It Girl by A Pink

Chapter 61 – Blind Date

Hyomi’s POV

It has been a week since the winter vacation began and to admit it, I already miss my friends since I’m usually stuck at home with Baekhyun oppa. I’m just lucky when Sehun oppa comes or asks me out on a chilly morning or afternoon and sometimes dinner.

Today must be one of my luckiest days so far from the time the vacation started. Not that it’ll actually benefit me but because I’m hoping that Ahneul could finally confess to Kai. I could see how she’s already having a hard time although she tries to hide it. For Kai, it’s pretty obvious.

Standing in front of my mirror hanged on the wall, I checked myself. I smoothed out my hair and shirt underneath my hoodie. I wore a pair of faded skinny jeans and a pair of light blue sneakers. Satisfied, I got my bag and left.

Ahneul’s POV

I bit my lower lip as I peered over the heads of those who passed by the busy streets of Hongdae, one of the popular places here in the whole of South Korea. I rubbed my arms to give warmth to myself. It was so chilly and I didn’t expect for Hyomi to ask me at this time of the afternoon when the wind blew so hard. I checked the time and sighed. Why did I even think of going early?

“Ahneul?” I turned and my heart jumped and raced to its full speed. I think now I know why she hasn’t arrived yet. Jeongmal… “It’s you.”

“W-What are you doing here?” I asked still can’t believe that he, Kai, stood in front of me in a faded red shirt underneath a blue-grey letterman jacket. He also wore a cap, his fridge hung below it just above his forehead. He looked cool and handsome like that.

“Actually, I’m the one who should be asking that. What are you doing here? What do a girl like you doing here?” He asked.

“Ah…” I stammered clasping my hands over my bag that hung over my shoulder and down to my lap. “Hyomi…” Before I could answer, my phone started vibrating and I grinned. “Excuse me,” I said and he nodded, smiling. I got my phone from my pockets when I heard another phone ringing and I didn’t need to turn to know it belongs to Kai but something caught my attention so I turned to look back at him but Kai turned around too so I just shrugged it off before reading the message I just had received.

Are you already there? Having fun yet? ^^ Tell me what happens later, okay? We’ll meet for dinner, I guess? – Hyomi

I heaved a sharp intake of breath and then sighed. This girl, she really won’t stop until I confess to Kai, huh? I typed a reply before keeping it in my pockets again. When I turned, Kai was pressing on his phone before he kept it away too. I was startled when he turned and looked at me. He smiled.

“So what were you saying a while ago?” He asked.

“Ah, that… Hyomi asked me to go here but I guess…she can’t make it,” I said making up some white lies. He chuckled so I glanced at him, confused.

“Uhm… Sehun also asked me to go here,” he said making my cheeks burn. It’s obviously planned. I wonder if he really did believe what I said a minute ago.

“Oh… I see,” I said looking on the ground. There was a moment of silence as Kai looked around and I did the same.

“Since we’re already here, why won’t we just enjoy it?” He asked and I blinked, trying to process what he just said and confirm if I just heard it right. “Kaja,” he said before he moved forward, hand inside his pockets. I stood firm on the ground not knowing whether to follow him or not until he turned and smiled. “Gonna come or not?” I snapped out of my trance and ran to his side.

This will be a long but hopefully a day to remember. Actually, it already is. I just wonder what’s more to come.

On a side note. Hyomi, are you trying to play my love fairy, for real?

Kai’s POV

I actually hadn’t expected this. Sehun was so serious when he asked me to hangout today. I thought it was actually something important that I need to come. I’m not saying that I won’t come if ever I know this is what he was planning. It’s just that he fooled me and I’m not the type to be fooled. Let’s just say those chances just come once in a blue moon. But nevertheless, this chance to be with Ahneul is also the same, it comes not so often.

My heart was racing while I stood beside her, wandering around Hongdae. Both of us were quiet. The only noises were those of the people chattering and the sizzling sound of those cooking by their stalls and the constant shouting of vendors and store owners.

“How are you going to spend your vacation?” She asked breaking the silence.

“Dance,” I shrugged. “There’s nothing more to do anyway.”

“Why? Aren’t you going home to your hometown or something?” She asked. I shrugged again. “Sorry… I’ve been a nuisance already,” she muttered.

“What? No. It’s actually good you decided to spark a conversation although I’m the guy here,” I said while she just smiled a little.

