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Jang Wonyoung - Blog Posts
ANNYEONGZ NATION ARE WE STILL ALIVE?!!!
hiii <3
hi guys! this is my first post on tumblr, and i’m super excited! i really like the tv show miraculous ladybug, although im not very up to date with it.
also i am literally in love with miss jang wonyoung, so if any of this interests you, pls don’t be afraid to reach out!
lvii. by the seashore
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CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN ─ by the seashore.
❛ we never played t by the numbers, baby but we were making it count ❜
Narrator's Perspective
"This is our ride?!" asked Eunyoung, pointing at Taesung's little teal colored car parked in front of them. While they were planning their weekend trip to Inhyuk's village to coerce him into going through with the Eclipse performance for the university festival, Taesung had mentioned that he could take the four of them in his car; The four of them being Sunjae, Yumi, Eunyoung and himself. However, he never told them that it was half the size of a normal car.
"Does it even work?" asked Yumi as a frown surfaced on her face and she squinted her eyes, as if trying to find the potential in the car.
"Do you guys want to go or not?" Taesung asked impatiently. He felt quite offended by their light-hearted comments because he had been saving up to buy the car for a long time, and he was proud of it; But he couldn't help but agree with them a little bit, because the performance of the car was questionable...
*many minutes later*
"Choosing to drive this car is like wearing vintage heels to a dance marathon," Eunyoung sighed, "And we all know how well that worked for Lorelai Gilmore."
"Only you could find a way to make this about fashion," Yumi rolled her eyes.
"Don't take it out on me, your boyfriend is to blame for this pleasant situation we're currently in," she countered, "Just when I was starting to think you were an alright person."
Turns out the best word to describe Taesung's car was slow. A bicycle and a bunch of children had zoomed past them in the last hour. It was quite humiliating for everybody in the car, except Taesung. His heart was still full of admiration for his precious car he had lovingly named "Sunny."
Yumi sharply turned to eye Eunyoung after she used the word boyfriend, as if to say "Are we still keeping this up?"
Sighing, Eunyoung turned to Sunjae who was sitting beside her, "Also, since you're here, I may as well tell you that Yumi and Taesung aren't actually dating."
"What?!" Sunjae said looking visibly shocked by this news, "But... why?"
"That's an excellent question to ask," Eunyoung said sarcastically, "They originally did it so this sorry excuse of a guy would leave Yumi alone, but why they're still at it is beyond me."
"This is so not the time," she said, gritting her teeth and glaring menacingly at Taesung. His eyes were still on the road, which she could see through his sunglasses.
"Can't it go any faster?" Sunjae asked in desperation.
"No. It can't" answered Taesung curtly. Everyone in the car groaned irritably.
"We would have reached in half the time if we just took a train," Sunjae whined, "Maybe less."
"I'm hungry," Eunyoung complained.
"I have an idea," Yumi said spitefully, "Let's cook Taesung using the fire we make by burning his car." He didn't reply, but anyone could tell he was scared for his life.
"Thanks for taking away my appetite," said Eunyoung with disgust.
Choi Eunyoung's Perspective
After god knows how many excruciating hours in Taesung's car, we had reached Inhyuk's village in Busan at long last. He was quite shocked to see us, and took us to his parents house. Inhyuk's parents gave the four of us a warm welcome, after which we visited the beach. Taesung and Sunjae talked to Inhyuk privately, and managed to convince him. Yumi and I felt as if a weight had been lifted off our backs as we realized that we hadn't made any fatal mistakes when it was our last chance to travel back in time.
Things were going well- almost suspiciously so. We were eating ice cream while sitting at the beach, gazing at the ocean. When Yumi and I time travelled from 2023, it was winter- a cold, biting winter that cut through my skin and sent aches through my body every time I thought of Sunjae's nearly inevitable fate. But here, in 2009 it was the peak of summer. And though sometimes the scorching heat made it feel like steam was coming out of my head, it was comforting. Flowers bloomed everywhere, and the world seemed as if somebody painted it with vibrant watercolors. Even now, the sea looked so majestic- deep blue, extending towards the horizon and water glittering like diamonds had been scattered everywhere.
It all felt so serene, so calming. And for a brief moment, my worries about my dad seemed to fade into the background as my ears filled with the call of birds I'd never seen before and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. I stole a quick glance at Sunjae, only to see that he was already looking at me with a fond expression on his face. I felt warmth creeping up my face as my lips stretched into a smile. He promptly smiled back, placing his hand on mine, his touch soft and gentle. Sunjae always had the most comforting feeling about him, and whenever he was around, all my fears seemed a little less scary, and I felt a little bit braver.
But of course, something had to happen to interrupt this moment we were sharing. Suddenly, Yumi called out, "Look! It's Taesung's car!" All five of us turned to look at where she was pointing. To my horror, I watched in pure disbelief as Taesung's car slowly but surely drove itself into the sea. It's slow pace made the entire scene look rather ironic and comedic. I couldn't suppress my laugh that slipped out, which was reciprocated by Sunjae as we giggled uncontrollably.
"This isn't funny! How are we going to get home?" Yumi snapped, her tone sharp and worried. Her seriousness made the whole thing seem a lot funnier. Inhyuk just seemed amused by the situation and smiled to himself cockily.
Taesung, on the other hand looked absolutely devastated that his precious car was going to sacrifice itself for the mighty ocean. He fell to his knees and placed both his hands on his head and cried out dramatically, "Sunny!" His tone sounded so hurt and pained that for a moment I almost felt sorry for him.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I had to press pause on my laughing fit to see who it was. I froze for a second when I saw that it was Detective Kim- Taesung's dad who was calling. "I gotta take this call, I'll be right back," I said to Sunjae, who was still laughing. He nodded and I quickly moved away from everybody before accepting the call.
"Hello," I said urgently, "Did something happen? Are there any developments?"
"Yes, actually. We've discovered your father's location," he said, and I could hear the hesitation in his voice, "He's currently hiding in Busan."
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nana's notes: and the plot thickens
delphi's notes: poor sunny :"(
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CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR ─ expect the unexpected.
❛ you're so lovely, when you cry, it hurts me ❜
Narrator's Perspective
Sunjae rang the doorbell and stood nervously before Eunyoung's front door, anticipating someone to open the door. All day, only thoughts of Eunyoung occupied his mind. Worry clouded his thoughts as he kept wondering how she was doing, would she be okay, would she miss him? A few moments later, just as he was about to leave because he thought no one must be there to open the door, Eunyoung's mother opened the door, glaring down at him spitefully.
"You must be Sunjae," she said unblinkingly, "I've heard a lot about you."
"I'm here to see Eunyoung," he blurted out, swallowing his fear, "Yumi said she was sick."
"Wait here."
