2 months later.




Taecyeon was still at his desk when the bell rang. Everybody who had been ready for the school to end  rushed towards the door as they chat and laughed happily. The teachers were being lenient to them by deciding that there was no cram session for the seniors that night since everybody did well in midterm, so everyone was in a good mood and already had planned something for the evening. When Taecyeon finaly finished packing up, he saw Minsun appeared at the door of his class.

“Hey, Minsun.” He smiled as he made his way towards her in very calm, orderly steps the way a runway model would, and it looked so natural on him as if he was born as one.

Minsun smiled timidly. “Sunbae,”

“Are you going to the gym today?”

“Um, I did said that I would come, but I can’t after all.”

“Wow. That event must be something. It had been a month since you last watch us practice.” It had been a month too since they last went out on a date. Minsun was caught up with this charity fashion show hosted by her mother, but her mother insisted that Minsun organized it, because she said it was important for Minsun to have such experience and skills. The only reason she stayed sane doing it was part of the donation will go to her Christmas Project for the kids at the Jung Jihee HIV Children Shelter Home. She usually wasn’t fond of her mother’s charity works. They were always more of publicity and tax deduction than charity to her. 

On the other hand, Taecyeon had been busier with pratices for the upcoming matches as his team proceeded nearer to the finals. There was also his cram sessions and what not.

“I know,” Minsun looked down and bit her lower lips.

“Hey,” Taecyeon playfully nudged her arm. “Don’t feel bad about it. I’m totally cool with it you know?”

Minsun didn’t answer him. He felt really bad that Taecyeon kept smiling and said that it was okay. She practically abandoned him for a month.

“I’m really sorry.”

“Now stop apologising and get moving. Your mother don’t want you to be late.” Taecyeon playfully pinched the tip of her nose, which at least made her smile again, though she still looked a bit bitter. Taecyeon just kept staring at her affectionately. He was glad enough that at least she was worried about him.

“See you again tomorrow at lunch,” he swiftly leaned towards her and then planted a light kiss on her forehead before heading towards the gym. He still managed to turn around to wave at her before he started running.

Minsun smiled a bit and waved back, and when he vanished at a turn in one corner, her smile gradually disappeared from her thin lips. She suddenly felt dull and lost. Once in a while, Taecyeon woud kiss her forehead like that. Not that she was comlplaining about it but, she wondered how long it would be until he actually kissed her because she always had this feeling hoping that it wasn’t soon, because she wasn’t ready yet.




“Look at that long face.” Halmeoni said as she entered Minsun’s room. The young lady briefly turned around to smile at her grandmother and then back looking gloomy again as she put some clothes in her small backpack. Just enough for her 9-days stay at her mother’s house. The event will be next Sunday, and Jihee suggested that Minsun stayed with her for the last week because she would be busier and might need to see Jihee a lot. There were lots of expensive clothes for her back at her real home, mostly hadn’t yet worn by her so Minsun didn’t have to pack much. However, she might want to wear her favorite clothes sometimes.

“I don’t like the idea of leaving you alone in this big house.” Minsun said as halmeoni sat herself on her bed and helped with the clothes a bit.

“I’m used to being left.” Halmeoni shrugged.

Minsun sighed and stopped packing. She joined her halmeoni and sat on the bed.

“That’s not funny, halmeoni.”

Halmeoni just laughed it off.

“Sometimes, I feel like I would never see you again whenever I go back to that house.” Minsun said meekly.

“Oh, nonsense. Your mother wouldn’t do that. She’s not that heartless.”

“Yeah. Right.” Minsun said softly, hoping that halmeoni didn’t notice the sarcasm in her words.

“I miss Taecyeon though. When can he come again?” 

Taecyeon had came over for dinner for  a couple of times, and halmeoni really liked him. He was polite, gentle, and kind to her. And he was surprisingly good at the kitchen too. Last time he came for dinner he made them pumpkin porridge, and halmeoni really loved it.