“I guess…” she said. I bit my lower lip thinking of something we could do at this place.

I’m often here since I come here right after dance practices, mostly late night practices. I don’t know why now I can’t think of anything. I side-glanced to see her looking at the stores we passed by. I felt useless since I’m the guy and I can’t even initiate a conversation. I blame Sehun for this. I’m not even ready. He should’ve at least gave me that chance, right?

Wandering, my eyes spot a familiar signage that hung on a wall. An idea suddenly popped inside my head and I turned to her thinking of how to ask her. Why is it even this hard?

“Hey,” I said trying to catch her attention.

“Oh?”

“I was wondering. Are you interested in dancing?” I asked, my two fingers crossed behind my back.

“Uhm… I am but it hates me, you know,” she said, grinning.

“Why’d you think so?” I asked, chuckling a bit at how cute she looked. She shrugged. I nodded understanding. “Uhm… How about…” She looked at me and I smiled grabbing her wrist as that’s the most ‘appropriate’ way of how I could pull her with me.

“Where are we going?” She asked as she followed my lead. I turned and grinned.

“It’s about time you try,” I said. I pulled her with me until we reached inside the building.

“Studio? Bwoh?”

Ahneul’s POV

“Oh, Kai-ssi,” the desk person, a guy of early thirty’s said. Wait. He knows him? So he often comes here? “What a surprise. You’re with a girl today? Your girlfriend?” My cheeks flushed and turned warm. I shook my head, biting my lower lip.

“Uhm… Ahjussi, can we rent a room? The usual one if it’s vacant,” Kai said, showing a small smile. The man nodded with a smile before typing something on his computer.

“It’s always vacant you know unless you guys come by,” the ahjussi said as a light chuckle escaped his lips. He looked up from his computer and grabbed a card that I think is the key for the room. “You guys already, like, owned it, remember?” Kai then chuckled before shrugging. He got the card from the ahjussi before we bowed and left for the room.

As the elevator door opened, we stepped in and Kai entered the floor number.

“You often come here?” I asked looking around the grand looking elevator.

“Yup. This is where we usually come by for late night practices since its open 24/7… At least for us it is,” he said, grinning. I chuckled shaking my head a little before the elevator door opened and we stepped out.

I followed him. He stopped by a door so I did. He slid the card and the door clicked open. He pushed the door wide and switched the lights on. A room with cream-colored vinyl tiles, a mirror spread at one side, and fully equipped with a TV hung on the wall at one side, a DVD player surrounded at its sides with speakers and a flat screen monitored-computer put me in awe. As I admired the whole room that looks a bit like BAP’s, I didn’t notice that he had walked to the computer and turned it on before an up-beat song started playing.

I turned to him and he smiled.

“Let’s start?”

Hyomi’s POV

I looked at my phone to see if Ahneul texted about their little date but received nothing. Maybe they’re enjoying?

“Are you waiting for something?” I looked up from my cell phone and shook my head.

“Of course not. Just wondering if Ahneul texted or something,” I said grinning.

“Then you are waiting for something,” Sehun smirked and I rolled my eyes.

“Right. Anyway, how’s vacation going?” I asked sipping on my iced-coffee.

“Terrible.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t see you every day,” he said making my stomach flip. He never fails to do that every time tries to talk sweet.

“Psh… If I just know…” I said, trying to .

“Know what?”

“If I just know, you’re happy not to have a nuisance with you for a while,” I said.

“Well…”

“Well?”

“You’re right?” My heart fell. I didn’t mean what I said! Well… Somehow, maybe. But still!

“Knew it,” I said looking down on my drink, playing with its straw. There was a sudden flick on my forehead so I looked up, holding the sore part. “Yah!”

“I was just kidding, aigoo. You know I’d prefer you being a nuisance than not being beside me,” he said, grinning.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.

“What I mean is that, no matter how noisy you get, I don’t care as long as I know you’re there, beside me. Anyway, you’re really not that noisy,” he said and showed a toothy grin. I rolled my eyes.

“Okay, right.” I said and he just laughed. “By the way, how’s your search for the guy on the picture?”

“That. We’ve already found the address and we might go there sometime this week. My mom just called me and told me that…” he trailed off and I knew something was wrong. I held his hands that lie on the table, giving him an assuring smile.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to say it,” I said and he smiled, shaking his head.

