Song Ji Hyo felt light raindrops falling on her hair. Above her were tall trees with leaves woven together, creating some kind of rooftop that sheltered her from the heavy rain.  Getting annoyed by the cold, she finally covered her head with the hood of her thick jacket. Jong Kook oppa that jerk! He bossed around saying we should have fun together yet he’s with Eun Hye. He could at least try to find me. I ousted Haha and Gary oppa just for a man like him? Jeez I can’t believe it. Yah I wish Jae Suk oppa oust him!

She had been hiding in the forest since the game had started. It didn’t mean she did nothing the whole time though. In fact, she was the one who ousted Haha and Gary alone. What an ace she was. To be honest, she had a high expectation for winning the game that day for Joong Ki. She wanted to tell the younger man that he didn’t have to worry about his absence.

But not everything went as planned though. Ever since she saw Jong Kook and Eun Hye together from where she hid, she couldn’t focus at all. The image of Jong Kook protecting Eun Hye kept appearing in her head like some kind of bad dream. She saw the whole thing, including Jong Kook’s elimination. Jae Suk was brilliant that day, she must admit it. However, being competitive as usual, Song Ji Hyo didn’t like to lose. Now here she was, trying to find a way to win but bothered by the thought of Jong Kook.

 “Ji Hyo ssi, can you wait a sec? I need to put another layer of waterproof cover on the camera. The rain’s getting wild.” The VJ following behind asked her.

Ji Hyo only nodded and continued to walk. She assumed the VJ would finish fast and catch up with her soon, like he usually did. In the quiet forest, all she heard was her own footsteps slowly fading in the ticking sound of raindrops reaching the ground. It was beautiful in a melancholic way. The smell of earth reaching her nose also seemed bittersweet in some ways; a scene worth a smile and a cry at the same time. If only I could show this to him. He always makes me feel this way. So contradictive: sad and sweet.

Is it… love?

Suddenly she realized the forest was getting darker for sun was setting. Little by little it was getting harder for her to see where she was going. Looking at her watch, she was surprised to see it was almost 5.30 pm. Wow today’s mission is tough. I wonder if Jae Suk Oppa have found the key.

Walking casually as she kept her eyes on the track, she asked rather loudly without looking back, “VJ oppa, have you finished it? Hurry won’t you? Let’s walk together, it’s getting dark. Turn of your flashlight wont you?”

She waited for an answer but there was no response.

Just raindrops falling—and her footsteps stepping on fallen branches along the way.

“VJ oppa?”

She braced herself to look back but no one was there. Behind her was only the trace of her own presence. It didn’t take long for her to realize she was alone. Blood rushed to her head in such speed that made her dizzy. She had never felt that scared before in the history of Running Man filming. The fear was real and it easily weakened her.

Trying not to panic, she tried tracing her way back. If she was on the right track, she would definitely meet her VJ again. But if she wasn’t, who knows what would happen.

“Song Joong Ki-ssi, you can’t go in!!!”

The PDs tried to block his way as he tried to trespass the entrance gate of the housing. Joong Ki was breathing heavily from running all his way there. To be honest, he felt like . The headache was attacking him like mad and each drop of rain falling on his head felt like a stab. Slightly shivering, he tried his best to look steady on both feet. Too weak to fight back, he could only use his words to get his way through.

 “But I’m on her team too!” He said almost begging.

“If you do the mission now, you’d be at advantage. That would be unfair for the others—especially for Jae Suk-ssi.” The brief and logical answer of the PD made Joong Ki felt defeated.

“PD-nim, aren’t you worried about Ji Hyo noona?” Persistently he tried to use his charm.

 “Yes we are always worried about the members. That’s why the game is tightly monitored by our writers and PDs. We could always watch her since the VJ is recording the whole time. See the monitor there? It shows everything live. We can even track her with GPS if necessary. We’re professional Joong Ki-ssi. Please don’t underestimate Running Man crews.”

The senior PD pointed to a tent with a row of computers. He was right, everyone was seriously absorbed by the scene they saw on the monitor. Being able to take a peek, Joong Ki confirmed it was showing Ji Hyo and Jae Suk on different screens. He could relax a bit now.