And she disappeared into the house. Sunjae took off his shoes and stepped into their living room. He was met with a sense of familiarity, recalling the day he found out he could never swim again, and Eunyoung was there for him as a pillar of support, offering priceless comfort and kindness, as she always had; And they had been moments away from kissing. The moment had been fleeting, almost as if they imagined it all. Now, they were together at last, nothing holding them back. Eunyoung had brought happiness back into his life after he was forced to give up on his dream. Thinking back, Eunyoung was his only reason to keep going...
"She's inside," Eunyoung's mother told him, her previous cold demeanor had thawed, seeing his worried frown and nervous behavior, "You can go and see her."
"Thank you," he gave a quick bow and entered the room Eunyoung's mother had pointed to. It must have been Eunyoung's room, and he paused for a brief second taking it all in. A couple of picture frames of her with her family and a couple of bookshelves lined with various books. A subtle sterile scent of medicine had settled in the room, along with the aroma of some kind of soothing balm. He finally laid his eyes on Eunyoung, sitting on her bed with a white blanket draped over her body. A bowl of water with a napkin was placed at her bedside table with care- presumably by her mother.
Eunyoung's face melted into a warm, welcoming smile as her eyes met Sunjae's. He smiled back, and it was like honey dripping from his crescent-moon-eyes. He quickly took a seat on the chair beside the bed, "I was so worried," he said, taking her hands, caressing them softly as he spoke, "Yumi said you got a hundred degree fever."
"Oh please!" Eunyoung exclaimed, trying her hardest to ignore the heat on her face when he held her hands, "She must have said that to make you feel guilty. My temperature has gone down now. I'll be fine by tomorrow. It's nothing to worry about."
"How could I not worry about you?"
Eunyoung's face turned a bright red, her eyes widening.
"Your face looks flushed, what's wrong?" he asked, concerned, placing the back of his hand on her cheek, "You're so warm! I can leave if you need to rest-"
"Don't go!" Eunyoung called out as he stood up, grabbing a hold of his hand. It was now Sunjae's turn to blush like a fool. His heart swelled with the warmth of Eunyoung's touch. He slowly turned back and sat once again, "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure," Eunyoung answered with no hesitation, "I want you here."
💿
"YOU DID WHAT?" Yumi bellowed at Taesung. Taesung shrunk back, his ears left in pain from the unexpected power in her voice.
"Shhh!" he hissed at her. They were currently at the bus stop, and people turned to look at them.
"Oh, look they're having a lovers' quarrel!"
"Young love, oh!"
Taesung felt his face flush as he leaned closer to her. "People are looking," he muttered under his breath, trying to deflect the growing attention.
"I can see that," she snapped back, her arms crossed in frustration, "But how the hell did you in your right mind enroll me to act in a Shakespeare play? Did I seem like that kind of girl to you? Because I'm not!"
Taesung stayed silent for a few seconds. He couldn't find the words to tell her that he wanted to spend more time with her. They had been separated after that horrible accident, and he finally had an excuse to see her. It made him feel at peace again. Like a part of him that had been forcefully taken away had returned to him. Now he had no choice but to hold on to her for dear life, praying that she wouldn't leave again.
"I'm sorry," was all he could mutter.
Yumi's heart sank watching his posture droop and his eyes focus on the ground. She hadn't meant to be that harsh, she was just shocked at his sudden decision, "No... I'm not mad. Just surprised... It's okay. I can do it. We get some kind of participation reward too right? I'll do it."
A flicker of life returned to Taesung's eyes at her reluctant acceptance. "You don't have to if you don't want to-" he began, his voice lifting slightly with hope.
"No, it's fine," she assured, waving her hand in front of her face. She didn't want to hurt him. Not again. Not after everything they had been through, "I'll have a bad image if I back down, anyways. And it could be fun, right?!"
"Yeah, Sunjae, Eunyoung, Inhyuk are all there," he replied, his face lighting up with an enthusiastic smile that always had the power to melt her defenses. Watching him, Yumi felt a warmth spread through her chest, the tension easing as memories of their past together flickered in her mind. Despite the rough start, she couldn't help but feel a spark of hope rekindling between them.
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nana's notes: sunjae and eunyoung are literally so precious i cannot even-
delphi's notes: yumi's soft spot for taesung is reviving my will to live
list of chapters here! next chapter: friday
xlii. rain, romance and revelations
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CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO ─ rain, romance and revelations.
❛ but i can't help myself, when you get close to me ❜
Choi Eunyoung's Perspective
Sunjae and I sat side by side on his living room couch, dripping with rainwater that soaked into the sofa fabric. The couch was large enough to seat at least four people, and yet we sat close together, soaking up each others' warmth, afraid to let go. One of Sunjae's jackets was now draped over my shoulders. My brain could hardy comprehend anything that was happening. He had found me in the rain and kissed me. I couldn't believe it. It was like a scene straight out of a rom-com movie. My heart pounded against my chest, and the rain and chilly breeze couldn't put out the fire inside me.
Sunjae reached for a towel, his movements unhurried and gentle, as if he were handling something precious. He stepped closer, the warmth of his presence cutting through the chill that clung to my skin. Without a word, he began drying my hair, his touch soft and deliberate. The fabric brushed against my scalp, and I could feel the care behind every motion.
My body froze for a moment, caught off guard by the intimacy of it all. My heart stumbled over its rhythm as I became fixated on him—on the way his eyes held a quiet tenderness, the kind that made it impossible to look away. His damp hair clung to his forehead, and I could see the faint shiver in his frame, but he didn't seem to care. His only focus was on me.
The butterflies in my stomach took flight, their wings fluttering wildly at the realization of how selfless he was. He didn't even think twice about his own discomfort, his own cold. His hands moved with a kind of attentiveness that made my chest tighten, like I'd stumbled into a dream I never wanted to wake up from.
Then he paused. His hands stilled, the towel resting lightly against my head. Slowly, he looked at me, his gaze shifting, as if he'd just realized how close we were—how my eyes hadn't left him for even a second. His expression softened, yet there was a flicker of uncertainty, of awareness that hadn't been there a moment ago.
I felt the heat rising in my cheeks, spreading like wildfire. My breath hitched, and I wondered if he could feel the way my pulse quickened, even though I wasn't sure I could speak. The air between us felt charged, delicate, as if a single word might break whatever spell we'd found ourselves under.
"What's the matter?" he asked softly. His voice rung like the melody of a love song.
"You're so sweet," I breathed out after a few seconds.
His face melted into a smile, showing his adorable dimple and his eyes becoming like crescent moons. My own lips stretched into a smile. All I wanted was to see him happy; No matter who he was with. But now here he was, wrapping his arms around my waist, smiling sweetly at me.
"I cant believe you avoided me for so many days."
"I do feel a bit silly now, thinking back," I giggled out, "But you really gave me a scare. I thought you were going away for good."
"I would have," he confessed, "If it weren't for someone making it impossible for me to go anywhere."
"I didn't realize you were so cheesy."
"So what, you don't like me anymore?" he asked, bringing his face closer to mine.
