I woke up in the morning with a heavy head. The beer was too much, but without it there was no way I could get any sleep after what happened last night. I took a bottle of water on my bedside table and the memories came back.

"Let's date."

I was sure my eyeballs nearly popped out of its place. I knew we didn't drink too much beer and we were sober enough. I was wondering if he was drunk after two cans of beer but his expression looked all too serious. Not that it was a matter to joke with, either. There was no way a 37 year-old guy would joke around about relationship. Or would he?

"Minyoung-ah?" he said, waving his hand in front of my eyes.

I shook my head a little and looked down. So what now? Do I have to answer? I do, right?

"I'm sorry. It was too sudden, but I am serious. Let's date, Park Minyoung."

The explanation didn't help. I was still confused but my heart was clearly racing. I was not sure of what I should say.

The silence must be killing him, I heard him sigh and he finally spoke.

"Okay, then. You didn't seem to be giving me any answer right now, but I have no intention to take back what I just said. I guess I'll just have to wait. Good night, Minyoung-ah,"

I looked up and saw his half-hearted smile. His eyes showed disappointment but he decided to walk back to the elevator. I saw his back moving further until it was out of my sight, then I plopped down on my knees.

I shook my head again, still not knowing what to do. It's crazy. Kim Jaewook have just asked me to date him. And he was waiting for my answer. How could this even happen...

I was trying to get up when my phone rang. It was my manager.

"Yes, oppa?"

"Thank God you're answering. I've tried calling you many times, Minyoung-ah,"

"Ah, I'm sorry. I think I was drunk last night. But I'm up now, so what is it?"

"I just want to remind you about the wrap-up party this evening,"

Ah, right. The wrap-up party.

"Minyoung-ah?"

"Ah, yes. I'm sorry. So what time do I have to be ready today?"

"That's the only schedule for today, but there are some scripts waiting at the office. Do you want to see them before that?"

"Alright, sure." I looked at the clock, it's 10 am already. "How about you pick me up at 1, Oppa? I'll take a look at the scripts before preparing for the wrap up party. There should be enough time, right?"

"Of course. I'll pick you up at 1, then."

"Okay. Thank you, Oppa. See you,"

"See you,"

I hung up the phone then half throwing it aside. My head was still hurting so I lay back on the bed. I couldn't think, really.

*

Time flew too fast. How I got in the car all ready for the wrap-up party, I didn't know. I was in the office trying to read some scripts but I ended up flipping pages absent-mindedly. My stylist gave me some clothes, I wore it. We went to the salon and got my look done, I knew. But my mind was wandering somewhere else. What should I say when I saw him? Should I give him an answer? Why did he want to date me, anyway? Did he like me? Was he just curious? Should I ask him why? But shouldn't that happen naturally without much question?

"We're here, Minyoung-ah."

I looked outside the car window and saw some camera flashes already. It's time to go with the actress smile.

I opened the door and went out of the car, smiling and bowing to everyone while waiting for the staff's direction. Not too long after, I was told to walk in. The flashes had always been too much and even though I was used to it, today I didn't quite like it. Thankfully the session didn't take long. I got into the restaurant still thinking about what I should do when I saw him.

***

Has Minyoung come? I couldn't see her in the room so I guessed I came earlier. I was excited to see her again, but also not sure how she would think about what happened last night. I knew I wanted to date her, even though the confession seemed all too sudden. It was sudden because I didn't know what I felt for her until yesterday. I simply didn't want to waste time not saying what I felt then regret it later. As much as I wished for her to feel the same, I'd have to accept any answer she might've given me.

"Deokmi is here, guys!"

I quickly turned my head to the entrance and saw her face. Her expression didn't look okay, though. I could see that her smile was half-forced. Could it be because of what I said yesterday?

She finally landed her eyes on me and I tried to smile, waving to her a little. She quickly turned away and played with her hair. Now I felt bad for making her feel uncomfortable in this supposed-to-be-happy occasion.