“I don’t know. He’s been busy with his cram sessions too.”

“Do you miss him?”

“I’m worried about him.”

“Why? He’s so nice and sweet. What happened to him?”

Minsun quickly shook her head and corrected herself, “About me. I’m worried about me. I mean, it’s been two months and I…”

Minsun stopped when she heard the sound of car engine stopping nearby. She looked through the window and saw a black Audi S6 stopping by the house. The car was her 17th birthday gift from her parents. Her birthday was in February, and her parents were still oversea at the time. They actually remembered about her birthday when they were talking about it last month, so they quickly got her something, which was the car.

Minsun rolled her eyes and then quickly continued her packing. “I need to go.” After quickly shoving a couple more clothes in the bagpack, she zipped them up and threw it on her back. Minsun turned to halmeoni and gave her one last hug before she left.

“If you need someone to talk to, give me a call, okay?” Halmeoni said as she rubbed Minsun’s back up and down.

The girls finally let go of each other. Halmeoni sent Minsun to the door steps and waved to her as the car sped off, leaving her alone at the big home which she had raised her child and Minsun. The older women wondered what was Minsun trying to tell her before. She was always sensitive to the people around her, halmeoni hoped Minsun wasn’t keeping things to herself and secretly blaming herself for whatever problems arising in her life.






Miryung High School
11.00 a.m.

“That means you can’t go to the match?” Taecyeon asked Minsun while resting his head on her lap, his leg propped up, under that tree they always met at during recess. Minsun didn’t bring lunch today since she woke up later than usual and thus didn’t have the time to prepare for it. She stayed up late last night, still busy with the preparation of the charity event. Taecyeon didn’t feel like eating either because he just wanted to see her and talk to her. He did grab a couple of buns and milk cartons though; and managed to make Minsun at least drink the milk because she looked really tired.

“Actually, the event starts at 7, so maybe I could steal some time to see the match. It’s the final isnt it?”

“If you’re going to be busy that day, you don’t have to trouble yourself just to see the match.”

Minsun sighed. It was hard enough to see each other last four weeks, she wanted to at least be able to support him on important days.

“I’m sorry.” She apologized, looking very disappointed at herself.

“Minsun,” Taecyeon chuckled, “You apologised enough.” He got up and looked closely at her face, smiling reassuringly at her.

“Why don’t you start saying ‘thank you’ instead? ‘Thank you for understanding me, thank you for supporting me.’ I’d prefer that more than you apologising. Hm?”

Minsun looked down, unable to say anything. She could have started by then and told him thanks, but for some reason her lips couldn’t mutter the simple word. She just felt very bad for him.

Taecyeon patted her head gently, still smiling casually. Well, he would love it if they could spend the time together at the gym everyday like how they used to, but Taecyeon wouldn’t blame her if she couldn’t for a reason. Especially when her mother was involved. He wanted her to know that he will always be there for her even when they couldn’t meet. He didn’t want her to abandon everything just for him; like Subin did. 

Or the story will have the same ending.






Gangnam Convention Center
5.00 p.m.

Minsun secretly glanced at her watch while her mother gave one last briefing at the committee members before the event started. They spent the whole day for some last minute preparations. Minsun initially planned to get everything done by 2.00 p.m. or so and then rushed to Taecyeon’s basketball match, but there was some setback right before the match starts. The flowers they ordered for the event were all crushed when the delivery van got into an accident. She had to look for immediate placements, but no flower shops could prepare all those arrangements within a short time. Minsun ended up buying large amount of flowers and had to do the arrangements herself with the aid of the whole committee members.

Now that she barely finished the preparations on time, her mother arrived at the venue and now Minsun was stuck there.




10.30 p.m.

The event would end soon but Minsun had never wished so much that time could pass by faster. She had had enough empty sweet talks, and she could never stand those sons and daughters of her mother’s friends when they started talking about how they always scored 100% in their exams and were already offered a place at a university oversea and stuffs.

