Chapter Twenty-two: Back to Normal
"Myung-soo! It's time to go to school!" Mrs. Kim called from downstairs.
"Coming!" Myung-soo yelled back. It has been a few days since Sung-gyu left and a day after his parents returned from the vacation Myung-soo planned with Dong-woo and Jung-won to send them away while he do his mission in the facility.
"Dong-woo and Sung-jong will probably come over later," Myung-soo said while having his breakfast. "We'll be having a group study."
"Sure," Mrs. Kim said, "I'll be here to cook for you later so tell them to stay until dinner."
"Mom, aren't you going to tell me what happened in Jeju?" Myung-soo said.
"How about you tell me what happened that gained you those bruises," Mrs. Kim said. "Did someone named Angel came here and did that to you?"
"Mom, Angel has been locked to a far, far away place!" Myung-soo said. "I got this while playing soccer, okay?" Mrs. Kim squinted her eyes. "This time it is true," Myung-soo said while looking at his mother's eyes and as calm as possible.
"How about that tattoo?" Mrs. Kim said, "is that some kind of a fraternity seal?"
"No, it's a... a friendship... art," Myung-soo said. "But only Dong-woo and I have the similar art on our backs."
"Right, friendship art," Mrs. Kim said, "or that is a new form of secret relationship art?"
"No, I'm telling you, no," Myung-soo defended, but his reddening cheeks seem to give his mother some other thoughts. "I think I should go to school now." Mrs. Kim giggled because of her son's reaction. "Aren't you going to wait for the school bus?" Mrs. Kim said.
"I feel like taking a walk," Myung-soo went over to his mom and hugged her, "Don't worry though, I'll be careful." Myung-soo gave his mother a peck before muttering "I love you".
That morning, Myung-soo decided to take the shortcut through the alley. It wasn't that pleasant to him, since in every direction he looked, all that he could see were the things that reminded him the time that he almost got killed. But he couldn't hate it, since it was also the same set of events which brought someone important to him close to his life for the second time around. Even if he didn't have the idea that it was his brother who saved him and not just another stranger.
Myung-soo reached the bus stop, and as usual, a lot of people were waiting for the bus to come. Groups of students were chatting together and a few other civilians stood beside the marker to go first when a bus arrives. Myung-soo decided to sit on the bench to wait. He pulled out his mp3 player to listen to music, but then after a moment of thinking, he decided not to. "It'll be safer inside the school," Myung-soo muttered.
"Right, when you're outside, you should pay attention to everything around you," someone said which made Myung-soo look around. When he got a look of the speaker, all that he was able to do was to look at her in awe. It was the girl on his sketches. "May I sit beside you?" she asked.
Myung-soo didn't say anything but moved over, giving enough space for the girl to sit. "Ah, thanks," the girl said, "By the way, it has been a long time since I saw you here."
You saw me here before? Myung-soo looked at the girl with questioning eyes, and the girl leaned forward to get a closer look of him. "Yes, you know... during the bus hold-up," the girl said. "I was there, at the back seat. You're okay now, right?"
Myung-soo managed to give her a hasty nod.
"Good," the girl said, "I used to think that it's a weird thing that I feel worried about you. Especially right when you jumped out of the bus and the police wasn't able to talk to you or to check you up."
"I'm very thankful that I got to meet you today. That least I wouldn't worry that much anymore," she said. She was worrying? About me? If Myung-soo hadn't been with angels and fought against the Dark, he would have found the situation rather unreal. But he had, and he knew. Something involving the higher power was happening right then and there.
"Um," Myung-soo was about to say something when the bus arrived.
"I'll go ahead. See you... around," the girl said before getting into the bus. Of course, Myung-soo decided not to make the same mistake again. He hopped in the bus and looked for the girl earlier. Myung-soo's eyes didn't miss the brown curls and twinkling eyes of the girl earlier who sat on a seat beside the window at the back of the bus. Slowly but determined, Myung-soo made his way to her. "Uh, may I take the seat beside you?" he asked as soon as the girl noticed her.
"Oh, it's you," the girl said. "Sure, why not?"
"By the way, I've been wanting to ask you this: What is your name?"
"My name is Ye-rim, Kim Ye-rim," she said. The whole bus ride became an enjoyable one for the two. They talked about each other, and mostly how they were so familiar with each other when they only "officially" met a few minutes ago.
"When will I see you again?" Myung-soo said when the bus stopped and both were already walking to their schools.
"We can meet this afternoon if you want to," Ye-rim said with a bright smile on her lips. "Our schools are just a few blocks away from each other."
"How about in this bus stop too?" Myung-soo said.
"Hmm... how about we meet outside your school?" Ye-rim said.
"How about I pick you up?" Myung-soo said but Ye-rim stopped and looked at him with a surprised expression, which made him think about what he just said. "Sorry, was that too fast?"
Unexpectedly, Ye-rim giggled and said, "a bit, but it's alright. Friends protect each other, but I guarantee you, I don't need much protection."
"So, at this same spot?" Myung-soo said when they were already in front of Infinite Academy's gates.
"Yup," Ye-rim waved goodbye before continuing, "I'll see you later!" Myung-soo watched his new friend go until she was out of sight. Suddenly someone spoke behind him.
