Listen to this while reading~ : Bolbbalgan4 - Some

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“Sooo…. When is your date with Mr. Kang Heartthrob?” It was the first question that came out of Doyeon’s mouth as soon as you both found a seat in the cafeteria. She kept eye contact on you, waiting, as you placed your tray on the table and sat down. You just shrugged your shoulders, acting as if you didn’t know what she was talking about. She sighed, that mischievous smirk still apparent on her face.

“Hmm?”

“I heard him asking. And you clearly said yes.”

“That was the only way I can get my camera back.”

“Don’t deny that you’re actually looking forward to it,” Doyeon argued, trying to make you aware of the fact.

“Maybe I am? He was unexpectedly nice and gentlemanly during the interview…” You trailed off, your voice fading as something or rather someone caught your attention.

Daniel sat a few tables away diagonally facing you, with a few of his friends, Ong sunbae included. Turns out, he had been staring at you for quite some time while spinning his chopstick in between his fingers, waiting for you to notice his presence in the cafeteria. His mere existence managed to attract the attention of a third of students who were having their lunch. You wondered why didn’t you notice his adoring fans earlier, occupying almost all the tables around him with hearts in their eyes.

He flashed a bright smile and sent a small wave in your direction as soon as you made eye contact –cue the swooning sounds from his fanclub. It was very unlikely that the smile and wave were intended for you, you thought. So, you turned around to look behind, in case he was actually looking at someone else.

The few tables behind you were mostly empty, except for a few students who had their backs facing you, their faces buried deeply in their books and laptops to notice their surroundings. Daniel still had that charming boyish smile on, as he giggled briefly at your cute confusion. His eyes never left yours while you pointed to yourself for confirmation. With a smile, he gave a small nod and pointed to you with his index finger.

His fans were too lovestruck to notice who the gesture was meant for, as your cheeks turned a few shades of pink at the subtle but sweet interaction you just shared with Daniel. Beaming from ear to ear, he fiddled with his phone before yours let out a sound, notifying a message has been sent.

Can’t wait for our date today! What time do you get off work?  [Daniel]

He glanced at you, waiting for your answer. You smiled before typing a reply.

4.30 p.m. [Me]

“You can leave early if you want to. I’ll cover for you,” Doyeon suddenly intervened, she has a full view of your phone screen as she leaned over while grinning widely.

You jerked in surprise, “Gee… t-thanks,”

Great! I’ll pick you up in front of your building :)  [Daniel]

Daniel went back to his lunch, noticing a different chopstick reaching for his food. Jihoon gave him a flustered smile before retreating his cutlery. Usually Daniel will tease the younger male, but today was an exception, nothing could ruin his happy mood. “Eat a lot Jihoon-ah,” he offered what’s left of his food.

Daniel turned to his best friend, Seongwu who was being self-conscious at the numerous pairs of female eyes focusing on their table. “Don’t they ever get tired?” he asked. “They didn’t even touch their food.”

“The view is enough to make them full,” Woojin responded cheekily, having no trouble to occasionally give their admirers some fanservice of winks or smiles.

Daniel brushed off the topic with a few disapproving shakes of his head. “Hyung, what does Jooyeon like?” he directed the question to Seongwu.

“Like? What do you mean?”

“I mean… is she the romantic type or adventurous or-”

“So, you finally managed to ask her out on a date?” Seongwu widened his eyes in surprise as Daniel responded by shyly scratching the back of his ears.

“Hmm, I’m not really sure. Since this is the first date, don’t try too hard. She’ll feel overwhelmed and burdened. But definitely don’t be too laid-back until she thinks that you’re not serious.”

Daniel pondered over his friend’s opinion, glancing over at you who were enjoying your lunch while laughing along with your friend. He wanted to make a good impression for your first date.

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

Your jaw dropped and eyes widened as you sighed in amazement, staring at the colourful lights before you. Daniel wanted the date to be fun, where you two could enjoy doing an activity together so he brought you to an arcade –one that he frequents when he’s not busy. “I’ve… never been to an arcade before,” you spoke in astonishment.

Daniel mentally high-fived himself for making the perfect choice, “Well, we don’t want to waste any time then.” He gently grabbed your hand and pulled you to the first game.

