Peach - IU

Narrator's POV

"So it says here it's called a Kid's Bike," Min Yu chewed on her fingernails dumbly as her eyes remained fixed on her laptop's screen. "Does it mean I'm on the 'kid' level of biking?"

"Oh come on," exclaimed Donghae in impatience. "Just ride it."

In response, she lifted her palm in the air to shut him up, to which he just sighed. "You two are so crazy," commented Donghwa from behind while he busily tended to his running three-year-old daughter. "NO!" yelled Min Yu suddenly. "I am not going to ride that thing with the big wheel in front!" she crossed her arms over her chest angrily.

"MIN YU!" Donghae scolded. "That was invented in the 1870's! No one uses those anymore!"

"But what if..." she sank back down on the snow-covered bench.”What if your bike transforms to a thing like that? I'd fall off, and then I'd die." "You're overreacting," Donghae ruffled his hair before taking up the seat beside her. "You were the one who suggested biking this morning, right? Now go on and pedal away." He forcefully yanked her arm towards the mechanical vehicle.

He managed to drag her towards the bicycle, while she gave it a mere up-and-down look. "Do you really expect me to learn how to ride that?"

"No. He expects you to ride something else~" teased Donghwa, making the atmosphere dull with awkwardness. The couple exchanged blank stares before a decision was finally made. "So where do I put my feet again?" asked Min Yu while trying to balance herself atop the bicycle. "Here," Donghae knelt down on the thick snow while adjusting her two feet by the bike's pedals.

"So you just step on it, one at a time, and then you'll be able to move. But you have to balance yourself at the same time. Got it?" he held onto the iron bar just behind the bicycle as he instructed before letting go. To which, it earned a thud from where Min Yu had fallen over the blanket of snow. A round of applause was heard from where Donghwa was. "Nice job, dongsaeng. Together, we're undefeatable!" he exclaimed loudly.

Donghae let out a laugh as he held out both his hands to help her arise. "Babo. If you do that again, I would tell on your mother," grumbled Min Yu while stomping over the three-inch thick ice sheet. "Right, right. Give it another try and I'll let you pedal off first before I let go," he acted sarcastically scared, patting the black leather seat in a hurry.

The girl climbed up the bike with renewed determination, confident she might nail it on the second try. "Start off slowly. We still got seven more days to go and we won't leave Mokpo until you learn how to ride a bike," he cheered her on. "It's really frustrating at first, isn't it?" Effort was evident on her face as she struggled with every push of either of her foot.

The bike accelerated forward slowly and carefully, with Donghae guiding it from behind. "Can we go somewhere else?" she asked while both her hands gripped the bike's handles tightly, too scared to fall off. He, as a response, cocked his head from side to side in search of his brother. "Hyung," Donghae called out when his gaze finally found what it was looking for. "We'll take a walk around."

Donghwa just nodded. "Min Yu-ssi," he had another one of his signature snicker. "I hope you don't fall off again...and again...and again..."

Donghae's POV

"If the girl you love can't cook, you can try making your stomach stronger," the driver gripped the steering wheel carefully with both his hands. It was as if with one finger loose, we would meet our sudden death. Donghwa stared out far towards the waters as we rode by the sea. Appa had his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "If the girl you love doesn't have money, buy her the things she wants in a subtle manner." His eyes drifted to the bouquet of flowers on the dashboard, making him smile as the scent reached the taxi's air-conditioning unit.

"If the girl you love acts too hard on you, you can become weaker." He said in his usual soothing voice which never seemed to be angry. Although he was soft-spoken, there was never a time I had dared tried to test his patience. "And if the girl you love talks too much, you can smile and listen to her quietly," he stated finally with a contented expression. The sky was clear with a peeking sun over thinly-spread clouds that Mothers' Day.

I presented appa the card I had worked hard on. "Do you think she'll like it?" asked the five-year-old me while examining the drawn family portrait behind the actual greeting. "That's great, Donghae. Omma will surely like that," his grin was priceless, and I knew that each time I worked hard for something, I would always make my father happy.

And now I stroll past the same road, almost 28 years later. Things have changed, but not everything had. I could still feel my father near, and I know his spirit still lingers long after his death. "Do you think biking could be one of my talents?" asked Min Yu curiously.

