“Appa, omma, it is okay. I’m totally fine. Both of you can go first.” Eun Mi smiled, reassuring her worried parents.

Three weeks had passed and the school term now had begun once again. She was now a senior and it would be her last year in high school. That meant more problems would come down in her way and it wouldn’t be easy to solve them either. Good grades, merits, college applications and much more need to be thought. Even so, she was quite relieved when she recalled back about a few days ago. The past problems had been handled wisely and were put in place. Although Hye Min didn’t come back, everybody, especially Eun Mi herself, was glad that her father was completely well again.

“Where’s Moon Bin?” Her father asked.

“He told me to wait for a while because he’s still in the class. Both of you should go first, he may take it a while.”

“If it’s like that, we’ll go first. We’re sorry darling, we have a meeting with the board of directors later.” Her mother said before pulling Eun Mi into her warm embrace. “Take care, darling.”

“Yes omma, don’t worry. You guys should take care of yourself too, especially appa. If there’s something happen, please call me right away. Okay?” She kissed them on cheeks and hugged them tightly. “Ah, I’m going to miss both of you so much.”

After a moment, her parents sent their regards to Moon Bin and bid her a goodbye. She then swung her orange-coloured backpack over her shoulder and dragged her luggage down the road. At the same time, she fished for her phone in the back pocket of her jeans and texted Moon Bin.

To: Moon Bin

Bin, I’m going to the office by myself. So, don’t rush or be bothered.

Stuffing back her phone into her pocket, she heedlessly haled her feet around the school compound as she searched for the main building. It was only her first time for being there, in Stella High School, and thus, everything was very new for her. Eun Mi emitted a sigh under her breath as she was reminded that it would be one of her obstacles for being a senior. She was actually transferred to there because her parents said that it would be nice if she could be close to Moon Bin since he was studying there too, besides he would also be able to take care of her. She tried to dismiss the idea but her effort was futile when Moon Bin was also on their side.

Eun Mi kept walking from one building to another building but still, she found the office was nowhere and without realising, she was already lost. “Now, where am I?” She rubbed her nape and strolled pass a corner.

“Hey, watch out!” Out of blue, she heard someone shouted at her. She turned around and was surprised to see there was an oncoming ball heading towards her face. Eun Mi flinched and shut her small eyes out of conscious.

Bam! The harsh sound of the ball hit its target echoed into her ear and yet, the pain was never coming. Instead, she felt a pair of warm hands around her head and waist. She could also feel an arrhythmic breath slapping her hair lightly and somehow it made her feel genuinely safe in those hands. Eun Mi opened her eyes slowly, welcoming the sight in front of her.

“Are you alright?” Eun Woo, who was towering over her, asked in concern even though he was the one that got hit by the ball. Though his shoulder was still stinging in pain, he just stared down at Eun Mi until she finally raised her head up.

“I-I’m alright. But are you okay?” Eun Mi murmured.

The moment she gazed into his eyes, little did she know, she had made Eun Woo’s heart to skip a beat and he was stunned to hear his own heartbeats. “It must be hurt.” His heart thumped again at the gentle and softness in her voice. He kept his blank eyes on her and noticed the anxiety and panic that was rising in her. Yet, he still didn’t say anything until someone tugged her from behind. He glanced over his shoulder and found Ji Yeon was looking at them with an unreadable expression.

Ji Yeon didn’t know why but she felt uncomfortable when Eun Woo held the girl as if he didn’t want to let her go. They were actually practicing volleyball at the outdoor badminton court since the hall was used for an upcoming event. Everything was good until one of their members wanted to try to play. He spiked the ball hard and it flies out of the court when Eun Mi suddenly popped out of nowhere. Ji Yeon was relieved when the ball didn’t hit the girl. But then, her heart felt something as she saw Eun Woo pulled the girl into his arms. It was something unpleasant.

“I’m really really really...a hundred thousand times really sorry about just now. It’s my fault.” Another guy came running towards them and apologised nervously at Eun Mi.

Eun Mi replied. “It’s okay. I’m totally fine but...” She paused and peeped at Eun Woo again. “... I think your friend is the one that got hurt.”

Eun Woo blinked at Eun Mi in silence and got surprised when his friend wailed upon him.

“Oh my god! Hyung, I’m sooooo sorry!”

“Ah, it didn’t really hurt. Don’t worry, San Ha.” Eun Woo lied and turned back to Eun Mi. His pouty lips eventually curved into a smile. “And you too.”

“Are you sure? I heard a loud bang though.”

“It’s painful but not that bad.” He beamed.

Ji Yeon rolled her eyes. She was so annoyed when Eun Woo acted cool in front of the girl and she was about to knock his head when out of nowhere a big hand slapped the back of his head first.

Eun Woo yelped in pain and spontaneously glared at the culprit. His face felt hot. “Hey, Myung Jun! What are you doing? Didn’t you know it’s hurt a lot?” He barked at his friend and touched the back of his head.

Myung Jun quickly asked for his forgiveness. “Is that so? I’m sorry, man.” It sounded so innocent at first but then again, he plastered a smirk across his face shortly after that. “But man, I think the ball hit you louder than my hand. Stop acting cool.” Myung Jun finished his sentences, making Eun Woo’s face hotter.

Eun Mi stifled her chuckle but Ji Yeon, on the other hand, was crying as she burst out a big laugh. It took her a while to get a hold of herself back and all the bad feelings in her heart went away. She put up a smile and turned to Eun Mi. “Hi. Are you a new student?”

Eun Mi nodded and San Ha chirped in. “Oh! What’s your name?”

“It’s Eun Mi. Son Eun Mi.” She replied and all of them naturally begun to introduce themselves. She couldn’t help but to giggle when San Ha suddenly a model-like pose, trying to imitate Myung Jun when introducing himself. “Nice to meet you.”

“Where are you going?” Ji Yeon asked.

“Ah, actually I’m searching for the academic office. Can you tell me where it is?”

Eun Woo opened his mouth to answer the question but he was interrupted when he realised there was someone walking towards them. The rest, including Eun Mi, turned their head to look at the person too.

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