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For eight months, Jeonghan and Seunghee’s relationship has hit the highs and the lows nonstop. But their biggest struggle has yet to come. And it starts right now.

By the beginning of the fall semester, it’s their third year in the university, an unexpected person will soon turn the tide around.

Jeonghan went home for an errand and Seunghee is alone on a Saturday. She takes a bus to Sehun’s house that is a fifteen-minute ride. The bus is kinda full so she takes it on a standing position. Holding onto one of the hangers, she looks calmly at the scenery outside. Eventually, a guy then stands next to her, also holding onto the hanger. She doesn’t turn to look at him or even think of glancing at him, when he suddenly sings aloud that kinda surprises her. It isn’t that loud but it obviously makes her turn to him.

“Deo ttwige haejwo
Nareul deo ttwige haejwo
Du bare sangcheoman gadeukhaedo
Ni eolgulman bomyeon usneun nanikka”

What really made her turn is the tone of his voice. He can sing, yeah, but his voice is so low it can really shock you. And more so when she sees his face, for someone as cute as him, you won’t think his voice is as deep as the ocean. Did I just think he’s cute? Scratch that, she tells herself.

The guy notices her sneering at him but only smiles back at her. He has this big headphone on his head covering his ears, that’s probably at max volume. She only shakes her head at him and thinks again, He’s an idiot. And the guy continues to sing his heart out, not having a care in the world.

“Dasi Run Run Run nan meomchul suga eopseo
Tto Run Run Run nan eojjeol suga eopseo
Eochapi igeosbakke nan moshae
Neoreul saranghaneun geot bakken moshae”

Thank goodness, she reaches her destination quick. She presses the stop button and unloads the jam-packed bus safely. Sighing as she steps on the ground, she turns only to see the guy waving at her with that silly smile on his face.

“What a freak. What does he think he’s doing?” she says to herself. She puts her phone out and dials Sehun’s number, “I’m here oppa. Pick me up please.”

Seunghee is staying over at Sehun’s house for the night. It’s been a while since she stayed there. She’ll probably have a wonderful time with her aunt again, her closest relative.

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“I brought you some pears,” Jeonghan says handing her the plastic bag.

It’s the day after her stay at Sehun’s home and Jeonghan has just come home too. They are inside her apartment, cozily lazing at the living room beside each other.

Seunghee starts peeling the pear, “So how’s your mom and dad? And your sister?”

“They’re doing good. They were expecting you’d come with me. But I told them you had to meet your relatives too,” Jeonghan replies.

“I wanted to see them too.”

“I want to see your parents though. And give them a proper greeting.”

She smiles at him, “Unfortunately, they’re not going home this year. But they’re sure to on graduation.”

“I’ll be waiting for that then.”

“Ah… I missed you,” Seunghee suddenly says snuggling close to Jeonghan.

He smiles at her and puts his arms around her in a tight hug, “I was just away for a day. But I missed you too,” he utters smiling sweetly at her.

She looks up to him with a cute smile and says, “I love you.”

“I love you more,” he replies.

They cuddle like that for a while not expecting the approaching storm facing their way. They’re the sweetest couple in their lifetime and probably, the idlest too.

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The semester kicks off with an orientation on the first day, gathering all the students at the school auditorium. The group stays at one area near the stage, where they can clearly see the persons on stage. Sitting from left to right of the bleachers are Jisoo, Seungcheol, Jun, Sorn, Seunghee, Jeonghan, Sehun and Areum.

“This is new. We’ve never had this in three years,” Areum comments.

“I heard there’s a new dean for the musical arts department. Maybe that’s why,” Sehun answers Areum.

“This is just a waste of time,” Seungcheol complains. “I need to see Nayeon in thirty minutes.”

“Why are you here anyways, hyung?” Jun asks.

“Yeah, it’s not like you to be here,” Sorn adds.

“Prerequisite, just because of that,” Seungcheol answers. “Ah… this is taking so long! I’m leaving. Damn that professor. See ya guys.”

Seungcheol takes steps off the bleachers and doesn’t even look back.

“There he goes,” Jisoo mutters.

The seat Seungcheol just sat at is now abandoned, making Jisoo almost sit beside Jun. And an awkward air fills the gap between them. Sorn can see the expressions on their faces even if they are not looking at each other and she can’t really say anything about it. Their issue has just been resolved recently. It’ll take some time before it all heals so she decides to keep quiet for now.

Then the school’s president appears on stage. He says something about the new deans for the year and a few new events coming up for the semester. It takes him a span of thirty minutes to complete his speech and right after he put down the mic, a guy suddenly screams raising his hands.

“Mansae!!” the guy exclaims.

The person becomes the center of attention instantly, earning piercing stares from the higher ups and a variety of expressions from his peers. The guy only scratches the back of his head and smiles sheepishly at the people looking at him, also slightly bowing for the disturbance he has made.

The individual is a few blocks away from the group and it makes them shake their heads. He’s a total idiot, they all agree in their thoughts.

“What was that?” Areum says laughing.

“A retard,” Sehun adds.

“He’s funny,” Sorn utters.

“A fool,” Jun says.

“Maybe he’s trying to stand out,” Jisoo mutters.

“A complete idiot,” Seunghee states.

Jeonghan is eyeing the person and utters, “He looks familiar though.”

“Really? From which view?” Seunghee asks, wishing Jeonghan’s just mistaken.

“I don’t know, I just feel like I know the guy,” he answers.

She looks at the person herself at little more carefully, and it kinda surprises her that the person actually looks familiar to her too.

“He does look familiar…” she murmurs.

“Well, maybe he just appears to be common,” he says.

“Well, maybe,” she replies.

But Seunghee thinks hard. Where did she see that person? She asks herself. She surely knows she has seen that face somewhere.

