’

I put the phone down and found myself smiling. I was about to sleep when my phone rang. It was a text message from Junhyung.

‘Sorry. I was rude just now. I was just a little frustrated. Maybe not a little, but a lot. Whatever it is, I am sorry. Take care.’

I dialed his number and waited. He answered with a soft ‘Hello’.

“Do you want to listen to my explanation or not?” I asked.

“What?” He said.

“The guy you saw isn’t my boyfriend, but he’s a really close friend of mine.” I said.

“Oh.” He said.

“But it is true that he is more important to me than you are….” I said, smiling to myself.

“Good for him.” He said, sounding upset.

“But that doesn’t mean you’re nothing to me.” I said.

“It doesn’t mean anything too, right?” He said.

“If our friendship don’t mean anything to me, do you think I would bother trying to explain stuff to you?” I said.

“I don’t know. Maybe you were bored.” He said.

“Oh gosh. Stop being angry already, would you? What are you? A girl?” I .

“I’M NOT!” He shouted, shocking me.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.” He apologized.

“It’s okay. So, are we still.. You know.. Friends?” I asked.

“Are we?” He asked.

“I’m asking you.” I said.

“I’m asking you too.” He said.

“To me, we are.” I said.

“To me, we are too.” He said.

“Then, don’t sound so moody, would you?” I said.

“It’s 3AM here.” He said.

“Oh really!? I’m sorry! Where are you actually?” I asked.

“Spain.” He said.

“So lucky…” I said.

He didn’t say anything but sighed.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Just feeling a little moody.” He said.

“Why? I’m sorry.” I said.

“It’s not you.” He said.

“When are you coming back?” I asked.

“Soon I guess. Why? Do you miss me?” He asked.

“No. You think too much.” I said.

“I know. Of course you wouldn’t miss me.” He said.

“Ah.. I…” He cut me off.

“Actually, I want to sleep. So you keep warm and take care, okay? Bye.” He hung up the call.

“I actually want to say I miss having you jumping around me.” I mumbled to the beeping tone.

Why did he sound so moody? Why did he react so strongly when I called him a girl? He knows I am kidding. Usually he would laugh with me, but why the weird reaction this time?

Junhyung’s POV

I threw my phone aside and hugged onto the bolster. I should be happy that Haneul called, I should be happy that she actually cared about me, but why do I not feel happy at all? Why did I feel so affected when she called me a girl? I know she is just kidding, but why did I react like this? Did I scare her? I hope not. 

“Hyung… Why aren’t you sleeping?” Yoseob asked with his eyes half opened.

“Seob ah, I don’t feel good.” I said.

“Why? Are you sick again?” He shot up, feeling my forehead.

“No, I’m not sick. Just that. I don’t know. My mood .” I said.

“Hyung, you have not been eating or sleeping well throughout this whole tour. It’s normal to feel moody. You’re tired, physically and mentally. Sleep and let everything go. You’ll feel better when you wake up.” He said, tucking me into bed.

“But I can’t sleep.” I said.

“You can. You just need to let yourself go.” He said as he turned off the lights.

I closed my eyes and let my mind go free. He was right. I was indeed tired. I fell asleep almost immediately. I was really tired.