Mae's university started yet she managed to spare time to visit TK Entertainment on a weekly basis. She became close to most of the trainee fans who wait for them. But today, there was an unexpected visitor in front of the agency building: A young woman in her mid-twenties. She was neat and tidy, you wouldn't say she was one of those who would wear the trendiest clothes like a runway model, but she wasn't out of style either. Modest yet voguish. She seemed to be unaware of the surrounding, sitting beside a street vendor. Her eyes glued on her iPad, sipping on her coffee that she grabbed from Starbucks, leaving the spicy fish cakes untouched beside her.

Mae recognized her at first glance but didn't greet her. She knew that she should give Sikyeong and her space. She pretended to have an emergency meeting and bid the trainee fans goodbye to leave this place.

She didn't go straight back home after leaving TK Entertainment. Instead, she went to the Han river.

It was already autumn, the chilly breeze blew on her exposed skin, sending shivers down her spine. She instantly regretted wearing such light clothes. Not being able to cope with the cold, Mae went to a convenience store to buy ramen and instant coffee.

The bell rang as soon as Mae pushed open the glass door. A young man standing in front of the counter turned slightly. His face was shadowed under his hoodie and covered with a mask, yet it did not stop Mae from identifying him in a split second.

His finger stagnated at the sight of her. They both paused, the door behind Mae closed, she bit her lips, debating with herself whether she should greet him. She would have if the person in front of her was someone else, but he is not just anyone.

......

Flashback to five years ago.

Mae didn't make a single move for a week after she learned Min Cheol's secret. She only interacted with him while working in the student council, which all ended the day of the basketball match between grade 10 and 11.

Min Cheol sat beside his classmates beside the basketball court on a bench, while Mae was sitting across the field on the staircase.

Mae was one of the outgoing popular kids in her school, her bubbly and humble personality caused many to be attracted to her. Usually, she would be accompanied by a group of people and talk to them. But that particular day, she was quiet. Even if her friends passed by, she wouldn't have noticed. Her lips were slightly curved, her eyes were on Min Cheol the whole time.

Dang Sikyeong stared at her for straight three minutes before blurting out: "I can't do this anymore."

Yet Mae didn't reply to him as if she was in a whole different world.

"Ugh," Dang Sikyeong groaned and pushed her, trying to get her attention, "When are you going to reply? Your classmate is going on a match and you are looking at the opponent team? Your classmate is going on a match! Your classmate! Your team! My glory will be your glory!"

Mae frowned as she leaned backward, trying to avoid Sikyeong's high pitched roar. Even the ones surrounding them stopped what they were doing for a while to look at this Charizard spitting fire. They all complained to him for being so loud but he just shooed them away.

"Gosh, what's wrong with you?" Mae hit his shoulder, putting up an annoyed face.

"Ya, you like that council guy?" he asked while turning his whole body to face Mae, his hand twisting open a sports drink.

"Is it that obvious?" she asked, slightly scratching her face.

Sikyeong nodded.

"Oh well, yes, I do. Do you mind me cheering for him instead of you?" She grinned, her eyes leaking out a light of mischief, expecting another roar from Dang Si Kyeong.

"Of course I do!" he did not disappoint her as he glared at her, trying to protect his position as the best friend.

She smiled at him, then, without saying anything, she slowly got up, picking up a new bottle of sports drink Sikyeong had stocked up for himself. Sikyeong's eyes followed her as she slowly walked down the stairs.

"Ya, Im Yeomrim!" Sikyeong called her when he finally got the hint of what she was planning to do.

Mae ignored him and kept walking and came to halt when she was finally in front of Min Cheol. The latter raised his head to look at her.

"Sunbae," Mae called him with a warm smile on her face, extending her hand to give him the drink and said, "Hwaiting!"

Everyone sitting close to them cheered at Mae's boldness.

Min Cheol didn't respond. His cheeks heated up under the blazing gaze of everyone eyeing them.

Her arms were becoming sore waiting for his response as her smile slowly faded.

Finally, someone from Min Cheol's team hit his back to pull him back to reality. He hesitantly took the drink and nodded: "Thank you."

Her lips curled up in confidence: "I'll be watching you."

Min Cheol's ears showed a hint of pink.

Mae didn't loiter around him, she turned her back and went back to where her class sat.

The air stole the redolent scent of jasmine and rose, mixing with peony that leaped through her hair. Her fragrance danced around him, faint but sweet, just as it's owner, carved into his memory.

It was the first time a girl openly showed interest in him, yet he didn't feel bothered.

......

"Lin Yan Lin," Min Cheol called her first, by her birth name. No one in Korea ever called her by her Chinese name. Min Cheol was never good at Chinese, but when he called her, his pronunciation was so accurate, almost like a native.

Mae's nose stung, she became vulnerable to his voice. She wanted to run and hug him and tell him how much she missed him. But what's her position to do that?

She used all her strength to refrain herself from doing anything she might regret later. Mae nodded and let out a low "hi". She hurriedly went inside to the end section, avoiding his gaze.

She slowly picked out a ramen and a Nescafé and went to the counter. Min Cheol left already, she breathed out in relief, but somewhere deep inside her, she was disappointed. Yet, she cannot blame him, who is she to do that? She lost all her rights long ago.

When she strolled out of the convenient store, she heard someone calling her. She followed the voice to see Min Cheol's silhouette hiding under the shadow of the roof.

Her eyes widened.

A cigarette hung loosely between his index and middle finger. The orange light was gleaming under the darkness of the night. Mae frowned at the sight of it. Without thinking twice, she quickly snatched the cigar from him and lowered her voice: "What are you doing, you are still in public!"

She threw the cigarette away and scanned the surrounding to check if anyone saw them.

Looking at Mae's reaction, a faint smile darted across his features. She glared at him, her lips slightly pouted.

"Let's talk," Min Cheol suggested out of nowhere.

Mae was startled. She looked into his eyes while biting her bottom lip, trying to read his expression.

Sunbae: Senior or someone older. 

If you liked this chapter, please do not forget to vote and/or comment. Your comments give me the motivation to write more❤