As the minutes pass, with Haneul and Seungho still not in sight, the Beast boys were getting anxious. Any minute now, the doctor would start the operation on their beloved friend, and that might just be the end of everything.

“Where the hell are they?” Hyunseung mumbled, burying his face in his palms, in fear that his calculations might be wrong.

“They’ll come. They’ll definitely come.” Yoseob assured his Hyung despite feeling cold inside.

All of them froze when the operating light came on.

“NO!!!!! PLEASE!!! OH MY GOD!!!!” Hyunseung shouted, kicking the door in anger.

“What is it!?” A voice from behind startled them.

“Where is my Junhyung!?” Haneul shouted.

“Why are you guys so late!?” Doojoon yelled, despite knowing they weren’t at fault.

“What are you guys hiding from me!?” Haneul threw her bag against the wall in anger.

“It’s too late now. I’m so sorry.” Hyunseung squat down, burying his face in his palms.

“What is late!? Come on! Tell me!” Haneul yelled.

“Where is Junhyung!?” Seungho shouted, running from behind.

“Hyung…” Yoseob whined and looked at the red operating light.

“Someone tell me what is going on!!!!” Haneul yelled.

“Junhyung! He is risking his life for something not worth it! We were waiting for you to come stop him! But it’s too late now!!!” Hyunseung burst at Haneul.

“NO ONE TOLD ME ANYTHING! I WAS RIPPED OUT OF CLASS AND DRAGGED HERE! AND SUDDENLY I WAS TOLD JUNHYUNG IS IN DANGER! WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO!?” Haneul yelled back.

“Stop the ing operation!!!! But it’s too late!!!” He yelled back at her.

Haneul looked at the operating sign. She clenched her fists, cracking them in the process.

“You’re going to pay for this, Yong Junhyung.” She mumbled.

Her next move shocked everyone present; she stomped into the operating theater.  Not knowing what her reason was, except that she had to stop Junhyung from taking away his life, she went in, despite the yelling and grabbing of the nurses.

“GET THE OFF ME!!! YONG JUNHYUNG!!! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU!?” She yelled, shoving whoever was in her way to the wall.

In the operating theater, the doctor held the scalpel in his hand, contemplating whether to start or not. He had known Junhyung ever since the first day the boy was taken to him. He knew that Junhyung did not want this, but as a professional, he cannot make decisions for his patient, only advice.

“WHERE THE IS THE DOCTOR!?” He heard a voice yell.

He put the scalpel down and smiled.

“She’s here.”  He thought to himself.

“Junhyung, you’re right. Your girl is a really fierce one.” He said.

“Aren’t we… Starting?” His assistant asked.

“No. We’re not.” He smiled.

“Then what?” The assistant asked.

“Mmm.. He has been tired lately. Put him on Ringer’s solution and send him back.” He said and walked out.

His assistant look at him blankly, and then down at the unconscious Junhyung.

“What is going on?” He asked himself, confused.

First, the doctor requested to give Junhyung a heavier dose of anesthesia than required, and then the doctor told him to take a break and come back one hour later.

The doctor walked out and someone crashed into him.

“Sorry. Where is the operating theater? Why the hell is this place so complicated?” Haneul asked, panting from all the running.

“Are you Junhyung’s girl?” The doctor smiled.

“Huh?” Haneul stopped and turned to the doctor.

“I’m Junhyung’s doctor.” He said.

Haneul’s face darken and she immediately grabbed onto him.

“WHERE IS HE!? WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM!? I DON’T KNOW WHAT IS HIS REASON FOR DOING THIS NEITHER DO I KNOW WHY HE IS DOING THIS BUT JUST I CAN’T LET HIM DO THIS! DO YOU GET WHAT I AM SAYING!?” Haneul shouted as she shook the doctor.

“You don’t know?” He asked.

“I don’t know anything! I just know I cannot let him do stupid stuff!” She cried.

“You’re really interesting.” He smiled.

