Yerin arrives at the building where Handyman Oppa’s office is located about fifteen minutes before the time they agreed to meet. This is her first time to be in this part of the university. Gfriend did perform couple of times during the university’s festival. But, this is the  building that is located on the other side of where they performed before. The building is next to the university’s hospital, the base for the faculty of medicine, nursing and health care.

Since this is her first time, Yerin doesn’t know where she should go and she doesn’t want to get lost in the building and ends up in a morgue or some scary room with all the cadavers they used for teaching. She watched a few medical dramas, so she knew there will be at least a room like that. Yerin looks around and asks an older woman the direction to the oppa’s room.

”Excuse me miss. Do you know where is the Handyman Oppa’s room?” Yerin asks.

The older woman who seems to be one of the staffs looks at her in confusion. 

“Oh wait, that is not her real name. Umm... Professor...” Yerin just remembered that Handyman Oppa is not the oppa’s real name quickly corrected her question. But then, she can’t seem to remember the oppa’s name or to be exact, she doesn’t know the older woman’s name.

”Aahhh. I think I know who you were looking for. Come, I’ll show you her room.” The older woman seems to figure out that Yerin is looking for Handyman Oppa kindly leads the way to her room. Yerin said her thank you and follows the woman closely.

‘Note number one - make sure you know the person’s real name before deciding to go and meet them at their office.’ Yerin is making a mental note and a reminder for herself to improve her foolproof plan to win the self-proclaimed war of SinB’s heart.

There are a lot of rooms and they just passed an administrative office space that had glass door and walls when the older woman suddenly stops and make a u-turn. She also does the same and they goes into the office they had just passed, walking towards the front desk counter where there are two people talking. One is sitting behind the counter and the other one is standing, leaning against the counter.

”Prof., I found this young beautiful lady who is looking for a Handyman Oppa.” The older woman said once they are a few steps from the person leaning against the counter who then turn around and smiles at her.

”Oh. Ahhh Yerin. You are here already. Sorry, you must have got lost trying to find my room.” Handyman Oppa greets her before introducing her to the woman who led her here and the one sitting behind the counter.

”Hello, I’m Yerin. Nice to meet you.” Yerin introduces herself to the two women who are now looking at her weirdly.

”Wait. You are Yerin of the girl group idol, Gfriend. Right?” The woman who was sitting now stands to look at her face closely, the woman who was here with her also does the same.

Yerin nods her head shyly. She is not surprised that the woman she met earlier didn’t recognise her because she was wearing a cap on her head and a mask over . But, she removes her mask when she greets and introduces herself to the two women.

”Uhhh. I am a fan. I am a fan. Can we get your sign? Uh please, can we.” The woman behind the counter exclaims, fangirling over Yerin who just smiles and nods her head agreeing to her request.

”Prof., why are you close with a lot of the girl groups? And the worst part is you didn’t tell us about it.” The woman who brought her here and is now standing next to Handyman Oppa asks while her hand busy handing Yerin a piece of paper for her to sign.

”Oh and one more thing Prof., you know that Professor Lee doesn’t like it that these girls are calling you Handyman Oppa. Ever since the girls from Twice came and he heard about it, he won’t stop complaining to us about it. He said it’s a disgrace for a professor to be called a handyman. You knew that he was the one asking the faculty to post notes all over the building and made official announcement that all staffs and students have to address all the academic staffs respectfully using their formal title.”

Handyman Oppa just smiles and laughs. “Well, he doesn’t even like me in the first place. He doesn’t even like the fact that I am already a professor at my age. Then why is he so concerned that people call me handyman oppa or address me by my name. I don’t really like people calling me professor or doctor or those formal title. We are not in a meeting or formal gatherings, so just call me and talk to me casually, I don’t mind.” 

“I’m sorry I called you oppa. I didn’t know the rules...” Yerin apologise as she is feeling guilty for not addressing the oppa properly.

”No, it’s okay Yerin-ssi. Those are only apply to the staffs and students. You are her guest, so it’s okay. We only adress this cruel-close-to Gfriend-but-doesn’t-tell-us ahjussi here Prof. because of the new regulation. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have done it. Oh, speaking of which can we get the other members’ signs too?” The older woman asks Yerin.

”Ahjussi? Heh, but among all the ahjussis here, I am the only one you like, right?” Handyman Oppa winks at the older woman standing next to her and laughs.

”Haih, I hate to admit it, but it’s true. Prof., please, can you ask them to give us their signs?” 

“She is in front of you. Ask her yourself.” Handyman Oppa pouted and pointed to Yerin who is just standing shyly next to her.

”Of course. Oh, but oppa, it would be better if you buy our album for the unnies and we’ll sign it for them.” Yerin suggested.

”We like it. We like Yerin’s idea. Prof., buy us some of their official merchandise as well.”

“Sure.” Handyman Oppa said nodding her head. Both women exclaim in joy, squealing from the thought of getting Gfriend’s autographs and merchandise. But, it was not for long before they pull a long face over the next information they hear from Handyman Oppa.

“I am not getting you anything from Gangneung this weekend then.” Handyman Oppa said grinning.

”Oh, come on. You cheap little-“ 

“Don’t! We got a kid in here.” Handyman Oppa stops the woman sitting behind the counter from finishing her words which sounds like it’s going to be a curse word.

”Please, go ahead unnie. Don’t mind me. I’m an adult.” Yerin smiles at the woman who then just laugh without saying anything.

