17. paper flower

"Ya, it's Kang Soojin. K-A-N-G space S-O-O-J-I-N,"

"So?"

"So stop calling me... whatever that is you call me."

"O, you mean stop calling you Princess?"

"Ya!"

"Wae, you act like a high and mighty princess. What's the big deal?"

"Your disrupted face would be a big deal."

"You sure talk like a gangster even though you call me one."

"That's because you are a gangster. Mismatched earrings, unnecessary finger rings, your always unkempt hair and never buttoned uniform, and this..." She pointed at his temporary tattoo on his hand, "whatever the stupid thing it is."

"Ya Kang Soojin, the way you keep noticing me. You sure you don't like me?"

"Me? Like you?"

"Ya, don't laugh."

"Then don't joke around."

"Aish, you're such a..."

"Intellectually well behaved brillant student?"

"Nah, an arrogant princess."

"What. Did. I. Just. Tell. You."

"Sorry, this gangster doesn't take orders from little princesses."

"You..."

"Yes?"

"I hate you."

"Oh no, my heart, pffftt. Good relevance."

"It's riddance."

Han Seojun chuckled as he waited for Kang Soojin to step out of the spa. It was funny how he remembered their bickering from years back, something he didn't know his brain had stored. It was true that Kang Soojin and he were never on friendly terms, they always bickered whenever they met mostly because she wanted to be with Suho and he didn't want to share his best friend.

He always liked bickering with the high and mighty Kang Soojin mostly because he loved when her nose would flare and expressions cringed. Also, he didn't really have any other friends than his trio.

"Why are you laughing? Do I still have the stains?"

Han Seojun snapped out of his flashback and looked at the girl who stepped out of the room, and in a moment, all of his nostalgia vanished as Kang Soojin stood in front of him. Her wet long hair falling over her back and the running droplets of water were in a race with his running heartbeats. She had changed from the dirty uniform to a jumpsuit, white t-shirt over black and Han Seojun never really noticed how pretty she was until now.

Her eyes were so tired and lost, the bruise on her lip still garnering his attention and moreover, her always blank expressions seemingly growing on him. It took two seconds for him to zone out and five for her to call his name.

"Ani," Han Seojun stood, slowly as he held both their bags, "you look..." He was hesitant and she looked down at her attire, she had bought the first thing she lay her hands on and quickly booked a bath in the nearest spa. She looked at him, the wannabe gangster who was lost for words, the insecurities of her mind kept telling her that she probably looked stupid but Han Seojun cleared her doubts. "Human."

"Gee thanks," She rolled her eyes, nevertheless it wasn't an insult so that ended her doubts. "You didn't have to wait for me." She walked towards him, taking her bag from his arms, in the process their hands brushed against each other. "You're missing class."

"You're missing class too."

"But it's math." She said as a matter of fact, not being arrogant or proud, just stating a fact. "I can catch up, but you're going to be lagging."

Seojun shrugged, "might as well admit defeat, I can never understand math." They walked slowly towards the exit once Soojin paid up via her card. "I'd rather be here than dozing off in class."

Soojin didn't speak anything else, she didn't want to know why Seojun had willingly chased her and wanted to stick to her even when she said she'd manage it alone. It felt weird to have someone besides her, but Soojin would be lying if she said she felt uncomfortable. It reminded her of the times Su-ah and Jugyeong would be with her and the post school fun they had.

They walked past the crowded streets, slowly and silently, brushing through the chilly wind. Han Seojun couldn't help but notice how her hair swayed with every step she took, how her hands that held each other seemed more worn out and dry and how her lower lip bruise turned a shade darker.

"I didn't get to thank Mrs. Han for the dinner yesterday." Soojin said, crossing the road with Han Seojun by her side, her eyes lowered, her voice soft. "I didn't eat much for the past three days, and I didn't get to apologise for my hasty table manners either." Han Seojun looked at her, she seemed so different and polite, so unlike the Soojin he knew his whole life. "I must have come across like a ill-mannered pers-"

"Ya Kang Soojin," Seojun's interruption put an end to Soojin's apology and she turned to meet his gaze, "you need to tone down your 'good' behaviour." He replied air quoting the word good, as they kept walking past the shops, "my Omma keeps nudging me to learn from you. Aish, you sure are charming with your ways." He played with his bags' straps, walking backwards as Soojin looked at the boy. "The next time you come home, you better act like an ill-mannered girl."

Soojin smiled, hands in the pockets of the coat she wore over her overalls. She couldn't help but feel much comfortable with Han Seojun and smiling was more easier. She realised she was smiling and immediately stopped, much to Han Seojun's disappointment.

They walked past the cafe, the same one they had visited last week. "You want to drink anything?" Seojun spoke up, pointing at the cafe from outside, "we can discuss about the project, I think the topic I chose would require you to sit down."

"I know, I saw." Soojin replied, entering the cafe together. "I happened to ask Mr. Han for the outline you submitted," She tilted her head, amused by Seojun's decision. "Honestly, it's not bad."

Han Seojun was dumbfounded, to be complimented by Kang Soojin, the second smartest in the school. And she wasn't even mocking him.

Was this all a part of the Nicer Soojin ruse? Or was this a side of Soojin he never knew existed. It was so difficult to study Soojin considering how well versed she was with hiding her feelings and emotions.

