4

From then on, the new couple acted like they always did but they shared romantic dates and the occasional kiss in secret. Wooyoung was true to his word, and they took it steady, going with the flow. He didn't touch her intimately and she was grateful for his devotion. She felt bad that she didn't tell her twin, but she was worried about what he would do if he found out his younger sister was dating his friend.

On their graduation day, Yoojin took many pictures with her friends and classmates. She found out that she would be attending the same high school as Wooyoung – Jisung High School. Huiyeon was going there too, but sadly, Eunhye was off to a different one. Unfortunately, Youngbin was also going somewhere else. Their parents wanted him to go to the best school, so they sent him to Byeoksan High School, an all-boys school. As the younger child, Yoojin was sent to the next best school, but she didn't mind since she had Wooyoung.

As they took pictures in the school yard, Eunhye cried. The two girls reassured her that they'll still hang out a lot. Their graduation was finally over, and they finished it with some more selfies – laughing at Eunhye's tear-streaked face. They were planning on seeing each other in the next few days anyways.

"Let's go get jjajangmyeon," Yoojin exclaimed excitedly as she walked out with her twin and her boyfriend.

Since their parents were busy as usual, Yoojin wanted them to still celebrate with the classic graduation meal.

"Call," the two boys agreed simultaneously. 

They went to a close restaurant and ordered jjajangmyeon, noodles in black bean sauce. Yoojin sat next to Youngbin and opposite Wooyoung. Being opposite her boyfriend while being with her brother made her awkward, especially with the secret looks Wooyoung would give her. She felt a nudge on her foot, and she glared at the boy. Luckily, Youngbin was distracted by the arrival of the noodles, and they immediately dug in.

"What's with you two? Why do you two seem awkward?" Youngbin asked, slurping down the noodles.

Youngbin always knew what Yoojin was feeling, and he always knew how to cheer her up. Whenever she was sad, he'd be there with a melon ice cream and passionate words to make her feel better.

"Us? We just can't believe it's the end of middle school and we're going to go to high school together without you," Wooyoung quickly covered for them.

Youngbin looked suspicious for a second, glancing between the two, but it disappeared immediately. "You better not be kissing and all that shit next year."

"Don't worry," Yoojin added.

She was going to say that they won't, but Youngbin could always tell when she was lying straight away.

They finished the jjajangmyeon and went home. However, they had plans later that night. For their graduation, Youngbin thought it would be a great idea to celebrate by going to a club for the first time. Their cousin Seokdae got them fake ids and the four of them would go to a small club that Seokdae frequented.

Yoojin didn't want to go, but their parents, who were out as always, have been making Youngbin look after Yoojin. So, when they lied and said they were just going over to Seokdae's house, their parents said that she had to go with her brother. Yoojin could've lied and ditched her brother, but she thought that she might as well go – at least she'd be with Wooyoung.

"Just stay close and don't take things from strangers," Seokdae warned the three 15-year-olds.

They nodded and entered the dark building. Inside, Yoojin was blinded by the bright, magenta lights in the dim place. It stank of alcohol and was infested with people dancing or just hanging around the bar. The heavy music resonated her heartbeat. Wooyoung stuck close by to ward off strangers. The girl was wearing a midnight blue dress but her brother made sure she didn't go out with one that was too short.

Wooyoung gripped Yoojin's hand as the four weaved through the crowd and made it to the couches at the back, which was already mostly occupied by one girl and two guys. Seokdae warmly greeted them and took a seat, encouraging the others to follow. Youngbin pulled Yoojin to sit next to him, and Wooyoung sat on the other side of his girlfriend. She felt awkward in this overwhelming place but Wooyoung lightly stroking her hand calmed her down. They introduced themselves and Seokdae went and got them some drinks – light alcohol.

Yoojin tried a small sip and instantly scrunched up her nose in disgust. "Damn, alcohol tastes like shit."

Wooyoung laughed. "Youngbin must be rubbing off on you. You're swearing just like him."

Downing his drink at once, Youngbin rolled his eyes. Then he picked up the small drugs on the table, looking at them curiously. Yoojin was worried.

"Youngbin, don't start on drugs, please," she begged.

"Okay, okay," her twin said as he put them back down.

"You wanna go get some more drinks?" Seokdae asked Youngbin.

The boy nodded and the two ventured off. When he left, Wooyoung laced his fingers with Yoojin, who returned his smile. The girl that sat on the opposite couch decided to replace Youngbin's spot next to the only other girl.

"Have you two been dating for long?" the girl, Youngyi, asked Yoojin.

Youngyi was a short girl with bangs and black hair that touched her shoulders with pink tips.

"Just a few months," Yoojin answered. "But don't tell Youngbin; it's a secret."

"Ooh, a secret – I love it," Youngyi's small eyes glistened. "Wow, I love your necklace too. It's so pretty. Where'd you get it from?"

The girl leaned forward to inspect the silver necklace around Yoojin's neck. Yoojin blushed, showing her the flower necklace that her boyfriend got her. At the same time, she stiffly leaned back to give them some distance.

"It was a birthday present from Wooyoung," the girl explained.

"Aww, that's so sweet," Youngyi gushed, clapping her hands together. "I know! Why don't we go shopping together one day? It gets lonely being the only girl sometimes."

Yoojin nodded. "Sure, that sounds fun."

"Awesome. Now, let's go dance."

The enthusiastic girl pulled Yoojin up and over to the dance area, where the music grooved everyone's bodies. Yoojin decided to follow Youngyi and just let loose, dancing as she did. Tagging along, Wooyoung stood a few feet from them protectively. While Yoojin wasn't much of a party animal, she wasn't a horrendous dancer, and her smile of pure joy made Wooyoung light up as always.