”Oh speaking of which. Prof., they set the meeting on Monday morning. So...” 

“Ha? Why?” Handyman Oppa frowns.

”They said they can’t find any other time slots that suits everyone.” The woman sitting behind the counter explains.

Handyman Oppa just nods her head weakly. She told the woman, one of the admin staff in her department that she will attend the meeting.

”Well, it’s too late to request for the university’s driver. It’s okay. I’ll just drive back home on Sunday’s night after the program ends.” Handyman Oppa calmly tells the worried woman her plan which doesn’t seem to do anything to ease the woman’s worries.

”We can. I can still ask one of the drivers to drive you there this evening and fetch you there on Sunday’s night.” The woman starts moving and clicking her mouse.

”No, it’s okay. He’s going to be tired. Plus, it’s wasting the university’s money. It’s going to cost twice as much as he will have to drive back to Seoul after drive me there and go back to Gangneung to fetch me. The team is already use one of the drivers. It’s okay. I will get some rest before driving back to Seoul.” Handyman Oppa explains trying to reassure the worried woman who just weakly nodding her head.

”This is why Prof. Lee always badmouthing you. He said you are cheap, and it suits you when the girls called you handyman.” 

Handyman Oppa just laugh her heart out. 

“I always submit my traveling claims. One minute he said it’s a disgrace for a professor being called a handyman. Then, he said it’s befitting me. He just hate my sole existence. That’s what he should say.”

”Umm. Prof., he did. We got tired of hearing it.”

Handyman Oppa continues to laugh which leaves Yerin dumbfounded by her action. It is a strange thing to do for Yerin, to laugh at something that is clearly a negative thing about you. Yerin just look at the oppa and tries to get into her head, trying to figure out how could she be so carefree about people badmouthing her and say such a bad thing. The older woman just keep laughing when one of the the unnie ask her if she has had her lunch.

”I did. I ate between my classes. They didn’t order anything that I can eat. There were all kinds of pork-based foods. There are ham and cheese sandwich, tonkatsu...Prof. Lee even brought ‘jokbal’ to the meeting. It’s like a pork festival this morning.” Handyman Oppa laughs really hard this time that she even shed some tears.

”We know. His secretary told us about it yesterday, Prof. Lee told her not to order anything that you can eat. That’s why we packed you some lunch. Aish, I don’t understand that man. Why did he hates you so much? And stop laughing, you are scaring Yerin.”

”Uhhh. Mianhae.” Handyman Oppa apologise while dancing cutely like Tzuyu does when she sings her part in Twice’s song Cheer Up.

”Aish you... stop it. Haih, your face is asking for a punch you know. Stop it!” The woman standing next to Handyman Oppa smacks her shoulder.

”Neomuhae, neomuhae, huuuu” Handyman Oppa responded by singing and dancing cutely Twice’s catchy phrase from their song TT.

”Oppa...” Yerin really couldn’t stand the sight of Handyman Oppa’s cute act that she turn around to face the older woman and shakes her head in disgust asking her to stop doing it.

“Feels like cursing and punching her face, right? Go ahead, we won’t tell anyone.” Yerin keep staring at the older woman with a disgusted look and she just nods her head enthusiastically responding to the question asked by one of the two women.

”Ne. I understand. Uh. We should get going Yerin. Do you mind if we go to my office first, I need to get my things first.” Handyman Oppa just smiles and started to leave the office when one of the woman asked her to bring the lunchbox to them.

”Why?”

”To packed you some food for the meeting on Monday. They didn’t order anything you can eat for breakfast and just order something for tea.” 

“Really? Uhh that old man is something hoh? That’s a one-day meeting, are you kidding me?” Handyman Oppa’s question just got answered with a long sigh and a weak nod from both women.

Yerin follows Handyman Oppa to her office down the hallway, a few metres from the glass-walled office. The older woman asks her to sit on the couch while she gathers her things before leaving for the gym. Yerin helps herself to a box of chocolate that is on the coffee table in front of her. While busy chewing the delicious chocolates, her eyes wander around the simple room. The room is quite big, but there is nothing much except for office furnitures.

No pictures or certificates hanging on the wall, there is not even a single picture frame on the older woman’s desk. There are a lot of papers on the desk that has a computer with two monitors and a laptop which the oppa has packed into her bag. And of all the places in the room, the desk is the messiest spot. Handyman Oppa just packed her laptop without tidying up the desk as if it was not something she would do. Yerin wanted to say something but then they heard a knock on the door that she intentionally left open.

”Yes?” Handyman Oppa turn to look at the person knocking the door.

”Prof., sorry. Just wanted to let you know, we will be leaving a bit late this evening. The driver had to go and fetch someone just now.” The man just stand at the door talking to Handyman Oppa.

”Ahhh. It’s okay then. I’m going to drive there tonight. Wait...didn’t we already book the driver in advance. Why would he go out for another job?” Handyman Oppa asks while her hand is still busy sorting some papers and packing them into a messanger bag.

”They said it’s an emergency case, Prof.” The man answers nervously.

”Don’t tell me that old man called and asked someone to pick him up because he was too drunk to drive again...Aish that man. Well, let the ahjussi rest before you guys leave for Gangneung then. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” 

“Okay Prof.” The man was about to leave but then stopped as his eyes met with Yerin’s. He turn around and asks Handyman Oppa in excitement, “Prof., is that really Yerin from the group Gfriend?”