“I’m not here to kid with you! Where is he!? What operation!? Don’t do it! I don’t approve! You’re wasting my time!!! I need to find him!!!” She yelled, running off.

“He’s asleep!” The doctor yelled, hopefully loud enough for her to hear.

And indeed, it was. She stopped and turned back.

“Where?” She asked.

“Room 1130.” He smiled.

“And you didn’t do anything to him?” She asked.

“I almost did, but then you came. I’m glad. Thank you.” He said.

She turned away and saw her own reflection in the glass. She was sweaty and her hair was in a huge mess. She felt so embarrassed. She ran into the operating theater and tried to stop an operation in which she had no idea what the reason was it for. And then everyone started thanking her. As she walked out, she apologized to every nurse she shoved towards the wall.

“HANEUL AH! WHERE IS HE!?” Seungho asked anxiously the moment he saw her walk out.

“Why is your face like this!? What happened to him!? Please tell me he is okay!” Doojoon yelled, shaking her.

“Room 1130.” She mumbled.

“Did the doctor do anything to him!? Is he okay!?” Hyunseung asked.

They continued to bombard her with questions while she just stared blankly at them.

“Haneul ah~” Seungho called out, tapping her cheek lightly.

“Why did I do all those just now?” She asked.

They burst into laughter, leaving her more confused.

“I never knew you could be this cute.” Seungho said, pinching her cheek lightly.

“Is no one going to explain anything to me!?” She yelled.

“Someone will. But it’s not us.” He smiled.

“You mean, Seungho Hyung, you never explained stuff to Haneul?” Doojoon asked.

Seungho shook his head.

“Junhyung should do it himself.” He said.

“So that means Haneul you ran into the operating theater without knowing your purpose?” Yoseob asked.

Haneul just looked at him, indicating that he was right. The bunch laughed even louder, angering Haneul even more. She grabbed her bag and stomped off.

“Yah yah! Wait for us! Aigoo!” They shouted, running after her.

***

Junhyung’s POV

I opened my eyes and the bright lights blinded me almost instantly. Just as I was about to cover my eyes with my hand, someone else beat me to it. A soft palm covered my eyes and I felt a weight sat down beside me. The sweet smell on the person’s palm was familiar. It smelt like… Haneul’s perfume!?

I grabbed the person’s hand and pulled it down slightly. Adjusting my eyes to the brightness, I opened my eyes and came face to face with the figure. Haneul. She was pouting slightly and did not look too happy. Why is she here? How did she find out?

Strangely, I felt no pain at all, except for dizziness. Was it because of the painkillers? I moved my hand to my lower abdomen and pressed down on myself. I was expecting to feel a sharp pain but there was nothing at all. Why is this happening?

“You wouldn’t feel anything.” Haneul said, slapping my stomach.

“Not unless I stab you.” She mumbled and got off the bed.

She looked at me, arms crossed.

“What happened?” I asked.

“I got ripped out of class suddenly and was told that you were in danger. When I arrived, I got yelled at for being late and that everything was over. I stomped into the operating theater, not knowing my purpose, embarrassing myself in the process. All I knew was that I had to stop you from doing whatever operation you were intending on doing.  And suddenly everyone was just laughing at me. Is this some sort of April’s Fool prank?” She said.

I kept quiet and looked away. She roughly forced me to face her.

“Tell me! What exactly is going on!” She yelled, her cheeks puffed in anger.

“You really want to know?” I asked.

“At least let me know the reason for me doing such embarrassing stuff!” She shouted.

I didn’t get to do the operation, and now I have to spill the truth to her. Is this some sort of joke? But what has to come, has to come, right? If things has to be this way, then fine, let it be this way.

“I’m different.” I said.

“You have always been telling me you’re different! But you never told me how different are you!” She yelled.

“Stop shouting. Your voice is hoarse already.” I said, trying to sit up.

“Tell me!!! Every single thing!!!” She shouted.

I pulled her to sit down beside me.