"I still like you," I answered with a laugh, giving him a short kiss. I watched his face and ears turn red in an instant and I couldn't help but chuckle. He's so cute...
Suddenly, the sound of the front door opening startled the both of us. Before we had any time to process what was happening, Sunjae's dad appeared with a blue cloth bag and an umbrella in his hand. He stood before us, paralyzed in a state of shock. I moved a bit further from Sunjae, trying to increase the distance between us.
"Oh! Eunyoung!" he exclaimed finally, "I see... you both got drenched in the rain! Oh, dear, you must be very cold..." He rattled on.
"I'll get going then!" I got up suddenly, waving an awkward goodbye to both of them.
"Sunjae, I'll- uh, return your jacket! Later..."
Ryu Sunjae's Perspective
I watched as Eunyoung practically bolted out of my house after muttering out an excuse for my dad. Dammit, now I have to explain myself to my dad. Looking at my father's smug smile, I realized he must have put two and two together already.
"I wasn't born yesterday, son," he said, still smiling.
"I know," I gulped.
"I can't say I'm surprised."
"Oh, you're not?"
"Not a bit," he said rather confidently, "You finally got your act together!"
"So," I began, "You're okay with this? With Eunyoung and I-"
"Okay?! Oh, I'm more than okay!" he let out a hearty laugh, "You have my blessing!"
I felt my heart relax and I let out a sigh of relief. I had my father's permission. He was a stubborn man, and it was a huge deal. I just hope Eunyoung's mother is as supportive.
Narrator's Perspective
Eunyoung, her mother and Yumi sat in the living room for dinner while the rain pitter-pattered against the windows. Everyone was eating in silence- as they often did, but tonight, Eunyoung kept smiling to herself every few seconds while still looking down at her plate. Her mom glanced at Yumi, hoping that she would know why Eunyoung was so happy.
"We gotta get used to this," she said loudly.
Eunyoung looked up at Yumi in confusion, "What?"
"Why is that?" Their mother asked tentatively.
"You wanna tell her or should I?" Yumi asked Eunyoung.
"Tell her about what?"
"About your boyfriend."
Her mother's eyebrows shot up, "Boyfriend?"
"Oh," Eunyoung realized, "Right. I was going to tell you after things were official... but I guess since Yumi's already spilled the beans... I'll just tell you. I'm dating this guy..."
"Who?"
"Oh, you know," Eunyoung avoided her gaze, looking at the walls behind where her mother was seated, a red tinge appearing on her face, "It's umm... Sunjae. Ryu Sunjae- you know he lives-"
"Oh," her mother exclaimed, pleasantly surprised, "The guy next door? He seemed nice..."
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nana's notes: cute chapter after all the hell i put them thru :P last chapter before my hiatus :( see u in april!
delphi's notes: somebody check my blood sugar this is too sweet-
next chapter: april 1st list of chapters here!
li. thunderstorm
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CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE ─ thunderstorm.
❛ meet me in the pouring rain, kiss me on the sidewalk, take away the pain ❜
Ryu Sunjae's Perspective
My footsteps sounded on the concrete pavement as I ran with all my might towards Eunyoung's house. All the strength in my body was being utilized just to bring me to her and fix all the misunderstandings once and for all. I felt the chilly wind through my hair, and the breeze picking up dust and sending it flying everywhere, as if transporting me to my first meeting with Eunyoung. The skies had begun to grow darker, grey clouds casting their shadow over the Earth. I felt a sharp pain in my left leg, but I kept going, desperation flowing through my veins, pulling me closer to Eunyoung.
How clearly I remembered the very first day I encountered her. It was a day so magical and surreal, unlike any other; And I doubt any day could be compared with it. We had only known each other for a brief few minutes when she took my hand as we ran through the rain without a care in the world. Her actions were so elegant, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, and for the first time, I found myself unable to hate the rain. It left me breathless and awestruck at her sheer beauty- and that smile that I could never erase from my mind.
Memories with little stolen moments with her flashed before my eyes. My mind wandered back to the night of the field trip; Her delicate fingers tracing the contours on my body, her warm touch and seemingly careless drunken words that meant the world to me. At first, I had been quick to believe that it was all a mistake. But there was an undeniable sincerity in her voice, something too real to be ignored.
Realizing that she was upset and in tears because she thought I had left for America blossomed hope inside me. Though it was hard to believe that someone as dazzling as Eunyoung could ever like me back, a feeling in my gut told me that it was meant to be. And all the moments we spent together had come to this. For a split second, I had considered going to America and giving it another shot. But then the thought of being separated from Eunyoung made me feel dizzy and sick.
As I turned a corner, my pace slowed down as I saw her at last, walking in her rain with no umbrella. Eunyoung.
Choi Eunyoung's Perspective
Rainwater trickled down from my hair, onto my face and even my clothes. I felt it slowly dripping down, soaking my jacket as the downpour grew heavier by the minute. The storm was just like the day I met Sunjae, and we ran through the rain without a care in the world. There was a different kind of storm brewing inside of me. The memory came back to me, but rather than feeling happy reminiscing on it, it felt more like a needle pricking me, piercing through my skin.
I dragged my feet along the street. I couldn't even find the strength to lift my feet. No matter how I tried to explain to myself that Sunjae going away was a good thing, and that he would be happier, my stubborn heart continued to ache with longing. The thought of not being able to see him again was unbearable and the thought of which brought tears to my eyes.
My tears, mixing with the rainwater, cascaded down my face like a mighty waterfall. I had never felt more pathetic. Not only had I embarrassed myself in front of the boy I loved, but I had also lost the chance to say a proper goodbye. It was completely heartbreaking and I could feel the pain in my chest as I started to sob loudly. The rain drowned the sound, and it was as if the skies cried with me, engulfed in sorrow.
Just then, I felt someone's grip on my wrist. The touch startled me, and I turned to see who it was with hesitation. My eyes, red and sore, still streaming tears, went wide. It was Sunjae, wet hair dripping down his face and he was breathing heavily. His furrowed eyebrows softened on seeing me, and my heart skipped a beat. Even in this situation... he looked as beautiful as ever.
"Sunjae," I breathed out, "What- what-"
Before I had the chance to finish my sentence, both his hands grabbed my face and I felt his lips crash onto mine. My heart pounded in my head, and I felt my body getting warmer despite the cold rainwater sticking to me. The kiss was aggressive at first, as if desperate to prove a point. I was taken aback. Never in my wildest dreams had I thought something like this would happen. I found myself melting into his kiss without another thought, my body yielding to his touch in the most natural way possible.
My hands reached for his waist, and in that moment, the world fell away. The sound of the rain pounding against the pavement was muffled, as if we were lost in our own little universe, a place untouched by time or reality. All thoughts, all worries evaporated like mist, leaving just the feel of him—us.