”Yes. Sorry I didn’t introduce you. This is Yerin from Gfriend. And that...that just a man I am working with. You, just introduce yourself, don’t need to shake hands or hugs or anything.” Upon hearing the warning, the man just grinned and introduce himself to Yerin. He even manage to shout that he is the biggest Gfriend’s fan and ‘hwaiting’ before runs off. Both Handyman Oppa and Yerin exchanges smile as they find his action to be funny.

Yerin keeps eating the chocolates that looked similar to one she had this morning at home. It tasted really good that she even said it to Handyman Oppa how good it was and how much she needed to work out after this to burn all the calories.

”I guess it tasted differently based on the time you eat it then?” Handyman Oppa is already standing next to Yerin asks while picking up a piece of the chocolate and put it into .

“Huh?” Yerin asks while picking up another piece after put the one she was holding into .

Yerin and Handyman Oppa leaves the room and stop by the glass-walled office. Handyman Oppa gives the empty lunchbox to the two women they talked to earlier who are having their lunch. 

“Oppa...bring back some Gangneung’s rice cake for us. Omma really likes the red bean-filled rice cakes. I like any kind of rice cakes.” One of the woman yells at Handyman Oppa as they walked out of the office.

”Ne...!” Handyman Oppa yelled back at them without even looking, but raise her hand showing the universal signal of ‘okay’, with the tip of her index finger and thumb touching one another forming an ‘o’ shape while the other three fingers are straightened.

Yerin was a bit shocked with what Handyman Oppa just did. If she remembers correctly, the older woman said to the two women that she wouldn’t bring anything back from Gangneung since she will be getting them Gfriend’s album with all the members’ signatures. Plus, from what she heard earlier, Handyman Oppa is said to be a cheap person. But, she just said that she will buy them some rice cakes. So, when she puts together the two information together, it doesn’t make sense. She doesn’t want to be the one that broke her promise of getting the unnies a signed CD from all the members, so she decides to ask the oppa.

”Are you not going to buy our CD for the unnies?” Yerin asks.

”No. I’m going to.” Handyman Oppa looks at Yerin in confusion.

”But, you just said you will bring back rice cakes for them?” Yerin then exchange a confused look with Handyman Oppa.

”Yes. I will. I will buy them the CDs and ask you girls to sign it for them. And I will buy some rice cakes for them and their mothers. I will also buy some rice cakes for you girls. There’s this one shop that sells a very delicious rice cakes. I’m sure you girls will love it.” 

****

They finally arrived at the gym and after they signed in, Handyman Oppa leads them to the changing room. Luckily for Yerin, there are only three people in the gym. So, it would be easier and more comfortable for her to workout as no one would be bothered by her. Yerin is already dressed in her gym clothes, so she just waited for Handyman Oppa to change into hers. There is no one in the changing room, so they can talk freely. 

“Oppa, what do you mean the chocolate must have tasted differently depending on what time you eat it?” Yerin asks while Handyman Oppa is changing her clothes in one of the shower stall.

”Ahh, you said it was delicious just now. But, this morning SinB texted me saying how could I gave a terrible-tasted chocolate to apologise. She said you ate one and told her it was terrible. And now you just said it was good when you ate it in my office. They were the same thing. I bought it last night.”

Yerin’s face reddened out of embarrassment. She didn’t realise the chocolates were the same as the one SinB’s offered her this morning. The chocolate is actually delicious, but she just said it wasn’t because of the fact that Handyman Oppa gave it to SinB. She was just being petty.

“Of course it tasted terrible this morning. You gave it to her to try and win her heart. I’m not going to let you win. All is fair in love and war. We are in a war of SinB’s heart, oppa.” Yerin said to herself.

Handyman Oppa came out of the shower stall all dressed up in a cotton jogger and a long sleeve tshirt. For the first time, she sees the oppa wears her hair in a high ponytail instead of a samurai bun. It looks good on her. Yerin smiles.

”I’m going to be sweating and it’s not a pleasant feeling having your hair sticking to your neck.” As if Handyman Oppa could read Yerin’s mind, she explains her workout hairstyle to Yerin.

Handyman Oppa gathers all of their things and shoves it in one of the big lockers. She just took a water bottle and a face towel with her, Yerin does the same. Just as they are walking out of the changing room, Yerin glances over the clock hanging on the wall showing it’s fifteen minutes passed one, and starts calculating.

”Uhh, oppa, remind me when it’s three o’clock. I have to catch a taxi to go back for practice.” 

Handyman Oppa nods her head and say, “Okay, I’ll drive you there. Don’t worry.” 

“No, no. You don’t have to. I can take a taxi. Why do you want to go all the way to send me to practice?” Yerin asks while stretching her body following what the older woman is doing.

”No reason, I just want to drive you to practice. I don’t want you to miss practice.” Handyman Oppa continues to stretch her body before going on one of the treadmills.

“You don’t want me to miss practice or you just miss someone and wanted to see her? I’m not going to let you.” Yerin said to herself, scoffing before get on the treadmill next to Handyman Oppa.

“Oppa, can you teach me how to workout?” Yerin asks starting to slowly walk on the treadmill.

”What type of workout would you like to do? Why do you want to workout?” Handyman Oppa asks, slowly increasing her pace from walking to jogging.

”Because I want to win SinB’s heart over you. She seems to like someone tough like you.” Yerin said to herself again and turn around to look in the older woman’s direction and say, “I think I need to get my leg strengthen and to build my stamina so I don’t get tired easily when I dance and sing”.

