“What is going on?” The girls, Gohee, Junsu, and even the whole team exchanged confused look.

“You just saw it.” Wooyoung said.

“Saw what?” the junior asked again.

“The TaecSun action.”

“W-wait!” Taecyeon bursted, he almost got a panic attack but quickly regained his senses since there were so many people around. Minsun was still looking at him with serious, determined eyes, ignoring all other eyes which were stuck on them both. That was when Taecyeon decided that they needed to talk alone.

Without warning, Taecyeon reached for Minsun’s slim wrist and pulled her away from the group and led her somewhere quieter. His long legs took long strides so Minsun had to run a bit to catch up with him, making them look like they were running away together. The two junior girls who were watching this whole time gasped at the sudden TaecSun action and squealed together.

“H-Hey! Is something going on with those two?!” Coach Cho asked Jaebum who was standing by his side while pointing at Taecyeon and Minsun who were heading towards the changing room at the back of the gym.

Jaebum smiled smugly, “I guess so, Coach.”

“I didn’t know that Taecyeon was that kind of guy…” Coach Cho stared on at the door that Taecyeon and Minsun entered to just now in disbelief.

“What kind?” Jaebum asked.

“The kind that goes for rich girls…”

Simultaneously, Jaebum and the rest of the basketball players bursted into laughter.




Taecyeon locked the door that led to the empty corridor along the locker rooms. He anxiously looked to his left and right and made sure that nobody was around. When he was sure that they were finally alone, Taecyeon let out a long sigh of relief as he leaned against the wall and clutched on the cloth on his chest. Minsun just stood there straight and stiff, watching him.

“Did I surprise you?” She asked.

“I’m…” Taecyeon straightened his back again and faced the wall this time, stealing a little bit more time to wait for his heart to beat normally again.

“I’m fine now…” he finally said as he turned around to face Minsun.

“I’m… sorry if I…”

“No! No! I’m perfectly fine now, just…” Taecyeon scratched his head, trying to place the jumbling words in his head into their right place, “Are you sure? That was really quick.”

Minsun nodded. “But, before that, I have to clarify something first.”

Taecyeon nodded quietly, waiting for her to explain further.

“I… Actually, I’m trying to forget someone I like, so…” Minsun didn’t know how to explain it in a way that she would not hurt his feelings, but she couldn’t find the words.

“So… you might be using me?” 

Minsun nodded gently, a little embarrassed at her honest confession. However, Taecyeon just smiled assuringly at her.

“It’s okay. I’m just trying to see if both of us are possible at all, so I’m not expecting much either. Let’s see where this relationship will go from here, shall we?”

Minsun nodded. Taecyeon raised his arm and gently patted her head. Minsun loosened up a bit at the friendy gesture and smiled a little at him.

“Sunbae,”

“Yeah?” His eyebrows raised.

“Thank you for being so kind and patient towards me.” She said shyly, now that she realized that their relationship were official, she couldn’t look at his eyes. She never imagined herself dating a boy and here she was, standing in front of a really handsome, kind boy whom she should call ‘boyfriend’.

Taecyeon’s smile widened looking at the new side of Minsun. It meant something for him when she showed him her vulnerable side. He felt like she trusted him, and she seemed much cuter.

“Let’s get to know each other better.” He said gently.

Minsun nodded under his palm.






It was the first Sunday since they officially started dating each other, and they decided to spend it together. So Taecyeon and Minsun promised to meet at one humble, nice café down the street from their school and had a light brunch together. Taecyeon carefully asked her some personal questions to get closer to her. He asked about her grandmother, and even how she knew Nichkhun. Minsun just went with the casual flow of the conversation started to talk more about herself. She told him how she was living with her grandmother because her parents lived oversea a few years ago, and how she was so close to Khun when they were younger. Taecyeon put aside the bitter history he shared with Khun and was able to smile and laugh at the occasional funny stories she shared with him.

Afterwards, they entered a second hand bookstore nearby, and found out that they both like reading very much. They shared stories of the books they’ve read, and then recommended books for each other. They spent some quiet time to look over the wide selection of used books before they left the store. 

