Hyunbin opens his eyes. The light through the crack in the curtain makes him close his eyes again. He gets off the bed slowly and pulls the curtain back to let all of the light in. He looks at the beautiful scenery outside and sighs heavily. He turns around and looks at the calendar. Friday, 8th June. He glances up and checks the time, picks up a towel and goes into the washroom to get ready.
After twenty minutes he comes out with his hair semi wet and uniform on. He puts on his tie and adjusts himself in front of the mirror. He glances at the photo frame on his bedside table, gives a slight smile and whispers, "I'll be off now, wish me luck."
Hyunbin heads downstairs and enters the kitchen noiselessly. The big kitchen was basked in sunlight. He squinted at his dad sitting near the counter reading the newspaper. He sees his mom in front of the stove cooking something.
"Good morning", his voice startles his parents. The both of them look at him with a relieved yet surprised expression.
His mom smiles at him, "Good morning." she says returning the greeting. "Are you ready?" she asks after a little while, her voice filled with concern.
Hyunbin sighs and a smile creeps up his lips, "Yes, I'm ready to go to school now."
His mom tries to stop happy tears from trickling down her cheek. She pulls her son into a hug and they stay like that for a minute. This was the first time Hyunbin ever gladly received a hug from his mother.
His dad lays the newspaper down and approaches his son, he lightly punches him and says with a sweet smile, "You can depend on us more."
"I will." Hyunbin replies. His mom lays the food on the table, "Let's eat. We'll drop you off at school." Hyunbin nods and the trio sit down to eat.
Meanwhile at the school, Donghyun is being briefed by the headmaster about Hyunbin. A well-built child, good at athletics, doesn't talk much, has some medical problem and doesn't have a good relationship with his parents. Digesting this information he leaves to welcome Hyunbin, mentally preparing himself to meet Hyunbin who sounded dull to him.
He waits at the school gate for a minute or two. He soon spots a car enter the parking lot. He watches a boy get off the car, "Not bad looking." Donghyun thinks to himself. He sees the driver get off and a lady come out from the back seat. Donghyun figures that those two were be his parents.
He just observes for a minute and finds himself confused when he sees the parents smile at Hyunbin warmly. "Not close to his parents?! If that is not close I don't know what is!" Donghyun thinks to himself, flabbergasted. He sees Hyunbin's dad pat Hyunbin's back. Hyunbin smiles warmly and then heads for the school gate.
Donghyun aproaches Hyunbin and asks, "Hyunbin, right?" after receiving a nod he continues to say, "I'm Donghyun, the student council president. I will be giving you a tour of the school." Donghyun turns around expecting Hyunbin to follow but Hyunbin doesn't, "What's wrong?" Donghyun asks raising an eyebrow.
"You don't need to give me a tour. I know this school pretty well." Hyunbin says plainly.
Donghyun's eyebrows twitch slightly, "This prick." he thinks to himself, "I'm sacrificing my time to take you around and you say no thanks?" he obviously doesn't say it out loud. Instead he plasters a smile on his face and starts to say "Okay..." but is cut off by Hyunbin.
"Since you so kindly took your time to take me around why don't you take me to the gym?"
"Sure." Is what Donghyun says but "He's shameless as well." is what's going on in his head. Either way he takes Hyunbin to the gym and is surprised to see the trace of a smile on Hyunbin's face.
"This place hasn't changed a bit, it's still the same" Hyunbin says to himself. Donghyun is even more puzzled but he doesn't ask anything. He doesn't know whether to place Hyunbin in the cold or warm category.
After some time he asks Hyunbin, "Do you want to go anywhere else?"
"No, that's all." Hyunbin answers plainly yet again. "I will go to the infirmary to submit some forms, you can go back to class."
"No can do. I'm the student council president, I have to go back to class with you."
Hyunbin shrugs, "Suit yourself." he says.
Donghyun follows Hyunbin to the infirmary. He watches closely as Hyunbin makes his way through the school with ease. Hyunbin goes inside while Donghyun waits outside for him. Hyunbin hands the papers to the school doctor. The doctor takes it and glances at it before placing them down.
He looks up and asks, "You brought your lunch?" Hyunbin nods. "Okay, good. Don't forget to come here every break, got it?"
Before Hyunbin could reply, the school doctor calls Donghyun inside and says, "Make sure he doesn't have any food other than his own okay?"
"I have no problem with that. But, why?" Donghyun asks even more bewildered.
"Just do as I say, okay?" the doc says.
"You don't need to do that, Donghyun." Hyunbin says looking at Donghyun. He then turns to the doc and says firmly, "I can take care of myself now, uncle."
"I told you to not call me that at school." The doc says.
"Uncle?" Donghyun asks.
Hyunbin turns to Donghyun, "Yes. Doc Hoon is my uncle." He states.