***

He saw me. Our eyes clearly met. He must have noticed my reaction too. I felt bad but I really didn't know what to do. I quickly went the nearest seat and took a glass of water on the table. I might pass out if we sat so close, how could he look that handsome? Was that why my heart was beating so hard right now?

"So how are you, Minyoung-ssi?"

I finally saw a person sitting right beside me. Apparently she was one of the writers.

"I'm okay, thanks. How about you?"

"I'm good." She said. "By the way, lots of my friends compliment you a lot after they watched the drama. They really like how you picture Sung Deokmi,"

"Thank you. It's because of the script, too. I didn't create the character on my own,"

"Aigoo, such a humble person,"

Then we both smiled. Great, talks like this made me forget a little about him. I could breathe better now.

People on my table were mostly staff, and honestly I didn't know what each of them did exactly in the drama at first. But as we talked I learned that those I didn't know were in the editing team, so we didn't really meet on the set.

"Okay everyone, may I have your attention please?"

I heard somebody said from the center of the room. It's Jinjoo. Yehwa was beside her, too.

"First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for coming today. Today, your Lee Seonjoo--"

"—and Yoo Kyungah, will be your MC until the party ends,"

Everyone clapped and cheered loudly. I and the girls in the cast grew close to each other during the filming, but I didn't know that they'll be the MC for today. With them, there was no doubt that the party would be fun.

"Seonjoo-ssi. Personally, I can't wait for the beef and drinks. Let's go straight to the formalities so we can quickly move on to have real fun, shall we?" Yehwa said.

"Kyungah-ssi. Can't you see me purposely put the mic high up far from my stomach? If I put it lower by just one inch, everyone would definitely hear it growling."

"I swear I've heard it already,"

The MCs' interaction made everyone in the room laughed. It was a good choice to have them, indeed.

"Alright. Now first and foremost, let's hear from our Executive Producer..."

Listening to everyone's speech made me recall from the first time I received the script. It was not the first time I heard stories about an idol and a fan, but this one surely captured different sides of how 'human' a fan is—showing how being a fangirl doesn't have to be immature. It can be a conscious choice that people make because they respect idols as much as some others respect artists from other fields. I also know that there were a lot of fans out there—especially the young ones—who are almost giving their 'life' into fangirling. Some of them even steal their parents' money to buy albums, they go to fan meetings without permission and make their parents worried, or even follow their artists everywhere even though they know they can't afford it. There are also some who are too engulfed in bashing other idols thinking that doing so will show how their bias is the best. Just like Sung Deokmi who made bad decisions when she was younger, I wish that from the drama they will see that they can grow into individuals who value themselves better by doing their best in bearing life responsibilities while still making fangirling possible. Sung Deokmi is a role I would never regret taking. I learned a lot from her, too.

My mind was wandering too far when I felt a nudge from a writer beside me. She was smiling and clapping. I looked around and people were doing the same thing while looking at me. Before I got more confused, the writer said, "It's your turn now. Ryan is waiting,"

Then I looked at the center of the room and I saw him standing there behind a table with a cake on top of it. He was looking at me with his crooked smile and Jinjoo waved her hand motioning for me to come, too. Ah, the time has come.

I tried my best to stand straight and control my heartbeat. Walking there felt like a far distance even though I could reach it in seconds. It was even more difficult knowing that he was looking at me all the time.

Standing there was hard. Having him beside me was hard. I couldn't help being too fidgety—I knew my hands couldn't stop moving here and there. When I heard him talk, he said the right things so I couldn't help nodding to it. I still couldn't see him in the eye, though.

When he gave the mic to me for my turn, I tried to take it as naturally as possible, while still not looking at him. I tried to focus and say what I wanted to say. Looking at the people in front of me helped me to gather what was on my mind. It was over before I knew it, then we were told to blow the candle together with the others. When we were done, I went back to my seat feeling so relieved that it I've done my part.

