CHAPTER 5: Special

Nayoung looked at her own reflection in the mirror for a quite long time before asking herself, “Am I ready to live again?”

But he remembered the advice that Mr. Kim giving for her. “Beneficial for others. Yeah. I want to be beneficial for others, at least for Jonghyun’s dad or now I will call him as my... ahbeoji.”

The corner of Nayoung’s lip made a curve. She felt somewhat happy that she now has a new family. Then she took her bag and walked out her room, but she was surprised by a sudden appearance of a stranger.

“Are you ready Ms. Im? I’m Byun Taehyun, your new driver.” He introduced himself in front of Nayoung.

Nayoung was silent for a moment, observing the man in front of her and thinking what he was just saying that got her more surprised, “Are you replacing Sangjin ahjussi?” She asked in disbelief.

“Ye.”

Nayoung let out a bitter chuckle. “Surely, dad will fire him. He needs someone to be blamed for what happened.” She didn’t bother to protest and just walked out from the house.

On the way to the campus, Nayoung couldn’t help but to compare her father with Jonghyun’s father. How they treat her really differently. Like a bird, Jonghyun’s father teach her how to fly and also to come back. While her dad was only trapped her in a cage without even bother to see her. Sad truth, Nayoung mumbled.

Arriving on campus, Nayoung felt that people seeing her differently. Some people looked at her while whispering to their friends, while some others looked at her while lifting their hands like giving spirit. Nayoung understood, it might because they knew, she is the girl who attempt suicide.

The lectures felt so long, but Nayoung followed it diligently, even though sometimes her mind went to somewhere else. To Jonghyun to be specific. She couldn’t help but to miss him. After the lectures finished, she intended to meet him. But then she realized that she doesn’t have their phone number. What she knew from the conversation they had, is just that Jonghyun took major on music. So, she decided to go there, even though the Music Department is quite far from her department.

As Nayoung reached there, she was confused where to start looking. She only stood outside the building for a quite times, waiting for him. But Jonghyun haven’t come out. So she tried to look for him inside.

Nayoung walked through the corridor and even peeked at the narrow glass door that she passed, checking perhaps Jonghyun there. But then a girl came out from that room. Nayoung used that chance by asking her whether she knew Jonghyun or not. The girl said no, but she gave a suggestion where is the place he could be.

Nayoung followed her instruction and found that place. It was a regular class room, but it seems fairly soundproof, because Nayoung couldn’t hear the sound clearly from the outside. As she got inside, most of the seats have been filled, but there were still a few empty chair on the last row. Nayoung chose to sit on one of those seats. At the front, there was a stage with a set of musical instrument. When Nayoung looked at the stage, Nayoung was surprised to see that Jonghyun was there.

He got on stage with an acoustic guitar, there were also two girls who followed him. And then they sat on stools on stage. Jonghyun talked with those girls and then started to speak to the audience.

“Anyeonghaseyo.. I’m Kim Jonghyun, a first year student. This time I will perform with my friends who have beautiful voices, Bang Minah and Park Sojin.” He said it, while the girls made a bow and said greetings.

“Okay it’s enough for the intro, now I asked you to give a starting applause.” Jonghyun’s introduction made the audience to giving claps. Jonghyun then said thanks before he started playing his guitar.

And the show began. #bgm: Girls Day - Cupid

A girl with a long hair started to sing while clapping her hands,

It's an exciting feeling
For the first time I feel this way
As if I'm caught under a spell
When I see you.

And then the girl with short hair took turn,

My heart is beating vibrantly
From head to toe
I've fallen for you
Without realizing it

The girl with short hair still singing, while the girl with a long hair was also singing as her backing vocal,

Carefully, I want to reach you
Oh ! I'm your sweety girl
Hold me
Carefully, I want to tell you
Oh ! I'm your lovely girl
While in your embrace

And they started to sing together,

Hello Hello you shiny boy!
Cupid's arrow
Come into my heart
When I see you I become nervous

Hello Hello you shiny boy!
Your sweet laughter
Sneak into my heart
All day I'm nervous
You got my heart!

You got my heart, Jonghyun.

The words slipped in Nayoung’s mind as she watched the performance. Nayoung had realized that Jonghyun is kind, but she just realized that Jonghyun is that handsome. Wearing a green plaid flannel shirt while playing guitar, Kim Jonghyun has successfully took all of Nayoung’s attention.

