Suho dreamt of the times when both him and Jieun went to the same kindergarten. Somehow, he knew he could pull out from this dream, but he let his mind stayed, wanting to see what would unravel later.

A girl that looked like a living doll ran towards Suho- she was Yuna. Everyone loved her, even the fierce guard dog at the kindergarten loved to be around her, yet Suho was not fond of her. She was cute, but he found her finicky attitude squeamish. Any little things that did not come to her liking she would pout and began to cry, but no one minded because she was lovely-looking and teachers always helped her to solve any problems. Therefore, as time went, as long as Yuna faced- mostly petty problems, she only cried and did nothing. Suho thought that seeing Yuna pouting was more irritable than seeing Jieun bullying others.

When Yuna stood in front of Suho, her plump cheeks were red from the running and she fiddled for half a day only then began to speak with her cringe-worthy nasal voice.

"Xiao Mian... I...I like you!"

Little Suho frowned at Yuna's way of addressing him, only Goomi could call him that, but he let it slide. Suho clearly knew he did not like Yuna, the problem was how to tell her without making her cry. He despised girls crying.

Then, a small figure with two braids jumped into Suho's rescue. Before the intruder could speak, her face that only bared a spiteful look was enough to make Yuna backed away. Then, her mean remark did the work.

"You cannot like Xiao Mian! And also calling him Xiao Mian! Shoo!"

Yuna bawled at that instant, no one scolded her like this. Even if she did something wrong, just being pouty would get herself forgiven. Still, the pigtail braids could care less of her crying and even pushed her! Then, the 'mean' girl hugged Suho and kissed hard onto his chubby pale cheek, afterwards declared, "No one can like Xiao Mian or calling him Xiao Mian! Xiao Mian is mine! Get that?"

"Jieun! Why are you bullying others again? Why are you so disobedient?"

Two female teachers rushed to outside, one coaxing the crying Yuna, another bringing Jieun away to counsel her. Before Jieun disappeared into the classroom, she turned to Suho and beamed at him, not the slightest upset at the scolding from the teachers.

That smile of Jieun in the dream suddenly turned to the one Jieun gave to him a few days back and Suho snapped his eyes open. He was still in a glaze and glanced to the digital clock that displayed it was three in the morning, quite a while before dawn. Suho used his arm to cover his eyes, then touched his face- where little Jieun kissed. He still remembered the sudden kiss that sounded so loud with a 'pop' and leaving wet streaks. That time, he was so surprised that he even forgotten to wipe the slippery 'brand' by Jieun and was made fun by other children for quite some time. Nonetheless, Suho vaguely recalled that after the declaration, no girls came circling him like bees and life was better.

Although, the only who stuck to him all the time was Jieun. From the same school and also the same class, but they were separated in the end.

How did it happen?

It was likely because he wanted to draw a line between him and Jieun...

But...why...?

Yes, Jieun was not likeable by many, ever since she was young, so no one played with her. Still, he never disliked her... Then, why did he make a clean break with her?

Suho was engulfed in the quietness in the room and concentrated with the clicking wheels in his mind. Unintentionally, Suho switched on the light with a brush of his hand and the room was lit up with soft light. Suho closed his eyes at the sudden light and opened again after he had adjusted to it. Coincidentally, his gaze rested on his closet that was left ajar, with a checkered red shirt peeking out.

Checkered!

It was the last autumn before high school and he wore his newly bought red checkered shirt to school only to find out Jieun was wearing the exactly same outfit as him. His friends non-stop for being a couple with Jieun and saying he was the little follower of the wild girlfriend of his. Out of embarrassment, Suho went to confront Jieun and took off his shirt, throwing to her feet.

"Wear all you like, I'm not wearing checkered anymore!"

Since that time Suho never wore anything checkered, so did Jieun.