His lips moved against mine with a kind of tenderness that made my heart stutter, like he'd been waiting for this as long as I had. It was as though each kiss carried a silent promise. The raindrops slid down our faces, mixing with the heat of our skin, and it felt right—like the storm itself was rooting for us, draping us in its cold embrace while we burned in the middle of it.
His hands cradled my face so delicately, fitting there perfectly—naturally—as though we'd been sculpted to match each other. The warmth of his palms grounded me, even as my knees felt ready to give way under the weight of everything he made me feel.
And his lips... God, his lips. They were soft, impossibly soft, as though I'd finally found the place I was meant to be. Like they were spun from clouds, stitched together with every unspoken desire I'd ever had. Every gentle brush sent sparks along my skin, igniting a fire that I didn't want to put out.
The rain poured harder, soaking through our clothes, tangling in our hair, but I didn't care. I could have stayed there forever—wrapped in his arms, our bodies close, and our hearts speaking louder than any words ever could. For the first time in forever, it felt like nothing else mattered but him and me. Just us, against the world.
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nana's notes: at long last!!!
delphi's notes: everyone clap for eunjae 👏🥳
previous chapter next chapter: friday list of chapters here!
a/n: sorry for the mess up in the chapter order and late chapter i was travelling :(
l. all because i liked a boy
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CHAPTER FIFTY ─ all because i liked a boy.
❛ i still know you as that kind-hearted guy, but i know the way we're talking can't be fine ❜
Choi Eunyoung's Perspective
"Especially since Sunjae is going away today-"
"What?" I interrupted Yumi, feeling a pang in my chest the moment those words left her mouth, "What did you just say?"
Yumi's eyebrows furrowed. She had been spending a lot of time with the Taesung since they had started "dating"- which wasn't the best idea in my humble opinion, but I had more pressing matters on my mind now that college had started. As a result she would often hear things about Sunjae from him.
"Don't you know?" she asked, confused, "That Sunjae's going away?"
"What do you mean by going away?" I asked, feeling pathetic on hearing the panic in my voice, "Where is he going?"
"To America," she said slowly, "For rehab."
I felt my heart sink. I dug my fingernails into the palm of my hand, looking down, trying to blink away the tears forming in my eyes. It was incredibly foolish of me. I was tearing up thinking of the possibility of a guy going abroad. A guy who I had been hopelessly in love with for two years. I had never felt more pathetic.
"But, I'm not sure he's actually going because he-" Yumi tried consoling me, seemingly feeling guilty for speaking so carelessly.
"He should go," I said with a shaky voice, "That way, he'll never run into my dad. He'll be able to swim again. He'll be happier there. It all works out perfectly. America is safer for Sunjae than Seoul."
There was a long period of silence between us after I said that. The campus cafeteria was buzzing with gleeful chatter and the sound of steel utensils clanking against each other. I couldn't cry there. Not where so many people were watching.
"But he'll come back!" Yumi exclaimed, putting on a fake smile, but her furrowed brows gave her away, "He's not going forever. You'll see him again-"
"Oh, gosh, Yumi don't be so naive!" I said, my voice unbelievably high-pitched and defensive, "People who go abroad don't come back. You know that."
"But he-"
I stood up, picking up my plate before she could speak any further, "I'm not hungry," I muttered softly, not being able to speak normally, feeling a lump in my throat, "I'll see you at home."
I began walking back, my eyes fixed on the marble tiles. My vision blurred with tears and my heart felt as if it was being pricked by a million needles. Yet I kept walking, quickening my pace in desperation to go somewhere I could be alone. I kept my plate with half-eaten food near the counter and continued on my way out of the cafeteria, tears cascading down my cheeks I was almost out when I stopped in my tracks on seeing a pair of white shoes in front of me.
I looked up sharply, only to find none other than Sunjae staring down at me. His eyes went wide, probably confused on seeing my tear-stained face. Our eyes locked for a split second and I didn't dare open my mouth for fear of saying something impulsive again. In that fleeting moment, the world around melted away, muffling all other sounds except the sound of our breathing. I observed his eyes, how they focused on mine. I scanned his features, as if trying to memorize them for one last time. The perfect slope of his nose; I could still feel his pillowy lips when I decided to look away, and walk past him without a word.
Goodbye, Sunjae.
Ryu Sunjae's Perspective
On my way to the cafeteria, I found myself running into Eunyoung. Her demeanor confused me to no end. Her head was hung low, with her eyes fixed on the ground and her hasty pace coming to a sudden halt on seeing me. And then when she looked up, the tears in her eyes that spilled down to her cheeks seemed to twist my heart in pain. Why did she look so heartbroken? Every part of me wanted to pull her in my embrace, but I held back. Her gaze met mine for a split second. Her eyes seemed to scan my face while I frowned in confusion. Then she looked in my eyes once again, as if for the last time, and then she proceeded to walk away all without uttering a single word.
All my hunger I felt previously seemed to melt away like snow on a sunny day and I went after her, breaking into a sprint. While I had stood there hesitating, she had disappeared into the crowd of college students. But my determination to find her and talk to her remained undeterred.
Stumbling out onto the pavement near the bus stop, I found her dragging her feet along the path, walking slowly, her steps short and slow. I ran to her and took a hold of her wrist, "Eunyoung!" She turned with hesitation, cautious and wary. Her eyes and nose had gone red and my heart ached to see her tear-stained face. Her lower lip trembled and her brows furrowed when she looked at me. When the bus made a great hissing sound she turned her attention to watch it drive away.
"I'm busy," she said with a eerie chill in her voice. Turning away, she walked off once more while I was left powerless, watching her disappear into the sea of people. Unwillingly, I began walking back to the school campus while a heartbreaking realization dawned upon me. I had lost Eunyoung, perhaps forever.
While this depressing monologue went on in my head, I heard someone call out my name.
"Sunjae! God, I'm so-" Yumi exclaimed through shaky breath, and it seemed like she had been running, "I'm so glad I found you! Have you seen- have you seen Eunyoung?"
"Yeah, she was right here-" I pointed to the bus stop. But it was too late. Eunyoung was already getting onto the bus.
"You have to go after her!" Yumi urged, "I accidently told her that you were going-"
"Going where?" I asked impatiently, my voice laced with fear.
"America," she stated plainly, "Aren't you going today?"
"What?! No!"
"Shit," she cursed, "Anyways, you have to go! I don't know what crap it is that's stopping you from cutting the bullshit and being together, but I've had it! I'm not going to stand here and watch her cry like that for the rest of her life, so you better go and find her before I-"
I was already running towards home before she could finish what she was saying.
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nana's notes: they're getting their shit together in the next chapter i promise
delphi's notes: yumi has had enough lmfao
previous chapter next chapter: friday (out now!) list of chapters here!
xlviii. hopeless
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CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT ─ hopeless.
❛ i just woke up from a dream where you and i had to say goodbye ❜
Narrator's Perspective
"Sunjae," Inhyuk said to him while they were packing up, ready to leave.
