Haneul’s POV

Ever since I told Junhyung I would be going back for the Lunar New Year, he has been sulking. Even though it was annoying seeing him so grumpy, it was cute at the same time. Many times, he looked like he wanted to shout at me, but he just kept quiet.

“Stop sulking! Are you going to meet my parents with this face?” I asked.

He looked at me and just continued driving.

“And now you ignore me! Great!” I said.

“HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?!” He yelled, finally.

I laughed at his outburst and got slapped on the thigh by him.

“Oww~” I whined, pouting at him.

“YOU’RE GOING TO LEAVE ME FOR SO LONG AND I JUST GOT TO KNOW IT LIKE TWO DAYS AGO!” He yelled.

I laughed, earning another slap on the thigh from him.

“Stop abusing me!” I slapped him back.

“You’re so mean! How would you feel if I do this to you!?” He said.

“Then do you know how I feel now? When you keep stuff from me and tell me only last minute or worse, don’t tell me at all?” I said.

“Those are different!” He argued.

“How is it different?” I argued back.

“It’s just!! ARGHH!!!! YOU’RE MEAN AND THAT’S FINAL!” He yelled.

“Alright. I am mean. I never said I was kind to start with.” I smiled.

“I can’t believe you actually did this to me.” He mumbled.

“You’ll get over it.” I pat his head.

“Don’t touch me!” He frowned.

“You said it.” I said.

He stared at me and continued driving.

We arrived at the restaurant shortly.

“What’s that?” I asked as he pulled out a huge box from the car boot.

“Not telling you.” He said.

“Then don’t.” I said, walking off.

“Can’t you be nicer!? Is it so difficult!?” He shouted.

I turned back and walked towards him.

“Are you Poppin’ Dragon or the Joker now? Why so cute?” I asked, pinching his cheeks.

“I’M THE JOKER!!! RAWRRRR!!!” He yelled.

“Let’s go.” I laughed, linking arms with him.

When we arrived, my parents were already seated.

“Annyeonghasaeyo.” Junhyung said, bowing really low.

“Ahh please, just sit down.” My mom laughed.

“Learn from him! He’s so polite! Just look at you~” My mom said.

“Got a problem with my attitude?” I asked in a gangster tone.

“Gosh! I can write three volumes on the problems I have with your attitude!” My mom said.

Junhyung stood there, looking at us.

“Why aren’t you sitting down?” I asked him.

“Oh~ Ya. I forgot.” He smiled cutely.

“Oh my gosh so cute~” My mom mumbled.

“These are for you.” Junhyung said, handing the huge box to my parents.

“What is this?” My dad asked, looking at the wrapped box.

“Dad, the box is wrapped for a reason. Why do people always like to ask such things when people give them something? Why don’t you just open it?” I said.

“Skye.” My mom called.

“Yes?” I said.

“You talk too much.” She said.

My dad and Junhyung looked surprised, and then started giggling. I glared at Junhyung and he shut up instantly.

“It’s just ginseng.” Junhyung said.

“Ginseng? Why did you spend so much money? You don’t have to.” My mom said.

“He grows them at home.” I said.

“What did I say about shutting up?” My mom said.

I gulped down the tea, pouting. Junhyung poked my cheek and winked at me.

“Anyway, thank you very much.” My dad said.

Junhyung smiled.

“Junhyungie, do you eat Chinese food? I am sorry we did not ask you what you liked to eat before booking the table. Are you okay with it?” My mom asked.

“He eats everything.” I said.

“Yea, I eat everything.” Junhyung said.

“Have you tried authentic Chinese food before?” My dad asked.

Junhyung shook his head and smiled awkwardly.

“These are not as authentic, but good enough.” I said, pouring him a cup of tea.

He looked at the cup as thou I just served him blood.

“You wouldn’t die drinking it.” I said.

“Can’t you be nicer to your boyfriend? So rude.” My mom said.

“If I am too nice, he gets scared.” I said.

Junhyung just nodded dumbly.

While waiting for food to come, my parents talked to Junhyung a lot. They kept asking him stuff and telling him stuff about me.

Junhyung’s POV

“What kind of parents tells their daughter’s boyfriend to be careful of her? How am I scary?” Haneul asked, pointing the chopsticks at no one in particular.

“It’s rude.” I mumbled, lowering her chopsticks.

“Please, Junhyungie. Teach this girl some manners.” Her mom said.

Haneul made a face and continued playing with the cutleries while her parents talked to me.

“She used to have a poster of …” Her mom was cut off by Haneul.

“MOMMY! GO TO THE TOILET WITH ME!” Haneul yelled and dragged her mother out.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Poster of you guys in her room.” Her dad smiled.

“She did!?” I asked, surprised.

