Set up your music player, find the song and listen to it while you read the story part of this novel. Set up your music player, find the song and listen while you read the part of the story of this novel.
1. N. FLYING – Spring Memories
2. THE BOYZ – Spring Snow
3. Doyoung & Sejeong – Star Blossom
4. UP10TION – Still with You
5. Ha Sungwoon – Think of You
6. Bolbbalgan4 – To My Youth
7. EXO - Wait
8. ASTRO – We Still
9. Jeong Sewoon – When You Call My Name
10. J_Ust – You
BAEK CHOEUN'S POV
"FINALLY!"
It seems like I'm screaming so loud and right now I'm not sitting in my office but at one of the tables in the backyard enjoying coffee and delicious red velvet cake. Sangyoo-ssi running approaching me.
"Sajangnim, is there a problem?"
I saw her then to some of the visitors who looked shocked by my screams and I smiled uncomfortably at them.
"No... I... actually... just got the ticket."
"Sajangnim has been very busy since an hour ago. What ticket?"
Sangyoo-ssi also looked at the laptop that was on in front of me.
"NU'EST's concert! I've never attend a concert at the VVIP standing area and I need to fight hard to get this ticket. And I got two!"
"Wow! I can understand why you're so happy. Congratulations!"
I know Sangyoo-ssi is referring to the NU'EST poster I posted on my office wall. After Sangyoo-ssi was busy again, I quickly sent a message to Chungdae. It's been four days I haven't seen him. He seems very busy with his lectures. Once he came home, he fell asleep very quickly too. On the bright side, he isn't an online game addict anymore since then.
Chungdae yaaaaaaaaaaa
Are you busy on Sunday?
Free up your time from three to eight in the evening
I thought it would take him a long time to reply to my messages because he has a class schedule, but my messages were replied so quickly.
Sunday? What's on Sunday?
Ah mianhae noona, I just promised my friends to join the basketball competition that day
The show starts at one o'clock and may end at dinner
I looked at my cell phone, grumbling. Why is he that busy? Yes, I know that his sports ability is very good in any branch, but that doesn't mean he has to participate in all competitions right? Even I already bought two tickets. Should I sell it and go alone?
Actually I want to take you to the NU'EST's concert
Mianhae noona
I'll pay you with a date next week
Who knows next week you will enter the competition again
Hahaha no, noona
I promise
Okay, don't be too tired
Take it easy noona
I love you!
I laughed and replied to his messages with a lot of love emojis. But that doesn't answer my problem about who to go with. I don't want to bother Eunyul eonni who will definitely will spend her weekend with Dongsun, because I know they rarely spend time together too. Did Bojin... ah, but Bojin had a shift at that time. How about... Donghyun? But I'm not sure... He likes K-Pop anyway, but I've never heard him talk excitedly more than Chungdae about this. But yeah... I can try. Who knows, I'm lucky.
NU'EST's concert?
I quite like them
And Sunday afternoon I'm free too
Let's go
I read the message over and over again. His message was replied quickly and he looked excited. Thank goodness I don't need to attend it alone.
Donghyun appeared in front of my apartment door at one o'clock in the afternoon wearing a black sweater over a white shirt under it and black long jeans too. The appearance is actually normal, but it doesn't look ordinary to Donghyun. He looks handsome and radiant when he smiles at me.
"Noona... your clothes..."
"Rule if you gonna attend a concert: don't care if you're beautiful or not, but comfort is number one key."
Donghyun snorted with laughter at my explanation. I tied my hair in a ponytail, wearing a loose brown t-shirt and black shorts. I also brought a backpack which actually contained only two bottles of water, two light sticks and a few packs of snacks. Me and Donghyun can finish this while waiting in line.
"Yeah, I guess noona is very comfortable in those clothes and... sport shoes right? Not high heels?"
"Of course. And I bought you a lightstick too. It's something you have to have when you go to a concert."
"Okay, as payment for all that is free today," he suddenly removed the bag from my back, "I'll just carry it."
I smiled broadly, "What a great idea. Let's go!"
I grabbed his arm impatiently.
The concert, which lasted two hours and ten minutes, finally ended at ten minutes to eight in the evening. The concert was very satisfying, I was crazy throughout watching it. I screamed, jumped and hit Donghyun several times. Donghyun cheered a few times, but he didn't jump like me. Now I feel the effect of my jump because my legs are so sore. I walked slowly out of the stadium area onto the busy street. The streets are filled with concertgoers who are still discussing everything related to the concert.
"Noona? Is noona hungry? Should we stop by or I'll take you home right away?"
"I'm hungry, but I'm also sore."
Donghyun stopped walking and turned his head because I was left behind. I must be looking really messy now because I'm sweating too. Donghyun laughed while approaching me.
"What? You want to make fun of me?"
"Hmm... I..."
He didn't say anything but still laughed. He still had my bag with him, but at that moment he shifted it to his chest and squatted his back to me. This is not the first time for me, and I suddenly remembered what Chungdae did for me at the subway station a few years ago. I snorted with laughter because now Donghyun is doing the same act for me.
"And I will be your feet also in return for all that is free today."
I laughed again and jumped on his back, but he swiftly put his arm around my legs.
"All right, horse, let's go to the cafe for tonight. Let's eat there but this time is your treat," I said, hugging his neck.
I heard Donghyun's laugh again when he replied, "fine. The horse is ready to go!"
He carried me until we got to the subway station and when we came out again to go to the cafe, he carried me again.
"What happened?" asked Bojin when we arrived at the café where there were only a few visitors left.