(note- in this fic, both inhyuk and taesung attend yeonseo university with yumi and eunyoung -n.)
Sunjae, jumped a little and turned to look at him. He was still thinking of the kiss from the previous night, and his heart still fluttered as he remembered each and every detail...
"What?"
"I need to tell you something important," he began, looking suspicious.
Sunjae raised an eyebrow at him, "What is it?"
"Remember last night? I was helping you look for your shirt that got lost?"
"And then I found you snoozing in your bed later?" reminded Sunjae with a spiteful yet playful scowl, "Yeah, I remember that."
"Sorry about that," Inhyuk said briefly, "But I have a reason."
"Is that so?"
"Yes," he replied, "When we got separated, I... went looking for you, and well... I saw you. I saw you and Eunyoung near the stage."
Sunjae's eyes went wide, "How much did you see?"
"Enough."
There was an awkward silence between the boys that lasted for a few seconds. A blush of embarrassment rose up Sunjae's cheeks. "So... you know?"
"Yeah," Inhyuk replied, "I swear, when I saw the two of you I was so in shock that at first I couldn't move. Then I decided it would be best to get out of there."
Sunjae looked down and mumbled, "Yeah, that was probably wise."
Inhyuk couldn't help but laugh at his friend acting like a completely different person from the Sunjae he had always known. He elbowed him in the ribs and teased, "So~ things are going to start heating up for you now, huh?"
"Stop it," Sunjae said, turning away to hide his face that was a smiling, blushing mess.
As they made their way out of the tent, dragging their luggage along, they ran right into Eunyoung and Yumi, who were going to where the crowd of students gathered. Everyone let out expressions of surprise and murmured their greetings. Eunyoung's expression was unnaturally grave and serious when she looked at Sunjae and said, "Can we talk for a minute?"
Sunjae tried his hardest to suppress his smile when he answered, "Sure."
Following Eunyoung's rather hurried pace, Sunjae followed her to a clearing where no one was there to eavesdrop. She suddenly came to a halt and turned to look at him. Sunjae couldn't decipher her expression. It was a mix of irritation and shame and it made no sense to him.
"What's wrong?" he questioned with furrowed brows.
"I wanted to say sorry about last night," she started off. Sunjae's eyes widened. The truth was that it hurt every part of her being to tell him this, because she wanted to believe so badly that the events of the previous day meant something. But Eunyoung felt far too guilty about Sunjae's death to let herself think that. "I was really drunk last night and I did something so impulsive. It must have been uncomfortable for you, so I wanted to apologize. I'm really sorry, Sunjae. I hope you can pretend that it never happened."
With every word that Eunyoung spoke, he felt his heart twist and break into a million pieces before his eyes. His throat felt choked and the chilly mountain air started to slowly suffocate him. His entire body felt the shock on hearing her tell him it was all a mistake. His brain cursed at him for thinking someone as beautiful and perfect as Eunyoung could ever see him in that way. His feet felt rooted in the ground as he stood before Eunyoung, not daring to utter a single word.
After she had finished speaking, he stared at her face for a few moments quietly. Her hair framed her face, cascading down her shoulders in such a casual and effortless manner that took Sunjae's breath away. He gave himself a moment to think about how unfair it was that she looked like a fallen angel despite being hungover.
"If that's what you want," he murmured out, looking down at the ground to hide his teary eyes. He heard her footsteps as she walked away, the sound fading away into the distance as the tears cascaded down his face, not making a sound.
💿
"You're not sitting with your boyfriend?" Eunyoung asked Yumi who took the seat next to her on the train, "Or fake boyfriend, I should say."
"Keep your voice down," Yumi hissed, checking to see if anyone had heard her, "I haven't spoken to him since last night. I don't have the energy to deal with this right now."
Eunyoung let out a deep sigh, "Why have our love lives suddenly become so complicated?"
"It's all so overwhelming," Yumi nodded in agreement, "But you're acting so stupid. Why did you tell him to forget about it? Don't you like him?"
"I do, but-"
"Then, there! You have it!" Yumi exclaimed, "You like him, so what's the problem?"
"He never said he liked me back!" Eunyoung emphasized.
"Does he have to?" Yumi asked, feeling irritated at her ignorance, "Have you seriously never noticed how he looks at you? Like you're his whole world?"
"I can't let myself believe that," Eunyoung lowered her gaze, fixing her eyes at the blue carpeting below her feet, "The truck driver in Sunjae's accident was my dad."
"Oh," Yumi shrunk back. She reached for Eunyoung's hand, "Eunyoung..."
"It's my fault," she said, feeling her eyes well up with tears, "I was given the chance to protect him and I couldn't do it. I don't deserve him. I'd rather die in his place."
"You can still save him."
"What if I can't?"
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nana's notes: depressing chapter ._.
delphi's notes: just eunyoung proving that love is deaf, dumb and blind
previous chapter next chapter: friday (out now!) list of chapters here!
xlvii. unforgettable
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CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN ─ unforgettable.
❛ boy, you got me hooked on to something, who could say that they saw us coming? ❜
Narrator's Perspective
While Sunjae and Eunyoung's lips moved against each other's without a care in the world, a worried Yumi called out desperately to Eunyoung.
"Eunyoung! Choi Eunyoung!" she screamed into the darkness, "Where the hell are you?"
The moment her voice fell upon Sunjae's ears, he pulled away from Eunyoung's embrace hastily. The sound sent panic surging through him, while Eunyoung felt like she was floating on a cloud, with the sweet taste of Sunjae's lips lingering on her lips. Sunjae began thinking harder than ever. In a few seconds, he came to the conclusion that it would be better for him to face Eunyoung's sister and make up a story before she could find them and draw her own conclusions. Taking a deep breath and trying his hardest to ignore the aftertaste of soju and lipgloss on his lips, he gently took a hold of Eunyoung's wrist and came out from behind the stage to face Yumi.
Yumi's expression when she saw them was absolutely priceless. All sort of mortifying thoughts raced through her head. Her eyes widened in shock and her mouth fell agape in confusion. Sunjae, raising his eyebrows and speaking too fast, said, "Listen it's not-"
"Why are you naked?" she asked, turning to look at the pine trees.
"Look, I was looking for my shirt and-"
"And you found my sister instead?" Yumi asked skeptically.
"Yeah, that's what-"
Yumi scoffed, as if to say unbelievable.
"I'm telling the truth!" Technically he wasn't lying, because before he found Eunyoung, he was looking for his shirt, but he wasn't going to enlighten Yumi about what happened after that. A warmth crept up his cheeks on thinking of the kiss they had just shared and he fought with all his might to conceal his smile, "And I just saw her and she's really drunk. That's when I heard your voice... so now I'm here."