Soon they enrolled into high school and they were not in the same classroom since then. At first, as if bewitched, Suho was not used to not having Jieun around, but seeing how the latter would still smile at him whenever she saw him, as dazzling as before, he was reassured. Gradually, he found that without her by his side, he had more friends because Jieun was not there to chase them off. However, Suho neglected that if he left Jieun, then she was by all by herself.

Suho rendered at the possibility of Jieun being mad at him. After all, she did not show up at the campus ever since the day he roared at her. It had been three...or four days? Should he give her a call? Suho was about to reach for his phone, but the blinking clock stopped him. Who would give a call to someone at three in the morning? In the end, Suho forced himself to sleep and at least waited until the morning came, then he would call her. However, when dawn broke, the urge to call Jieun was not as strong as a few hours back. Whereas he had additional dark patches under his eyes- from the lack of sleep.

That day, Suho went to campus with a sullen state of mind. Then, his gloomy feelings were dispersed at the sight of the familiar Maybach. Without his own realization, he quickly went into the campus and his feet bringing himself to a certain direction which he never walked before but knew for sure. Suho's foot was on the first step of the stairs when Jieun descended. He noticed Jieun's ruby hairband was around her wrist and her blonde hair flowing about, somewhat messy. Ever since Goomi passed away, Jieun's long hair was never in braids and she never cut her hair short although the hair colour had changed a few times. She did not know how to do a braid, neither liking to have a long hair, but Goomi loved her lengthy hair and that was probably the reason that she kept it until now.

"You came."

Jieun glanced at Suho and hummed, but her steps never slowed.

Somehow, Suho had a lot to say, but he did not know what to speak of. He reached out his hand, wanting to hold her back, yet in the end, he retracted back his hand and followed her instead.

"That day...I'm...sorry..."

Jieun halted and turned to Suho in a mild surprise, then nodded her head.

"It's okay, I didn't take it to my heart."

Suho felt rather piqued at Jieun's facial expression that showed as if she just remembered there was such thing while himself was in a dilemma- in fact for a few days too! She did not even care!

"You're going back?"

Jieun hummed with a nod of her head, "Dad had fallen sick. You should go to your class now."

Suho's pace slowed and then stopped while Jieun just kept walking, not even turning her head. If this was how she reacted to his apology, then it was either she was not vindictive as others said or this was not something that she would be concerned about at all.

Then why was he so worked up of it to the point of getting insomnia, Suho grumbled to himself and headed towards his class in disgruntlement.

 〜❅〜

Like any boy, Luhan was insensitive and could not come to understand Suho sudden change of attitude towards them from that day. Therefore, he questioned Lu Junyi regarding anything he knew about Goomi. Only then, he came to know the hardship Goomi went through just because of her background- her marriage with Lee Taewon that was not approved by the bridegroom's family, died of a fast and unexpected disease when her only child was only eight. Luhan figured that Jieun might have been picked on by others because of her mother and naturally the childhood friend- Suho must have beaten those who mocked his friend. Luhan pondered a while on what his father said and decided, it was not such a great deal. Finally getting an explanation of the unfriendliness Suho gave to him, Luhan's whole attention was given to the meal before him, whereas Lu Junyi was skeptical of his son's unusual rumination.

 "Did something happen between you and Jieun?"

Of course, the ever straightforward Luhan did not bother to fabricate some lie or even being tactful of his words when he retold the incident, at least not when he was fully concentrated of the food he was eating.

"It's the truth anyway, why is she so afraid of others saying it? Tsk, just being an overly sensitive girl."

After a few mouthful of rice shoved into his mouth and with the chopsticks remained there was when Luhan finally notice something was wrong. Like how he expected but hoping it would not happen, Lu Junyi was standing with a dark face and the feather duster in his hand.

