“Why did you even buy a phone if you’re not going to answer it?!” Minseok exclaimed in frustration. She wasn’t answering any of his calls. He’s been in and out of many bars  and other possible places where she could be but still, he couldn’t find her. And he couldn’t help but feel guilt and worry at the same time.

He was blinded by his pride. And what he did was to blame Jaekyung for everything. Even if she’s not the one at fault.

But the truth was, it was mostly his fault.

Because he was selfish, because he was only thinking about himself, he had forgotten the fact that Jaekyung’s human too.

She has her own problems. Her own reasons on why she was like this and like that. And more importantly, he was not in any place where he could judge her. Because just like her, he’s just human too.

“I feel like.. I messed up big time.” he mumbled to himself as he sighed problematically.

Just where are you right now Yoo Jaekyung?

It was already past 10.

And Minseok was getting tired. He’s been roaming around for a few hours now and still he couldn’t find her.  I can’t give up yet. I have to find her. He thought as he shook his head and tried to encourage his self.

“I’ll find her.”

That’s when he noticed a small snack bar near not so far from where he is. Jaekyung can’t possibly be drinking there right? he thought as he tilted his head to the side. Well, it is possible.

And even if it’s not, he knew he’d still be checking if she’s there or not.

The moment he went inside, he was able to easily spot a drunken girl singing to herself. And finally, he was able to breathe.

It was Yoo Jaekyung. The girl he’s been trying so hard to find.

Minseok sighed in relief as he took a seat a few tables away from her. And from that distance, he silently watched her. “Do you know that I’ve been looking for you everywhere? I was so worried.” he softly scolded her even though he knew that she couldn’t hear him.

“Come back hooome~ Can you come back home?” Jaekyung sang as her head swayed from left to right. She was drunk. Completely drunk. Just like how he saw her for the first time.

“Why do I always have to see you in this state?” Minseok mumbled to himself.

Jaekyung suddenly raised her hand. “Ahjumma! 2 more bottles of beer please!”

“Two more? There’s already ten empty bottles on your table. Isn’t that enough huh? Stop drinking.” Minseok frowned as he continued on scolding her.

“I’ve told you countless times that we don’t have beer. We only have soju.” the Ahjumma told her in an annoyed tone.

Jaekyung rubbed the back of her neck in irritation. She has always preferred beer over soju. But this time she doesn’t have a choice. “Okay. Soju. Two bottles please.”

The ahjumma went to her table and gave her two bottles of soju. “Can I order chicken too?” Jaekyung groggily asked her.

“How many times do I have to tell you that we don’t also have chicken?”

Jaekyung's face contorted into a frown. “Really? But that’s my favorite.” she mumbled as she opened the first bottle of soju. “What you have there? I’m kind of hungry.” she said as she clutched on her stomach.

“There’s only dumplings left.” the ahjumma answered her as she began cleaning other tables.

“Dumplings?!” she shrieked. “No. I don’t want it! It’ll just remind me of that mandoo.” She exclaimed as her expression darkened. To her there’s no difference between Kim Minseok and a mandoo.

Minseok felt guilt. The mandoo that she was talking about was definitely him. “Dumplings are good for your health. Eat it. Don’t avoid it because of me.” Minseok mumbled as he eyed her.

“Ahjumma. You know what? That mandoo.. he said he hates me so much! That mandoo, hates me. He ..hates me.” Jaekyung told the ahjumma again and again for she was already drunk.

“The mandoo hates you?” She asked Jaekyung as she laughed. “This girl is really drunk.” she commented as she shook her head.

In the end, Jaekyung fund herself ordering a bowl with three dumplings for she was starving. She took one and stared at it weirdly. For some reasons, this type of food really reminds her of that mandoo guy.

“What did I do wrong? Why do you hate me so much? I just don’t understand you. I apologized already didn’t I? What do you want me to do? Tch. You’re so annoying.” Jaekyung talked to the dumpling as if it was him. And the ahjumma was staring at her weirdly for talking to the food.

Minseok was already drowning in his guilt. He sighed as he watched her. “This mandoo.. also doesn’t understand himself too.”

It was true. Now that he has thought about it, he doesn’t know the real reason why he keeps on hating her.

“Ahjumma! Do you have a cake?” Jaekyung asked as she waved her empty bottle of soju, trying to get the old lady’s attention.

The ahjumma eyed her weirdly. “Cake? This is a snack bar. There are no cakes here. Why do you want one?” the old lady asked as she arranged the chairs.

 “Today… “ Jaekyung smiled sheepishly at her. “Today is my anniversary with my boyfriend. We need to celebrate.” she said. “Give me cake.” Jaekyung demanded as she drummed her palms on the table.

“We don’t have cake. Ask your boyfriend to buy you one.” 

“Should I call him?” Jaekyung happily asked her. The mere thought of calling Jaehyun is enough to paint a smile in her face.

“Yes. Call him so that he can pick you up. You’re already drunk. You need to go home.” Clearly, the Ahjumma just wanted to send Jaekyung away so that she can finally close the store.

Jaekyung smiled as she took out her phone from her pocket and carefully dialed Jaehyun’s number. “This time I won’t be calling the wrong number, I won’t cause trouble to anyone anymore.”

“Why is she still calling that guy?” Minseok frowned as he shook his head in displeasure. Stop calling him. He left you right? You’re just hurting yourself. He won’t answer your calls.

“Jaehyun-ah.”

He heard her say his name. Minseok’s eyes widened as she watched her. Is she… really talking to him? For some reasons, he wanted to snatch her phone away and just throw it out. That guy just left her without even telling her why. Without explaining himself. He just left. So why is she still clinging on to him?