Yumi squinted at his face,focusing on only his face, as if trying to see through his bluff. She advanced towards them and shook Sunjae's hands- that still held Eunyoung's wrist, off and pulled Eunyoung to her side. She took a good long look at Eunyoung. Her hair was messy, hanging around her eyes, her cheeks were flushed and her lipstick was slightly smudged. Her piercing gaze shifted to Sunjae, who look a step back, intimidated by her death glare. His face had "guilty conscious" written over his face, that was too obvious for Yumi to ignore. Thinking that Eunyoung would probably tell her everything eventually, she let him go and stopped glaring daggers at him.
"So you found her like this?"
"Yeah."
"While you were looking for your shirt?"
"That's right."
"Well," Yumi said, "Thanks for bringing her to me, I guess. And I hope you find your shirt."
Sunjae sighed in relief as Yumi and Eunyoung turned around and disappeared into the distance. But he still felt his heart racing and cheeks blushing from kissing Eunyoung. The warmth of her touch curled his lips into a cheery smile as he began journeying back to his own tent, while his missing shirt had been forgotten.
💿
Yumi struggled in getting Eunyoung into bed because for some reason she refused to cooperate. When she was finally tucked in, Yumi stared at her blank face, trying to figure out what had happened between Eunyoung and Sunjae. Actually, it was quite obvious, but admitting it was a whole other story. Eunyoung let out a small giggle, still lost in Sunjae's touch.
"What?" Yumi snapped. Eunyoung's laugh was basically confirming her fears. Something about it made Yumi feel weird on the inside.
"He's such a good kisser," Eunyoung whispered, staring at the ceiling with a stupid smile on her face. Yumi's eyes widened and her heart nearly stopped working from shock.
The word "kiss," reminded her of what had happened earlier that evening. Kim Taesung had stolen her first kiss. And that too in front of the whole Practical Music department. Within a few hours, the news had spread all over the campsite, and everyone knew about it. In just one night, she and her fake boyfriend had become the biggest news at the Yeonseo University field trip. It was a mess- girls crying, gossiping, guys speculating and the seniors wondering if they would get married. And Minjun? He must have died from the shock, which meant that he would leave her alone at last.
The truth was that it was all she wanted. Taesung's possessive yet gentle demeanor. His soft touch that sent sparks flying inside her. It was perfect- all she would ever wish for. But of course, it scared her. What would happen to their relationship? They had gone from barely speaking to each other to being a fake couple with a kiss. How would it affect the future. It was all too much.
To distract herself, she turned to look at her sister again, sighing at her smiling, giggling face. She couldn't help but giggle at her stupidity.
"You're going to regret telling me that in the morning."
💿
Regaining consciousness in the morning was one of the most painful experiences of her life. Her head felt like a million needles were poking at her brain, tearing at it. Her entire body felt heavy, as if a cow was sitting on her chest. There was a hazy fog in her head and the sunlight streaming through the window felt blinding. At first, she could remember nothing from the previous night.
Then, it started coming back to her slowly, but surely. Playing drinking games and getting drunk with her friends. And then roaming around, lost afterwards. She then remembered Sunjae- shirtless, in all his glory, and her impulsive decisions that escalated-
"Considering that look on your face and the way you're blushing, I'm guessing you got your memories back, huh?" Yumi asked, smiling sarcastically.
"You know too?" Eunyoung buried her head in the blanket, groaning with embarrassment.
"Why're you so dramatic?" Yumi pulled the sheets off, "Isn't it a good thing?"
"No, are you kidding?" Eunyoung said, panicking, "You don't even know what exactly I did. And he didn't even say anything- OH MY GOD. It must've made him so uncomfortable, I'm going to die."
"Relax," Yumi assured her, "Since you confessed to your sins, let me tell you what happened last night. Kim Taesung kissed me."
"WHAT?!"
"Yeah," Yumi confessed, looking down with shame, " You know how Minjun was after my life? Yeah, well this was Taesung's way of getting me out of it. Now I have a fake boyfriend."
Eunyoung blinked a few times, trying to process this new information. In the end, all she could say was, "Wow. That's really... something."
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nana's notes: i apologize in advance because everyone's going to be acting like an idiot for the next few chapters
delphi's notes: i'm about to kick eunyoung's ass-
previous chapter next chapter: saturday (out now!) list of chapters here!
xlvi. intoxicating
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CHAPTER FORTY-SIX ─ intoxicating.
❛ the taste of your lips is my idea of luxury ❜
Narrator's Perspective
Night had fallen on that obscure hillside hidden away in the middle of a forest. A chilling, cold stillness hung in the air, threatening to bite anyone who dared to step out. Even the never-ending buzz of the Yeonseo University students had died down, enveloping the place in complete silence. Everything went on within the tents- late night talks and hushed conversations. Outside, just the crickets chirped endlessly, singing their symphonies throughout the night. There were soft, warm, yellow fairy lights that gave a tender illumination to the campsite, just bright enough to make out vague shapes in the night.
Eunyoung sat on the makeshift stage, giggling to herself. Being really bad at drinking games, she had taken one too many shots and had gotten extremely drunk to the point where she didn't have any control over what she was doing or saying. Her mind fogged with confusion and uncertainty, yet she didn't move from her seat. Sunjae's jacket was now draped on her legs that shivered with the biting cold. She let out another soft giggle.
The sound of leaves crunching under someone's feet fell upon her ears and she became suddenly alert. The sound grew louder, as if someone was advancing towards her. Louder and louder, till a tall figure emerged through the darkness. It took a few moments for Eunyoung, in her drunken state, to figure out who it was. The dim glow of the fairy light helped her understand that she was looking at none other than Ryu Sunjae.
The sight of him seemed to sober her up momentarily. He was roaming about with no shirt or any clothing covering his upper body. She could only see him wearing black trousers in the barren cold of the night. Her gaze traced the contours of his upper body, lingering on every sharp definition and smooth curve carved by years of discipline. The play of light accentuated the ridges of his toned muscles, the strength in his broad shoulders, and the graceful taper of his torso. His arms were masterpieces that hung by the pockets of his trousers. Each line and shadow seemed sculpted, as if his body were a masterpiece crafted by the gods themselves. Her eyes followed the subtle shift of his muscles with every movement, captivated by him like never before.
Their eyes met, and there was a silent agreement between them. Sunjae's face flushed with warmth, feeling slightly embarrassed that she had seen him like that. Despite his embarrassment, he couldn't help but notice her shivering in the cold. Putting aside his own pain in the frosty air, he made his way to where she was sitting.
Eunyoung watched as he walked towards her, his figure becoming increasingly clear in the yellow light. She felt a kind of warmth creeping up her cheeks, which she wasn't in a state to decide whether it was because of all the soju in her system or because of the majestic man standing before her. She turned her head up to look into his beautiful, glass-like eyes. Her lips stretched into a smile, "Sunjae," she called out longingly.