"You're the best at everything you fix your mind on," I said in response. She smiled widely, contented with the answer she had gotten. "You do realize it's been thirty minutes since you've been biking on your own?" I watched as her feet treaded confidently on either pedals. The bike skidded to a halt as she used her feet to stop it from moving, her face somewhat angry -- I couldn't tell. "Oh, I haven't told you about the brakes yet."

"You mean to tell me I was biking by myself the whole time?!" exclaimed Min Yu loudly. "Not the whole time. I mean, just thirty minutes ago..." I protested calmly. Her expression changed from that of anger to surprise and disbelief. "Okay then," she let her shoulders droop. "Why do you look disappointed?" I asked all of a sudden. "I thought you wanted to learn how to ride a bike."

"But it's no fun when I don't need your help anymore," she got up from the leather seat and walked side by side the bicycle. Her careful hands held onto the handles and pushed it forward accordingly with her pace. I observed from behind as a sorrowful sigh escaped her lips. "To celebrate your newfound skill," I wound my free arm around her shoulders. "Let's eat ice cream~"

"It's winter and you want to eat ice cream?" she asked softly. "Yes. And it's my treat...though it has always been mine..." I replied, earning me a light smack on the chest. "Babo," she laughed and left the bike for me to lug around everywhere we go. "Ya," I called out as my feet came to a stop while she walked absent-mindedly. "We're already here, see?" I gestured to the sign board up above an ice cream shop.

I pushed the door open with an unoccupied forearm and motioned for her to enter. "Well, can you bring that inside?" she pointed to the bicycle. "What, it's Mokpo," I dragged the vehicle inside, careful not to bump onto anyone and cause any trouble. We both proceeded to the counter, manned by a lad in his early twenties. He seemed to take interest upon seeing her, his eyes lighting up at the sudden sight.

"Good morning mi--" "Yes, enough with the greeting," I cut him off in midsentence while my attention shifted to Min Yu. She was much concentrated on what was on the menu than this man up in front who obviously seems to look at her like she herself was the food. The staff looked disappointed to be interrupted in his talk, but it was better for me to be rude and overprotective of her.

I possessively encircled my arm around her waist. "What would you want to eat?" I demanded sweetly while pulling her closer towards me. gaped open a perfect letter O and her breathing grew uneven. With the closing distance, I could see her dilated pupils while my eyes bore through hers, as if digging a depthless hole. A smile crept up my face, knowing how I could get her unguarded.

The man behind the counter cleared his throat to tell us we weren't alone. "Yes, we'll have two strawberry milkshakes please," I rolled my sleeves up the highest it could reach, letting Min Yu free from my grasp. I could have looked bipolar at that time, being stern and bossy over the store's crew and suddenly turning sweet and lovable in front of my girlfriend's eyes...well yes, Lee Donghae could be like that sometimes.

"Why don't you look for a seat?" I tossed a rehearsed eye-smile her way. And as I expected, her eyes widened as she nodded and took the 4-foot bicycle with her. She sank down on a vacant chair and cupped either sides of her face with her hands. I chuckled to myself, loving how I could make her feel that way. With a contented sigh, I turned back to the lad in a green-collared shirt.

"Well, where's my order?" my fist rested on the aluminum counter. "Sir, I'm getting it done. Please be patient and wait for a few minutes," he grumbled almost inaudibly, as if he, too, was preventing himself from being angry. Who did this guy think he was? Yes, he might look fresh and young and tall and strong and kind and sweet and...NO! He can't sing and dance like me...or could he? "Aish," I ruffled my hair in frustration.

No, of course I'm not jealous. I'm obviously more good-looking and talented. Yes, Donghae. You're much much more talented and lovable. Min Yu loves me more than this guy, yes. I know. After a long stretch of self-torture, he finally slid a tray towards my direction, together with two tall glasses of pink beverage. I handed him my payment and headed over to where Min Yu was quietly seated.

"You didn't get straws," she commented and volunteered to get them herself. "I'll do it!" I offered loudly. Of course I can't afford letting her stand there and talk to that guy who – no, of course he can't -- can take her away from me. She silenced me with a glare, making me fall down on the chair. She trotted towards the front, catching the staff's attention with a snap.