Minsun stood by the buffet table only because it was non-occupied at the time. She needed to breathe so much, but she couldn’t go out because Jihee migt be looking for her any time. Plus, she still needed to make sure the event ran smoothly right until the last guest left.

Minsun poured herself a juice when she heard soft laughs and whispers not far from her.

“She’s Jihee’s daughter, right?”

“Yeah.”

“She’s not bad.”

“Well, if she attends a nice school instead of that cheap, shabby one, she would have been perfect.”

“I feel sorry for Jihee.”

“Well, at least she manages to get the event works out. Even though I bet my daughter would have done way better job.”

“I know right? ‘Fantasy World’? That is such a cliché concept!”

The two ladies in her forties chuckled quietly together. Minsun couldn’t help but rolled her eyes. Drinking the juice felt like swallowing a big lump of sand now. Minsun tightened her fingers on her glass, ready to turn around and retort back something to the ladies but suddenly Nichkhun appeared between them and greeted them.

“Evening, ladies.” Khun flashed them his perfect, angelic smile.

“Evening, Khun. Looking good as always, huh?”

Khun replied with yet another captivating smile. “How’s the party?”

“Oh, perfect. I love everything about it!”

“I know, right? My daughter love the concept, ‘Fantasy World’. Whoever think of that is a genius!” the othe lady added. Khun raised his eyebrows in amusement because just now they were criticising the concept.

“I see,” Khun simply nodded.

“Oh, yes. Speaking about my daughter, she has always wanted to see you. Why don’t I introduce you to her?”

“Oh, that’s too bad. I’m actually looking for, hm…” Khun pretended to scan the whole hall before he set his eyes on Minsun, who wasn’t much far than him, “Ah, her! Have you met Minsun? Jung Jihee’s daughter. She’s amazing! Would you like me to introduce you to her?”

“Oh,” the ladies put up an unpleasant, fake smile on their faces, “We’ve met each other before, so why don’t you young people spend your times together?”

“Oh, thank you very much. Very well, then. ”

Khun made his way to Minsun, who had a grim look on her face, holding onto a glass of watermelon juice. Khun on the other hand, had a smile on his face the whole time. When he finally stood by her, he casually took the glass from her hand and downed the whole content.

“Ah, talking to middle-aged ladies makes me feel really thirsty.”

Again, Minsun rolled her eyes. She didn’t reply, just pressing her lips into a thin horizontal line.

Khun chuckled. “What? Aren’t you going to thank me? If I’d let you talk to those ladies, who knows what’ll happen?”

Minsun sighed. “I can’t believe I miss the basketball match just for this. Listening to people talking bad about yourself without being able to do anything.”

“Oh, come on. I thought Taec said it was fine?”

“That’s what he said. I wonder what he actually feels?” Minsun said timidly.

“Well, if he’s still the same Taecyeon I knew from two years ago, then he would meant what he says.”

“Did you just back him up?”

“No.” Khun had this slight annoyed look on his face. “I’m trying to make you feel better.”

Minsun didn’t said anything. She was in deep thought for while, ignoring what Khun told her just now, she started to think how she should make up all the time she had missed. 




“Ahjusshi,” Minsun softly called out her driver from her backseat.

“Yes, Miss Jung?” The 46-year-old driver answered as he drove the car through the nonchalant street.

“Can you bring me to my school?”

“Sure, Miss Jung,”




The car parked just outside the gate of the school, and Minsun was just staring at the school from inside. A feeling of regret harboring deep in her heart that she couldn’t go on the final round of the Summer League, hosted at her very own Miryung High, which the basketball team had been working hard for since last summer holiday. She didn’t even know the result yet. Looking at the time, she was thinking that Taecyeon might have been exhausted and had gone to sleep. Minsun threw her head back and sighed.

“Ahjusshi, let’s go home now. My mother would not like it if I’m late.”

