A/N: “Nan” is pinyin pronounciation for Nam in Namjoo. I decided to use it as a nickname for her here because I've always thought it was cute. Also, I apologize because I published this through my mobile browser so I can't edit that much.

"Nan! Mom's cooking a lot for me tonight since she'll be leaving for a business trip, want to come over for dinner?" The lad was sounding excited as he called out to invite her.

Namjoo and Hyuk are childhood friends, they grew up in the same area and their families are really good friends — both of their moms were classmates and good friends in high school, while their dads worked at the same building after college. After their parents got married and had them, they lived houses next to each other for almost all their lives; they went to the same pre-school, primary, middle and now, high school. A lot of kids from their school thought they were really a good pair of siblings; but most of the time, they go around downtown and people seem to think they're a couple. The two didn't mind though, they eventually got used to it and instead of making a big deal out of it, they just laugh it out and enjoy. Besides, it's not like they aren't close enough to think it's bad that people look at them that way. However, there were quite a few number of times Namjoo didn't like that people refer to them as a couple.

"I told you never to call me that anymore. It's embarrassing—and you keep calling me that during P.E. class." She responded, almost in a hushed tone.

Hyuk gave a chuckle as he caught up with her friend walking down the hallway. He asked what was wrong with it, and said he likes calling her that nickname because it suits her. Truth be told, he was also probably fond of how her face flushes light red every time he teases her this way. It's his way of affection, he added. But most of the time, Namjoo just doesn't buys them. She scoffed.

"Hey, are you mad? I was just fooling around. I won't call you Nan anymore then, maybe because you want someone else to call you a different nickname, huh?"

"What? Someone like who?" She asked as she continued to walk. Just before Hyuk could even answer her query, a teacher bumped unto Namjoo and quickly grab hold on her hand so she doesn't fall back. Surprised by the sudden impact, the latter unconsciously gripped on the older's shoulders. Their eyes met, and she felt her face burn up and immediately apologized before pulling off of him. Hyuk glared at him and muttered, "Someone like him."

"It's alright, Namjoo. As long as you're not hurt." It was the junior's basketball coach, Song Seunghyun. He was known to be a great basketball player when he was attending the school. He came back to become a teacher, and a coach to live his life goal as one. Namjoo knew of him when they were freshmen and she was so ecstatic to know he's their teacher. She had a crush on him since then.

"You both did great in P.E. today. Especially you, Hyuk. Had someone to inspire you, maybe?" He said, in an almost teasing tone. The younger guy didn't respond and turned his head away. The teacher simply laughed and apologized if he went far with his comment. Namjoo interrupted, giving a cheerful smile and telling him that P.E. class went well today because he was a good coach. She gave a light nudge at Hyuk, trying to get him to agree but he didn't oblige. He crossed his arms instead and shot another glare at him. "I apologize for him in behalf, I don't think he slept well last night." She said, with a little stammer in between her words.

The teacher shook his head and chuckled. "There's nothing to worry about... Nan, right?" Namjoo blushed at hearing a certain word come out from the teacher's mouth. Before she could even get back to her senses to respond, the other guy held on her hand and told him that he did not have any right to call her that name. He almost shouted and sounded angry. Seunghyun apologized with a bit of sarcasm in his tone, and told them to head home safely.

On the way home, Namjoo was walking behind him — which was something rare because it would always be the exact opposite. She wondered if he got mad, and if he did, she wanted to know exactly why. When she was about to ask, he turned and took a quick glance at her, giving a grin. She got confused and couldn't say a word until they reached home.

"Ah, Hyuk, I—"

"Namjoo? Is Hyuk with you?" She was cut off with a gentle voice coming from her house. It was her mom, welcoming her back with a beaming smile. She was waiting for them. The young lass gave her a quick hug. Her mother smiled. As she arose her head, she saw Hyuk and called to him. "Oh, Hyuk? Your mom left an hour ago, he said she couldn't cook dinner so she asked if Namjoo can help you with it."

She was good at cooking just as he was bad at it. She would always help his mom cook whenever she wanted to, and she even cook for their dads' lunchboxes from time to time. She anticipated Hyuk's response because she wanted to cook for him as an apology but he immediately turned her down. It was new to her, she thought.

"No need to, Mrs. Kim. I can cook and eat dinner all by myself." He smiled and strided towards their door, and inside. Her mother knew something was up, from the way he answered and the way her daughter's face changed after his reply. She got worried, and insisted her to go visit and cook dinner for him anyway. Namjoo obliged.

With a knock on the door, she hoped he'd open up already. She was undoubtedly worried too, and wanted to apologize badly. When he opened the door, she immediately said sorry and asked if she could come in so they could talk. Hyuk wondered why she wanted to, and the lass answered quickly by saying she thinks she was at fault for something. The guy laughed lowly, and ushered her inside the house. With a shake of his head, he said he couldn't possibly be msd at her for anything. "Sorry I was just sulking a bit, but I'm fine now."

The young lady beamed at what he uttered. She gave him an unexpected hug and told him that she'll cook dinner for the both of them as soon as possible. Hyuk unconsciously turned beet red. For some reason, that made his heart race, and also somehow felt relieved which confused him. He gave another shake of his head and smiled at her, saying how excited he is for whatever she's cooking for them.

We're like newlyweds, right? He had on his mind.

After sometime later, Namjoo had prepared their dinner and invited him to the dinner table. He came striding towards her with an excited smile. They both sat down, and enjoyed the grace of the food served in front of them. He surely loved them, however they tasted, he mentioned but the girl was so sure that she put extra effort and love into their dinner food. Love, huh? He thought to himself.