I thought she never knew us since she didn’t look like she knew me when we first met. Since she knew me, then why was she so cold?

When Haneul returned, I couldn’t help but wonder how was she like when she was a fan and how did she feel when she first saw us. The food came shortly and we ate. It felt like a real family eating with them. Everyone passed food to each other. Everyone chatted while eating.

There was no awkward silence, only roaring laughter. And Haneul was really different around her parents. She was really like a kid. Although with me, she behaves like a little girl too, with her parents, she’s like a baby; pouting and being really cute.

“Did you like the food?” Her dad asked me.

“I did. Thank you very much.” I said.

“This is for you.” Her mom said, handing me a red packet.

“Huh?” I looked at her in surprise.

“It’s for Lunar New Year. I wouldn’t be around on that day, so I thought I’ll just give it to you first.” She said, shoving the red packet into my hand.

“You guys celebrate Lunar New Year too, right? Seollal, am I right?” She said.

“We do~ But.. I.. I can’t accept this..” I said, not wanting to take it.

How could I take money from them? Even though I am Haneul’s boyfriend, I don’t know her parents long enough for them to treat me so well. I don’t deserve it.

“Just take it.” Haneul said.

“I…” I mumbled, not knowing what to say.

“It’s not a lot. It’s just for the tradition. Take it.” Her dad said.

“Thank you very much.” I said awkwardly.

I got down on my knees to bow to them formally.

“Oh my god, please get up. We’re not into this custom. Don’t do this in public.” Her parents said, pulling me up.

“We give mandarin oranges yea.” Haneul smiled.

“It’s respect.” I said.

“If you have to, just a bow will do.” Her mom said.

“Thank you.” I said, bowing 90 degrees.

“Alright, your back isn’t in the best condition.” Haneul said softly, nudging my arm.

“Erm~ The flight is at 1AM. It’s only 9.30PM now. I’m pretty sure you guys want to spend time alone, so Skye, we’ll see you at the airport, okay? We’ll just meet you in the transit area.” Her dad said.

“Alright.” Haneul said, intertwining her fingers with mine.

We parted ways; her parents went somewhere else while Haneul and I went to walk around.

“How do you like my parents?” She asked suddenly.

“I love them.” I said.

“You do?” She looked at me.

“Of course.” I said.

“They love you too.” She said.

“I still feel that I shouldn’t accept this.” I said, looking at the red packet.

“No one rejects the red packet. Open it and see how much they gave you.” She said.

I opened it and my eyes almost popped out. 200,000won!?

“Oh my gosh. This is..” I mumbled.

“Woah! Junnie, theylove you!” Haneul laughed.

“I can’t…” I said, but Haneul cut me off by covering my mouth.

“It’s rude to reject it. Just take it, okay?” She said, shoving the red packet back into my pocket.

We spend the next few hours eating ice cream and walking around the shops that were still open.

“I have something to ask you.” I said, remembering what her dad told me.

“What?” She asked, looking at the clothes.

“Fangirl.” I said.

She looked at me with wide eyes. She bit her lips and blushed.

“Shut up.” She mumbled.

“Who did you like at that time!? Was it me?” I asked.

“No.” She answered coldly.

“Aww, then who? And why did you pretend not to know Beast when we met?” I asked.

“I liked everyone but you, and I did not pretend to not know you. I knew it was you, I just generally hated people and hur~ you aren’t that attractive.” She said.

“WHAT!?” I yelled, a little too loudly.

“Continue on this topic and I’ll paste your ugliest Poppin’ Dragon photo all around Seoul randomly.” She said.

“You wouldn’t do that to me.” I said.

“Try me.” She said, picking up a scarf.

“Right. I forgot, you’re evil.” I mumbled.

“Oh my god the shoe is so nice!” She said, running towards the store.

We hardly went shopping together. It was my fault, of course. It was nice seeing her shop; squealing and getting all excited over a piece of clothing or accessory, it was just cute.

“Isn’t this nice!?” She asked, showing me the shoe.

“Yes. Try it on.” I said.

The shop keeper handed her the correct size and she tried it on.

“Nice?” She asked, looking at the mirror.

“Very.” I said.

“The price is very nice too.” She mumbled.

I handed my credit card to the shopkeeper.

“NO!” Haneul shouted.

“I’m buying it for you.” I said.

“There’s no occasion to spend on such expensive stuff.” She said, taking out the shoes.

“There is an occasion.” I said.

“What?” She asked.

“It didn’t rain today. It’s an occasion to me. It has been raining for the past three days and I kept feeling cold. Today it’s warmer.” I said.

“What sort of rubbish occasion is that!?” She laughed.

“You don’t bother. Just know that it’s an occasion to me.” I said, signaling the shopkeeper to proceed with payment.

