1 (1/1)

“___-ah! Yah! Lee ___!” Sungjong shouted, frustrated. I don't care if we're childhood friends, can't she just listen to me for once? He ran a hand through his hair, messing it up from its usual flatness as he hears her giggling again. He turns around to where he thought he heard the noise and called out, “___-ah! Come on! We're going to be late because of you again!” You tap him on his shoulder, and quickly run away, and he turns around, only to come face to face with air, of course. He sigh and walk away from the park, and you look at his retreating figure before running towards him and jumping onto his back. He stumbles forward before holding onto your legs as you wrap your arms around his neck. “Geez ___,” he mumbles and you laugh. The sound of your laughter makes him smile softly as he continues piggy backing you home. “ “Jongie's the best,” you coo as you poke his cheek. He pouts and sighs, “I miss the days when you call me oppa.” “Mm, we're only a month apart though,” you whine. Secretly, you enjoyed calling him oppa, but he always gloats too much in it, so you stopped. You rest your head on his shoulder and he carefully shifts you into a more comfortable position so you could rest. You smile and slip into a gentle slumber as he continued walking you home.  Upon arriving at your house, Sungjong rings the doorbell and Mrs. Lee happily opens it for him. She smiles upon seeing your sleeping face and she says, “She's much cuter when she's asleep isn't she?” Sungjong nodded, laughing and he said, “All the guys at school love her regardless whether she's awake or not.” “Mm, both of you two are really popular huh?” she asks as she walks behind Sungjong as he climbs the stairs to your room. Sungjong laughs softly and replies, “___'s a lot more popular than me. She's secretary in the student council, the president of archery club, manager of the boy's basketball team, and also our class rep.” “Mm, she says she would have never became manager if you weren't on the team,” your mother responds with a soft laugh. Sungjong blushes and continues you towards your room, hoping your mom didn't notice. However, she did and she said softly, “Maybe you should tell her one day.” “I'm too scared that it'll jeopardize our friendship.”  “I see,” she responds, “Just don't do anything you'll regret then.” Sungjong glances back and she walks back downstairs once Sungjong reached your room. He gently lowers you onto the bed and you immediately curl up into a ball and shiver slightly. He stifles a laugh at your adorable actions before gently covering you with a blanket. You grabbed the edge of the blanket almost immediately and pulled it towards yourself.  Sungjong gently caressed your cheek and brushed the stray strands of hair away from your face and whispered, “Sleep well ___-ah.” He carefully and quietly walks out of your room and walks downstairs. Your mother brought out some cookies and tea and placed it on the table for Sungjong.  “Thanks eomoni,” he thanks as he sighs. Mrs. Lee smiles and shakes her head, “You two are really similar.” “I've been told that a lot.” “Do you guys bicker a lot at school?” “Mm, usually during basketball practice, whenever I'm not doing the warm ups correctly or I messed up something like a simple lay up she yells at me,” Sungjong chuckled.  Your mom laughs and she says, “She complains about how you get the simple things wrong, yet all the complicated ones you get correct. 'If you don't master the basics you can't become a master in the game!' she'd often say.” “___ talks about me?” Sungjong asked surprised. You weren't the type to talk about others behind their back. But this is her mom, so I suppose she would talk to her about anything and everything.  “You seem surprised, of course she does. You're her closest friend, 'I can trust Jongie with practically anything Mom! He's the bestest and closest friend I have!'”  Sungjong blushed, making your mom chuckle. Sungjong stood up and bowed and said, “I should be leaving now, I have to go to swim practice.” “Okay, have fun then Sungjong-ah, don't overwork yourself too much, and tell your mother I look forward to our outing tomorrow.” “Will do!” Sungjong replied as he slipped his shoes on and bounded out the door. Sungjong sighed as he walked over to his house next door to yours. It wasn't this hard to contain my feelings until this year. Why did others have to show interest in her? He could still remember, your first year in high school when you guys were separated for the first time. Sungjong had no problems fitting in, but apparently you did. You were often teased for your appearance, due to your glasses, and your studying habits, but it may have also been due to the fact that despite falling asleep so often in class you always managed to rank first in the school wide tests and in class tests gaining hate, not from the popular kids, but rather the nerds that have been studying to achieve what they want this entire time only to be overtaken by someone like you who apparently didn't really take school seriously. This somewhat irritated me too since I was always ranked after her no matter how hard I tried to beat her. You never mentioned the struggles of going to class everyday being picked on by them and being mistreated by them until Sungjong saw it for himself and asked you about it. Since then he had transferred into your class to help you out, and you somewhat felt guilty about it but at the same time felt your heart warm that he'd go this far for you. But it was also that year that you had changed your appearance completely. You switched out of your glasses for contacts and instead of acting so reserved and introverted at school, you acted like you normally did around Sungjong and your other friends in other classes, bubbly, outgoing and nice. This change in behavior caught everyone off guard, but it also shot you into the popular circle, something you still abhor until now.  