“You know my dad is ill right now, right?” I nodded. “The doctor said that he only has a few months to go, the longest estimated it five months,” he said and I could hear the disappointment and sadness in his voice. Even though he’s not in good terms with his dad most of the time, I know he loves him. I could hear the words he said years ago replay in my head and it made me sigh as I looked on the table.

I remembered him saying that he’ll prove himself to his dad, and actually, he did it but nothing changed, he says. His dad would just smile and nod before saying ‘You did a good job son but you need to strive harder’. He was already getting frustrated on how to do better  than how he already is. He usually comes to me and cries during the times he felt like just giving up.

I guess he volunteered to go here to look for whoever that person is in the picture to prove himself, for the nth time. I don’t even know if it’s already reasonable, what he has been doing. I think he’d done a lot already to prove himself but I guess for his dad’s satisfaction, no.

“I hope he gets well soon. Don’t give up, eo?” I said and he slightly smiled, nodding.

“Thanks.” I smiled before an idea popped in my head.

“Let’s go somewhere fun today,” I said standing up.

“Where?” He asked.

“Anywhere! You have the power to choose anywhere we’ll go today,” I said, grinning.

“Uhm…” He said. I puffed my cheeks waiting for him to get up.

“Times running, Sehun,” I said tapping my foot on the floor.

“I know…” He said.

“Then?” I said and there was a moment of silence before a smile drew on his lips.

“I just have the right place,” he said and I smiled nodding.

“Then let’s go!”

No One’s POV

Hours passed by and the two couples, the other almost a couple, enjoyed their time together. The almost couple danced and fooled around as if they weren’t awkward a few hours ago while the other couple, the real couple, went to a national zoo. It was a little childish but it’s Sehun after all.

Kai and Ahneul talked about their lives and other things while resting and it was a really something that helped them grow closer. Ahneul felt only a little nervous but it vanishes at some points as Kai made her comfortable. That’s also made Ahneul’s heart flatter. You could say that they’re having a great time together.

The other couple on the other hand, like what was said, ventured the zoo that was all so familiar to them but never grew tired of. They took a few pictures and held a cab, taking a picture with it. They fed monkeys with banana and did all the things they find fun and they could do.

They made a bet that if the busy panda eating the bamboo looks at either of them, the one that the panda looked at will have a chance to ask anything to the other. It took them a minute before the panda actually turned to their direction and Sehun beamed while Hyomi puffed her cheeks.

“Okay… Fine,” Hyomi said in defeat. Sehun grinned. He need not to think of what to ask as he has thought of it before the bet. “What do you want?” Sehun simple kneeled in front of her and her eyes widened. “What—“

“Get on. I’ll give you a piggy back ride,” he said.

“Why that?” I asked.

“I thought you’ll follow without any complains?” Sehun said. Hyomi pouted.

“Alright. Just don’t whine and say I’m heavy,” Hyomi muttered before placing herself at Sehun’s back. Sehun smiled in contentment as he lifted Hyomi and walked around the zoo.

Even though Hyomi asked Sehun to bring her down already as people were already looking at them, Sehun was quite stubborn and ignored her pleas. In the end, Hyomi also gave up on asking him. They stopped to grab snacks so Hyomi was relieved. As soon as she got down, he asked Sehun if he was okay.

“Don’t worry. I’m okay. I wanted to do that for a long time,” Sehun said and Hyomi scrunched her nose. “Kaja,” Sehun said grabbing her hand. They looked for a stall to buy foods hand in hand.

As the sun slowly set, they left the zoo and decided to have dinner as soon as the moon and stars took over the sky.

“Should we invite Ahneul and Kai to eat with us?” I asked as we were in the car, driving to his family’s restaurant.

“Let’s just leave them alone. I’m pretty sure they’re having fun right now,” Sehun said and I nodded, agreeing. I brought my phone out and found no texts from either Ahneul or Kai so I assume they are both busy entertaining each other. Aigoo. I wonder if they are already together.

“Sehun,” I said.

“Uhm?”

“It’s okay that Ahneul and Kai get together right?”

“I guess. For me it’s okay. As long as Kai’s happy, I have nothing against it but… I guess one of the hyungs won’t be that pleased but I’m sure he’ll be able to understand.”

“Who? Kyungsoo oppa?”

“Uhm…” He nodded. I nodded in return.

“Himchan oppa too,” I said.

“He likes Ahneul too?” Sehun asked.