The table that I sat in was quite cheerful. When the food came, everyone ate happily while chatting about their lives. This restaurant served good food, but my mood just couldn't match it. I started to get curious about what Jaewook Oppa might be thinking right now, so I tried to steal a glance.

He had not touched his food yet. His hand was on his glass, and he was chatting with others. I couldn't guess what was on his mind, but I knew that he didn't smile as much as he usually did. I felt bad for not talking to him at all, and I knew I eventually had to, but it was difficult. Strangely, I looked at him longer than I thought I would. I finally realized that he changed his outer. I got curious about the things he was talking about. I couldn't help to smile when I finally saw his laughter. I wished I could hear that; I liked the sound of his laugh. At this point I knew that I was attracted to him, but I was still not sure about many things. Avoiding him like this would get us nowhere, so we would have to talk.

In the middle of the conversation, I saw him stop talking all in a sudden and he turned his head to my side. He saw me. Our eyes met. I couldn't help to look at another direction again and took a glass in front of me. Then, not so long after, I felt my phone buzzed. It was a text from him.

Shouldn't we be talking, Minyoung-ah?

My heart was racing again. It must have prevented me from thinking straight, because I absent-mindedly send him a weird reply.

I know.

I couldn't help but to look at him. He saw my reply and he looked at me. He threw me a smile then he went back on his phone.

Do you have time after this? We don't have to go for the second round.

His reply made me think about many things. But sooner or later we would have to talk. And I couldn't hold this any longer. Be it for better or worse, I'd better face him up front.

I do. Let's talk.

I saw him taking a deep breath after reading my reply. Then I got an answer for him.

I knew a place. I'll text you the address after this ends.

I let out a sigh of relief. I quickly text my manager about my plans and ask him to take me to the place later.

*

The photo session was usually fun but I couldn't wait to talk with Jaewook oppa. So I finished everything quickly and went out of the restaurant after excusing myself for the second round. I saw him still taking pictures but I could wait in the car until he was done.

"So, where are you going? What's so urgent?" my manager asked me after we both got into the car.

"Just.. you know." I answered him forcing a smile. "But I haven't got the address. Wait a minute,"

I took my phone out and saw no new message, so I decided to text him first.

Oppa, the address.

It didn't take long before I got his reply.

You're in the car already?

I couldn't understand why he was asking, but I replied anyway.

Yes.

His next answer made me frown.

Wait.

***

I was too busy taking pictures with people when I saw her text. I looked around and couldn't find her in the room. And here I thought I would be the one waiting for her to finish.

I called my manager and asked him about my car. He said it was already in the parking lot. I quickly excused myself and went out. I met my manager there and he gave me my keys.

"Thanks,"

"You're welcome. I didn't know that you have an appointment."

"Yeah, it's kinda sudden."

"Both of the main actors skip the second round. The drama team might be disappointed, you know,"

"Well, I can't help it," I said. "Are you going home now?"

"No, the managers are also having a wrap-up party. I'll go there after this."

"Okay. Thank you once again," I smiled and left to look for my car.

After I saw where it was, I turned to look for her car. At first I thought we'd better go separately to avoid suspicion, but I changed my mind. I would take her there myself so I could take her home later. That was the least I could do for her, in case I got rejected and today would be the last time.

There was one van at the corner, it must be hers. So I went running and knocked the door. It opened in no time.

"Oppa?"

Finally I could hear her voice again. She looked surprised, though.

Instead of answering her, I looked at the driver's seat and met her manager's eyes. His shocked expression was priceless. Both of them clearly didn't expect me here.

"I promise I'll be careful and take her home later. I heard the managers are having a party, too. Are you going?"

It took him three seconds before answering, "Yes,"

"So, shall we leave, Minyoung-ah?"

"But isn't it better to go separately? The reporters might still be waiting outside," she said, looking worried.

