>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

Areum opens the practice room and scans it. When she thought he's late again, she's surprised when she sees someone laying on the couch at the corner. It's actually Sehun, with a towel on his face, drenched in sweat.

"You're early," she states as she approaches him.

But Sehun doesn't budge. When she stands before him, she scans him once again and notices he's wearing the same clothes he did yesterday. He didn't go home? She asks herself.

"How about we rehearse after I wash up?" he says, removing the towel on his face.

She can see he hasn't had a wink of sleep, his eyes are surrounded with black circles.

"You didn't go home?" she asks feeling a little concerned.

He sits on the mattress and answers, "How in the world would I have mastered the choreography if I went home, huh? You must be kidding. I don't have time to waste here." He stands and passes by her going to the shower room and adds, "I'll be back in a minute."

She's a bit enthralled at his words, follows his receding built with her eyes and comments, "You can't complete the routine in one day? Who are you kidding?"

"Well, see for yourself."

He goes inside the other room, leaving Areum in a haze, not believing what he just said.

>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

After about 15 minutes, rehearsal automatically begins. Areum stands in position infront of the mirror as Sehun stands behind her, just as ready as she is. In a second, the music starts.

Wake up in the morning
Try'nawish the night away

With every lyric of the song, their bodies sway like one astonishingly. Sehun wants to captivate her. It's his only goal in mind at this very moment.

Hiding in the corner
Waiting for the light to change, yeah

Continuing with the dance, he wins. Areum is impressed that he can do something like this overnight. His dance is amazing and he's doing it perfectly fine with her.

And you can tell yourself
That the drama doesn't help
Good luck getting out of your own way
Prayin' you can stop
Chasing everything you're not
Making all the same mistakes

They're like flowing water, smoothly filling each other's gaps. It's amazing how well they jive after being so hard on each other these past three weeks. Seeing them now, you won't think they haven't been practicing together. They look too good to even have a doubt.

And when forever's slipping through my arms again
I dive inside me
I know I'll find a way to hold on 'til the end
The dark won't blind me
This burden on my back
Feels like it's got me trapped
But I'mmakeep on trying
I'll go on reaching till the world is in my hands
I'm CATCHING SHADOWS...

Finishing the rehearsal in an awesomely beautiful harmony, they catch their breaths as they gaze at each other in the mirror. After a second, Areum stands accordingly and faces the guy behind her. Sehun is breathing steadily now, looking straight at her with a fulfilled look off his face.

"Did I prove myself right?" he proudly asks.

She doesn't want to accept defeat just yet so she puts on her usual front, "What are you smirking about? We still have a long week ahead and a performance to push through, so you don't have time to relax yourself just yet."

She walks to her bag and picks up a towel. Then without facing him, she adds, "But for now, you better go home and rest. I don't want to have a sluggish partner in this room. We proceed as scheduled tomorrow." She picks up her bag too.

It brightens him up for a moment, cuz she's actually concerned about his health. But she faces him now and says strictly, "And you better not be late."

Seeing her fierce facial expression, he automatically shifts to military gestures. He stands straight and gives her a salute. "Yes, ma'am!"

She gives him a sharp stare before totally leaving the room and he collapse down the floor the moment she's gone. He heaves a sigh and feels relieved. "I'll surely make you smile miss president. Just watch me."

He's sure as hell this infatuation is his weakness. It happened so fast that he doesn't understand any of it anymore. But he's glad it did. Cuz now, he has one reason to strive. But he's striving with contentment and he'll accomplish what's in store for him with flying colors.

>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

The following days pass by smoothly for both of them. They haven't encountered any more difficulty with the routine. It goes well so effortlessly, that both of them are almost wordless about it.

The only thing that gets on Areum's nerves is the fact that she's feeling a little self-conscious infront of him. It's not something she can just disregard cuz it's the first time she ever felt like this infront of a guy. There hasn't been any boy who came in contact with her who made her heart thump as hard as he makes her. She's kinda mad at herself. Cuz she actually has a crush on him since they first met at the canteen. And now this, she's feeling really, really confused.

While Sehun is obviously enjoying his time with her. He thinks confessing to her right after the program will be the perfect moment for him. So he takes his time just watching her silently, everytime she nags at him for simple things. He's getting used to it, he shall be used to it anyways if he wants her to be his girl.