“Yes, Miss Jung.”

The driver pushed the gear into gear one, stepped on the clutch pedal and the car began leaving its spot. Minsun turned around as the car moved forward, watching the school as she left, but right at that moment, she saw a tall figure pushing open the school gate and appeared from behind it with his bicycle.

“Ahjusshi, stop!”

The car was put to an abrupt halt at Minsun’s sudden instruction which surprised the driver.

“Miss Jung, are you alright? I’m so sorry that I-”

Before he could manage to finish his sentence, Minsun flung open the car door and ran outside with her heels.

“Sunbae!” She shouted. 

The boy who was already on his bicycle quickly turned his head to Minsun, and he almost couldn’t believe his sight. It was Minsun, in front of the school gate in the middle of the night and she was dressed in a really nice outfit and fully made-up.

“M-Minsun? Is that you?”

Minsun jogged towards him, looking concerned. “Sunbae, what are you doing here at times like this?”

“Well, I-” Taecyeon stared at the basketball he hugged with one hand and then back at Minsun. “I was practicing alone. But why are you here?”

“H-how was the game?” Minsun ignored his question and proceeded with hers.

Taecyeon smiled, knowing how much she wanted to see the game. She must have been really busy then that she couldn’t make it to the game. 

“We didn’t win first place,” Taecyeon shrugged.

“…Really?” Minsun asked,half-whispering. For some reason, she felt really bad that they didn’t, seeing how hard they practiced over past few months.

“Yeah. But we will have another match next week to determine the second and third place, and I’m confident that we would snatch the second spot,” Taecyeon smiled nonchalantly.

“I… I don’t know what to- I’m really sorry that I didn’t come to the game. Trust me, everything was of supposed to go smoothly but so many things happened today and I really tried to get everything-”

“Minsun,” Taecyeon smiled, showing his teeth as he squeezed her shoulders. “I’m fine. The rest of the team as well. We were a little disappointed that we didn’t get the first place, but there’s still the Christmas Cup. It’s a nationwide level competition, and we’re going to aim bigger this time. Don’t worry about it.”

Minsun sighed and stared at the ground. She knew it wasn’t her fault, but she couldn’t help but felt bad for him and his team.

“You look very pretty tonight,” he suddenly complimented.

And then Minsun realized that she never showed to anyone from the school, except Khun of her dressing like that, or riding a luxury car, and suddenly it felt so awkward. Because this was one side of her that she never wanted to show to people.

“Minsun, are you okay?” Taecyeon tilted his head to look at her. She suddenly became really quiet and it was sort of worrying.

Minsun quickly looked up, ino his eyes and smiled awkwardly, “I-I’m okay,”

“You look really tired,” he softly caressed her cheek and brushed her hair behind her ear. “You should go home soon and have a rest. Let’s talk again tomorrow,”

Minsun nodded. They both bid goodbye and with heavy steps, Minsun returned to her car. Yes, she needed some rest. She had been anxious the whole day that her logic was messed up. She worried at the smallest thing, fret at the most common thing, and just felt bad all day. She need to get home, which ever home it was, lay on the bed, close her eyes and just fall asleep without thinking about anything.






Miryung High School
6.30 p.m.

After the event, everything went back as usual. Minsun couldn’t move back to her grandmother’s house yet because she still had some things to be settled with her mother, but she studied at the gym again, and joined her Mathemathic Club meetings agains. When the basketball team were taking a break during their practice, Minsun would go over to them and talked to Taecyeon. After the practice ended, Taecyeon would walk her to the bus stop; with Wooyoung following from behind, and waited with her until she got onto the bus.

It was Wednesday, and the same routine occurred. With a gentle smile on his face, Taecyeon waved to Minsun as the bus took off. After he was gone from the sight, Minsun stood up and headed towards the farthest seat, where Wooyoung was, and sat at one end of the seat since Wooyoung was at the other end.

