So here is the problem: Prom night event is only three days away and he doesn’t ask someone yet.

This matter sounds silly at first but it unexpectedly turned into some kind of tight competition between boys in his school, and even although he hates to admit it, he got dragged eventually.

It becomes some competition to show in which level are you based which girl you could ask out. The more popular the girl is, the more you got recognition and acknowledgement. This insane idea is insanely riding those men who basically unpopular got hyped up because they see it as a chance to change their level in this crazy society. They tried really hard – what a strange dedication – by changing their appearance, trying various unexpected things to ask those popular girl, or simply pleaded the girl who seemingly could boost up their rank.

That’s how first week after announcement going on. But things are different on last week away before the event.

They didn’t try to change their level – not even dream about it anymore. What’s matter is they could ask someone – whoever is that doesn’t matter anymore – because if they didn’t get a dance partner – they will be bullied for the rest of the school years. And that’s a true nightmare.

The saddest part of it is, that he was actually belong to a group who potentially get bullied for the rest of the years because apart from his unpopular group of friends, only he and Seungkwan who didn’t have dance partner yet.

And this is one weeks away before the event.

Frankly speaking, he actually thanks this event for existing because he sees his opportunity to ask his long-time crush to out. Unfortunately, even although he had practiced for thousand damn times, he just couldn’t find a right moment to say it confidently. He cursed himself for being a stone whenever she’s near. Instead of approaching her, he turned his back and sweats like idiots.

“You are idiot, indeed.” Mingyu didn’t even try to lift up Seokmin’s desperate mood.

“Oh, that’s very nice of you. Didn’t you remember whom shoulder you leaned on to cry when you desperate because Tzuyu rejected you and went out with Chanwoo instead?”

“Oh shut up.” Mingyu hissed. “I’ve forgotten her. I’m going out with Eunha, you know? She accepted my offer even although she knew I asked Tzuyu first. She’s so considerate. If I knew that Tzuyu would treat me like this, I should ask her in the first place. And I’m not crying!”

“Yah, you must feel so relieved. What a lucky bastard.” Soonyoung commented casually – gaining an automatic smack from the younger one.

“Hyung, how did you do it? I mean, when you ask Yerin sunbae out, how did you do it?” Seokmin asked curiously.

“It’s easy. I wrote a note, folded it into airplane form then flew it to her. She sent me a paper airplane too after that, and as you guys could guess, she was saying yes.” Soonyoung answered proudly.

Seokmin mouth wide open, amazed at how simple and easy it looks like but he always find a hard time to actually do it. “You should try inconvenience way, Seokmin. That is my advice.” Soonyoung added like a pro.

“Or have a cousin who attended the same school as you. That is my advice.” Jun added and laughed. He is not interested in asking out girl nor this prom night in whole but he can’t be bullied at the same time, so he is going out with Cheng Xiao, his cousin, who only close friends know that they’re actually relatives.

“You guys should be proud but don’t forget of our bet. I managed to get the partner first – and it’s Kim Sojung – so I demand a better bet this time.” Seungcheol smirked.

Seokmin annoyedly look at him and shook his head. “Whatever, at least Seungkwan is same like me.”

At that time, Seungkwan entered the room and his cheek looks like a spoiled crab.

“What is it? Is it another rejection? Who just reject you now?” Jeonghan asked enthusiastically. He is currently Seungkwan’s rejection story number one fan.

“It is crazy.” Seungkwan mumbled, his eyes still unfocused.

“Hey, what’s happened?” Minghao asked in worry.

“It’s indeed crazy.” Seungkwan sighed, hold the edge of the table and his other hand is clutching his own heart.

“Quit the drama and tell us quickly.” Wonwoo  who busy earlier with his book cannot help but feel curious too.

“Can you believe that I actually asked Sinb?” Seungkwan confessed.

“Sinb? Wait – did you mean Sinb? That Sinb?!” Hansol yelled. “You sure are crazy, dude.” He shook his head in disbelief.

“Where did you get the courage though? Seokmin, look at him. He risked everything. You should be like him too.” Seungcheol said while patted Seungkwan’s shoulder.

“How bad was it? Did she slap you? Yeah, she is that kind of girl. So tell us how tragic your rejection this time. It’s okay, you still have one week left.”

“But… you guys take it all wrong…”

“What did you mean?”

