:: I Love You ::

 

“Miss Shin. I heard that you are an active athlete in archery sports during your college time in London, right?”, Coach Yeo, the boxing trainer of the college asked. Hana and Mimi were surprised with the sudden question from Coach Yeo as the two were sitting in the audience seat, watching Sejeong, Nayoung and his friends practicing boxing movements inside the ring. They were inside the sports complex of the college.

 

“Ermm.. y-yes”, she hesitantly replied. “How did you know, Sir?”, she asked Coach Yeo.

 

“Do you know Miss Lee who is working at the Student Sports Division?”, he replied. Hana nodded as she knew the person whom he had mentioned just now. “She’s my sister-in-law. She said she saw your personal record, and she asked me to ask you whether you are interested in becoming our college athlete here. She didn’t want you to waste your talent in archery sports”, he said.

 

“I-I don’t know.. I don’t know what to say, Sir”, Hana replied as she felt contempleted. She has decided to quit from joining any sports as she wanted to focus on her studies and Sejeong. Coach Yeo just smiled at Hana's answer.

 

“I know about you and Sejeong. And, you too, Miss Jung”, Coach Yeo said and chuckled as he felt amused with the two girls' surprised reaction to his words. “Sejeong and Nayoung are like my own little brother. They often shared their personal thoughts and stories with me because we are quite close. They’re the most talented and well disciplined athletes in this college, you know”, he proudly said.

 

“Wow! I didn’t know that our boyfriend were loved by so many people in this college”, Mimi whispered to Hana. Hana almost wanted to chuckle, but she refrained herself from doing so as they were in the middle of their conversation with Coach Yeo.

 

“Let me think about it first, Sir. I might as well need to ask Sejeong's opinion on this. I will let you know through him”, Hana said.

 

“Ah, good to know that. I hope you will accept the offer”, he replied. “Alright, girls. I need to go now. It’s nice talking to you Miss Shin, Miss Jung. I’ll see you around soon”, Coach Yeo said as he got up from the seat and waved his hand to the girls. The girls bowed at him and sat back on their respective seats.

 

“So?”, Mimi asked as she looked at Hana. The latter raised her brows.

 

“So what?”, she asked her back. Mimi rolled her eyes annoyingly, causing Hana chuckled on her act.

 

“Don’t ask me back when I ask you”, she said in an annoyed tone. Hana laughed as she felt amused teasing her friend.

 

“Chill, babe! And, to remind you Miss Jung since you have already forgotten, I have made my decision to not be involved with any sports when I moved back here. I just want to focus on my studies, and my relationship with Sejeong, that’s all”, Hana replied.

 

“Why does it sound like you’re going to settle down your life with Sejeong, huh? We still have a long way to go, though. I’m sure you want to work after graduating from college, right?”, Mimi asked.

 

“Well, I don’t know. My plan might change later. Who knows,” Hana simply replied. Mimi stared at her in disbelief, and Hana gave her a ‘what’ look.

 

“Your act sometimes is annoying, Miss Shin. Don’t you have a thought in your mind to build your own career, or to become successful in your life besides thinking about your future with Sejeong? I mean, he’s not going anywhere, though. If he really loves you then he will support you for whatever you want to do in your life”, Mimi said as she tried to knock some sense into her friend’s head.

 

“What about you? Don’t you want to settle down your life with Nayoung once you graduate from college? Or, you’re planning to ditch him and find yourself a new boyfriend?”, Hana replied with a smirk.

 

“Yah! What nonsense you’re talking about?”, Mimi cried.

 

“Ermm.. ladies? Care to share with us the things you’re arguing about?”, a familiar voice suddenly startled the girls.

 

“Hey, you! Ermm.. nothing to share. We just have our silly conversation, that’s all”, Hana said as she got up from her seat and quickly grabbing Sejeong’s wrist, pulling him to sit next to her. Mimi’s eyes wandering around the area as she couldn’t find Nayoung. Sejeong immediately noticed her action then smiled as he started to speak.