Handyman Oppa nods her head and smile. She started to run and turns to look at Yerin who is also doing the same thing. 

“Sing.” Handyman Oppa instructed Yerin who just looks at her confused.

”I said sing. Sing your songs.” Handyman Oppa asks Yerin to sing, only this time she specifically asks her to sing Gfriend’s song.

”Why? Are you asking me to entertain you now? They turn on some music right now.” Yerin annoyingly asks the older woman. 

“Why are you asking me to sing on the treadmill? Just listens to the song they are playing, you jerk.” Yerin curse Handyman Oppa in her mind.

Handyman Oppa chuckles, thinking ‘this is kid if funny’. She continues to run in a constant pace.

”You said you want to build your stamina so you don’t get tired easily when you sing and dance. So, sing. Sing while you are running. It can help build your stamina. Running is similar to your body moving while dancing. Sing!” Handyman Oppa explains and for the third time asks the younger girl to sing. Only this time, the younger girl follows her instruction and started to sing.

Five minutes of running and singging, Yerin stops the treadmill and gets off the machine immediately. She plops down on the floor, panting. Her heart beats so hard that she is afraid it would jump out of her chest. Yerin stays there for five minutes looking straight at the older woman who is still happily running on the treadmill. When it seems like the oppa is not going off the machine, Yerin gets off the floor and stands in between the vacant treadmill and the one the older woman is on.

”How can you do that and still going? I’m already on the floor for almost ten minutes now.” Yerin asks.

“This is probably your first time. I’m used to it.” Handyman Oppa said to Yerin while slowing her pace, preparing to stop.

”Ohh. It’s harder than it looks. I don’t know if I can do it.” Yerin complaints.

”You can. It is hard at first, but it will get easier once you started doing it. You said you wanted to build up your stamina. Orait then, let’s go to the other machine. Leggo, leggo, leggo!” Handyman Oppa hops happily towards the area filled with several machines that she usually see in the gym but never used it before. 

One hour later, Yerin lays down on the gym’s floor, with her tshirt all sweaty, breathing so hard that her chest could burst at anytime. She doesn’t have an ounce of energy left only whipers “water please” to Handyman Oppa who is standing in front of her smiling while handing her the water she asked for.

This is the first time in her life that she feels exhausted that she could throw up and started cursing people immediately after that. First, she had to run on the treadmill while singing. Then, she did about four sets of gobble squats. After that they got on the rowing machine and they were rowing for about five minutes and she couldn’t do it anymore, so she stopped. She waited for Handyman Oppa to finish in about ten or fifteen minutes. Then, since she was well rested, she managed to do three sets on the ‘lat pull’ and chest press machine.

When she thought they were done, the older woman then went to a machine called cable biceps and triceps bar. Luckily, Handyman Oppa gave her an option whether to do what she was doing or or not because of the possibility of the upper part of her arm might get bigger although it is almost non-likely since this is only her first time doing it. But, since there’s an option, she opted not to do it. So, she get another ten minutes of rest. The last thing they did was the leg press. And, now, she is on the floor drinking her water while laying down on her back.

With much efforts, Yerin stands up and follow the older woman to the changing room to shower and change. Yerin once again tell Handyman Oppa that she can catch a taxi to her practice while taking a shower in a stall next to the oppa.

”It’s okay. I’ll drive you to your practice.” Handyman Oppa would not budge even when she had asked this a few times already.

”Why do you want to go there? Do you want to see your loved ones?” Yerin grunts and said to herself only to get shocked when the oppa answers her questions that was not meant for her to hear.

”Yes. I want to see SinB.”

Handyman Oppa bite her bottom lip trying not to laugh when she hears Yerin responses.

“No way! She can read people’s mind too? Ahh, this is bad. Note, be careful with oppa, she can read your mind. Shoot! I just think about this, she probably knows this too.” Yerin said to herself and quickly get out of the shower only to be welcome by the older woman in a black tshirt and a towel wraps around her waist. 

Yerin was shocked by the sight of the oppa smiling at her when she thought the older woman is still in the shower stall next to her that she drops the shampoo and body wash that she is holding. Trying to look cool, Yerin asks Handyman Oppa, “Did you just confess your feelings for SinB to me?”

“Just like you announce your self-proclaim war between us to win SinB’s heart earlier.” Handyman Oppa said with a smile on her face to Yerin who is now is white as a sheet, shocked by what she said.

”You do realise that I can hear what you say, right?” Handyman Oppa asks Yerin while drying her hair using one of the hand dryer hanging on the changing room’s wall.

”What? What did you hear? I didn’t say anything.” Yerin quickly dries her body and put on her clothes.

”All the things from you are going to tell SinB that I am seeing the girls from Twice, the war between you and me to win SinB’s heart, the infamous saying ‘all is fair in war and love’, everything. You said it loud enough for me to hear, my darling.” Handyman Oppa could not hold it in any longer, bursts into laughter.

“And no, I cannot read people’s mind. No, I don’t want to kill you by asking you to do all those exercises, it’s going to help you with your stamina and body’s strength. You dance and sing at the same time, it would help you. It’s hard now because this is your firstt time.” Handyman Oppa could see that Yerin who was white as a sheet, now is red as a beetroot, embarass by the fact that she was caught saying all those things that she thought she said to herself.

