<JC Activity Center>

"Cheol uncle!!" Jiah ran towards the man who was standing in front of the canvas he was painting on.

"Oh." Seungcheol smiled widely, "Come here, princess."

Jiah chuckled; her eyes glimmering as she settled her bag on the table beside Seungcheol's desk, "You know? My paintings got so many compliments. You taught me so well."

Seungcheol ruffled her hair, "And you learnt so well."

"See this." Jiah showed him her report card.

"Wow, such a hardworking and bright girl!" Seungcheol grinned, "Now now, I want to give you a present. What do you want?"

"You're forgetting something, uncle." Jiah chuckled mischievously, "You had promised to tell me about your special person if I do well in my exams."

Seungcheol laughed slightly, "You little girl, why are you interested in these things?"

"Please, I want to know about J uncle." Jiah whined, "I want to know how older people fall in love. I know nothing about it."

"Because it's not your age baby." Seungcheol pinched her nose.

"What's wrong in just knowing a story?" Jiah pouted, "You're my bestie, I need to know about your special person."

"Okay, okay, I'll tell my best friend about my story." Seungcheol chuckled, "It's not a complete one though. It's an incomplete story."

"Don't worry." Jiah grinned, "I'll complete it."

Seungcheol laughed at the little girl's innocence, "Oh you surely will."

Jiah sat on her chair, unpacking her stuff to start drawing, "So, start!"

Seungcheol continued his painting as he began, "So you already know, the special person would be called J uncle for you. He was really gorgeous, a gem, someone who had only positive aura around himself."

"Wow!" Jiah exclaimed, "So you liked him because he was too beautiful and handsome?"

"Not because of that." Seungcheol took a deep breath, "I used to love him for his personality. The way he would speak so beautifully to take all my worries away. His smile had the power to heal all of my pain."

"You don't love him anymore?" Jiah hummed.

Seungcheol halted in his task. No, he didn't. He didn't love him anymore, he won't even try to see his face ever again.

But it was hard to say. Lying to Jiah felt like lying to himself.

"Let's keep it for later, no spoilers." Seungcheol chuckled.

"Oh~~" Jiah nodded, "Interesting."

"It was hard to approach him though." Seungcheol laughed, recalling how silly they were back then.

"Why?" Jiah asked, "You said he was a bright person, so why was it hard?"

"Because I was anxious." Seungcheol scratched the back of his neck.

"Wait wait wait!" Jiah stood up excitedly, "You started liking him right after seeing him?"

Seungcheol got a bit flustered, "Yeah. We were in college together. Our friend's group was like a family. We were working in different streams but we were somehow always together."

"So fun!" Jiah sat back again, "So what happened next?"

"It's really funny." Seungcheol hesitated a bit.

"Oh, I'm so sorry-" Jeonghan apologized as he bumped into Seungcheol.

Seungcheol's breath was caught in his throat. The person he had been admiring since day one was now standing in front of him.

Jeonghan frowned slightly at the empty reply, "Hello? Back to earth?"

"Uh-" Seungcheol cleared his throat, "It's alright." He quickly left.

"What?" Jiah laughed out loud, "J uncle must have thought you're rude."

"Oh, he surely did." Seungcheol chuckled, "Only until I went to return him his notebook which he had accidentally left when he had bumped into me."

"Oh, thanks." Jeonghan acknowledged, still a bit awkward because of how Seungcheol had behaved on their first encounter.

"That day-" Seungcheol paused, "I was lost in my thoughts, so I behaved like that."

"I get it." Jeonghan nodded.

"I saw your name on the notebook, Yoon Jeonghan." Seungcheol put forward his hand, "Choi Seungcheol."

Jeonghan shook his hand, "Nice to meet you."

"And after that, we never left each other's hands." Seungcheol smiled, recalling how beautiful those days were, "We slowly got to know each other. I was a trainee while he was preparing to become a doctor."

"Woah!" Jiah exclaimed, "My dad is also a doctor."

"That's great." Seungcheol acknowledged.

"Then, what happened next?" Jiah asked.

"Then we gradually became best friends, inseparable." Seungcheol smiled, "Everyone used to say that we could never be apart.

We started developing feelings for each other. It was mutual since the beginning."

"Wow you're so cute when talking about him." Jiah clapped, "You still like him, right?"

Seungcheol gulped subtly at the little girl's remark. She looked happy because she wasn't aware what the actual world held.

She was thinking of this story as a disney one when in reality it was a world that had fallen apart.

"Then arrived the day when I decided to speak my heart out to him." Seungcheol nodded, "But, guess what happened?"

"Jeonghan, can we meet today in the evening?" Seungcheol asked as they both walked together amidst the celebration of the graduation ceremony.

