“Jiyong-ah. I didn’t tell you this before because I didn’t see the need to,” said Dara. That was a long time ago and I’ve picked myself up since. Telling you would only have caused you more unnecessary pain, regret and worry,” said Dara.

 

Dara pulled Jiyong into a hug and patted his back, as tears streaked Jiyong’s cheeks. “I’ve told you before, I have never blamed you in the slightest. I’ve been thinking a lot these days, ever since you proposed to me. I think what’s important now is for us to look ahead together, rather than to regret our past. I remember you told me before Ji, all of this has been a test on the strength of our relationship and we’re definitely stronger than any test that could possibly come our way,” said Dara.

 

Jiyong didn’t say anything but kept Dara in his embrace. “Try not to blame Bom for this, all right? She’s been there for me all this while, so it’s only natural for her to react this way,” coaxed Dara.

 

“I will never blame her or anyone for hating me because I left you. After all, that was all I intended. I’m just horrified at what happened and how much it deviated from what I intended,” said Jiyong. “Are you hiding any more horror stories from your past that I’ve caused, baby girl? Please don’t hide things from me like that anymore.”

 

“I swear that’s the only episode that I’ve kept from you, Ji,” assured Dara. Dara pulled away from their hug and gave Jiyong a quick peck on the lips, before she went back to attending to his injuries.

 

…

 

Yejun waited outside the movie theatre, his nerves making his palms sweat.

 

FLASHBACK

 

“Yejun-ah,” called Jiyong.

 

Yejun and Hyunsik were at Jiyong’s place working on music again. As the pair worked in the basement, Jiyong called Yejun from behind and beckoned him over.

 

“What is it, ahjussi?” asked Yejun.

 

Jiyong reached into his pocket and pulled out two movie tickets. He handed them to Yejun, as he said, “Yejun-ah, I heard from Youngbae that this movie is nice. You should go catch it with her.”

 

“Bwoh? Who?” asked Yejun in surprise.

 

“You know who I’m talking about, Yejun-ah,” replied Jiyong with a sly smile. “Think of this as moral support from me.”

 

“Ah, jahmkahnman Jiyong-ahjussi. This is…” began Yejun hesitantly.

 

“I’m not taking those tickets back, Yejun-ah. I have no use for movie tickets even if you gave them back to me. Make sure they don’t go to waste, arasso?” said Jiyong.

 

“A-arasso, ahjussi,” replied Yejun.

 

…

 

Yejun laid in bed looking at his handphone. Sure, he was close to Sooyoung but he had never asked her out alone before. Even if they met alone, it would be because they had to work on something together. This would be the first time he was asking a girl out for a movie. The screen showed Sooyoung’s contact and all he had to do was to press “Call”. But doing so now seemed near to impossible. Yejun was in such deep thought that he didn’t realise that his grip on his phone was loosening. The phone eventually slipped out of his hand and hit his face, before tumbling to the floor. Yejun scrambled and saw, to his horror, that he had dialled Sooyoung’s number when his phone hit his face. The phone was already ringing by the time he picked it up. Before Yejun could end the call, it was answered and a voice on the other line said, “Yoboseyo?”

 

“Ahh… Yo-yoboseyo?” stammered Yejun.

 

“Ah, Yejun-oppa,” came Sooyoung’s bright voice.

 

“Ah, Sooyoung-ah. Er… er… a-are you f-free this Saturday?” Yejun tried to stop himself from stammering but failed miserably.

 

“Neh~ Do you need me to do something?” asked Sooyoung.

 

“I-I got t-two tickets for a m-movie. W-would you be interested?” Yejun gave up trying to stop stammering.

 

“Oppa, you don’t sound well. Are you feeling okay? Yes, I’m free then and I would love to go. But if you’re not feeling well then you should stay home and rest,” replied Sooyoung in a concerned voice.

 

“Anni~ I’m fine. See you then!” replied Yejun hurriedly before hanging up, not even giving Sooyoung a chance to reply.

 

Yejun collapsed on his bed feeling like he had just run a marathon.

 

Omg… She agreed…

 

END OF FLASHBACK

 

“Oppa!” a voice from a distance shook Yejun out of his reverie and made him look up in the direction of the voice.

 

“Ah, Sooyoung-ah!” replied Yejun with a bright smile.

 

“Sorry I’m late. Have you been waiting for long?” asked Sooyoung.

 

“Anni~ Kwenchana. Let’s go, the movie’s starting soon,” replied Yejun.

 

As they sat down, Sooyoung’s arm brushed against Yejun’s, causing Yejun to blush.

 

Thank goodness it’s dark.

 

Yejun didn’t even look at the movie title on the tickets when he received it from Jiyong. It was only when the movie title appeared on the screen did Yejun realise that it was the new romantic comedy that a few of his friends had been talking about, making him do a mental facepalm.

 

Oh gosh, it’s a romantic comedy. What is she going to think?

 

Try as Yejun might, he simply could not bring himself to focus on the movie, as he was too nervous sitting next to Sooyoung in this setting. Occasionally, he would sneak a peek at Sooyoung and he would smile when he saw her laughing at the jokes in the movie.

 

The movie finally ended and Yejun and Sooyoung walked out of the movie theatre.

 

“How did you find the movie, oppa?” asked Sooyoung.

 

“It was nice,” replied Yejun.

 

I can’t remember much of what I saw because I kept looking at you. But you’ll kill me if I say that.

 

“That’s it? You don’t sound like you enjoyed the movie, oppa,” said Sooyoung.

 

“Anni~ I did. I just don’t really have a specific part that I like in particular,” said Yejun.

 

Well, there was. I especially liked the parts when I could see you laugh.

 

“So what’s the special occasion, oppa?” asked Sooyoung. “You’ve never asked me to watch a movie with you before.”

 

“I just wanted to use this chance to tell you I like you, Sooyoung-ah,” said Yejun without thinking.

 

“Bwoh?!” said Sooyoung in surprise.

 

WAIT! DID I JUST SAY THAT OUT