[Fanfic] Noona, I Don't Want To Say Goodbye

Heavy footsteps in the middle of the silence dawn woke Hwang Bo up. She bolted on the couch and narrowed her eyes to see the shadow clearly in the dark. She recognized the disoriented figure who seemed to drag his feet in rushed small steps as Hyun Joong. "Hyun Joong ah.." she called him softly as she did not want to wake up the others who were sleeping on the floor. Hyun Joong was really disoriented. He almost bumped into the wall. Hwang Bo thought he was sleep-walking until she heard he called her name.

"Hwang Buin.." Hyun Joong rubbed his tired eyes. He carefully watched his steps when he walked towards the couch. The crew members were sleeping on the floor. Some were sharing the other room and some were cramping with him. Sometimes he wondered why they needed so many crews ranging from PD to hair stylists to wardrobe manager to everyone else. He did not even recognize half of them. "Ar.. You are still here," he said as he sat next to Hwang Bo.

She thought about Hyun Joong's question as she removed the deeply sleeping Jins to her side. "Are you all right?" asked Hwang Bo. Of course she was still there. Where else would she go at this time in Busan? She did not get any reply for her question. 

Hyun Joong took in a deep breath. It was a dream after all. When he had told Hwang Bo he would dream of her, he did not expect he really would. It was not a pleasant dream. He had a nightmare. In his nightmare, Hwang Bo had told him that she wanted to leave him for another man. Hyun Joong sighed lowly. He could not see clearly who that man was but he was 101% sure the other man was one of Hwang Bo's disrespectful dongsaeng who publicly announced on national TV he would like to date or marry Hwang Bo.

Hwang Bo repeated her question, louder this time as she thought he did not hear it when she whispered the first time. To her surprise, Hyun Joong grabbed her hand and led her to the balcony. Although the air outside was cold and the sun was a couple of hour away from rising, she went with him because Hyun Joong, despite being fully awake, was still a bit disoriented. 

"Let's talk where we will not wake everyone up." Hyun Joong closed the sliding glass door behind them. 

"What is it you want to talk about?" Hwang Bo asked as they both sat on the balcony with their backs against the sliding glass door.

Hyun Joong groaned. Now that he could think clearly, the nightmare seemed immature to be talked about with Hwang Bo. After a long pause, he finally said something. "Noona.. You know I'll be away for the drama, right?" he said, gulping a bit before uttering his next sentence. "Don't look at other guys," he continued sternly.

She laughed out loud, somewhat flailed on the floor. Hwang Bo leaned her back against Hyun Joong as if it was something natural between them. She slightly tilted her head up to glance at Hyun Joong. "Ya!" She started to fire up once she composed herself from all the laughing. "I should be saying that, not you!" Hwang Bo scolded him in fake anger.

Hyun Joong chuckled. His shoulders moved vigorously as Hwang Bo leaned against him. He lifted his arm and naturally put it around Hwang Bo's shoulder. He grinned when Hwang Bo snuggled comfortably in his arms. Their time together was getting shorter. Although the separation will be temporary, he dreaded the time he would not be able to see Hwang Bo in person.

"I'm sorry but.. Can you call me once in a while?" Hwang Bo asked. She was struggling to complete the sentence without pausing between each word. She felt bad asking him to do that as she knew he would be tired and drained out from filming the drama. Even now, when he was busy learning horse riding and playing violin between filming with her, he could barely open his eyes. Hwang Bo gritted her teeth, feeling regretful about her request.

"Call you?" he asked.

Hwang Bo immediately brought her hands together into a huge X and said, "No. No. No. Don't call.."

"Three times a day," Hyun Joong said, cutting short Hwang Bo's sentence.

Her eyes almost popped out when she heard the promise coming from Hyun Joong. She instantaneously shifted to face him. "Really?" Her voice was bursting with excitement.

Hastily, Hyun Joong bobbed his head. "I'll think of Noona three times a day." That promised earned him a hard whack on his shoulder. He initially flinched, trying to block it but later changed his mind. He merely chuckled when he saw Hwang Bo's deadly glare and pouted lips.

"Then.. How many times are you calling me a day?" she insisted to know. She was somewhat frustrated she would not hear his voice on the phone three times a day as she thought he initially promised her.

His forehead wrinkled when he tried to think of a number.

She sighed. "Why do you even have to think about it?" She expected the answer to come out naturally from him. But when he took time to think about it, she has a feeling his answer would not be sincere. It would be force from him to please her. Her second sigh was louder than the previous sigh.

Obviously, Hwang Bo was upset with him. He could tell from her sigh and expression. Hyun Joong did not dare to make promises. He was warned ahead about the busy schedule. He doubted he would have time for luxury meal or leisure sleep. He could not promise Hwang Bo anything. His eyes blinked a few times as he continued to ponder the answer.

Hwang Bo patted Hyun Joong's knee a couple of time to assure him that she was not anticipating anything from him. "It's OK." She gave him a sweet smile.

All the bones in his body turned weak by the mere smile. He returned her smile with a wide grin. "Does Noona like odd number or even number?" he asked, putting up his left and right index fingers respectively.

"Odd number." She lightly touched the tip of his left index with her index finger.

"Arrh.. You are very lucky."

"Why? Why am I lucky?"

"Because I like odd number too. We have so many things in common," he concluded. "So, Noona.. We are already in this relationship. We also have many things in common too. Let's date openly then," he requested. It was the same request he had make to Hwang Bo a couple of time before. Hyun Joong was never granted that request by Hwang Bo.

"Aishee.. Do you like me this much because my aegyo was too cute?" She sighed in frustration. "I already warn you not to." She paused. Her playful tone turned serious suddenly. "You are too young for this. This can wait. We can wait. I can wait."

"I'm not. I don't want to wait."

"Hyun Joong ah, what's your hurry?" she asked, somewhat flabbergasted by his stubbornness. Hyun Joong was not quick enough to answer her before she fired another question. "Why are you so unreasonable? Don't just think about yourself. Think about me!"

Hyun Joong heaved a sigh too. Hwang Bo was so insecure. It was always like this since the beginning. There was nothing he could do or say to convince her that he would protect her at all cost. "I'm going crazy," he said. "If I'm not younger than you, then will it be OK?" He too felt insecure with their relationship. Hwang Bo was well liked by everyone, guys especially. But he had enough faith in her and in their relationship. He wished she would have faith in him too.