You didn't change at all, all you did was freely express yourself. You gained more admirers... that's the only thing I hated. Sungjong sighed as he grabbed his duffel bag full of swim equipment and headed out once again, walking towards the pool.  How many guys have asked you out within these past three years? How many have I attempted to scare away from you? It's ridiculous. Sungjong kicked a random rock as he reminisced the various males from your archery club, from the student council, from his own basketball team, even his own friends, that have all had feelings for you at one point. I sound so possessive over ___.. I'm not even her boyfriend. What right do I have to act like this over her? At least they have the courage to confess, to admit it, I don't even have that. I'm hiding behind the fear of losing you completely. They don't know my pain.  Sungjong arrives at the pool and changes into his swim trunks as he somewhat warms up. The rest of the swim team glances at Sungjong as he normally warms up properly before entering the pool, but for some reason, today he only did a few before he jumped in. In their eyes, they assumed he was just tired, for him, he was just trying to cool his head. He had began swimming and not even thirty minutes in he feels a cramp and struggles to reach the edge of the pool. Alerted by his sudden stop of movement, the lifeguard sees him holding onto his leg and he jumps in, helping Sungjong get out of the pool.  “Lee Sungjong! What the heck were you thinking?” his coach asks. Sungjong lowers his head and shakes his head slightly. “Come on, let's get you warmed up, I'll send you home okay?” Sungjong subconsciously nods his head and leans back on the chair they had placed him on. There's something seriously wrong with me.  Sungjong sighed upon entering his house.  “What's this about you almost drowning during practice oppa?” you asked immediately when he walked through the door, surprising him. He stared at you dumbfounded and you swung your spare keys around on your finger and asked, “What happened?” “Nothing happened,” Sungjong responded as he walked to his room. You frowned, Sungjong never lied to you, but you know when he lies, and you sighed, standing up to follow him and you see him shake his head. You stop in your tracks and immediately sit back down.  “What the heck oppa...” You waited outside for almost half an hour before getting up and leaving the house. You left a note and a plate of food for him before heading back. You walk back home somewhat dejectedly and sigh upon entering the door. Your mom looks up and asks, “What's on your mind honey?” “Sungjong's acting weird. He lied to me just now.” you mumble. You walked into the kitchen and heated up the dinner your mom had saved for you. She gives you a rueful smile before giving you a small back hug.  “Mom, is it weird that I fell in love with my best friend?” you ask. She looks at you surprised, she's been attempting to read if you were friend-zoning poor Sungjong or if you really did like him, and she responds, “No, not at all.” “I don't think I can tell him though, he's too popular. All my friends like him.” you mumble, “He doesn't even treat me like a girl either.” Your mom stays silent and you finish eating and head up to your room. “I'm going to study for the rest of the night for my statistics test, night mom.” “Night ___. Sleep well with sweet dreams.”  The next day, Sungjong ended up not going to school due to getting sick from yesterday. You took down notes and wrote extra tips in his notebook that you had taken from his backpack this morning for him. Even highlighting what was needed for the stat's test that he had missed. You spent most of lunch and after school while watching the boys practice for basketball copying and writing notes for him.  “___ sshi,” Soryoung called out, you looked up and he asked, “Are we getting a break or are you going to work us to death?” “Eh? Ah! I'm so sorry, yes yes you guys could take a break now. I'm sorry.” you quickly blurted out. You sighed, embarrassed that you forgot. You pull out your phone, an hour left before I can go home. I need to stop by Sungjong's house too. You suddenly feel a tap on your shoulder and you turn around to see the basketball coach, the principal, and a young lady. You stood up and bowed to your principal and she said, “Hello Lee ___-sshi, I'm sure you're surprised to see me here, but this young lady here is Mrs. Yang, she wants to talk to you about an interesting offer that I'm quite sure you'd be interested in.” You look at Mrs. Yang and then back at your principal and nod. They pull you out the entrance of the gym where it was a little bit quieter.  “I'm Mrs. Yang from Yonsei University, we were looking through various high schools that have exemplary students and you happened to be the first name on the list out of all high schools in South Korea. You have enough credits and even some college credits already available for you to transfer into Yonsei University for the spring quarter of the year. If you're interested we could help you transfer over starting now. We've read in detail your future plans about your desire to study foreign languages, and we've also seen your abilities in the various interviews you've had and speech and debate sessions we've watched. We want you in our college.” You stared at the pamphlet in your hand and Mrs. Yang softly smiled at you and said, “I know it's really sudden and you may be taken aback by this, but do know that this offer will be open to you for this week only since we have other students to interview, but you are the first one we've approached. Please consider it.” You nod absently, dazed that the university that you've been aiming for wanted you. The basketball coach smiled at you and you smiled in return. Upon arriving home you told your mom about the exciting offer. She was ecstatic for you, but also worried about how Sungjong would take it. You went on and on about it and smiled before walking over to Sungjong's house to give him his notes. I can't wait til I tell him!  