 “It’s crazier, because the truth is….” Seungkwan gulped hard before continued, “…she accepted my offer.”

All of the boys yelled in high pitch tone altogether – and that’s when Seokmin feel like hell is only two steps away.

**

It’s late in night when Seokmin opened his window wide open and just staring at the starry night sky with lot of thoughts rushing in his mind. He sighed, couldn’t believe that he is the only one who left with no partner yet. The fact that Seungkwan brave enough to ask Sinb out already amazed him, and the reality that Sinb actually accepted the offer make his jaw dropped. Seungkwan did that, and he is beyond proud. Seungkwan always confident in whatever he does, always 200% optimistic in every condition, and never get ashamed of his mistake so he didn’t stop, unlike him. He adores that side of Seungkwan, and he hopes he has enough courage like he did.

His number one struggle is he doesn’t have anyone in mind beside one girl – and that’s girl is a popular one so it’d be hard to ask her out. She is his long time crush, since the beginning of school year. Choi Yuna is her name, beautiful name like the person herself. It has been two years since he quietly adore her from a far. Second year is better though, since they’re in one music club together and has many projects to do. But he’s very sure that she only thinks him as a friend – no more, no less. He should be grateful though, at least he’s included in her circle of friends.

He sighed and reach out for his phone, sent Seungkwan a quick message, couldn’t help but asking how the hell did he managed to make Sinb – the most rude girl ever – say yes to his offer. Not taking a long time, Seungkwan replied to his message,

I don’t think about anything and just ask her blatantly. I swear, I only did that.

Seokmin scoffed, but right before he replied to Seungkwan’s message, he got another one still from him and it made him shook.

You know, Seokmin? Don’t think too much. You will get nowhere if you only standing still.

“Tsk… this brat suddenly lecturing me…” Seokmin grinned and put his phone again and look back at the sky,

Tomorrow. He said to himself, Tomorrow will be the day.

Seokmin wait for Yuna to finish her softball practice. He waits nervously in the bleacher, not sure if he sweats this much because the hot weather or the anxiety that he feels throughout his body. When the practice started, his smile broke in instant when see the serious side of Yuna when she hit the ball. He always loves her expression when focusing on something, and when her sheepish smile rose right after she felt relieved. Minutes passed by, and their practice ended already. The girls went to change, so Seokmin has to wait for another minutes. He felt awkward by sitting alone at huge bleacher, so he went outside the stadium and wait at the stadium’s door way.

Minutes passed like decades. Seokmin already tired of his own nervousness as he repeated and repeated again what words he would say when he saw Yuna. He is playing with the ground boringly. Girls are sure taking a long time to finish anything.

“Seokmin? What are you doing here?”

Seokmin startled as he caught off guard – that Yuna – with her long wet hair – is already in front of him. Seeing him gulped nervously, she only chuckled.

“Is there anything I can help?”        

“Uh, it.. its n… nothing.” Seokmin stuttered, immediately cursed himself mentally. Get your sense back!

“Where are your friends?”

“My friends?” Yuna repeated, “They already went home earlier. I need to go somewhere and I see you, I think you… wait for me, right?”

“Uh, yes.” Seokmin rubbed his back of neck, and smiled awkwardly, feeling grateful inside that she’s alone now so it’s (should be) easier for him to ask her, but he is still couldn’t get her nervousness done. “I need something to tell you. But if you in rush, it’s okay though, I’ll talk to you later.”

“Ridiculous. You’ve waited even when the practice didn’t begin yet, so it must really important. Sorry though, I thought you didn’t intend to meet me, if I knew, I would meet you earlier.”

“It’s okay, it’s nothing important though.”

“So, what is it?”

“Uhm, where are you going to? I don’t want to waste your time. Let’s talk while we’re walking.”

“I’ll be going to put this back to the Mr. Jo office, and if you wouldn’t mind, let’s go then.”

Seokmin take the big bag that Yuna hold, mumbled “Let me take this.” although Yuna felt guilty, but Seokmin assured her that he just want to help her sincerely, so she let him be.

“You did well on your practice. I’m surprised that you’re a good pitcher.”

“I’m inspired by your match last summer, to be honest. Since then I took a lot extra practice. I’m so determined to win this match.”

Seokmin felt his cheek burdened as he heard how he inspired her. “That’s really good to hear, I feel so honored. I’m sure you will do great, regardless the result.”