Hwang Bo hung her head low. Hyun Joong and she seemed to be conversing in different language. She had told him times and times again that age was never the problem. Since him, she had learned to accept a younger man. She wanted him to explore his idol life and do many things now before thinking deeply about her or their relationship. "Even if I'm 6 years younger than you, we still have to wait. This has got nothing to do with age," Hwang Bo said, exasperated. For a moment, she thought he understood her when she saw Hyun Joong nodded his head with wrinkled forehead, looking very deep in thought.

"If you are 6 years younger than I, you'll be 17 then. We will definitely have to wait for you to finish high school."

Although it was not funny, Hwang Bo laughed out loud when he uttered it. Hyun Joong's harsh tone made him sound like he was scolding a fan girl who had just confessed her love to him. "Hyun Joong ah.." she whined, trying to get him focus on their discussion. "If you are not an idol, then.."

"Actually Noona.. When you are not around, I feel lonely. Really," he emphasized when Hwang Bo raised an eyebrow at him. "What fun is it if there's no one to bully."

She threw her head backward and heaved a heavy sigh of frustration. "Is that what I am too you? Someone to bully? Is that why you make me try all those clothes you hate? And do cute act in my dance?" She sounded like she was about to explode in rage.

Hyun Joong stared at her with blank expression. He had perfected this expression to hide his true feeling. He felt lonely without his Hwang Buin because he missed her. He missed her laughter and the laughs they shared together. "That's not it," he denied. Yet, Hyun Joong still could not speak what was in his heart. "I'm just lonely when you are not around." Then he shrugged, as if it was not important.

Tears came easily to Hwang Bo lately. She would be force by circumstances to separate from him. Although it would do them both good, but she felt heartbroken. She knew Hyun Joong felt the same too.

"Are you crying?" Hyun Joong asked Hwang Bo. Although he asked in a teasing tone, there was a hint of surprise and concern in that tone. He leaned forward, extending his neck to catch a glimpse at her expression.

Hwang Bo denied it forcefully and turned her face sideways to hide from him. "I'm not." She tilted her head a little to force the tears not to fall. She touched underneath her eyes and ran her finger there to clear the traces of tear. "Arrhh.. This place is dusty. We must make complain to the resort management," she said, faking a cheerful voice. She was laughing alone at the joke.

Hyun Joong stared into the space in silence. Or in their infamous married life, it would be called awkwardness. "Hwang Bo shi!" Hyun Joong called her name and smiled at the same time. He pushed her up and stood up himself too. "Hwang Bo shi.. Don't cry. Ahjussi will buy you ice cream, OK? Do you like that?" he asked cheerfully. 

Instantaneously, as he expected, she fell on the ground and hid her face on her laps. Hyun Joong grinned and chuckled lightly. The bright smile and the merry laugh had returned. He put his hands on her elbows and helped her up.

"Ice cream? Really?" Hwang Bo asked him. Ice cream in winter did not sound like a bright idea but as long as it meant spending time with Hyun Joong, Hwang Bo would agree to it without any hesitation.

He nodded. Hyun Joong placed his hand on her back and lightly pushed Hwang Bo to walk forward with him. "Take Jins with us," he suggested and tenderly gazed at her, trying to observe her expression. She was genuinely smiling again. The smile that he would be missing. "Noona, there's something I want to do.."

"What is it?"

Hyun Joong smiled shyly. "Close your eyes and don't peek."

She glanced at him suspiciously with narrowed eyes. She gave up and closed her eyes tightly when he insisted it would not happen with her eyes opened. 

Hyun Joong took in a deep breath and muttered out he was nervous. It made Hwang Bo laughed and she peeked, making Hyun Joong wagered his index at her in scolding fashion. When Hwang Bo asked him to be quick because she was eager to know what he wanted to do, Hyun Joong pulled her closer to him and hugged her tightly.

Hwang Bo was so shocked when Hyun Joong embraced her. Her eyes were wide opened with disbelief. Her jaw dropped. She was too stunned to do anything and in a split second, Hyun Joong let go of her.

It was brief but he managed to smell the scent of her shampoo, to hear her rhythmatic breathing and to feel her heart beat. Still smiling timidly and to some extend, blushing, he told her, "When you feel sad, you will remember that hug and you will smile like now." It would be something for him to hold on to until they met again.

As if that was a cue, a smile formed on Hwang Bo's lips. A coy smile yet filled with bliss. He would wait just like she would. Hwang Bo knew that for sure. What they shared between them was too beautiful to be wasted. She had dated her previous boyfriend in secret for 8 years before. Hwang Bo knew she could do the same with Hyun Joong to protect his budding career. "Let's elope with Jins before the others wake up," she said with a wide smile.

- the end -

Writer: COMEL

[COMEL] 2008. All rights reserved. 

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[Fanfic] Buin, Do You?

Sorry for the long hiatus of this fanfic... I'll double up my post for Joongboo fanfic tomorrow. ^^

Hyun Joong did not want to be recognized. Thus he drove all the way to this small town which was two and a half hours away from Seoul. His friend, In Yong had been here before and had told him about the small shop at a corner of the town market. In Yong was his friend whom he called and asked to talk to Hwang Bo while they were filming the Couple Farewell Vacation mission. In Yong was fond of Hwang Bo. He would have come with him if he had asked but Hyun Joong did not want In Yong to close down his business for the day just to go with him. Now, Hyun Joong regretted it not asking In Yong to come with him. The shop owner seemed to pay a lot of attention to him. More that he needed. If In Yong was with him now, he would feel less self conscious of the shop owner. 

The young man came to his shop 15 minutes earlier. He quietly scanned the rings in display glass. The shop owner did offer him help but he silently shook his head and continued to stare at each ring. Sometimes he would point at a ring and ask to see it. After turning it around with a frown, he would put it down and start to scan the display in silent again. After watching the young man for a while, the shop owner recognized him as the idol his granddaughter from Seoul loved to talk about. His granddaughter would visit him sometimes and share stories about schools and idols with him. She told him all about her idol until the shop owner felt like he too had became a fan because he knew all about his granddaughter's idol. She proudly kept her idol photo in her purse to show to him too. The shop owner was positive this young man is Kim Hyun Joong.

After contemplating between the three rings in front of him, he made his final decision. "I want this one," he said. Hyun Joong pointed at the ring that caught his attention under the glass. None of the three were of his liking.

"Aren't you.." The shop owner asked the question at the same time Hyun Joong made his final choice. 

"No, I'm not," Hyun Joong cut the shop owner's sentence midway in firm tone before the shop owner could finish his question. "You don't know me," Hyun Joong added, looking pleadingly at the shop owner. "You don't, right?" he repeated in the tone that matched his expression. He did not want to be recognized. He purposely dressed down in old jeans and tee to blend with the local. He wore his hair down and a bit messy as not to attract too much attention. 

