Author’s POV

Days had passed after Seunghyun and Jiyong’s talk. But since then, Seunghyun hadn’t seen Jiyong yet. Either his brother would go to school early and go home at dawn. Or he would often sleep at his friend’s house.

Even though Jiyong went home late or would often spend the night at a friend’s house. He would just drink and not make out with girls anymore. He couldn’t seem to look at them as tools for release anymore. Whenever he would look at women, their faces would often change into Dara’s and he couldn’t look at them anymore.

He knew there was something wrong with him and he knew what the solution was. But the problem was that he didn’t want to see the solution yet. Because he count. Because he can’t.

Or maybe because he just won’t let himself go of guilt.

Daesung, Seungri and Taeyang would often try to convince him to go to the rooftop to meet Dara. But he would often sleep it off and pretend like he doesn’t hear them.

Even when he and Dara are in the same class, he would often sit at the farthest opposite place from where Dara is seated. They haven’t talked yet and it’s been weeks already.

Until one day, Seungri got too irritated and decided to intervene already.

When Jiyong entered the stairwell, instead of being greeted but the three idiots (as he liked to call them) he was greeted by the back of a woman he so desired to see but was often afraid to even look at.

He stood there as she sat staring back at him. As they looked at each other, Jiyong knew that there was something special about Dara and that he just could let her go. Maybe Seunghyun was right. Maybe he should really step aside.

Or maybe he needed to get far away as possible?

He decided for the latter.

As he stepped back to leave, he felt a very soft hand circle around his wrist. He knew who it belonged to but he still looked at the hand that held his wrist. As he did so, he looked up and saw Dara looking at him intently.

Dara: coffee-yah… can… can we talk?

Jiyong: what’s there to talk about?

Dara: coffee…

Jiyong: I was supposed to protect you but… I ended up bringing you to danger.

Jiyong felt Dara’s hold on him tighten, and as if on cue he looked at Dara. She had this sad emotion on her face. The moment he saw that, he couldn’t help but feel even guiltier. But what hurts him more is that he knows he couldn’t do anything about it.

Jiyong: D-Do you wanna take a drive with me?

Dara: (looking down while nodding)

Now it was Jiyong’s turn to hold Dara’s hand. He didn’t mind if people would look at them weirdly. He didn’t mind if they misunderstood. All he needed was time with her.

Jiyong intertwined their hands and it felt perfectly good to hold her. It matched as if her hand was molded to fit onto his.

He felt happier. The feeling of their hands intertwined made him feel content. But at the same time it made him wonder why he’s even doing it.

Students stared at them as they walked past everyone. It included the three idiots, as Jiyong called them. Seungri lifted a proud smile while Taeyang and Daesung huffed to a smile. They knew the maknae did something wrong but maybe it was the best kind of wrong he did.

Jiyong led Dara to his car and she just rode in it. Not even knowing where to go, she didn’t even ask. She just looked too gloomy and sad to even think about such minor details. All she wanted to do was talk to Jiyong. And she knows he’ll take care of it.

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Jiyong parked the car in a cliff like setting. It seems like a country side.

Since they’ve been driving for a really long time.

It was a secluded area but the air smelled so fresh and the breeze felt so right.

Jiyong: Let’s go.

Jiyong offered his hand to Dara. She looked at him and she gave him a smile as she reached for his hand. The wind blew Dara’s hair once she got out of the car. It was a refreshing feeling and Jiyong saw how beautiful she was. He led her towards the cliff and they stood there, side by side. Looking at the view.

Jiyong: they said you can shout everything you want out here and no one will ever know.

Dara: really? Who said so?

Jiyong: people…

Dara: have you been here before too?

Jiyong: yeah… A lot of times.

Dara: Before?

Jiyong: yeah… Look Dara… (Sighs) I’m… I’m sorry. I’m sorry for bringing you into my mess.

Dara: coffee-yah… it wasn’t your fault and I don’t blame you.

Jiyong’s head immediately snapped towards Dara. He couldn’t believe what he had just heard. Dara, on the other hand, looked at the view. Her smile evident on her face but there was sadness filling her eyes.

Dara: I never once blamed you. Not for anything. You’ve always been helping me. And I couldn’t find it in my heart to blame someone who has been there to help me.

Jiyong: but—

Dara: I could never feel ill towards you coffee-yah… (Smiles at Jiyong)

Jiyong felt a tight tug in his heart when he saw Dara look at him with those teary eyes. He knew Dara was telling the truth but there was something more to it.

Jiyong: t-tell me cakey… what’s wrong?

Dara: I-I don’