Somin looked at Jihoo who has his eyes fixed to the ground.  “it’s okay I understand you don’t wanna go with me…I’ll tell Dong Sun-nim we went—“

“3pm alright with you?” Jihoo stated looking straightly at her

“Huh?” Somin asked in surprise

“We’ll leave at around 3 to visit the sponsers…ok with you?” Jihoo asked again.

“Oh..yes absolutely” Somin nodded eagerly

“Kure” Jihoo quickly said and went out of the room. He rushed to a deserted corner before Somin could follow him. Once alone he roughly clutched his chest.The few minutes that he stared directly at Somin in Dong Sun’s cbin has been the longest since the night he heard the news of her engagement. Those sleepy brown eyes of her that always made his heart flutter did the same today but now the fluttering caused pain—unbearable pain. How could he spend almost an entire evening with her when a moment with her was this painful for him. He wasn’t ready to face the music accept that his first love story is a failure,accept that Somin is not his. A tear rolled down his cheek

------

“You do know that whatever I said that night was out of my fear and desperation, right?” Youngsaeng repeated his question

“Mmm” Hwangbo replied and turned away. Youngsaeng chuckled as he noticed the slight tinge of pink on her cheeks

“Hyung!” Hyungjun cried emerging from the backroom

“Interferring again!” Youngsaeng hissed under his breath while leaning away and turning to Hyungjun.

“You said you’d be having  a fanmeeting soon right?” Hyungjun asked. Youngsaeng nodded. “When is it?”

“Tomorrow. Flight leaves tonight” Youngsaeng said

“Have you prepared anything special for the fans…you knw,with the comeback coming up soon?” Hyungjun inquired excitedly “I am really dying to break the news to my listeners! But I cant because of Hyunjoong and you”

“I know you’re excited…we all are…and nervous too. But do you want to ruin the surprise…you always say timing is important right?” Youngsaeng explained calmly

“Arasso…” Hyungjun pouted and Hwangbo pinched his cheek. “So anyway…what have you planned for the fanmeet?”

“I am doing a medley” Youngsaeng said “It will have do Kokoro,Distance,Lucky Days and Love ya”

“OMO! All my favourites!” Hyungjun clapped his hands in excitement “All the best hyung!”

“Kumawo…” Youngsaeng smiled

“I have to go to the station now…will you be okay packing alone?” Hyungjun asked

“De” Youngsaeng nodded getting up

“Kure nuna…let’s go I’ll drop you” Hyungjun said to Hwangbo

“Umm…You go along…I’ll help Youngsang pack” Hwangbo said

Youngsaeng was totally taken aback by her response. Hwangbo didn’t know he was leaving and when she heard he was somehow she felt the uncontrollable urge to be with him. Why—she didn’t know or perhaps she did but wasn’t brave enough to accept.

“Kure…I’ll get going then…” the totally oblivious and innocent Hyungjun said and bid them farewell.”Hyung! Fighting!” he wished before driving away

--------------------

“First up is Noir Larmes” Jihoo said reading from the list of sponsers and while handing the helmet to Somin.  Somin noticed he was avoiding having eye contact with her but she didn’t budge about it. What would she complain about? Ask him why he’s not looking her in the eye? Well if she did can she bear to see the pain in them knowing she’s the one causing it?  Rather than confronting Jihoo she was more scared of confronting with her guilt.

Jihoo and Somin went from sponser to sponser getting confirmations and deciding on clothes. As professionals they were doing the job given to them quite efficiently but personally it was a whole different scenario. They hardly had any kind of eye contact or exchanged any word outside their work. Looking at them now, none will believe few months back they were the best of friends,sharing each other’s joy and sorrow.

“BSX was the last. We can go home now” Jihoo massaging his neck.

“Hmm.. “ Somin nodded stealthily glancing up at him from the corner of her eye. Jihoo was trying to put some papers in his bag with one hand while massaging his neck. “Let me do it” Somin said and reached over to massage his shoulder. But as soon as her hands touched his skin, Jihoo backed away so hastily that his bag fell scrambling the contents on the pavement. Jihoo looked horrified and was breathing heavily. “I-I’m sorry” Somin said sheepishly “I didn’t…mean to—“

“It’s ok” Jihoo looked away and bent down to pick up the paers. Somin joined him.

“Jihoo-ah..” Somin said as Jihoo put the papers into the bag. “Jihoo why are you being like this? Cant we just please go back to being..”

“Being what?” Jihoo turned to face her “Just friends? You know that is not possible. I love you Somin. You are the only girl I have ever loved. I cant JUST be your friend anymore. I am sorry”

“Jihoo-ah”Somin cried. Tears streamed down her eyes

“I am sorry Somin…I-I cant” Jihoo turned away and hopped onto his bike. He handed the helmet to Somin without looking at her.

 Somin hadn’t felt this helpless in her entire life—she was losing someone she loved and she couldn’t do anything about it. She grabbed the helmet and went upto him to plead once again. But before she could speak Jihoo put on his helmet pulling the cover down. Somin couldn’t do anything more. she hopelessly got onto the backseat quietly. Her tears never stopped flowing for the entire way back and though she wasn’t able to see it because of the helmet, Jihoo was crying too.

-----------

“It’s done.” Hwangbo sighed. She and Youngsaeng were done packing in an hour—which was a lot less than she expected.

“Why did you stay?” Youngsaeng finally asked

“Huh?”

“Why did you stay back?” Youngsaeng repeated looking deeply into her eyes

Hwangbo looked away nervously “Umm…I thought you might need some help…with packing and all..”she lied scratching her forehead

“Is that it?” Youngsaeng crept closer

“Wae? Wae?” Hwangbo cried nervously seeing Youngsaeng’s advance ”I shouldn’t have? Fine I’m leaving then—“

Before she could turn away Youngsaeng pulled her back and made her sit on the bed,beside his packed suitcase. Hwangbo noticed he was breathing heavily

“Yo-Youngsaeng-ah?” she called

“Why? Why wouldn’t you just accept the truth!” Youngsaeng’s head shot up and his eyes burned into hers.

“What truth? I dunno what you’re talking about” Hwangbo said and tried to get up but Youngsaeng forced her back onto the bed. His entire body was shaking with fury and before anything else happened he grabbed Hwangbo’s head forcefully and kissed her roughly. Hwangbo hit his chest again and again with her free hand but Youngsaeng withstood all of them and never left her lips Slowly Hwangbo’s fists started to loosen and the rate of hits started to go down and eventually she clasped the edge of his shirt pulling Youngsaeng closer to her. They were kissing each other passionately and consumingly. Finally when they parted to breathe Youngsaeng looked at her “This is the truth…this is the true reason why you stayed back…..” Hwangbo was silent. Youngsaeng carefully leaned closer and touched her lips with his again. Hwangbo didn’t move; her mind was screaming, telling her to stop while her heart was craving to kiss him. “Can you hear your heart?” Youngsaeng whispered. He caised his hand and placed it gently over her chest “It wants me right?”

His words,his touch started a wildfire of desire inside Hwangbo and she finally parted welcoming Youngsaeng

-----

“You should get going now” Hwangbo whispered

“I know…” Youngsaeng smiled as he planted tender kisses on her face. “But I really don’t want to.”

“C’mon you have to”

“Arasso” Youngsaeng gave in. They both rose up and tidying their crunched clothes and hair. They got into Hwangbo’s car and drove to the airport

“Have a safe journey..” Hwangbo said

“I will…” youngsaeng replied. He leaned closer and kissed her cherry lips again. “Take good care of my heart. I’m leaving it here with you”