"No way I was going to ask the same." Jeonghan gasped, "I'll tell you the venue."

"But-"

"No ifs and buts." Jeonghan frowned, "I'll text you the place and time Mr. Choi, and you'll dress up like a gentleman for it."

"Seungcheol laughed briefly, "Sure sure."

Noon went by and evening arrived, Seungcheol got ready as he was asked to and reached the destination.

"Hey!" Jeonghan patted his back while they stood in front of a restaurant.

Seungcheol turned around to see him and he could swear he felt his eyes pop out and throat going dry.

Jeonghan was looking elegant in that suit, mesmerizing and alluring as ever.

"Ay you look so handsome." Jeonghan remarked, "These flowers are for me?"

"Yeah." Seungcheol chuckled nervously, "Take this. And you look gorgeous, really."

"Thankyou, let's go." Jeonghan guided him to the reception first. He talked to the receptionist after which they were led to a vip cabin, decorated elegantly.

"Wow today's not my birthday, Jeonghan." Seungcheol teased.

"Stupid." Jeonghan grinned, "Let's take a seat."

Both of them shared a quality time together, eating and laughing along.

When they were finally done, Jeonghan stood up, "Now, the real surprise."

"What is it?" Seungcheol stood up as well.

"I want to tell you something." Jeonghan inhaled a deep breath as he slowly held the older's hand.

"I'm listening." Seungcheol gently stated.

"Seungcheol, I-" Jeonghan paused to gather all of his courage, "I love you."

Seungcheol's eyes widened, his heartbeat racing as if it will explode any second.

"I love you a lot." Jeonghan continued, "There's no doubt in saying that you're very important and precious to me.

I want to treasure you forever, like a gem. I just want you beside me all the time to gain strength and assurance, that I'm not alone.

If any day, I get separated from you, I don't know how will I survive. My life will become suffocating for me if you'll not be there.

I really want you as my life partner, Seungcheol. I want to enjoy life with you. I love you."

Seungcheol embraced him immediately, "I love you too Jeonghan. I've been dying to say this since forever but you won, of course.

But, all the things you said, apply to me too. Even I can't imagine getting separated from you. Don't leave me, ever."

Seungcheol inhaled a deep breath. The memories which should have been happy ones, only brought pain to him.

He couldn't believe that it was a lie, he just couldn't.

He had seen the truth in Jeonghan's eyes when he had confessed his love to him.

Then what was that? Why did he push him away so coldly as if even their friendship meant nothing.

What was this separation without a proper goodbye?

Why just why?!

"So what happened to him Cheol?" The kid, Jiah innocently asked, "Are you still together with him?"

"No." Seungcheol chuckled bitterly.

"But why?" Jiah pouted, "I wanted to meet him too. He seems to be a sweet uncle."

"His parents wanted him to marry a girl." Seungcheol scoffed, "So we had to part ways. They wanted me to stay away from him."

"My dad also tried to keep me away from one of my friends because he thought she was not a good girl." Jiah recalled, "But then I explained him that she was nice and he listened to me. Why did J uncle not do that?"

"J uncle tried a lot but his parents didn't agree." Seungcheol ruffled her hair.

"Why? His parents were not like my dad? Were they bad parents?" Jiah asked.

"No hun, they were not bad. They were just a bit strict." Seungcheol replied.

"No I hate his parents." Jiah pouted again.

"No hun, we shouldn't hate anyone." Seungcheol smiled.

"Cheol, do you know, my dad will come to pick me up today." Jiah grinned widely, "I want you to meet him."

"Meet me? Why?" Seungcheol questioned.

"Because you're my friend. My dad knows all of my friends except for you so I told him that I'll make him meet you today." Jiah explained, "I've told him about you a lot but because of our promise, I didn't tell him your name. So introduce yourself to him today."

"Okay sure." Seungcheol nodded.

"Oh my baby Jiah!!" A voice echoed in the room. Jiah immediately turned around, "DAD!!"

The voice was a bit too familiar to Seungcheol, he was completely taken aback. His heart beat raised as he scrunched his brows and shut his eyes tightly. He recalled how his world was crumbled down a few years ago.

Jiah climbed onto her father's hold, "Dad, he's my best friend."

"Oh." Jeonghan nodded, "Hello, sir?"

"He's a bit shy, put me down." Jiah asked after which she patted Seungcheol's shoulder. He stood up and slowly turned around.

Jeonghan's smile faded in thin air as Seungcheol avoided any eye contact.

Jiah held Jeonghan's hand and Seungcheol's hand, "Introduce!!"