“Now that you know I would do anything to get SinB’s heart to be mine. I assume that you are not going to pursue her anymore?” Yerin asks still fazed by the older woman is doing - she is drying her hair using the hand dryer.

“It would be impolite for me to do that. You just annouce a war, the very least I can do is to accept your challenge and try my best to win. It wouldn’t have been a war if I back out, right? Well then, let’s try our best to win her heart, shall we?” Handyman Oppa take a sit in front of Yerin who is now fully dressed in a jeans and tshirt. 

“Um, okay. But, I am still going to tell her about the girls from Twice. Oh, speaking of which, who is it?” Yerin smirks at the older woman who at last, is putting her pants on.

Handyman Oppa just laughs without answering Yerin’s question. She gathers her things and shoves them in her gym bag. 

“Are you going to dry your hair or should we get going?” Handyman Oppa asks.

”With what? The hand dryer? No, thank you. Let’s get going, we don’t want to be late for my practice.” Yerin shakes her head a few times while looking at the hand dryer that the older woman has just used to dry her hair.

“What? Why?! It’s easier. Well, the one in here was placed a bit low, the one in the aquatic centre was hanged a lot higher, so I can just dry my hair standing straight. I don’t have to drag the bench all the way to the dryer.” Handyman Oppa grins.

Yerin just shakes her head in disbelief. How could a renown professor be so carefree and do that.

Handyman Oppa and Yerin left the gym just as a group of students arrived. They are shocked and excited when they saw Yerin who just smiles and waves back at them. The two of them just keep walking while saying sorry as they are rushing to get to her practice. Yerin noticed some of them take pictures of her and she was glad that she told her manager her plan to be here, so it would not be an issue if someone posted pictures of her online. Although sometimes she doesn’t want to tell their manager her agendas every single day, but it is actually easier for them to react to anything that might came out online, so she just told them what is she going to do, where is she going and with who except when they are on official leaves.

****

”Yerin-ah, can I ask you something?” Handyman Oppa asks Yerin who is sitting next to her in the passenger’s seat.

”Yes. What is it?” Yerin asks back and turns her body slightly to look at the older woman who is more focus in her driving compared to the last time she ride in a car with her.

”I know that earlier I said about accepting your call for war. But, can I be your friend? I mean, we both will still try our best to win her heart, but, I really do want to be your friend. It’s not a ploy to make you lose or anything. I just thought we could be friend.” Handyman Oppa said while glance over the younger girl for a short while before focus back on the road because there is unexpectedly a heavy traffic caused by an accident several kilometres in front of them.

Yerin looks at the older woman and smiles brightly. She nods her head rapidly in excitement like a child who was offered to go to the amusement park.

”I thought you would never asked. I would love that as well.” Yerin said happily and smiles together with the older woman.

”Oppa...” Yerin for the first time since she first met Handyman Oppa call the older woman softly.

”Emm...” Handyman Oppa turns her head to face Yerin as the car in front of them completely stopped moving.

”Why did you laugh when the unnie told you about that professor who hates you? He even purposely didn’t order foods that you can eat. Aren’t you mad at him?” Yerin finally asks what has been bothering her over the last couple of hours.

”Ahhh. He hates me and I don’t know why. But, I don’t care about it. He can hate me, that’s up to him and there’s nothing I can do about it. We are allowed to like or hate other people or things. So, I would try my best not to get affected by him.” Handyman Oppa calmly answer still wearing a smile on her face.

“Ohh. I think you must have heard me that I want to be like you so I can win SinB’s heart earlier. But then, you still treat me kindly. You even greeted the man that bluntly say he hates you nicely and even protected me from him. If it was me, I can’t do that. Now, I want to be like you because I want to be someone who is cool and kind.” Yerin said while looking down to her thighs, somewhat embarrassed. 

The incident with the slightly drunk professor kept playing in Yerin’s mind. She and Handyman Oppa was about to leave the building when they bumped into an older man who is clearly drunk as he was swaying when he walks and the two men with him tried their best to keep him from falling. The old man sees Yerin and Handyman Oppa, then he started to scream at Handyman Oppa, ”you jerk! You didn’t even greet me. Don’t pretend that you didn’t see me. You garbage handyman!”.

Then the old man looks at Yerin and smiles at her. He came closer and he is reeks with a smell of beer.

“You are a pretty lady, what are you doing with this garbage. Here, let me look at your pretty face.” The old man reach out his hand trying to touch her face.

Handyman Oppa quickly holds her hand tightly and stands in front of her. Now, the older woman stands in between her and the drunken old man. Handyman Oppa holds her hand tightly with one hand and held Yerin close to her back as she wraps her left arm around Yerin’s waist and pull her close to her body. Then, Handyman Oppa greets the drunken old man and bow politely.

”Good afternoon Professor Lee. I’m going back now. Have a nice day.” 

Just before they leave the building, Handyman Oppa turn around facing the drunken professor with an annoyed face saying, “please be more respectful to woman and this is a work place, don’t dare drag your drunken here the next time. Oh, I am reporting this incident.”

The incident sends a shivers down Yerin’s spine. She shakes her head a few times trying to get it out of her mind while still looking down. She is a bit embarrassed with herself for how she was acting and said earlier. 

Handyman Oppa nods her head and smiles at the younger girl although Yerin’s head is still facing down. 

“Be your own person. Love yourself, then you can live your life as happy as you can be and you can love the one you love fully.” 