"What are you doing out here?" he asked, frowning, his voice full of concern and worry, "It's freezing, why are you still here? Are you... drunk?" He cupped her face without thinking much of it and examined her flushed face and dazed eyes, "You are, oh god."
She pushed his hands away, confusing him even more. She pushed herself off the stage, standing to face him. He picked up the jacket that slipped onto the ground- his jacket. He noticed how she almost came up to his ears. She's so tall... He tied it around her waist as carefully as he could.
Eunyoung's unreadable expression perplexed him to no end. She gazed into his eyes for a long time, eventually smiling at his confusion. Her hand reached up to caress his face, feeling warmer than her hands that shivered in the cold. There was a new kind of bravery burning inside her. Her hand traced the definition on his shoulders, feeling his arms sculpted by endless hard work. Trailing down to his chest, and then his waist, her fingers lingering on his toned abs as she watched in wonder. Finally, in a delicate motion, her arms rested on the sides of his waist.
Every touch sent sparks flying across Sunjae's skin. His heart pounded in his ears. He'd never felt this way and he couldn't possibly put the feeling into words. Her chilly hands feeling up his body and fingers tracing every sharp edge and curve seemed to burst fireworks inside him. Their eyes locked in a split second, never looking away. This felt so right. His body fit perfectly in her hands- as if they were made only for each other.
"How could you be roaming around like that? What if someone else except me had seen you?" she asked, stepping closer to him. Her hands moved back up to his shoulders, one hand cupping his face. It took him a few seconds to realize that she was no longer looking into his eyes. Her gaze lingered on his pillowy lips.
"I can't believe you're so oblivious. You're beautiful. I like you, silly. More than anyone or anything else. You're all I want. Stay here with me, won't you?"
Those words were all he ever wished to hear from Eunyoung.
His eyes examined her features in the illumination of the dim fairy light. The slope of her nose that was unbelievably perfect, and her intoxicating gaze that stared right at his lips. And her glossy lips that seemed to shine even on that dark night and her radiant skin that seemed to have a soft glow through her flushed cheeks.
Before Sunjae had a chance to comprehend the situation, Eunyoung reached up and pressed her lips onto his. The kiss was like fireworks on new years day. He overcame the initial shock, giving in to her touch. His hands reached for her waist, pulling her closer. She pulled away for a few seconds to admire his face. The cold didn't seem to matter anymore while they held each other.
There was no need for words in that moment while he looked at her with a kind of hunger and longing in his eyes. Those two years of accidental touches and thoughtful actions dismissed as friendship had led up to this moment. She likes me. And I like her. Nothing else mattered to Sunjae. This was all he ever needed. All his self-doubt and negativity melted away into something insignificant.
He pulled her towards himself by her waist, kissing her lips harder than before. He could now feel the slight taste of her sweet lip gloss mixing with the intoxicating taste of alcohol as their lips moved against each others' without a care in the world. Eunyoung's hands roamed his back absent-mindedly, feeling the warmth of his body against her chilly hands that seemed to thaw at his touch. Feeling a tiny bit of his hand against an exposed part of her waist pulled her in deeper. The kiss seemed to make her sober for a moment, butterflies taking flight in her stomach just like the first time she laid her eyes on him.
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nana's notes: it took them forty six chapters but they finally did it
delphi's notes: who's gonna match eunyoung's freak?
previous chapter next chapter: friday (out now!) list of chapters here!
xliv. truths unspoken
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CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR ─ truths unspoken.
❛ cause i'm not gonna be the one to get hurt ❜
Choi Yumi's Perspective
"Your name's Yumi, right?"
I nearly jumped out of my skin upon hearing an unfamiliar voice call out to me. There was a sense of busyness in the air as all the students got off the train in as little chaos as possible (of course, that didn't mean no chaos). Concerned students who lost their luggage and belongings yelling for help, people taking pictures the moment they exited the train, and I also heard someone say they swallowed mouthwash.
In this sea of havoc, I look around restlessly, searching for a tall tower surfing through the crowd that was Eunyoung. I didn't want to make any awkward conversation with people from university who I barely remembered. Unlike me, Eunyoung's college experience was quite pleasant from what I remember, so I thought she would be a great help in conversing with these insufferable people.
Even with all this going on, a scruffy-looking guy had managed to approach me with a rather unpleasant grin on his face, as if he was going to make pork chops out of me.
"How do you know me?" I asked, taking a step back, dragging my suitcase along in case he happened to be a theif.
"I know a lot of things," he said smugly, "The name's Minjun. I'm your sunbae."
"What do you want, sunbaenim?" I took another step back, praying for Eunyoung to appear soon.
(note- sunbae or sunbaenim means senior in korean!)
"What do I want?" he repeated slowly, the creepy smirk never leaving his face. I gave him my best scowl, which seemed to throw him off.
"Yes, that's what I asked you," I said, daring to take a menacing step towards him, "Did you understand it or do you want me to spell it out?"
"Let's go-"
"Sunbaenim!" snapped a comforting, familiar voice from behind. I heaved a sigh of relief on seeing Eunyoung's face. She shot him a sarcastic smile, "The rest of your cocky friends are over there, arranging the chairs. So, why don't you do something useful and help them out, hmm? And stay away from my sister before she files a restraining order."
Minjun frowned and turned to leave muttering something offensive under his breath. Eunyoung stood at Yumi's side, rolling her eyes at the boy. "He's got some nerve."
"Never been happier to see you," I said, clinging to her arm.
"That's nice of you."
"I didn't mean it like that."
"I know you didn't, I'm just messing with you."
"I'm just worked up," I groaned quietly, "How do you know the guy anyways?"
"Oh I remember him very well. He was the guy who got kicked out because of a drug scandal, remember?" the moment Eunyoung said that, all the movement around us ceased as time stopped for a brief second before springing into action again.
"I keep forgetting that happens," Eunyoung chuckled.
"Yeah," I returned a smile, feeling lighter than before, "Now that you say that, I do remember Minjun sunbae. He was trying to hit on me before we got onto the train too, but I basically ran away. He was always insufferable, huh? "
"Yup."
While my eyes wandered the landscape mindlessly, I spotted the Eclipse members approaching. For a split second, I found myself locking eyes with Taesung before jerkily looking away, turning to look at the tall pine trees, that had never looked more interesting.
"Hey!" Eunyoung greeted them enthusiastically. I watched as her and Sunjae's eyes locked ever so naturally, as if it was planned out beforehand; and then he shot her a smile, which she returned. Looking at them, it made me wonder whether something like that could ever happen between me and-
"Hi!" said Inhyuk, breaking my train of thoughts, "How was your journey?"
"It was pretty okay," I answered, trying my best to sound nonchalant, avoiding Taesung's gaze entirely.
"I was sleeping for most of it," Eunyoung chimed in.
"Me too," Sunjae beamed. Inhyuk smirked at him knowingly, as if to say "And you spent the rest of your time admiring Eunyoung from afar." Which was probably true.