Jeonghan gulped the lump in his throat as he bowed, "Hello, I'm Dr. Yoon Jeonghan, Jiah's father. Nice to meet you."

"Hi." Seungcheol cleared his throat, "I'm Choi Seungcheol, Jiah's friend. Pleasure to see you Dr. Yoon."

"Yayy!!" Jiah jumped, "Okay Cheol, we'll meet again tomorrow!"

"Of course." Seungcheol chuckled as he patted her head.

"Let's go Jiah!" Jeonghan tried to smile as he managed to walk out of the room with his daughter. But he definitely left his heart and soul behind.

"No, no, not like this!" Jiah protested while dragging Jeonghan back.

"What happened baby?" Jeonghan gently asked.

"Let's go to eat snacks together." Jiah jumped excitedly, "Me, you and Cheol!"

Jeonghan managed to speak, somehow, "He must be busy, right?"

Seungcheol looked away. Who was he to say if he was busy or not?

"He's not busy." Jiah pouted as she clinged onto Seungcheol's arm, "Please Cheol, please!"

"Y-yeah okay." Seungcheol smiled nervously.

"Yay!" Jiah clapped, "Let's go to the cafeteria of the academy." She ran away with her little steps.

Jeonghan looked at Seungcheol with a hint of astonishment, guilt and longing in his eyes while the older avoided any eye contact.

Jeonghan took Jiah's bag, "Careful Jiah, don't run!" He followed her out and so did Seungcheol.

Seungcheol walked aimlessly, the situation being a reality check for him.

Jeonghan was married as he knew but now he had a kid as well.

A happy family, he had.

And what did Seungcheol have? A bunch of unanswered questions which haunted his mind everyday.

The person he used to love with his heart and soul had went away to build a family without even looking back.

And here he was, still standing at the back, hoping for a miracle to happen someday so that he could find out the truth.

Afterall, that's the least he could ask for, an explanation, right?

Seungcheol chuckled bitterly as he muttered to himself, "At least he's happy."

Three of them took a seat on the table near the window.

"Dad, sandwhiches." Jiah looked through the menu.

"Alright, what else?" Jeonghan asked.

"Umm oreo shake." Jiah replied.

"Okay." Jeonghan looked up to Seungcheol, "What will you like to-"

"I'll ask!" Jiah whined, "Oh I've something interested in mind."

"What is it?" Seungcheol asked softly.

"I'll ask what you want to eat and you both will answer at the same time." Jiah chuckled, "I play this game with my friends in school."

"Okay baby, anything you ask." Jeonghan pinched her nose.

"So answer in-" Jiah smiled, "3...2...1"

""Same as you, princess.""

Both answered at the same time as their heads snapped to each other.

The familiar feeling of thinking alike, doing everything together, having the same mindset.

Nostalgic.

And with that, it brought a familiar ache in both of their hearts.

The ache of not being together anymore.

"Wow you both can be besties too!" Jiah exclaimed, "Now let's order."

The order was placed as they waited for it.

"So, Dr. Yoon." Seungcheol crossed his arms across his chest, "How's work? And...family?"

Jeonghan knew the underlying sarcasm in the question, "It's alright, what about you?"

"Great." Seungcheol nodded.

"Mom doesn't liv-"

"What's on your face, Jiah?" Jeonghan intervened while taking a tissue and dabbing it on her lips.

"What was it?" Jiah asked.

"I don't know exactly, you're just clumsy." Jeonghan ruffled her hair.

Silence fell around them as Jeonghan asked, "So, Mr. Choi, how are you doing these days? And everyone?"

"Everyone?" Seungcheol raised a brow.

The audacity? Jeonghan was the one who left everyone with harsh words and now that they met accidentally, he thinks he deserves to know about their daily lives?

Why would he care? Why should he care? Why did he care?

Not happening.

"Don't worry about everyone, Dr. Yoon." Seungcheol muttered, "Anyways, your daughter is adorable."

"Thanks." Jeonghan chuckled forcefully, "So you're her academy friend."

"Yeah." Jiah exclaimed, "I never told you about his name and all because of our promise. See, I told you, right? He's a nice uncle."

"Yeah." Jeonghan paused, "You kept your promise."

"Unlike her father." Seungcheol muttered for only Jeonghan to hear it.

Jeonghan looked up to him, his fists clenching, "Yeah, very unlikely."

Seungcheol averted his gaze.

Looking at Jeonghan, he couldn't help himself. No matter how much he wanted to avoid him but as a matter of face, Jeonghan was indeed the best he could ever have.

A/n : Found You 2.0 public, let me tell you, it's way worse than it.

Anyways take care everyone!
-Jeonghanneyonghaseyo