Both of you arrived at the basketball game. As he was about to put in the token, you stopped him. “How about a bet?” you suggested.

“Great idea, what do you have in mind?” he asked amusedly.

“Loser has to pay for dinner,”

“Deal. Don’t cry if you lose.” He pinky promised you before slipping in the token for two machines.

“You’ll be eating your words.” You replied playfully, getting ready for the game. The game started as you tried your best to shoot the basketball into the hoop. You thought that it’d be a piece of cake since the hoop was placed closer to your height compared to real-life ones, but you were proven wrong as your balls kept bouncing back instead of going inside the hoop.

In a matter of seconds, Daniel’s score tripled yours. He easily threw the ball and managed to score every time, even with one hand. You grew flustered and hastened your pace, trying to throw more balls to catch up. He glanced over at your score, comparing it to his. He stopped playing when he saw your nervous state as the balls kept bouncing off.

You froze when you felt a pair of hand holding onto yours from behind and his head resting next to yours. “Calm down Jooyeon. Like this,” his deep voice sent shivers down your neck as he taught you how to throw ball properly. You let him guide your hands, butterflies in your stomach at his gentle yet firm touch. You both threw the ball, it went in perfectly inside the hoop as your frown started to turn upside down into a smile. He continued helping you until the timer stops. By then he was fully giving you a backhug, letting you feel his muscle contours as he easily enveloped you with his long arms and broad shoulders.

“I still won,” he announced, comparing both of your scores. You wondered if he was flirting, being very natural yet not too obvious with skinship. Daniel still had his arms around you, his hands softly holding onto yours, oblivious of his effect on you. Thank goodness you weren’t facing him, giving you a chance to hide your blushing face completely out of his view.

“Let’s play a few more games. Whoever loses the most buys dinner,” you proposed, making your way to the shooting game.

A while later, both of you were engrossed in the shooting game. Though it was your first time, you managed to get the hang of the game pretty quickly. You skillfully shot down most of the targets, your reflexes working hard to increase your score. Daniel groaned when the game ended with you as the winner. “How are you so good at this? Are you sure this is your first time?” he questioned, blown away at your amazing skills.

“Well, I guess it’s not much different from ‘shooting’ with a camera,” you stated proudly, making fun of him as he pouts.

“I’ll choose the last game!” he exclaimed, dragging you to a game of his choice.

Upon seeing the game, you gasped, “That’s not fair!” You frowned at him, which he replied with a cheeky grin.

“I’ll go easy on you,” he teased while putting in a token for the punching game machine. You sure knew that you’d lose this game, even if you’re not competing with a well-trained, broad shouldered, two-year consecutive boxing champion like Kang Daniel. It was a well known fact to both of you that you have a very weak punch. You barely got the hang of it when he taught you back at the gym. “Ladies first,” Daniel gestured to the machine. “Just remember what I taught you last time.” He added, as you took a step near.

Ok Jooyeon , fist tight and swing your shoulder as you punch. You repeated Daniel’s words silently inside your head. You took a deep breath, checking your aim before delivering the strongest punch you could muster as you swing your shoulder hard. The machine made a loud sound and the numbers went up, calculating your score. You barely scored half of the highest recorded score on the machine as you pouted and turned around while shaking your right arm.

You expected Daniel to laugh at you, instead he took your arm and carefully examined it, “Are you hurt?” he asked in concern while massaging your arm.

“It’s ok. I’m fine,” you pulled away gently. “It’s your turn.”

You weren’t sure if you blinked, because Daniel finished the game in a split second with ease. The score went up rapidly on the machine and it stopped at a score higher than the last top record. “Yes! I beat my own score!” Daniel cheered, both fists in the air.

“That was your score?! You’re amazing…”

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

“Look at this! It looks just like you!” You ran excitedly while pointing to a soft toy inside the claw machine.

Daniel chuckled when he saw the plushie. It was a pink Apeach head plushie, showing its bunny teeth. “I bet I can get that,” he offered, inserting a token into the machine before you could protest.

A few minutes and tokens later, Daniel failed miserably in trying to win the plushie as he grumbled while shaking the machine. “I think this thing is broken!”

“It’s ok Daniel. You tried your best. Let’s go eat now,” you patted his shoulder comfortingly.