“The moment I tell you everything, things between us may change. Are you sure you still want to know?” I asked.

She froze and looked at me. Her lips pouted as tears spilled out of her eyes.

“Don’t cry, my Baby girl.” I said, wiping away the tears on her cheeks.

“If you can cry! Then why can’t I!? What are you keeping from me!? Are you dying!? Do you have cancer or something like this?! I’m not leaving you!!!” She cried into my chest.

“You’re silly.” I laughed, her back.

“Don’t hide anything from me anymore! Please! I’m begging you!” She cried louder.

“I have a period.” I said, closing my eyes.

I felt her push away from my body.

“What?” She choked.

“I have a period.” I repeated myself, opening my eyes to look at her.

“YOU’RE NOT A MAN!?” She yelled, almost falling off the bed.

I caught her just in time.

“Listen.” I said.

“But you have a little Junhyung! I saw it! How is this possible!? When did stuff get so advanced!? Have I been living in a well!?” She cried out, poking my lower region.

What did she think she was doing, seriously?

“Listen!” I shouted, grabbing her arms.

She looked at me, trembling.

“Of course I am a man, you silly.” I said.

“But just that, I’m different. I don’t wish to be like this too. I wish I can be normal for you, but I just happened to be born this way and you just happen to be unlucky to fall for me.” I said, looking down.

“I don’t understand.” She mumbled, looking down.

“I was about 17 or so when I found out. I suddenly had really bad cramps to the point I couldn’t get out of bed, and then I started bleeding unusually.. there. My mom got worried, so she took me to the hospital. They did various checks on me but still couldn’t find the root of the problem.” I said.

She looked at me, listening attentively.

“After they did whatever they could do, the doctor came to a conclusion. I have periods, just like you. It’s weird, I know. I couldn’t accept myself either, not even today. This period thing, it’s still very new and shocking to me. I wish it would just disappear one day, but every month, it comes and tortures me. I guess it’s here to stay. I don’t know if you still remember the time at the rooftop where I suddenly ran into the toilet and then urged you to leave first. You got so angry with me after that because I ran off, leaving you behind. I couldn’t explain it to you, but now do you see the picture?” I asked.

She touched my stomach and pouted.

“It must have been damn painful, right?” She asked.

“Huh?” I looked at her, confused.

“Stomach cramps. They are a torture.” She said.

I nodded.

“And then all the times you were pale and unwell, it wasn’t low immune system, right? Fever, puking, cramps; are these your symptoms?” She asked.

I nodded.

“And how long do you intend to keep this from me?” She asked, frowning.

“As long as I could.” I mumbled.

“You’re not on your period now, right?” She asked.

“No.” I said.

“Good.” She said, cracking her fist.

“Wha… OWWW!!!” I held onto my stomach.

She gave me a really hard punch in my stomach, cutting off my oxygen supply for a split second.

“And you think I would leave you because of this?” She said.

“I don’t know.” I mumbled.

“Wait. So what was the operation for? What is the link?” She asked.

“I… I had an option to remove whatever that was inside me..” I mumbled.

“You can?” She said.

I nodded.

“And then, what was the odds? The risk?” She asked.

“I… I may lose my manhood, or.. my life..” I mumbled.

“Repeat that again.” She said.

“I may…” Before I could even finish, her palm came in contact with my cheek, slapping me real hard.

“You idiot!” She shouted into my face.

“DO YOU NOT KNOW HOW TO USE YOUR BRAIN!? HOW COULD YOU EVEN AGREE TO SOMETHING LIKE THIS!?” She grabbed my shirt and yanked me against the bed roughly.

 “You want to die, right? You think life is something you can just toss away so easily, right?” She shouted.

She grabbed my arm roughly, pulling me out of bed. The needle in my arm got pulled out in the process. Blood flowed all over my arm, but she was too angry to see it. She dragged me all the way up to the roof and forced me to look down. My heart almost stopped thinking she may push me down.

“YOU WANT TO DIE!?” She shouted.