After looking at Donghyun for a little longer, he says with a chuckle. "You've done very well in keeping your doubts to yourself."
Donghyun could only blink at Hyunbin. He thought he had done well in keeping his doubts to himself.
"I used to come over often when I was young, my dad used to work here as well. I used to play with uncle till dad got off work."
Donghyun blinks again.
"Anything else you want to know?" Hyunbin asks with a small smirk on his face.
"No..." is all Donghyun manages to say.
"Good. Donghyun take these papers and go back to class, Hyunbin will be right there." Hoon says.
"But..." Donghyun starts to argue. He had to return to class with Hyunbin. He looks at Hoon's expression and reluctantly gives an "Okay." He quietly leaves and heads to class.
Hyunbin smiles and sits down on a stool, "Being chatty, aren't you?" Hoon asks with a smile.
"Is that what you ask when you meet someone after a long time?" Hyunbin asks with a pout. Hoon only laughs.
"Gotten over it yet?" Hyunbin asks with a smug look on his face.
"Look who was trying to advise me." Hoon says and playfully ruffles Hyunbin's hair, "You know too much, cheeky kid."
He lets go and continues, "But then again, you're just like me. Is there anything I can do to help?" Hoon asks, his eyes hinting worry.
Hyunbin smiles, "Don't worry about that. I'll take care of it."
Hoon sighs and sits back, "Think properly okay? Don't make any mistakes." "Yes sir!"
The door opens and both Hyunbin and Hoon turn to look at the visitor. Hyunbin's mom enters to their surprise.
"I knew you would be here. You're not annoying him too much are you Hoon? You better take good care of him!" She nags at Hoon.
"What are you doing here?" Hoon asks not really surprised to see her.
"I can't come see my own brother? I just dropped by to say hello." She says with a little pout.
Hoon sighs, "Don't worry, your son will take good care of himself and I'll make sure nothing bad happens to him as well."
"Ummm... the bell is about to ring, I should be going now." Hyunbin says unsure if he should interrupt or not.
"Okay, take care!" his mom says cheerfully.
Hyunbin smiles, "You'll be late for work, mom!" Hyunbin seemed to have inherited his mother's nagging nature. Hyunbin waves and heads to his classroom.
Hyuna relaxes as Hyunbin leaves and her smile slowly fades, "Sorry..." she says softly.
"My brother in law is waiting for you, right?" Hoon asks, shrugging off her apology. "He didn't come up again, did he?"
He fakes a hurt expression. "Maaan... this is so bad. Being ignored like this."
Hyuna loosens up after seeing Hoon kid around. "We... we're just giving you some time. We both know that... that you used to like Hyunshik." Hyuna struggles to form the sentence.
Hoon looks Hyuna in the eye, "That was a long time ago. Please stop bringing it up every time." "Sorry. I wasn't sure." Hyuna genuinely apologizes.
"Noona. It's okay, don't worry about it." Hoon says with a bright smile. "You should go now, it's getting late isn't it?"
"You're right, I'll be off. Take care of Hyunbin and yourself."
"You worry too much." Hoon says and sees Hyuna off.
//Noona=elder sister in Korean, used by males towards elder females.
After Hyuna leaves Hoon flops into his chair. He thinks back to the time when he and his sister both liked Hyunshik at the same time. Hyunshik fell for Hyuna's charms, totally inaware on Hoon's feelings. Only after the couple were happily married did Hyuna come to know of Hoon's feelings by accident. After that Hyunshik avoided Hoon because he didn't want to hurt him even more. Hoon lets out a laugh as he remembers Hyunbin's reaction when he had told all of it to him. He lets out a sigh and continues with his work.
Meanwhile, Hyunbin heads for class. Donghyun who was waiting outside the class happens to glance at Hyunbin's profile. He spots something that leaves him pleasantly surprised. Hyunbin's arrival takes his attention off the paper. They both enter the class together. Donghyun politely greets the teacher and sits in his seat. Hyunbin introduces himself and occupies an empty seat behind Donghyun. During lunch time, Hyunbin heads to the infirmary. Donghyun planning on asking him something but his popularity didn't allow it.
At the infirmary Hyunbin starts eating his lunch with Hoon in silence. Suddenly Hyunbin breaks the silence, "You didn't tell me yet. You still haven't answered my question."
Hoon is taken aback by the sudden question, after what seemed like a second his face softens. "Kid, I got over it long back. I just kept on pretending so that your mom would come visit me from time to time. It's stupid but I was actually liking the attention. I got over it long back so don't worry about it."
"Hmm, okay." Hyunbin replies obediently and continues to chew his food.
Hoon's face lights up as if he had just remembered something good, "Do you remember about the promise I made twenty years ago?" Hoon asks Hyunbin.
