“Kids~We’re heading off now!” Your grandmother called up the stairs as you and Minhyuk dashed out in a flurry of footsteps. “I still can’t believe you and halaboji are going on a holiday without me”, you whined whilst giving her a goodbye hug. She chuckled good naturedly whilst pulling you into an embrace. “Spend this time with Min Hyuk alright? Look around, there’s no fans, and not the sight of a single camera or reporter”, she smiled. Min Hyuk shot her a wide grin as he helped your grandfather to load their luggages into the cab waiting up front. “Take care of my granddaughter Min Hyuk ah~ And no hanky Panky business”, Halaboji reminded with a guffaw as Min Hyuk’s eyes curved up into crescent lines. “Halabojiii!!!!” You chided with wide eyes, cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Min Hyuk and you stood on the front porch, arms tucked around each others’ waists, waving until the last of the cab disappeared down the winding road amidst the grassy hills of Busan. You were glad that your grandparents were able to take a break. It must be hard running such a big, beautiful house and the rice field behind it. But just for three days, you and Min Hyuk promised to take care of the house. “We’ll manage just fine, right oppa?” You smiled, pinching his waist. He chuckled at you, your cheek gently.

“Halaboji’s right you know… We’re both alone in this big house... Not to mention in a secluded area of Busan… No one would be able to find us”, he reasoned slowly, raising his eyebrows whilst biting down gently on his lower lip. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you against his chest. Immediately, your cheeks began to burn with a heated flush. “Yah..Yah Oppa! Let me… Go get the list of chores we have to get done!” You exclaimed nervously before snaking out of his embrace and running into the kitchen, almost tripping in the process. Min Hyuk laughed at your cute reaction before following you into the cottage-like furnished kitchen.

The both of you were crouched over the rectangular oak table in the kitchen, staring determinedly at the scroll of paper plastered down on the wooden surface. “For today, we need to ferment some Kimchi,” Min Hyuk read out excitedly. “Have you ever made Kimchi oppa?” You asked curiously, giggling when Minhyuk shook his head sheepishly. Patting his arm, you shot him a comforting smile. “It’s a good thing your girlfriend is a good cook!” You pumped your arms victoriously in the air. Moments later, the oak table was lined with an array of freshly picked vegetables that your grandparents had stacked away in the fridge. “Napa cabbage, bean sprouts, radish, ginger, salt, red pepper paste… I think we’re missing something though”, Min Hyuk pouted adorably, rubbing his chin. “Saeujeot! We’re missing the salted shrimp”, you frowned whilst frantically pulling out the drawers lining the kitchen counter. “I’ll just drive down to the market to grab it”, Min Hyuk exclaimed grabbing the car keys from the counter top. “Why don’t you get started on salting the kimchi? I’ll be back soon jagiya”, he smiled. Pecking your cheek swiftly, he disappeared out the door.

With a blissful smile curved on your pink lips, you started to bring the vegetables out into the porch in the back yard. Glancing around, you tried to look for that particular huge basin that was characteristic for kimchi salting. When you finally spotted it in the shed in the back yard, you heaved wearily, trying to lift the ceramic basin. “Aishhh! This is really heavy”, you grumbled under your breath, wishing Min Hyuk was here to help. Suddenly, the basin was lifted off the shelf in an instant. Spinning around, you saw the familiar back view of a boy with sandy brown hair. “Da-Dae Hyun?” You spluttered. “How did you get into my yard?” You couldn’t help but stare at him in disbelief. He gingerly placed the ceramic basin on the front porch before shooting you a cheeky grin. Pointing at the fence that separated both your yards, your gaze fell upon the old wooden latch door built into the fence. “I almost forgot about that door… That was how we used to run into each other’s yards to play”, you reminisced, staring wistfully at the gate. You looked back and met eyes with Dae hyun, who was staring intensely at you. “Come on, we better get started”, he urged before picking up the huge balls of cabbage. “We?” You asked curiously, unable to control yourself. “You can’t expect me to let you do this alone? You could barely lift the basin”, Dae Hyun teased with a strong Busan accent. Just hearing the characteristic inflections in his tone made the corners of your lips lift up in a smile. For a split second, you could see the small boy of ten, your best friend that had returned into your life. “Ne Dae Hyun ah~” You grinned brightly at him as the both of you started to rub salt into the leaves of the cabbage. “Yahhhhh, Mi Young ah~ You have to make sure you rub more salt in between all the leaves!” Daehyun chided, peering over your shoulder as you fumbled with the large amounts of salt. “Like this”, he reached over and smeared a handful of salt in the cabbage you were holding, accidentally brushing against your fingers. A jolt of electricity shot up his arm, making him bite his lips to hide the flush on his cheeks. After salting the cabbage and cutting the rest of the vegetables, the both of you stood armed with Red Pepper Paste, ready for the most exciting part of the whole kimchi making process. “Ready?” You asked Daehyun as he nodded back enthusiastically. The both of you squeezed generous amounts of paste into the basin before you dug your hands into the mesh of vegetables, massaging the mixture.