“I’m a freak!” I yelled.

“I LOVE FREAKS!” She yelled back.

“How could you think so lowly of me!? How could you think that I would not be able to accept you!?” She yelled.

“Who would love a guy like this!? I am not normal!” I shouted.

“I would! I love you! Can’t you tell!? I am in love with you as a whole, not just your ! Period or not, you’re still Yong Junhyung!” She shouted.

“I just want to be normal for you.” I said.

“You’re normal! To me, you’re normal! Just because you have something that other people don’t have doesn’t make you any different from other men out there.” She said.

“It is indeed unbelievable and shocking, but I don’t see how it would change our relationship, unless you decide that we shouldn’t be together, then…” She said.

“Don’t leave!” I said, hugging her tightly.

“You always call me Silly, but the real silly one is you.” She said.

“All I had in mind was to be normal for you. And then you said you would think twice only if I had s or periods. And I do! I have a period! What was I supposed to do!?” I said.

“I was just saying! I don't know such things happen! Besides, am I that shallow!?” She yelled.

“How was I supposed to know you were just saying!? The fact is I do have a period, and you spot me on! I was scared! I couldn’t lose you!” I shouted.

She sighed and looked down.

“I’m sorry for saying that. I didn’t know.” She said.

“I’m sorry for keeping it from you.” I said.

She hugged me and kissed me on my cheek.

“You’re.. really a man, right?” She asked.

“I AM!!!!” I yelled.

“I know, I know. I’m just teasing you.” She laughed.

“You don’t find me weird?” I asked.

“Johnny Depp once said ‘I think everybody’s weird. We should all celebrate our individuality and not be embarrassed or ashamed of it.’ And I think he is right.” She said, looking at me.

“I am not that normal myself, and I love weird stuff. Remember? Idiotic looking Donald Duck?” She cupped my face.

I nodded and smiled at her.

“Never risk your life for anything, anyone, not even me. Do you get it?” She said.

“I’ll risk my life for you.” I said.

“Don’t. Nothing is more important than your own life. Love yourself, please.” She said.

“But why aren’t you freaked out?” I asked, out of curiosity.

“I said, I am weird myself.” She said.

“But come to think of it, there’s something bad about it.” She pouted.

“What?” I asked.

“I can’t use period as an excuse to throw tantrum at you. I can’t say you don’t understand the pain because you clearly do and I guess you understand it more than any of us. How unlucky of me. Other girls can get their boyfriends to do stuff for them during this period while I can’t.” She pouted.

“On your period or not, you can always throw a tantrum at me and get me to do anything for you without excuse.” I said.

“You have to tell me if you’re in pain. Don’t hide it from me and suffer on your own, do you get it? I know how it is like to endure pain all by yourself. I don’t want you to endure it on your own. I want to take care of you.” She said.

“You have always been taking care of me.” I said.

“I thought you weren’t on your period?” She asked, staring at the blood stain on my thigh.

“I am not.” I said, looking down as well.

“WHEN DID YOU HURT YOURSELF!?” She yelled, looking at my bloodied arm.

“When you yanked the needle out.” I said.

“WHY DIDN’T YOU SAY ANYTHING!?” She pressed onto my arm as she dragged me down.

Haneul’s POV

After the nurses cleaned Junhyung up, he was discharged. The boys came to pick him up and he was sent back to the dorm. He was still feeling drowsy from the anesthesia so I tucked him bed. I lied beside him, listening to him tell me about his relationship with Seungho as well as how he met the boys and how they reacted when they found out. His voice was trailing off but he struggled to stay awake.

“Sleep. You can always tell me another day.” I said, patting his chest lightly.

“I don’t want to sleep.” He mumbled.

“You never told me about your family.” I said.

He turned away from me and kept quiet.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to be nosy. I didn’t ask anything.” I said.

“They left me.” He turned back to me with a smile.

“Huh?” I looked at him, confused.

“My entire family left me.” He said.

“Because of.. that?” I asked softly.