“I hope so. How about you, though? How is your basket training?”

“I’m doing well, I guess? The team really did well and taught me a lot, the atmosphere was also great so I felt no pressure even if I’m a newbie there.”

“Good! I’m anticipated your match then. When will your match held?”

“It’d be held much likely around spring. There’s no exact date yet. It’ll be great if you come and watch.”

“Of course I’ll watch it.” Yuna smiled. Seokmin smiled to her but she probably didn’t see it since they reached the destination and Yuna busy fishing the key.

“Nah, here is it.”

They went inside and placed the bag inside the cupboard, locked it again and went outside right after. When Yuna backed him to lock the door, Seokmin sees it as his last chance – before his courage steamed nowhere and it’ll took him days again to have this chance.

“Yuna, the thing I want to say to you is… I just wondered, do you want to go to prom night with me?”

Yuna who just finished locking the door froze at her place. She slowly turned back, guilt written clearly on her face. “I’d really love to, but the thing is…. someone has asked me before you, and… and I’ve already said yes. I’m so sorry, Seokmin.”

Now it is Seokmin who froze at his place, unsure of how to react. He is of course prepared to get rejected, but to hear it from Yuna’s own lips, it’s still hurt him so much.

“Uh… it’s okay then. You don’t have to be sorry.” Seokmin forced a smile.

“Um… let’s go home, then.”

Yuna still felt guilty but she has no words to express it, so she just followed Seokmin who took step first. They fell into awkward silence all along the way, and when they reached the gate and parted, they only say a simple goodbye.

“Seokmin!” Yuna called him. Seokmin turned his back, to see Yuna smiled at him full of hope – he didn’t understand why. “You would still watch my match, right?” she shouted.

Seokmin smiles in pain – as he realized that he would never let himself missed a single chance to see her in any occasion. “Don’t be silly. Of course I’ll watch it.”

Yuna smiled in relief, and she just waved her hand before turned her back and run to her home direction.

A cold autumn breeze brush against his cheek, sent shivers down his spine. He feels so cold and broken inside, and his mind refuse to think anything. So he just standing there, watching the girl he likes so much ran away from him, getting further and further away, till not on his vision anymore.

**

He ended up going with Kei, his senior from music club. His friends teased and praised him of how he could get a popular girl only in a few last days, but he is not in the mood to respond to their jokes. Those who know the reason behind his gloomy expression despite he is saved from getting bullied for the rest of the years are his classmates, Mingyu and Minghao – who know who is he wanted to going out to.

Seokmin sighed as he recalled his conversation two days ago with them.

“She is going with Jungkook.” Minghao informed, and Seokmin’s mood is getting worse. Jungkook is popular not only among his peers, but also among juniors and seniors. It irritated him so much that Jungkook is the one who defeated his team last week match, and now he’s lost again because he get to ask Yuna out. He is irritated that they actually made a perfect pair – although he would deny it till his body buried below his grave.

“Are they dating?” Seokmin desperately asked.

“Most likely not – but also most likely would happen. Who knows that Jeon boy would ask her to date on the event? Because I’ll do the same too – yeah, basically, no one would waste that opportunity.” Mingyu said, a bit shy because he just revealed his not-so-surprising plan.

Seokmin groaned in annoyance. “It’d be perfect if only I ask her first. She actually said she would love to going out with me.”

“And that’s entirely your fault.” Mingyu heartlessly told him, made the tall boy receive an immediate death glare from Seokmin.

“But you could prevent that to happen though. Just try to be near of them and don’t let them have a chance to – you know what I mean.” Minghao seems so uncomfortable to talk this kind of stuff, so he just patted Seokmin’s shoulder, “Good luck, bro. And give Kei a chance too, who knows, maybe after this, you’ll like her?”

Seokmin now truly believes that he is not going to like Kei whatever happened, because he couldn’t focus at what she is saying and keep glancing at the entrance. Jungkook and Yuna is nowhere to be seen, and according to Minghao text that he received a minute back then, they didn’t arrive yet.

“Seokmin, let’s go somewhere, should we?” Kei asked, bored. Seokmin who actually just wanted to sit there felt a bit guilty too so he’s agreed. “Let’s go to the garden, I think we need a lot of fresh air before the event started.”

Although the excuse to go out is poorly lame, Kei agreed and they both went outside. Kei enjoy herself with the big pool and amazing décor for the garden. He only responded shortly, while his eyes focus examining his surroundings.