In the last verse, Jonghyun played his guitar beautifully. He got wild applause from the audience. He stood up and bowed with the girls to the audience. As he was about to get off the stage, he realized Nayoung was there and smiled.

-00-

After the show was end, Jonghyun approached Nayoung.

“Hi.” He greeted Nayoung.

"Hi.. You play so good, Jonghyun!" Nayoung directly praised him.

“And also the girls.” He added it with smile.

“Yeah, also the girls.. Their voices are good.. By the way, what was that shows?” Nayoung asked while walking with Jonghyun in the corridor to get outside.

“That was ILM Show. So, every Monday several people volunteered to fill the event. But, the performers are limited only to ten people. And a week before the shows, they must had already signed up.”

“Woah, that’s fun!”

“Yeah! That event was held so the students don’t get bored. Usually we heard I Hate Monday, right? So we want to erase that slogan and replace it with I Love Monday. That’s why the show named ILM.” He explained it with a bright smile.

“How many times have you performed?”

"Mmm, I think I did it twice, including the last.” He answered before then asking, “Oh, how did you get here?"

Surprised to hear his question, Nayoung got confused how to answer. "Mmm, I'm, I'm here to see you ..“ Nayoung answered in stuttered.

“Oh, did something happen?” He responded quickly with a worry face.

“No.. No.. It’s just.. I.. I want to see you. That’s all.” Nayoung finished her words with a sheepish smile.

Seeing Nayoung smiling, Jonghyun couldn’t help but to smile too. "You are so cute.."

Surprised by the praise, Nayoung turned her face to hide her shy face, but then she remembered. She stopped and asked, "Ah, Jonghyun ah.. Can you give me your phone number?”

Jonghyun was smiling. “I don’t have phone.” He answered while continued walking.

Nayoung frowned for a moment, thinking that it was impossible someone didn’t have phone in this modern era, but then she realized something. She just remembered that Jonghyun’s cell phone was damaged while rescuing her on the rooftop. Nayoung then caught Jonghyun who has been running a few feet in front of her.

"Jonghyun, wait! I'm sorry.. I forgot."

Jonghyun responded with a smile. “It’s okay..”

Nayoung then giving him her phone as she said, “Then, give me your brother’s number. Ah!! And also the address of your house here in Seoul.” Nayoung said it fast and Jonghyun could only silent.

Looking that Jonghyun was silent, Nayoung asked again carefully, “W-why? You don’t want to tell me?”

Jonghyun smiled. “No.. It’s just I’m lazy to type. I’ll tell you, you type it on your phone, okay?” He said it while giving back the cell phone to Nayoung.

“Ah.. Okay..” Nayoung then typed the address and Dojae’s number on her phone.

They continued to walk and ended up sitting in the garden.

"Nayoung ah, the sun has already set. Are you going home after this?" asked Jonghyun while looking at the sky.

Nayoung nodded reluctantly, “Yeah..".

"Alone?"

Nayoung nodded. Actually she has already imagining her driver to get crazy looking for her. She was mean, she intended to make her new driver lose his job at his first day.

"Mmmm.." Jonghyun looked as thinking before he said, "Soon after hyung comes, we'll take you home."

"Oh, no.. I can go by myself." Nayoung refused politely even though she was actually really want to just follow him rather than going back home.

"No. I don’t want you to go home alone. You have us, Nayoung ah..” Jonghyun said firmly, and somehow it made Nayoung stunned.

Nayoung couldn’t help but to smile, "It's not even night yet, Jonghyun."

Nayoung and Jonghyun spent few minutes by chatting while waiting for Dojae to come.

And after a few times, Dojae came. "Woah, you’re here, Nayoung ah. How did you get here?"

Before Nayoung answered his question, Jonghyun had drag his Hyung away. Not long after, they came back and Dojae said “Okay, let’s take her home..”

As they walked along together, Nayoung looked to the right and the left, looking for their car. Doaje who saw her, then asked, "What are you looking for?"

"Your car."

"Car?” Dojae asked back and laughed. “Nayoung ah, we are going to take the bus, not with a car.”

Nayoung frowned. Wait, if they take the bus, then why should they go together?  I mean Jonghyun could take me home by himself.

-00-

When they reached Nayoung’s house, she invited Kim Brothers to get inside, but they refused because Dojae had another agenda.

Once Nayoung got inside, her Dad was waiting in the living room.

"Where have you been?" he coldly asked.

Nayoung didn’t answer and just walked pass him.

