It was getting late in the morning, and Yuna still hadn't contacted Taeyang. They arrived late last night, so Yuna's still probably asleep. He was getting impatient. He needed a reason to go to her.

To his surprise, he got a message from one of his buddies.

"Hey man, if you're free, we need a member for a 5-ball game. Come ASAP."

Taeyang, calculated. It was a better chance to meet Yuna there. The game will probably end, and Yuna will be there. He packed up for the basketball.

Yuna was calling Taeyang's phone but getting no answer. It was getting noisy on the basketball court. But she caught a glimpse of Taeyang from her window. Her heart raced. Last night was liberating and amazing. She couldn't sleep just yet. It's been a few days since they met. But it was like they were just in the right place at the right time. She left behind what she was working on. She got a bottle of water and a clean, small towel. And headed to the basketball court.

-~o*o~-

The game was fierce, reaching the third quarter with a score of 32-33, with the Blue Team in the lead. Taeyang, playing for the Red Team, showcased a powerful defense, dominating steals and rebounds. Yuna watched in awe, marveling at his skill. The third quarter just ended.

"Taeyang-ah," she called, waving at him.

Taeyang recognized her voice, and blood rushed throughout his body. His mind blanked out, and only last night's kiss was there. So, Yuna approached him instead. In front of the many freshmen there, Yuna wiped the sweat off Taeyang's face with the towel.

"You never told me you could play so well," Yuna said in admiration.

"I just told you, I'm not good at shooting," Taeyang replied while catching his breath.

"But you were good at stealing," Yuna said, "like what you stole from me last night." She winked at him as she teased him.

"Woah, what did you steal from her, bro?" His teammates chimed in, joining the playful banter.

Both their faces turned red. Yuna gave him the bottled water to drink. And she cutely retreated to a spot where she cheered on him. As the game continued, the court became a stage for their unspoken connection, a dance of stolen glances and shared smiles amid the cheers and laughter of the crowd.

The fourth quarter drew to a close, with the scoreboard revealing a triumphant 57-48 in favor of the Red Team. The players gathered at the center, exchanging friendly greetings after an intense practice game for the Freshman Dorm Basketball Team.

"Bro, you should've joined the dorm! Your defense skills are killer!" Compliments showered Taeyang, but he remained oblivious, his focus fixed solely on Yuna. He yearned to reunite with her.

His path, however, was unexpectedly blocked by his buddy, who warned him, "I suggest you don't get too close to her. She's trouble. Her former lover is a crazy gangster." The words sent a chilling shiver down Taeyang's spine, "Lover" and "Gangster" echoing ominously.

-~o*o~-

From a distance, Yuna observed the sudden change in Taeyang's expression, piquing her curiosity and igniting a hint of fury toward the person who spoke to him. Yet, her growing affection for Taeyang prevailed.

In her usual aegyo self, she invited Taeyang, "Have you eaten yet? I want some teokpokki."

The image of a small butterfly tattoo on Yuna's back flashed into his mind; however, he was unsure if he had identified it correctly. But then jealousy and other thoughts started flooding into his mind. But with his kindness, he has prevailed.

"Sure, Yuna. I've been craving it too," he replied.

"Really? I found this fantastic place nearby. Let's go there," Yuna continued, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

They found themselves at a small teokpokki stand by the roadside. The atmosphere was lively, filled with the inviting aroma of spice.

"You seemed in a bad mood," Yuna observed, her tone bold. "What do you want me to do to make you feel better~?" Taeyang felt a wave of embarrassment, causing his cheeks to flush.

"Yuna," he stammered, "I didn't expect you to come to me during the break earlier. I thought you didn't like too many eyes looking at you."

"Yup, but I can't stand it when other girls try to flirt with you," Yuna responded firmly. She was referring to the other girls who were cheering on Taeyang and were planning to introduce themselves to him.

"Flirt with me? What?" Taeyang was puzzled, not fully grasping Yuna's words but sensing her jealousy and possessiveness. He was on the court the whole time; how could he have been flirting?

"You should acknowledge yourself too, Taeyang," she said, locking eyes with him. "You've got what it takes to make any girl fall for you."

Taeyang humbly accepted the compliment. "Even you?"

Yuna replied with a playful gesture, "Isn't it obvious?" However, Taeyang, being the type who needed to hear those words, didn't quite catch on.

Yuna continued, "That guy said something to you, and it's something about me you want to ask. It's written on your face."

Taeyang cautiously chose his words. "Kinda, the art on your back—where did you get it?"

Yuna burst into laughter, not understanding where Taeyang's mind was at. "You think I'm part of a gang?"

"Yes," Taeyang responded honestly. "Or maybe you were involved with someone from a gang," he implied.

-~o*o~-

The answer made Yuna halt her laughter. Taeyang was serious, and she felt offended, as if she were being gossiped about. Her face turned serious, too.

"Not you too," she said with a sigh. She set aside her food and decided to leave. With a heavy heart, she started to flee. Taeyang let go of his ego and chased after Yuna. She was heading down a dimly lit path, obviously an unsafe one.

Taeyang caught Yuna by the hand, and she fought back to free herself. Angrily, she said, "What about it? You won't like me anymore?" Tears streamed down her face as she wondered why she had said yes to that someone, only to have so many rumors circulating about her. That person wanted to ruin her and disrupt all the peace she had.

Without turning to face Taeyang, she continued, "Fine. Leave me before your life gets ruined." She mentally prepared herself for Taeyang's abandonment, but instead, he embraced her from behind.

He whispered into her ear, saying her name, "Yuna. Sorry." It calmed Yuna every time Taeyang's voice spoke her name.

"Sorry I hurt you this way. I just got jealous. I can't stand it that I am not the only one in your heart," Taeyang confessed.

Quickly, Yuna turned around and kissed Taeyang, a strong kiss that conveyed forgiveness—to know that they both had a jealous side. Their hearts learned what they needed to in that moment, and soon enough, fireflies danced around them.

-~o*o~-

They found an open field and sat on the grass, gazing at the dark sky as a shooting star streaked by. "Oh, did you see that?" Taeyang remarked, closing his eyes to make a wish.

"What are you doing?" Yuna asked.

"I saw this in the movies: people wishing on shooting stars and them coming true," he explained.

"Really? So what did you wish for?" she asked.

"That's the point. You can't tell it out loud, or it won't come true," he replied.

"Okay, let me wish too." Instead of closing her eyes, she turned to Taeyang and kissed him, eventually making Taeyang lie on the grass with Yuna resting above him.

"I don't need any wishing stars because my wish has just come true," she teased him, looking more intimate than ever through his eyes.

In Taeyang's mind, Yuna was a complete marvel and mystery. She had turned his world upside down, as free as the wind and as gentle as a breeze.

"Taeyang, let's do what you want tomorrow," she teased him.

"What I want?" Taeyang shyly replied, his mind filled with thoughts he hadn't anticipated.

"Let's walk. Let's walk," he convinced himself, speaking it aloud to regain composure.

"Sure, let's walk tomorrow."

======================================================

Some points to comment :)

This is the start of revealing Yuna's mysterious backstory

What do you about the chapter titles so far?