Once in a while, the beatings from the feather duster still managed to instill some sense into Luhan's pretty head. The next day, he went to Minwoo to make heads or tails of why Jieun troubled him. Subsequently, Luhan felt that he indeed made a fool out of himself- thinking Jieun did it just to annoy him when she did it because Minwoo indeed had pissed her off. Now, Luhan was left to feel rather peeved for his own behavior. Even if it was a truth, who would be able to take it when others were sneering at your mother. Luhan hissed in pain when Minwoo accidentally elbowed where the feather duster 'kissed' him and he could not help but to doubt whether he was his father's own blood, though the hitting was for his own good.

Luhan's discontent for his own father's actions was thrown to the back of his mind when he saw one certain blonde head from afar. After much contemplating, he finally went up to her. This time, without her eyes staring back at him when she was lowering down her head and being unusually low-key, Luhan was able to apologize without much effort.

"Lee Jieun, I'm sorry for what I did...about your mother."

Luhan was distracted when Jieun's driver came running towards their direction hastily, but he turned back his attention to the girl in front when the driver merely went into the car. He thought Jieun would shove a few kicks to him or, at least, giving him her dagger-like stare, yet Jieun never lifted her head and slipped into the car, like she never listened what he had said. Luhan cupped the back of his head and looked at the car that was driving away.

"Completely being ignored." Luhan affirmed to himself. Well, what could he expect from an impolite girl who did not even care about such thing?

〜❅〜

From the bottom of the stairs, Jieun heard the voice of her miserable uncle talking to her father. To Jieun, it sounded like a yapping dog that needed a beating.

"Hyung, this investment has to do with the survival and downfall of the company! We shouldn't work with the Lu chap, he knows nothing about business! Or else we would be burning cash only!"

"Manager Lee, there must be a reason why chairman himself values this collaboration. Just as how the Lee's corporation developed well under chairman's management, so it's the best that us employees just follow as instructed."

The courteous and pleasant voice to the ears could only belong to Kwon Ryul- Lee Taewon's most trusted assistant.

"You don't know how many are waiting for the day the Lee's corporation to collapse. People are green with envy, despite the ups and downs of recent years in the company. It is true that it wasn't easy for hyung to bring up the company, therefore, we shouldn't be reckless and put all eggs in this Lu chap's basket! If it comes to a joint company we should at least choose one with similar standards as ours, like the Kim's."

There was not a time Jieun would not deride at whatever Lee Taegong said, in fact, he had the least right to say such thing- being the useless scumbag he was.

In the meantime, Lee Taewon spoke not a word, seemingly in a deep thought. This sickness came out of the blue and caught him on the hop with its seriousness for someone who rarely fall sick. The doctor said it was caused by constant overwork- not exactly unexpected. For the sake of Goomi, Lee Taewon worked days and nights during the early days, consequently garnering all sorts of chronic diseases. After Goomi had passed away, he was then lived to give Jieun a life free of worry; acting as both father and mother, it was no wonder that his body broke down.

Jieun's eyes softened at the sight of her father that was still in the bed. Albeit pale-looking, it was still far better than a few nights before- the high fever that stubbornly stayed and her father was constantly out and in of stupor. Jieun barely slept a wink for that few days; if it was not that her father was doing better today and insisted her to go for her class, she would have remained by his bedside.

"Taegong, you can go back now."

Of course, Taegong was not willing to go back yet, not when his older brother's first word after a long silence was his own dismissal, but he could only turn to leave after seeing Taewon's wave of a hand. Then, seeing his niece standing by the door with a taunting smile did not make it better; Taegong was determined to show the father and the daughter that he was not a lame duck as they thought. He would show them that his choice was the correct!

By this time, Kwon Ryul smiled in greeting at Jieun who nodded back and Lee Taewon only closed his eyes and tiredly concluded the brief meeting.

"I know it looks like it would be more reasonable to cooperate with the Kim's, but let's not forget they're our strongest competition too. Also, we shouldn't think too lowly of Luyi. They aren't called as the black horse for nothing. They may be small here, but not their international markets, it could bring great profits if we collaborate. Kwon Ryul, keep an eye on this proposal, I can't afford a mistake."