When the boy saw another guy brush against Yoojin, anger burned his bones. Glaring at the guy, Wooyoung pushed him away and stood right next to Yoojin. Startled, Yoojin looked up at her boyfriend. Her eyes searched for her twin and found him far away, making friends with other guys – quite preoccupied indeed.

Turning back to Wooyoung, she grabbed his hands, urging him to dance along. Of course, he couldn't resist her cheerful smile, and he bounced along to the beat. They danced together all night long – no longer middle school students.

The following holidays were well spent as Yoojin went camping with her friends and hung out with her brother, her cousin and Youngyi.

Most of all, she enjoyed her time with Wooyoung. Things were going great, but he'd often have his fighting broadcasts and she asked him to stop them. Like usual, he refused, swaying her heart when he thanked her for being the reason he found his hobby that meant a lot to him. The young boy never really had anything that he liked and didn't know what to do with his life, but Yoojin was always a great comfort to talk to about that. He had many prizes from competitions and wanted to pursue a career in boxing. That part she was fine with, but she disliked it when he extorted money to beat people up.

High school started well and Yoojin made some friends who joined her, Huiyeon and Wooyoung. A few weeks into their school year, they were already loaded with assignments and tests. Youngbin was doing well at Byeoksan High School, but he said that he always ranks second to this other annoying boy.

On a Friday evening, Yoojin was hanging out with Wooyoung at his boxing gym. They hadn't had much time that week to relax together so Wooyoung asked her to visit since he wanted to train, and she couldn't say no. She had been there a few times when he wanted her company, though she usually drew, and he was okay with that. Earlier, Yoojin had exercised with him while there were other people but when they left, she took out her sketchbook and sat on the bench.

There were several punching bags hanging from the ceiling around the boxing ring and Wooyoung was stationed at the one closest to Yoojin. It was a fairly big and clean space with black walls and lockers along one side.

While Yoojin hated watching him fight, she liked watching him train and exercise; he was always so focused. She was still a girl – her heart fluttered seeing his muscles. Yoojin wasn't the jealous type but she secretly revelled when a girl was ignored by Wooyoung. She liked how she was the only one who could hold him.

"I got a part-time job at a café this week," Yoojin said, touching up a portrait of Wooyoung boxing.

Being the only two people in the place, it was silent – save for Wooyoung throwing jabs at the punching bag. He let out a breath.

"That's good. You didn't want to use your parents' money, right?" the boy asked, already knowing the answer.

"Yeah. I'll get into an art academy and university with my own money. And then I'll become a well-respected artist and sell my paintings and travel the world with you. Hmm, I guess I should save up more money then," Yoojin rambled.

Finally, Wooyoung took a break next to Yoojin, gulping down some water. He stretched, wincing when he put too much pressure into his fist. On the back of his left hand, blood had reappeared from a recent wound. When Yoojin spotted that from the corner of her eye, she lightly gasped.

"Was that from yesterday's fight?" she asked.

She still avoided watching the videos, but Huiyeon updated her whenever he had fights.

"Mm," Wooyoung confirmed before pretending to be in pain. "Ah, it hurts so much. Can you bandage it for me?"

Yoojin rolled her eyes but followed his instructions to get the first-aid kit from the cupboard. She gently rubbed the ointment on his cut and with his façade gone, Wooyoung tried to hide the hiss that escaped his lips when she touched him.

"I thought you were all strong and tough," Yoojin teased.

"I am," Wooyoung quipped.

The girl simply shook her head and stuck the band-aid on his wound, patting it softly.

"Done. Anything else?"

Wooyoung nodded, sticking out his cheek. "My face and lips hurt. Can you kiss it better for me?"

"I thought you were all strong and tough," was Yoojin's cheeky reply.

"Not with you sometimes."

Yoojin's cheeks blossomed pink. She moved forward and kissed Wooyoung, who responded right away. Her hands gently cupped his face. Even though he was sweaty, she didn't mind; he still tasted of mint and wood.

"Just... just be careful," she requested when they broke away. "You know I hate to see you get hurt."

"I know, I promise," he sounded sincere.

"Still, can't you stop fighting? Some of the people you beat up on request probably don't even deserve it. And even if they did, violence is never the answer. It just creates a scarier and more painful world. The scars it makes don't disappear. Just think about why you beat them up. You don't know half the time, right? You're just letting the rich and strong get a higher pedestal."

The boy faltered, knowing where she was coming from. "I don't know what I'm doing half the time in my life, or all the time."

"Me too. You don't have to know. We're just teenagers," Yoojin paused to think, her eyes roaming the dark boxing gym. "And that's why we should live while we're young and enjoy life happily."

"Okay, I'll try not to beat people up without a reason and I'll do less fights."

"Thank you. And besides, you don't even need that much money yet, right?"

'For you', Wooyoung thought. He wanted to save up money for him and for her, the person he was closest to most. He wanted to make her know that she was loved, and he wanted to spoil her. 

Yoojin on the other hand, wasn't giving up in making the world a better place. Whenever she saw someone bullying, she tried hard not to turn a blind eye, even though it was human nature to ignore it. Indeed, she had stopped her brother and another bully at her school - who never bullied again because of her and also because of Youngbin always backing up his sister.

Then Wooyoung changed the conversation, stretching his wrists and arms. "So, how about bike riding by the Han river next weekend?"

"Sounds good," Yoojin let herself smile and bookmark their previous talk.

She enjoyed their bike rides along the river, which they did quite often as well as runs in that same area. It was their favourite special place together to enjoy the sunset and eat Wooyoung's favourite food, triangle gimbap. In fact, that was their very first date – a simple picnic by the Han river under the large tree. 

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I'mma try upload chapters whenever I can. It'll probably be all done by the end of next week, give or take a few days or weeks (jokes).

*Pic is Youngyi

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