The shop owner nodded his head slowly. He smiled. "No, I don't. I thought you are one of my granddaughter's friends." He opened the display glass and reached to pick the ring Hyun Joong wanted. He handed it to him with a warm smile. "You look very much like him."

Again, Hyun Joong wished In Yong was with him. If he was he could help him out. He did not like lying to elderly. It would make his elderly phobia worst. Hyun Joong returned the kind hearted shop owner's smile and nodded his head slightly. "Yes," he said. "How much is this?" he asked. He suddenly became wary of the cost. It was an impromptu decision to get the ring. He did not even think about the cost. "Do you accept credit card?" he asked again.

The shop owner found the question very funny and laughed out loud. "Young man, I operate this shop in a small quiet town. My clients are old people like me who grow their own food," he told him. He gestured Hyun Joong to try the ring. "Find the ring that fits in your little finger. Then it will also fits on the girl's ring finger." 

"Really?" Hyun Joong asked. 

"Yes. If it does, you and Hwang Buin are fated to be together."

Hyun Joong smiled. He did what the shop owner suggested. It fit well. Then he realised what the shop owner had just said. "I'm not Kim Hyun Joong." His denial was a bit shaky as he felt uncomfortable lying to the nice shop owner. 

The shop owner laughed out loud again. "No, you are not. You are my granddaughter's friend." He pointed at the ring which was still on Hyun Joong's finger. "If you want that ring, I can let you pay in instalment. All of my clients do that."

Hyun Joong quickly shook his head. "No. No need. I will pay," he said. He was both surprised and touched the shop owner trusted a stranger and an outsider like him enough to offer installment. It would be too much to let the kind heart-ed man gave him instalment. He would pay it in cash term. After all, he could not give a gift which he had not paid for.

They were done filming for that night. It was a very long day. It started with an outing at Everland and ended with the blind date. Or the introductory dinner as Hwang Bo called it. The We Got Married crew were busy packing. The Ssangchu couple were busy getting ready to leave too. The place the production house rented for the Ssangchu couple was merely a location for filming. At the end of the day, everyone will leave. Tonight, no matter how late they wrapped up filming, everyone was forced to leave. In a couple of day, they will start filming again. It would be another long day of hard work.

Because of his upcoming debut drama the Ssangchu Couple and the filming crew were forced to work with a very strict schedule, filming one episode after another. Right after the Ant Tour wrapped, they started today's filming and would continue with the next one. Hyun Joong noticed how tired Hwang Bo looked. She seemed barely able to walk out of the house. It was not her alone. In fact, when he looked around him, all the crew seemed to be a bit impatient to go home. He felt sorry and guilty to them. "Buin," Hyun Joong called Hwang Bo, touching her elbow lightly. "I can give you a ride home," he offered.

He called himself lucky because he has a good company managing him. His manager was with him tonight for the filming. He would send him and his two members home. He was well taken care of by the company. Hwang Bo managed herself. She was not signed to any company. Hyun Joong stared at her with deep expression. Someone needed to take care of her. He had decided to ask their manager to let Hwang Bo ride with them.

"It's OK," Hwang Bo said, smiling at him. "I asked my friend to drive my car here in the afternoon. It's in the parking."

He stared blankly into the space. "I'll drive you home," he immediately said. It was neither an offer nor a request. It was a firm statement.

Before Hwang Bo could say anything to protest, he walked towards Kyu Jong. Hwang Bo immediately stopped walking on the spot and watched him. She sighed. Although she never anticipated anything from him, he would do unexpected things to make her heart fluttered. She hated to admit it but that line she did not draw today, must be redraw in a dark, permanent color to make it more visible and hard to erase. "Hyun Joong ah.. Why are you like this?" she muttered softly.

"Kyu Jongie ah, I'm going with Hwang Buin.." Before he could finish his sentence, someone jumped at him from behind, startling him. "What are you doing?" Hyun Joong scolded Hyung Joon. He looked at him with narrowed eyes.

Kyu Jong extended his neck to look behind Hyun Joong. "Hyung, are you going to tell her? Are you?" he asked, tilting his chin towards Hwang Bo's direction.

Hyung Joon wrapped his hands around Hyun Joong's neck "You are?" Hyung Joon got animated in a sudden. "Tell her! Tell her!"

They talked about Hwang Bo the night they folded the paper cranes together for her birthday gift. He subtly told his members his affection for his Hwang Buin. It started as any other chat SS501 would have. It was when Jung Min grumbling, asking him, "What is the meaning of this? Why are we helping you folding the paper cranes?" they started to talk about Hwang Bo. He did not expect them to encourage him but they did. In fact, they especially Young Saeng expressed he was envious of him who could openly have a relationship with Hwang Bo and be accepted by fans. Even if it was only for a show.

"Hyung, you have to tell her. If you aren't, I'll tell her myself," Kyu Jong said. "I'll tell her I like her."

Hyun Joong eyed Kyu Joong. It was a joke but he did not trust him. He had watched him the whole night. He knew Kyu Jong would really tell Hwang Bo he liked him. Whether it was for real or to irritate him, he did not know. But he knew Kyu Jong would do what he said. "Go back," he said, almost shouting it. "I'm sending Hwang Buin home," he added.

Hyung Joon was having a good time laughing when Hyun Joong left them to walk towards Hwang Bo. "Aishee.." he sighed, shaking his head. "Hyung can only lead SS501 well but he can't decide what to do with his life."

He heard what Hyung Joon said but he was too tired to turn around and give him a good whack. Hyun Joong wanted to leave with Hwang Bo before anyone noticed they left together. 

There was somewhere he wanted to go with Hwang Bo before he sent her home but she looked too tired to go anywhere but home. "Buin, do you want to go for late night meal? My friend's chicken shop is still open," he asked her anyway despite telling himself he should not.

Hwang Bo covered her mouth as she yawned. She leaned against the passenger seat and happily let Hyun Joong be her driver for the night. She thought she could nap on the way home but she was too tired even for a nap. But she still could not stop yawning. "Now?" she asked, looking at the time. "It's almost midnight," she said.

"People don't go and eat late night meal when it's not late at night," he told her in scolding tone.

Hwang Bo laughed out loud, clapping her hands at his sudden outburst. "Yes, I understand that now," she said, gritting her teeth and glanced at him sharply. Why did he have to win everything? She gave up and nodded her head. "OK. Let's go. But make sure it's a good meal." She gave him a warning.

"You'll not be disappointed," he promised. "Buin, I don't know if it's true but lately you don't like to spend free time during break with me anymore." Hyun Joong glanced to his side to see Hwang Bo's expression. He saw Hwang Bo pouted and sighed.