“Why are you here?” Wooyoung asked susspiciously. He seemed uncomfortable when Minsun didn’t sit at her favorite seat. She must have wanted to talk about something serious and he didn’t like it.

“I can sit wherever I want,” Minsun simply said.

“I’m not going to answer any questions that involve Taecyeon hyung or Munhwa.”

“Great, because I’m going to ask you just that.”

Wooyoung closed his eyes and groaned while bumping his head at the window a couple of times.

“Can you tell when sunbae is upset?”

“Taecyeon hyung? Of course. Whenever he asks me to run 50 laps at the track field, he’s clearly upset. Even though he isn’t always serious about it.” Except that one time when he failed all his subjects. Wooyoung shuddered just thinking about it. He still can’t believe that he managed to run that much and didn’t die.

Minsun became quiet. As expected from Wooyoung. She shouldn’t rely on him.

“Impossible… he didn’t ask you that, does he?!” Wooyoung’s small eyes widened.

“What do you think? Would he?” Minsun asked back. She sounded serious, but Wooyoung could tell when she was being sarcastic now.

“I told you I don’t want to answer questions about Taecyeon hyung.”

“So,” Minsun continued, “When are you planning to confess to Munhwa?”

Again, Wooyoung groaned and bumped his head at the window pane.






Kim Residence
9.00 p.m.

Minsun looked up from her books when Gohee entered the room with a tray of fresh, peeled apples and two glasses of milk. The girls smiled at each other as Gohee sat by Minsun at the lower table. There were a lot of times when Minsun slept over at Gohee’s whenever they were studying together and vice versa. After all, Gohee had always thought Minsun as her own little sister.

“Thanks, unni,” Minsun said when Gohee handed her the warm milk. Gohee reached a piece of apple herself and then started munching on them.

“Ah~” Gohee sighed. “I’m tired of studying already,”

Minsun laughed at her little comment.

“But studying at the gym is pretty fun, huh? I mean, we get to see them practicing and fooling around,” Gohee added.

“Well, I’m sure you love whatever that involves Jaebum sunbae,” Minsun too took a piece of the apple and threw them into while she continued reading.

“That mouth!” Gohee attempted to reach for Minsun’s cheek to pinch it but the younger girl managed to avoid it. They both laughed again.

“But hey, you have Taecyeon now,”

Minsun couldn’t retort back. It was still awkward whenever people with Taecyeon. Minsun pretended like she didn’t hear Gohee just now and focused on reading the Korean Literature textbook.

“Hey, don’t ignore me,” Gohee said, half-laughing since she knew well what Minsun was doing. 

“What?”

Gohee laughed again.

“What?”

“I see… So you like Taecyeon now, huh?” Gohee supported her chin on her arm and smiled mischievously at Minsun, but she wasn’t looking though. When Minsun looked even a tad bit more vulnerable than her usual cold, unapproachable self, Gohee couldn’t help but think how cute she looked.

“Well…”

“Uh-huh?”

“Well… I guess a bit more than before. Just a little bit.”

“Just a little bit?” Gohee laughed again. “God, I feel sorry for Taecyeon. That guy is obviously head over heels with you!”

Minsun pouted. She felt bad that Taecyeon liked her more than she liked him, and she didn’t know how to make that up or not feel guilty about it.

Gohee’s smile turned gentle and motherly when she saw Minsun’s vulnerable side again. She knew how sensitive Minsun could get towards the people matter to her. She gently patted the younger girl’s head and said,

“Don’t worry. Everything will work out fine, because you guys are perfect for each other. Feelings sometimes come late, and sometimes you don’t even realize that it was already there,”

“Were you like that with Jaebum sunbae too?”

