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It's a Saturday and Elkie is already in the restaurant. It's a café in the morning and a bar in the evening. It's really popular among students and it's a hit among adults in their early 20s to their late 40s. Elkie is busy arranging some disordered chairs before the café opens at 9AM. And it's only a few minutes before that. By exactly 9AM, she turns the sign at the door around from "Sorry, We're Closed." to "Welcome, Come In, We're Open."

A couple of young adults already enter the place and among them is Seungkwan, who sneakily comes in behind some people. He sits at the corner most part of the tables and for the moment, watches Elkie adoringly, at the counter. It's actually not his intention to come here, but when he saw Elkie is in as he passed by earlier, he didn't have any second thoughts in spending some bucks for coffee.

Elkie seems busy that she hasn't noticed Seungkwan even after a few minutes. A waiter has already taken his order and she's still busy doing something at the counter. Seungkwan doesn't really intend to, but he hopes he can talk to her even for a moment today.

But his luck is wearing thin, Elkie suddenly walks inside the kitchen and takes a long while in there. He sighs about it. His coffee cup is almost empty and it actually took him 30minutes to finish a cup, it's funny. But then he finally gives up, maybe he can talk to her some other time. And what does he want to talk to her about anyway? He doesn't have any idea.

So he sips the last drops of his coffee and stands up, leaving a few bills on the table. He has taken a few steps to the exit when he hears Elkie's voice calling his name from behind.

"Seungkwan-ssi!" she says.

He stops and it's like slow motion when he turns around to see her face. She's smiling at him like he's the only one around, or maybe he only thought so cuz she's definitely extra cute today.

He returns the smile and replies, "Elkie-ssi, hi!"

"You're leaving already?"

She looks like asking him to stay by the way she's asking, or maybe he just feels like it, "Yeah, I just had coffee. I'm off to a schedule."

"I see. Maybe I was busy I didn't notice you. Hope you come back for our coffee again."

"Yeah, I'll surely come back again. See yah."

"Bye."

He turns his back and takes the exit with a smile. At least he got to do what he came for and for that, he's glad.

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Elkie drops by Seunghee's apartment to get some copies of SMDJ's songs for keepsake. She likes listening to them more than today's recent songs on air. Today, she commutes going there. She likes to take a walk on her own every once in a while. And she also loves the streets of Seoul, there's no doubt about that.

But Seunghee's door is locked when she arrives. Seems like she's out for a bit. So she calls her on her phone and she immediately picks up, "Unnie? I'm here infront of your apartment right now."

-'Oh, Elkie-ya, I'm sorry I'm out all day. I went home for something. Why didn't you tell me beforehand? I didn't tell you cuz I didn't expect you'd come.'- Seunghee tells her on the phone.

"It's okay unnie. I just wanted to surprise you. But it's okay, maybe some other time."

-'Okay. I'll get back to you tomorrow. Mom needs me in the backyard.'-

"Alright. See you unnie. Bye."

-'Bye.'-

She puts the phone down and walks out of the premises when she fortuitously meets someone on her way at the corner of the street.

"Elkie-ssi, hi!" the person says.

It's Seungkwan with a big smile on his face and it seems like he's going to Jeonghan's place too.

"Seungkwan-ssi, we meet again," she greets delighted to see him.

"Yeah. Did you visit Seunghee-ssi?"

"Yeah, but she's not around so I'm probably just gonna go for a walk right now."

"I see..."

"Oh, are you going to see Jeonghan-ssi? I had a glimpse, his door is locked too."

"He's out? What to do now?..." he mumbles.

She watches him as he thinks of something. He looks like he really needs to see him today. So without bothering him any further, she paves her way out.

"I'll be heading out now. I'll go ahead Seungkwan-ssi."

As she passes him, something better pops out in his head and just blurts it out.

"Where are you to Elkie-ssi?"

"Huh? Just at the mall, I'm gonna buy something."

Automatically, he replies, "I just remembered I need to buy something too."

"Why don't we go together then?" she naturally offers.

"Are you sure? I hope I'm not bothering you."

"No, not at all."

Seungkwan smiles at her and Elkie does the same. It's their first time going out alone like this but then, they've been acquainted for years, so they can call it a friendly date.

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They spend the rest of the afternoon buying the stuffs they needed and just touring the mall. Seungkwan even sings a song at a public space near the play store, sampling the wireless mic they're promoting.  Elkie stands closely behind him and gives him rounds of applause, appreciating his talent. He stands tall proudly as he finishes the song. Then it's not just Elkie who applauds him, but all the bystanders nearby who heard him sing. And he bows infront of them all before leaving with her.

"You can really sing, Seungkwan-ssi! I was kinda surprised there," Elkie exclaims as they are walking away from the spot.

"Thank you, thank you," is all Seungkwan's reply. "I'll got a little thirsty after that. I'll treat you something, you up for it?"