“I think. If I’m not wrong, it’s quite obvious,” I said and he chuckled.

“What are you, a love expert?” He teased and I stuck my tongue out on him.

“Maybe,” I said and he smirked.

Soon, we arrived at the restaurant and he pulled the brakes to a stop after he parked. He walked down to open the door to my side but I beat him to it.

“You know, right?” I said and he sighed.

“Yeah, I know. Let’s go,” he said holding my hand before we both entered the restaurant and enjoyed our dinner together.

Ahneul’s POV

The time was left unnoticed until we drew one of the curtains open to see if it’s already dark or not. We were surprised to see that the moon and stars were the one lighting the sky already. We checked the time. 7PM.

“We’re here for almost four hours already?” I muttered and Kai nodded, wiping his sweat off. We were both drenched in sweat and I could feel myself being so sticky. I wiped my forehead with my handkerchief until Kai handed me a towel.

“Here,” he said and I smiled, thanking him. “I guess we need to change?”

“But I don’t have any extra clothes,” I said. Instead of answering, he opened a closet where there were bags before he opened one of them. I tried to peek at what he was getting but the closet door was blocking my way. He stood up with clothes on his hand.

“Here. You can use this. It’s still not used,” he said handing the one printed with clouds on the front. “It might be somehow big but it’s better than you getting sick,” he said.

“It’s okay. Thank you,” I said, grabbing the shirt. “Where’s the washroom?”

“Ah, I’ll bring you there,” he said and I nodded as we both exited the room.

He brought me to the girls’ washroom before he went to the males’. I quickly changed to the shirt. It was a little big but it was better, like what he said, than getting sick. I walked out the cubicle and stared at myself at mirror. Urgh. I look so sticky and my face’s glistening with sweat. Ew. I washed my face with water and dried it with the towel Kai handed me a while ago before I went out. Kai was already there waiting. He was wearing a grey-blue shirt.

“Were you waiting for long?” I asked.

“Ani. I just finished,” he said and I nodded.

We both walked back to the room and fixed our things. He stood by my side as soon as he finished since he didn’t bring anything with him. As soon as I finished, we both walked out the room, making sure we’ve turned everything we used off and the room was clean. We returned the card to the ahjussi before we left the building.

“So…” I said as we stepped out.

“Want to have dinner together?” He asked making me surprised. He’s really full of surprises today. I checked my watch.

“I guess. I’ll just tell my mom,” I said, smiling. This is a once in a lifetime experience anyway. He smiled nodding.

“Let’s go. There’s this restaurant that sells really good foods,” he said as we started walking and I listened diligently, smiling and nodding once in a while.

I learned many things about Kai today. Like how he’s really talkative and how nice he really is in contrast to his bad boy appearance. He cared a lot for his family too. He even said stories about his family as I did the same. Those hours with him were one of my happiest. I never had imagined spending time with him like that. I even slapped myself secretly while Kai went out to buy drinks a while ago to make sure I wasn’t dreaming and I tell you, that slap wasn’t a joke. It left my cheeks red for a few minutes.

When we reached the restaurant, we went in and looked for a table. A waiter got our orders and we waited while chatting. We seem not to ran out of anything to say to each other which was nice because it means that we’re comfortable enough to say those kind of things to the other.

“Really? Aigoo. He should’ve confessed before leaving then,” I said as he said about Sehun and his nonstop story telling about Hyomi.

“I know right? He’s just a coward like that,” he said and I giggled, nodding.

“Maybe,” I said and right then, the food we ordered came and we ate straight away.

“How’s it? Good?” He asked and I nodded, smiling.

“Neh. One of the best,” I grinned and he smiled, nodding.

“Great to know that.”

We continued eating while having small talks until an hour later we finished and paid for the bill. I insisted that we both pay but he said that it’s his treat and so I didn’t bother to insist already because he’s really stubborn. Another thing I learned about him.

We stepped out the store and started walking around the streets of Hongdae. We were just both quiet but the silence was different from the other days where I felt so nervous and awkward. A cold breeze blew and I shivered. I rubbed my palms together for a little warmth. I continued walking until I felt Kai wasn’t beside me already. I turned and found him inside a store that sells random things but mostly attires. I followed him inside and stood beside him as he looked through some mittens.

“Are you going to buy?” I asked and he simply nodded. I just nodded in return and watched him as he picked to up of the same designs but different color. I followed him at the counter and after he paid it and got what he bought, we left the store.