Taecyeon was thinking on bringing her to the park nearby to rollerskate together, but Minsun paused on the way. Her eyes were glued to a certain direction, and Taecyeon followed it. There was a medium-sized, two storeyed building at a corner, in the midst of the busy shop lots. There was a temporary standing signage located nearby the entrance which read ‘Young Photographer Award Exhibition’. 

“Hey, that seems interesting.”

“What is?” Minsun quickly returned her attention to Taecyeon and pretended like she wasn’t looking at the signage.

“There, the photo exhibition. Let’s check it out.” Taecyeon took her hand and almost crossed the street, towards the building but Minsun stayed glued to her spot and pulled on his hand, stopping him from going further.

“What’s wrong? You don’t like it?” He asked out of concern.

“Um… No. But…” Minsun wanted to smack her head. She could have just make up a white lie and told him that she didn’t enjoy photography or she already seen it, or anything at all, as long as they didn’t go inside and risk meeting Khun in the middle of their date.



“Hey, Minsun,”

“Oh, Khun oppa. What’s up?” Minsun asked into the phone as she put aside the dress she had picked for her date with Taecyeon tomorrow.

“Do you remember about the photography competition I told you about?”

“Oh, that? Yes, I do actually. Did you win?”

Minsun could hear Khun chuckled at the end of the line. 

“Yeah, I won some awards. Plus, my photos will be featured in an exhibition tomorrow. I wonder if you’re available tomorrow?”

“Oh,” Minsun’s expression faltered, and Khun could hear it in her voice. “I’m sorry, but I have plans tomorrow,”

“Oh, no need to feel bad about it. You can come another day. The exhibition will be opened for a week.”




Taecyeon looked directly into her eyes, his stare was so sharp it felt as if he was boring holes to the back of her head, which made her felt defenseless and thus, looked down to avoid his eyes. 

“It seemed to me that you look really interested just now. Come on, we can always go rollerskating next time. Don’t worry,” Taecyeon persuaded as he flashed her his charming, dimpled smile. He gently tugged her small wrist and led her to the building, which didn’t left Minsun much time to make up a reason for them not to go in there without making things awkward between them.

She secretly prayed that Khun wasn’t around.

The first photographs that they saw on the displays were amazing shots from inside a tall wave before it probably washed over the photographer. Taecyeon seemed very amazed at the fact that the photographer was just a seventeen-year-old boy who simply loves surfing. While he was occupied at all the amazing pictures exhibited, Minsun kept her gaze low while lookin around anxiously from time to time, worried if Khun was there and spotted her.

Minsun followed as Taecyeon ventured further into the gallery. After a while, she loosened up a bit and forgot about Khun. She started to enjoy the exhibition, especially because Taecyeon seemed interested as well. She didn’t exactly practices photography, but she definitely appreciated the beautiful pictures, and realized that Taecyeon did too so they found another similarity between them. 

“Hey, that’s you!” Taecyeon blurted and started to step towards an exhibit that was fairly larger than any other pictures nearby it so it really stood out. When Minsun looked at it, that was her. In fact, she could even tell when that picture was taken, probably Taecyeon could too if he still remembered.

“Isn’t this from that charity event for those elders back in spring?” Taecyeon turned to her.

Of course he could, because it was too obvious.

“Hey, Minsun, you came,” a familiar voice greeted from behind, and both of them automatically turned around.

There was Nichkhun in a black shirt with two top buttons ed, smartly tucked inside his black slacks. He looked very handsome even dressed in such simple attire, especially when he smiled so happily like that, but that smile instantly wiped clean from his handsome face, replaced by a grim expression unsuited to his kind, angelic face right when he realized Taecyeon eas there with her by her side. The two guys met each other’s eyes, which instantly sparked sense of jealousy and rivalry between them.

“Oh, with Taecyeon?” Khun added a question. He raised an eyebrow at Taecyeon, showing him clear sign of his dipleasure at Taecyeon’s presence.

“Oppa,” Minsun called him, just for the sake of diverting his attention from Taecyeon.

Suddenly, Taecyeon realized something. He understood now why was Minsun was a little hesitant before going here, she must have known that Nichkhun was around. He should have realized earlier when she seemed a little hesitant at entering the gallery building. Now he was stuck in this awkward situation, when that was the last thing he wanted for his first official date with Minsun.

