I. "So, what was it about getting what you deserved?"

Namjoo kind of fought her breath and looked tight-lipped as she turned gaze to her friend. She almost forgot she uttered those words. With a scratch of her head and a confused cackle, she apologized to her because she hasn't told her a few things. Hayoung questioned what those few things were, and she immediately replied telling her about the recent events that has happened — including the one inside the storage room and about Mina. It was either she forgot to tell her completely, or maybe she just didn't want to be a bother to her friend since she's had her hands full lately. Hayoung sighed softly. She admitted she wasn't able to be there for her quite recently, but she could've told her anyway, anyhow. "Phones are invented for communication, Kim Namjoo. Call or send me a message when something's up next time, okay?" Namjoo nodded repeatedly, almost saying sorry and choking on it as she stammered. The tall girl laughed and gave the top of her head a gentle pat.



As they were talking on the way to the crêpe and ice cream place, Hayoung was reminded and asked how Sanghyuk was doing with the tutoring thing. She kind of expected he told her about it. The other's eyes widened as she realized she has not been able to ask him regarding that. She shrugged and muttered it'd probably be best if she didn't knew, or even if she could ask him about it since she can't expect them to be that close right now. But at least, for a few days, she has forgotten about what has been bothering her for awhile. Hayoung agreed.


"Namjoo, you're cramming for exams, right? I can't believe it's already in a week." Hayoung queried, changing the topic immediately as they arrived the place. They took a seat, and the other merely nodded at her as response. Again, she was almost lost in trance as her friend talked. "I still have to finish some stuff at the club and go with Jaehwan, so I'm sorry if I can't review with you." She didn't reply at her added remark either. Hayoung had to click her fingers a few times before she got back to her senses. The latter laughed and said she was slowly spacing out, thinking about the exams, or maybe something else for that matter hence asking if she was really thinking about the exams. She nudged on her sides gently with a tiny grin across her face. Namjoo nudged her back, not as gently as she did and laughed.


"I've got to cram for the weekend. No going out, or playing around. I need to pass the exam so I won't have to retake for summer vacation because I want to rest or try for a part-time job." She gave an eager retort. Hayoung couldn't help but giggle at the sight of her determined friend. She nodded in agreement as she stood up and went to the counter to order their desserts. Namjoo looked at her with a smile, but was a bit wary inside.





II. It's finally the weekend, but students can't fully enjoy for now since exams are ahead. None of them wants to fail and take makeup tests because it would be a waste of their leisure time. It seems as though everyone is busy cramming and Namjoo wasn't an exception.

Let's go to the amusement park, or aquarium. Jaehwan has tickets! Hayoung exclaimed through the other line as Namjoo only woke up and picked up the phone call. The latter insisted that they should go on a date themselves instead, forcing herself to speak up as she was still feeling drowsy. She said she'd be declining invites from her from today on since she'll be studying and apologized to her friend in her softest tone. Hayoung teased if she really was busy studying, and even if she was, how come she has time to clean grounds, and help after school. She chuckled playfully. The other line asked her to stop, and to concentrate on the exam instead of trying to persuade her to hang out, or to call just to . She then apologized once again and told her friend that she'll eventually make it up for her. Hayoung sighed over the phone. "He was right, your apologies really sound annoying and no, I'm not serious so don't be burdened about it." She laughed. "Call me when there's any trouble, okay?" She added and hang up first. Namjoo gave her phone a stare as its light turned off. She couldn't help but wonder if her subtle and repetitive apologies are really that quick to frustrate people. She just doesn't know how to respond most of the time, she thought.



After washing up and finishing breakfast, she immediately went out, locked the house and ran downtown to visit the library like she always does. She arrived in her casual white shirt tucked in her boyfriend jeans, greeted the staff present at the library that day and found a good seat just across an aisle of books she'd be going to and from. It was peaceful, and she was able to finish writing up reviewers for major subjects that quick.

But just then, she heard a familiar voice. Rather than bothering her, she felt ignoring was better. She was, though, curious enough to take a glance to see if her hunch was right. And, it was. She knew she heard Mina's voice, and she somehow knew she was with Sanghyuk. She gave a small shook of her head and told herself to focus on what she was doing. She really did not want to get distracted at this point. Just as she was about to glance at them again, she noticed Sanghyuk walking up to her casually. She tried acting innate, and as if she was surprised that he was there. When he was already across the table, he greeted her vaguely and the latter merely gave a nod.

"Just as I thought, you're here." Namjoo tilted her head, either of complete habit or she just didn't know how to react. She asked if he was looking for her or if he needed anything but Sanghyuk didn't say anything. He shrugged and sat down pulling the nearest chair he laid an eye on. "I have something to say." He said.

It was silent for two seconds and with a blink of Namjoo's eyes, he started talking. He demanded her to stop helping him with the cleaning duty because their schoolmates are getting bad ideas, or maybe someone's giving them a hint to think of. He admitted he didn't like getting any attention, especially when she's involved. The latter gave a purse of her lips and wanted to ask a few things, but just before she could open , Mina approached them. The senior student asked if everything was fine and Sanghyuk simply got up from his chair, and walked away. Mina giggled softly, and shifted her gaze towards Namjoo. She sta