After dinner, Hyuk asked if she wanted to stay for a bit more while and she happily pleaded. They decided to spend more time together for awhile, and play video games. Although he kept insisting that she didn't know anything about video games since she would only focus on studies, and girly things. He was chuckling in between his remark.

"I do know things about video games! Don't make fun of me like that!" She replied cheerfully.

He was not buying her reply and went all sarcastic with her by challenging her to a match in one of the video games that she claimed she knew how to play so. He chuckled and teased that she'll eventually back out or lose, but she was actually persistent about it.

"I won't lose to you! Loser will buy the other dessert, as a deal." Namjoo exclaimed, and hit the start button without even looking at her friend's response. He snickered a bit and shrugged as they started playing. He gave a quick grin as he glanced at the already focused Namjoo beside him. He found it amusing. She took a glance back and giggled a bit. "Don't hold back."

I won't, he mumbled.

After a few rounds of the game, it was a landslide of 0-5 — zero being Namjoo's results. She grunted softly and gave a sharp glare as she turned to Hyuk, insisting that he cheated. The latter laughed and explained how he couldn't have cheated because it was impossible with the game. She pouted, and eventually gave up complaining. "Then what do you want for dessert?"

"I never agreed to that, though." He said, with a slight snicker and a grin right across his face. "I win, so you oblige to what I want." He added. The girl pulled back a little and wondered what was running through his mind. That it might not be something good, but she did say there was going to be a deal happening so she has no choice but to follow him. She heaved a sigh, and finally asked what he wanted instead.

"Loser... falls in love with the other."

"What?" She immediately responded, almost in a loud, shouting voice. She was dumbfoundedly surprised at what she heard, or even asking if she heard right. She pulled back once again and realized she was at the edge of the couch. She asked Hyuk once again, if she heard right and he was smiling at her as he scoots closer. She was trying to move back or even get off the couch but his well-built arms were already in the way. He leans in and gets a touch of her lips for a second. The latter blushed and asked what he thinks he's doing, as she was trying to push him off, but couldn't.

"You said don't hold back right?"

"I meant the game." She blushed, curious to think she was still able to reply at the pressure of being so close to him. She could almost hear both their breathing, and their heartbeats racing fast. She kept taking glances at him, and realized she'd probably melt if they met eye-to-eye right now so she decided to look away. She couldn't do anything at this rate and eventually just waited for what his response would be, or his next move.

"Sorry I took it seriously, but I've been holding back for so long. So please, give me this chance and just close your eyes."

He cupped her cheek with one hand and supporting himself with the other. He leaned as she closed her eyes and kissed her softly. She bent back slowly down the arm of the couch. She was not expecting to like how it felt, and that she kissed him back. The latter leaned in farther, almost putting his weight over her, and giving her an even deeper kiss. Namjoo's mind was blank, almost filled with nothing but her friend's uttered words. She was completely lost in his arms for a minute or two. He pulled back, still cupping her cheek and stared at her for a few seconds. She stared back, and immediately flushed red as she pushed him away forcefully sending him to the other side of the couch. She catches her breath and doesn't intend to look at him until she feels calm. She heard him chuckle a bit. "Sorry if that was awkward."

"Y-you're awkward! W-what'd you do t-that for..?" She stuttered, still blushing and trying to calm herself. He apologized for his sudden actions, but admitted that he didn't regret what he did. He turned to her with a smile and told her that he was serious about it. The young lady scoffed in response and said she wasn't believing any of it, but at the back of her mind she was a little happy realizing she didn't regret kissing him back either. It felt good, she thought to herself.

"Okay, let's just play rock, paper, scissors once. Loser will buy dessert for both of us, then." Hyuk told her, with a beaming smile. The latter was in doubt though, she felt like she doesn't know when this guy tells the truth anymore after what he did. But he is someone special to her, so she clearly has no choice. Any actions from him surely won't surprise her anymore after what he just did. She smiled, and followed along his ideas rather. She scoots to the middle of the couch, puts out her fist in front of her and exclaimed she won't lose to him now. "Take it easy on me, this time."

"Alright." Hyuk looked at her as he moved closer as well. He levelled his fist to hers and smiled. On the count of three, they threw their fist up in the air and came out the results of the match. Namjoo beamed at the sight of her winning pose; rock beats scissors. She smiled widely and put both her hands up in the air. He couldn't help but laugh at her being cute. She stopped and looked at him, as if she already forgot about earlier. "D-did you lose on purpose?"

"You can't lose on purpose with rock, paper, scissors? That would mean you're too easy to read." Which you actually are, but I won't tell you that.

"Is that so? Then I won! I want a slice of cake, vanilla ice cream and gummy candies!" She was so cheerful that he couldn't help but pinch her cheeks. He chuckled as he stood up and said he'll just be getting her prizes. But just before he left her sight, he leaned in again and kissed her — gently this time. He grinned. "Take it easy, you say. I'll wait, Nan."

Namjoo blushed again, hearing those words feels like it can melt her at the repeat of them. She's going to end up blushing every time she hears him call her Nan, she thought and that she should put an end to it immediately.

Meanwhile, Hyuk went to get desserts for his friend. He was blushing as he tried his best not to saunter like an idiot towards the kitchen room. "Argh, why am I saying things boldly like that."

He took a deep breath, and turned to glance at her even when he'll only see her back form. He smiled at the random thought of how cute Namjoo is as a wife — his wife.

"I really want to get married already."

END.

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