“So, what do you think?” Nichkhun asked her about the picture he took of her.

“I thought you said you’re keeping that picture to yourself,” Minsun softly complained.

Nichkhun chuckled looking at how uncomfortable Minsun was when she saw her picture there. She looked so innocent and cute.

“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help it. If possible, I want to show off that picture to the whole world, because it’s so beautiful,” He added, and then silently in his mind, because he wanted people to know that that beautiful girl in the picture was someone close, someone so precious to him.

Minsun slightly pouted and then looked at the picture again, trying to find what was so special about the picture. Both Taecyeon and Nichkhun too became quiet as their attentions were deeply paid at the photograph.

It was the picture of when Minsun tripped over her skirt while going down the stage after her performance.  In her beautiful, pink hanbok, she was slightly crouching with a priceless expression on her face. She looked as if she was about to cry, with another girl trying to offer Minsun her hand for help, while the rest of the dancer girls behind Minsun trying to hold back their smiles. The picture told them a lot, showed them a lot. At how beautiful Minsun was, not just because she was dressed up and wore make up, but also at the honest helplessness she showed in the picture.  The other girls in the picture showed genuine concern towards Minsun, but ironically couldn’t help but thought Minsun loked funny. It was so lovely at how the girl in front of Minsun tried to hold back her laughter while at the same time offering her kindness to Minsun, or how the girls at the back who felt sorry for Minsun, but still smile adoringly at her. For such simple, happy, honest picture combined with its large range of color harmony, it was nothing weird that it got printed on a large scale as well as winning some awards in the competition.

Minsun who stood in the middle of the two tall guys heard one of them sighed. It was Taecyeon, who stood on her left.

“She is so beautiful,” he said as he kept watching the picture.

“I know right?” Nichkhun replied. And then he looked to his left and Taecyeon too turn to look at Khun. When their eyes met they quickly looked away. Taecyeon faked a cough while Nichkhun cleared his throat.

Minsun, on the other hand, took a moment to close her eyes, regretting her decision to let Taecyeon get into the gallery. It was so awkward when they both met, and it was so awkward to see a big picture of her featured there in the public, and it was especialy awkward to listen to them saying it was beautiful.

Minsun walked away from them and continued looking at the pictures nearby. There was also a set of pictures from the charity event event. Gohee, Taecyeon, and those elders were also featured there. Some of her favorites was Taecyeon laughing heartily with a halmeoni there, and another one an elderly couple smiling to each other.

“T-This picture is lovely too,” Minsun blurted, catching the attention of both boys. They ran towards her, almost competitively, and even managed to glare at each other before they once again put Minsun between them. Minsun found that these two were so competitive and jealous of each other to the point that they acted childishly. Two of the best leaders at their school acting immaturely like that, Minsun could only sigh and shook her head.

Minsun tried to get away from them again, but as soon as she took a step forward, she tripped over her own foot and fell to the floor.

“Ouch!”

“Minsun!”
“Minsun!” 

Both Taecyeon and Khun immediately rushed to her side. Minsun realized that one of the straps of her sandal had snapped, which made her trip over her own foot. 

“Are you okay?”
“Are you hurt anywhere?”

Both Taecyeon and Nichkhun asked her at the same time. Minsun appreciated their concern, but they were attracting more attention which made her instantly blush. People started to look at them, and some them already realized that she was the girl in the large picture nearby. While trying to stand up, Minsun accidentally fell again. It wasn’t like she was clumsy or anything but she kept falling at a bad time.

“I’m fine so-”

“Here,” Nichkhun took off his own shoes and handed them to Minsun, “Wear my shoes for the time being,”

“But, oppa-”

Before she could even finish her sentence, without warning, Taecyeon scooped her body into his strong arms and lifted her off the ground.

“Hold onto me for a while. I saw a shoes store nearby outside.” Taecyeon told her.

Minsun’s face reddened. She wanted to ask him to put her down but he already turned for the exit. Nichkhun on the other hand looked on, feeling jealous, and even angry because he knew Taecyeon purposely did that to show that he was the boyfriend.