“You’re not in a good condition, Joong Ki-ssi. Sit here and watch with us, alright?”

 The PD offered him a seat in front of the screen which was showing Ji Hyo’s back.

“Oh God, you’re sick yet you’re all wet. I’ll try to find something for you to change into.” A female PD said as she watched him shivering. She gently gave him a pat on the back before leaving.

Like an obedient kid, Joong Ki observed quietly as she put on the hood of her jacket. For now, he could do nothing to save her. He couldn’t even be there for her. He could only watch helplessly as he listed the things he would have done if he was there.

Feeling a warm jacket pressed against his back, he looked back expecting to find the previous PD there. To his surprise, whom he saw was Jong Kook instead. The elder man stood behind him with a forced smile, making him look pitiful.

“It’s the jacket you’re supposed to wear today. Just to keep you warm.”

“Thanks hyung.” Joong Ki reluctantly murmured as he turned his eyes back on the screen. Slowly he put the jacket on and felt the warm crept into his skin and bones.

“I’m worried too, you know, about her. I’m just too slow and too stupid to realize it. I’m not try—“

“—you don’t have to explain it to me. I have nothing to do with your feelings for noona.”

“I’m not done yet.” He stopped to get his attention, “I’m not trying to explain anything to you; I’m not trying to find a reason to justify myself. I was wrong, but I’m not willing to give up. Even if I have to fight with you, I still won’t give up.”

“Hyung…” Joong Ki couldn’t help but staring at Jong Kook. He had never seen his hyung that determined. Strangely he didn’t feel intimidated by him. Instead he felt even calmer.  Deep inside he knew his noona still love Jong Kook, so hearing his hyung saying he also still loved her made him happy—happy for her. Joong Ki was selfless in the most extreme way possible.

“NO WAY! How could you lose her?!” Suddenly a writer yelled at her phone and the whole crew became restless.

Struck by bad feeling, Joong Ki and Jong Kook averted their eyes to the screen. What used to be Ji Hyo’s back turned into empty view of the forest in a messy handheld video. From the recording they both assumed the VJ was running abruptly in an undecided direction.

The writer, still having the phone on her right ear, talked to another writer beside her, “Try tracking her with GPS!”

“Can’t do, no damn signal.” Her friend tried typing something on her computer.

“Yah, it’s disaster!” Still on the phone, she rushed to the screen Joong Ki and Jong Kook was watching. Blocking their view with her back, she yelled again—supposedly she was talking to the VJ, “It’s okay if we’re shooting indoor, but right now it’s in the forest and it’s getting dark! Oppa, try looking around, okay? Ji Hyo-ssi might be anywhere.”

Hearing the name, Joong Ki couldn’t think clear and got up from his seat. Running as fast as he could, he managed to enter the complex without anyone else realizing. Apparently, the PDs were all focusing on the screen, they didn’t even notice him trespassing. The thought of losing Ji Hyo filled his mind like a virus enraging a whole race. Feeling numb, he couldn’t feel his headache anymore. All he knew was his feet had to run faster and his eyes had to see clearer.

Jong Kook was ready to run too, but a hand stopped him from doing so. The fingers were cold and small but they were enough to hold him back. The man who had said “I won’t give up” suddenly were forced to stay back by a fragile smile of Yoon Eun Hye.

“Just this time, please, let him go. Let him be the one to save her. Give him a chance he has never had.”

“Eun Hye-ya.” He pleaded her to let his hand go. But she was persistent.

“Oppa, didn’t you see the look in his eyes? This time you won’t win against Joong Ki.” Afraid of looking him in the eye, Eun Hye averted her gaze and stared at his hand instead.

“What do you mean?”

“He has loved Ji Hyo unnie since the beginning. Yet you, oppa? You haven’t even made up your mind.”

Staring at her intensely, he braced himself to tell her the truth. The cruelest statement—the cruelest fact—he could ever tell Eun Hye.

“I love her. I’m sorry Eun Hye-ya, but I love her.”

For a brief moment he felt her grip weakened. But unexpectedly it tightened again—even more than before. Her eyes didn’t lose their brightness at all. Indeed it became clearer and warmer. From her lips came out calm words that made his heart felt like it was going to stop beating.

