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Jeonghan quickly turns around to see the insect. It's a cockroach, a medium sized one but already full-winged. He chuckles at it.

"It's just a cockroach. It won't bite you Seunghee-shi," he states.

But before he knows it, Seunghee has already flung behind him. Clinging to his back like a wall, barricading herself from the small thing.

"Don't let it near me Jeonghan-shi."

She's so scared of the insect, she can't think straight anymore. She doesn't care if she's snuggling so close to him like her life is at danger or anything. She just doesn't want to be near the smelly insect. She's too disgusted of it, she can't take its smell.

Jeonghan can feel her snaking behind his back. Her hands softly tugging at his shirt and her body slightly touching his. He can't help but get enthralled. And he's also mesmerized by her scent. She smells like lavender and vanilla. It makes him wanna taste her. But tossing that perversion aside, he focuses on the matter at hand. He thanks this insect for barging in on them. With it, he's able to be this close to her.

"It's okay, I'll take care of it."

Seunghee stays put and Jeonghan goes over the thing calmly. He picks up his shoe and attempts to kill it when it suddenly, flies.

"Jeonghan-shi!!!"

Seunghee clings to his arm like a little child afraid of a monster. It surprises Jeonghan himself. She's too defenseless right now, like placing everything on the palm of his hands. But on the other note, he's enjoying every single second of it.

The cockroach settles at the cupboards. Still making Seunghee alert and watchful of it.

"It's alright, I got this now."

"Come on jeonghan-shi. Don't let it fly again!"

"Alright, alright."

Jeonghan approaches the bug and successfully for her, but unfortunate for him, kills it this time.

She sighs big time. This is gonna be a big problem for her living alone.

"It's the first time I saw a bug here. I better get some insect spray," she says dismayed.

"Let's buy some later. I'll buy some too," he replies picking up the antenna of the cockroach from the ground and tosses it to the trash can.

"If only I can do that. Can I call you whenever a thing like that's around? Please?"

She's showing a puppy-like expression that makes him cackle a bit. How can he say no to that?

"Sure. No problem."

"Thanks!"

They continue eating the pie and afterwards they set out to buy the spray.

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Jeonghan pays for the sprays and treats Seunghee a coned ice cream. They are strolling back to their apartment now, taking their sweet time as they lick on the dessert.

"I remember during seventh grade, there was this ice cream parlor that we went to during a field-trip. And everyone was like whoa! There was ice cream all around the place. But there was someone who thought it was just a joke and put his hand on the cream bowl. I can't remember who it was, but our teacher had to pay for that sadly," Seunghee starts recollecting.

"Yeah, he wasn't on our class so basically we don't really know him. You got the purple ice cream that time. You were the only one who picked that color," Jeonghan recalls.

Seunghee turns speechless. Something like a sharp pang hit her heart that moment. She was watching him all the time during that field-trip and she never saw him look at her. But what is this now? He's telling her he actually saw her pick that purple ice cream. When she thought no other else can remember about it but her.

"You saw that? And you actually remember it?" she asks unable to believe.

"Yah, why can't I?" he smiles at her so casually that she feels hurt.

What is this? Why is he like this? Does he remember everything that happened in the past? Does he have that kind of special ability like a photographic memory or something? She feels so lost right now. Just a while ago she thought maybe he's really onto her for a moment but after his reply, she thinks twice again. She can hardly comprehend him. She can't really figure out anything about him.

Jeonghan can see she's puzzled about what he said. He intends to do that. To make her think that he's paying attention to her. To ready her for his upcoming grand confession. He wants to comfort her right now but he holds back. Everything will be over soon and they only have to wait a little longer.

"Oh by the way, acquaintance party is coming up," he utters.

"Yeah," she hesitantly replies.

"Seungcheol is getting our suits done. His family runs a boutique."

"I see."

"I wanted go with you that day but it seems like the three of us are going together..."

Seunghee listens to his talk trying to act normally but she's feeling depressed again inside. She can't really go on like this with him. His friendship will only make her pity herself even more. Her feelings are trying to win her over gradually.

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She calls Areum by the time she's alone on her bed. It's been three hours since Jeonghan went to his apartment but her emotions are still on a haywire. She's so caught up in her feelings for him once again.

"I can't help it unnie," she says with the smartphone over her right ear.

'- It's okay just let it out. Do you want me to come over? -' Areum offers even if it's already 11PM.

"It's okay unnie. I just need someone to talk to."

'- What is it this time? -'

"It's just that... I don't really think I should consider it or anything. Maybe I'm just being over attentive of him. It's just that he's been recalling things I know no one can even remember anymore. Like in grade school or middle school. Stuffs that happened in the past that I think only I can remember to this day because it involved him."