 

“Your boyfriend went to the restroom, noona. He said he wanted to get shower first. He will be right back, don’t worry”, he said.

 

“Oh, okay”, Mimi replied with a bashful smile. Hana let out a small chuckle at her friend’s cute reaction.

 

“How about you? Don’t you want to take shower first?,” Hana asked him.

 

“We take turns. I will take a shower after Nayoung. We need to protect our girlfriend first”, Sejeong said with a grin.

 

“Aww.. that’s very sweet of you, honey. But you don’t have to do that though. We are strong enough to beat whoever tried to harm us”, Hana replied while patting gently on Sejeong’s cheek.

 

“Oh, no! After what happened with you two in my hometown last time, I won’t let that happen again. You two under our protection squad, arasso?”, Sejeong said with his strict face.

 

“Wow! Since when you and Nayoung became our bodyguard, huh? I didn’t know about that”, Hana asked as she felt amused and funny at the same time. Sejeong can be cute sometimes and it made her heart flutter even more.

 

“Ermm.. since we have become your boyfriend.. Hehe..”, Sejeong replied while giggling shyly. The two girls couldn’t help but laugh over his cuteness.

 

“You’re so cute, Kim Sejeong”, Mimi said to him but later her arm got a slap by Hana. The latter glared at her. “Yah! What’s wrong with you?”, she snapped.

 

“That for calling my boyfriend cute in front of me”, Hana said in a stern voice.

 

“Oh, God!”, Mimi replied while rolling her eyes annoyingly. Deep down they both knew that they were just joking around. But, not with Sejeong.

 

“Noonas, please don’t fight. It’s not good for our health, you know”, he worriedly said. Hana and Mimi burst out laughing over his words, causing Sejeong to look rather confused with the two girls weird act around him.

 

“We are not, honey. We are just joking with each other. Don’t worry, okay?”, Hana said while giving him an assuring smile.

 

“Oh, I thought you two were fighting. Sorry!”, Sejeong replied while smiling sheepishly.

 

“Kim Sejeong, what should I do with you? You’re so cute!”, Hana thought. If it wasn't because of Mimi, she would definitely give a peck on his cheek at that time.

 

While having their chit-chatting on random topics, finally Nayoung appeared, looking rather fresh after taking shower. Sejeong then excuse himself to the restroom as it was his turn to take a shower.

 

 

---

 

 

The couples decided to spend their time separately as Mimi wanted to do some shopping for her mother’s upcoming birthday. Sejeong and Hana were planning to have their dinner at their favorite restaurant near the campus.

 

“Why don’t we order cheese rabokki set? I feel hungry after training”, Sejeong suggests.

 

“Okay. That will be good. It’s been a long time since the last time I ate cheese rabokki in London”, Hana said. Sejeong then called the waiter to order their food.

 

“London has Korean restaurant that sells cheese rabokki?”, he asked. Hana nodded her head.

 

“There are many of them, but eomma always cook for us at home. We seldom ate outside because appa is always busy with his work”, Hana replied.

 

“Ah, I see. Now you’re back for good, and you can eat cheese rabokki anytime. I can bring you to the best restaurants in Seoul that sell the best rabokki”, Sejeong said.

 

“Cheese rabokki in this restaurant isn’t good?”, Hana curiously asked.

 

“No, it’s not like that. This restaurant is one of the best in my list. I mean, if you want to try eating cheese rabokki in different restaurants, I can bring you anytime you want”, he replied.

 

“That’s very sweet of you”, Hana said while flashing her beautiful smile.

 

“I will do anything when it comes to you, Hana ssi”, Sejeong replied.

 

“Such a sweet talker!”, Hana said. Sejeong chuckled over her words.

 

“You like it, don’t you?”, he replied with a sly smile.
 

“Well, who doesn’t, if it is from you, right?”, she playfully said.

 

“I know because you love me so much”, he replied with a grin.