"Let's eat together."

The words her dad was saying stopped Nayoung for a moment. She turned and stared at her dad for a couple of seconds before saying, "I'm not hungry."

Then she continued walking and left her dad alone.

-00 –

In the morning, Nayoung’s new driver approached and told Nayoung that she could choose whether she wanted to go to campus with him or by herself.

Nayoung frowned. “Did Dad give that option?”

“Ye.”

Nayoung was silent for a moment. She was thinking what her dad planning by giving her this option, but whatever it is, she wanted to use this chance. “I want to take the bus today.”

“Alright, Miss. I will tell your father.”

Nayoung then bowed to her driver as a thankful. But then she remembered something. “Ah! Ahjussi.. I’m sorry.. I’m sorry that yesterday I didn’t tell you that I left with my friends.”

The driver smiled and said, “It is okay, Miss.” Then he bowed and left.

A part of Nayoung’s heart was guilty and aother part feeling excited. She hoped it will be the start of her freedom.  

-00-

After the class was finished, Nayoung intended to meet Jonghyun again. But this time she passed by the store to buy Jonghyun a new cell phone. After buying the phone, Nayoung looked for their address. Their house is in the hill area, so Nayoung needed to climb up quite far.

As Nayoung successfully arrived in front of the apartment, she walked up the stairs. And on the second floor, there was a door with a number 201, the flat which is Kim Brothers lived. Nayoung was knocked on the door, but nobody answered. It seemed like no one was in the house.

Nayoung then decided to wait near the stairs. After a while, Nayoung decided to walk around in the front yard of the flat. Shortly thereafter, they appeared.

"Nayoung!" Jonghyun called while approaching Nayoung.

Nayoung naturally smiled at him.

"You come." Jonghyun greeted her happily, while Dojae asked in a confused stare."What are you doing here?”

"Oh, here.." Nayoung took out the box from her bag and gave it to Jonghyun, ".. to replace your cell phone."

"Oh, you don’t need to replace it." Jonghyun quickly refused.

"I would be sad if you don’t accept it. You lost your phone because of me." Nayoung told Jonghyun in guilty.

But the one who responded was Dojae, "Aaah, so you lost your phone because of her." He said it while giving a meaningful stare to his younger brother.

Jonghyun grinned to his brother before turning to Nayoung, "All right, I'll take it. Thank you, Nayoung ah."

Nayoung smiled and nodded.

"Nayoung ah, have you eaten?" asked Jonghyun.

Nayoung shook her head.

"Okay then, let's have dinner together. Hyung and I wanted to try a new restaurant in the back of this building" invited Jonghyun.

But Nayoung was hesitant as she stole glance at Dojae who was staring at her.

“Hyung must be agree, don’t worry, Nayoung ah.” Jonghyun told Nayoung and in the next second, he turned to ask his brother, “She can join us, right, hyung?”

Dojae took a deep breath and nodded. “Yeah, come on, I’m hungry..” He said while walking at the front, leading the way.

Not long after, they reached the restaurant. It wasn’t big, but there were many visitor.

"Ahjumma .. Kalbi and rice, please." Jonghyun said it to the waitress.

While Jonghyun was busy ordering the meal, Dojae asked Nayoung, "You said before that Jonghyun lose his phone because of you. How did that happen?”

"His cell phone crashed while trying to help me on the rooftop." Nayoung answered softly, didn’t giving the details that hi own brother who threw it away as a replacement of her.

Dojae sighed, before saying, "So, don’t act silly and make others difficult. Don’t you know how important that phone to Jonghyun?"

"Hyung, that’s no need to be discussed." Jonghyun interrupted. From his tone, Nayoung sensed that Jonghyun was uncomfortable with what his brother telling to Nayoung.

Feeling guilty, Nayoung apologized, "Sorry, I didn’t mean it.”

Dojae sighed again. "Yeah, it’s okay now.. You’ve already replace it anyway."

The situation got a little bit tense after that, but soon Jonghyun melted it with screaming as he saw the food coming.  "Yeay, food has come! Let's eat!"

While having dinner, Jonghyun told Nayoung about his day and asked about Nayoung’s class and so on. Meanwhile Dojae was a bit quiet. He only listened to the two sharing their stories and responded briefly.

Nayoung didn’t expect that Jonghyun would offer to take her home. At first, Nayoung refused, since she didn’t want to burden them and moreover she felt uncomfortable with Dojae. But Jonghyun even asked his brother to take Nayoung home with their car. Dojae could simply nod when his younger brother pleading him.