“You can order first, I need to go to the bathroom,” he gently pushed you to the food section.

As soon as you’re out of view, he pulled out a few more tokens from his pocket and inserted one in the machine. “I’ll win this for you Jooyeon,” he stated with determination.

You sat the table, tapping your fingers as you wait for Daniel. His visit to the bathroom took longer than expected. Then, you saw him approaching, hands behind him with a knowing smirk on his face. He jumped in front of you, showing the Apeach plushie he managed to win for you. You covered your mouth in surprise, feeling very touched that he tried his best to get it for you –even doing it secretly, despite feeling quite frustrated with the machine.

Daniel’s gentlemanly acts that tugged at your heartstrings continued until the end of the date when he paid for dinner, even when you protested saying that you lost the bet. “The bet is just for fun. I can’t let a girl pay on our first date,” he reasoned, giving you an assuring smile.

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

“Before I forget, here.”

Daniel handed your camera bag that was strapped to his sports bike. You gently pushed the bag towards him, giving him a small smile, “Actually… you can hold onto it longer if you want to.”

Shaking his head, Daniel said, “As much I love having a reason to see you again, I think this camera should return to its owner now. I’ll find other excuses to keep seeing you.” He placed it round your shoulder.

“Thanks.”

“The camera must mean a lot to you,”

You smiled, running your hands on your name woven to the bag, “It was a gift from my dad before he passed away,” You saw his expression changed. “He never approved of my dream to become a photographer before. He gave me this camera to tell me that he supports my dream and wants me to work hard to achieve it. I always carry it around with me, it’s like having a part of him with me all the time.”

Daniel gave your hand a gentle squeeze, feeling guilty that he had kept away something very valuable to you, “I’m sorry… I had no idea…”

“It’s ok. Thanks for taking good care of it,”

“Well, my boxing gloves also has a sentimental value,” he patted the gloves tied to his duffle bag. “I was bullied in middle school for my appearance. My dad got me to take up boxing to defend myself,” Your heart soften, hearing his confession that you were sure not many knew before. “But I learned that being strong doesn’t give you the right to bully others, or have revenge to those who bullied you. Boxing helped with my self-esteem. I’m more confident to stand up for myself, not with violence of course. Getting into fights is always my last option,” he smiled throughout his story.

“I’m sorry that you got bullied. It must’ve been hard,” you never knew beneath that cheerful and confident exterior, Daniel had a painful past. Turns out he started from humble beginnings, working his way up step by step by pure determination and hard work. “Now that you mentioned it, I’m curious how you looked like in middle school!” You tried to lighten the atmosphere.

Daniel giggled shyly, waving his hands in front of him in denial, “Nah, it’s embarrassing!”

“I bet you looked cute. You wouldn’t look like this now if you’re not naturally cute,”

“Like ‘this’? Are you implying that I’m good-looking?” he raised both eyebrows in curiousity.

You got flustered, not realizing that you had spoken out your thoughts out loud, “N-no, I m-meant… y-your smile is cute, I mean beautiful. Wait that didn’t come out right…”

“Sooo… you like my smile?” he grinned, taking a step closer.

“And your eyes…” you couldn’t help but to add.

“Say that again?”

“Fine! You’re so good-looking you’re giving me butterflies!” You clasped both hands to your mouth as you blushed uncontrollably and looked away.

Daniel gently turned you to face him by the chin, “I think it’s adorable how easily you blush. And you look pretty too,”

You never knew your cheeks could turn pinker that it already did, “Really? Most guys don’t say that about me.”

“Well, beauty is subjective. You always have your hair up, the other day when we met at the café, I noticed how nice you look with your hair down. Suits you better,” he flattered you with sweet remarks while brushing a strand of hair off your face.

You had to scoff playfully at his unusually sweet words, “That’s cheesy! But… sweet. Thanks Daniel.”

Exchanging smiles, you both just stared at each other in silence. Naturally, Daniel’s eyes moved to your lips. He didn’t know why, but he suddenly felt the urge to kiss you. You realized that Daniel was staring at your lips, moving forward as your heartbeats went faster. You were frozen, not knowing how to react at his sudden move. Daniel cupped your cheek in his hand as he leaned closer and closer, tilting his head to the side while slightly pulling your face towards him. You tried to relax as you close your eyes, waiting. Your lips were almost touching when suddenly…

“Omo, Yeon sweetie! You didn’t tell me you have a boyfriend!” The sound of that familiar voice made you pull away from each other, distancing yourself as you blushed.