 

“Alright, enough with your cheesy words. We are going to eat cheese rabokki soon”, Hana rolled her eyes while slapping Sejeong's arm. Sejeong couldn’t help but laugh as it was fun teasing his girlfriend.

 

 

---

 

 

“Really? Coach Yeo said something like that to you?”, Sejeong asked in surprise.

“Yup. I said I will let him know through you after I made my decision”, she replied. They were in the middle of enjoying their rabokki while continuing the conversation.

 

“It’s up to you, babe. I will always support you for whatever you want to do”, Sejeong said as he smiled. Hana then shook her head.

 

“The answer is no. I don’t want to do it and that’s final. Just imagine if I was involved in sports, we will definitely don’t have much time to spend together, and I’m afraid it will slowly ruin our relationship”, Hana replied in a worried tone. Sejeong’s lips slowly formed a smile as he knew how worried his girlfriend was.

 

“You don’t have to worry, Hana ssi. And, don’t force yourself to accept the offer. Just do whatever your heart desires”, he said encouragingly.

 

“Thank you Kim Sejeong ssi for understanding me. I have already retired from sports, and I just want to focus on my studies here, and to spend my time with you and my friends here”, she replied.

 

“You are welcome. You want to stick with me like candy, huh?”, Sejeong said with a sly smile.

 

“Hmm.. it's supposed to be ‘stuck with you like glue’, but candy can do so”, she cheekily replied, and her words earning a laughter from Sejeong.

 

“Since when you’ve become cheeky like this, huh?”, he teasingly said.

 

“Since we’ve become a couple. I learned a lot from you, cheeky boy”, Hana replied while patting gently on his cheek. Sejeong laughed at her words.

 

“Alright, alright! I have to agree with that”, he admitted while still laughing.

 

The couple then continued their lunch while continuing with their random conversation.

 

 

---

 

 

“Aigoo.. Look at these lovebirds. Can’t be separated, huh?”, Nayoung said teasingly while looking at Sejeong and Hana who were enjoying the view while sitting at the bench. They were sitting while facing the riverside located near the walkway. They have planned to have their cycling date at Han River in the afternoon since they didn’t have any class schedule at that time.

 

“Yah, you two! Get up now and let’s race. Those who lose will buy us an ice cream”, Mimi suggested.

 

“Deal! Let’s race with them”, Hana said as she got up from the bench and reached for Sejeong’s hand and pulled him to get up. When he was passing by Nayoung, he stopped and leaned closer to him and whispered, “What’s wrong with your girlfriend, huh? What have you done to her?”. Nayoung just chuckled and shrugged. They then get ready on their respective bicycles, and Mimi counted to three before they started to pedal their bicycles to the maximum speed. Sejeong and Nayoung won the race as Sejeong got first place followed by Nayoung. Hana was in third place, while Mimi was the last.

 

“Urghh.. Damn!”, she groaned in frustration as she lost the race she started, and became the one who will buy ice cream for them.

 

“This is fun. Let’s do the race again next time”, Hana said as they were enjoying their ice cream.

 

“No! There’s no next time!”, Mimi snapped, causing the rest laughing at her. They knew how frustrated the girl was because she’s the loser.

 

“Chill babe. This is just a game though. No need to be grumpy because you lost”, Hana said.

 

“Grrr.. This girl!”, she growled while playfully showing her fist towards Hana. Hana just chuckled in amused, having fun teasing her best friend.

 

“Calm down, girls. Let’s finish eating ice cream first, and then we need to return our respective bicycles back to the rental shop”, Nayoung said.

 

“Where do you want to go after this?”, Sejeong asked him.

 

“We don’t really have a plan yet. Why?”, Nayoung replied.

 

“Let’s have our dinner together. It’s on me. I hope it can calm Mimi noona from her frustration of losing the race”, Sejeong suggested.

 

“Your boyfriend is the best, Hana ssi”, Mimi said, giving him a thumbs up. Hana stuck her tongue out at her best friend and continued eating her ice cream.

 

 

---

 

 

“Want to drop by for a while and meet my parents?”, Hana asked right after the car stopped in front of the building of her apartment. Sejeong shook his head and smiled.

