Chapter 9~Kim Hyuna (1/2)

After Guk had left the kitchen, you couldn’t help but look to the trash out of curiosity. The paper he had tried to hide was on top. You pull it out and are surprised to see a picture of a piano in the middle of a room of windows. Light streaks in and onto the glossed shine of the piano. It’s actually quite good. Really good. You look up to see where BYG has wondered off to when Miryo comes in.

“What’s that?” she asks, taking the paper.

“Guk drew it I think.” You answer.

“HE drew THIS? Dang.” She folds it up and pockets it.

“What are you doing?!” You ask as you reach for it.

“I’m keeping it! It was MY homework! I’m using it.”

Before you can argue, BYG returns. He looks at you two with blank eyes. Those eyes. So strong.

“I’m keeping this, BYG!” Miryo exclaims as she flashed the picture and returns it to her pocket. “I need it for school.”

“What? Oh, uh… fine.” He replies. His voice is so low. So attractive.

You don’t necessarily LIKE him but he does seem capable of keeping you and Miryo safe, and that’s all that you care about.

The rest of the day passes slowly and awkwardly as you attempt to get used to BYG’s presence all the time.

“Guk,” Miryo said with heavy eyes as she walked towards the steps. “I’m going to bed now.”

“Oh, uh… alright.” He replied as he stood up from the couch.

“I’m going too.” You say as you follow her up the steps.“Um… okay.” He says again.He stands in the room and you feel his eyes on you as you ascend. You take Miryo to her room and sit with her while she changes and gets into bed.

“What do you think of… Guk?” you ask her.

“I like him.” She smiles but she’s tired. “Don’t you?”

“I… I don’t know. Not particularly.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know. Just something about him seems… familiar.” You don’t know why you don’t like him…

“Well, I like him. And I feel safer with him here.” Miryo says as she lies down.

“Do you?”

“Yeah. Have you seen his arms? They’re HUGE!”

You laugh. “I guess you’re right.” You kiss her forehead goodnight and leave her. Back in your own room, you struggle to fall asleep. And after you do get to bed, you’re awakened by nightmares. In the end, your heart is beating and you feel terrified. You search the shadows of your room, fearing the stranger is there again. Watching you. Waiting.

You hurry downstairs to the kitchen and sit at the table with your head in your hands. Tears fill your eyes.

“Oh, it’s you.” A sigh comes from behind. You turn to see BYG with a lamp in his hand. “I heard footsteps…” he says as he lowers his weapon.

“So you grab… a lamp?” you say quietly. Then you turn away and wipe your eyes.

“It’s all I could find.” He says as he joins you at the table.

You glance up and he’s staring at you. He seems confused. He must see the tears. You turn to the side and wipe one away that trickled down your cheek.

“Can’t sleep?” he asks.

“Huh, no.” you reply with a smile, trying to hide your emotions.

He’s quiet again. Staring at you with those eyes. You take a ragged breath and you know he wants to know why you’re upset. You can feel it.

“Last night… someone… tried to hurt me and my sister.” You whisper.

“Really?” he asks.

“Yeah. I guess… I guess it shook me up a little. Every time I close my eyes… I see HIS.”“You saw his eyes?”

“Yeah. Just a glimpse.” You sniff back more tears. You miss JunHyung. You wish he could stay here with you instead. You want to hide in his arms.

“Hm… you don’t have to…worry. You can go to bed. Nothing will happen tonight.”

“You sound so sure.” You sniffle.

“I am sure. I’m here. Nothing will happen.”You sigh.

“Please. Please try to go back to bed.” He urges you.You nod and get up.

“Goodnight, BYG.” You say softly.

“Goodnight.” He returns.~♥~The next morning you feel tired from lack of sleep the last two nights in a row. You go to your phone and see that you have a missed message. It’s from JunHyung.

“How did you sleep?” he asks.

You smile and type “Honestly, not so well.”

Then you get up and head downstairs. Miryo is chatting away about dance routines. And BYG… BYG is flipping a messy pancake on the stove. The kitchen’s a mess. He’s nodding along to Miryo’s story. It’s a funny sight. Him in an apron and covered with flower.  Baking and listening to Miryo’s endless chatter.

“Oh, good morning, Hyuna!” Miryo chimes when she sees you.

You smile tiredly and take a seat.

“How’d you sleep?” BYG asks. He seems less shy.

“Um… I slept okay.” You answer.

“Well, I for one slept incredibly at ease!” Miryo exclaims. “I think it’s because YOURE here, BYG!”

You look down in embarrassment for her but BYG doesn’t seem to care. Maybe he’s already used to Miryo’s idol worship of him.

Your phone buzzes as he flops a pancake down on your plate. His eyes zip to your phone.

It’s JunHyung. “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that LTake it easy today. You will sleep better tonight.”

“How do you know?” you respond.

You turn to your pancake and smile at the sight. Your eyebrows raise as you cut into the undercooked breakfast.

“What?” BYG asks, eyes still on you.

“You cooked breakfast?” you ask with a smile.

“Well, that guy friend of yours cooked something. So I thought I’d give it a try too.” He responds as he flips another pancake only for it to fold in half. “I think I’m getting better.” He mumbles.

You laugh.

Another text from JunHyung: “Because I’ll be there in your dreams tonight to protect you.”

You smile and feel your face blush.

“Is it JunHyung?” Miryo asks after studying your face. BYG looks up at you as well.

“Maybe.” You reply but can’t hide your smile.

BYG grunts and you look up at him. As if caught he raises his eyebrows and quickly goes back to his baking. You roll your eyes at him.

“Bang Yong Guk!” you said loudly that catches both him and Miryo off guard. He misses his pancake and batter splats across his face. “I’m going to go shopping today.”

Miryo and Guk exchange glances. Then Miryo smiles and jumps up. “Oh, yes! Shopping! I’ll go change my clothes!” she races up stairs.

“Shopping?” BYG asks. “Uh… alright.”

You and Miryo are quick to get dressed. When you go back downstairs you find the kitchen clean and BYG ready to go as well. He picks up the car keys.

“What are you doing?” you ask.

“I drive. Remember?” He smirks, dangling the keys in your face and then heading out the front door.

“Oh how fun!” Miryo laughs as she follows.

You groan and go out too. BYG drives while you sit in the passenger seat and Miryo is in back. BYG takes you two to the main street where all the shops are. He parks in a garage and follows you out to the street.