When Nayoung reached home, her Dad was already standing in front of the window.

"They take you home again?" He coldly asked.

"Yes." Nayoung replied shortly.

When Nayoung wanted to walk, her dad asked, "Have you eaten?"

Nayoung stopped and said, “Yes.”

"Well, get some rest." Her dad said without looking at her.

Nayoung nodded and walked to her room. When about reaching her room on the second floor, Nayoung stole a glance to the dining room and saw her Dad pulling up a chair and starting to eat by himself.

Somehow Nayoung’s heart flinched to see that view, but she couldn’t do anything than continue to walk to her room.

-00-

In the morning, Nayoung went to the kitchen to tell her housemaid to make her a porridge. She wanted to give it to Kim Brothers for their breakfast. At that time, Nayoung saw her dad’s driver preparing the car. Nayoung was moved to approach him and asked, "In this early morning, where dad will be going?"

"Sajangnim will be headed to the airport, first flight to Beijing. Excuse me Miss." He answered briefly.

Nayoung was silent for a moment, and then she threw a glance to the dining room that was clean. She asked the housemaid, “Did dad has a breakfast?”

“He didn’t want a breakfast.” The housemaid answered briefly.

And somehow her answer moved Nayoung to quickly walk towards the front house. And there she saw her dad’s car was already leaving.

Once again, Nayoung felt that her heart flinched. I think about other person, but not my dad. I shouldn’t ask dad to become a good dad, when I’m not a good daughter either.

-00-

Nayoung knocked on the door of the Kim Brothers’ flat.

When the door was opened, Dojae blurt out, "This girl is unbelievable! You’re already here in this early morning?"

"I bring you breakfast." Nayoung said it while lifting the bag.

"Woah!” Dojae responded with a broad smile and it made Nayoung relieve. She was somehow afraid that Dojae will still being in a cold mode again like last night, but she was happy that turned the otherwise.

But then Dojae told her, "Well, wait outside."

"What? You won’t invite me to get inside?" Nayoung asked in disbelief.

“No.. You better--“

But before Dojae could close the door, Nayoung initiatively pushed the door open.

"Yah, you’re a girl but force to get inside men’s room?” Dojae asked in disbelief.

Nayoung sighed. “Where’s Jonghyun? If he’s the one who opened the door, he would definitely let me get inside." Nayoung said as she tried to break through Dojae’s defence. At the same time Jonghyun came out from bathroom -which is not far from the entrance door- TOPLESS!

Jonghyun was shocked to see Nayoung. Dojae who knew it, immediately shut the door in front of Nayoung’s face.

Nayoung was shocked too. She finally decided to wait in the outside. Not long after, they came. When Nayoung saw Jonghyun, she immediately apologized.

"Sorry Jonghyun, I didn’t mean it."

"It's okay, I still wear pants anyway." Jonghyun tried to brush it off with changing the subject. "Hyung said that you bring breakfast. Let's eat together.”

"Let’s eat it on the deck outside. You go down first, I’ll come to bring bowls." Dojae said it as he went into the house to take the bowls.

The three of them was having breakfast together while chatting and laughing. Just then, Nayoung realized, This porridge is the same that I eat in the house, but why it tastes really different when I’m with them? It tastes really delicious.

[Scene where Nayoung smiling with Kim Brothers]

#bgm: Baekhyun – Take You Home

-00 –

Nayoung couldn’t help but to always think about Jonghyun. She wanted to spend every day with him. Surely, Jonghyun has taken a special spot in her heart. It was more than understandable because Jonghyun is her savior. He came out of no where and giving Nayoung what she needs. Moreover Jonghyun is really caring. And his smile has become a medicine for Nayoung’s broken heart. In a short time, Jonghyun has become Nayoung’s everything. And she couldn’t help but to hopee Jonghyun feeling the same.

As Jonghyun has become her new gravity, Nayoung always gravitated to him. So once again, she unconsciously walked to the Music Department just to see him.

Nayoung already sent a chat to Jonghyun, to meet her in the front park of Music Department building. But she didn’t get a reply, so she went straight to the meeting place. She waited there quite long, until then she saw Jonghyun out of the building with several girls. They were talking to each other with fun. Then Jonghyun saw Nayoung, and he immediately said goodbye to his friends.