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Seunghee and Jeonghan make sure they share the same schedule for the semester. But it is inevitable that they have a class or two that differs.

The start of their favorite class, Instrument 303, begins by 9:30 AM. Seunghee and Jeonghan, with Seungcheol and Jisoo are altogether as always, sitting at their chosen part of the room, the seats near the windows at the farthest from the entrance.

Busy chatting, fellow students come in one by one. Almost the same old faces, with a bunch of new comers, probably repeaters or irregular students.

“I bet it’ll be more awesome this sem,” Seungcheol shares excitedly. “I heard the professor’s really nice.” He adds with a hint of mischievousness in his eyes.

“Does Nayeon know that? I bet she doesn’t,” Jisoo says.

“Let me have my fun sometimes man!” Seungcheol exclaims.

Jeonghan and Seunghee just smile at Seungcheol. He’s definitely not changed. They both think. And it’s a relief that they’re not affected by his girl anymore, as long as they don’t get to see her.

Everyone is quite busy. Some are even vocalizing, playing with imaginary instruments and a couple of others are harmonizing.

“This competition will be the hardest so far,” Seunghee tells Jeonghan.

“Don’t worry, no one will reach your level for sure,” Jeonghan replies.

“I wish we’d be able to have a duet this year.”

“I’ll find a way to request that from the prof.”

“Please do!” she sweetly smiles at him and he smiles back at her.

When unexpectedly, a person comes in with a very loud singing voice.

“Girl charari charari heeojijago haejwo…”

Everyone in the room turns to the guy who just walks inside. If his loud voice is not enough, what is really surprising is his very deep voice and his incredible visage. He continues singing, disregarding the stares all pointed at him.

“Girl sarangi sarangi anieossdago haejwo
Naegen geureol yonggiga eopseo
Naege majimak seonmureul jwo
Deoneun doragal su eopsdorok…”

It’s an epic fail. His voice cracks at that final note, making the whole class laugh out loudest. He doesn’t get embarrassed though. He only scratches the back of his head saying these words.

“I’m sorry, that was a failure. Sorry guys!”

He sits down directly, as if nothing has happened at all and puts out his smart phone, where the earphones are attached and skims through.

The class slowly calms down and ignores him. Though Seungcheol still can’t stop laughing.

“That was classic!” Seungcheol exclaims.

“He doesn’t realize he’s hilarious though,” Jisoo adds.

“What a weirdo,” Seunghee utters.

“Isn’t that guy the one from earlier?” Jeonghan says.

Seunghee recognizes him, “You’re right, the mansae guy.”

“So he’s part of this class. This will be fun,” Jeonghan adds. “Though he really looks familiar.”

Both Jeonghan and Seunghee are looking at the guy now. And both of them think he’s familiar somehow.

“He does,” Seunghee seconds him. “I’ve seen that guy somewhere.”

Jeonghan instantly turns to her, “You really do recognize him?”

Then Seunghee finally recalls, “Ah! I know now. He was the guy on the bus when I went to Sehun oppa’s place. He stood beside me and just suddenly sang out of nowhere. That was disturbing.”

“What a coincidence. I think I really know this guy,” Jeonghan tells her.

“From where?” she asks.

“I can’t remember but-“ he is cut when the professor, the beautiful instructor comes inside the room.

You can hear guys whistling at the sexy university teacher.

“Keep it down guys. So are you ready for some music banging?” she says.

“Yeah!!” the class responds.

“Then let’s start now. Tell me your names with a song!”

One by one, alphabetically, the students perform in front of the class. Until it’s the new guy’s turn finally.

“Anyeonghaseyo yoreobeun! Kim Taehyung mida!”

Jeonghan is now certain. He is that person he remembers him to be. He whispers to Seunghee as Taehyung sings his song.

“I’m sure now. I know him. And I bet he will recognize me later.”

“Really? Okay.”

Seunghee just waits for their turns. Taehyung may be someone close to Jeonghan. She can’t believe her boyfriend actually knows someone this strange.

It’s finally Jeonghan’s shot after all of the persons in class. He pleasantly walks in front and finally introduces himself.

“Yoon Jeonghan mida.-“

“Yoon Jeonghan!” Taehyung promptly exclaims.

The whole class, most especially Seunghee, Seungcheol and Jisoo are surprised from the sudden outburst. Now Taehyung and Jeonghan are the center of attention.

Jeonghan knows it will be like this. He’s prepared himself for the shame and unwanted attention. He bows smiling at the now shocked Taehyung, who can’t believe he’s seen his friend again for a very long time.

But to break their little reunion, the instructress interferes, “Do you know each other? Long lost friends perhaps? Let’s keep the reunion on hold okay? Yoon Jeonghan-shi, please continue.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Jeonghan replies.

“Alright! Later Yoon Jeonghan! We have a lot of catching up to do!” Taehyung says pinpointing at him.

Jeonghan can only bow at him as he smiles shyly. But he’s glad too. It’s been a while, and he’s also excited to know how he’s been.

From their seats, Seunghee asks Seungcheol and Jisoo, “Do you know him guys?”

“Nope. Never heard of him,” Seungcheol answers.

“I don’t know him either. Maybe he’s from Jeonghan’s childhood,” Jisoo adds.

“Okay…”

Seunghee feels out of place. So Jeonghan also has a past she doesn’t know of. Of course he’s had a lot of friends in the past too before moving to their town. But having this as the first time someone from that era ever emerged is a bit thrilling for her. So what kind of friends has Jeonghan had in the past? She’s somewhat excited to know this Taehyung guy. Maybe she can find out things about Jeonghan from him or maybe not cuz he’s a bit abnormal. She just smiles at the thought. How in the world did they become friends anyway? That’s real the question.

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To be continued…

(16.09.20)