A story so old, I don't know when it started...

The girl who lives in the Spring Land saw the handsome boy from the Land of Ice, next to him was the pretty girl from the Winter Land. They were always smiling together, so she forcefully hid her beautiful heart and prayed for the beautiful pair for their hearts to never change. She prayed to the sky every day.

"Sis?"

I snapped my attention from my book to the door and saw my brother peeking inside my room.

"Yes, oppa?"

He smiled, making me automatically smile too. I've always loved his smiles.

"Eomma needs you downstairs. Oppa's going to class now."

I nodded and placed the book on my bed, stood up and smoothened my skirt. I stepped toward him as he opened the door wider. When I was at arm's length, he draped his arms around my small shoulder and brought me closer to him. We descended the stairs together.

"What were you reading?"

I fumbled with my fingers, an act I do whenever I'm nervous. "Um... the story of a girl from the Spring land and the boy from the Ice land."

He chuckled and shook his head. "You're still reading that ever since we got it from the antique store? I mean, how did it even landed there? It was at a very peculiar place yet you found it and brought it home."

"I-I like it."

"I know you do, but give the other books a chance, okay? I bought you a new book last week, have you started on it yet?"

I felt a rush on my cheeks. Speaking of which, I might have misplaced the book he bought me. Oh my god.

"Um, maybe tonight."

We reached the bottom of stairs and he stopped, pulling me into halt with him. I looked up, expecting him to be mad for choosing an old book instead of a new one that he personally picked for me, but he only looked at me kindly, that smile never faltered from his face.

"Alright, kiddo. Tell me what you think, okay?" He winked and ruffled my hair slightly, making me pout. I disliked it when he did that. It wasn't easy to style a long hair, and my big brother liked to touch it.

"I told you, my hair is off limit, oppa." I stressed, running my fingers through my locks.

He laughed and walked into the kitchen. "Okay lil sis, it's not like Jungkook would notice that small change on your hair. You always wear it down, try tying it for once."

I let out a gasp. "I wasn't trying to impress him!"

He waved his hand dismissively.

"Suuree, keep telling yourself that." He said, still laughing. He took his key from the brown bowl where we kept our keys. It's convenient and no one would suddenly lose their key when they're in a rush. "Come give me a hug."

A smile tugged on my lips as I walked to him and circled my arms around his middle. He was taller than I was and I only reached his shoulder. Whenever I hug him, I would place my ear on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. It soothed me, like my brother, it made me feel safe.

"My little sister, when are you going to grow up taller?"

I pulled away and attempted a frown. Way to crush the mood, brother.

"I'm not small, you're just big." He laughed heartily at that and went into the living room, me trailing behind him.

"Eomma, I'm going now."

"Oh, geurae? Arraseo, be careful, Himchan-ah." Mom stood up and gave him a bear hug which he returned. I unconsciously smiled at the scene. My brother basically towered over everyone in this house, well except for my dad of course. They're of the same height.

"Ne. I'm going, see you guys tonight." He grinned and stepped out of the front door, but before he closed it, he looked back and said to me. "Give him your famous stew today, he'd love you for that." He winked and walked off, leaving me in an awkward situation with an older woman who raised her eyebrow at me.

xxxxx

"Can I please have another plate of perilla leaves, ahjumma?" A guy called and Mom nodded.

"Okay!" She replied and turned to me. "Chaewon-ah, can you send this to the guy over there?"

"Arasseo, eomma." I nodded and took the plate while balancing a tray of hot stews on my other hand. I was used in helping my family at our small restaurant, so balancing trays wasn't a problem, even though it's full and heavy.

"Here you go." I placed the plate on the guy's table and went to serve another tables for their stews. That's when the wind-chimes clinked, signalling that someone had just entered the place.

"Welcome!" I called out without looking back. I gave the customer her spoon and chopsticks, and wished them a good meal before turning around.

I froze.

There stood him with all his wonders and I could've sworn I heard an angelic choir at the background.

"J-jungkook." I stuttered and he smiled, his long legs strode toward me. I was losing my breath with every steps he took, and I became extremely self-conscious. Was I dressed prettily today? Or should I've worn my best summer dress instead? Ugh!