>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

It's the final day of rehearsals and they've just ended their last round. They are both slumping on the floor, leaning their backs on the wall just behind them. A couple of fellow students are now practicing their own presentation at the other side of the room and they watch them as they rest for a bit before calling it a day.

"You know what, why haven't you joined the dance troop? You'll surely be of some use to them," there she goes again with her harsh language.

He snorts at her and replies, "So you're finally acknowledging my talent. Wow, that's good news."

"I'm actually being serious here."

"Of course you are. You're always serious. When have you ever been relaxed? You're so uptight, it makes me wanna cool you down."

"Stop messing with me."

"I like you Areum."

It's a shock for her. He says it so casually while looking at her that he catches her off guard.

"That look on your face is a first. I should've caught it on camera. But I really wanted to see a smile instead."

She quickly avoids his gaze and frowns, "Who says you can talk to me this way? I'm the president of the student council."

"Who cares about that?"

For the first time, someone doesn't care about her standing, and it's making her heart flutter.

"Anyway, there's something I've been wanting to tell you," he utters. "That time at the canteen, I did on purpose."

"What?" she hisses.

"I just wanted to grab your attention for a bit."

"So you did that and suggested this performance and bullied me for almost a month? Damn your ways of grabbing attention."

"But I did didn't I?"

He smiles at her slyly and her words get caught up in her throat. She hates to admit, but his charms are actually mesmerizing her rapidly.

"And I'm really serious when I said I like you," he pauses for a bit and then continues with a hint of seriousness that's supposed to intimidate her, "After the performance, I'll formally confess to you again. And I hope it won't be the last time we see each other."

It draws her in, but she holds herself. She loves the way he's looking at her and she's hoping he'll look at her more like this. But for now, she'll put her wall up again for the very last time. "Just do what you want."

She lifts herself with her bag and leaves him on his place. Her heart is skipping a beat that she just wants to get away from him for now. But deep inside, she's smiling to herself. Is this the feeling of having your first love? She's thrilled to know.

>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

The year-end program has just ended and it went well. In addition, they have a special award for it. Areum holds the trophy in her hands. They have gone out of the venue and the sun is about to set any minute. Fellow students are passing them by, walking their ways out of the school premises.

"We have a special award? I can't believe this. How can a weasel like you put up an award-winning performance like that? Look at this, it's amazing."

She's mocking him but he doesn't even mind cuz she's smiling for the very first time infront of him. It's the only thing he wanted and he achieved it. But he can't contain his feelings for her. Right at this moment, it's overwhelming him to a point that he holds her arms and shoves his head. He kisses her. She remains motionless as he moves away slowly.

"I like you and I'll make it up to you. I'll be the Oh Sehun you want me to be."

"What did you just do? You can't be serious," she manages to utter. "Don't joke around with me Sehun. You probably just wanna brag you kissed the strict president."

But he doesn't take his eyes off her in all sincerity and it takes her aback for a second.

"Don't look at me like that. You're giving me chills."

"Why don't you be my girlfriend then?"

"What? This quick? As if I'd do that-"

"You will."

"How sure-"

"200%"

It leaves her speechless. He's too confident and she likes it. He's still staring at her, without batting an eyelash intimately. And she's getting intimidated for the very first time.

"You know what Sehun, you're getting ahead of yourself. I'm-"

"So you don't want to? Fine, you'll never see my handsome face again after this. I promise never to bother you ever again."

"Fine, go. I don't really need someone like you hanging around me."

"It was nice knowing you."

He looks at her genuinely and walks away. She lets him. She watches as he slowly fade away but as she does, something crushes her heart. They've only known each other for a month but why is she feeling like this? She wavers for a second but she goes on with it. To hell with pride and reputation, she wants to be with him too.

"Don't you dare walk away from me again Oh Sehun! I'll only forgive you twice!"

He hears this from a few meters away and smiles to himself. He turns around and runs back to her as fast as he can.

"So are you my girlfriend now?" he asks with a big wide smile on his face.

She looks up to him with a frown and leers at him, "I haven't said anything like that. But from now on, you're mine. And you can't let any other girl touch you except me and your mom. You under-"

He holds her face and shoves his head towards her in a hurry, cutting her off with a kiss. But this time, she gladly kisses him back. Maybe destiny lead them to meet that day. Maybe it's fate that works for them to be together like this. In each other's arms, sharing the happiness of love.