“Mom!” your hunch was never wrong, it was indeed your mother’s voice. She waved excitedly while speed-walking towards you. “He’s not my boyfriend!” you silently mouthed to her, hoping that she won’t start embarrassing you.

“Really? Didn’t you just went for a date?” she asked, with her eyes fixed on Daniel as she scanned him from head to toe.

You stood by her side, gently tugging at her hand, “Mom… why are you out so late?”

She lifted her grocery bag, “I went to get some kimchi and side dishes. What’s your name dear?” she finally asked the question that has been running through her mind since she spotted you two.

Daniel bowed politely, introducing himself with a smile, “You must be Jooyeon’s mother, nice to meet you. My name is Kang Daniel.”

“He’s gorgeous! Are you sure you’re not dating?” You sighed, there she goes again… doing one of her ‘mom pep-talks’.

Instead of being flustered, Daniel reacted with amusement, “I’m… working on that.” He said, giving you a meaningful look.

Your mother gasped loudly, realizing her mistake, “Oh my, did I interrupt something just now? Well, my daughter can be quite hard to get.”

“Yes, I can see that,” he nodded in understanding.

She gave Daniel a motherly pat on his arm and cheek, as she admired his physique, “Handsome and strong! Daniel, you’re all muscly. Do you workout a lot?” Daniel’s slightly flustered look did manage to make you giggle as he responded politely with a smile. “See, our Yeon likes manly guys, she-”

“Mom!” You tugged harder on her arm, biting your lip as you looked away from Daniel. As if your mother couldn’t be more embarrassing, she started to blurt out unnecessary information about you. You heard Daniel tried to suppress his giggles.

“What? It’s true! You want a guy who can protect you!” Your mother defended herself, “He has a beautiful smile too!”

“Mom, too much information! You just met him and you’re spilling all of my secrets!” you exclaimed, pleading her to stop with a pout and the best doe eyes you could muster.

Despite the sudden meeting, Daniel was well-mannered and entertained your mother’s question well, “I’m a boxer for our university.”

Your mother clapped excitedly, “That’s amazing dear-”

Deciding that the awkward night should end, you pulled your mother towards the entrance while bidding him goodbye, “Er, Daniel, I should go now. See you!”

He nodded thoughtfully, waving as you entered the building, “Yeah sure, I’ll call you.”

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

After the whole awkward and embarrassing first meeting fiasco with your mother, you didn’t expect Daniel to call you, barely 10 minutes after bidding him farewell. “Hey Jooyeon, I miss you already.” His voice is sweet in the phone too.

Your heart fluttered as you laid down on your bed, “I had fun today. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. I can’t wait for our next date.”

“Next date?”

“You don’t think it’s a one-time thing right?”

“You’re s-serious about this?”

“Of course I am. Besides, you still owe me a kiss.” He spoke wholeheartedly.

You definitely could create a colour palette of pink and red shades by now from the diverse colours your cheeks managed to show, “No, I don’t.”

“Nope. Dates come with kisses. And I want mine,”

You internally squealed, rolling around in your bed at his cheesy but overly sweet words. Daniel is definitely an expert in flirting. “I really don’t know how to respond to that. Should I be thankful that we didn’t get to kiss today?” you tried to sound calm and unaffected, despite being overdosed with his sweetness.

“I’m serious Jooyeon. I always wanted to kiss you,” his deep voice melted you into a puddle of goo. You were not sure how you’re still breathing. His words made you feel breathless, your heart skipped a few beats as heat rushes up to your cheeks, turning you into a tomato. Who knew your first date with Daniel would be as fun, exciting and perfect as this? Even with the embarrassing encounter with your mother, this has been a wonderful experience so far, nothing could beat this particular date.

You wondered why didn’t you agree to a date with him sooner?

(This video always make me squeal and fangirl eventhough I've watched it probably 100 times already...)

First update for 2018! Happy New Year everyone!

Many meaningful things happened to me this year, one of it is getting to know this Busan puppy Kang Daniel <3 

Read. Comment. Enjoy!