Kwon Ruyl nodded his head along with opening his mouth but shut it for some reason and just left. Jieun noticed it and thoughtfully asked, "Dad, I've never seen you paying such close attention to partnership deal before, is this very important?"

Taewon slipped his arm around his daughter who already found a spot in the bed and finger-combed her messy hair; reminding him his daughter who allowed no one except him and Goomi to touch her hair, the stubbornness that was so alike to her mother's.

"Yes, sweetheart. If it's done, then we will be sitting in the business throne in our country. If this fail, then Xiao En will have to scrounge for food with me."

Jieun knew her father was joking, she was aware of her father's ability more than anyone; Lee Taewon was born to ace in the trading world even in the current competitive business industry. So, it was unbelievable for Jieun if her father were to be unsuccessful. Jieun always thought her father was one mountain that would never fall, sheltering her from any harm.

"Dad, the company is good enough, why the risk?"

Taewon's lips moved yet coughing sounds came out. Jieun was quick to pour a glass of water for her father and gently patted his back.

"Xiao En ah," Taewon rasped from his coughing and paused until he could breathe smoothly.

"In the end, the company will be yours and I just want you to live comfortably. So, before I pass the company to you, I want to clear away any kinds of obstacles with my best. You might face anything that is worse than what I'm facing now."

Jieun rested her head on Taewon's chest, closely listening to the steady heartbeats and his even breathing. How she wanted to tell her father that as long as he was well, nothing scared her, but the sight of her father's weak yet  benevolent smile stopped her from doing so.

"If dad is really unlucky and the plan flopped, there's still your uncle Kim to help me out. I can overcome any difficulties."

Jieun snuggled closer to her father and closed her eyes in reassurance. Yes, if anything goes wrong, there's still uncle Kim and with his help dad can overcome anything. Uncle Kim is dad's best pal since young, just like Suho and her, Jieun thought. Before she drifted into sleep, a question arose in her drowsy mind, were they even friends?

〜❅〜

The campus' website was in clamour when the news of a short clip directed by Lee Jieun received the first prize in the Professional Year Video Competition broke out. Most people in the campus knew and at least heard of the name Lee Jieun, but not without the talks of the infamous and outrages actions she did, therefore, their very first impression regarding this news was not awed by her talent rather the speculations that she had bribed the judges- a 'marvelous' act that could be done in a national competition.

Whereas, the winner herself was unaware until she saw the huge banner that was hung on the News and Media building after several days of absence. Jieun's eyes began to twitch and with a darkened face she went to her course department office. Jieun's initial intention was to demand an explanation for this whole mess, but this thought of hers was dispersed when she saw Kim Heechul, who was currently eating a pear with his legs crossed- a disturbing sight. Right now, she only wanted to strangle him.

Kim Heechul was her mentor as well as the very lecturer who taught her filming and editing. In short, Kim Heechul was an impetuous being like how he ate the poor fruit while peeling the skin poorly at the same time, by the time he was finished peeling, the fruit as left ith its core. He might not be an overbearing person like Lee Jieun, instead, he was rather friendly and approachable yet he was still disliked by the others simply because he was frank with his ual orientation towards men. Perhaps they were both the outcast in the campus or rather their bipolar personalities complement each other that they still got along despite their endless dispute.

Heedless to others lecturers' all ears and eyes, Jieun grabbed Kim Heechul's dress shirt and hissed at him like an angered rattle-snake.

"Aren't you too free to trip yourself into trouble? You're the one who sent in the clip!"

Kim Heechul was rather calm or perhaps too used to Jieun's such treatment, he merely nibbled at what was last of a pear and threw it away before dusting his hand, rascally said, "I do have credits with that video clip, if it weren't for me, you wouldn't have this end result."

