It was a bright, sunny day. Taeyang woke up fully recharged. It was 6:17 AM. He checked his phone and immediately messaged Yuna.

"Yuna, are you up?"

"Yup. Why?"

"Let's meet in 20 minutes at the Blue Park."

"Sure"

-~o*o~-

The Blue Park, nestled near the man-made lake with lush trees, was a perfect spot for morning exercises. What made it even better was its relative quietness compared to other places on campus.

As usual, Yuna sported stylish yet practical walking attire. She'd easily be mistaken for a model for those sports brands. Taeyang was simply in his training outfit.

"Let's run?" Taeyang invited. Yuna nodded but gestured that Taeyang run at his own pace.

Before he set to run, he approached Yuna and said, "Let's fix the ponytail." When Yuna had raised both her hands to adjust her bow, Taeyang unexpectedly held her wrists and planted a quick kiss on her lips. The bold move caught Yuna off guard, and her cheeks turned a shade of red. Taeyang's gaze conveyed a sense of possessiveness, and then he sprinted off.

During each lap, Taeyang would call out Yuna's name, accompanied by a cute heart gesture. Yuna responded with cheers and her own heart gestures. After completing three running rounds, Taeyang noticed Yuna finishing one lap with a leisurely walk.

In the midst of their playful morning exercise, Taeyang found himself enchanted by the sheer joy Yuna infused into his life, making every moment into something extraordinary. Yuna reciprocated Taeyang's playful gestures, fortifying the bond between them. As they carried on with their morning routine, the brilliant sun above seemed to reflect the radiant glow of their evolving and blossoming relationship.

-~o*o~-

After refreshing themselves at a nearby public sauna and enjoying boiled eggs for breakfast, Taeyang and Yuna spotted a display of fortune cookies.

"Check this out," Taeyang pointed, "Fortune Cookies."

Yuna chuckled at Taeyang's fascination with such things. "Let's see what wisdom it holds," he suggested. Taeyang read aloud:

"Embrace the storm within; your heart's sculptor awaits."

"Tread gently as one misstep, and the fragile dance unravels into a tempest."

"Hmm, not bad," Yuna remarked, holding her own fortune close. When Taeyang inquired about hers, she playfully responded, "It's a secret," her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint as she concealed the message.

They wandered around the sauna, exploring different rooms and areas. Finally, they found a tranquil space—a secluded spot away from prying eyes—where they could be private. Taeyang assumes a squatting position while Yuna positions herself in front of him, resting her head on his lap. Their eyes locked, creating an intimate connection in the quiet ambiance of the sauna's serene corner.

In the quiet ambiance of the sauna's serene corner, Taeyang's gaze lingered on Yuna's face. The subtle warmth of their private enclave intensified the moment. Her features were etched in his mind—a vision he longed to wake up to every morning. The moment felt delicate yet significant, and with a tender vulnerability, he finally voiced the question that had been dancing in his thoughts. Seeking clarity, he finally mustered the courage to voice the question that had been lingering in his mind, "Yuna, what are we?"

Yuna's eyes locked onto his, mirrored the eagerness in his inquiry. "What are we?" she echoed, her eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and anticipation.

"Friends don't hold hands," Taeyang started, his voice carrying a hint of both assertion and uncertainty.

"Friends don't kiss each other," Yuna added, her voice a tender melody resonating in the tranquil space, carrying a subtle undercurrent of something unspoken, a sentiment waiting to be unraveled.

The unspoken truth hung in the air, each word pulling them closer to a revelation, the warmth of their shared breaths creating an invisible bond that defied simple definitions. Their hearts silently yearned for a deeper label, but both hesitated to take the first step.

"It's my zodiac sign. The art you were asking about yesterday," Yuna revealed.

"Curious to see the full picture?" she teased.

"Excuse me, this area is still off-limits," a staff member interrupted, reminding them of their surroundings.

-~o*o~-

Leaving the sauna, Taeyang and Yuna decided to explore the vast expanse of the university. The Palan-Haneul University Campus was an impressive 500 hectares, with the main academic area covering 25 hectares. In addition to this, there were faculty and staff housing, as well as dormitories, taking up about 95 and 15 hectares, respectively. The university boasted numerous parks, spanning 45 hectares, and a lush forest occupying 20 hectares. The Technopark, an innovation hub, covered an expansive 120 hectares, while the commercial zone sprawled across 50 hectares. With such an extensive campus, there was no shortage of places for Taeyang and Yuna to discover and enjoy each other's company.