I found myself giving in to temptation and stealing a glance at Taesung, only to find him already looking, which made my face erupt with heat. I watched his eyes move down my face, looking at my scar- the stubborn thing that refused to go away, then, he quickly shifted his gaze to my eyes. He stared at me silently for a moment before saying, "My journey was okay as well."
"Good to know," I said, stretching my lips into a straight line and nodding awkwardly. I probably looked like an idiot.
💿
After some chitchat with the group, we moved to the tents to unpack. I was glad that the girls majoring in Journalism and Practical Music were in the same tent because I remembered how painfully awkward and weird it was to sleep next to a stranger I barely knew last time.
When I decided to venture out to check out the scenery, I ran into Inhyuk.
"Yumi, hey," he said.
"Oh, hi," I replied, feeling pleasantly surprised, "Thank god, it's you."
"Who'd you think I was?" he asked with an amused chuckle.
"Minjun sunbae," I rolled my eyes, "The field trip hasn't even properly started, but he's already tried to hit on me twice. It's exhausting."
"Damn, that's terrible," he sympathized, "He's such a weirdo. Every time I look at him, the voices inside my head start screaming- FRAT BOY."
I let out a laugh at his attempt to cheer me up, "You're so right!"
"How's your injury?" he asked gently after a few moments.
"It doesn't hurt anymore," I told him, smiling through the pain of remembering the accident, "Just the scar is too prominent for my taste."
"I think it looks cool," he decided.
"You can have it," I chuckled, which he reciprocated.
"Jokes apart," he said, looking serious, "How have you been doing?"
"As okay as I can be," I sighed, looking at the forests surrounding the tents, "It's not exactly a pleasant memory, you know."
"It gets better with time."
We stayed quiet for quite some time. But it was a comfortable silence. One that represented mutual understanding and agreement.
"By the way," he said after a while, "Have you seen Sunjae anywhere?"
"No," I began, "But Eunyoung stepped out before me, so that should answer your question."
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nana's notes: yumi and taesung have no idea what's coming 👀
delphi's notes: stay tuned ;)
next chapter: friday list of chapters here!
xliii. unfinished business
☾⋆｡𖦹 °✩⋆｡° ✮
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE ─ unfinished business.
❛ i've been looking at you since half past two wanna take this downtown? ❜
Choi Eunyoung's Perspective
The moment I opened my eyes, my ears filled with cheery chatter from all directions. Enthusiastic conversations and excited giggles went on all around me. I blinked my eyes rapidly a few times, looking around. Everyone was dressed in orange attire with the Yeonseo University logo. My mind couldn't process anything. Moments ago, I remember being at the hospital where Sunjae died... again. I felt a lump in my throat as I tried to blink back my tears that threatened to spill any second. I looked around frantically in desperate search for the only face I wanted to see at that moment.
Then I found him. My panic ceased for a glorious, fleeting moment while my teary eyes rested on his face. The corners of my lips curled up without me realizing as I saw his resting face. He leaned back on his seat with his eyes closed and features relaxed. He looked as perfect as ever, I thought to myself. The ache in my heart seemed to give way momentarily while my stomach did backflips at this sight. Fluffy hair that cascaded down his forehead just the right way, perfect, pillowy lips...
I snapped myself back to reality. Where was I? On looking around a second time, I finally realized. I was on my university field trip. This realization seemed to form even more questions in my mind. Where was Yumi? Was this my last chance to save Sunjae.
Memories from the future resurfaced as I began to see with a hurtful clarity. The detective had told me in his professional, emotionless tone that the man who was responsible for Sunjae's death, the driver of the truck was none other than Choi Minseok, my father. I knew I was on a train to some countryside location I couldn't quite put my finger on, which meant that I had to maintain composure. I couldn't break down weeping right there no matter how much I wanted to.
It was all so unfair. My dad took everything with him when he left my mom and me. All we had was a shanty apartment that not even he wanted. And now again, here he was, haunting my past, future and my present, taking away my everything.
"Eunyoung!" the girl beside me called out. Turning to look at her, I realized she was Yuri, the one friend I had throughout college who stuck by me through those times. I smiled, feeling nostalgic of my university days, "Did you hear what that guy said?"
"What?"
"God, you are so distracted today!" she observed, sounding slightly concerned, "He said that when two people kiss on the first field trip of Yeonseo University, they always get married later in life! Isn't that insane? Gosh, that's so romantic!"
"That sounds ridiculous!" I chuckled, waving my hand in front of my face, "They just make up stories to entertain us."
"Don't be such a mood-kill!" she said, elbowing me, smiling enthusiastically, "Let's have some fun, yeah?"
"Yeah, of course," I answered her, forcing a smile out of obligation, "We'll have fun for sure."
"Anyone you like from the orientation?" she asked, leaning towards me eagerly.
I went silent for a good couple of seconds, feeling heat rise up my face at the thought of Sunjae.
"Not really," I lied through my teeth, avoiding her gaze and staring out through the window, "Maybe I will once I get to know them better."
Choi Yumi's Perspective
I heaved a sigh. Out of all places, why did I have to end up at m university field trip? I clearly remember it being a disaster. I was a drunken mess and the hangover made me the sickest I had ever been in my life. And this trip was the beginning of four torture-filled years of law school that I loathed. My gaze fell on my neatly folded jacket in my lap. I traced the embroidery that read "Yeonseo University" mindlessly when I noticed the department written below it.
Practical Music
I had to bite back the gasp that nearly escaped my mouth when I realized what it said. How did it suddenly become Practical Music of all things? I had never been so perplexed in my life. Something in the time travel had altered my reality and now I was a Music major. For a moment, it felt like liberation. Like someone had given me the keys to freedom and to happiness. This was my escape. My path to fulfilment. I remembered my lifelong love for music. How I started listening to Eclipse because of it... and now I was here again. Time travelling for the last time, hoping to bring Taesung out of his misery.
I looked around as discretely as I could, scanning the sea of orange-clad freshman and seniors, only looking for a certain someone. The moment I saw his bright smile, my heart threatened to jump out of my chest. My happiness knew no bounds, seeing him laugh with the Eclipse members.
It was undoubtable, my love for Taesung and for music were always intertwined. It was fate all along. Perhaps I had a chance. How silly it was that his beautiful smile was enough to turn me into this foolish optimist?
Everything reminded me of my mother. How she spent hours in the front yard with her cup of coffee and biscuits writing lyrics endlessly. The various times she would read out poetry to me were all so vivid in my mind. They played in front of my eyes like flashbacks of an old movie tape that was so worn out from watching over and over again. For a moment, I felt contended. That maybe she was watching over me from heaven, feeling proud that I was-perhaps, fulfilling her dream that she couldn't.
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nana's notes: i'm SO excited for this part of the story. you guys aren't ready🤭
delphi's notes: yumi's confusion is so funny lmfao she's always so lost
next chapter: saturday list of chapters here!