“You know what? I’ve gotten prettier. Seriously. I think I can even be casted on the streets for a make-up CF. You regret breaking up with me right?” Jaekyung boasted off with a chuckle.

Even though she was drunk, Minseok could tell that her smiles were genuine. She was happy. Really happy in fact. Is it because she’s talking to him?

“Where are you? Have you eaten dinner? You’re not forgetting the fact that today’s our third anniversary right? Hurry and come here stupid.”

You’re the stupid one. He already left you. Why are you still asking him to come?

“Jaehyun-ah, you know what, there’s this mandoo who hates me. Since you’re my boyfriend, hurry and kick his for me. Avenge me. Okay? Our office is near Insadong. If you see someone who looks like a bun, that’s him. When will you come?”

Okay. Make him come here so that I can punch him for making you cry before. Minseok thought as he made a face. He really wanted to meet that Ahn Jaehyun who dared to leave her and make her cry countess times. And if he's given the chance to, Minseok would also gladly punch him about once or twice. Or maybe thrice. He haven't met him and yet he couldn't help but hate him.

“Yah. Ahn Jaehyun. Why aren’t you answering me? Why are you so quiet?” Jaekyung's face slowly crumpled into a frown. And slowly, tears were pooling in her eyes, threatening to fall down at any moment.

See? He’s not answering you. Stop wasting your time on him.

“I’ve been calling you so many times before. Please… Just once. Please pick up your phone. I.. really miss you.” She said as she slowly broke into tears. The truth is she was trying to call him everyday since their breakup. Every single day. And none of her calls were ever returned. And she would just pretend as if she is talking to him. Why is she doing that? It's her only way to live.

If he’s not answering his phone then who was she talking to earlier? Aish. You’re the stupid one Jaekyung. Why did you even call him if you know that he won’t answer your call? And now you’re crying again..

Minseok sadly eyed Jaekyung as she walked at the streets. She was barefooted and he doesn’t have an idea about where her shoes were. Her feet were covered with different colors of band-aid because of her blisters. Her body was lightly swaying from left to right.  And she was singing loudly even though she was not in tune. “Come back hoooome~”

He felt guilty looking at her like this. If it wasn’t for him, then this day wouldn’t be so bad for her.

Jaekyung couldn’t walk straight for she is really drunk and she always ends up bumping to other people. They will end up shouting at her telling her to be more careful and all. But she wouldn’t care. She was drunk after all.

And Minseok would be the one apologizing in her stead.

He bowed several times as he apologized at the girl she just bumped into. “I’m sorry. She’s drunk. She couldn’t walk---“

“If she can’t walk then why can’t you help her?”

The stranger’s words hit him hard. As much as he wanted to go to her and help her walk straightly, he can’t. He’s not someone she wouldn’t want to see right now.

Besides, after all the things he did, how can he still face her?

Looking at her like this, he thought that he just can’t let her wander around in the middle of the night. And so he thought he should call Sehun to pick her up. As much as he hates to do it, that’s the only thing he could do right now.

“Thank you for finding her. She didn’t do crazy things again didn’t she?” Sehun slightly grinned as he glanced at Jaekhyung who was already sleeping soundly inside his car. He was relieved that they were able to find her. Now he can finally stop worrying.

Minseok abruptly shook his head. “No. She didn’t.”

“That’s good.” Sehun nodded at him. “I’ll just tell her tomorrow that you—“

“Please don’t.”

Sehun eyed him weirdly. “What?”

“Don’t tell her that it’s me who found her. Just don’t. Please.” Minseok pleaded. Yes. The high and mighty Kim Minseok just pleaded. And it's because of Jaekyung.

“You ..sure?” 

Minseok nodded as he smiled sadly. “Yes.”

She doesn’t need to know that anyway. It’s not like the pain would go away after she knew everything right? Of course not.

“It’s getting late. We should go now. Thank you for finding her.” Sehun said as he went inside the car  and started the engine. He was about to drive but then, Minseok stopped him.

“Wait!” he called as he gripped on the windowp of Sehun's car.

Sehun suddenly halted into a stop and turned to him. “What?” he asked, slightly irritated.

Minseok eyed Jaekyung who is sleeping peacefully at the back. And then he remembered what happened to him the first time he met her. And surely, he didn’t want the same thing to happen to happen again. Not to Sehun. “When she gets drunk.. she does weird things… and… just.. stay away from her. Explain to her that you’re not her boyfriend...  no matter what, you should stay away from her. I know you like her. But she’s your noona…just..”

“Okay I think I get what you’re trying to say.” Sehun cut him off. His face showed no expression, as always.

Minseok’s face brightened knowing that he doesn’t have to explain further. “Really? That’s great then. Jut drive safely. Follow the streetlights and get home safely.” he reminded Sehun again and again like an old man. “And yeah. Go home.. safely. Make sure she’s safe and… safe. Yes. Safe.”

“I get it.”Sehun nodded at him. He noticed that Minseok is still clinging onto the window pane, not wanting to let go. As if he wasn't fully convinced. “Hyung, don’t worry. I have a girlfriend. And I don’t like Jaekyung noona that way.”

Minseok felt his cheeks burn as his ears turned red from embarrassment. So, Sehun doesn’t like her. He thought as he bit his lips together. He didn’t know why but he just couldn’t help but feel relieved at what he heard.

“Oh, and one more thing." Sehun declared, causing Minseok to look up to him. His thoughts were all ruined. "Don’t worry Hyung. I won’t let her kiss me like what she did to you.” Sehun told him with a smirk before finally driving off, leaving Minseok there wondering about why he knew that.

“How did he know? Am I too obvious?”

A/N

The song is 2ne1's Comeback Home (unplugged ver.) I think it's very suited for this chap and for Jaekyung as well. Hehe. I hope you liked this chapter. ^^