'- Go on, I'm listening. -'

"It pierces my heart unnie. Earlier this evening, it took all of me to stop myself from questioning him why he remembers these things. It's too much already. He's doing things that give me hope, that make my heart flutter, that makes me think he's actually vying for a place in my heart. But I don't wanna believe it."

'- Seunghee... I know it's hard. After all, it's been nine years that he didn't talk to you, didn't come near you or even smile at you. But it's happening now. Why don't you stop punishing yourself and just trust what you see and feel? Why don't you give it a try? Hurting will always be a part of the game. That's a fact. But don't deprive yourself of the joy and pleasure of it! Even only while it lasts. -'

Seunghee can't help her tears. Areum is right. She's happy, she's actually really glad he makes her feel special. She just doesn't wanna pamper herself in it. She's limiting herself of the joys he gives her for the sake of not being hurt. It's such a complicated matter.

'- You can cry all you want. Just don't lose to eye bags tomorrow. It might trouble him. -'

"Yes, unnie. Thanks. Thank you for always listening to me when I need it."

'- You listen to me too so it's fair enough. I even nag at you sometimes. -'

It makes her smile. "Yah."

'- I'll hung up now okay? Get your beauty rest. Acquaintance party is coming up. Bye. -'

"I will unnie. Bye."

Seunghee puts the phone down and lays on her side hugging a pillow. Her tears are still flowing from her eyes. But she displays a smile in the midst of crying. She's recollecting on how Jeonghan said those memories like it happened just recently. It makes her laugh while crying. She looks silly now, smiling and crying at the same time. Then she hugs her pillow a little bit tighter and drowns herself in the thoughts of him to sleep.

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It's only a few days till the acquaintance event. Jun has nothing to wear for the event yet. It's a pity, cuz when it comes to these things, he wants Seunghee to pick something for him to wear. But till recently, she hasn't been paying attention to him at all. And he's mostly sad about it.

"I can go with you!" Sorn says quite excitedly.

"No, I'll just put on whatever I have at home," Jun declines.

"No... You have to look good Jun. You won't want Jeonghan-shi to hug all of unnie's attention, don't you?"

For a second thought, Jun ponders at it.

"Come on! I'll tell you what looks good on you."

"Alright. Let's go later."

"Yes!"

Jun is only thinking about Seunghee, while Sorn is happy thinking about him. It's the first time she gets to go out with him like this. She's gonna love it for sure. She can't wait till class is over.

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Jun and Sorn go to the mall for the suit-picking. Sorn is all over the place, looking for nice boutiques for Jun to try some formal wear on. They finally find one, and Sorn steadily drags Jun inside it, tugging at his shirt.

"I can walk on my own! Stop pulling Sorn."

"I'm not letting you walk away okay?"

In no time, Jun is forced to try a couple of tuxedos and suits. Sorn is having a good time watching him. Almost every pair looks good on him with his well-built physic, not too much muscle but not too skinny. He's perfect. And not to mention, his really good-looking face. Sorn is in heaven inside. She can't help but daydream infront of him.

"So which is it?" Jun asks with irritation on his face.

Sorn snaps out of her reverie and quickly answers him. She doesn't want him to get mad at her. "I think the black one looks best on you."

"This one?" raising the one he holds on the right.

"Yah."

"Alright. Now it's your turn."

"What?-"

Jun walks over her and pulls her holding her wrist. Sorn consciously melts at his touch.

"Try some of the dresses too. I won't only be me trying things on right?"

"But I... alright, I get it. I'll try some on."

She obliges. Jun's spoiled personality is really one of the things that attracted her to him. She likes taking care of him and it's something she's enjoying for a while. Despite the fact that Jun is unaware of her feelings, with him treating her like a close friend gets her through the day.

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After a number of unfitting and some really nice gowns, with Jun having enough of laughs and awe while watching her, they finally leave the boutique. Jun is still laughing at her though.

"That last dress was the worst. Maybe lady gaga's the only person who can pull that off."

"Ah, stop it Jun, you're lucky I didn't let you try on the bad ones," Sorn complains but deep inside she's happy she's able to make him laugh. It's been a while since he last had real fun. Ever since Seunghee had Jeonghan coming to her.

As Jun continues laughing and Sorn staring fondly at him without him noticing, a person is looking at them nearby. Jisoo, who is just at a store near the boutique they were in, has been watching them since they got there. He saw everything. How they had fun laughing and criticizing each other like they're the only persons around. He wanted to come over them, to come over Sorn and say his greetings but as he watched her earlier, he noticed there was something different in her eyes. With the way he looks at Jun, with the way she handles herself infront of him. She was more delicate, more passionately enticing. And now he sees the way she looks at his laughing state. Something hit his heart and concludes, she's in love with the boy who loves another girl. With that discovery, he decides to stay unseen, away from them. Giving way to her happiness with the boy beside her.

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To be continued...

(16.01.31)