"So, where would you like to go, Yuna?" Taeyang asked.

"There's a fantastic café in the College of Music that I've heard about. I've never been there, but they say their jajangmyeon and milkshakes are delicious," Yuna suggested.

"That sounds great. Let's give it a try."

Taeyang took a delightful sip of his milkshake, leaving a frothy trail on his lips. Yuna's laughter rang out, a melody of shared joy. In a sweet and tender gesture, she extended her hand, delicately wiping away the creamy evidence from Taeyang's lips.

In a silent gaze, Yuna's eyes lingered on Taeyang's lips, marked by the kisses they had shared. The air held a subtle charge, echoing the unspoken echoes of their past moments together. It was like a dance of memories, a quiet acknowledgment that every touch and shared laugh had become a part of their hearts. Together, they were weaving a tapestry of cherished moments, a history unspoken yet deeply felt.

Taeyang, in a polite manner, brought up the question, "Um, Yuna... So, what kind of girlfriend are you?"

-~o*o~-

Yuna tilted her head as she sensed the curiosity in Taeyang's expression, understanding that he wanted to know about her past relationship. With courage, she narrated.

"It's been over a month now," Yuna mused, her gaze drifting into the past. "What kind of girlfriend was I?" As she spoke, a mix of nostalgia and contemplation colored her words, hinting at the complexities of her previous relationship.

"I'm the type who would do anything for the one I love without any reservations," Yuna began. "I value trust. I'd spend all my time with my boyfriend, from sunrise to sunset, even until the next sunrise. Even if I don't like the place, as long as I feel safe with him, the location doesn't matter."

She continued, "I'd spoil my boyfriend with all the things he'd want, including clothes or sports gear. I just want to give my all—both time and money, even my body—simply because I cherish my boyfriend."

Taeyang absorbed her words, realizing that she had loved intensely. Lucky guy, he thought. As feelings of anger and jealousy began to surface, Yuna turned the question back to him as intense as her feelings, exposing her vulnerability.

She returned the question," How about you?" her gaze unwavering. "What kind of boyfriend are you? You seem like the type who mastered the art of being a playboy."

"What?" Taeyang responded to the latter statement first. "Just so you know, I'm pretty loyal and stick to one! I'd never look at another when I'm with the one I love," he declared.

Yuna playfully pointed out a girl who had just walked in, suggesting she resembled an idol, all the while subtly testing whether Taeyang would take notice. Secretly, Yuna had been keeping count of the girls who couldn't help but steal glances at Taeyang.

Taeyang closed his eyes, composed himself, and then spoke while looking into Yuna's eyes, "Yuna, you are the prettiest girl in the room right now—rather, in my eyes. You have the choice to know what kind of boyfriend I am."

-~o*o~-

Yuna's heart skipped beat upon hearing Taeyang's words. A tender smile gracing her face as she caught a fleeting glimpse of the tomorrows they could share. Yet, in the depths of her gaze, a lingering hesitancy played, the elusive courage to relinquish the grip of her past escaping her grasp. The unspoken echoes of her heart resonated in the quiet moment, a delicate balance between yearning and restraint.

Her face flushed red as Taeyang nervously awaited her answer. However, their moment was abruptly interrupted by the commencement of the next musical performance. As they watched the play together, the music enveloped them in a symphony of emotions. The melodies swirled around them, carrying the weight of their unspoken feelings. 

Yuna rested her head on Taeyang's arm, embracing him, and their hands interlocked. While Taeyang's heart calmed with her gesture, a lingering emptiness persisted, as Yuna had yet to answer his question.

-~o*o~-

After the play, they strolled aimlessly, letting the evening unfold its mysteries around them.

"Hey, Yuna. What program are you on?" Taeyang asked.

"I'm from the College of Mass Communication, BA Broadcasting Communications," Yuna replied. "How about you?"

"BS Chemical Engineering from the College of Engineering," Taeyang proudly replied.

"Wow, so you're a super-duper smart guy too?" Yuna was amazed. "Can I see your ID?"

Taeyang, confused by the sudden request, handed his ID over to Yuna for inspection.

