Choi HaSeul

Once we were outside, he smiled to me. " Great. " My eyes found our hands intertwined and I stared for long seconds. YongGuk was holding my hand. His hand left my hands quite quickly. " What do you want to eat ? "

I shrugged. " Choose a restaurant. "

He looked around and we found something close enough to the library. We sat down and I looked at YongGuk as he ordered. I never saw him in jeans. He looked really nice in regular clothes. He turned to me and I realized why those clothes seemed familiar.

" Those are Himchan's. " I said pointing to his clothes. YongGuk looked surprised. " How did you know ? "

" Well, I see him a lot. "

He looked bothered by my answer. "You two seems close."

" Himchan takes good care of his juniors. Always calling every week to know if everything is fine and inviting us regularly."

" Us ? "

" The FRIENDS team, with all the volunteers and workers. He's very generous. "

YongGuk nodded and we went to sit down. I ordered something light not wanting to feel dizzy all afternoon.

We started to eat as soon as the food arrived. It was our first time eating together, on a table in a restaurant. At the hospital it was different YongGuk was on his bed and myself on a chair, but here we were in front of each other and eating of the same side dishes. I couldn't help but feel flustered. I never allowed myself such fantasy before. I always wished that YongGuk will be free but not that he would be part of my life.

I looked at him eat and couldn't help but feel satisfied. He was eating a lot, from his expression it was obvious he enjoyed the food. All of sudden he looked at me. " You won't eat ? "

" Oh I just spaced out. "

YongGuk took the water jar and gave me some water, I thanked him quietly and he smiled at me. We ate in silence, just eating the delicious food we shared. We left the restaurant and YongGuk turned himself to me. " Can I offer you some peppermint tea ? I saw a coffee shop and I know you like them. "

I nodded shyly and followed him to the coffee shop trying to figure out what was he expecting from me. Forgiveness ? Friendship ? Eating with him felt weirdly awkward. I didn't eat much. I wasn't hungry at all, I just wanted to know where all of this kindness would bring us. I tried to sigh to relax myself, it was hard to fake to be perfectly fine when I was with the person who crushed my heart like this.

As we sat down together, YongGuk handed me my tea and I looked at him smile at me. I couldn't bear it anymore. "Why are you doing all of these ? You already apologize and I forgive you. What do you need more from me ?"

He scoffed and took his backpack, his hands put a gift box on the table. " It's for you. I just wanted to thank you, I'm not the ungrateful brat who shout on people that helps him all the time."

I was extremely flustered. A gift for me ? YongGuk drank a bit of his coffee and I imitated him with my tea, it was very hot and I cursed under my breath. YongGuk chuckled. "Be careful ... HaSeul, you won't open it ?"

My hands were shaky and I opened it with a lot of apprehension. I found a necklace with the cutest book pendant. I stayed frozen. It looked pretty expensive. " I can't accept that. " I said closing it back and pushing it to his sides.

YongGuk hands blocked mine. " HaSeul you have to accept. I really want to show you my gratitude. You don't even have to wear it. "

My willpower shattered and I nodded softly. I was almost  teary now. Why did he give me jewelry ? That's not something you offer to a friend. I stood up, not wanting him to see me cry. I was emotionally exhausted. " I have to go. JaeKyung would be furious if I'm late. Thanks you! "

*

Bang YongGuk

I tried to not bother so much HaSeul. This day, I had dinner with Himchan very early because he had to go to another city so we ust had to eat earlier. So I decided to go to the library, give back the book I read already and take a new one. Of course, take a glimpse of HaSeul.  But as I arrived to her desk to return the book, I noticed her empty seat and  hesitated. I had to wait for her or just go to JaeKyung ? JaeKyung smiled to me. " HaSeul went to give korean litterature lessons to the kids downstairs. I'll take care of your book. "

I gave her my card and book and she took them. "  When did it started ? "

" Huh ? " I asked to her. She smiled. " Your relationship. I'm kind of disappointed she didn't tell me anything. HaSeul has a boyfriend. "

I gasped hearing such words. " I am not her boyfriend. "

JaeKyung laughed. "  Come on. It's too obvious. You even gave her a necklace yesterday. "

I was awfully embarrassed now. "No we are not dating, you misunderstood. "

"What kind of male friend give jewel to a female friend ? Especially a necklace." Jaekyung said.

I widened my eyes hearing this. Yeah, it was true that somehow necklaces were something that boyfriends offer to their girlfriends. I didn't have this in mind when I bought the necklace.

I gulped as she gave me back my book and card. Walking around in the library, I finally spotted HaSeul, she was waving goodbye to her little students. I approached her softly. " HaSeul. "

She looked still very surprised to see me here. As if she never expected me to come back. " Can I have a book recommendation ?"

HaSeul was wearing her hair down today and it was my first time seeing her with her long hair resting on her shoulders. She looked stunning. She looked around and finally lead me to a specific bookshelf. Deep inside, I knew she wouldn't wear the necklace but I was still disappointed to see she wasn't wearing it.

" I know you like horror book. So you should read that one. "

" You read it ? " I asked to her. HaSeul shook her head, without any emotion.. " I don't read horror book. "

" Then what gives me the assurance that th