 

“It’s already late. I don’t want to disturb them. Maybe next time, okay?”, he replied. He then unbuckled his seatbelt and he did it for Hana as well.

 

“Thank you,” she said to him. Sejeong just replied with a smile. She noticed his smile wasn’t as bright as before. “Tired?”, she asked in concern. Sejeong slowly nodded his head.

 

“A bit”, he replied. He was about to open the door as he wanted to send Hana to her apartment when she suddenly stopped him by quickly grabbing his hand.

 

“It’s okay. You don’t have to send me. You should go home now and sleep early”, she said. Sejeong shook his head as he didn’t listen to what his girlfriend told him. He gently pulled Hana’s hand from his, and patted.

 

“I’m okay, babe. Don’t worry. I’m just a bit tired today. Let’s go. I’ll send you”, he said assuringly as he quickly opened the car’s door. Hana just followed him and got out of the car. They walked hand in hand heading to the elevator.

 

As the two entered the elevator, Sejeong stood on Hana’s back and slowly circling his arms around her waist and pulled her for a back hug. Hana was startled at first, but then she eventually felt comfortable and leaned her back on Sejeong.

 

“I love you”, Sejeong whispered. His loving words made her heart flutter and was about to reply to him when she suddenly felt her back was getting heavier and suddenly he felt Sejeong’s arms were getting loose from her waist and she heard the loud thud, and the moment she turned around..

 

“Sejeong!!! Oh my God!”..

 

 

---

 

 

“How was his condition?”, Mr. Shin asked the doctor who was just checking on Sejeong’s condition.

 

After Hana found out that her boyfriend passed out inside the elevator, she quickly pressed the emergency button inside the elevator and asked for help from the security office. With the help from the security guards, they brought Sejeong to Hana’s house, and put him on the couch. Hana’s parents were surprised to know that Sejeong passed out while sending their daughter to home and Hana’s father quickly called his friend who’s working as a doctor in Seoul.

 

“I have checked on his heartbeat, and it’s a bit weak. I need you to bring him to the hospital where I’m working right now for an ECG test. But as for now, let him rest first. After he wakes up, give him a glass of plain water to drink, and bring him to the hospital later, okay?”, the doctor said.

 

“Okay”, Mr. Shin replied. The doctor then excused himself to go back to the hospital, and reminded his friend for one last time to bring Sejeong to the hospital later. After sending his friend to the elevator, he then went back inside the house. He then walked towards the couch and stood next to his wife who was watching their daughter adjusting the blanket that covered Sejeong’s body.

 

“Should we call his parents to tell about his condition?”, Mr. Shin asked Hana.

 

“I have already called them, appa. His parents were in Austria for his father’s work, and they will take the earliest flight on tomorrow’s morning to fly back here”, Hana replied sadly.

 

“Did you tell them that we need to bring him to the hospital after he wakes up?”, Mr. Shin asked.

 

“Yes, appa. I have already told them. His eomma said this is the second time he passed out like this. But, last time because he's too exhausted from all sports activities he joined”, she replied.

 

“Aigoo.. This kid! I think he’s too active until his heart is working too hard, and couldn't cope anymore. He should cut down some activities he joined and get more rest”, her father said.

 

“I will tell him after he wakes up”, Hana replied.

 

“Arasso”, her father said. He then glanced at the wall clock and the time indicates that it’s already twelve in midnight.

 

“Appa, eomma, you two should go to bed. I will stay here to look after Sejeong”, Hana said.

 

“Are you okay with it?”, Mrs. Shin asked. Hana just nodded and smiled reassuringly.

“Arasso. Good night, honey”, Mrs. Shin said as she hugged her daughter and kissed on her cheek.

 

“Good night, eomma, appa”, Hana said as Mr. Shin took turns to hug her. After her parents went inside their bedroom, Hana then took a seat next to Sejeong on the couch.

 

“I love you. Please wake up soon”, she whispered.