After that, they didn’t say anything. Handyman Oppa focuses on the traffic ahead while Yerin stares into the sky. The music from the radio filled the silence car. Handyman Oppa glances to the clock displayed on the radio. She silently calculates the expected time they will arrive at Gfriend’s music company where they practice. She lets out a small sigh.

”I think we should call your manager and Sowon to let them know you are going to be late by about five minutes.” Handyman Oppa sudden suggestion breaking the silence.

“Oh, it’s okay. I don’t think we have to. We can probably make it. And it’s just five minutes, so it should be okay.” Yerin answers with a smile thinking that this calm person is quite cute when she worries about little things like being late.

****

SinB keeps checking her phone ever since she and Umji arrived at their practice room fifteen minutes ago. She turns her phone off and on again just to make sure it is working fine. She even sends a message to their group’s message and can see the other members received it because they just laugh when reading it. That shows that her phone is working fine. SinB knows it’s not time for their practice yet, the session is starting in fifteen minutes as their teacher has not arrived yet. But, she is anxious as Yerin is not anywhere in the company’s building. SinB even went to the toilet in the next building to see if Yerin was there, unfortunately, she was not.

It is not really a big deal if any of the members is late for their practice. It happened before and they would be punished if the reason of their lateness doesn’t make sense. The punishment is not something terrible or cruel, usually they have to clean up their practice room. But, most of the time when they are running late, they would informed the members through the group message or they told one of the managers just like Sowon did. Sowon texted saying she might be late as the bus was delayed.

SinB cannot sit still, she dialled Yerin’s number. Once, it rings. That means her phone is not dead. SinB waits for Yerin to pick up her phone. But, she didn’t. SinB tries again. No answer. People always say that third time is a charm. Still Yerin has not answered. She cannot take it anymore, she is too anxious to just sit back and waits for Yerin. SinB gets out of the practice room and started to find the youngest manager. 

“Why are you here and Yerin unnie is not? Where is she? Where did she go?” SinB asks the youngest manager who seems too relax for her while she is worried sick as Yerin is still has not arrived for their practice when it’s going to start in five minutes.

”Oh, D said they already left the university about 45 minutes ago...” 

”So she is with oppa?!” SinB cuts off the manager who seems like he had something else to say and storms out of the break room heading to their practice room to get her phone.

Again, she dials Yerin’s number and hopes she picks up her phone this time around. Still, no answer. She then angrily dials Handyman Oppa’s number and as soon the older woman picks up her phone, SinB feels a bit relieved. But not for long.

”Where are you? Where is Yerin? Why isn’t she here yet?” SinB asks the older woman questions without even greeting her first.

”She’s here with me. There’s been an accident...”

Hearing the word accident makes SinB’s heart races and she lost all her calmness. SinB hysterically screamed the word ‘accident’ and it caught the other members’ attention that they gather around and put the phone on speaker.

”Where is Yerin? Is she okay? How bad is the accident? How did it happened? Where are you guys now? Are you at the hospital? Where is Yerin? Where is she? Did she got hurt?” SinB continues to scream her questions hysterically.

The word accident just makes her think of everything she doesn’t want to happen to Yerin. Although Umji hugs her from behind trying to calm her down, her heart and mind just went crazy. The tears started to escape her eyes.

”No, it’s okay. She is okay.” Handyman Oppa tries to explain but was cut off by another wave of hysterical screaming from SinB.

”Where is she now? Where are you guys now? Tell me now?!!” SinB screams at the phone again while crying her heart out.

”SinB-yah, let oppa explains first.” Eunha hold SinB’s hand tightly to calm her down.

”Yerin is okay. She is not hurt. We didn’t get into an accident. Someone else are. There was a car accident and it caused a traffic jam. That’s why we are running late.” Handyman Oppa explains as clear as she can.

”Then why didn’t she answers my call? Why is she not on the phone with you now?” SinB who has calmed down a bit asks.

”I’m here SinB. I’m here. Sorry I didn’t picked up your call. I went to the toilet just now, I left my phone in the car. I’m okay. We are okay. I promise you I’m okay. Just stopped by a petrol pump because I had to use the toilet.” Yerin answers SinB’s questions as soon as she got into the car quickly after Handyman Oppa waves at her frantically.

”Why didn’t you tell me where were you going? Why didn’t you tell us you are running late? Do you have any idea how worried I was?” SinB has completely calmed down asks Yerin softly, but her voice sounded that she is still worried about the older girl.

”I’m sorry. I’m sorry to have made you guys worry about me. I didn’t tell you guys because I might be late just five or ten minutes. I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad at me. I bought snacks for all of you because you had to wait for me when I went to the toilet just now.” Yerin apologises and even tries to make it up by telling them about the snacks she bought from the convenience store inside the petrol pump.

”Let see if I decides to forgive you.” said SinB softly.

“You, oppa! You are the older one, why didn’t you tell us about it? You should have known better.” SinB who was just calmly and softly talks to Yerin is now screaming in anger directed towards Handyman Oppa.

”I’m sorry.” 

There is nothing more Handyman Oppa could say, so she just apologised. She didn’t even tries to explain that she already suggested to Yerin to let them know or the fact that she had already texted Gfriend’s youngest manager informing him about it. After the simple sorry that was not being responded to by the younger girl, Handyman Oppa just continues to drive without saying anything. Yerin talks to SinB for another minute and hang ups the phone after apologises to her members for the last time.