"We're not going with my van. I asked my manager to take my car and the windows are tinted. It will be fine,"

She didn't seem to buy it. She was thinking for around five seconds before saying, "Then let me change my clothes first. Just to be safe,"

"Hm, okay."

"Where's your car?"

I pointed at a black car not far from there, and said, "So I think I'll wait there?"

"Yes, please." She said. "Oppa, would you mind to come out for a second?"

She closed the door after saying the last sentence to her manager, and I saw him out.

He looked at me and whispered, "Are you two...?"

I shook my head and said, "No, no. it's not what you think,"

Then I walked to my car and waited inside. It would be a lie to say that I was cool about whatever that might happen later. I wouldn't like to be rejected, but I was not optimistic enough either. Her actions confused me, I couldn't predict the outcome at all.

Then I heard somebody knocked the passenger's window. It was her.

I was thinking of going out to open the door for her, but she might think that it's too much. So I decided to open the door from the inside.

She opened the door slowly. She looked reluctant to come inside.

But I didn't say anything. I only threw her a smile. She knew I wouldn't hurt her, so her doubts must be about the talks we were about to have, and the proximity of being in the same car with me.

When she was finally inside, she closed the door and sighed. Then she put on her seatbelt, still not saying a thing. I waited for her to finish before starting up the car.

"Ready?" I said.

She only nodded.

I started driving with a heavy heart. I was happy but she didn't look the same. She looked anxious, and she kept looking out the window. When we passed by the entrance of the restaurant, the reporters were still there. I could see why Minyoung was being careful. I never paid much attention to the reporters before.

I really wanted to start the conversation, but she might not be okay with it. So I decided to wait. The trip wouldn't be long either, the place was only 15 minutes away.

"Where are we going?"

I smiled at the sound of her voice. "To my friend's studio. He's a member of our band,"

I saw her nodding, then she started playing with her bag.

"Don't worry, it's safe. We'll park in the basement and went up from there. My friend said that it's closed for today so I could use it and nobody would be there either,"

"Hmm,"

I couldn't help but to laugh a little. She quickly looked at me and said, "What?"

"Hmm," I said, imitating her while nodding. "Hmmmmm...."

Now it was her turn to laugh.

"What's with the 'hmmm', Park Minyoung-ssi?" I said.

She laughed a little more before saying, "Come on, Oppa.."

We both laughed together. I saw her stopped playing with her bag, too.

"So, who did you sit with earlier? I saw our writer but I'm not sure about the others,"

"It's the editing team. I didn't know them too at first,"

"Ah, I see. They might not even be on the set,"

"They also said they spent most of their time in the editing room,"

"Now I regret not getting a chance to talk to them earlier. They did a really great job in the drama,"

"They did. I made sure I thank them a lot,"

I was relieved to see her smile again. It's times like this that confirm what I felt for her. The comfort that she gave me was irreplaceable.

"It's that yellow building," I said, pointing my chin to it. "Until now I still can't understand why he chose that bright yellow. It's not like he would lost his building if he simply painted it black,"

She chuckled, "If you owned a building, would you have it black?"

"My bars sure are painted black," I said.

"Ah, right. You've never taken me there, though."

"Well, it won't be a problem if you give me a positive answer today," I smiled while glancing at her. She quickly turned her head to the window and fanned herself. I couldn't help to laugh again and directed my focus back on the road.

"No pressure, Minyoung-ah," I said on a more serious note.

The basement was totally empty. I parked the car near the entrance door then turned off the engine.

"We're here,"

Minyoung looked around and said, "It's really empty,"

"Like I said, it's closed."

"And it's dark,"

I smiled. She must be reluctant to come out.

"It won't be once we're inside,"

She was still pouting, her head couldn't stop moving, looking to every corner of the basement.

"I'll come out first," I said, opening the door and quickly walked to the passenger door.

When I opened the door for her, she was slowly moving her hand to the seatbelt.