"It's okay, I'm just stiff from watching concerts so excitedly," I replied with a laugh.
Bojin also laughed afterward, "need help?"
"Bring the menu to upstairs, OK?"
"Noona, have you gained weight? I feel like I'm also achy now."
I hit Donghyun's head hard before he put me on the sofa. He himself immediately lay down on the carpet.
"No way. Maybe this is because you are getting old."
"Noona, I'm not 20 yet."
"Whatever. I'm hungry, hurry up and order me lots of food."
"I think I'll order jjajangmyeon, kimbap, then... some cakes, would you like it?"
"YES, OF COURSE!" I exclaimed happily.
A moment later the table before us was filled with plates of cakes, rolls of kimbap, a few cups of drink and two bowls of jjajangmyeon which all of that we finished in half an hour. I gently massaged my sore feet.
"I don't think my age is suitable for watching in the standing area," I complained.
Donghyun laughed, "look at who admit to be old."
"I just said age, I didn't say I'm old!"
"Is there a medicine to massage noona's legs?"
"I think there is, please take it in the top drawer."
When he brought the medicine, I thought he would give it to me, but Donghyun sat on the carpet again in front of me, then took my two feet to put it on his lap. He opened the topical medicine and rubbed it on my leg.
"Still as payment for today."
I laughed at his initiative, "please take it slow, ok?"
It was so good when Donghyun's hands massaged my sore legs. When he massaged my feet, we were both silent and I looked at him carefully. I'm grateful I didn't lose him even though I hurt him so cruelly. Although I don't know if staying close to him like this will make him happy or even hurt him more deeply, I can't imagine my life without him around me. Because I realized, it's weird, but I'm with him more often than with Chungdae. Then I feel comfortable... feel very comfortable...
"Choeun noona..."
I wanted to open my eyes, but my eyelids felt so heavy. It's Donghyun's voice. Is he still with me?
나완 상관없을 거라고생각했던 따뜻한 온기는
I thought that it wouldn't affect me
항상 나의 끝부분 그쯤을기다리고 있음을
Always waiting for you even at the end
하얀 온 세상이 녹아
The white world melts
시든 꽃잎은 파랗게 익어
The withered petals ripen into blue
향을 내며 숨 쉬고 있어
Breathing while letting out scent
널 만나 모든 게 달라져
Everything changed after meeting you
차고 시린 시간이
The time when it was cold
당연했던 나에게
As if it was decided towards me
따스한 미소로 안아준 너
You approach with a warm smile and embrace me
처음 느끼는 봄
Spring that I'm experiencing for the first time
다른 기억과 같은 공간 속
With different memories in the same place
우릴 감싼 하늘을 보면
We look at the sky surrounding us
눈꽃이 내려 내게로 와
Snowflakes fall towards me
Every time
네가 없이 걷던
I walk with you
나의 겨울은 시간을 넘어
My winter is beyond time
이제 너란 봄을 만나
Now I meet you, who's like spring
하나 둘씩 너로 차올라
One by one, I fill up with you
Through the time
너만이 가득한
My season that's filled with you goes beyond time
나의 계절은 시간을 건너
We'll always be together
함께 일 거야 언제나
At the end of winter
겨울 끝 내게 다가온 너
You approach me
긴 겨울 지나가고
The long winter has passed
다가와 너란 따뜻한봄이 내게 와
Come to me with the spring of yours
나를 녹여주고 바라봐 준너의 눈과 지금 우리 만의
Melt me and look at me with your eyes
계절 변치 않았으면 해
And I hope our season doesn't change
항상 고마워
I'm always grateful
내게 다가와 준 너
For you who come to me
너와 내가 머문순간이 지나간대도
Even if the moment of you and me passes by
외로웠던 순간들도
Even in those lonely moments
이젠 춥지 않아 괜찮아
It's fine now as it's no longer cold
살며시 입 맞춘 봄눈에
Gently, the spring snow kisses
눈을 떠보니 너로 가득해 Oh baby
When I open my eyes it's filled with you oh baby
내 겨울엔 네가 내려와
In my winter, you approach me
(THE BOYZ – Spring Snow)
"I... I can't forget you, noona. After several years have passed, I love you even more. What should I do with my feelings?"
I still can't open my eyes. Is it true what Donghyun said? If it's true, that means being around me actually hurts him... because he often sees me and Chungdae together.
"I know noona can't return my feelings. Let me still love and take care of noona like this. I'm just afraid I can't hide my jealousy every time I see noona with Chungdae hyong. But I also don't want to stay away from you."
And finally I was able to open my eyes, and I saw Donghyun looking straight at my face with a smile... and tears flowing from his eyes at the same time.
I opened my eyes once again and the bright light made my eyes hurt for a moment. What was that? I turned and saw Donghyun fall asleep. Since when was I on the sofa? Donghyun sat on the floor but his head was drooping on the sofa. He fell asleep with a face that looked very peaceful. Poor guy, he must be really tired today but he still massaged my legs earlier. I kept looking at his face... then slowly my hand stroked his hair... then with my index finger I touched his nose line... then his lips. Wait, what am I doing? I let out a long, tired sigh. Was that just a dream? Yes, maybe that was just a dream... but what about my own feelings? Can I be honest if I still feel so comfortable whenever I'm around Donghyun? Sometimes, without me being able to control myself, my heart can beat hard when he makes me happy. I'm afraid to admit it, because I shouldn't be feeling this. I'm scared that I can't control it, especially when we're spending time together. But for tonight, I guess he won't even know right? He won't listen, right?
"Donghyun, I think I still love you too."
***