Hwang Bo expected the question. Yes, she did accept him when he told her he wanted to date her. She accepted it because he genuinely liked her. After all, he gave her a thousand paper crane to go with the proposal. How could she have said no to that? She genuinely liked him too. Although they never openly date, they have been keeping up with each other and met up secretly at places where they would not be recognised. "Hyun Joong ah, sometimes I feel it's wrong to date like this. Although I like you a lot but I feel guilty. I'm very happy with our relationship now but I can't help feeling worry about the future."

"Why? You don't do anything wrong. Why are you feeling guilty?" Hyun Joong sounded annoyed. He was in fact irritated when Hwang Bo felt insecure about their relationship. Did not he convince her it would work out when he gave her the thousand paper cranes? Did not he told her the thousand reasons why they should date?

"It's not that.."

"Things that happen in the future are in the future. Why are you so afraid of the future? We will handle the future when the future comes. Why can't we enjoy the day as if come?"

Hwang Bo bit her lips. That was one of the most moving things Hyun Joong has ever said to her. The last time he talked to her with that tone of seriousness and confident was when he proposed her to date him. She slowly nodded her head to concur with Hyun Joong.

As soon as the side dish arrived, Hyun Joong turned animated. He exchanged a look with In Yong who served them the dish. Hyun Joong returned In Yong's wink with a grin. 

"In Yong, I feel embarrassed now. If I know you own a chicken shop, I'll not offer to cook for you," Hwang Bo told In Yong after thanking him for the dish.

In Yong smiled shyly. He was obviously very smitten by Hwang Bo's friendliness and beauty. He seemed to have lost his voice when he met her in person for the first time. "You are really pretty," he told her.

"Ya! Go back to the kitchen!" Hyun Joong shouted at In Yong.

Hwang Bo leaned forward against the table and held her stomach while laughing out loud. She hit Hyun Joong hard several times on his arm. "He's been like this all night. He nagged at me and yelled at Kyu Jong and Hyung Joon too. Please forgive him," Hwang Bo said, apologizing on his behalf.

In Yong merely chuckled and went away. Nagging and yelling were the signed of Hyun Joong claiming Hwang Bo as his. He had knew him forever thus In Yong knew Hyun Joong very well to bet on his chicken shop that he was indeed in love with her It was not just plain liking.

Hyun Joong eyed In Yong until he disappeared into the kitchen again. Although things would be tougher in the future, he would keep Hwang Bo away from guys who seemed to be falling on her feet one by one. Even his friends and members were smitten with her. He had to guard her well. He had to make her promise not to fall for other guy too. It would be something mutual for them. "Hwang Buin, this dish will not disappoint you." He handed her a fork as he repeated his promised in the car. He gestured her to take a bit. He anticipated her reaction.

Hwang Bo eyed his suspiciously. "There's nothing wrong with this dish, right?" Why was Hyun Joong getting animated in a sudden? She was still eyeing him when she dipped her fork in the dish. It surprised Hwang Bo when the fork hit something metal. Hwang Bo gasped. Her eyes widened. "This is.."

"Yes. Something you want."

It was a ring. In her side dish. Hwang Bo tilted her head backward. She closed her eyes real tight, fighting the tears from coming down. She took a deep breath and exhale. "Shillang, you make me so happy," she told him in soft voice. She was supposed to let Hyun Joong put the ring on her finger. It would make her side dish ring dream be more real but Hwang Bo was too happy that she scooped the ring out with the fork and hold tight to it. It was a beautiful ring. A plain gold ring with straight edge. One look at it, there was nothing special about the ring except it was her side dish ring from Hyun Joong.

Hyun Joong smiled while looking at her moved expression. "It's a couple ring," Hyun Joong told her.

She looked up from the ring to stare at him. She was shocked. "What?" she asked for confirmation.

Hyun Joong nodded his head, saying, "It's a couple ring." He took out another ring from his pocket and showed it to her. It was identical to her ring but was slightly wider. The muscular version of her feminine ring. 

It was exactly like hers. She bit her lower lip, trying to hide her smile and failed. She never thought Hyun Joong would want to wear couple ring. She never thought he would initiate the move too. When Hyun Joong asked her to look inside the ring, Hwang Bo turned the ring around. She stopped turning when she spotted something engraved inside the ring. She really had tears in her eyes when she read his name, Hyun Joong engraved inside the ring. 

"Mine have your name inside it." He showed her the engraved name. 

It said Hye Jung instead of Hwang Bo and that brought tears to her eyes again. She pushed the chair and got up. "Shillang, you really make me cry!" She quickly gave her back to him and run her hands on her eyes to wipe the tears before sitting down again. 

Hyun Joong chuckled as he watched her getting very emotional over the ring. "Try it on and see whether it fits or not," he insisted. He threw his fists on the air and laughed when Hwang Bo easily slide the ring on her ring finger. 

"What is that for?" Hwang Bo asked, flabbergasted by his reaction. She saw him sliding the ring on his finger too. "No.. No.. No.. Don't wear it." Hwang Bo grabbed his hand, trying to hold him from putting the ring on. At the same time, she quickly took off the ring she was wearing. 

"It' a couple ring. It's supposed to be wear together."

"Hyun Joong ah.. If you wear a couple ring, people will notice it."

"Then.. You are not going to wear yours?" He tilted his chin at the ring she was holding, gesturing her to put it back again.

"I will. I'll wear it as a pendant with my necklace." She pleaded with him. "It's too much pressure.."

"On our relationship?" he asked, surprised. He never expected being together with him would be a burden on her. He was very disappointed it was. 

"No. On you. People notice things we wear and do. The couple ring isn't sponsored like the watch or my crane earring. Those two are easy to get away with. If people don't then your members will notice."

"They already knew I like you. They kept asking me to tell you that. Eventually, they will know we are dating." Hyun Joong stubbornly wore his ring on his left hand. Fourth finger. The finger reserved for a wedding ring. He merely looked at Hwang Bo with his usual expressionless look when she gasped. 

She hung her head low. That finger. Of all the ten fingers he has, he had to wear it on that finger. "I understand," she said, clenching her teeth tightly. She was both irritated with his stubbornness and thrilled by his boldness. "But I will still wear mine as a pendant," she told him. When she said it in hesitant and unsure tone, it was more like asking for permission rather than making a statement. Hwang Bo smiled when Hyun Joong nodded his head firmly and said, "Hhhmm. Don't take off your necklace. If you have to, then wear the ring on your finger." He was giving order and giving her no choice but to nod in agreement. Not that she wanted to protest anyway.