They break the kiss after a few minutes and face each other intensely now.

"That makes you mine too, I guess," he tells her.

"Nope, you said you'll do everything I want you to do after the presentation right? I hope you haven't forgot."

He displays a troubled look and sighs. She'll definitely get her revenge on him. "So what do you want me to do?"

She smiles wickedly at him, "Let's just put your words into action."

Sehun tilts his head in confusion of what she'll be asking him to do.

>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

By the end of the day, he's dressed in a tight pink one-piece with a flower clipped on her head. He's walking ahead of her, going to the park.

"Isn't this too much?" he complains.

"You said you'd do everything right? Don't make me take my recorder out," she retorts.

He just rolls her eyes and continues to pace to the center of the basketball court. People are staring at him and he's too embarrassed to even lift his head. While she's enjoying the sight and she'll be enjoying it more, once he starts the show.

He puts the portable player down and presses play. And as the music plays, he goes along with it.

Wae (Wae) Wae (Wae) Wae
Naegero wayo nae soneul jabayo nawa hamkketteona~

Wae (Wae) Wae (Wae) Wae
[Ah! Neona jalhaeyo]
Wae (Wae) Wae (Wae) Wae
[Ah! Neona jalhaeyo]

Doraol wollyoilmada neomu gwichanhayo
Heoguhan nalmada waenal gatgo geureonayo
Deutgi sirheun jansori jebal geumanhaejullaeyo
Na geunyang tteonabollae
To the jeonwonilgi

Naegero wayo nae soneul jabayo nawa hamkketteona~

[Party people~]

Ting-ga-ring-ga-ring-ga
Ting-ga-ring-ga-ring-ga
Ting-ga-ring-ga-ring-ga
Ting Ting Ting Ting

Ting-ga-ring-ga-ring-ga
Ting-ga-ring-ga-ring-ga
Ting-ga-ring-ga-ring-ga
Ting Ting Ting Ting

People gather one by one at the humiliating sight of Oh Sehun in a tight dress dancing to a girl-group song. Areum is just standing by at the side, with a smile on her face. That's the only thing that's keeping him from running away.

Soksanghan mam meongdeuni mam
Hanajjeum da gaseume ango sarayo
Geokjeongmayo chanbaramdo
Jinagalkkeonikka~

Neona jalhaseyo

Why you hating why why you hating
Why you hating why why you hating
Why you hating why why you hating
Why you hating why why why you hating

Ting-ga-ring-ga-ring-ga
Ting-ga-ring-ga-ring-ga
Ting-ga-ring-ga-ring-ga
Ting Ting Ting Ting

Ting-ga-ring-ga-ring-ga
Ting-ga-ring-ga-ring-ga
Ting-ga-ring-ga-ring-ga
Ting Ting Ting Ting

The playground crowd applauses at the mortified Sehun with laughs and mockery. He can't see these people again. He can't let them see his bare face ever. But in the middle of his mental dispute, Areum walks over him and willingly gives him a full hug. Sehun is surprised. She's not even affected by the laughs and stares of the people around, when he has just made fun of himself infront of them. She smiles at him and gives him a kiss on the cheek, which leaves him breathless.

Then she faces the mob with proud expression and says, "This guy is my boyfriend everyone! Let's give him another round of applause!"

The crowd do as she says and he is just amazed. She's fantastic. She's really a fierce girl. He puts his arm around her shoulders and they hold each other just like that infront of the cheering crowd. Both happy and satisfied.

End of flashback.

>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

"Wow," Sorn exclaims. Jun is also amazed at her side.

"I only heard it from unnie but I think it's near reality," Seunghee says.

"Hyung surely has it tough," Jeonghan adds.

"He deserves it. He breaks too many promises," Seunghee replies.

"Ah!" Jun utters pointing behind the couple infront of them. Sorn has seen what he just saw and is now speechless too.

"Hm?" Seunghee mutters and turns around and Jeonghan does the same too. Only to find Areum and Sehun walking together about a hundred meters away from them while eating some ice cream.

"Looks like they patched things already," Seunghee says.

The three others only nod their heads in agreement. Areum and Sehun are finally back together after a few days. The five years they spent together is not just a simple love story. They have surely built something no one can break over the years. And they will prove that steadily, together, constantly.

>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

To be continued...

(16.09.20)