"Need help?"

"Huh? No, no. I can do it myself," she said, looking flustered.

Then she came out of the car and I closed the door. After making sure that the doors were locked, I looked at her again.

"Let's go,"

She nodded and followed me from the side. I thought I was used to come here, but with her it felt different. Half of me was excited to know that she would see one of my most favorite place, but it would be a bad memory if she decided to reject me.

The building lights up a few seconds after I typed in the password. I went up the stairs to go to our usual studio room. It was probably the biggest room among others provided here, and also the first that was built. I remember us using the room while the construction was still working outside. We have never performed for a long time, but coming here was already like a routine. We liked to come and made music even though we didn't know where the songs would end up. The last time I went here was probably a month before I worked on Her Private Life. That time we only jammed for fun and eat some delivery food inside.

By the time she came in, she went around and touched the instruments.

"How often do you come here, Oppa?"

"Hmmm... I don't know. When I work on a drama, I only focus on that. But whenever our members have time, we always come here."

"Don't you play outside?"

"Here's where we play, Minyoung-ah," I said. "The instruments are here, that alone makes it more than enough,"

"And it smells like cigarette,"

I forgot. She didn't like it.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think about it,"

"It's okay. As long as you're not lighting up one now,"

"No. Promise."

I brought two chairs to an empty space in the room, asking her to sit down.

"This place is cool," she said after sitting.

"Yeah. My friend invested a lot of money here, too."

"He also must've made a lot of money in return,"

"Well, you can say that."

I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the talk.

"So?"

Her eyes went bigger all in a sudden, then they blinked fast.

"We don't come here because I want to show you around, remember?" I tried to smile.

It was her turn to take a deep breath, before she started her words.

"Oppa, I..." she took another breath. "I don't know... Can I be honest?"

"Sure,"

"Like, totally honest?"

My eyebrows lifted in response. What would she mean by that?

"Of course," I then said.

"I... You know, I... I like you. A lot, I think,"

Those words had successfully made my heart race.

"I mean, who wouldn't, right? You're kind, and—God, you're handsome. I mean it when I said it in the interviews. It's difficult not to be attracted to you,"

I couldn't help to smile, but she seemed to have more to say.

"But, you know.. Dating is something else," she said. "And it's more than about us being actors,"

Alright. From this sentence on, I knew I had to pay my utmost attention.

"I mean, I can just accept you because I think I like you. But I don't want to. Maybe it's because I've gotten older, but I seriously don't want to start dating because I find you physically attractive, and my heart is racing whenever you're around—like it is right now—but a relationship for me means something more. It's not just about the feelings, it's also a long-term commitment,"

"I am serious when I asked you to date, Minyoung-ah,"

"I know, Oppa. I know... But it's about me. I think it's disrespectful to you, if I simply agreed to be your girlfriend not fully knowing if I could give that commitment. Right now, I am attracted to you—that's true—but if there's one reason why I would accept you then it would be mere curiosity. Because I'm curious as to how far we could go, and if my attraction could really grow into something more. But doing so would make the relationship sounds like a simple game. I don't want to be a younger version of myself who enjoyed love when it last but then gave up when it got hard. I want to be with someone whom I know I'll stay through hard times, too. And right now, I don't know if I'm sure about that with you,"

It was the first time she looked at me in the eye, baring herself in front of me. She was being both serious and honest.

"So, Oppa. That's how I truly felt. Maybe I just don't know you enough. Maybe you think that I'm weird. But that's me being honest. I think I might need more time to answer you with the same level of seriousness. I'd love to get to know you more, I really do. But it would be selfish of me to make you wait for someone who can't even promise you anything,"

Listening to her felt like me talking to myself every time I was about to start a relationship. I started this, asking her, with that commitment in mind. I knew from our talks, I knew from the feeling, I knew when I saw her, I knew when I thought about it over and over—I wanted to be with her. But apparently she was not.