Nichkhun wasn’t going to let him go just like that, not after he showed off so much and then left to make Khun look like a loser. Khun quickly ran after them, catching up to them.

“I know which place Minsun goes for shoes.” He told Taecyeon.




So, instead of going to the shoes store Taecyeon saw outside, they got into Khun’s car and they all headed to Apgujeong where a lot of branded fashion outlets were. Actually, Minsun rarely went there anymore, she used to when her parents were around. They always brought her there for shoes, clothes and those stuffs. Taecyeon who rarely entered such high end boutique seemed a little awkward, but he tried his best to act normal. Minsun couldn’t help but feels sorry for him that he had to persevere under such circumstance since Nichkhun insisted that they go there.

Minsun didn’t take long to find the shoes that she likes, since she always liked the design from that store, but this time, she was torn between two pairs of shoes.

There was the dark, navy blue pump with a cute bow at the tip of it and then there was the white, casual wedges with straps at the ankle and a small opening at the tip. She took both pairs and then sat at one of the benches to try on them.

“Have you found the one you like?”
“Have you found the one you like?”

Both Taecyeon and Nichkhun accidentally came and asked at the same time, and they both seemed really annoyed at each other for doing so. Minsun secretly cringed for being stuck between them, but she tried to look neutral and not to look biased to any of them.

“Well, I these both… but I really don’t know which one to choose…” Minsun kept looking from the navy blue ones and the white ones. Taecyeon picked up the white wedges and looked at it.

“This one matches your clothes today, and I think it’s really suitable for summer,” Taecyeon said.

“But Minsun, don’t you always go for something more prim? The blue one suits you, and you can wear it to evening parties, which your mother always brings you to, by the way,” Khun managed to glance over Taecyeon, showing off to him that he knew Minsun better. Of vourse, Taecyeon couldn’t help but feel irked at his childish remarks, even though he secretly felt intimidated that he had only started to know who Minsun was.

“So, what do you think, Minsun?” Khun took a seat by Minsun. 

Minsun couldn’t really decide. Now they were using shoes as their minions to battle each other. She was sure that one of them would be hurt if she chose one of those shoes. Minsun started to think that she should find another shoes, but Khun spoke again.

“I really think you should choose the blue ones. We can shop for cocktail dresses that matches the shoe after this.”

“Hey, let her choose herself, will you?”

Nichkhun looked up when Taecyeon started to interfere, they both didn’t look pleasant at all when their eyes met.

“I’m just giving her my opinions, okay? It’s not like I’m forcing her or anything, besides, I’ve known her much, much longer than you so I know better. She should buy the blue shoes.”

“What makes you so sure? Minsun might like the white wedges.”

“Minsun always appreciate my opinion.”

“Then why would she not appreciate mine? I’m her boyfriend, remember?”

“But you know nothing about her, don’t you?”

“Don’t cross the line, Khun.”

“Or else?”

“Or else-” Taecyeon’s hand reached out, aiming for Khun’s collar but Minsun managed to stop him just in time from doing that. She gently squeezed Taecyeon’s rough fingers, as if squeezing in some sense into him.  

“Guys,” Minsun stood up, barefooted. She stood in between Khun and Taecyeon, still without letting go of his hands, who knows when they would start to pounce on each  other.

“Guys, stop it, okay? People are looking,” she softly begged. The guys cleared their throats and turned away from each other.

Minsun finally let go of Taecyeon’s hand as she released a sigh of relief.

“Sorry.” Taecyeon whispered while looking away from her, but Minsun heard him. She understood his feelings, and she felt sorry for him too that she couldn’t do anything to help with the situation. It was still new for her that Khun acted up like that and she wasn’t sure how to handle that.

“I’ll buy this for you.” Khun picked up the blue pump and headed towards the cash register and flashed his platinum card before Minsun could even retort anything against his action. She turned to Taecyeon, almost telling him that she’ll just take the blue pump Khun bought for her but Taecyeon was already trailing behind Khun with the white wedges in his hands.

Minsun palmed her face. Were these guys serious?