"You mean the one you made with the guy who confessed to you and you promised him that if the both of you were single after twenty years you would reconsider?" Hyunbin asks confirming his guess.
"Yes! That's the one! That was before you were born. It's been 20 years already. The agreed day is this Monday." Hoon says.
"And your point?" Hyunbin asks puzzled.
"The point is that I won't come to school on Monday." Hoon matter-of-factly says.
"Okay! Have fun~" Hyunbin teases. The school bell rings bringing Hyunbin's teasing to a pause.
Hyunbin was a great athlete and a natural born boxer. He had secretly secured a job at a boxing gym. His parents don't know the nature of his job but were aware of the fact that Hyunbin had a part time job. The reason Hyunbin took up the job was because he didn't want to depend on his parents too much. He wanted to try something on his own. After school, Hyunbin heads to the boxing gym for his first day at work. Hyunbin changes into a work-out outfit and heads to the main arena. Hyunbin notices coach Shin in the corner and greets him.
"All ready?" he asks Hyunbin.
Hyunbin nods and confirms with a "Yes, coach."
The members of the gym start flooding in and Hyunbin goes about doing his work. After the class is done Hyunbin sits down on a bench in the locker room with a towel around his neck drinking water.
Suddenly the gym starts buzzing with excitement and everyone starts crowding near the door. One by one the members start asking questions to the person who had just arrived about the reason of his visit. The person who had just arrived was ex-trainer Joon.
He smiles at the crowd of members and says, "I left a few things here. I came to pick them up. And also I didn't want to leave without saying good bye." He flashes a smile to the crowd and heads to the locker room.
"What are you doing here?" Hyunbin demands in a hostile yet gentle tone.
"What if I say I came to see you?" Joon answers with another question.
Hyunbin sighs, "Stop joking. Please take your stuff and leave." Hyunbin says a tinge of sadness in his tone.
Hyunbin gets up to leave but Joon suddenly pulls Hyunbin and slams him on a locker. He leans in for a kiss but Hyunbin turns his head away. Joon's lips leave a light peck on Hyunbin's cheek. Hyunbin pushes Joon away.
"You got over me already?" Joon asks Hyunbin. Hyunbin
puts on a determined expression, "When I told you that I got over you I was pretending. But now I'm really going to get over you. I have gotten over you."
Hyunbin wipes the place where Joon's lips had met his skin. "This kiss is meaningless. You don't actually like me. All you feel is familiarity because I remind you of yourself. You feel the similarity seeing me reach out for someone who I can't attain. I was hurt then but now I'm happy."
Hyunbin smiles sadly. "Now that you're planning on getting serious I wish you luck." He says.
Joon ruffles Hyunbin's hair, "You grew up already."
Hyunbin moves his head away.
"Thank you for liking me and bringing me back to reality." After a pause he continues, "It's sad to say that what you just said wasn't wrong. I'm going to stop lying to myself now. I'm sorry." Hoon says, his head hanging low.
Hyunbin gives him a warm smile, "Now that you're starting over, don't hesitate. You're doing great! Give it your all!"
"Thank you, kid." Joon replies genuinely. Joon had felt earlier that Hyunbin couldn't get any kinder but he was wrong.
"I'm not a kid anymore." Hyunbin says, pouting slightly.
Joon picks up his stuff and waves at Hyunbin, "I'll be off now. Bye~"
"Good luck!" Hyunbin says softly after Joon leaves. Coach Shin watches all of it from afar and approaches Hyunbin after Joon leaves.
"Are you okay, kid?" He asks.
"What is it with everyone calling me a kid? I'm completely fine coach!"
Coach Shin smiles at Hyunbin, "Good job today." he says.
"Thank you."
"Ah! By the way, one of the trainees appointed to you couldn't make it today." Coach Shin says.
"I see." Hyunbin says with a nod. He picks up his bag, "I'll be off then. Good work today. Thank you." he says.
"Take care on your way home."
"I will coach, thank you."
Hyunbin leaves the gym and looks at the time, 23:30. He looks up at the moon and sighs, "Getting over someone is also a bit sad." he thinks to himself.
Before going home he stops at a shop and talks to the clerk. He leaves the store around 23:45 and heads for home. He reaches home exactly at 23:59. Hyunbin turns the key and opens the door. He finds all the lights turned off. He enters to find his mom coming towards him with a lit cake. His dad, mom and uncle all were singing happy birthday. Hyunbin was not expecting any of that. He closes his eyes, makes a wish and blows the candles. He thanks everyone, clearly touched. The presence of his uncle is a shock and Hyunbin asks him, "How come you're here, uncle?"
"It's my beloved nephew's birthday, how can I not be here?" Hoon replies with a grin.