"So.. Does that mean a no?"

She took another deep breath again.

"I..." she started. "Just like I said, it's selfish, but I don't want to say no either. I want to understand what these quick heartbeats mean. Right now I only know it's different from whatever I've ever felt to any guy before, but I don't know what it is just yet. So..."

I waited.

"So... Do you mind if I want to get to know you more? But not as a girlfriend yet." She said.

"As what, then? We can't be said as exactly friends that way,"

"As... I don't know. But that's my proposal to you. If you said no, then you won't be the only one rejected. Me, too,"

I smiled a little listening to that.

"I can't promise you anything, but saying yes right now doesn't sound right to me. What do you say, Oppa?"

Her eyes were clear when she said that. She meant the words she said.

"Well... Thank you for the honesty," I said.

She looked down, probably embarrassed now after talking about it that much.

"I think you should know that I have the exact same thought about starting a relationship. It's commitment and effort, more than just love and attraction. And with that in mind, I still asked you to be my girlfriend. I envision you, by my side, in my future."

She looked back at me with those eyes again.

"But now, knowing that you don't feel the same way, made me falter a little bit. Because, you know, I also don't want to push someone into a relationship. 'Pushing someone into a relationship', to me, includes when I had to be someone else just to make you accept me. So if by 'getting to know me more' meant I have to 'prove' myself to you, convince you that being with me is the best choice, then I won't do it,"

"That's not what I meant either," she quickly responded. "I told you it's about me—so it's me who wants to get to know you, it's me who needs that time. So I don't expect you to woo me or anything. When I said yes, then it would be my very own, conscious decision."

I smiled at it. "So can I say that the offer now is—you get to know me, then you ask me out later when you're sure about the relationship?"

She looked up and then said, "Yes, I guess?"

"Then what should I do along the way? I mean, I can't act like I don't like you either,"

"Well, you can just be yourself. And I don't mind you go with your feelings. I don't mind a teaser of how you'll treat me as your girlfriend," she said, finally smiling now.

I had to laugh at that.

"That sounds unfair, if you won't be committed to me at the end,"

"But that's being honest. I'll also be honest to you like I am today. I'll say that you look good when you do, not because I want you to like me but because that's what I truly feel,"

"Minyoung-ah. I've got to say, you're very interesting,"

"Hmm, is that a compliment?"

I smiled to it. This was a very weird arrangement, but I thought why not. It's not like my feelings were gone just because of the things she said. Strangely enough, I wanted to try it.

"You'll really don't mind if I do things that I want to do? There's another reason why I want us to be more than friends, Park Minyoung-ssi."

"What is it?"

"Because I might do to you," I moved my head closer, then landed on the side of her face, whispering, "Things that only couples can do,"

She gaped at my words, moved his head back before saying, "Oppa!"

I chuckled at her reaction then extended my hand to her, "Deal?"

She was still fanning herself but then she took my hand.

"Deal."

Author's Note:

Hi, everyone. I'm sorry for the late update. When I started this story, I had very little expectation. I thought, maybe around 10 people might read it because of their love for labit couple. When the number of views grew, somebody gave an upvote, a comment, then subscribe, I couldn't believe myself. You don't know how much that meant to me, and I have to thank you a lot for that. Thank you for giving me the motivation to continue writing, even though I couldn't update as often as you might expect me to. The joy I got from writing is irreplaceable. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

By the way, I started this story with a mature theme in mind. But by mature, I didn't mean the adult scenes. I wanted to show how maturity plays a part in relationships, just like how Deokmi and Ryan showed in the drama. They are not free of problems, but I applaud them for how they deal with each one of them with clear thinking and make it more 'drama'-free. I don't think I would include adult scenes here so if that's what you're into then you might be disappointed to find little to none in this story. Nevertheless, I wish you would still read along and stay together with me, accompanying this version of labit couple growing in their journey. Until the next update!