"Hi. What are you doing here?" asked Jonghyun.

"You don’t read my message?"

"Oh, I don’t check my phone all day." Jonghyun replied awkwardly.

"Mmm .. What is your agenda today? "

"I will work in the cafe today."

"Work?"

"Yeah, every Wednesday and Thursday I will perform live music in the café."

"Mmm. May I come?"

"Sure. But it’s still later at 5. I'm still waiting for Hyung. "

"Does he also work there?"

"Yeah, he worked as a waiter."

"Ah, okay then. I'll be waiting with you."

"But Nayoung ah, I still need to discuss the assignment with my friends. How?"

"Mmm.. May I.. just follow you?" asked Nayoung carefully.

Jonghyun smiled. "Sure, come on .."

Nayoung followed him to the place where he will have a discussion with his friends. Reaching there, Jonghyun introduced her to his friends. And then he asked Nayoung to wait in another table. While waiting, Nayoung watched him, how he smile, how he interact with his friends. And somehow it made Nayoung bend her head down.

After 45 minutes passed, Jonghyun got a call from his hyung that he was already waiting in front of the building. Arriving in front, Dojae started complaining when he saw Nayoung.

"God, how could this girl keeps coming up? If you do this all the time, you’’ll become our shadow."

Nayoung made a sigh, but Jonghyun responded with a laugh. "Nayoung wants to join us to the cafe, hyung."

"What?" Dojae was surprised. He turned at Nayoung and said, "Agassi, we are going to work, not to play. So, don’t do anything unnecessary, okay?"

Nayoung chuckled at how Dojae treating her like a little child. “Ye, Sir..”

Reaching the cafe, Kim Brothers told Nayoung to get inside while they went to change clothes. After a while, Dojae changed to the waiter uniform while Jonghyun changed to something catchier. He added brown leather jacket on a white long-sleeved shirt he was wearing earlier. He looks gorgeous, Nayoung said in her mind.

Nayoung sat in the back row of the round table that has been organized. She deliberately didn’t want to disturb Kim Brothers. Shortly thereafter, the cafe was opened and Dojae brought her a lemon squash.

“Woah, I can’t believe that you can act nice like this to me.” Nayoung didn’t imagine that the words come out from her lips. It seemed she has become more comfortable with Dojae. While Dojae only giving her a smirk.

One by one the customers arrived. The café was getting increasingly crowded at night. And Jonghyun have been on the stage with two other person. One sat behind drum whose name is Dowoon, and the other one sat on a tool with a guitar next to Jonghyun, whose name is Sungjin.

"Tonight, I will sing a song from our main guitarist, Kim Jonghyun.” said Sungjin and soon was followed by the screaming of the girls who was sittin in front of the stage.

“This is a song that you created yourself, right, Jonghyun ssi?” He asked Jonghyun.

“Yes. This song is I created by myself. I hope the audience will enjoy it.”

“Then let’s start it” said Sungjin and then they started the performance.

The beat of the drum started the song and then followed by Jonghyun’s guitar. Then Sungjin started to sing

#np: I Love You - Kim Hyung Sup

Nayoung stared at Jonghyun. The music was melancholy, and somehow she was saddened when listening to it. Nayoung wondered at how Jonghyun could make this sad song with his bright personality.

Did he ever hurt? Like me?

He has everything though. A dependable brother, a caring family, and friends who love him.

He is really different from you, Nayoung ah. Don’t compare yourself to him.

You don’t even deserve him. What do you want from him, uh?

Just stop.

Nayoung didn’t realize that tears falling to her cheeks. And when Jonghyun finished singing, he received thunderous applause from the visitors. Then there was one girl from the girls that gathered at the front table who come to the stage. She asked Jonghyun to get off the stage and took a picture together. Jonghyun followed her and took picture together, he even gave her a hug.

Nayoung’s eyes was still on Jonghyun and she saw how Jonghyun smiling to the girl.

It is the same.

It is the same exact smile he gave to you.

Even if you think he’s special for you. The fact is, you’re not special for him.

He’s kind to everyone. And you’re not the only one who love him.

Nayoung wiped her tears and took her bag and went away, leaving the café.

Dojae saw she was leaving without saying any goodbye.

[Scene where Nayoung left while Jonghyun was smiling with another girl and Dojae who saw Nayoung leaving]

#np: I Love You by Kim Hyung Sup

A/N: Is there reader here? Or I’m just writing for myself.. hahaha