"Whoever says no to a treat?"

"So what would you like?"

"How about some ice cream?"

He almost wants to scratch his head, "Alright..."

She giggles at his reaction though, "Just joking. Let's have some tea."

"Okay."

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Elkie and Seungkwan enters a pastry shop and orders some cake and tea for snack. They sit across each other watching the light traffic down the road since their seat is near the glass walls of the second floor of the building.

"Seems like I don't know much about you," Elkie says. "In the club, you've only always been the comedian. I never heard you sing once."

Seungkwan just smiles on it, "I thought I was gonna end up in variety shows or something. But maybe I can still do that as a sideline now."

She laughs. "You were good at it. You always made me laugh."

"I didn't want to be seen as a clown or anything like that though."

"It's not like that, you're funny. You don't look funny."

"I'll take that as a compliment for now."

They converse continuously like that and Seungkwan will pull little jokes every now and then. Elkie just can't help laughing at his jokes. It's not everyday she gets to be with someone as bubbly and easy to be with as him. She feels really at ease with him. It's nice that she met him again today. He's one of the very few people she can still talk to from the past.

He's turning timid though. Slowly, he feels his confidence fading. He's afraid he won't be able to keep up with his jokes and keep seeing her smile. He doesn't want it to stop. He wants to keep watching her enjoying his words. Realizing this, he feels something tug at this heart for a second and it hurts. He puts his hand on his chest for moment with a grimace and she quickly reacts worried.

"Are you alright?" she asks.

"Something just ticked inside," he answers.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know. It's like my heart jumped a little out of nowhere."

"Huh? You're not making any sense."

She's clueless staring at him and he stares back directly at her. Then suddenly, something in his heart snaps again. Then it dawns to him. His heart start beating fast looking at her face. So right then, he avoids glancing at her and looks down his teacup. He's overwhelmed. It's the first time so he hasn't noticed that he actually likes her. Seungkwan seriously likes Elkie.

"Should we get some medication?" she asks him.

"Ah, no," he's still not looking straight at her. "I'm fine. Maybe I should go home for now. I'm sorry Elkie-ssi."

"Sure, no problem about it."

Eventually, they part ways at the station. He bids her farewell as the train runs. Watching her leave, his heart is still racing but he can't handle being with her longer for today. He needs to organize his thoughts and moves. He can't really blow his first time wooing a girl. So he takes a step back and plan for everything. Seungkwan has finally found the girl he likes. Is this his first love? Yes and he will make her say yes.

Then his phone vibrates receiving a message. It surprises him cuz it's from Elkie, it says, Take a good rest Seungkwan-ssi. Maybe it's because of the heat. Drink plenty of water and rest. Take care of yourself. It tugs at his heart even more. He wishes to have more of these moments. More of her caring about him. More of her thinking about him.

Meanwhile, Elkie is looking out the train's window, seated at one of the benches. She treats every Korean friend important since there are only Seunghee and the boys, then there's Seungkwan. She just hopes he gets well soon. In days like this, she wants to spend a little more time with him. She's surprised that he never forgot her. He's the only one who's still friendly with her, even if she can still see some of their high school friends sometime. And she's not overlooking that fact, so she'll be good to him from now on. And recently, she thinks he's gotten cute and more charismatic or maybe it's just her imagination playing a trick on her.

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A few days later, Elkie is early opening the café again. But this time, she remembers Seungkwan before anyone else. So she goes over her phone and gives him a message. Good morning Seungkwan-ssi. How are you feeling? Are you feeling well now? Please text me back. Then she taps the send button and waits for a reply. But after more than 10 minutes of waiting, she receives none. So she puts her phone down and leaves it at the counter. Then she walks all over the café to check on the seats and tables. In a few more minutes, she opens the café and it's a surprise who the first person walks in for that day.

"Good morning Elkie-ssi," It's Seungkwan, greeting her with a big smile.

"Seungkwan-ssi, you're early today," is all that she remarks.

"I had to run an errand first thing in the morning which took me here."

"I see. Oh!" she finally remembers his health. "Are you-"

"I'm fine now. I was nothing. I was nearby when I received your text message."

They are talking at the entrance and right now, a couple of other people are waiting just behind him to enter the place.

"Excuse me..." one girl says.

Only then, both of them notices they've been obstructing the entrance. "Sorry..." they both say. And right after the other customers have walked in, they laugh together.

"Come on, coffee's on me," Elkie utters.

"No, it's on me," he insists.

"This is our café remember?"

"Yeah, but it doesn't make a difference."

She only smiles at him and he gestures for her to go and choose a seat. "After you." So she obliges and walks over.

But as they go, "Is it okay for you to sit with me? Aren't you working? The guy at the counter is staring at us." He says nervously cuz the guy at the counter is somewhat older, and he looks like her relative of something.

