They met in Chung Ang University, studying Vocals together.

He studied singing formally because it’s all he had ever wanted or interested in. Having no parents to support him anymore, Jae had to depend on his scholarship and part time jobs to survive.

Jimin had grown to be the light of his days, ever since they bumped into each other at the corridor in their college, her books flying in the air as he fell with his head on the floor.

“Oh God! I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I was running late and I guess I didn’t see where I was going! Are you alright?”

With poison in his eyes and voice, Jae hissed, “I don’t matter. At least my guitar didn’t fall because I caught it. You have no idea what I’ve done to afford this guitar. No. Idea. At. All” he said the last four words with so much venom while gathering her books from the floor, grumbling before shoving them to her hands.

She was stunned then, only being able to see his back as he walked angrily away.

********************************************

They met again because he was the Assistant Lecturer at the composing and guitar class. He was in his last year and she was in her first.

The main lecturers for both classes were busy with their own commercial performance to properly teach in classes. Since Jae was the best in his year for many subjects, the two lecturers decided to just come on 30% of the classes then paid Jae for the rest.

When Jae called “Park Jimin” during the attendance checking, and found out she was the girl that nearly killed his Fender Strat guitar, his expression turned unbelievably icy.

She was bad at guitar, making Jae, or Park Jae Hyung Sunbae-nim in class, very stern to her.

However, she’s great in composing, secretly impressing Jae with her honest, yet poetic lyrics.

It seemed obvious though the midterm hadn’t arrived that she might fail the guitar class, but she’d ace the composing class.

One day, Jae got so exasperated with her guitar play that he ordered her to stay later in class, so he could personally make her digest the technique.

They were both holding their acoustic guitars, sitting face to face and one meter apart, playing the guitar song that appeared in Autumn’s Tale drama.

All her classmates had managed to play the song well, except Jimin.

They were on their fifth try in the empty class, and she kept making mistakes at the same part.

Jae couldn’t take it anymore and finally riled up.

“Yah. What is your problem? You’re not focusing! Your fingers are not in sync with your head at all! What is it? Are you afraid of me? Is that why you keep making the same mistakes?”

Jae nearly screamed when he saw her fingers trembled and some tears fell.

“Oh, give me a break”

“I’m sorry, Sunbae-nim.......”

“You know that Jung Sonsaengnim would be the one observing your performance for the midterm test, right? I can’t let anyone from my class fail. This is my first term teaching, and if anyone fails, it’s my fault. I really can’t let that happen. But you, Park Jimin, you’re making this hard for me. The more I teach you, the more you make mistakes. What should I do with you?”

“I’m really, really sorry, Sunbae-nim.......” Jimin said, wiping her tears away.

“Apologizing will get you nowhere, Jimin-ssi”

“I know. I’ll – I’ll practice harder and—“

Jae took a very, very deep breath.

“Forget it, let’s just call it a day. It’s useless to force this on you. Maybe you just need some rest”

“No! Sunbaenim, please don’t go!”

“You’re obviously stressed out and I have to—“

“I still want to be with you!!!”

Jae’s movements halted into a frozen state. The classroom turned so still that they could even hear the voices of students talking outside, passing the door.

“What did you just say?”

“I –“

“Park Jimin-ssi, do you think you can pass this class if you try to approach me like this? Because if that’s what you think, you can say goodbye to your grade now”

“No!!! It’s not that! I – I really like sunbaenim and I become stupid and clumsy when I’m in front of you!” her voice was rushed, and completely embarrassed, and it was obvious that she regretted every word.

From her expression, Jae could obviously see that this was merely an emotional outburst which Park Jimin would prefer not happening at all.

Sighing, Jae resumed to pack his guitar.

“I expect to see progress next week, Jimin-ssi. I have to go to my part time job now”

She said something that Jae didn’t hear.

“I’m sorry?”

“Where –“ Jimin cleared , then continued carefully. “Where do you work part time, sunbaenim?”

“................I’ll tell you if you can play that song on guitar by the next week. Or at least if I see progress”

“I’ll p—practice hard”

“Stop stuttering when you’re talking to me. It doesn’t fit you” Jae exclaimed, already wearing his jacket and holding his guitar bag.

“See you in Composing Class” Jae said as a polite goodbye.

“I’ll really practice hard!” Jimin said out loud.

“We’ll see about that next week” he replied, before getting out the door.

Author's Note:

This story filled my head as I was busy translating at the office today. 

Written when I'm very sleepy to destress, so I hope it doesn't come out too bad. 

I'll return to edit and continue. 

PS: you can reach me at @ladylia257 on twitter or read my pile of stories at http://lady-lia257.livejournal.com/