All his life, he protest against doing mushy things like couple tee and sweet words but surprisingly, he did all this and more with his Hwang Buin. He did not know what had become of him but he liked this side of him. It seemed to be existed only when he was with Hwang Bo.

- the end -

Writer: COMEL

[COMEL] 2008. All rights reserved. 

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[Fanfic} : Buin, Do You

Hyun Joong did not want to be recognized. Thus he drove all the way to this small town which was two and a half hours away from Seoul. His friend, In Yong had been here before and had told him about the small shop at a corner of the town market. In Yong was his friend whom he called and asked to talk to Hwang Bo while they were filming the Couple Farewell Vacation mission. In Yong was fond of Hwang Bo. He would have come with him if he had asked but Hyun Joong did not want In Yong to close down his business for the day just to go with him. Now, Hyun Joong regretted it not asking In Yong to come with him. The shop owner seemed to pay a lot of attention to him. More that he needed. If In Yong was with him now, he would feel less self conscious of the shop owner.

The young man came to his shop 15 minutes earlier. He quietly scanned the rings in display glass. The shop owner did offer him help but he silently shook his head and continued to stare at each ring. Sometimes he would point at a ring and ask to see it. After turning it around with a frown, he would put it down and start to scan the display in silent again. After watching the young man for a while, the shop owner recognized him as the idol his granddaughter from Seoul loved to talk about. His granddaughter would visit him sometimes and share stories about schools and idols with him. She told him all about her idol until the shop owner felt like he too had became a fan because he knew all about his granddaughter's idol. She proudly kept her idol photo in her purse to show to him too. The shop owner was positive this young man is Kim Hyun Joong.

After contemplating between the three rings in front of him, he made his final decision. "I want this one," he said. Hyun Joong pointed at the ring that caught his attention under the glass. None of the three were of his liking.

"Aren't you.." The shop owner asked the question at the same time Hyun Joong made his final choice.

"No, I'm not," Hyun Joong cut the shop owner's sentence midway in firm tone before the shop owner could finish his question. "You don't know me," Hyun Joong added, looking pleadingly at the shop owner. "You don't, right?" he repeated in the tone that matched his expression. He did not want to be recognized. He purposely dressed down in old jeans and tee to blend with the local. He wore his hair down and a bit messy as not to attract too much attention.

The shop owner nodded his head slowly. He smiled. "No, I don't. I thought you are one of my granddaughter's friends." He opened the display glass and reached to pick the ring Hyun Joong wanted. He handed it to him with a warm smile. "You look very much like him."

Again, Hyun Joong wished In Yong was with him. If he was he could help him out. He did not like lying to elderly. It would make his elderly phobia worst. Hyun Joong returned the kind hearted shop owner's smile and nodded his head slightly. "Yes," he said. "How much is this?" he asked. He suddenly became wary of the cost. It was an impromptu decision to get the ring. He did not even think about the cost. "Do you accept credit card?" he asked again.

The shop owner found the question very funny and laughed out loud. "Young man, I operate this shop in a small quiet town. My clients are old people like me who grow their own food," he told him. He gestured Hyun Joong to try the ring. "Find the ring that fits in your little finger. Then it will also fits on the girl's ring finger."

"Really?" Hyun Joong asked.

"Yes. If it does, you and Hwang Buin are fated to be together."

Hyun Joong smiled. He did what the shop owner suggested. It fit well. Then he realized what the shop owner had just said. "I'm not Kim Hyun Joong." His denial was a bit shaky as he felt uncomfortable lying to the nice shop owner.

The shop owner laughed out loud again. "No, you are not. You are my granddaughter's friend." He pointed at the ring which was still on Hyun Joong's finger. "If you want that ring, I can let you pay in installment. All of my clients do that."

Hyun Joong quickly shook his head. "No. No need. I will pay," he said. He was both surprised and touched the shop owner trusted a stranger and an outsider like him enough to offer installment. It would be too much to let the kind hearted man gave him installment. He would pay it in cash term. After all, he could not give a gift which he had not paid for.


They were done filming for that night. It was a very long day. It started with an outing at Everland and ended with the blind date. Or the introductory dinner as Hwang Bo called it. The We Got Married crew were busy packing. The Ssangchu couple were busy getting ready to leave too. The place the production house rented for the Ssangchu couple was merely a location for filming. At the end of the day, everyone will leave. Tonight, no matter how late they wrapped up filming, everyone was forced to leave. In a couple of day, they will start filming again. It would be another long day of hard work.

Because of his upcoming debut drama the Ssangchu Couple and the filming crew were forced to work with a very strict schedule, filming one episode after another. Right after the Ant Tour wrapped, they started today's filming and would continue with the next one. Hyun Joong noticed how tired Hwang Bo looked. She seemed barely able to walk out of the house. It was not her alone. In fact, when he looked around him, all the crew seemed to be a bit impatient to go home. He felt sorry and guilty to them. "Buin," Hyun Joong called Hwang Bo, touching her elbow lightly. "I can give you a ride home," he offered.

He called himself lucky because he has a good company managing him. His manager was with him tonight for the filming. He would send him and his two members home. He was well taken care of by the company. Hwang Bo managed herself. She was not signed to any company. Hyun Joong stared at her with deep expression. Someone needed to take care of her. He had decided to ask their manager to let Hwang Bo ride with them.

"It's OK," Hwang Bo said, smiling at him. "I asked my friend to drive my car here in the afternoon. It's in the parking."

He stared blankly into the space. "I'll drive you home," he immediately said. It was neither an offer nor a request. It was a firm statement.

Before Hwang Bo could say anything to protest, he walked towards Kyu Jong. Hwang Bo immediately stopped walking on the spot and watched him. She sighed. Although she never anticipated anything from him, he would do unexpected things to make her heart fluttered. She hated to admit it but that line she did not draw today, must be redraw in a dark, permanent color to make it more visible and hard to erase. "Hyun Joong ah.. Why are you like this?" she muttered softly.

"Kyu Jongie ah, I'm going with Hwang Buin.." Before he could finish his sentence, someone jumped at him from behind, startling him. "What are you doing?" Hyun Joong scolded Hyung Joon. He looked at him with narrowed eyes.

Kyu Jong extended his neck to look behind Hyun Joong. "Hyung, are you going to tell her? Are you?" he asked, tilting his chin towards Hwang Bo's direction.

Hyung Joon wrapped his hands around Hyun Joong's neck "You are?" Hyung Joon got animated in a sudden. "Tell her! Tell her!"