"Hey, Chaewon." He waved and stopped in front of me. He glanced around the busy restaurant. "I came here to eat. Uh- do you have any quiet table?"

"I-um, I think the table at the corner is empty."

His face lit up and I was mesmerised. How can someone be so gorgeous? It should be illegal. He could kill someone with that stare.

"That's cool! Um, I'll be having a meal for two, but my friend isn't here yet. Can I wait there?"

"Oh, only two? Where are the rest?" My eyes trailed to the door, half expecting Hoseok to waltz in any seconds now.

"I don't come here with the boys today." He smiled sheepishly and ran a hand through his hair. I stared at his soft black hair. Oh how I wanted to touch it too...

"Okay, follow me." I walked to the lone table and he tailed after, shooting me more of that gorgeous smile when we arrived. Luckily, I've taught myself how to behave so that I won't embarrass myself in front of the school's hottest guy and every girls' dream. My dream.

"Thank you." He shrugged off his jacket and draped it over his chair. That's when I noticed the bouquet on the table.

"No problem." I said, but my eyes were still on those pink flowers. Wonder who is it for. "Can I get you anything while you're waiting?"

"Perhaps a cold tea, please. It's a little hot in here." He laughed awkwardly and I looked back up. He was fanning his face and his cheeks were slightly pink. I stared at him curiously. The ceiling fan was basically above him.

I shrugged the thought away. He's just feeling a little hot, Chaewon. Just get him his tea.

"Okay, it will come right up." I smiled a little trying to ease his feelings. "Please sit."

I rushed into the kitchen after I said that. It wasn't that far from Jungkook's table so it wasn't hard for me to see him, which was why I was glued on the wall as I peeked at him, watching as he fanned himself with the menu.

"What are we looking at?" Someone whispered.

"That guy." I whispered back.

"Is that him?"

"Yeah-" I trailed off, turning my head toward the owner of the voice and jumped slightly when I noticed Mom's face next to mine.

"Oh my god, eomma, what are you doing here?" I asked still in a hushed tone before I noticed. "And why am I whispering?"

She placed her hands on her hips. "And aren't you a creep? Why are you staring at him like a stalker?"

I blushed, hard. "Eomma! I wasn't staring!"

She raised an eyebrow. "Suuree." I groaned in frustration.

"Is that the guy your brother talked about?"

"No! Quit it, eomma." I whined and suddenly remembered about Jungkook's order.

She rolled her eyes. "Fine don't tell me. But I don't permit you to have a boyfriend right now, you're still young."

Someone kill me.

I walked past her to the get his drink. "He's not my boyfriend, eomma."

"And it should stay like that!" She announced loudly and I visibly winced. "Oh my gosh, the meat!" She rushed to where we usually did the cooking and I took the chance to run away from my Mom.

But before I stepped out of the kitchen, I pulled my hair up in a high ponytail and grab a hold of myself. I walked into the restaurant calmly, like my mother didn't just caught me surreptitiously watching the guy I like.

My big brother would be proud.

Jungkook was talking with someone in his phone when I walked to him, but when he saw me he quickly cut the call short and sent me a shy smile.

I pretended like I didn't notice it and placed the glass of cold beverage on the table near him.

"Ah, thank you." He took a sip and nodded. "This is good!"

"Thanks."

He put the glass back on the table and looked at me. His eyebrows shot up in a surprise.

"You tied your hair."

I shifted nervously. "Yeah, I did."

"You should do it often, you look cute." He said bluntly and took another sip of his cold tea.

Well maybe he was just being kind, or perhaps he meant it as a joke. Maybe he meant I never looked cute before with my hair down but either way, my heart leaped and the butterflies erupted in my tummy.

And as if he didn't give me enough heart attack, he took one pink flower from the bouquet and handed it to me. My eyes widened in a fraction.

"A pretty flower for a pretty lady." He grinned boyishly. "Happy Valentines' day, Chaewon-ah."

Jungkook... he... just called me pretty!

"Are you going to accept it or not?" He laughed. I slowly reached and took the flower.