When Kei told him about his Grandfather who used to décor a park like this, his eyes found Jungkook and he gulped hard, extremely nervous at how Yuna would look like. But instead found Yuna behind his back, he spotted other girl.

“What the hell…” he mumbled to himself.

“What?” Kei stopped, looking at him annoyingly, because Seokmin seems like didn’t hear anything she said.

“Eh, no, I mean, wait, Sunbae. I’ve urge thing to do.” Without waiting her permission, Seokmin ran to catch Jungkook to make it sure once again. When they are all finally inside and Seokmin could clearly see who Jungkook partner is, its turn out that she’s Jung Yein, one of the Yuna’s soft ball team’s members.

Seokmin reach out his phone and texted Minghao in speed of light,

What is this joke? Jungkook isn’t going with Yuna.

Instead of having Minghao’s reply, his phone suddenly vibrated and received a message from Mingyu.

Eunha told me she’s going to be late because she needs to send Yuna to hospital first. I don’t know what’s happen, she didn’t reply again to my text. I think you should know this.

Seokmin’s eyes open wide as he read the message. His heart beat so fast out of worries, with trembling hands he replied to Mingyu’s message, asking which hospital Yuna sent to.

“C’mon, c’mon!” he gulped hard. After taking quite long time, Mingyu finally replied with the hospital’s address and Yuna’s room. After reading that, Seokmin quickly ran to get some taxi, headed right to the hospital.

On the way to hospital, he quickly sends apologize to Kei with short and lot of typos message. His mind is chaotic, wondering what could happen to Yuna. Between lacks of oxygen, his heart never stops praying.

God, please keep her safe and sound….

**

As soon as he arrived, he ran in speed of light. He prepared for the worst, but he still couldn’t get himself calmed, not until he saw her by his own eyes. When he reached the room, he almost slammed the door and went straightly inside, surprised the girl that sits on the bed.

“Seokmin??” she surprisedly asked, seeing Seokmin who is panting hard, “How could you be here??”

“Are you okay? What’s happened?” Seokmin gasped. Yuna look at him several seconds before she breaks into wide smile.

“Geez, seriously. What did Eunha told you?”

“Choi Yuna, are you okay? Did you hurt? Please answer first. I’m dying of worries.”

Yuna turned quiet. “It’s nothing, Seokmin. I’m just fainted.”

“Then what is on your head?”

“Okay, okay. I’m fainted and my head collided to the ground. My forehead bleed a bit, but nothing serious happened. See? I’m alright now.”

Seokmin heavily breaths and took a step closer to her. He couldn’t stop himself so he carefully pulled Yuna to his embrace, and amazingly, he gradually relaxed. “It’s such a relief. I’m really scared, you know.” he deeply sighed.

Seokmin’s heart feels like going to explode from its rib cage. Where the hell did he find the courage to hug Yuna like this? And on top of that, still not letting it break?

“Could we stay a bit longer like this? Just a bit. Please.”

Yuna mumbled ‘yes’ so softly, if he didn’t hug her like this, he probably won’t hear it. But she’s right on his embrace, he could even smell her nice scent so clearly. He could feel her hair with his cheeks. He could feel her warmth. It makes him felt so dizzy – in a very good way.

Seokmin hates himself for broke the hug, but he didn’t have time to protest as he saw Yuna’s face in close distance. He fixed Yuna’s bangs and smiled softly. “It must be hurt, huh? Such a reckless girl. Why are you keep hurting yourself?”

“Seokmin.” Yuna called his name so tenderly, that it automatically makes his heart melt in instant. “You don’t have to back to the prom night, do you?”

“No, I’ll accompany you here. Are your family headed here?”

“They are all on business trip outside the town. I’ve told them not to come since it’s nothing serious. And doctors only told me to rest for a day, so tomorrow afternoon I’ll be discharged already.”

“I’ll accompany you, no need to worry.”

“Thank you so much.” Yuna smiled. Seokmin smiled so wide, then realizing that Yuna is still on her dress. After his mind calmed, he could noticed how gorgeous Yuna is on her simple dress.

You’re so beautiful.

“Thank you.” Yuna chuckled.

“Eh, wait. Did I say that out of loud?” Seokmin surprised by his own mouth. How could you said that out of loud! He mentally cursed himself.