They talked about Hwang Bo the night they folded the paper cranes together for her birthday gift. He subtly told his members his affection for his Hwang Buin. It started as any other chat SS501 would have. It was when Jung Min grumbling, asking him, "What is the meaning of this? Why are we helping you folding the paper cranes?" they started to talk about Hwang Bo. He did not expect them to encourage him but they did. In fact, they especially Young Saeng expressed he was envious of him who could openly have a relationship with Hwang Bo and be accepted by fans. Even if it was only for a show.

"Hyung, you have to tell her. If you aren't, I'll tell her myself," Kyu Jong said. "I'll tell her I like her."

Hyun Joong eyed Kyu Joong. It was a joke but he did not trust him. He had watched him the whole night. He knew Kyu Jong would really tell Hwang Bo he liked him. Whether it was for real or to irritate him, he did not know. But he knew Kyu Jong would do what he said. "Go back," he said, almost shouting it. "I'm sending Hwang Buin home," he added.

Hyung Joon was having a good time laughing when Hyun Joong left them to walk towards Hwang Bo. "Aishee.." he sighed, shaking his head. "Hyung can only lead SS501 well but he can't decide what to do with his life."

He heard what Hyung Joon said but he was too tired to turn around and give him a good whack. Hyun Joong wanted to leave with Hwang Bo before anyone noticed they left together.


There was somewhere he wanted to go with Hwang Bo before he sent her home but she looked too tired to go anywhere but home. "Buin, do you want to go for late night meal? My friend's chicken shop is still open," he asked her anyway despite telling himself he should not.

Hwang Bo covered her mouth as she yawned. She leaned against the passenger seat and happily let Hyun Joong be her driver for the night. She thought she could nap on the way home but she was too tired even for a nap. But she still could not stop yawning. "Now?" she asked, looking at the time. "It's almost midnight," she said.

"People don't go and eat late night meal when it's not late at night," he told her in scolding tone.

Hwang Bo laughed out loud, clapping her hands at his sudden outburst. "Yes, I understand that now," she said, gritting her teeth and glanced at him sharply. Why did he have to win everything? She gave up and nodded her head. "OK. Let's go. But make sure it's a good meal." She gave him a warning.

"You'll not be disappointed," he promised. "Buin, I don't know if it's true but lately you don't like to spend free time during break with me anymore." Hyun Joong glanced to his side to see Hwang Bo's expression. He saw Hwang Bo pouted and sighed.

Hwang Bo expected the question. Yes, she did accept him when he told her he wanted to date her. She accepted it because he genuinely liked her. After all, he gave her a thousand paper crane to go with the proposal. How could she have said no to that? She genuinely liked him too. Although they never openly date, they have been keeping up with each other and met up secretly at places where they would not be recognised. "Hyun Joong ah, sometimes I feel it's wrong to date like this. Although I like you a lot but I feel guilty. I'm very happy with our relationship now but I can't help feeling worry about the future."

"Why? You don't do anything wrong. Why are you feeling guilty?" Hyun Joong sounded annoyed. He was in fact irritated when Hwang Bo felt insecure about their relationship. Did not he convince her it would work out when he gave her the thousand paper cranes? Did not he told her the thousand reasons why they should date?

"It's not that.."

"Things that happen in the future are in the future. Why are you so afraid of the future? We will handle the future when the future comes. Why can't we enjoy the day as if come?"

Hwang Bo bit her lips. That was one of the most moving things Hyun Joong has ever said to her. The last time he talked to her with that tone of seriousness and confident was when he proposed her to date him. She slowly nodded her head to concur with Hyun Joong.


As soon as the side dish arrived, Hyun Joong turned animated. He exchanged a look with In Yong who served them the dish. Hyun Joong returned In Yong's wink with a grin.

"In Yong, I feel embarrassed now. If I know you own a chicken shop, I'll not offer to cook for you," Hwang Bo told In Yong after thanking him for the dish.

In Yong smiled shyly. He was obviously very smitten by Hwang Bo's friendliness and beauty. He seemed to have lost his voice when he met her in person for the first time. "You are really pretty," he told her.

"Ya! Go back to the kitchen!" Hyun Joong shouted at In Yong.

Hwang Bo leaned forward against the table and held her stomach while laughing out loud. She hit Hyun Joong hard several times on his arm. "He's been like this all night. He nagged at me and yelled at Kyu Jong and Hyung Joon too. Please forgive him," Hwang Bo said, apologizing on his behalf.

In Yong merely chuckled and went away. Nagging and yelling were the signed of Hyun Joong claiming Hwang Bo as his. He had knew him forever thus In Yong knew Hyun Joong very well to bet on his chicken shop that he was indeed in love with her It was not just plain liking.

Hyun Joong eyed In Yong until he disappeared into the kitchen again. Although things would be tougher in the future, he would keep Hwang Bo away from guys who seemed to be falling on her feet one by one. Even his friends and members were smitten with her. He had to guard her well. He had to make her promise not to fall for other guy too. It would be something mutual for them. "Hwang Buin, this dish will not disappoint you." He handed her a fork as he repeated his promised in the car. He gestured her to take a bit. He anticipated her reaction.

Hwang Bo eyed his suspiciously. "There's nothing wrong with this dish, right?" Why was Hyun Joong getting animated in a sudden? She was still eyeing him when she dipped her fork in the dish. It surprised Hwang Bo when the fork hit something metal. Hwang Bo gasped. Her eyes widened. "This is.."

"Yes. Something you want."

It was a ring. In her side dish. Hwang Bo tilted her head backward. She closed her eyes real tight, fighting the tears from coming down. She took a deep breath and exhale. "Shillang, you make me so happy," she told him in soft voice. She was supposed to let Hyun Joong put the ring on her finger. It would make her side dish ring dream be more real but Hwang Bo was too happy that she scooped the ring out with the fork and hold tight to it. It was a beautiful ring. A plain gold ring with straight edge. One look at it, there was nothing special about the ring except it was her side dish ring from Hyun Joong.

Hyun Joong smiled while looking at her moved expression. "It's a couple ring," Hyun Joong told her.

She looked up from the ring to stare at him. She was shocked. "What?" she asked for confirmation.

Hyun Joong nodded his head, saying, "It's a couple ring." He took out another ring from his pocket and showed it to her. It was identical to her ring but was slightly wider. The muscular version of her feminine ring.

It was exactly like hers. She bit her lower lip, trying to hide her smile and failed. She never thought Hyun Joong would want to wear couple ring. She never thought he would initiate the move too. When Hyun Joong asked her to look inside the ring, Hwang Bo turned the ring around. She stopped turning when she spotted something engraved inside the ring. She really had tears in her eyes when she read his name, Hyun Joong engraved inside the ring.