"T-thank you."

He smiled. "I thought you were going to reject it." He winked. "And you're welcome."

I stared at him and bit my bottom lip. Does he even aware of how he make me feel? Perhaps it's the right time to tell him that I like him.

Or maybe not.

"I-um, my Mom needs me. Uh... I'll come back for your order later."

"Okay." He nodded, still smiling, and being the stupid girl I am, I ran back into the kitchen.

I've returned to Jungkook after spending five minutes stuck on the wall in the kitchen with my Mom basically tried to peel me off that particular wall but I didn't want to leave. My heart was still beating hard like I had just finished a marathon. But I had to go out when Mom threatened me to cut off my allowance.

So here I was, taking countless of deep breaths by the kitchen entrance, eyes locked on the guy who sat at a lone table, scrolling on his phone and occasionally smiling at whatever he saw in it.

I slapped my cheek slightly and forced my legs to move. Before I knew it I was standing next to his table.

"Um, are you ready to order?"

Jungkook was smiling at his phone and when he heard my voice he looked up. He grinned and showed me the screen. "Can you believe it? Yoongi hyung went for a date!" He laughed. "Oh my, I feel bad for her."

My eyes trailed to the picture of a guy who looked a bit stiff with a pretty girl next to him. The girl smiled brightly holding the monopod while Yoongi looked like he was forced to take a picture with her.

"Who sent you that?" I asked, giggling at how awkward Yoongi was.

Jungkook shot me a crooked smile. "Jimin. I don't even know how he got it at the first place." He shook his head and locked his phone. "What were you saying?"

"Um, I was just asking you if you want to order anything?"

"Ah... well, can you wait a little longer? I'm waiting for my friend."

I looked around the restaurant and nodded. "Okay, just call me if you need me."

Just as I turn around heading back to the kitchen the wind-chimes clinked again.

"Welcome..." My head automatically whipped to the door and I stopped. "Jiho?"

As soon as I mentioned that name, Jungkook stood up.

"You're here! I was beginning to get worried." He said and walk past me to her. He leaded her to the table.

"Hi Chaewon!" Jiho greeted. "Jungkook said your stew is sooooo good, so I'm here to try it." She smiled and I switched my eyes to Jungkook.

He must've seen the confusion on my face that he looked down sheepishly. "Yeah..."

"Oh let's sit down. I'm sooo hungry. Daddy brought me out to buy gift for Mommy, that's why I'm a bit late. I'm sorry Jungkook." She rambled as Jungkook pulled the chair out for her and pushed it back in. She smiled at him gratefully.

I watched it all.

"That's okay. I just arrived too." He said. "Oh, here." He handed the flowers to her.

I blinked. So it was for Jiho.

She squealed in delight. "Oh my gosh!" She took it and smelled the flowers. I would've looked like a dog, but it wasn't the same case as Jiho. She looked like she was shooting a broadcast or something.

"I love it, thank you!"

Jungkook turned to me. "We'll order now."

I liked working in the restaurant, I really do. And I also liked waiting tables, because I could meet new people and interact with them. Most of the customers were regulars and I knew them so well that I knew what they would want to order.

But today I hated it.

I was the waitress of course, there's no one else. But that only mean that I will go out there and meet Jungkook. Why the hell did I let him sit near to the kitchen.

I had settled their orders and like Jiho said, she ordered a big bowl of stew and urged me to serve it fast. Jungkook laughed at her impatience and thought it was cute. I, on the other hand had a very deep scowl on when I walked back into the kitchen for their orders. My Mom was surprised but she didn't ask any further.

When I served the food, I plastered a smile and it stuck on my face like I had glued it on. My movement was like it was programmed. Take it from the tray, and place it on the table. Smile and repeat. Jungkook seemed to have noticed the change of behaviour but he didn't ask since Jiho was talking about the pink ballet shoes her Daddy got her.

Charming.

I wished them a happy meal and excused myself quietly. I hurried back into the kitchen, not daring to give them a second glance.