"Yes, you are!" Yuna replied. Unbeknownst to Taeyang, Yuna was subtly checking his birthday. "Wow, your blood type is AB too?"

"Yes, it's a rare type. And it's considered the royal blood type," Taeyang boasted, showcasing his intelligence.

"My birthday is near," Yuna said softly as she handed back his ID.

As the words sank in, Taeyang's mind raced, desperately trying to recall any mention of Yuna's birthday in their conversations. Checking her ID would be too obvious, and he was determined to surprise her. Frustration brewed inside him; the effort to remember was draining his energy. Yuna, aware of Taeyang's internal struggle, observed him with amusement as they continued their stroll.

"Taeyang," Yuna called, her finger pointing to the bright red sun sinking gracefully, casting a warm glow that painted the sky with hues of orange, purple, and blue. They found themselves at the main entrance, where the great statue of King Sejong, facing the West, loomed over them.

"Someday, I'll have my own segment at KBS," she softly spoke aloud to herself.

"You can do it," Taeyang reassured her, and Yuna appreciated his encouraging words.

"What do you want to be 10, 15, or 20 years from now?" she curiously asked.

"Wherever life takes me, as long as I'm with you," he replied, his gaze locked with Yuna's, a subtle urgency in his eyes, silently pressing her for an answer.

Her face was flushed red with a mixture of embarrassment and contemplation. Shyly reacting to Taeyang's heartfelt words, Yuna, feeling a mix of flattery, nervousness, and a hint of being overwhelmed, skillfully diverted the conversation. "Let's continue walking," she replied, a subtle evasion hanging in the air. The unspoken question lingered, leaving Taeyang yearning for an answer and Yuna grappling with the complexity of her feelings, unable to respond just yet.

-~o*o~-

As the evening deepened, Yuna and Taeyang sought refuge in a secluded waiting shed at the far end of the university. The gentle symphony of cicadas serenaded the surroundings, weaving a tranquil atmosphere around them.

"Yuna, why do we have to hide when we want to be together?" Taeyang finally dropped the question that had been lingering. "I'm going crazy not knowing what I am to you."

Yuna, gazing into Taeyang's eyes, felt the weight of his uncertainty. The rain started, transforming into a heavy downpour.

She began, "Can you handle gangsters?"

"Are you prepared to lose a lot to be with me?"

"Can you put me first, above all things?"

Each question drilled into Taeyang's mind. Bold in words, yet unable to commit, fear showed in his eyes. Yuna reached out, holding his face, and softly kissed him, a calming reassurance.

In her sweet, cold voice, she whispered, "Please be patient, my Taeyang. I can't let you be involved in my personal baggage. I don't want to be unfair to you."

Taeyang, understanding the complexities of Yuna's situation, accepted her explanation. In that moment of profound understanding, they shared an intense kiss, as if trying to encapsulate all the unspoken promises and emotions that lay between them. It was a kiss that held the weight of unspoken reassurances and the promise of a future where they could be together without any shadows from the past.

"Taeyang," in her soft voice, "let's go out for a picnic tomorrow." As she read her fortune cookie while resting her head on Taeyang's shoulder.

"Shed the past's shadow, bask in love's fleeting radiance."

"In the eclipse of change, embrace the radiance of a love about to unfold."

-~o*o~-

They arrived safely at their respective residences, ready to call it a day and temper the excitement bubbling within them for tomorrow's picnic.

As Taeyang rested on his bed, his anticipation peaked as the phone notification lit up. However, it was a message from his mom, not Yuna, that appeared on the screen.

"Son, I will be in Seoul the day after tomorrow. Be sure to meet me up."

Meanwhile, Yuna, fresh from her shower, cast a glance at Taeyang's cap resting on her side table. Beside it was the handkerchief she had carefully embroidered with her initials, a gift for Taeyang. Her expectation for a message from him was met with a different reality as a notification flashed on her phone. It wasn't Taeyang, but a name she never wished to encounter again.

 "I'll be back tomorrow night."

The unexpected message from the past left a weight in the room, creating an atmosphere charged with unspoken tensions and looming decisions.

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

Some points to comment :)

This is definitely the climax! DRT a.k.a. "Defining the Relationship"

What do you think about their fortune cookies?

Oh, no! It's the mysterious text again, that keeps upsetting Yuna!