Yerin just looked at Handyman Oppa and smiles apologetically. The older woman just smiles back at her and shakes her head a few times telling her it is okay. 

“SinB might be angry at me. But, don’t think I have already lost, okay? Usually people finds out they like me after they got angry at me.” Handyman Oppa jokingly said at Yerin to cheer the younger girl up who seems guilty of what happened to Handyman Oppa, getting yelled at by SinB.

”Hahaha. You wished. It looks like her heart already belong to me oppa. I guess I don’t have to tell her about Twice then. Maybe you need to step up your game, oppa. And I think, manager-nim is ruining everything for you.” Yerin laughs, responding to the older woman’s joke with another joke.

”Uhh. Wait. Is he part of this war? Why do I feel like he is?” Handyman Oppa rubs her chin slowly as if she was thinking something.

”No, I don’t think so. He was always scared of SinB. He is too afraid of SinB. He would not be able to win against us or stands her.” Both Yerin and Handyman Oppa laughs their heart out when they think about how the always nervous manager could handle SinB when she is angry. 

They finally arrived at the Gfriend’s company’s building. Handyman Oppa parked the car and Yerin quickly gets out of the car running towards the practice room with a bag full of snacks in her right hand. The older woman just smiles and walks calmly into the building, greeting the youngest manager who is already waiting for her at the entrance. They both go to the meeting room where a group of people and the CEO of the company has been waiting for her.

****

The CEO, the four managers and another three staffs that Handyman Oppa has yet to meet are already sitting down at the oval table talking among themselves. Handyman Oppa enters the room and greet everyone politely. She apologises for her lateness before she takes a sit next to the CEO since that is the only vacant chair and the man himself waves at her asking her to sit there.

The head manager starts the meeting by addressing the concern that Handyman Oppa voiced to the two young managers last night. “These guys were on a stake-out the whole day, but they haven’t found the guy you said last night. Right now, there are another two guys on a stake-out. We’ll keep monitoring the building for another few days.”

Handyman Oppa nods her head a few times.

”Do you think he will only show up at night after the girls’ practice or during the days the girls have shows or events?” Handyman Oppa asks and one of the guys that are from the security team is writing it down in his book. 

The guys in the security team begins to ask the managers if any of them have seen the guy before. All of them said they never see the guy before. They had the picture Handyman Oppa sent last night on the screen. All of them tries to identify the black hoodie guy and see whether they might have seen him during any of Gfriend’s shows or events. 

“He could probably registered as a Buddy. Maybe we should take a look at the list if you have pictures of their profiles. Not sure if this is possible, but can anyone monitors the SNS accounts that seemed like they might be doing this? Someone that always leave messages threatening or showed that they are overly obsessed with Eunha or any of the girls. It could be men or women. See if they set their profiles public and posted pictures of themselves, so we can compare to the one I sent last night.” Handyman Oppa elaborates her suggestions in detail.

”You know a lot of things, Prof. I thought you are a professor at a university.” One of the guys from the security team is asking Handyman Oppa interestedly. 

“Ahh. I’m part of an international crime investigation team. So, we’ve had cases like this before.” Handyman Oppa smiles and hands two name cards to the guy who just nods his head while reading the name cards, one with Handyman Oppa’s position at the university and the other one is with her position in the crime investigation team.

The other thing that was on the meeting’s agenda was to prepare the girls with some basic self-defence skills. The CEO himself suggested that they should equipped the girls with some skills although the company will increase their security details for the girl group, but it would be helpful for them to have the skills. Everyone agrees with the suggestion. 

“Yerin went to the gym with you this afternoon, right?” The CEO asks Handyman Oppa.

”Yes. She said she wanted to increase her stamina since she has to sing and dance. I think it’s a good idea as well. Not only it can helped builds her stamina but her strength as well. She could be the unofficial body guards for the other girls. She is already have some muscle strength. I know you guys are always on guard when they perform. But, it’s just a good additional precaution. I always remembered the incident with Taeyon and the guy who tried to grab her from the stage when Girls Generation performed years ago.” All the men in the room agreed with Handyman Oppa.

Since Handyman Oppa said that it is a bit too far for the girls to go the same gym she used to go, she suggested that they get a membership at a gym that is closer to the company. The meeting was wrapped up with a few things needed to be done by the managing team, security team as well as the girls.

****

Sowon arrived for the group’s dance practice about fifteen minutes after the practice has started. The girls have started practicing, so she just rest for five minutes before joining them. Through out the dance practice, Sowon tried to talk to Eunha but failed. When she had a chance, she could not say anything. So, she just smiles at her and the younger girl smiles back at her. But, there’s something about Eunha’s smile that doesn’t feel the same. It was not as warmth, as loving and as comforting as always. Sowon could see that Eunha is tired and probably still hurts by what happened yesterday.

Sowon knew she had to do something. But, she spent her whole day trying to come out with a plan to make it up to the younger girl. At first, she thought of getting Eunha a bouquet of flowers. But then, she remembers that Handyman Oppa has given her a few days ago. Although everyone also received a bouquet including her, she just can’t shakes off the thought of she would be doing the same thing as Handyman Oppa, which by the way is the person she doesn’t really like at the moment. 

When she had her lunch, she thought of cooking Eunha something for dinner or breakfast tomorrow. Again, the image of Handyman Oppa cooking and the foods she cooked for them that they ate for breakfast appear in her mind. So, she discarded the idea. Then, she thought of trying to compose a song or a poem to apologise to Eunha. And even she had a lot of time at the bus stop as the bus was delayed, she can’t think of anything she can possibly say to express how sorry she is.  