“No!!!” Haneul whined.

I grabbed her hands and covered .

“Too noisy.” I said.

“Kamsahamida.” The shopkeeper said, handing me the card and the shoes.

Haneul pouted all the way as we walked.

“What is it!?” I poked her.

“Why spend so much money? How is 90,000 won on a pair of shoe worth?” She grumbled.

“It’s worth because it looks nice on you and you were really happy. It’s worth to me, okay?” I said.

She pouted, but I knew she was happy inside.

I don’t understand why guys would complain when shopping with their girl. I think it’s pretty fun and interesting seeing them smile so happily. I would gladly shop with Haneul daily if I could.

“Why does time pass so fast?” I said, looking at my watch. It was already 11.30PM.

“We should go.” She said.

“Yea.” I mumbled reluctantly.

She looked at me and cupped my cheeks.

“Come on, don’t sulk. It’s not that long.” She said.

“It’s not that long!? It is long! And, I have not prepared myself.” I said.

“You’ll get over it.” She smiled.

On the ride to the airport, she kept disturbing me occasionally. No matter how slowly I drove, we arrived at the airport anyway.

“Do you really have to be gone for that long?” I asked, holding her hand.

She leaned forward to hug me.

“Don’t be like that.” She said, kissing my chin.

“Tsk~” I moved away.

“Why?” She whined.

“For you.” I said, handing her a small box.

“What?” She looked at me, and then the box.

She opened it and her eyes widened.

“Why!?” She frowned.

“When one receives a gift, they should be smiling.” I said.

“I know, but it’s.. Why spend money again!?” She said.

“I spoilt your phone. I should buy you another one.” I said.

“But my phone isn’t spoilt! It is still working.” She said.

“The screen is cracked already! I don’t want you to cut your cheek or your finger.” I said.

“Awww~ Thank you.” She smiled.

“Now that you have a new phone, you don’t have the excuse to not contact me.” I said.

“Oh~ You have a motive.” She said.

“You mean you weren’t going to contact me!?” I asked.

“Of course! I was going to just disappear and have so much fun.” She said.

I pouted at her. Doesn’t she know how unhappy I already am at the fact I am going to not see her for a month or two?

“Alright, alright. I was just kidding.” She said.

“Thank you.” She kissed me.

“Take care yea.” I said.

“You too. Eat and sleep okay. Take care of your back and your hand. Don’t overwork yourself. And also, you’re almost.. you know..” She said, rubbing my stomach.

“If it hurts, don’t keep it to yourself and try to endure the pain yea. Tell the boys to take care of you.” She said.

“If you’re so worried for me, then don’t go.” I said.

“Junnie~” She frowned.

“I’m just saying. Alright, I’ll take care of myself. You too.” I said, hugging her tightly.

“I’ll miss you.” I said, crashing my lips against hers.

We engaged in a passionate kiss, not bothering about people around us. We broke apart for air, staring deeply into each other’s eyes.

“I have to go.” She said, cupping my cheeks.

I nodded, reluctant to let her go in fact.

“I really still can’t accept the fact you’ll be gone for so long. Please, punish me in some other way.” I said, hugging her tightly.

I know it was childish of me to behave in this way, but I really am not prepared for it.

“Come on, don’t be like this. I’m not going to war.” She said.

“It’s almost the same for me.” I said.

We hugged for awhile until she finally pulled away.

“I really have to go.” She said, patting my cheek.

“Regardless of what time, call me when you arrive.” I said.

“Alright. Gosh, you’re like hahaha~” She pinched my cheek.

“What like haha!? I’m just sad!” I pouted.

She kissed me on my cheek and handed me the Duckie.

“Let him accompany you.” She said.

I look at the Duckie and it stared back me at dumbly. I flicked it’s forehead, earning a slap on my arm from Haneul.

“Don’t abuse him!” She pouted.

“I will abuse him until you come back.” I said, squashing the Duckie.

She grabbed a fistful of my hair and pulled it roughly.

“Do you like this!?” She asked.

“Ahh no no no! Ouch!!” I whined.

“Then don’t do it!” She frowned, letting my hair go.

“Okay okay!” I said.

“See you.” She kissed me again.

“Have fun, but don’t forget there’s someone in Korea yearning for your return.” I said, kissing her on her forehead.

“Eeeks~ That someone sounds so scary.” She laughed.

“What scary!?” I yelled.

“Alright! Bye!” She said as she walked into the transit area.

“Bye.” I mumbled.

I watch her completely disappear before going back to the car.

“It’s just me and you, again.” I told the Duckie.

How am I going to spend my time without her? I may die missing her. Haneul, you’re so evil. What kind of ridiculous punishment is this?