“If you really do, you wouldn’t have stopped running just because I held you back. You would’ve kept your eyes straight and ignored me instead, Jong Kook oppa.”

The truth he thought he had earlier was now blurred into an undecided thought. Was she right? He wasn’t sure either. Everything seemed vague in the rain now. Even the things he believed in became mixed with his imagination.

“Oppa, look at me. I’m sorry I did this. I hate seeing you sad, but I need you to know he deserves a chance. And don’t you think I do too?”

Under the rain, Eun Hye’s eyes looked red and wet. He wasn’t sure if it’s because of the raindrops or if she’s really crying. Either way, she made him felt a tinge of pain.

“Am I that bad, Eun Hye-ya? Am I ruining his life and yours too?” The sad look he had in his eyes slowly turned into a vacant stare—the one that looked so empty it might create a hole in his heart.

Seeing him in that state, Eun Hye couldn’t help but feeling sad too. All she wanted was to give him all the love she had, but she ended up making him blame himself for everything. Brushing his cold hand with her fingers, she laid both eyes on him.

“You’re making my life worth living oppa.”

It was countless, the warmth she could give him. Even under the heavy rain Jong Kook felt sheltered. Honestly, he was ready to hold her hand back in return, but unexpectedly she loosened her grip. Gently and slowly she took a step back as she let go completely.

“But oppa, I just realized, you also have someone who makes your life worth living, right? Go chase her. Everybody deserves a chance.”

“VJ oppaaaa!!! Where are you??? Are you joking right now? This isn’t funny! Oppaaa!!!”

Ji Hyo screamed from her lungs. In the heavy rain, it was irony to have dry, but that was the fact. Tired of screaming, she focused on looking instead. In the dim light, it was hard to make the difference between tall bushes and a person. The only light she depended on was the flashlight from the ballpoint she always had with her.

Song Ji Hyo always considered herself brave for a female, but now she must admit she was afraid. She didn’t have any problem with height, but the combination of darkness and wilderness decreased her courage little by little.

“Aishh I should’ve been more patient and waited with him!”

She knew the best thing to do now was getting out of the wood. That might be really easy to do in the afternoon since the sunlight could give the direction easily. But now, she hardly could walk without stumbling upon the roots of the trees.

Trying to look up, she failed several times for the rain kept coming into her eyes. After finally succeeded, she saw the dark blue sky and the black shadow of the leaves that functioned as a roof for her. The world seemed so big that it scared her more.

“VJ OPPAAAA!!!” One last loud scream for the day, she thought.

Running out of energy, she sat on the ground. Surprised by the wet and cold earth, she clenched her teeth as she felt her jeans absorbing the water.

I can’t take it no more. She thought, inhaling deeply and closing her eyes.

Scary sounds of owls and bats started to echo among the tall trees. Ji Hyo knew she shouldn’t be scared of them but in the end she couldn’t help but bit her lips to hold her crying. Helplessly she brought her legs closer to her chest and hid her face between her knees. After that, it became harder to prevent the tears from falling. It’s okay, Song Ji Hyo you can cry! No one’s watching so it’s fine!

She stayed at her position for awhile. Her back hurt but she felt numb. The fear was more painful that her tired legs and thirsty throat. If only he could come. If only he’s here with me. She tried her best to block herself from the outside world for it was more convenient. Not hearing those animals howling was better.

Busy crying, Ji Hyo didn’t hear her someone coming nearer.  The footsteps grew closer and it finally reached her.

“I’ve been calling out your name 27^th time so can you at least answer this time?”

Not sure if the voice was coming from inside her head or not, she slowly lifted up her face to find a heavenly smile given to her. Warm and loving, those lips whispered her name.

“Song Ji Hyo.”

She still couldn’t answer though. The only thing she was capable of doing then was to bit her lips even harder and cried with all her might. 

P.s. Your comments mean so much to me! So please share your thoughts! who's your favorite character, what's your favorite chapter, what kind of ending do you want, and all~

Happie ied everybody! I'm sorry if I ever let you down :( I know it takes me so long to update and perhaps my story disappoints you. I made so many mistakes while writing and if I ever made you sad or mad or something, please forgive me :)

*Selamat hari raya idul fitri buat yang merayakan! *