The family has great fun talking, unwrapping presents and cracking jokes. Hyunbin clears his throat and announces, "I think uncle Hoon has something he wants to say." He looks at Hoon with a glisten in his eyes.
"I do?" Hoon asks.
He then notices Hyunbin's cheeky expression and laughs.
"Yes, I do." he confirms. He turns to Hyunshik, "Actually Hyunshik hyung, it's been a while since I got over you." He declares with a sheepish grin.
"Huh? Seriously?" Hyunshik asks, shocked.
"Yes, hyung. It's been a while and I'm going to start anew." Hoon sighs and continues, "Maaan... it's sad when you think that you've already gotten over someone. I remember how hard I worked to gain your attention. I also remember that I wanted to hug you tightly in my embrace."
Hyuna chokes on her drink upon hearing that. Hoon erupts into fits of laughter. "I'm just kidding." he says in between gasps of laughter.
"Thank you, I guess..." Hyunshik says unsure of how he should react.
"I was just joking, hyung." Hoon says controlling his laughter.
"Finally it's out." Hoon says heaving a sigh of relief.
Hyunshik looks at Hoon apologetically. With a wave of his hand Hoon dismisses it.
Hyuna lets out the breath she didn't realize she was holding. "Let's go to bed now, it's getting late." She says.
Everyone gets going when Hyunshik pauses suddenly, "Wait. Hyunbin you knew about it?" he asks.
Hyunbin who was trying to escape to his room but stops when he hears those words, he turns around and gives a stupid smile. "Hahaha, maybe... I knew that he got over you as well." Hyunbin says cheekily.
"This kid." Hyunshik shakes his head, "You've grown up. Good job." Hyunbin pouts,
"I'm 17, of course I grew up." On seeing Hyunbin acting cute everyone cracks up laughing. Slowly one by one they disperse to their rooms and go to bed.
//Hyung= older brother in Korean, used by males towards elder males.
Meanwhile, Donghyun is at the karaoke centre with the popular gang. Once again, he was dragged against his will. He's extremely bored and fed up of being pulled around. He hates having girls all around him and getting fake compliments. At around 12 am they finish partying and head for their respective homes. Donghyun is relieved.
"It's finally over." he thinks to himself.
A girl sticks herself to Donghyun. At first he gets annoyed and tries to push her away but lets her be when she doesn't let go. Both of them live nearby so they walk home together. On the way, Donghyun spots a shop and stops. He moves her hand and completely ignoring her goes into the shop.
He comes out after ten minutes with a shopping bag in his hand. The girl looks at the bag and asks, "What did you buy?"
"None of your business." Donghyun replies coldly.
"It's for me?!" she asks in a shrill and excited voice. Donghyun reaches him limit, he yanks her hand off him.
"Listen, Mina. I know you like me, but you should think about how I feel too. I've rejected you so many times, but you don't seem to listen. Can you stop this? It's getting a bit hard to handle." Donghyun finally speaks his mind.
"Okay...I'm sorry..." Mina says, surprised at the sudden outburst. "You found someone you like?" she asks in her original pleasant voice.
"Eh...? Why did you ask that?" Donghyun asks, getting flustered at the sudden question.
"Nothing really. You usually just let me be but now that you're pushing me away it means that you found someone you like." She says putting special emphasis on the last few words.
"Eh? Such a dumb question. Let's just go home."
"You're dodging the question!" she says teasingly.
"You're so dense. Don't end up hurting her. It feels horrible being beaten by someone I don't even know but it's okay. I'm too good for you. I'm cheering you on!" She says trying to hide her sadness.
"You're not making sense." Donghyun says confused.
"I told you you're dense. I'm going home! Bye! Good luck!" she says running off.
"Thank you...? What was all that about?" he asks himself. He stands there for half a minute, shakes his head and continues his journey home.
He reaches home, and all the lights are turned off. He sighs and switches a light on. As usual his parents nor his brother are at home. He puts his bag down on the sofa and enters the kitchen, on the table there's a note which reads 'Reheat the food in the fridge.'
He sighs, "Not again."
He folds the note and puts it in his bag, takes a few vegetables, an egg and a packet of noodles and cooks it for himself. Fed up of this daily routine he sits in the darkness eating by himself while listening to music.
X-END OF CHAPTER 1-X
//Hello to everyone reading this! Thank you for reading it first of all, I'm very grateful. Secondly, this story is something I started writing for fun and will update it once a week. Hopefully I will be able to do so. When I get busy I might procrastinate so please patiently wait for it. Thank you once again. Hope you liked the first chapter! See you next week :D
Pulished on 2018 (~October)
Edited on 3 June 2020
Woah, I'm just realizing how long this chapter actually is. ^^'
Thank you for reading!
Re-spaced on 10 September 2020