You rang the doorbell and you hear shuffling as he opens the door for you. Your smile drops though when you see how horrible he looks. He doesn't even greet you and shuffles back to the living room couch and slumps onto it, laying on his side. “Oh god Sungjong, you look horrible! Have you eaten at all?” you asked. You drop his notebooks and the pamphlet on the living room table and rush to him feeling his forehead burning. He shakes his head slowly and coughs slightly. You rush over to the kitchen and get him a damp cold towel, placing it on his forehead. You begin making him porridge and afterward, brought it out for him. You sat him up gently and attempted to feed him but he shakes his head. You look down and softly whisper, “Let me do this much for you..” Sungjong is surprised by your sudden timidness and he nods and opens his mouth for you to feed him. After finishing and washing the dishes, you support him and walk him back to his bedroom and lay him down gently on his bed.  “Thank you __-ah,” he said with a soft smile. You smile and reply, “Anytime, I was going to tell you something but I guess we can save it for later.” Sungjong shook his head and propped himself up against the headboard and said, “Tell me now, or you'll forget.” You laugh, “Of course I would. I plan on transferring to Yonsei University.” You began telling him about what happened and he just stared at you, shocked.  “Eh?” Sungjong replied. He was shocked, extremely so. He knew you were gifted, but to the point that a school would personally scout you? He didn't know it was to that extent. He wanted to tell you not to go, but upon seeing the twinkle in your eye and the excitement, he couldn't bear to. It was your dream, and forcing you to go against that would kill him as much as it would hurt you. He gave you a rueful smile and said, “I'm happy for you.”  And he really was, despite having to let you go. He looked up and asked, “When would you transfer over?” “By the end of this month probably,” you said. You sat against the headboard with him and you continue, “I already called them telling them I'll accept, and they said the process should take about a month.” You gave him a sad smile and said, “I'm going to miss you guys.” Sungjong felt his heart ache and he immediately wrapped his arms around you and you wrapped yours around his.  “We still have a month,” he mumbles against you. You nod and he feels your tears soaking his shirt and he says, “It's okay, regardless of what happens, we're still going to be best friends. Even if you live at Yonsei or move over there, I'll visit you as often as possible. I'll try to visit you every weekend.” “Sungjong oppa, I wish I could take you with me,” you mumble softly. He doesn't hear it though and only hugs you tighter. The two of you spend the rest of the day chatting and reminiscing. The following weeks before the transfer, you have informed all of your friends and as a result, the entire student body has figured out that you were transferring. They wanted to plan a giant farewell party but you didn't want that. It'd make you cry, you claimed. You spent those weeks blissfully, spending the time with your friends, going out and hanging out, shopping, watching movies, and spending time with those you would miss.  The day of transfer, you were about to get on the taxi that would drive you to the university, your close friends all met up around your front yard as they accompanied your mom to bid you farewell. Most of your friends teared up as they said their good-bye's and you attempted to hold it in. You were doing well until you got to Sungjong. His eyes were already teary and you couldn't help but let your tears out. Sungjong stepped forward and gently hugged you.  “I'm going to miss you,” he whispered. You nodded and was about to speak when Mrs. Yang rolled down the window with a sympathetic expression and said gently, “We have to go now ___, we don't want you to miss orientation now do we?” You looked from her to Sungjong and he gently pushed your forward and opened the door for you. You got in, the entire time you were contemplating on telling him now, but the moment the door shut, your taxi driver started off, and you stared out the window as your friends and family waved to you.  The next following years at Yonsei was an experience you wouldn't forget. In the beginning, Sungjong really did keep his promise to visit you every weekend, but as college exams and such came up, he had stopped. The text messages and calls every day also stopped from most of your friends, only an occasional 'How are you doing' was sent. Your mom still checked in on you at least three times a week, and you had begun to grow accustomed to life without them, although your feelings for Sungjong hasn't stopped, and neither has his for you.  The first few weeks he was miserable, he wasn't used to not seeing you every day and especially not eating your food. He actually missed the random arguments he'd have with you and was especially sad that he had no one else to compete with for number one now. However, after thinking it over, he'd just have to try that much harder to catch up to you and also enter Yonsei.  When it came for graduation, he had invited you to come, however your finals was that same week so you had told him you might not. Sungjong sighed after graduation to see that you weren't here. Your mom was there, but you were still at school. He notices his phone vibrating and he picks up, surprised to hear you scream congratulations right into his ear. “Thanks ___-ah,” he laughs. You giggle and apologize, “Sorry I couldn't make it. I'm just finished my last final for today.”  “That's fine.” he said, and asked, “Will you at least make it to my celebratory dinner at my house? My parents are coming and your mom is going too.”  He hears you sigh and he takes it as a no, he prepares himself mentally and you mumble, “I wish..” “That's fine if you can't, I'll let you go back to studying then. Bye __-ah,” he says as he pulls the phone away. He barely hears you shout wait and he hangs up and sighs. Soryoung walked up to him and patted his shoulder. “You still haven't told her.” “I don't think I ever will at this rate. Do you see those pictures on Facebook of her?” “Yeah, those college boys, all of them are staring at her like prey.” Sungjong frowned and clenched his fist around his phone and he sighed, relaxing himself, “I didn't even tell her I made it into Yonsei.” “When are you telling her?” “Never? We won't run into each other. We're going to be in separate years and we're probably not even in the same major.” “Sungjong-ah, you have to tell her though. Or you'll regret it!” Soryoung exclaimed. Sungjong shook his head and Soryoung sighed.  Since then, it's been almost five years. You ended up becoming a translator for various K-Pop idols and Sungjong ended up being scouted and becoming a K-Pop idol. Both of you had practically kept out of each other's lives for so long that neither of you knew you worked in the same industry, yet regardless of that, for some reason you two haven't let go of your feelings for each other.  “___-sshi?” a manager calls your name. You look up from your phone and reply, “Yes?” “You're good in foreign languages right, like you have credentials to teach them?” he asks. You nod and he smiles, “Oh good! Do you think you could help the group I'm working for, they're called Infinite, and they're really struggling on learning Japanese and they have a tour coming up soon.” “Ah, sure thing,” you respond cheerfully. The group name sounded familiar to you, perhaps you heard their music before, or worked on the same program with them, but regardless you couldn't put a face to them. Upon arriving at the waiting room that Infinite was in, the manager walks in first and gathers the attention of the boys. “Kids, since you guys have been struggling with foreign languages recently, I've invited a specialist in that area, Mrs. Lee?” he calls. You walk in and look at their faces, freezing upon one of them. Sungjong stared at you, equally dumbfounded by your appearance and you stutter, “N-nice to meet you guys.” You bow and they all stand up and bow.  One member with relatively small eyes looked at his members and counted down from three and they all said, “Hello! We are Infinite! Nice to meet you!” Their manager begins explaining the next few days before their tour and how they could brush up on their Japanese, the entire time you kept glancing at Sungjong who just kept staring at you. At the end, the manager excuses you and you bow once more before leaving the room, only to be stopped by Sungjong. “After all these years, you're not even going to say anything to me?” he asked, clearly hurt. You lower your head and he walks up to you before holding your hand. “I haven't forgotten... and I know you didn't either.” “Oppa,” you mumble, catching the members off guard. Their manager looked between you and Sungjong and asked, “Do you two know each other?” You opened your mouth to say no, but Sungjong speaks up first and says, “Yes, and if you guys don't mind, can I speak to her privately?” His manager paused before hesitantly nodding his head and then saying, “Only five minutes.” Sungjong immediately pulls you out of the room and into an empty waiting room. The moment he locks the door behind him he stares at you and you lower your head. “You never talked to me after you graduated,” you mumble. Sungjong sits down beside you on the couch and he asked, “You never asked about me.” “You even hung up on me. And even before I transferred, you were acting so strange, and lied to me. I didn't know what I had done wrong for you to act that way towards me.” you blurted out. Sungjong was surprised. He thought he was the only one in pain, but it seems as though both of you guys were. He held your hands in his and he said, “I never meant to neglect you like that.” “Oppa...” you mumble, “I've always loved you.” You look up and give him a small smile, your tears already evident and he freezes. You notice him tensing up and you let your hands slip away and stand up.  “Sorry,” you mumble, heading towards the door. Sungjong looks at your retreating figure and then runs towards you, hugging you from behind.  “Sungjong?!” you squeaked out. He nuzzles his head against your shoulder and he whispers, “I'm sorry I never noticed. I never knew you felt the same way.” “Eh?” He turns you around and plants a gentle kiss on your forehead, “I love you ___-ah.” Your tears flow down and you mumble, “This isn't a dream right?” Sungjong laughs and shakes his head, “No, this is reality. Did you plan on never telling me?” You nodded and he frowned, “That hurts.” “We're both idiots.” “Yes, but you're my idiot.” he replies and said, “Promise me we'll work this out and we won't hide our feelings from each other anymore?” “I promise,” you breathe out softly. He smiles and leans forward, giving you a chaste kiss and pulled back, smirking, “Good. I'm not letting you go near the hyungs.” “Eh?” “Only I get private lessons, with the hyungs you have to work either in groups of twos or threes, got it?” “You... You haven't changed a bit,” you laugh, and he joins in, nodding his head in agreement.  “You haven't either,” he murmurs.