"You've got good choice for girls."
"Keun Suk, how long have you been standing there?" Myung-soo said.
"Long enough," Keun-suk said, "is she your girlfriend?"
"No," but Myung-soo couldn't hide a hint of smile in his lips which made Keun-suk chuckle. "Right, but you like her." he said.
"By the way, welcome back," Keun-suk continued, "it has been a long time since I saw you at school. How are you? Have you found a new bully?" Keun-suk motioned his finger to Myung-soo's bruises.
"No, I'm just a bit clumsy," Myung-soo said. Keun-suk chuckled before shaking his head. "Come on, let's just go in."
"Huh... How about you?" Myung-soo quickly walked beside Keun-suk and asked him, "How are you?" Keun-suk didn't stop walking but he looked directly at his eyes. "I'm fine, I think," he said. For a moment Myung-soo saw hurt but it changed into a forced smile. "In fact I think I feel great," Keun-suk said.
"Is there something wrong?" Myung-soo dared to ask. Keun-suk smiled before speaking again. "Myung-soo, I wish we became friends earlier," Keun-suk said before walking faster towards their classrooms.
"Myung-soo," a female voice was heard. It was Myung-soo's adviser who nagged him about what exactly happened, why he was absent and how he got his bruises before she gave him the week's hand outs. The day passed by like normal school days, except whenever Myung-soo, Sung-jong and Dong-woo exchange glances, it was as if they were reminiscing every moment that they had spent, all the dangers they encountered with the angels that came into their lives.
"Yah, who are we waiting for?" Dong-woo said. Myung-soo, Sung-jong and him were standing at the school gates. "Can't we just go already? I'm starving!"
"Just wait for a while, I want you to meet someone," Myung-soo said.
"Where and when did you meet this someone?" Sung-jong said.
"At the bus this morning," Myung-soo said.
"And you already invited him to your home?" Sung-jong said.
"Its 'her'."
"You invited a girl you just met this morning?" Sung-jong said. Myung-soo gave him a small nod. "Look, she told me she became worried about me when I was held hostage at the bus. Of course I'll like her!" Myung-soo said. "She's cool. She sings and she likes taking photos too. I'm sure you'll like her."
"Wait," Dong-woo said, his eyes were wide while looking at Myung-soo, "You were held hostage?!" Sung-jong also looked at him with disbelief "When did that happen? How come you didn't tell us anything about that!"
"I'm sorry!" Myung-soo said, "I just chose to forget about it when it happened! Besides, it was the same day I met Angel so definitely I'll think more about the positive things!"
"Aish, you –!" Sung-jong moved toward him, "Run or you'll earn a whack!"
"And again you're inviting a person you barely knew? I have a bad feeling about this," Dong-woo muttered at the same time someone called out Myung-soo's name. They all turned around and saw who it was. "Or not," Dong-woo said.
A girl with a curly, brownish hair, and wearing a school uniform came running toward them. "I'm sorry for making you wait," she said.
"It's alright," Myung-soo turned to his friends and said, "Guys, I would like you to meet Kim Ye-rim," He turned to Ye-rim and introduced his friends.
"Nice to meet you," Ye-rim took a courteous bow. "I hope I don't make things awkward among you guys."
"No! Not at all," Dong-woo moved closer to Ye-rim, "would you like to have a walk at the park first before going to Myung-soo's?" Ye-rim smiled and nodded in reply before walking beside Dong-woo.
"Didn't he just say he was starving?" Sung-jong said while walking a few meters behind the two.
"Well, you know Dong-woo, he has a thing to cute things," Myung-soo said, walking beside him. "I invited her so that you and mom can assess her over dinner."
"Ah, avoiding to have an evil partner again huh," Sung-jong said.
"Exactly... What? No!" Myung-soo said. "You know that Angel hyung did that only because of the lock! It wasn't his fault!"
"Really..."
"Yes! That lock was really evil!" Myung-soo said. "Remember that time in the shelter? When I suddenly collapsed? Your brother was there and he tried to take off the lock's key from me, but it made us both weak!"
"You..." Sung-jong said, "didn't tell me about that before!" Sung-jong manage to whack Myung-soo's head that time.
"Hey! I'm sorry, okay?" Myung-soo said. "I didn't know he was your brother back then. Aside from that, would you believe me if I tell you that I could see angels? You'd probably laugh at me."
Sung-jong stopped on his tracks and said, "You think I'm that kind of person?" Myung-soo muttered another sorry after that, but Sung-jong continued looking at him seriously. "Yah Myung-soo."
"Please cut that out, you're scaring me," Myung-soo said.
"You've been like a brother to me," Sung-jong said, "And I've loved you as much as I have loved my brother. If you told me about the things that had been bothering you, I would have done something to at least make you feel better."
Myung-soo smiled and clung one of his arms around Sung-jong's shoulders. He then moved to continue their walk. "Don't worry, I won't hide anymore, especially to my family and that includes you and Dong-woo," Myung-soo said.
"Fine!" Sung-jong said, "But let me ask you this: do you really have the plan to court her?" Myung-soo didn't answer back. Instead he smiled widely before he shrugged his shoulders and went ahead to follow closer to the two.
"Yah! You said we're family, why aren't you answering me!"