Indeed, one of the assignment during the middle term examination was to produce a video clip. Unsurprisingly, Jieun was in the same group as the 'three bigmouths', nevertheless, the three's acting were not on par with Jieun's expectation and she gave up on them. Since then, Jieun never thought of doing it until Kim Heechul introduced her to several arts and theatre students from other universities. It was a trait of Lee Jieun to do her best if she were to do something or simply not doing it at all; an extreme of personality.

Throughout Kim Heechul's observation on the process of Jieun plotting, directing, filming and editing the video clip, he was certainly satisfied with her work. Therefore, conveniently, he handed it in as an entry piece for the video competition. As how he expected, they won the first prize.

Jieun's fist on her lecturer's shirt was pulsing when her grip only gotten tighter because of the smug look plastered on Kim Heechul.

"Afterall, I'm your guidance lecturer. Now, we are definitely being favoured by the head department!"

"I don't give a damn about being favoured or not!"

"You don't, I do! With this, the scholarship to Germany for career studies is mine with no doubt!"

In defeat, Jieun figured she should not waste her energy on him. No wonder people disliked him; being awfully blunt with not a care in the world. In the meantime, this was exactly the reason why Jieun was willing to mingle with Kim Heechul. One needs not to worry about backstabbing and scheming while being with him.

"So, my little JiJi, let's go to Busan to receive the prize!"

Without missing a beat, Jieun declined. "Go get it yourself."

Finally, Kim Heechul used his body-binding technique to pester Jieun, adding on with his act of tears and dripping mucus to gain her empathy.

"Why not? People who are talented like us is inevitable to garner jealousy from others, so if we do not unite, how do we live in this society?"

At this, the lecturers' face in the room unavoidably darkened and Jieun only sighed knowingly, "Kim Heechul, just admit that we are being isolated."

"No! Never! They are jealous! Jea-lous!"

Unable to withstand Kim Heechul, the lecturers left the office in droves, leaving only Jieun to untangle herself from him. Then, Kim Heechul stopped sniffing and sobbing, silence filled between the two which only to be broken by his hysterical laugh. Jieun cracked a sincere smile, in fact, she was happy hearing the news because this meant her work was being approved and well-liked. However, all her thoughts are on her father because his fever had risen again and most of the time unconscious. She did not want to leave her father here just to receive an award.

At this time, Suho passed by the Art building and finally get to look at the banner which everyone had been talking about for the past few days. Looking at the congratulatory banner that was dedicated to Jieun, Suho could not help but to grin. At this very moment, he felt nostalgic- just like the old times when she was ranked first in school or won in a competition; he felt a glow of pride in what she had accomplished, more than when himself won.

Perhaps, Suho was too distracted and happy, he failed to notice Jieun who came down from the stairs and looked right at him. To Jieun, she thought Suho's smile was indeed as how his admirers described as- so warm and bright that it could light up one's world. She wondered how long had it been since Suho smiled properly at her like this, unlike his usual impatient glances or cold-hearted back turning. For a while, Jieun stood there in a daze, then decided to walk up to him, but a swift silhouette emerged from the side of the staircase was one step ahead of her, leaving only her dangling ponytail in front of Jieun.

Her ebony hair that had never been treated with chemical was a stark contrast to Jieun's daring blonde. Under the bright sun, her lively attitude with the match of a simple and clean outfit made her appeared to be more innocent and down to earth. Naeun's presence- like any heroine, brought up a comparison between herself and the villain, whom dark and ugly side was always magnified.

"Suho oppa, thanks for lending me your CD! It is really good like you said!"

When Naeun waved the square case in the air towards Suho, the light reflected from its smooth exterior made Jieun averted her eyes. Then, Jieun heard Suho's voice, mellow and gentle, "No problem. I have a lot of these, you can borrow them from me anytime."

Even without looking at his face, Jieun knew he was smiling warmly.

"Really? Then with that words of yours, I'll be troubling you often!"

"It's fine."

Naeun dropped her head bashfully, not knowing that Suho had looked past her and rested his gaze on Jieun who had not moved from her spot earlier.