He nodded and sighed, but the smile still plastered on his face.

“They left me. I guess because they couldn’t accept a freak like me.” He said, tears flowing down his cheeks.

“Don’t ever say that about yourself!” I forced him to look at me by grabbing his cheeks.

“You’re not a freak. You are Junhyung, Beast’s almighty rapper, friends of everyone that knows you and most importantly,  Haneul’s one and only Darling boy. You’re not a freak, do you understand that?” I said.

“But then why did they leave? I miss them so much. I didn’t choose to be like this.” He cried.

“If they can’t love you for who you are, I will.” I said, kissing away his tears.

“Never let anyone treat you lesser than what you deserve.” I whispered.

“Never let anyone tell you that you’re not as great as what you actually are.” I said.

“And most importantly, never look down on yourself.” I said.

“One day when they realize how much you mean to them, they’ll come back. But even if they don’t, I guess you have nothing to lose. It’s wrong to be saying this, I know. But what are parents who abandon their own son when he needs them the most? It just angers me.” I said.

“I love them very much.” He buried his face into the pillow.

I hugged him from behind, rubbing his arm to calm him down.

“I know you love them very much. I’m sure they are regretting their actions now too.” I said.

“I don’t want them to regret. I want them to come back.” He cried.

“I’m sorry.” I whispered.

Now I guess everything falls into place nicely, the reason behind his tears lately as well as why he was calling out for his parents the other time in his sleep.

“I’ll never leave you.” I whispered.

His body relaxed, indicating that he was already asleep.

“I love you.” I said, kissing him on his forehead before covering the blanket over him.

Just as I was about to walk out, I knocked over a book, causing it to hit the ground loudly. I winced at the sound, praying really hard that it did not wake Junhyung up. Luckily, it didn’t. I picked up the book and put it back on the table. A piece of paper sticking out drew my curiosity. I opened the book and was surprised to find an envelope inside, addressing to me. I looked at Junhyung, and then the envelope. I opened it and pulled out the contents inside.

Inside was a key as well as a letter.

‘Haneul ah, if you see this, then most likely I am gone. I’m sorry for not telling you anything. It must have been shocking to you, isn’t it? I wouldn’t write out my entire life story here, but ask the boys, they’ll tell you. Haneul ah, thank you for coming into my life. Thank you for letting me know what is it like to really be love as well as to love someone. Thank you so much, but at the same time, I am so sorry for this short-lived relationship of ours. Haneul ah, you have to be happy. My only request to you is to be happy. You don’t have to remember me, but you have to be happy. Haneul ah, I love you. I can call your name forever and not get sick of it at all. Haneul ah, Haneul ah, Haneul ah~ Saranghae, saranghae, saranghae, saranghae, saranghae. Goodbye, my Darling, my beloved, my Princess. I love you so much.

P.S. Show the key to Seungho Hyung and he’ll bring you there.’

“Idiot.” I cried, crushing the key and the letter.

“Idiot idiot idiot.” I tried to muffle my cry.

“It’s rude to read someone else’s stuff.” A voice said.

I looked up and saw Junhyung smiling at me weakly.

“You’re an idiot! You were going to just die and leave me a stupid note like this!?” I yelled, throwing the letter and the key into his face.

“Come here.” He said, arms opened wide.

“No!” I grabbed a handful of pens from the table and threw it at him.

“How could you!” I continued to throw more stuff at him.

“This is the most idiotic thing anyone could actually do! What? You don’t have to remember me! But you have to be happy!? Is this it!?” I cried.

He just smiled and shook his head.

He got up and pulled me into his embrace. I bit and punched him out of anger, but in the end, I sank into his arms, crying like a baby.

“Is this really the Haneul that dashed into the operating theater, demanding the doctor to stop the operation?” He said.

“You’re the biggest ever! Really!” I shouted.

“Shhh~ Don’t shout. I told you your voice is hoarse already.” He my back.