Anyway, after the purchase, Minsun put on the white wedges since it suited her simple, white summer dress she was wearing at the time. Since the sun wasn’t that bright, they proceeded with their plan to go on skating at the nearby park, with Khun tagging along. She wasn’t sure with that idea, even though Taecyeon didn’t said a thing when Khun naturally said he wanted to join, as if all three of them planned to go for an outing in the first place.

The look on Taecyeon’s face sure said that he was totally against that. However, Minsun started to think she knew why Taecyeon was acting different when Khun started to disturb their date, he didn’t even seem as tense or awkward around her like before. Maybe because he didn’t have to be alone with a girl, or maybe because he and Khun used to be really close before that they were so used to each other’s company. Who knew?

Since it was Minsun’s first time on a rollerskate, just like every other beginners, she took a while before she could even stand straight wearing the rollerskate shoes. Taecyeon and Khun started to race towards her everytime she fell, and fought a bit before they took her hands and helped her up. Eventually, the war died down when they each had Minsun’s hand in theirs. It was quite a sight to see them in front of her as they dragged her around, silently skated through the crowd towards the same direction even without telling where to go to each other.

Without realising herself, Minsun were already able to smile and enjoy the activity. The boys realised her uplifted mood as well, and as if affected by her, they were able to smile too, though not to each other. In fact, at one point, all three of them even laughed together and just simply had fun.

It wasn’t such a bad idea to see Taecyeon and Nichkhun at the same picture, and they weren’t frowning.




Since Nichkhun was there, he insisted that he sent Minsun home with his car. Taecyeon had wanted to send Minsun home too, since he was her date in the first place. Then, Nichkhun showed off by saying that he wanted to visit halmeoni because it had been a while. Of course Minsun couldn’t say no, and of course it felt wrong if she didn’t invite Taecyeon along. Besides, halmeoni kept asking to invite him over, so she would be really happy to see him again. 

In the end, she ended up inviting both boys to her home, which she wasn’t sure if that was a good thing.

Right after they got out of the car, Khun stretched a bit. 

“Ah, it’s been a while since I have been here. I really miss halmeoni’s ddukbokki. They are the best ever in the world,” Khun deliberately showed off how close he was to Minsun’s family, and it was obvious how Taecyeon hated him for that. He looked away where Khun wasn’t in sight as Minsun quietly unlocked the gate.

“Come in,” Minsun said as she stepped into the big house. The house was old, judging from the slightly pale paint and its slightly traditional design, but big nonetheless. 

Minsun was about to tell them to have a seat at the main living room but her steps suddenly froze at the sight laying in front of her. And so was Nichkhun and Taecyeon when they entered the living area.

The cold, sharp eyes of her mother’s pierced straight into hers, as if trying to bore a hole into her soul, checking if Minsun had lived they way her mother had always wanted. She didn’t seemed unpleased, but neither did she seemed pleased to see what she saw.

Jung Jihee, Minsun’s mother was sitting there in the living room with Minsun’s halmeoni, which was her biological mother, both looking grim and tensed. Judging from her beige colored suit and the simple pearl necklace around her long neck, Minsun guessed she came from her office, even on Sunday. And since there was no car outside, Jihee probably had been there for hours, and might leave soon, since she never spent too much time here.

As if held still by that pair of piercing eyes, Minsun couldn’t move nor talk at the surprise of her mother’s sudden appearance. She thought this day would come, but she was still surprised. Maybe deep in her heart, she was denying it.

Jihee’s eyes moved from Minsun to Taecyeon and then Nichkhun, and then Taecyeon again. She stood up and inspected Taecyeon up and down.

“Good evening, Mrs. Jung, halmeoni,” Khun politely said, his expression serious, as if sensing the thick air around the living room.

Halmeoni smiled weakly and nodded. Slowly, she pushed herself up from the floor.

“And this must be Taecyeon, isn’t it?” she said in her creaky old voice. As Taecyeon nodded and smiled politely at her, halmeoni  cleared that felt dry after long hours of talking with Jihee, her very own daughter before she quickly continued again.