"Don't worry, it's just dad. He won't mind," she answers. As they sit together on a table across each other, she continues. "I've told him about you."

"What? What did you say about me?"

"I told him you're the only funny guy in high school. So he's probably just looking out if that's true. And he said he caught you here often. Do you really go here that much? I've only seen you a couple of times."

"Well, I only came here often after meeting you that day. You know that day. I just said to myself, 'She's my schoolmate in high school, maybe I should pay her a visit more often.'"

She's smiling again. "You're really nice Seungkwan-ssi."

"And I thought I could see you often here but it seems like you're only here in the mornings when the café opens up. So I started dropping by earlier."

"Why should you see me often though? And this isn't really close to your home."

"Well, I thought about it and eventually, I got a simple answer."

She's looking straight at him right now, awaiting his answer and he's staring back at her with his heart running a marathon but he has to let it go. She has to know right here, right now.

"I like you Elkie-ssi, will you go out with me?"

She freezes for a moment and takes a deep breath, then start bursting in laughter. Seungkwan is puzzled and a little offended. Is she taking this as a joke?

"Elkie-ssi..."

She stops herself and faces him saying, "Seungkwan-ah."

"Huh?" he's now confused. She just dropped the honorifics in a split second. What does she mean?

"I should be calling you that if we start going out right?"

She's smiling and it seems sincere that he's more and more perplexed about it but he just nods unconsciously.

"Try calling me by my name."

He pauses but obliges. "Elkie-ya."

She's smiling so wide that it makes him go crazy as to what this all really means.

"Let's start calling each other like that right now," she finally displays a serious face at him, "I think I like you too, so maybe this is right. Let's start going out today."

His eyes widen at what he just heard. "Really?" he makes an expression so shocked it makes her laugh again.

"You look really funny right now Seungkwan-ah."

"I was just... I never expected this outcome."

"I was joking."

He quickly turns up to her devastated and she just bursts out laughing again.

"What?" he can't believe she's making fun of him out of this. "Elkie-ssi!"

She quits laughing after a while and reaches out for his hand in return. Seungkwan melts at her touch. She's bold enough to do this kind of gesture. He can't believe this is true.

"I wasn't joking. I'm sorry. I just wanted to see how funny you are again before calling you my boyfriend, Seungkwan-ah."

He doesn't know if he wants to dance around or sing or just scream out loud, his first love is returned. And it's more than amazing. It's an unexplainable feeling. He holds her hand tight in return. "Elkie-ya, Elkie-ya, Elkie-ya, I can say it over and over again and tell the world you're my girlfriend now."

She smiles. He's so sweet and honest. She may not like him as much right now but she'll make sure to make it up to him cuz right now, the most genuine person in the world is sitting right infront of her. And she can't take that for granted.

As they are preoccupied with each other, the man from the counter has already paced his way to them, seeing that they are holding hands inside his café.

"How about you make me laugh too young boy," his voice so low shocked the life out of Seungkwan.
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And when Seungkwan actually sees him up close, the father of the girl he's officially dating, he instantly lets go of Elkie's hand, stands up and takes a 90 degrees bow introducing himself.

"Anyounghaseyo! Boo Seungkwan-mida!" he breaks in cold sweat, thinking of ways to slip away with Elkie. But of course, how can he run away from his girlfriend's father? And it's only the first minutes! For Pete's sake, this is the best and worst day of the year for him. How complex is that? He doesn't lift his head up until he hears what her father has to say next.

Elkie is loving it. She's smiling all through as she watches him struggle with the consequences of making her his girl. It's cute, he's always been cheerful but look at him now, almost on the verge of running away. If he can't handle her dad, then maybe she made the wrong choice. But if he could, then she's thankful, cuz she doesn't want it any other way.

"Dad... Let my boyfriend live. He said he'll keep you company for a while. You just arrived right? Then take it easy and sit down," she stands up and lets her father sit.

Meanwhile Seungkwan just wanna die. Yes, hearing the sound of her calling him her 'boyfriend' is incredible but facing her father right now is a bit too much. Elkie is really mean for doing this on the first day. Is she trying to burn him alive? He's not ready for this at all! But his hopes die out as she waves him goodbye and walks to the counter. Now he's on his own.

"Well, take a seat and humor me," her dad tells Seungkwan in a very intimidating voice.

"Ah, yes sir..." Seungkwan agitatedly follows his order.

From there, Elkie's father interviews Seungkwan like he's applying for CEO. He breaks a sweat from all the questions and inquiries but in the end, he manages to make him laugh. And not just a simple laugh but he laughs out loud. Only then, Seungkwan is relieved. He sees Elkie smiling from the counter. And right then he knew, she's just trying to test him, on the spot that is. She's cruel, but he doesn't regret any of it.  Cuz from now on, she's his girl and he's all hers.

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TO BE CONTINUED...

Published: 10/20/17