I could see their mouths opening as they talked, but I couldn't hear what they were saying. My heart almost tore into pieces inside my chest as the possibility of her being attracted to him occurred in my mind. No, she can't possibly do that to me...or could she? She already had the straws in her hands together with thick sheets of napkins.

What's taking her so darn long?

My fingers drummed against the smooth wooden table and I could only sulk in front of the strawberry milkshake. From where I was seated, I could see them both smile as the guy took the lead and held his hand out. No, she can't really shake his hand, can she? No, Min Yu, I wanted to scream. Once you hold his hand, I won't talk to you for a week, and I won't call you either.

She seemed hesitant at first, but shook his hand anyway, TO MY UTMOST FURY. Then she spun on the soles of her feet and advanced towards me. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat and busied myself fixing a nonexistent malfunction on the bicycle beside me. "Here, use this," she fell back down on her seat and handed the straw to me, which I ignored.

"No thanks," I muttered coldly and grabbed the glass almost angrily. I gulped it down voraciously, the crushed ice hitting the back of my throat roughly. I could feel her watching me as I drank. I downed the milkshake in one shot, and my vision almost out as my brain froze. It was chilling up in my spine, but I couldn't let it show. "Is something wrong?" she demanded innocently, AS IF SHE DOESN'T KNOW!

I shook my head from side to side sourly. "Can you make it fast? I want to go home," I nodded towards her own drink. She examined my expression carefully but obliged at my request silently. I had an inkling of regret at giving her this unexpected cold shoulder, but she should've known better than shake that guy's hand. Seriously? In front of me?!?

And still strong in the end, I prolonged the silent treatment even after we left the store and headed back home. Trampling my feet on the snow, I volunteered to hold the bike instead, making it much easier for her to walk across the thick blanket of white snow. "What's wrong?" she asked again, but this time, I responded with a shrug. She caught up to walk beside me and intertwined her hand with mine.

"No! Why don't you go hold that man's hand instead?!" I jerked up at her touch and flinched away.

"So that's what bothered you, huh?" she paused in her tracks.

"I bet you even gave him your number, eh? Go back to him. He's the only person who would buy you ice cream and teach you how to ride a bike. He'll be the only person who would give you hibiscus in winter when every other kind of flower has withered, the only person who will bring you to his hometown so he could proudly show off to his family that his girlfriend is very kind and really the one he's been looking for. Go ahead. If you want, I will open the door for you," I couldn't help but cry.

"Here," I let the bike fall on the snow-covered ground. "I'll leave this bike here so if you return to your senses and want to come back to me, you can bike on the way home."

She replied with a warm smile before proceeding to stand on her tiptoes and kiss me before wiping my cheeks dry of tears. "Babo," she laughed and grasped the bike from where it fell on the frozen concrete. "Don't cry~" she caressed my face delicately. As usual, my heart started fooling around again. When will I get used to this? It seems like only yesterday when she had agreed to be my girlfriend, and now was our 120th day of being together. How time flies...

"Before I forgive you, you have to have a lisp too," I let her cling to my arm tightly. "I'd have a lisp all day if I have to," she laughed.

The next morning...

My fingers stretched out to search for her, the thing I had made as a habit whenever I wake up. It was comforting to know she was just near me. But as I didn't feel her, I continued to reach out, still with my eyes closed, to the sheets and feel the resonating heat and warmth. But there was none.

Not a big deal, I thought to myself with a smile. She’s probably taking a bath or eating breakfast. I rose up from my previous slumber and checked for the time. Oh, no big deal. It’s just 5:42 in the morning…I’m sure she’s already—WHAT COULD SHE BE DOING AT THIS TIME?!?

I let both my feet fall to the ground with a thud and took a sharp breath as I had forgotten it was winter, and that the temperature was probably hundreds below zero degree. Nevermind. I stood up and realized the bathroom door was open, unoccupied.

A slow, tragic surge of panic arose inside me. I clutched at my pounding heart. Min Yu’s just outside, I tried convincing myself. Probably eating breakfast or watching television…Every other bedroom was shut close, not a soul awake. Okay, Donghae, you can freak out now.

WHERE IS SHE?!?