“Why don’t you kids sit at the backyard? The fruits on the trees are ripening, you can have-”

“What was your name again?” Jihee finally said something, quickly and smoothly cutting in halmeoni’s words with her crisp, clean voice. She forced on her lips what seemed like a obligatory smile of getting to know a stranger. Taecyeon quickly averted his attention to Jung Jihee now, and he guessed she was Minsun’s mother, based on the striking resemblance between them both, but her mother seemed prettier and classier, with her make up and salon-treated hair. 

“I’m Ok Taecyeon, ma’am. I am Minsun’s sunbae at school.”

“Oh?” One of her eyebrows rose. Then, Nichkhun suddenly added quickly.

“We’re in the same class.” He said, as if attempting something, but Taecyeon couldn’t put his finger for what point. On the other hand, Minsun stayed frozen. If he wasn’t mistaken, Taecyeon even thought she seemed uncomfortable.

“Ah,” the smile on Jihee’s lips widened as soon as Khun added his statement. Her eyes went back to Taecyeon as if trying to remember if she had seen him somehwere, but of course not. What chances for them to see each other when she had always dwell with the rich and the famous, and had been away from her motherland for years?

“Do I know your father?” She asked.

“I don’t think so, Mrs. Jung.”

“Oh,” her brightened expression faltered into the previous, grim expression again, and Taecyeon got more confused at her reaction.

“So he’s just another ordinary kid.” She muttered, but obviously they all heard it. Minsun quickly looked up, surprised that her mother would say such remarks in front of people so easily. She seemed to have changed over these years they haven’t seen each other, but not for the better, only worse. Minsun opened , almost trying to retort something back but held it back when she felt Khun’s grip on her arm, and halmeoni quickly forced herself between them. She faced the teenagers with a warm smile on her face, especially to Taecyeon.

“I am so sorry, but can you kids just play at the backyard for the time being. I need to discuss something with Minsun’s mother here.”

“Yes, halmeoni,” Nichkhun smiled and quickly replied. He pulled on Minsun’s arm, forcing her to leave her spot, and Taecyeon naturally tagged along.

As Nichkhun pulled open the sliding door which led to the backyard deck, Taecyeon asked something.

“Did I come at the wrong time? Maybe I should go home,” he said casually.

“No!”
“Dont!”

Both Khun and Minsun blurted simultaneously. Khun surprised himself for not wanting Taecyeon leave, but for now, that was the best for Minsun. It was better when there was a guest around. That meant Jihee wouldn’t create much ruckus for the sake of her image.

However, Taecyeon couldn’t figure out why would Nichkhun stop him from leaving so he waited for an explanation, and expected it came from Minsun.

“I’m so sorry for what happened just now. My mother’ll leave soon, I know. I’ll explain to you later, but please don’t leave. Halmeoni would be really happy to meet you.” 

“Well,” Taecyeon slighly scratched his neck, “Okay,”

Minsun smiled weakly. “I’ll bring you guys some cold drinks and snacks,” Minsun said and then entered the house again to go to the kitchen.

Taecyeon just sat still at the deck, his feet touching the ground. Nichkhun was the same too, and he sat beside Taecyeon, in a considerable amout of distance of course, and secretly debating within himself whether he should explain the whole thing that was happening previously to Taecyeon, even though it had nothing to do with him. Maybe a little, since it involved Minsun. Anyway, he was relieved that Taecyeon stayed, at least Minsun’s mother would go straight home when there was a guest around instead of lashing out her anger at Minsun.

What seemed like a short 5 minutes stretched to an awkward 10 minutes of silence, before it changed to 15 and next, it was already 20 minutes since Minsun was gone. Taecyeon suddenly got up.

“I’m going to check on Minsun.” He simply said in his low-tone voice before he left. Nichkhun was about to get up and go after him too, but quickly decided not to. He tired himself by playing this game with Taecyeon the whole day. The fact that he started it first and how childish it was started to sink into his realization. He should be ashamed towards Minsun; although not so much to Taecyeon. Maybe he should apologize to her too, since it was her date after all.

“Aish, I must have been crazy!”

In the middle of quietly cursing himself, suddenly a loud noise broke the silence. It came from inside, and it sounded like something was broken. Nichkhun quickly got up and ran inside. The first thing that came into his mind was: Minsun.