As soon as we stepped out the store, Kai opened the plastic and I stood there, hands in my pockets while I looked around. I felt somebody take my hand and I turned to see Kai wearing one of the mittens, the light blue one, on my hand. My cheeks turned warm and hopefully, he didn’t notice that I was blushing.

“T-Thanks,” I stuttered. “But you didn’t really need to,” I added.

“Consider it a gift,” he said, smiling. I got the pair of the mittens and wore it to myself since it’s so embarrassing. He also wore his after.

“Gift for what?” I asked.

“For spending the day with me?” He said but it turned more like a question. “That and…” He trailed off while I waited for him to continue as I admired the cute mittens. I stared at him and our eyes locked together when he also turned and stared back.  That instant, everything seemed to stop. My heart was racing and I couldn’t actually control it. Getting a little jelly, I looked away. “…because I had fun.” He finally finished. I nodded.

“I think I need to go now. It’s pretty late,” I said as the clock strike at eight-thirty. He nodded.

“I’ll bring you home,” he said and I shook my head.

“Ani. It’s ok. I don’t leave that far anyway,” I said, smiling.

“I insist,” he said and I sighed knowing I couldn’t change his mind already.

“You’re really stubborn, huh?” I said and he smirked, shrugging.

We walked to the bus stop and waited for the bus to arrive. We were both quiet as the ‘moment’ we had a while ago still repeated in my mind. I glanced at him but turned around when he turned my direction too. I felt my chest where my heart kept on beating so fast.

Throughout the ride, we were just both quiet and when our stop came, we both went down and started walking to my house. It was quiet too but I guess it was better because I might just stutter. When we reached in front of our gate, I bowed to him and smiled.

“This is it,” I said and he nodded, smiling. “Thanks. I also enjoyed today,” I said. He nodded in reply. Not knowing what to say, I turned to open our gate before going to look back again to him as he just stood there looking at the ground. “You should go home already.”

“Uhm… Yeah. Thanks for today… Good night,” he said as he took one step back. I smiled nodding.

“Good night,” I said and as he turn and took a step away, I turned to the gate and was about to go in when he called out my name. My heart jumped in surprise. I turned and wait for him to talk.

“I…I have something to say…” He said.

“What is it?” I said as I completely turned to him.

“I…” He said but didn’t finish. My heart started beating fast for some unknown reason. A reason came to my mind but I shrug it off as it was impossible. He looked up at me from the floor before smiling. “I’m happy I met you and you became my friend,” he said and I don’t know whether I should be happy or not. I just smiled and nodded.

“It’s nothing. I’m also happy,” I said. He smiled nodding.

“So I’ll be going now. See you next time?” He said and I nodded.

“Yeah, I guess,” I said and he smiled before he turned and walked away. I watched him go until he was out of my sight.

I turned around to be shocked to see my sister, the one born next to me. I touched my chest before whining.

“Yah! You scared me!” I said and she laughed.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean it. By the way, who was that? I saw you guys from the window,” she said.

“No one,” I said as I tried walking past her.

“Your boyfriend? Wait! You already have a boyfriend unnie?! Is that a miracle?” She said and I smack her on the head. “Ow,” she said rubbing the part I smacked.

“No. What do you mean it’s a miracle if I have a boyfriend?” I said raising an eyebrow at her. She grinned.

“Uhm… It’s Kai-ssi, right?” She said ignoring what I said. I felt cheeks turn warm before I turned to go in the house.

“None of your business,” I replied.

“Then I’m right! That’s your crush, right?” She said as she followed me. I ignored her and continued to walk up the stairs. “Unnie has a boyfriend, unnie has a boyfriend,” she sang and I shot her a glare although inside, my stomach was flipping and in my mind and heart, I was hoping what she said is true but he said it, he was happy to meet me but not because he likes me back but because I became his friend and other than that, there’s nothing.

I walked to my room then took a shower. I lie on my bed after changing to some comfortable clothes. Unable to sleep, I grabbed the mittens Kai gave me and stared at it. I sighed but smiled. Being a friend is better than nothing.

HI! A long chapter to fill up the days I wasn't able to update. Our exam week is done! It means that I could update more often already. I know I said before that I only update during weekends but it really depends if I'm busy or not. Please continue to support this fanfic! Thank you! :)