"Mine have your name inside it." He showed her the engraved name.

It said Hye Jung instead of Hwang Bo and that brought tears to her eyes again. She pushed the chair and got up. "Shillang, you really make me cry!" She quickly gave her back to him and run her hands on her eyes to wipe the tears before sitting down again.

Hyun Joong chuckled as he watched her getting very emotional over the ring. "Try it on and see whether it fits or not," he insisted. He threw his fists on the air and laughed when Hwang Bo easily slide the ring on her ring finger.

"What is that for?" Hwang Bo asked, flabbergasted by his reaction. She saw him sliding the ring on his finger too. "No.. No.. No.. Don't wear it." Hwang Bo grabbed his hand, trying to hold him from putting the ring on. At the same time, she quickly took off the ring she was wearing.

"It' a couple ring. It's supposed to be wear together."

"Hyun Joong ah.. If you wear a couple ring, people will notice it."

"Then.. You are not going to wear yours?" He tilted his chin at the ring she was holding, gesturing her to put it back again.

"I will. I'll wear it as a pendant with my necklace." She pleaded with him. "It's too much pressure.."

"On our relationship?" he asked, surprised. He never expected being together with him would be a burden on her. He was very disappointed it was.

"No. On you. People notice things we wear and do. The couple ring isn't sponsored like the watch or my crane earring. Those two are easy to get away with. If people don't then your members will notice."

"They already knew I like you. They kept asking me to tell you that. Eventually, they will know we are dating." Hyun Joong stubbornly wore his ring on his left hand. Fourth finger. The finger reserved for a wedding ring. He merely looked at Hwang Bo with his usual expressionless look when she gasped.

She hung her head low. That finger. Of all the ten fingers he has, he had to wear it on that finger. "I understand," she said, clenching her teeth tightly. She was both irritated with his stubbornness and thrilled by his boldness. "But I will still wear mine as a pendant," she told him. When she said it in hesitant and unsure tone, it was more like asking for permission rather than making a statement. Hwang Bo smiled when Hyun Joong nodded his head firmly and said, "Hhhmm. Don't take off your necklace. If you have to, then wear the ring on your finger." He was giving order and giving her no choice but to nod in agreement. Not that she wanted to protest anyway.

All his life, he protest against doing mushy things like couple tee and sweet words but surprisingly, he did all this and more with his Hwang Buin. He did not know what had become of him but he liked this side of him. It seemed to be existed only when he was with Hwang Bo.

- the end -

Writer: COMEL

[COMEL] 2008. All rights reserved.

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[Fanfic] Shillang, I Accept That

They leisurely walked down the stairs in silence. Both were mumbling and keeping their gaze low. They walked in the same pace and manner to the next level down. The silence was suddenly disrupted by a loud groan.

"Aishee!" Hwang Bo stopped walking. "Shillang.." she whined, stamping her feet at the same time. "I counted wrongly again. I don't know whether this is 26 or 28." She pouted, looking at Hyun Joong's direction for help.

Hyun Joong had stopped walking too. He briefly stared at his shoes before tilting his chin to look at Hwang Bo. "32," he said. The cute expression he wanted to see badly. He saw it just now. Not a full pledged cute expression. It was not even an intended cute expression from Hwang Bo. He doubted she herself realized she looked cute when she threw tantrum such as that. He would take that as a cute expression. Hyun Joong smiled.

"32? Why isn't it 26 or 28?" she asked, not satisfied with the answer.

"This is the second time you counted wrongly," he replied, giving her a sharp glare. "I don't want to go back upstairs and start recounting again. I counted 32 so you must count 32 too." His answer was very firm. So was his tone.

It left Hwang Bo with no choice but to nod her head, agreeing with him. "I understand," she said softly. Although she was unwilling to go with his answer, she was also unwilling to climb up the stairs again to start recounting. She slowly followed Hyun Joong going down the stairs, counting from 33 as she went down one step.

"Aishee.." It was Hyun Joong who sighed this time. "What will you do if I'm not around?" he asked, sounding disappointed with Hwang Bo. He shook his head to emphasize how frustrated he was with her.

Hwang Bo laughed out loud, hitting Hyun Joong on his arm. "It was you who suggested we took the stairs and bet on who'll count the number of stairs right! Why wasn't it a good idea when I suggested betting on taking the stairs? But when you suggested it, we have to do it?" Although she tried hard to sound annoyed, she could not suppress her chuckle. Most of the times, she did not know what to do with him. He annoyed her when he made her enjoyed being with him. Yet she enjoyed being with him. But at the same time, he annoyed her. "I don't know what to do with you," she told him her thought out loud.

Hyun Joong smiled. "Yet you like being with me," he told her, as if he could read her mind.

That almost made Hwang Bo lost her counting again. He knew her so well that she sometimes almost believed he was her destined soul mate. She shook her head to get rid of the ridiculous thought out of her head. Yet, although she ruled it as ridiculous, she wondered why they kept calling each other Buin and Shillang when filming had wrapped up an hour earlier?

He glanced sideways, trying to observe Hwang Bo's expression. He suggested the game to get time alone with her off camera, away from everyone. Just Hwang Bo and him. Only a silly person would take the stairs going down from fifth floor when the elevator was working fine. He was indeed silly. No, he was not silly. He was crazy. Out of his mind. Insane. It was all Hwang Bo's doing. "Buin, do you remember when you asked me whether there's anything that I'm displeased with you?" he asked, carefully constructing his sentence.

"43. Hmm.. What about it?" She glanced at him, biting her lower lip with a wary expression. "You can't take it back after saying it!" Her tone appeared to send him a harsh warning. When Hyun Joong shook his head and answered, "No," she placed her hands on her chest and heaved a sigh of relief. She was very touched when he told her that she made him upset talking about marrying another guy when she was still married to him. She would be very distress if he was to deny it now.

"After thinking about it.." Hyun Joong's voice trailed. He paused for a while. He looked up, frowning.

She anticipated the next sentence. "Hmm.." she said, encouraging him to say more. "47."

"You make me upset more than once."

"How is that possible!" Hwang Bo quickly denied it even before Hyun Joong finished his sentence.

Hyun Joong stuck out his thumb as he began his counting. "You always wear short skirts." He eyed the short dress she was wearing. She put back the short grey dress she was wearing before Kyu Jong and Hyung Joon arrived right after they wrapped up filming and left the Ssangchu couple's house. Even though Hwang Bo looked gorgeous and sexy in short skirt, he disliked it when she flaunted too much in short skirts. She should know how to reserve looking sexy for those who would really appreciate it. Hyun Joong's index finger appeared with his next sentence. "You are always with guys."