"But you do know that you'll have to take the lead in it." They sat by the window, the couch was comfortable and since it was still school hours, there weren't much people. "I have zero knowledge about music and it's composition."

It was Han Seojun's turn to lower his gaze. Due to the last minute submission, Seojun had chosen the topic that would trigger him the most but it was the only thing he knew in the entire list.

Composition of songs and soundtracks

Music had always been his forte, with Suho, Seyeon and him being a musical trio right from the start but ever since Seyeon's suicide, he and Suho kept away from anything that remotely reminded them of the nicer times. It was true that Seojun had a beautiful voice and that it was a gift as told to him by many but he didn't sing much post the tragic death.

But the music composition topic he chose will now refresh all the past wounds.

"Ya," Kang Soojin broke his sad trance, "moping doesn't suit you." She said, understanding the heavy sighs with the mere mention of music. "Also, I'm going to order myself coffee, would you like your chocolate cream chip frappuccino, with two pumps of vanilla and one teaspoon sugar, no ice and an extra sprinkle of caramel?"

Seojun was once again dumbfounded by the girl, his expressions made Soojin to smile again. "Wow, you remembered?" He asked, mouth a bit ajar, he took ten tries to get the order by heart.

"I'm just too observant, I guess," Soojin got off the seat, "I always remember." She walked slowly towards the counter as Han Seojun couldn't help but trace her with his eyes.

The only reason he was sticking to Soojin was because he didn't want her to do anything stupid. And by stupid, he had assumed the absolute worst.

The stupid thing Seyeon had done.

Kang Soojin paid up for the drinks while resting her arms on the counter, this was the second time she was with someone during her most vulnerable time. It was easier to breathe, she noticed, easier to live with someone around and she wondered why didn't she ever share stuff with anyone.

Because they leave.

Soojin gulped, remembering how Suho the guy who knew everything about her and the abuse she bore, did nothing for her. Or how Jugyeong whom she had told about her father seemed to do nothing but sympathize with her. None of them would ever understand her and she didn't blame them, it wasn't their cross to bear.

Now she knew why staying alone was better than being with someone.

Because they leave.

"Your drinks..."

Soojin thanked the server and carried the tray to their corner seats only to find the seats empty. She wondered where the wannabe gangster had gone but gave up when she came to the terms of her being alone by the end of everything. It was terribly lonely being by herself but atleast her heart wasn't broken over and over again.

"Ya, I thought you'd wait for me."

Soojin turned to see Han Seojun standing besides, she had to strain her neck to look up at the tall guy. He then placed a little something on the table, plopping in his seat right after.

Paper flower.

"Appa would make these and give them to Go-woon," He took a sip off his drink, Soojin examining the intricate paper flower. "He loved making origami, flowers, rings, fans, planes and such... After his death, Go-woon didn't eat food for two days straight..." Soojin stiffened at the mention of Seojun's late father, she never really knew the story well and didn't consider herself to be close to ask about it. "So I got on the internet, I remember putting all my saved money to go the cyber cafe nearby and watched all sorts of origami videos to finally make a very pale flower." He chuckled, his eyes holding emotions that Soojin had never seen, his gaze fixated on the flower in Soojin's hand. "She ate food happily that night when I gave her the flower, ever since I keep making stuff as this, Omma and Go-woon collect them like they're some precious stones."

Soojin met his sorrowful eyes and then looked down at the flower. It was made from the surprise math test paper which they had earlier that week and somehow it eased her anxieties. Her test paper was neatly tucked in the notebook to revise again with the errors she made and here Han Seojun had made it into something interesting.

"Your Appa seemed like a great father." Soojin's words brought a smile to Seojun's face. "It must be hard without him."

Han Seojun nodded, swirling the straw in the coffee cup, "it is, but life does go on and then, Omma and Go-woon are my world now, I'd rather be happy here with them than dwell about the past and ruin the present." His nonchalant words were so wise for the girl who sat facing him. "What about your Appa?" Han Seojun asked, only to see Soojin's expressions fade completely.

Soojin lowered her head, focusing on the coffee, "he's... he's..." She fumbled for words, her hands suddenly feeling dirty and she bit the insides of her cheeks to avoid being a cry baby again. "He's..." Kang Soojin stopped, eyeing the window keenly and then pointed at it. "Ya Han Seojun, is that your twerp gang?"

Seojun turned in wonder only to see Chorong and the gang all pasted at the glass wall, eyeing the duo while standing in a straight line. The moment Han Seojun turned they all took a step back and looked everywhere but at them.

"Aish, these idiots have separation anxiety I swear." Seojun muttered under his breath and made his way out of the cafe while Soojin sat back. "Don't leave without me." He instructed before leaving.

Soojin watched the paper flower tumble with the air, almost falling off the table when she held it. It was cute, the flower resonated a lot to a rose, petals down to three layers and a stem that was sturdy enough to hold it. She watched Han Seojun talk to his hooligan friends, before she pocketed the flower.

Just something about it seemed intriguing to her. 

Just like it's master.

_

I want a slow progression story, hope this wasn't fast paced lol.

Also shout-out to BitterFiction for such using flowers as cupids for her Seojun x Soojin fics.