During their meal, I was roaming around the place, getting orders and serving them. But my attentions were somewhere else. Jiho laughed at any funny things Jungkook said, and when Jiho had a bit of stew below her lip, Jungkook made a sweet move to wipe them off with his thumb.

I mean, how cute was that?

He grinned boyishly after that as Jiho's cheeks turned pink. Like her ballet shoes.

The scowl on my face deepened when he leaned over the small table slightly and Jiho did the same. He whispered something into her ears and she giggled. God.

Look how happy you were, Jungkook, to the point that I hate you.

They had finished eating and I went to clear their table. I asked in a monotone voice if they wanted dessert and secretly hoped that they would say no. Unfortunately, Jiho nodded enthusiastically and ordered for them both. I glared at Jungkook but he seemed distracted... and nervous? I sighed and forced a smile, told them to wait for a bit and went to get their dessert.

Maybe I went out a tad bit too early. Maybe I should've waited a while in the kitchen, perhaps calm myself first before I walked out with the dessert. But I wanted them to go as soon as they can because I can't tolerate this feeling any longer. And I thought what happened was bad, but I was wrong.

I walked out and put my steps to halt when I saw it.

Jungkook was on his knees and fastened a shiny bracelet on her hand. She had her other small hand covering her mouth, her eyes widened in shock. It mirrored mine, except mine held pain.

"Dear Jiho, we have been friends for as long as I remember. You were there on my first game, and I was there on your first dance recital. We have become magnets, you move, I move. I didn't notice it before but having you by my side, completes me. I'm still young to say that I know what love could possibly feel like but if this is what it's like, I am happy to venture more with you. I believe that we are meant to be together, and I want you to be with me always. So, Kim Jiho, will you be my Valentine?"

Tears sprung but I kept watching, not because I wanted to, but because I was too in shock to move. Is this what it feels like when you see the person you liked for so long propose to another person? It's suffocating.

Should I be happy for him?

"A-are you sure?" Jiho asked, she too was crying.

But I bet those were happy tears.

He smiled and nodded. Jiho sniffled and hugged him around his neck.

"Of course. Of course I'd love to be your valentine. Forever and always."

My breath hitched. I thank god for I found the strength to walk away. Because then the dam broke. And I can't breathe.

I reached the kitchen and placed the tray of desserts on the table. Mom know that it was for them but she didn't ask why I returned with it. She told me to sit down and brought the desserts out herself. She came back a while later with an empty tray. I didn't feel like doing any work, I just sat there staring at the wooden table in front of me. I didn't make any move to stop the tears nor did I wipe them away. I didn't move because I was in a constant fight with myself. I wanted to keep it hidden while in the same time I wanted to lash out. Why did everything have to be difficult? The feelings that I hid, I'm afraid that people will see it and I'm afraid that it will reach him, so I'm in pain by myself.

I didn't notice when she went out again, I was completely blanked out. The only thing I caught was when she said, "They went home. He asked me to tell you thank you and Happy Valentines' day."

xxxxx

I plopped on my soft mattress once I returned home, my arms opened wide. I felt something poking on my wrist and I moved my hand to touch it. The rectangular shape was so familiar that I woke up and took it.

Fairytale, it said on the hard cover. I ran my fingers on its cursive font. I opened the book.

There was a girl who couldn't say anything. Even after time, even after seasons, she hid her unchanging heart. He looked so happy to the point where she hated him, but her feelings kept growing and became a secret she couldn't tell.

The girl who lives in Spring Land saw the handsome boy from the Land of Ice. Next to him was the pretty girl from the Winter Land. They were always smiling together so she forcefully hid her beautiful heart and prayed for the beautiful pair, for their hearts to never change. She prayed to the sky every day.

I took a deep breath and looked up to the night sky. The moon shone so bright, so beautiful. What's wrong with me? I should hate him, but I can't help my heart. It still whisper his name even after I witnessed the little love exchange between them.

So like a fool, I'm comforting myself.

Maybe this was why I loved this story so much, why I couldn't stop reading it even though I knew what happen. The girl in the story prayed every day without fail, just like me.

Both of us lost him. The heartbreaking fairytale seemed just like my story.

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