Hwang Bo angled her head and looked at him in disbelieved. Her jaws dropped and her eyes widened. She still could not comprehend why he disliked seeing her in short skirts and now he brought up her guy friends. "But Shillang, I'm working." That was the only explanation she could come up with to rebuff his accusations. "Explain to me why the fact that I'm working upset you so much?"

He turned silence in a sudden. He took his time to come up with the explanation she requested. The fact that she was working never bothered him. "A woman does need to work especially one like you.." he said, trying to sound considerate.

"One like me?" Hwang Bo asked in alarm. She could not guess what Hyun Joong meant with the phrase. Was it something good? Or something bad? She cupped her ears. She did not want to hear it anymore. Hwang Bo took two flights down the stairs in a single stride.

He saw Hwang Bo cupping her ears. He grinned when she started to run away from him. "Hhhm.." he replied softly. Then he ran after her, grabbing her arm and pulled it away. "One with a career," he said to her ear. He smiled and glanced towards Hwang Bo's direction. "One who does a lot of charity works."

Her smile was a shy one yet she felt proud when Hyun Joong said those words to her. She felt appreciated.

"But wear long skirts too when you work. Work with girls too." He was bothered by the fact the guys she worked with seemed to be smitten by her charm. His place in her heart could be threatened. Hyun Joong was very convinced he had a place in her heart. He added a third finger as he counted one more thing she did that upset him. "Today, you don't want to show me cute expression." He beamed when he saw her sulked with a pout. "Buin.." He glimpsed at her again. "There's something I want to tell you."

Hwang Bo was almost convinced Hyun Joong was trying to divert her attention from counting the number of stairs and hence losing the bet. "61. Hmm.." She fixed her eyes on stairs. They had not decided what the bet would be. The winner would decide later after winning.

Suddenly, Hyun Joong felt nervous. His heart beats went haywire abruptly. "Aishee.." He looked away, grabbing a handful of his hair and pulling it. He grimaced, looking like he was in pain.

"Why? What is that look for?" Hwang Bo asked, sounding concern. However, right after asking him that, she erupted in anger. "What else I did to make you upset?" She could not accept that Hyun Joong had so many complaints against her.

"No. That's not it."

She heaved another sigh of relief. "Then, what is it?" Hwang Bo asked, anticipating his answer.

"We've been married for almost 6 month now."

Hwang Bo did a quick mental calculation before agreeing with him. "Right.."

"Other than the time when I won the wrestling, when else do you think I'm most handsome?"

She was convinced now that Hyun Joong was really determined to make her lost the bet by asking her all this questions. "70. Hhmm.. Other time?" she asked. Her forehead wrinkled.

"Yes," he confirmed his question. The silence that followed after that displeased Hyun Joong. "Why do you take so long to answer? This doesn't need thinking. Just say it. There must be more than once, right? Buin?" Hyun Joong scolded her and tried to make a joke out of it. It was nerve wrecking to hear the silence when he anticipated Hwang Bo telling him something he wanted to hear most.

Hwang Bo halted her step. She turned around, looking up at Hyun Joong who had slowed down and was left a couple of steps behind her. She waited until he reached her side and gave him the look that indicated she could not think of any other moment he looked most handsome but that one time.

"Aishee.." Hyun Joong sighed again. He looked away with sadden expression. "Isn't there one thing that you like about me?" He felt stressed out when she did not like anything else about him expect winning the wrestling.

Of course there were things she liked about him. There were a lot of things she liked about him. She even felt it was absurd to like so many things about him. "I think, I like you most when you do things you don't like. Couple t-shirt. Cute expression." Absentmindedly, she started to imitate Hyun Joong. Her fingers came out one by one as she counted the things she liked about him. "Say sweet things. You hate doing all this, right?"

"Not if it's the right person," he told her with a look that asking her why would it be impossible for him to do these with her.

Hwang Bo looked shock when she saw his expression. She blushed. She quickly dismissed what he said and continued saying, "I like you most when you do things for me. The birthday performance. The paper cranes. When you stand by my side in the fake fights." She counted again. "All the little things. Only those. Nothing else."

"Arh.. You like me all the time. I do little things for you all the time." He bobbed his head as he twisted Hwang Bo's word to favour him. He insisted he was right when Hwang Bo grabbed on the handrail and dropped on the floor, laughing and denying him. Hyun Joong merely smirked, feeling good about himself. "Then Buin, the thing that I want to tell you is, aishee, I like you."

Hwang Bo laughed again. She thought it was funny how his sigh sounded naturally as part of his sentence. "Why is it so hard?" she asked in bewildered.

"Why are you laughing? This is serious thing, Buin."

"Do you want me to cry then?"

"No. I want you to say you like me too."

Hwang Bo buried her face in her palms. "How could you simply say serious thing.. You like me just like that? Shouldn't you assure me first?" she mumbled.

It was Hyun Joong's turn to fall on the ground. He flopped on the stairs with a loud sigh. "Buin, after all the things you said I did for you, how could you still ask me to assure you?" He slightly turned sideways when Hwang Bo moved to sit next to him. "I'm disappointed with you."

"Shillang, no," she said in soft tone. Hwang Bo grabbed onto his arm. "What I'm trying to say is.. Ya! Shillang! Why does it take you so long to tell me that?!" she yelled at him. "I'm almost going crazy having this liking for you but you never once tell me you like me. Until today. After 6 months? Aishee.. You disappointed me too, Shillang." Hwang Bo continued to scold Hyun Joong. "Ya! If you tell me earlier, I don't have to keep telling myself I'm being absurd liking you when you don't like me."

All the time when she was scolding him, Hyun Joong had a big grin pasted on his face. He pinched her cheeks to stop her babbling.

She did but she started to push his hands, scolding him for pinching too hard until her cheeks turned red.

"I'm extremely happy," Hyun Joong confessed. He looked behind him. Then he looked down the stairs. "I'm so happy until I don't know whether I should run upstairs or downstairs."

Hwang Bo gave him a few good smacks on his shoulder for the offline remark. She laughed. "Shillang, we better go downstairs. I've lost count again but I don't want to start from the fifth floor again. I'll just go with your count."

"Actually, I never count the stairs. Not even once. I just want to walk with you," he honestly admitted. "Let's just hold hands and walk," he suggested, giving her a smile. He put out his hand.

She would agree to that. She would agree to anything he said. He could win this bet or any other bets in the future. After all, did not she have just won something bigger that all the losses and wins put together? She just did.

- the end -

Writer: COMEL

[COMEL] 2008. All rights reserved.

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