“You look great too today. I think it’s my first time to see you in a formal dress like this?”

Seokmin can’t help but chuckled. He thanks himself to put an effort to look good today for her, and got an approve for his looks tonight from the person he wanted the hear the most, felt way too good to be true.

“I need to change first, by the way.”

“I’ll get you some drink, then. What do you want?”

“Iced cola, please. I need something to refresh my heavy head.”

**

“Doctors told me that I over-work my body. And it got worsened because my lack of sleeps. I only sleep for 2 or 3 hours during exams, and I still got to practice in the afternoon. And yesterday I staying up late night to finish the music arrangement for tonight event that Mrs. Lee asked me, so… yeah.”

“Didn’t I tell you last year to not take everything by yourself? You can ask my help, especially for that music arrangement.”

Yuna just smiled and drink her last gulp of cola. “I know. It’s just… you know, who know that you also have a lot of things to do? I don’t want to be a burden. But I ended up being one, though. Such a pity.”

Seokmin just stared at the girl and sighed. He wants to protects her with all his might, but he is merely her friend that she hardly put trust on.

“Last year was same. You injured yourself so bad. And you said the same things. And honestly, I’m tired of watching you keep hurting yourself. I want to protect you. I want to be someone you can trust on and lean on to. Can I be that person?”

Yuna’s eyes widened as he heard his indirect confession. Seeing him being so serious about what he said earlier, she couldn’t doubt his confession. Seokmin who just blurted out his feelings that he has hide for this past year realized, that it’s either now or never, and he assured himself that whatever Yuna feels towards him he would accept it. The most important thing now that he must let her know how much he adores her, how much he likes her, how much he wants to protect her and how much he wants to be his guardian.

Seokmin slowly reach for her hands, hold both of it gently. “You have no idea how much I like you, and how much it hurts to see you hurt yourself and I couldn’t do something. It’s truly upset me. Can you give me a chance?”

Yuna looks at him, making sure for one last time, before she breaks into wide smile. Seokmin’s cheek reddened in instant, but he told himself to get strong and don’t break the eye contact, or else he wouldn’t have any courage left.

“I thought I’m just hallucinating, but I’m glad you finally said it. You sure take a long time.”

“Wait, wha.. what do you mean?”

“Stupid.” Yuna cursed him, “I think I’m giving you enough signal? That I like you too? But you just made me keep doubt myself. So I gave up. That’s why I accept Jungkook’s offer, because it’s seems that you won’t even ask me. When you did, you know what, I can’t fell asleep and keep thinking about it. I’m really afraid you will distance yourself from me and I can’t bear with that. So yeah… I even arranged a plan so Jungkook won’t go with me but with Yein instead – the girl herself ask for it though, but suddenly universe give me a karma and I got faint for real but thanks God the plan run smoothly.”

Seokmin left speechless, can’t believe anything that Yuna said because it’s something that he didn’t even imagine it. He hold her hands tightly, his heart fill with too many feeling that it might be explode soon. His smile grows wider as he realizes that finally, he doesn’t need to worry anymore, because the girl in front of him, who just gives him her best smile, is now… his.

(He smiled like an idiot – whatever, this is all he wanted for)

“So…” Seokmin coughed awkwardly, “…we are official now?”

Yuna laughed and Seokmin swears her laugh is the most beautiful sounds he ever heard. She nodded and keep smiling.

“Oh god, it feels like my cheek would rip any soon.”

Seokmin laughed, couldn’t agree more. “We need something to make it official. It’s kind a… weird.”

“Let’s take a picture together.” Yuna suggested, “and send it to Eunha. She’s worrying me to death but I insisted her to go to the prom. I need to make her sure that I’m alright – well, far better than that. I’d love to see her reaction.” she chuckled.

Sudden realization hits Seokmin – and he grinned. “Good idea. I’d love it if Mingyu saw it too.”

Seokmin sat beside her and reach out for his phone to take a selfie, one after another, keep taking it in various pose, and laughing to their pose especially silly and ugly one.

“This one. This one looks good. I’ll choose this one to send to Eunha.”

“I’ll pick this one. Mingyu would freak out.” Seokmin laughed in joy, send a picture to his tall buddy and write a caption below it;

Opportunity comes from everywhere. Sorry not sorry but I preceded you! Good luck with your plan, though. ;p

bonus!probably seokmin teasing mingyu;