Soon, your hands were stained with the characteristic red paste. As you continued to spread paste all over the vegetables, a strand of hair fell out of your loosened pony tail. Scrunching up your nose, you tried to blow the strand of hair out of your face. Seeing you struggle, Daehyun quietly walked to behind you. “Here, let me help”, he whispered gently. Pulling the hair tie to release your hair, he then gathered the loose strands before tying your waves into a tighter ponytail. As his fingers ghosted over the nape of your neck, your heartbeat quickened slightly. Dae Hyun oppa… I forgot how caring he was towards me “Thanks oppa”, you managed to whisper, trying to ignore the lunge in your heart. As the both of you got back to tossing the kimchi, you sneaked a glance sideways. A warm small gradually formed on your face as you watched Dae Hyun attack the vegetables with adorable vigour. “Oppa, can you sing something?” The request slipped out of your mouth. Even as a young child, he had always loved singing. His voice was the one thing that never failed to bring comfort to you. In times of joy, and in times of sadness, it was his way of telling you that he would always be there.

Almost 10 years ago
“Dae hyunnie” The small girl clapped her hands excitedly when the boy she was waiting for appeared from the fork in the road. Perched gingerly on the swing, a small smile graced her petite features when the tall, lanky boy approached her. Dressed in a chequered shirt, slacks and white shoes, he was the dandy boy that everyone adored. But to her, he was her best friend. “Happy birthday Mi Young~” He sent a wide grin in her direction before sitting on the swing beside her. “Yah! Jung Dae Hyun, is that all? Where’s my present?” You pouted at the older boy, looking at him expectantly. “One wish. I’ll grant you one wish for today as your present”, Dae Hyun pondered for a while before smiling at you in anticipation. Your expression brightened as you tried to think about what to wish for. “Dae Hyunnie… I thought of my wish”, you whispered excitedly. “Will you… Sing for me?” You requested shyly, looking down at your feet. “Really? Wouldn’t you rather use for wish for something else? Something bigger?” Dae Hyun exclaimed in disbelief. Most girls he knew would wish for something like the cute hair bands they sold down at the market, or a DBSK album. He knew how much you loved DBSK. You shook your head vigorously. “You know how I love your voice. One day when you become a star, I’ll look back on this day and know that I was the first person you sang for. That’s special enough for a birthday gift”, you explained wistfully. Dae Hyun watched you, a warm gaze in his eyes. Clearing his throat, he couldn’t help but smile. He would never admit it, but there was no one else he would rather sing for.

Upon hearing your request, Dae Hyun turned around to face you, his eyes glistening slightly. Embarrassed, you turned your attention back to the kimchi. “It’s alright if you don’t want to… I mean, you’re a star now, you must get a million people asking you to sin-“You started to say when you felt a grip on your arm. You looked up curiously, only to see Dae Hyun’s face dangerously inches away from yours. Frozen in your spot, you couldn’t tear your eyes away from his brown orbs. Suddenly, Dae Hyun’s face softened into a small smile.

Without anyone knowing, I love you
Without anyone knowing, I think of you
It’s a love that only you and I know in this world
All day, I remember you
All day, I love you
Even if I’m in jail, it’s okay
If only I have you- I can live

Hearing the familiar rich honey voice that was full of passion and emotion, you couldn’t help but smile. Dae Hyunnie… I still love your voice. As he belted out the last note, you clapped enthusiastically and he looked away, slightly embarrassed by his emotional performance. Unknown to you, every single word that he sang resonated within his heart. It was the unspoken words inside him that he feared he would never have the courage to say.

His thoughts were interrupted when he felt something sticky on his nose. Giggling loudly, you had smudged a generous amount of red pepper sauce on his nose, watching amusedly at his confused expression. Suddenly, an evil glint shone in his eyes as he dug into the basin for a dangerous amount of paste. Your eyes widened as you shrieked and ran into the yard. “Yahhhh Lee Mi Young! Come back hereee”, Dae Hyun called menacingly after you before chasing you around the yard. Panting profusely, you finally succumbed to the chase and ended up squealing hysterically as Daehyun grabbed you from behind. With one arm, he managed to latch onto your waist while pinning your arms by your side. His other hand that was smudged with the distinct red pepper paste was brought closer to your face as you screamed and tried to escape from his tight hold. Giggles and laughter filled the air as the both of you continued to struggle, oblivious to your surroundings.

A sudden clang of metal colliding with the floor captured both your attention. Whipping your heads to the source of the sound, you gasped in shock as Daehyun quickly loosened his hold on you. A metal jar of shrimp paste came to a rest with a resounding ring. Min Hyuk was standing on the wooden floorboards of porch, an unreadable expression on his face. 

Hello all my readers whom I have missed so dearly! I am finally back from my finals which are over!!!! *FREEDOM FREEDOM FREEDOM* Thank you everyone who has waited patiently for my update, and A big hello to all my new subbies! ^0^ A long chapter for all of youuuu~ Now that exams are over, please check back for updates because I'll be updating much more frequently to finish up the story ^^ This chapter's Daehyun-Mi Young fluff is dedicated to a dearest friend of mine who loves Dae~ I hope you're feeling better Chingu, please cheer up ^^ And Minhyuk, I'm so sorry T.T  

BTOB was in Singapore this week while I was having exams ): Although I couldn't see them at the meet and greet/concert, I was really lucky I managed to see them elsewhere and pass my gift to Minhyuk! ^^ Everyone continue to send more love to BTOB alright <3 Love all of you and I can't wait to read all your comments!!!