Gohee nodded gently, reminiscing some of the moments when she and Jaebum first knew each other. “I didn’t fell in love with him at first sight, you know? But as we know each other better, I just felt like… Like he was meant for me. I don’t know, maybe I’m too young to say this but right now I really can’t imagine myself with anyone else,” 

Minsun smiled when she saw Gohee smiling to herself, probably replaying some of the memories she had shared with Jaebum. Minsun always thought so too, that Jaebum and Gohee were meant for each other. Even though she used to harbor a deep crush towards Jaebum, Minsun couldn’t imagine him with anyone else either, not even herself. They were perfect together. Jaebum was always the one who and made fun of her, while Gohee was always gentle and understanding towards him. 

“Unni,”

“Hm?”

“Um… You know… You have been with Jaebum sunbae for a long time. So… how do you handle it if one of you were upset with the other?”

“Did you upset Taecyeon?”

"Actually, I don’t know. I mean, he was always smiling and kept saying that it was okay. But I would feel really bad if he was actually upset. At least, I want to do something for him, because he had been really nice to me these days.”

“Well, for me… We rarely had fights, but when we do, one of us would quickly make up for it, by being nice and stuff. But for Taecyeon…” Gohee unconsciously tapped her chin as she gave it a thought, “Oh, I don’t know. He never really dated before, so, I’m not sure either. In fact, I don’t even know the type of girl he likes.” She had only heard the story of Subin from Jaebum. Besides, nobody at school from the time knew that he dated Subin except some of the basketball players who were close with him at the time, which included Jaebum.

Minsun sighed. “What can I do for him?”

“Ah, maybe Jaebum knows. I’ll give him a call tonight, and maybe you guys can discuss about this together tomorrow.”

Minsun nodded. “Thanks, unni.”






Miryung High School
4.00 p.m.

Everybody dispersed to their own favourite spot when Coach Cho annonced a 10-minutes break. Chansung and Junho were always discussing on what to upload on their gossip blog for that night. Munhwa, Taecyeon and Coach Cho sometimes would sit together and talked about the team or the games. Minsun, Gohee and Junsu were still with their books and calculators, occaionally bugged by Wooyoung because he had nothing to do. For some reason, Jaebum wasn’t around. In fact nobody realized when did he disappear.

“Hey, why aren’t you sitting with your  boyfriend today?” Wooyoung asked Minsun, emphasizing on the ‘boyfriend’ just to annoy Minsun once in a while.

Minusn rolled her eyes and put down her books. At the same time, her phone vibrated at an incoming message. Minsun quickl y checked the message.

‘Meet me at the switch room’.

From Jaebum sunbae. But, why switch room?

“Hey, where you’re going?” Wooyoung nosily asked when Minsun suddenly got up. He was about to get up and followed her when she suddenly stopped and turned around.

“I’m going to the toilet. Would you like to tag along?”

Wooyoung pulled a geez-no-need-to-be-sarcastic look and sat down again. “Can I?” He smirked.

Minsun shook her head and headed out, towards the back entrance of the gym. She began looking for a door labeled ‘DANGER’. It was located at the end of the hallway, in quite a shady corner. She doubted the room was unlocked but was surprised when she managed to push the door handle down.

Minsun almost screamed when suddenly a pair of strong hands cupped over and pulled her inside. She sighed in relief to see that it was only Jaebum, but he looked serious. He even put a finger on his lips and shushed her. It was a bit uncomfortable though since the room was small and the fact that there were really large switch boxes by her side was disturbing.

“Jaebum sunbae, w-”

“Gohee called me last night. I know what you should do.” He whispered.

“You do?” Minsun said in her normal tone but Jaebum quickly shushed her.

“We can’t let anybody hear us.” He whispered.

“But do we really have to whisper like this? In this room?” Minsun started to whisper as well.

“Yes! That guy is not easy to handle. You can follow my advice but you must, I repeat, MUST look natural doing it, or else he’ll knew that I’m telling you all these!” Jaebum said, referring to Taecyeon.

“Can you do that?” Jaebum asked.

After she gave a careful thought about it, Minsun nodded seriously. “Okay. Can you tell me now?”