“Did you really think I could just forget you like that!? When you asked me to be your girlfriend, were you expecting me to just forget you so easily!?” I yelled.

“I’m wrong. I’m so sorry.” He apologized.

He made me lie down on the bed and held me close to him. He wiped away my tears with his thumb and kissed me on my forehead.

“I wasn’t thinking straight.” He said softly.

“I’m so sorry.” He apologized.

“Idiot.” I kicked him.

“I know. I am the biggest idiot ever. But this idiot here really loves you. I was scared too. I didn’t know how to tell you. I didn’t know what to do. I am so sorry.” He said.

“If you do such things again, I’ll stab you ten thousand times before throwing you into the sea for the sharks to feast on.” I said.

“I have nothing else to confess already. Well, maybe except one thing.” He said.

“What?” I looked at him with a frown.

“At first, I thought I was hopeless in love with you. But today, I confirmed that I am hopeless in love with you. I cannot do it without you. Yong Junhyung is nothing without his Darling girl.” He said, kissing me on my lips.

“And then you still wanted to die?” I asked, breaking apart.

“I was dumb, but now, I wouldn’t let myself die even if my time is up.” He said.

I did not say anything but instead snuggle closer to him. It was so nice to be in his arms.

“Do you still want this?” He asked, showing me the key.

“What is this? A key to your stuff in the bank? Do you have a lot of money in there? Or gold bars? Or diamonds?” I asked, teasing him.

“It’s the key to my house, where all my memories are.” He said.

I stopped and turned to him.

“Why did you give the key to me?” I asked.

“I never had the guts to go back to that place ever since I left. But that place holds every part of me, and I thought you would want to know the Junhyung back then.” He said.

“Of course I do, but you’re taking me there, not Seungho.” I said.

“I can’t go back there.” He whispered.

“You can. We’ll go together and you’ll tell me everything.” I said.

“I’m scared.” He said.

“You have me, remember?” I said.

He looked at me and smiled slightly.

“But for now, you need to close your eyes and really sleep.” I said, trying to get up.

“Don’t go.” He whispered, hugging me tighter.

“This isn’t my home or the bookstore. We can’t stay like this.” I said.

The door suddenly clicked open and a head popped in; Yoseob. He was covering his face with his palms.

“Sorry to disrupt whatever you guys are doing. I just want to inform you that we are going out. Haneul ah, please make sure Hyung eats something. And erm… We would be back late, or rather, maybe we can sleep in MBLAQ’s dorm, so erm.. Have lots of fun and ahh~ But don’t dirty the place with you know what. Yea. I think that’s all. Erm.. Actually I want to take something, can you guys cover up?” He said.

Junhyung grabbed a soft toy from the side and threw it onto Yoseob’s head.

“What do you seriously think we were doing!?” He yelled.

Yoseob opened his fingers slightly, peeking at us through the slits. He put his hands down and broke into a smile.

“You guys are clothed.” He said embarrassingly.

“What do you think I am!? A ert!? maniac!?” Junhyung shouted.

“Haneul ah, he’s quite loud for someone unwell, isn’t he?” Yoseob said as he grabbed his stuff.

“I think so too.” I said.

“Whatever it is, USE PROTECTION OKAY! BYE!!!” Yoseob shouted, running out of the room.

Junhyung threw a pillow at the door in anger.

“Hey! Relax!” I laughed.

“I’m not a ert!” He whined.

“I know, I know.” I said, cuddling closer to him.

“Junhyung ah~” I called out.

“Mmm?” He mumbled tiredly.

“Nothing will change my love for you, okay?” I mumbled.

“Nothing will change… mine too.” His voice trailed.

"But again, this is really real, right? It's not rubber or something?" I teased, poking his manhood.

He smacked my hand and groaned.

"Hee~ I get it, I get it. Sleep well." I kissed his cheek.

Today was indeed tiring, but I guess everything was worth it. I still have my Junhyung, that’s most important. I closed my eyes, hand clutching onto his shirt and fell asleep.