The conversation Eunha and Handyman Oppa had last night over some hot chocolates kept replaying in her ears. Everything the older woman said was true. She loves Eunha so much, that’s why she got jealous. And it is also true that she thinks she doesn’t deserve someone as pretty, as lovely, as caring as Eunha. 

There was one thing that Handyman Oppa said that made her realised that she have hurt the woman she loves with all her heart so much that Sowon herself thinks she doesn’t deserve to be loved by Eunha. She didn’t know Eunha cried last night. When the older woman said that Eunha doesn’t have to cry over someone she doesn’t love, she realised that she has hurt her so much with her actions that she cried and she was tired of reassuring her love for Sowon when she has been doing that for long but Sowon doesn’t seem to sees it.

That was when Sowon thinks that words are not enough to apologise to Eunha and definitely not enough to show how much she loves her. Just like what Handyman Oppa said last night, she needs to do whatever she can to fight for the one she loves. She decided that she is going to bring her out on a date somewhere and eat Eunha’s favourite foods. Sowon was determined to ask Eunha out once she sees her during practice. But, today’s practice session is so packed that she was only able to exchange smiles and glances over Eunha without saying anything. 

Their dance’s teacher wraps up the practice after about three hours of practicing. Everyone was lying on the floor trying to catch a breath after the intense practice. After about fifteen minutes of rest, they were told that the managers have some things to say to them, so they were all seated on the chairs while waiting for them. Sowon sits next to Eunha like they usually do and since this is the first time in the last three hours that she has a chance to talk to Eunha, she intends to fully utilise this opportunity.

”Is your phone working?” Sowon whispers to Eunha who just nods her head in response.

”Did you get my message?” Sowon asks.

”Yes.” Eunha answers and turns to face Sowon.

“Why didn’t you reply my message?” 

Just Eunha was about to answer her question, that was when the person Sowon doesn’t want to see the most appears, peeking into the practice room from the door. She curse the older woman in her mind and it irritates her so much that she suddenly loses her temper. 

”You didn’t reply my message. But then you have the time to text her to pick you up from practice? Are you seeing her now?” 

Eunha seems confused with what Sowon just accused her and turns around to look at who is she referring to. Then she sees Handyman Oppa handing Yerin her gym bag while trying to talk to SinB. Her eyes widened and her heart crushes because of Sowon’s accusations. 

“I didn’t, but, you just gave me a good idea. I didn’t even have her number. And right now, I don’t know who am I seeing anymore.” Eunha said while sticking her phone in front of Sowon’s eyes. 

Eunha stands up and asks Umji for the list of things she wants to buy for her and SinB to cook tomorrow. 

“I’ll buy it for you.” Eunha said to Umji as she hands the list to her.

”Oppa, let’s go. We are going to do some grocery shopping and you are going to drive me home tonight.” Eunha walks towards the oppa who seems confused with what is going on.

”Eunha, can you hold on for a minute. I need to tell you girls something.” The CEO of Gfriend’s company walks into the room and softly ask Eunha as she was holding onto Handyman Oppa’s arm to drag her to leave the room.

”D, you will wait for her, right?” The CEO looks at the confused Handyman Oppa.

”Ahh, ne.” Handyman Oppa just nods her head and say yes although she is still confused with what is happening while still trying to make eye contact with SinB who is avoiding her. Handyman Oppa then walks out of the room to wait for Eunha as instructed by the young CEO of the music company.

Eunha sits back in her seat and just pretend to listen to what the CEO is saying. Sowon tries to talk to her but she just ignored her. Eunha was finally happy when Sowon talked to her earlier and she wanted to ask Sowon what she actualy wanted to say to her when she send the message. Eunha decided to make the first move in resolving the issues between her and Sowon by following Handyman Oppa suggestion to her last night, to talk to Sowon and discuss their feelings. But then, Sowon accused her of texting Handyman Oppa to pick her up and even have the audacity to questions her if she is seeing the older woman.

At that time, her heart crushes into pieces. She wanted to cry her heart out but she doesn’t want Sowon to see it, so she said something she never thought she could say. Right now, she tries her best to hold in her tears and listens to what the CEO is saying. She might seems like she is focused on him, but nothing he said registered in her mind. Eunha just stares blankly at the CEO and their chief manager when they talk while counting every seconds to when she can leave the room.

Sowon bite her lip. She curse herself in her mind repeatedly. Sowon have no idea what has got into her just now that she accused Eunha texting Handyman Oppa and asked her if she is dating the older woman. The minute all the words escaped from , she regretted it. If it’s not because of the CEO and her manager are talking something important right now, she wanted to be on her knees begging Eunha’s forgiveness for what she has said.

Although she could tell that the two men in front of them are talking about something important by the look in the other members’ face and the way they exclaim, Sowon could not focus on them. The most important thing right now for her is Eunha who is ignoring her, as rightfully of her to do so.

The meeting ended shortly after the manager said they will update them the details within this weekend. Eunha leaves the room in a flash after bid her goodbye to the other girls. Sowon wanted to stop her but she was surrounded by the girls who are talking about something related to martial arts training that Sowon has no idea what is it about. 

“You fool! You were supposed to make a foolproof plan to apologise to Eunha, not being an idiot accusing her of something.” Sowon said to herself while wanting to punch herself in the face for acting so stupidly.